The National tribune., 1885-12-03
Department Gleanings.

The recent visits of the veterans to the Shen-
andoah Valley, and the celebration of the an
niversary of the battle of Winchester, revives
the following historic letter, now in possession
of Mrs. Bonsell, nee Wright, of the Treasury
Department at Washington. Miss Wright was
Quaker lady, thoroughly devoted to the
Union cause, and she sent the letter as described
while Confederate officers were in her house at
breakfast. The colored man came Ostensibly
for eggs, and was allowed to pass through the
lines by the Confederates, because on his return
visits he brought small quantities of qoinine.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
NEW ORLEANS Jan. Z, 1867
DEAR Miss WRIGHT Youare probably not aware
of the great service rendered the Union cause by
the information you sent me by the colored man a
few days before the battle of the Opequan Sept.
10. 1854 1t was this information the battle was
fought and probably won. The colored man gave
the note rolled in tinfOi to the scout who await
ed him at Milwood. He had carried it in his mouth
to that point and delivered it to the scout, who
brought il to me. By this note became aware of
the situation Of affairs inside the enemys lines
and gave directions for the attack. l will always
remember this courageousan patriotic act of yours
with gratitude, and beg of you to accept the watch
and chain which l send you by Gen. J. w. For
syth, n memento of Sept. 19 1864.
am, very respectfully, your obedent servant,
PHILIP H. SHERIDAN, Major-General
THE NATIONAL ORDER IN PENNSYLVANIA.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Will you please publish the fol-
lowing resolutions adopted by the several National
Encampments of the G. r., in reference to the
Woman's Relief Corps. At the National Encamp-
ment held at indianapolis, Ind, June 1881 the fol-
lowing adopted, (see page 793 of the journal
of that session.:
Resolved That we approve of the project enter
tanned of organizing Womans National Relief
'Resolred, That such Woman's National Relief
Corps may use under such title the words Aux
iIiary to the Grand Army ofthe Republic"
At the National Encampment held in Denver,
Colo, June, 1888 the following was adopted
'Resoired, That we cordially hail the organization
of a Woman's National Relief Corps and extend
our greetings to them. We return our warmest
thanks to the loyal women of the land for their
earnest support and encouragement, and bid them
Godspced in their patriotic work"
At Minneapolis in June, 1884, the Committee on
the Address of the Commander Chief reported
as follows: THAT part of the Commander-in-
Chiefs address relating to the Woman's Relief
Corps gives evidence of the wisdom of the action of
the last annual Encampment in recognizing their
efforts as worthy band of o-laborers in char-
table work, and we extend to them our hearty con-
gratulations on the growth and success of their
organization, and we bid them Godspeed in their
noble undertaking."
land, Me-, last June. the following adopted ::
Your committee heartily eoncurs in all that has
been said of the work and aims of the National Re-
lief Corps. 1t was grand undertaking, and has
been carried out in the grandest manner Side by
side with the Grand Army it has pressed forward.
accomplishing in the name of Faith, Love and
Charity what comrades could not have accom-
plished without its assistance. 1t has earnest
wishes for its continued success; our hearty sup
port of the purposes OF It's organization and our CO.
operation in all of its undertakings We offer its
members now, as ever, the strong right hand of
our comradeship which will never weaken in its
grasp of love, respect and sympathy"
Under the able management of our worthy and
honored President Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer. a
very great interest is being awakened in thew .R.C
among the comrades OF Pennsylvania, and SO many
letters of inquiry received concerning it that it
will assist us very greatly, and benefit the Order in
this Department if you will kindly give this place
in your columns.-Mary A. Wallace, Chief lnsti-
,,tiny and Installing Officer Department of Penn
sylvania.
DEPARTMENT OF OHIO.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Please find the list of officers OF
d. Mcintosh Relief Corps, No. 80, of Ravenna o.,
ting and Installing officer: President, Mrs. Ellen
Bierce; S V.-P., Mrs. Kate J. Osborn; }. V.-P.,
Mrs Mary Braden; Sec. Mrs. Cynthia M. Gardner;
Saddler; c., Mrs Emma Henson; g., Mrs. Sarah
Oviatt; Asst c., Mrs. Isodene Oakley; Asst g.,
Mrs. Lou r. Churchill Twenty-Five charter MEM
bers Also the officers of Brooks Relief Corps, No
100, of Bristolville o.. instituted by Mrs. Sloan,
Nov. II: President Mrs: Ellen Pierce; $. V.-P.,
Mrs. Flora Mayhem; j. W, Mrs. Mary Barton;
Sec, Mrs. Mary Hart Treas, Mrs. Mary House;
Chap, Mrs. Abbie Mayhem; G.. Miss Stella House;
G., Mrs. Lizzie Huntly; Asst c., Miss Kittie Ken
ton; Asst g.; Mrs Carrie parTinser. . Twentyftwo
stituting and Installing Officer, GAINESVILLE, o..
DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA.
DEAR TRIBUNE: BY request of Commander
Hirsch / report the successful organization of n
Woman's Relief Corps, composed of ladies married
and single and ofiicered as follows: President,
Mrs. Elizabeth Drake; S. V.-P;, Mrs Sophie Ma
than; j. V.-P., Mrs. Manerva Erwin; Sec, Miss
Emma Dazey; Treas, Mrs Rosa Hirsch; Chap,
Mrs. A. j. Holmes; c., Mrs. Jennie Dazey; c.,
Mrs Hester Sprecher.--Emma Dazey, Attca, Ind.
DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY.
DEAR TRIBUNE: Our Corps in Covington Is In
good condition. and we will have four additions at
our next meeting, and others are coming. We are
Just now engaged in getting up an entertainment
in union with the Post to raise money for our Win
ter charities. We have engaged the Grand Rink,
and on Dec. II will have the entertainments. The
Newport Drill Corps that visited Portland with us
will give an exhibition drill. The Garfield Club, of
Covington will also drill, and ii Of the comrades
will give us a game Of wiat they name Hi Po "a
thing that is very near am Hear to the hearts of
many Of the Grand Army ladies of Cincinnati and
suburbs
Last June before went to Maine we started q
Grand Army Woman's Exchange in Cincinnati.
We now have a store at 225 Main street, and
lunch-room at the same place. Our store is for
the sale of all articles that any woman can make,
and our lunch room IL to furnish rstcass dinner
at reasonable prices. We have 80 lady managers,