The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-11-30
LETTER BAG.

1.-THE HERALD under this heading prints COM
municationr, but does not assume RESPONSE
billy for the sentiments expressedl.
An Open Letter to G. A. n. Post.
To the G. A. R.:
In order that my motive may not be
misunderstood in my feelings toward the
G. A. r. as an organization, would
submit the following:
My husband and were married dur
ing the war of the rebellion.
After seeing one after another dear
relative and friend march away to be
absorbed in the army, with very little
prospect OF their ever returning, the
saddest day OF my life. think, came to
me. The call for volunteers kept COM
ing closer and closer, etill the future
looked dark; finally my husband and
my father both enlisted the same day
and were marched away to take their
places In the army near New Orleans.
took my baby, then but six weeks
old, and went home to my mother and
sister, where, with breathless anxiety
and ANTIQUE waiting, we would hope
and pray.
With hearts nearly breaking, we were
obliged to put on o bold front; to write
hopeful, cheerful, encouraging letters;
to sustain and strengthen them by every
means in our power.
Carefully we concealed every unfortun.
ate or unpleasant circumstance that
might occur at home for fear it might
worry "the boys" They might get
homesck or falter in the line of duty.
Paying war prices for everything we
we're obliged to purchase, yet having
very little money to spend for anything,
for added TO the horrors OF war was an
almost total failure In farm products.
Thus passed the time, YEARLY, drear.
lily, watching the papers for news from
the army and the postoffice for letters.
Listening to the booming of cannon as
1t heralded another battle, not knowing
whether the rejoicing at another victory
had brought to US joy or long life Of
sorrow and mourning. But at last the
war was at an end. the last gun wac
fred, and in that last heavy battle at
Mobile, Ala, ours were in the front
As yet We knew not the result.
we'll remember one beautiful after.
noon in June. My sitter came running
into the house. With tears streaming
down her cheeks che exclaimed: sob
there are two soldiers coming over the
hill, and they are driving home our
COWS" You know the rest. Tho war
was over and our dear ones were spared.
Why should God have been 80 much
more kind to Us than to others was
always q question unanswered.
The monotony of camp life, the long
tiresome marches. the exposures, the
sickness in hospitals. where "there was
O lack OF woman'e toars."
Those days bad passed. Proudly and
thankfully did we point to our flag
with not ono star missing. Our glorious
country was saved. The terrible struggle
was ended. Only too gladly did "ths
boys" lay aside the habiliments OF
war and return to their families and
homes.
Thus for about 80 years since have
our lives been spared together.
The rays slant perceptibly from the
west, and We are growing old.
Now, think you, after all this. can
have anything but respect and honor
for those who wear the blue? Far from
it. But when any society as the GAR.
would take my husband away from his
family, evenings, to join with their
organization in secret sessions, to which,
40 his wife, l can never be admitted,
whom he must take from the family
funds to help support an institution Of
which | have no right to know any
thing, even though it be gotten up by
old soldiers, / rebel and consider 10 o
personal injury, an insult to every
other loyal citizen, and especially to
those wives and mothers who suffered
and sacrificed for their country what
the loyal woman OF America did during
the war OF the rebellion.
They carry the idea that they have Q
corner on all loyalty and patriotism
which shall only 60 down to posterity
in the line OF descent, n namely: veterans,
sons of veterans, grandsons of veterans,
great-grandsons of veterans. etc., etc.
From my earliest recollections every
thing connected with patriotism was az
free as the flag which represents it.
Hurrah! Everyone is interested who
has the love of country at heart.
Then what an idea for Q band OF old
soldiers. whose right it Ia to be leaders
in the cause of patriotism, to 20 blum
dering off in the dark, with closed doors
in secret sessions. and with grips, signs
and passwords, dish up patriotism and
loyalty.
OH consistency, thou art . jewel.
MRS. GEO. w. SANFORD.
Verdugo, Cal.