The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-18
BRAVE SISTER MARY TERESA.
she WAS GIVEN THE Cross OF THE
LEGION or HONOR.

something About the officer Who Is
10 Have Control of the savannah
Hospital BaiIding-A Feature of
the Address of the Commander of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
other Matters of General interest.
Pine Crest Villa, Maitland, Fla, March
IL see that Col. Wallace F. Randolph,
r S. A.. late brigadier general of volun-
.aers has been detailed to look after the
rmv hospital buildings in Savannah, and
perhaps sell them. During the Spanish
American war period at Tampa there was
no more popular or more experienced ar
tillery officer in the service than Gen.
Randolph. Like Gen. II. w. Lawton, he
came into the army from civil life, but
unlike that officer he was of a more So
;ial nature. But in every element of
natural born soldier he met fully the moss
exacting demands upon his skill and valor,
and l desire to most heartily commend
him TO the kindly offices of Savannah's
cultured soldiers. The Chatham Artillery
cannot punch" a worthier comrade in
their branch of the service, for he has
proven himself one of the most expert
instructors ever in the government ar
tillery school, and a talk from him on
any military topics would prove inter-
esting as it must be instructive.
In his address 60 the Grand Army at the
opera House in Sanford recently, Com
ander-in-Chief Shaw spoke of his visit
Norfolk. Va, where, in passing the
moderate monument he reverently took
of mis- hat not he said, to the Confed
crate cause, but in honor of the brave
men who believing they were right, with
patriotic gallantry, gave their lives as the
highest testimony to their sincerity of
tpurpose.f The applause given Gen. ShaWs
numerous kindly references to Confeder-
ate soldiers were heartily appauded by
the Confederate veterans present. AT
the camp fire that night little Alice Rob
bins, whose father is past commander of
Gen. Harvey Post, while her mother is
president of the Woman's Relief Corps,
q. A. r.. recited fine poem on Eight
ing Joe Wheeler" a tribute TO that heroic
Confederate general which called forth
a storm of applause from the Union vet
Grams.
We have had noble hearted and brave
women, both in the hospitals and on the
fields of deadly strife in all our wars, but
50 have other nations. Women in all
ages and in all lands where the sex is
properly respected have ever been the
brave and faithful angels of mercy to the
sick. wounded or dying soldiers of their
country High on the roll of fame have
they written their names among the BRAY
est of our own sex. l need not mention
these names, for they are too numerous
TO find place in this article, but L cannot
forbear a brief sketch of the bravest of
them all, so far as dangerous service on
the field of battle is concerned. Sister
Mary Teresa, who in later life became
Mother Superior of the Sisters of Charity
in Tonquin province of France, when but
20 years Old was struck by a cannon ball
While attending the wounded on the field
at Balaklava. Later in life an exploding
she'll Frustrated her on the field of Ma
Senta, while engaged in her noble mission
of mercy. After this she was in campaigns
in China. Syria and Mexico and in 1870,
covered with sabre wounds, she was pick
ed up on the field at Reischoffen from
among the wounded soldiers to whom she
had ministered.
But the crowning act of heroism that
makes her record unequaled in the worlds
history. was when a grenade fell into an
ambulance under her charge, and before
it could explode and kill her wounded sol
diers she caught it up and bore it away,
but its explosion seriously wounded her.
Before she had fairly recovered from this
the hospital nursing the sick and wound
ed From this to her sacred duty she
was one day summoned by the Governor
General of the province. In the city plaza
she found him and his staff surrounded
by large body of French troops. Kneel-
ing at his command the General touched
her lightly three times with his drawn
sword upon the shoulder and then pinned
upon her breast the Cross of the Legion
of Honor saying he did so, in voice
full of emotion, II put upon you the cross
of the brave, in the name of the French
people and army; no one has gained 1t by
more deeds of heroism, nor by a life so
completely spent in self-abnegation for
the benefit of your brothers, and the SER
vice of your country. Soldiers, Present
arms!" The salute was given, the drums
were beat and the bugles rang out, while
the populace cheered, but the modest he
roine slipped away to the bedside of
brave soldier in the hospital whose leg
had just been amputated. God bless such
angels Of mercy everywhere.
We cannot If we would, too highly
honor such noble, brave women. and that
is why the names of Florence Nighten-
gale, and Clara Barton, and Helen Could,
and Annie Wheeler and their associates
will live in song and story and be treas
ured in human hearts as the ages roll by
and Gratitude pays tribute to Nalor
shown in such humane service.
Sidney Herbert.