The National tribune., 1890-09-11
THE w.R.C.
BY WALTER NJ. LEMAS.
Dedicated 20 Lincoln Relief Corps. No. 8, Depart
ment Of California, W.RC.

The slime 10 march had come, and tho tapping of
Was heard on the morning air.
And on the village green the old flag was seen,
For the volunteers were mastering there.
The rumble and the roar from the Carolina shore
Was heard In the hills Of the North,
And the volunteers had come at the summons OF
To take the answer back 20 the South.
And woman, too, was there, with blessing and
with prayer,
The sister. aud the wife and mother.
To look into the face ard take the Inst embrace
OF the husband, and father. and brother.
But they subdued their fears, and smiled through
While their hearts with anguish wore wrung,
As the last farewell said and the prayer TO God
prayed
And the men went forth 20 battle for the right
And brave the soldiers fate,
Aud the women remained to suffer and pray
To work, 10 watch and wait
The war-note rang and tho battles loud olang
Was heard over mountain and plain,
And the waters Of the river aud the deep blue sea
were dyed with the blood of the slain.
And the soldier Of the South and the yoeman Of
the North
Grnppled breast 10 breast on the field;
The one TO blot out. the other to preserve
The stars on the Nations shield.
But woman too, WAS there, with blessing and a
The miuis,ering angel Of the scene,
And she moisieucd the lips and bathcd the throb-
binE brain
With water from the cool cantcen.
But she subiued her fears and kept back her tears,
Though her heart with sorrow was wTung,
As she listened to the whispered blessing
From tIe dying soldiers tongue.
And man went on with wrath, ia the struggle and
thc strife.
And woman followed afer TO bind up the wounds
And save the soldiers life,
And thus to work, and watch. and wait.
The sweet and happy home. where the father used
TO come,
And was met with merrimeni and gleo.
IL desolate aud shorn and he never will return
To lake The prhttliug babe on his knee.
For the bulletin has told how with the squadron
bold
He charged through FIRE OF heIl
How with victory in sight, ia the thckest OF the
fight
The bullet reached his heart, aud he fell.
But woman stu is there with blessing and prayer
And pity FOR the sorrow around the vacant CHAIR.
And the widow and the children Of their noble
father proud,
While the true and faithful soldiers Of the noble
NOman's Corps
Keep steady watch and ward and stand on guard
around tie door
Where they pray, bat no longer watch wait
The bloody drama ends and the curtain descends,
And the old flag waves as Of yore,
From the Pine-Tree State to the Golden Gate.
From Alaska 10 the blue Gufs shore.
But over all the land from the center TO the strand
The widows and orphans mourn
For the boy who went forth in the pride Of his
youth,
And the father who will never return
But woman still is there, with blessing and with
prayer.
The Relief Corps, commissioned by Heaven
! To dry the We, ping eyes and soolhc the heavy
signs,
Aud bind up the hearts that are riven.
I The army of the dead who for the Nation bled,
Have marched through the peaFly gate
/ And anon The sister Corps Will join the comrades
there,
For which hour they work, and watch and wait
ISTERsTATR RKUEIoR.
| DEAR TRIBUNE: According 10 announcement
! representative Of the Womau's Relief Corps o
/ Kansas and Nebraska met at designated Head
quarters, Camp Lincoln. Neb., Aug 8, for the puT
4 pose Of forming Reunion Association similar tC
I lie GAR
Mrs. IS. L. Huffman, OF Red Cloud. Neb., wa
/ chosen President. and Maggie X. Wood Of Bur
Oak, Kan, Secretary. The objects Of the meeting
/ were discussed, aud all W.RC. members present
encouraged by Grand Army comrades, favored /
| permanent association. IL was decided 10 hold |
/ meeting la the near future To perfect the same
Ali Corps within the jurisdiction Of the Interslal,
Reunion Association, GAR, will bs notified IL
time 10 participate.
The Committee Resolutions reported thank
tu Commander Adams and staff for the generou
welcome accorded and hospitality extended th,
H.kC., and for commodiOus headquarters pro
I yidcd; 10 ComFade q. w. NOulsey, Of Superior 70
the beautiful W.k.C Insignia for headquarters; an,
/ 10 COHTade 4. Kitchey. Of Burr Oak. for favor
shown Mesdanes NJ. l.. Huffman Red Cloud Seb
Z Maggie X. Wood, Burr Oak, Kan; Mary Petit
/ Neb.; Jane HOughton, Jamesgown. Kan, com
] Iufttge