Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-09
MOTHER BuckERpyKE.s PICKLES.
The Perseverance, OF One nj the Most Noted
Women of the Civil War

Il
Women OF the Civil War.
Prom the New York sun.
| To many women and 70 very many men since
the war the name Of Mother Bickordyke has
been the name Of the modern Madonna. the
mother OF man. the woman whose breast has
pillowed more stricken heads and closed more
dying eyes than any other in all the world per-
haps. When Mother Bickerdyke r,iSned in
her big hospital kitchen at Chattanooga she
made frequent visits in an army wagon drawn
BY mules 10 the country homes and farm.
across the mountains. over terribly rough
roads and through deep mud, TO gather in
rations for her boys
During the cold winter Der hospital bovs ala
very well, but in March as storms drenched
the trees and earth about the camp. they sick
ened and many died Some were furlouehed
and sent north. but many were left behind
Eighty thousand Union soldiers had trampei
over the Tennessee mountains, but only few
remained except the wounded and sick
Mother Bickerdyke took 90 Huntsville all who
were left. and she had charge Of the large mill
tary hospital But scuryy followed the dread
full privations Of winter. and nothing could
save them except Vegetables, fruits or pickloA
Mrs Porter took charge oi the bows, and the
mother started out for supplies. she spoke IN
public halls and churches. With appeals Tor Der
dying boys" She received gifts of dried
fruits in Nashville: the little children sent her
barrels Of potatoes and the and societies gave
her jellies and canned goods She stopped az
the capital on her way north, spending a week
with friends aud begging vigorously.
One day. while Gen. Grant was IN Washing
ton on business with the President. he was
driving with some gentlemen on FennsylvHnia
avenue when lac saw just in front OF the horses.
In the street, a sunny-faced woman waving
both hands and calling at the top OF her voice:
General! say, genoralG
The horses were pulled up suddenly The
gentleman who was driving said hurriedly:
Who In thunder is that
But before the words left his lips the gen.
eral, with smile. leaned out. eNclaiming:
why, Mother Blckerdykel How came YOU
here! lett you with the army OF tennessee!
What do You wantg'
Pickles"
''Picklos :" repeated the general.
les, SIR. pickles Ny boys anu your bows are
dying for pickles, and you're iust the mar
want today We need 800 barrels shipped
"All right. mother J" responded Gen. Grant.
Pickles you shall have and right away too.
90 back 10 the boys; they need you!"
Thank yon, general. III be there. I've had
blessed trip. Fruit vegetables and now
pickles! God bless you, general r.
With a wave OF her hand a toss OF her load
and the kind OF smile that went through The
hearts of her sick and dying boys, she turned
away satisfied with her general =
The gentleman from the state Department
who rode beside him that day laughed az the
whole affair Gen. Grant simply said: lite no
laughing matter. When Mother Bickeriyke
wants any thing 1T has 20 be found. and that.
too, in hurry. sherman and fall in double
quick when we hear her voice. she's worth
more 20 Us down here than dozens of officers,
nurses, or whole sanitary commissions
And that hight moro than 500 barrels OF
picked cucumbers, onions, beans, cabhaeos
and tomatoes were shipped from the capital by
order OF Gen. U. 5. Grant, commander-in-chief
of the army.