The National tribune., 1894-02-15

VIII IA ington.
| We left Beaufort
on Friday morning Nov. 26, in the Govern
ment cruiser Morrill,, under command of those
1 two gallant officers, Capt Smith and Lieut..
! J. f. Wilde who were soon doing everything
| in their power TO make the ladies of the party
| comfortable. 1twas not only to be a cruise for
| distribution of supplies, but tour of inspection
| by the chief Clara Barton, President of the
| American Red Cross Society, and her compe-
! tent assistants, Mrs. i. Def. jennings who is
| widely known for her executive ability and
| benevolent character; DR.. Hubbell General
! Field Agent.
Capt. Smith and the other officers OF the
| vessel soon had put the elegant y-apponted
| cabin at the disposition of the ladies Of the
| party. Indeed, throughout the cruise they
showed every personBl attention to their guests,
| besides being indefatigable in their efforts to
| carry out the wishes of Miss Barton, aud to
prosecute the work in hand. The first day out
the weather was charming-bright, clear and
| Spring jke-and the cabin fragrant with roses
and cut flowers brought on board when we
| started.
"None these days need be told about Miss
| Barton. She is as great General in her field
OF battle ~ as Gen. Grant was OH his. Every
day spent with her only serves to show how
strong, tender, and true she is. She spares
herself nothing; cats and sleeps when she gets
through thing. She could outst and outdo
the angel Gabriel on errand of mercy like
this. She is equal to anything but old Neptune.
She is better sailor on land than on water
and was Just human enough to see that life
on the ocean wave made her just a little wean-
ish, but not enough to stop her.
" 1t was Interesting to note that in all her
Red Cross work, on various fields this was the
first instance in which Government vessel
had been detailed for its special duty, and the
officers on board expressed pride in seeing the
Red Cross flag and the pennant flying side by
side at the fore, and they said they we're glad q
revenue cutter had also become an angel Of
mercy. They were also anxious and eager to
do their whole duty in the tier, regardless of
incon yenience to themselves.
"Work really began our arrival at the
dilapidated wharf of North Edisto Island
There were few dilapidated, weather beaten
houses, and but few signs of life apparent. The
crew of the Morrill, here helped deposit sup
ply Of food and clothing in an improvised ware
house. but while this was going on Miss Barton,
Field Agent Hubbell, and Mr.. Moreand set
out on a rude wagon to make tour of in
spection, and to SEQ what would be needed in
tho future.
"All the members of Miss Bsrton's staff labor
without reward or remuneration. save that of
all Christian workers, consciousness of having
hel pod to relieve suffering
This Island of Edlsto contains about 1000
souls. and IL was long after dark when the party
returned fully informed as to the necessities of
the location. The indefatigabe Moreiand had
pressed into his service scores Of athletic men
who were ready and anxious to go to work on
repairs to houses, fences, bitches, and laboring
generally, waiting only for the requisite tools
and materials with which to begin the work Of
repair. An early return Was promised them,
and We steamed away the dusky crowd were
cheering and invoking blessings. Miss Barton
stood en- the deck bowing. smiling in response.
Enterprise eur next point. 1t is q
small hamlet situated on Wadmalaw Island,
embracing within its limits about 2 900 in habit
ants. The ravagss of the cyclone were fully
apparent as the vessel made landing A
quantity OF clothing and provision was de-
posted in competent hands for future use
The coarse of the cruiser was then directed
toward Johns Island. Here the waters were
shoal. compelling the cruiser to anchor off the
mouth of Tozsdo Crock, on the banks of which
nestled little collection of well-kept houses
known collectively as Legareville. This point,
with adjacent houses, were thoroughly ex-
amined by Miss Barton aud staff, and arrange
ments consummated by which the work of re-
lief could be prosecuted without hindranee.
"Once more the cruiser swept into the cur
rent turning her PROV in the direction of the
little settlement of Rockville. Here the negroes
gathered on the shore, pointing to the banner
of the Red Cross, and calling down blessings on
Miss Barton, whom they placed side by side
with their great benefactor Mssss Linkum.'
AS we steamed away | wondered what were the
thoughts in Miss Barton's heart, when she
stood on the deck of the vessel listening to the
shouts of rude but sincere thanks of those poor
people.
'On the evening of Saturday, the 9th, We
landed off the picturesque village of Rockville.
The sun set in gorgeous splendor, characteristic
Of the South. The town is located On the banks
Of Bohicket Creek, and the place is a Summer
81, 1;.,,o
breezes. As eight bells rang out, it being too
late for active operations on shore. all sought
their beds or hunks for a much needed rest, for
from officers to men they had not spared them
selves in the prosecution of the labors assigned
them. The next morning dawned dark and
lowery-the chill winds from the northeast
swept in from the sea, signing most dismally
through the tsut cordage of the cruiser. The
rain, impeled by the rising gale, fell in slant
ing showers, and general air of mOurnfnlness
peryaded the scene, both afOat and ashore
The effects OF the cyclone were apparent in up
rooted trees, dismantled houses, unsghtly
wrecks of wharyes and wrecked village-green
marked by the majestic proportions of live
oak that had braved the fury of the elements for
untold ages.
"Peeping forth from amid the glossy and
vivid green foliage of the orange palmetto and
water-oak. the venerable outlines of the vii
lage church were dimly perceptible. Undeter-
red by the falling rain, with chilling blasts
sweeping in from the white crested Atlantic,
Miss Barton, in company with her staff pro-
ceeded to go ashore. On meeting the inhabit-
ants an impromptu meeting in the storm-besten
village church was opened The colored people
came Hocking in from all directions to meet
their benefactress, whose name and fame had
spread over the island like wildire
Surrounded by her staff and accompanied
by such officers of the Morrill, as could be
spared from their duties, Miss Barton held
most interesting meeting. The antguated
church faces the village of Rockville, where an
assembiage of some 200 negroes of both sexes
There was a small sprinkling of white people
clustered around the pulpit. The gale sighed
through the swaying branches of the venerable
oaks while the patter Of the rain drummed and
drpped monotonously from the sloplng caves
of the old church.
Perfect silence reigned within those de-
faced and crumbling walls. when Miss Barton
rose and faced her dusky but attentive audi
ence. She called for hymn, and typical |
negro with powerful but melodious voice led
Off The assemblage soon broke into strange |
and werd refrain. 1t was iii singular keeping |
with the condition of the warring elements, |
the burden of which was will you 60 on the |
ship, Maria
After the hymn Miss Barton addressed |
them, and explained her mission, laying plans |
for the formation of society to properly dis
pose of the supplies. making all understand
the great necessity for an organized body to
carry on the work. At the conclusion of her
of,a lad fnro