The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-29

- N'VDA ~ |
hundred sick and wounded men were
to Kincsid's grove. Tents covered
them md big troea were felled and spread
over the ground for those most ablo to lie
in. Everybody worked like mad. gnd by |
all tho sick and wounded were
beyond tho fire OF battle.
In the wild haste and confusion Jupiter
was forgotten. since the early morning OF
the battle he had not been ssen. my
good soldiers," tho nurse said, Tho Inns
been shot"
With the army OF the Tennessee, some
miles away. Mother Bickerdyks and
. few Of her best men had aone with a farm
wagon and army mules to bring into camp
some supplies sent her for the sick. They
were riding through a forlorn little town
and she had stopped TO inquire Of someone
about the railroad and supplies. She spoke
loud and cheerily. as usual. az she leaned
over the side Of the wagon.
Suddenly. not far away. a glad whinny
and neigh OF q horse was heard. Then
there was 9 bound and leap over a fence,
crushing the old boards and tearing up the
soil and grass.
Jupiter !" screamed the soldier boys.
Jupiter " said the nurses sweet. tender
voice. The big white horse bounded to the
wagon n Mother Bickerdyke climbed
over its side to Jupitsr's head and put her
arms around his neck and cried. The boys
cried, too, while Jupiter rubbed his nose
all over the s%unbonnet with eloquent dumb
ness. He went bnck homo with them and
marched into the new camp, and the pale,
the ma1med. the crippled met him and laid
their hands on him in blessing.
Gen. Grant was never afraid to openly
trust and honor q brave woman. Let me
tell one more story to his memory.
In 1861 Maj. Powell, now chief of the
United States geological survey, was pro-
fessor of geology in an Illinois town, and
just married. He and his bride took their
wedding journey straight into the war.
Their HONEYMOON was spent in camp. and
the girl wife went prepared to follow her
soldier husband wherever he might go.
Within one month Of their marriage, at
the battle of Shiloh. Maj. Powell lost his
arm. He was brought into headquarters,
where his wife Aursed him faithfully.
General Grant sat ono day in their tent
trying to cheer the young man through an
hour OF terrible suffering, but as be ven
away he said to some one, IA right arm
tool his work is done in the armyH'
Mrs. Powell heard it. She stood in the
tent door, with a very positive look on her
face, and as General Grant came out she
said: mo. NO. general! Don't say so! I'm
q woman, and young, but I've enlisted in
this war! Let nae be the right arm! Well
find plenty of hard, good work to do for
the army yet! Try me, general! If 1 fail
discharge us! See how a three-armed SOL
der can serve you!"
All right. Mrs. POWELL" said Gen.
Grant, "You are a commissioned off Ger
from this hour. Send your husbands mes
senger to my tent; I will make out your
papers."
Gen. Grant shock hands with the small,
plucky woman. and. with a merry twinkle in
his eyes, said: How soon will the three
armed soldier be ready for marching or
ders?"
MIS-. Powell sometimes tells this story
herself, and she adds: Il sat down beside
my poor, sick husband and blushsd ana
cried at thoughts of my audacity to Gen.
Grant" W."
s. That evening q written document signed
BY ~. s.. Grant, WAS given Mrs. Major
Powell"
Until the tinal day of the war tina "per-
petual pass gave her permission to follow
the army through all its service to be her
husbands fright arm" in camp, in field, on
marches or in battles. The major was
we'll. He rode about as usual attending to
never n.s a't tslt.r sap or p'1 fsi Sed she n,s !. w.ns
her scholarship, lived in tents, slept on
the ground in blankets. took care of their
sick, and never was there q daughter
of the regiment" better loved. Gen.
Grant used to say. II never regretted
that perpetual pass" Just before his last
illness a brother officer remarked to him
one day:
1T was a mistake to allow so manv
women to follow the army
The general took his cigar from his
mouth. passed his hat 10 the back of his
head and said. Colonel, YOU don't know
what you're talking about! Did you ever
hear Of my three armed soldier, Officer
Powell?"
mo! l think not"
swell. if it hadn't been for a little dark
eyed girl I should have lost a good officer
and a bravo man. He did me and his
country good SERVICE" And then Gen.
Grant told him the story of his perpetual
pass"
Let me add, and let it be a flower for his
grave. that Gen. Grants life abounded
with acts of gentleness and kindness.
Nj. D..