The herald., 1896-12-31
MRS, A. NJ, REYNOLDS.


dren. She can tell at glance the weak
spot in troop formations and the proper
tactics to be observed in turning the en-
emy's right" or left.
When all this is taken into considern-
tion, it can be readily seen why the posi-
tion of Major Reynolds both in the femi-
nine and army world is unique and unlike
that of any other woman in the country
Her rank as major is doubly honora-
Bile ono from the fact that the commission
was given fer meritorious and valorous
conduct on the field
Unprecedented and astonishing as It
may seem, the fact remains that Major
Arabelln Macomber Reynolds was made a
commissioned officer by the governor Of
Illinois on April 16, 1869, when she was
only 10 years old.
Arabella Macomber was born in Shell
bourne Falls, Mass. in 1S43. Although
of New England origin, she is more close
ly identified with the great west, as at the
age Of IA she moved with her parents to
the state of Iowa, which was then little
more than a wilderness After several
years Of roughing it she was sent to the
east TO complete her interrupted educa-
tion, and upon her return to her western
home she successfully taught school in the
first schoolhouse-a log one-built in Cass
county, Ia.
On the 10Th day of April, 1860, she was
married to Mr.. Reynolds of Peoria, Ills :,
just one year to day before Fort Sumter
was fired upon, inaugurating the civil war.
Her husband, who had enlisted with the
Seventeenth Illinois-three months mem
was ordered to the front. Three months
later, while in camp at Birds Point, Mo-,
his wife joined him. For several months
Major Reynolds bore the rigors of camp
life like q true soldier. Her only boast
when speaking Of her career in the army
is, II never made any trouble"
Mrs. Reynolds first experience of real
war was at the battle of Fredericktown.
The battle of Fort Henry closely followed.
During both these engagements Mrs.
Reynolds found alleviation for her sicken-
ing anxiety for her husband s fate In min
istering to the wounded and dying
Three weeks before the battle of Shiloh
found the Army of the Southwest massed
at that place. No soldier of the army bore
tho hardships of thot campaign with more
unlinching cheerfulness than Mrs. Rey-
nolds. Throughout those chill March
days she shared the common lot, through
storm and stress, wind and rain, sleeping
on the ground. On Sunday, the 9th of
April, broke the battle of Shiloh. Mrs.
Reynolds was stationed on the quarter
masters boat, temporarily turned into
hospital. In the darkness of Sunday night
the boat, already overflowing with the
wounded, became the Mecca of unhurt
stragglers. To prevent them overrunning
the place, it was necessary to mount guard,
which Mrs. Reynolds did, armed with
revolver. Three times the boat conveyed
its cargo of wounded and dead to Savan-
nah, only to return for new load, during
which time Mrs. Reynolds was tireless and
indefatigable. On Monday night came the
first news Of the battle and to the anxious
woman tidings Of her husbands safety
Finding that the messenger and his COM
mand were in famished condition, Mrs.
Reynolds committed her first and only
theft, breaking locker in the commissary
department for supplies for the starving
men.
The next day Mrs. Reynolds was detail
ed to the hospital which had been estab-
lished at the little log church of Shiloh
Finding the men in agony for lack of
water and supplies, Mrs. Reynolds called
for volunteers, and, herself heading the Is
soldiers who responded, made the trip back
to the quartermasters boat. The follow
ing Sunday, one week after the battle,
Governor Yates arrived on the scene, at
tended by corps Of physicians. Yielding
to their solicitations, the devoted woman,
vino for seven nights and days had been
able to obtain but snatches of food and
rest, consented to return with the guber-
material party IN the steamer to Black
hawk for q much needed rest.
1t was during this journey that the gov
ernor, hearing of her untiring service and
thoroughly soldierlike conduct generally
gave her the commission, of which she is
reasonably proud.