The National tribune., 1894-04-05
HISTORIC BASKET.
How the Ohio Boys Sent Home Their Pay
from Bolivar.

How the Ohio Boys Sent Home Their Pay
from Bolivar.
| The death, at Seattle, Wash, of Past Depart
| ment Treasurer Lizzie s. Harlan, Department
| of Ohio, WR.C, and wife of w. s. Harlan, re-
wives an interesting war story in which she
| was the heroine.
When the war broke out Comrade Harlan
| enlisted with regiment recruited at his home,
GAINESVILLE, o., and while serving as Captain OF
a company in the command of Gen. U. s. Grant,
with Headquarters at Bolivar, Tenn, was
taken i'll.
Upon hearing the news, Mrs. Harlan started
to the front, but was detained at Columbus,
KY, because of an order issued by Gen. Grant,
prohibiting civilians from crossing the lines.
Mrs. Harlan pleaded with the officers but in
vain. She could not find a place to stay in the
town. and, in fact, everything was against her.
Many women would have given up the battle
under such circumstances, but with Mrs. Har-
Ian it was different. She passed a week in
Columbus before she managed to get message
through to Gen. Grant, stating her reasons for
wanting to reach Headquarters. In the mean
time she had found food and shelter by board.
ing steamer as it came in and appealing for
protection until the time of departure. In
this way she got along, passing from steamer
message to Gen. Grant. At last she received a
message over the wires, signed by Grant him
self, granting permission to come on the first
train.
When she left Columbus she had no idea of
the ordeal through which she was to pass. The
train was attacked at Union City by the Con-
federates, and all one night an irregular battle
was kept up. The guard, however, held the
fort, and the train passed through with only q
small loss Of life, being the last for some time.
Had she waited day longer, it is probable
that she would have fallen into the hands of
the Confederates, for they checked communica-
tion for some time.
After Mr.. Harlan was Ia such condition that
Mrs. Harlan could return to GAINESVILLE, the
soldiers from that section decided to place all
their savings and pay in her hands to take
back to their families. Mrs Harlan objected to
the responsibility, but after being persistently
urged agreed to take the money if il was put
in envelopes aud addressed to the parties for
whom it was intended. This was agreed to,
and in a short time large basket. such as
would pass for lunch basket, was prepared,
and in the bottom was placed the money,
amounting to several thousand dollars. AS
chance had it, the train made the trip without
accident, although it was afterwards discovered
that the Confederate cavalry had planned to
capture it. Their plans miscsrred and they
got the next train instead.
ANOTHER ARMY NURSE AT REST.
DEAR TRIBUNE: G. Brainard Corps, 167,
auxiliary to Post SOB, Ashtsbuls, Trumbull
County, mourn the loss of Chaplain Martha
j. Spencer, who was loved and respected not
only as a worthy member of the Corps but for
her loyal service as hospital nurse in the war.
When the call came for 100000 more"
and her husband said Now l must CO."
she replied, Z" If you think it is your duty to
go Pll not oppose it, and if you enlist shall
enter hospital"
Her husband urged her to stay at home, but
she was firm in her resolve, and in May, 1863,
at the age of 81, she entered the U. s. General
Hospital at Camp Chase, Ohio.
July 4, 1864, she was transferred to Seminary
Hospital, and commissioned by Dorothea L.
Dix. At the closing of Seminary Hospital she
was transferred to Tripler Hopital, Camp Todd,
where she remained until August, 1865, when,
at her request she was discharged and re-
turned to her home, whittier her husband had
preceded her.
During her service she ministered to sick and
wounded soldiers of both Potomac and Cumber-
land Armies and many starving ones return
ing from Southern prisons. She was woman
Of culture and refinement. and an earnest
Christian; quiet and unassuming in manner
she Stunned all notoriety.
short time previous to her death, when
making final arrangement of her affairs she
requested that there should be no military dis
play at her funeral, but desired that veterans
should bear her remains to the grave, and chose
members of G. Brainard Post for the sad duty.
Her wishes were infinitely regarded, and Feb
3. 1894, mid beautiful flowers furnished by the
WR.C. and other friends, her loved form was
laid to rest in the rural cemetery near her home
in Trumbull, o.
The following joint resolutions of respect
were unanimously adopted by G. Brainard Post
and Corps:
Whereas IL has pleased an all wise Providence to
remove from our midst by death our beloved sister
and Chaplain of our Corps Mrs. Martha j. Spencer,
efficient hospital nurse, who rendered cheerful
service to our country in the late war: Therefore,
be IL
Resotved. That this Post and Corps sustains an
irreparable loss and her family devoted wife and
mother, the Church O faithful and consistent MEM
Der, the community kind neighbor. and every
soldier and patriot a true and loyal friend
ResotUed, That while we deplore our loss will
ever cherish her memory and strive to emulate
her virtues and loyalty; that sympathize with
her family In their bereavement, and for comfort
can only commend them to Him who has promised,
II will never leave thee nor forsake thee;"
Resolved, That the rooms of Post and Corps be
draped in mourning as a token of respect to our
departed sister; that these resolutions be placed
sented TO the husband of the deceased and copies
furnished for publication.
Helen Rick,
II. c. Hoffman,
A. e. Graham,
,.x,tkt