The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-07-22

| MAJOR BELLE REYNOLDS.
| lecturer of note, and has taken a lead
| ing part in advocating the rights an(
| duties of women.
From 1855 until 1860 pretty and viva
cious Belle Macomber did not have tC
hunt for schools; her fame was abroad
| and school officials did the hunting
| She never had to take up with a cul
school, where the building was barr
and the salary fit only to starve on; she
had her pick of the best, received the
highest wages paid any teacher in the
county and vas always one of the first
in the new sections 400. Among the
young men who regarded the popular
teacher with a Jealous eye was William
S. Reynolds, and in 1860, the year in
which the old ship of state ran upon
rocks and might have gone down if a
modest Illinois man hadn't been called
to the captaincy, Belle Macolnber be-
came Mrs. Reynolds, and soon after.
ward they made Illinois their home,
where they were living when the war
came. Mr.. Reynolds did not wait long
after LincOln's second call for soldiers
call which quickly followed the first
one, before finding himself the choice
of company of young stalwarts for
First Lieutenant.
When the new soldier informed his
young wife that he had enlisted, ex-
pecting to see her break down and then
brace up and declare that he should
not go, he was surprised to see her face
wreathed in smiles, joy-prompted, glad
smiles.
what do you think Of it, BslleY'
asked Soldier Reynolds.
''Think of it-what do think of your
going to the war? am delighted. Il Is
what you ought to do"
"Then you will not object to my GO
ing?"
'NOt 1. 1t is of all things that which
I have most wanted you to do since
Mr.. Lincoln's first call"
Don't you think you will miss me
and wish hadn't gomez"
Not for one moment"
1t was getting serious. The Lieuten-
ant wanted to serve his country. but
he didn't quite like to see his bride so
confoundedly happy at the thought of
his going to war for three years; going,
may be and quite likely. not to return
He would have preferred a few tears
and an assortment of chidings for pro-
posing to leave the woman he had re-
Gently married. to the gladness she
manifested. Seeing that her husband
was in deep water, was distressed over
the turn of affairs. she threw her arms
about his neck and proceeded to give
him new shock.
II will tell you why shall not miss
you and shall not want you to come
home. am going to the war with you.
Now, don't protest.
But think of it! Think of the long
marches, sleeping on the ground, of
dangers in battle. 1t will not do"
Yes, it will do. am in perfect
health, as strong as you and as pa
triotic."
When the Seventeenth Illinois went
South Mrs. Belle Reynolds went with
it, taking the fare of soldier At the
battle of Shiloh she was under fire un-
til compelled to leave. While on her
way to the rear she saw field hospital.
The white faces of the sufferers and
the grOanS of those not SO badly in
jured impelled her to stop. She re-
manned all day and all night, helping
to care for and cheer the unfortunates
of battle "That angel of mercy" as
the soldiers called her, spent much of
her time in hospitals, nursing the sick,
reading to them and writing their let
ters
The work of this Iowa teacher of
a year before came to the knowledge of
Governor Dick YateS-Yates of blessed
war memory-and he sent her COM
mission as Major. She was provided
with a horse. Her uniform was navy
blue and her shoulder straps the same
as any Majors, gold leaves and all.
Officers and men had great respect for
her. Often as the Seventeenth passed
other commands the men threw their
hats in the air and gave cheers for Ma
jor Belle Reynolds. Harper's and
Frank Leslies scontained pictures of her
riding at the head of the regiment. Ev-
erybOdy in the army, East and West,
was talking about the woman Major.
Her war record was in all respects
credirable.
Soon after peace came the Major
studied medicine, and for nearly thirty
years she has been successful physf-
clan and surgeon. She was for some
years a resident of Chicago, where she
had Il large practice, often being called
in consultation to distant cities. Six
years ago she located in Milwaukee.
While there l had several conversa-
tiOns with her on her war experience.
AT a reception given by DR.. and Mrs.