The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-02-08
RISE UP, YE
DAUGHTERS,
Lest these Women Heroes Die and
the Responsibility Rest with You.
MRS. wITTENMYER's HEROIC APPEAL

To the Loyal Women of the Union, In and
Out of the W.R.C.
The claims of Army Nurses for pensions are
being delayed. Several hundred are waiting
in the greatest anxiety for the pledges made
by Congress to be redeemed. A large number
of these are sick and poor. Some are blind,
others lame aud old.
One heroic woman, who tore mp her skirts for
bandages on the battlefield at the second battle
at Bull Run, and substituted piece of carpet
for a skirt, is now in her god year and poor.
She gave three sons TO her country; one was
killed, the other two were disabled.
They endured the greatest hardships and
privations, and imperied their lives in their
efforts to mitigate the horrors of war. They
helped others, but now there are few to help
them.
The Board of Directors of the National
Womans' Relief Corps Home were designated
as the proper persons TO take charge OF the
interests of the Army Nurses. They had no
money to undertake the work. but they had
courage and heartfelt interest. They were
allowed to appeal to the Corps to help them,
and this they did, but up to this time there has
uOb Otcu u gcueEOuo ESopousc, hot OhooS" W
make one small issue to even the most destitute
outside the Home.
want the Corps to know the facts, 80 that If
any die from want the responsibility may rest
with them. and not with the Board of Directors
to whom the last National Convention RELOCATED
the work of caring for them. but did not pro-
vide the means necessary TO do it.
WILL POSTS ASSIST?
The question has been asked: Why do not
the GAR Posts assist? They were the parties
most benefited by their labors."
/ answer, they do not know their condi-
ton they have never been appealed to. If
they had, no doubt the response would have
been generous.
Past Commander-in-Chief Weissert wrote
me: 1--WE cannot forget the Army Nurses who
nursed lis and so many of our comrades-in-
arms back to life and health"
No! They have not known; they have
never been appealed to.
1t would be hard to imagine soldier worthy
of the name who had l,een nursed and cared
for in the ioathsome hospitals when fever
stricken and delirious or when his wounds
were noisome running Sores or when gangrene
made recovery almost hopeless, or when he
lag. a mass of corruption in some smallpox hos
pital. who could forget his obligation.
] speak of what know. for l was with them
in every department Of their work, even in the
gangrene wards and smallpox hospitals. aud
/ cannot be silent when there are SO many Of
these heroic women in need.
Rise up, ye women who are at ease; hear my
voice. ye careless daughters"
Let all vino read this bestir themselves to
meet this sacred obligation. Contributions
must be sent to Armilla A. Cheney. 81 Brainard
street, Detroit Mich.
Annie Wittenmyer, President Board of Di-
rectors National Relief Corps Home,
Saratoga, Pa.
AN ARMY NURSE AT REST.
Mrs Amanda F-lch, an aged Army Nurse,
was taken suddenly ill of pneumonia while
passing through Denver, Colo, and died Sun
day, Dec 81. 1893.
Knowing " Ftz Mac" she applied to him for
aid, and the warm hearted man kindly gave up
his room. Then the Department Relief Com
mittee. W.R.C, through Annie Wnn Phillips,
OF Denver, provided her nurse. and otherwise
assisted and visited her. Many Relief Corps
members visited her also, and extended to her
their sympathy, which was much appreciated
by the old lady and her son and daughter who
were with her to the last. Meade Washington,
and Veteran Corps, of Denver. donated beauti-
full everlasting and cut flowers to adorn the
casket, the breast so full OF patriotism. and the
hands whose beauty was duty done. The re-
mains were taken to Canyon City for burial.
Mrs. Felch served through the war az
Nurse, most OF the time in the field hospitals of
the Army of the Potomac, aud since the pas
sage Of the law granting pension to Nurses has
been in receipt of pension.
The five Corps OF Denver are doing a great
work this Winter in caring for the many veter
ans. and their families, thrown out of employ
ment by the shutting down of Colorado silver
mines and the general prostratiOn of industry
aud business
FLAG DAY IN IOWA.
In her last General Orders Department
President Z. Flora Evans gives the following
encouraging account of what the great patriotic
State of Iowa is doing for the teaching of pat
riotism in our public schools:
Flag Day has been appointed for Feb % and
q special program has been prepared for that
day by State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton Henry w. Sabn. This will be sent
throughout the State and Presidents of Corps
intendents and teachers in regard to the proper
observance of this day.
The W.R.C. Committee Public Schools
wished to urge, as commencement of their
work. the observance, each successive ami
versary, Of Lincoln's and WashiDgtOn's birth
days, with appropriate exercises in the public
schools. These anniversaries occur the 18th and
22d OF February. Upon submitting their plans
TO Hon. Henry Sabin. Superintendent of Public
Instruction, for official Endorsement he assumed
all necessary preliminary arrangements, and
will issue instructions to all the teachers in the
State, assuring the Committee that they could
rely upon his aid i'll their work. j..
As il is the desire Of the GA that Feb. 22
be observed as Flag Day in the Public Schools,
Corps assist by the presentation of flags to
| the schools in their vicinity
The sincere thanks OF the Department of
| Iowa ". R.C. are due TO Hon. Henry Sabin for
his cordial Endorsement and for his efficient aid
| in the work of developing principles OF patriot
| ism in Public Schools. The Department of Iowa
| W.R.C. in this work is but following in the
| lead of the National Encani pment of the
| q. r.. and the order of Commander. in Chief
| Weissert that patriotism should be taught in
| the family and the school-rooIn. The Is 000 900
| pupils in our Public Schools should he in
| structed In the lessons To be drawn from the
war, by the use of flags in and on school build
| ings and a systematic method of teaching pat
rotic songs in the Public Schools. We are not
deviating from the object of our organization,
| as we are pledged to - incucate lessons OF pat
rOtism aud love of country among our chill
| dren and in the communities in which we
live"
NEW YEARS GREETING