The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-04-14

smyth Circle Entertsins Their Friends
AZ The Headquarters Of smyth Post
No. Ian Excellent Array OF Talent.

Smyth Circle, Il. A. H.. gave O very |
pleasant entertainment last evening at |
tho headquarters OF Smyth Post No. 1, |
Third and King streets, that was atten-
tire room. Robert Ciddeli presided,
and the exercises were opened at 8
o'clock with singing, by achoir. Mise
Mabel Platte then made an address of
welcome, and was followed by Miss
Long. who gave reading in very ex-
csllent manner. Miss Smith rendered
a solo. and Miss Sadie Nostrand read
pleasing selection.
The Misses Platte sang duett In an
admirable manner and were followed
by William r.. Long, OF Smyth Post,
who delivered the following address
on
THE WOMEN OF THE REBELIIoN.
Much has been said and written of
the sacrifices and brave deeds of the
men who from 1851 to 1885 offered up
their lives in defense OF the old flag,
and for the perpetuation of the Union.
The deeds OF herolsm and bravery OF
our gallant comrades during the seven
days OF fire and blood In the Wilder
ness, the three days OF terrible conflict
at Gettysburg. ut .Antietam, on the
rocky heights of Nilsson Ridge. and
where hundreds and thousands of men
gave up their lives, or parted with
their limbs In defense of the old flag,
have been perpetuated in history, and
the thought occurred to me that the
work done. and the brave acts per-
formed by the women Of tho rebellion
were too apt to be overshadowed by
tho deeds of their fathers, husbands
and brothers.
Therefore, It was impressed upon
my mind that a tribute TO "rhe
Women OF The Rebellion might not
only prove interesting. but also iu-
structive, so commenced its prepar-
alton, and by the kind invitation OF
your committee, am here this evening
to submit 1t to you.
II our grandmothers and great
grandmothers, who lived during the
days when our forefathers were brave
ly battling and struggling to establish
to the world that these colonies are by
right and should be free and inGepend-
ent, IL they, the women OF that day
wero valiant and self-denying, the
women of the rebellion were no less
patriotic AMI devoted.
| When the news was flashed over the
wires to the North that Sumter had
fallen and that our proud banner had
been trampled in the dust by armed
traitors, 1t converted the loyal men OF
this country into heroes, and the WEB
maninto heroine5. / we'll rem embar tho
day when that news reached Philadel-
phia; every man had q set firm de
termlnea look upon his countenance
which told louder than words that the
insult to the flag could only be atoned
for by blood, while the women urged
their husbands, fathers, brothers and
lovers to respond to the call issued
shortly afterwards by that great and
good man Abraham Lincoln for Il, 900
men to retake and hold the forts ar
senals and other public buildings
seized by the robels. ..s
As regiment after regiment was
formed in response to that call, and
marched through the streets OF oar
city on their way to the station to take
trains for Washington, they were in
spired by tho bright smiles, and the
fervent God bless you of their women,
who, when at last the trains were car
rying them away had passed far out of
sight, turned back to weep. But they
had little time for this; il there was
work for the men TO do In the distant
Suites, there was also work for their
women to do at home .5...s"
Clothes were needed, and who could
prepare them SO we'll as women The
Girard House in Philadelphia was turn
ed into a vast workshop. where hun
dreds of women toile1 day and night.
seven days in the weok preparing
clothes for those In the field.
There was other work, however, that
must be attended to soldiers from
other States, on their way to the front,
wero daily arriving in Philadelphia,
weary and hungry ), some provision
must be made for them, and right no.
bly, did the women of 1861 take hold OF
the matter, and the result was the
Coopers Shop Soldiers Rest, where
during tho four years of the rebellion,
hundreds OF thousands of soldiers, en-
route for tho front, or on the return
to their homes were fed and cared FOL
by loyal women, who left their homes
and house duties, to attend to this
imperative call.
But There We're still other duties fol
women to perform after the storm oil
battle commenced; men with great
gaping wounds, men with mutilated
limbs, men who sunk under the priva
lions incident to long, wearisomC
marches. combined with change OF
food and climate, these needed care
and attention, and who so fit or com
petent to bestow 1t and nurse them
bnck to life, or II that was impossible
cheer their dying hours a. gentle
women. Consequently when the Gov
eminent hospitals were established
there was no trouble whatever exper
fenced In obtaining nurses. The loya
: hearts of the women of this nation
who loved the old flag. induced thous
ands OF them to leave their homes Il
take their places In the hospitals. DIR
Brockett In speaking on this matte
says:
women there were In this war
n who withouta single relative in tn,
army denied themselves for the Who'll,
four years the comforts to which the,
had been always accustomed, wen
thinly clad, took the extra blanket!
from their bed, never tasted tea, o
sugar or meat, that they might vino
another bandage around some un
known soldiers wound, or give som
parched lips in tho hospital anothe
sip OF wine. Others never let ON
T. leisure moment saved from lives o
pledged labor which barely earned
a them broad, 20 unemployed in til
service of the soldiers" The name
- and noble self-sacritlcing deeds of tn
women Of the rebellion will never b.
fully known. God himself keeps thi
record it is too sacred to be trusts,
IS to man. As rule American women
h. showed not only the greatest feelin;
D. and sympathy for the soldiers in thei
re exposures and suiTeriugs, but also
patriotism and love for the Unlo
equal to that which caused tw
3. million three hundred thousand me-
j 49, Al To- I..rn