The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-21
MISS CLARA BARTON
Writes a Grand Letter to the " Yates
PhalanX," 39th iii.

Among the enjoyable Reunions of the month
was that of the Yates Phalanx," or 39th ILL.,,
which was held at Marseiles ILL.,, on Wednes-
day, oct. 13. With their former commander,
Gen. Thomas q. Osborne, late u. $. Minister 10
the Argentine Republic, for orator of the day,
Gen. Alfred III. Terry as guest, and Gen. o. l..
Mann, who led them in the night charge on
Wagner, it is easy to believe the boys had a
grand time. The 39th was among the bravest
and best regiments that took the field, and has
held to its organization since the war with
great fidelity.
Among the guests invited was Miss Clara
Barton, President of the American Red Cross,
who, it will be remembered was the only
woman on Morris Island for eight months dur
ing the siege of Charleston, and il was signif-
cant that this invitation to the Reunion should
have found her 20 years later in the city of
Charleston, learning the needs and attempting
to mitigate the sufferings and tighten the woes
which had so terrfcally overwhelmed that
fated city. We publish the letter addressed by
her to Con. o. l.. Mann in response to the in
vitatiOn to attend the Reunion:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. Q. 1886.
GEN. o. i. MANN, Yates Phalanx, S0th III. Inf,
DEAR GENERAL: The acknowledgements
world tells US of Echoes from the Shores of Time !"
My wOrk-a-day life Is, fear too practical for this
but your letter of this morning certainly speaks
me with no uncertain sound of other days and
scenes; other efforts and possibilities which bear
the present the relation which the whirlwind does
To the Summer zephyr. u mad ocean to a rip
ping stream; and yet the same peoples.
Gen. Mann and the old 39th Ill. the same 1
am the same as when, 20 years ago, stood in the
sands OF Morris Island. through sun and storm,
watching forever the grim forts hurting defiance
and death. and we as firmly attempting to answer
back. ii II the same ocean, the same harbor, the
same Charleston; so impossible to enter then, so
easily reached to-day. The same commander who
held Sumter then grasped my hand in fearful
welcome And theap he
men, the comrades of Yates Phaanx with whom
am invited to meet in their Reunion among the
peaceful homes OF Illinois.
How time and change have tempered them
they will meet and send their old time victorious
huzzahs, and in the next breath ask softly of each
| other, what they can do for Charleston?n That
proud city eveed and crushed in Is seconds of the
power ofthe Infinite, as they in four years of hui
man power, might, skill, and effort, never did do
and never could have DONE
And Charleston herself, standing thunderstruck
but still manly, firm and brave SAYS with bated
breath: We are stricken, butitwas worth an earth
quake to us to receive the sympathy and learn the
spirit of our Northern countrymen and women.
We never knew them till now their courage was
| great, but their magnanimity is greater We
thank God, to-day, that we one people, and one
people we will remain; would fight harder to
stay In the Union than did to get out of IT, ~
General tell the old seth this and that at last they
are fully victorious, not only in war, but in peace
they have conquered Tell them that as stood in
/ the dsmantled dome of Charleston Orphan House
last week, and looked over the bay upon the Gilt
tering sands of Morris Island fanced US all there
again; that in memory saw the bavonets gisten
the swamp angel threw her bursting bombs; the
| fleet Numbered its eannonade and the little dark
line OF blue trailed its way in the dark to the bech-
| ing walls of Wagner; tell them from me, what you
will not OF yourself that again their fearless
/ leader waving them on, up and over the parapets
into the jaws of death, and heard the cang of the
| death dealing sabers as they grappled with the
/ foe. i saw the ambulances laden with agony and
the wounded slowly crawling to me down the tide
! washed beach. Voris and Cumminger gasping in
| their blood; heard the deafening eatter of the
hoofs of Old Sam as Elwell madly galloped up
under the walls of the fort for orders. heard the
tender, wailing FIFE the muffied drum and the last
shots as the ptiful little graves grew thick In the
| shifting sands.
Allthis for an entrance into Charleston and never
| gained. turned and looked upon her now O
mass OF ruins; there stood beside me the men who
had held her forts and manned her guns.
e" Behold what God hath wrought" said; and
awed as If by Almighty presence hearts beating
| low and eyes dim with memories old, we Joined
hands and picked our way down the shaken stair
cases To the broken city at our feet
Will you, General, be the bearer of my most cor
dial respects to your distinguished Orator of the
Day, to your honored guest, Gen. Terry. If with
you, to your officers and men, with my warmest
wishes for pleasant Reunion, and remembering
that peace hath her victories less than war Let
usthank God for loyalty preserved. Nation saved
and for his mercies to its defenders.
am, General, with esteem, both grateful and
cordial, yours, CLARA BARTON.