The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-10-04
WAS SCAVALRYCAPTA|N
WOMAN WHO HELD COMMISSION
IN coNFEDERATE ARMY.
Miss Sally Tompkirs. Of Virginia, en-
joys Unique observation-disclosures
Many Soldiers During War Of
the Rebellion.

Richrond. Va-Miss Sally Tomp-
kins. the only woman who received
from the confederacy a commission as
captain. Is an inmate OF the home for
needy confederate women In this city.
She is still as loyal to the cause OF
the south as was Gen Jubal Early.
who never took the oath Of allegiance
and who from the beginning OF the
war 70 the day OF his death never
wore anything but the confederate
gray.
Miss Tompkins is now In her sew
enty-third year. She was 2S when the
war broke out She had ample means,
was anxious TO do her part. and, hav-
ing had some little experience as a
nurse prior to the war. decided that
she could do hospital work.
Judge John Robertson, OF this city,
had moved his family to the country,
and when Miss Tompkins announced
her intention OF opening a hospital
for the care OF the sick and wounded
his house was placed at her disposal
She equipped the place from her pri-
vate purse and took with her the serv-
ants from her household.
In 1862 the confederacy promulgat-
ed an order directing that all private
hospitals should be closed. The
friends of Miss Tompkins. who knew
Of the work she had done and her sac
rifce for the confederacy, appealed to
the president of the sconfederacy ask
ing him to make an exception in her
case. After some discussion he called
in the secretary of war. saying:
Let a commission issue forthwith
naming Miss Sally L. Tompkins. OF
Richmond. as captain of cavalry. un-
assigned"
The commission was promptly made
out and forwarded to Miss Tompkins
while she was at the hospital In this
way she was enabled TO carry on her
work.
President Davis wrote that she
would be entitled to draw pay as an
officer and that she would have that
money with which to aid In the work
she was doing. Miss Tompkins ae-
cepted the commission. but never a
cent of the pay did she get, allowing
II to remain to her credit and direct
ing that it be used to equip and feed
the men In the field. More than 1900
soldiers were treated at her hospital.
The war swept away much of her
wealth, but she has always contrib
uted of her means to relieve the dis
tress OF those less fortunate than her
self She has friends all over the
south. people of ample means. who
would gladly give her a home II she
would only come to them. She loves
Richmond. the scene of her work.
where she is best known, and where
she can visit to her hearts content
Miss Tompkins is a native of
Mathews county, and In the court
house there rs picture Of her taken
many years ago, which was placed
there by order of the court. That was
the only picture ever taken of her.
Miss Tompkins. in talking about the
work done by her at the hospital
said she spent all her spare time in
knitting socks for the soldiers, turn
ing out thousands of pairs every year.
When she first opened the hospital she
had only one physician. DIR. A. V. P.
Garnett, of Washington. who relin-
Quished a large practice to come to
the south, and he spent three years
there. receiving not a cent for his
services. Later DR.. Lattimer came to
the hospital and remained till the
close of the war.
Miss Tompkins spent much OF her
time in writing letters to the rela-
tives of the men who were under her
care. To-day she has the commission
issued to her by President Davis and
at her death it is to be presented to
the confederate museum
She spends her time in reading,
writing and knitting. She has a great
many visitors. She is contented and
happy, and is always cheerful