The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-02
Capt. Sally rompkins
and Lieut.. Antonio
Ford Only Officers.

-
OF the Cunfcderncy did az lnuch Tor
the Lost Cause ~ the men OF
the South, and set an example OF
devotion and Loyalty which mas
never been surpassed In history, put
two OF this noble band received com
missions in the army Of the Confed-
cracy as marks Of consideration at the
hands of the government
Uf these two. Miss Sally Tompkinn,
OF Richmond, was commissioned q cap
tain on account of her services In car
ing for Ill and wounded soldiers and
Miss Antonio Ford was commissioned
first lieutenant Of cavnlary and aid
on General j. f. y. Stunrts staff on
account OF signal services rendered
the great cavalry leader in securing in
formation which saved his army.
capt. snily Tompkin..
In n spacious. comfortable apartment,
looking out on Grace Street from the
second floor of the Home for Needy
Confederate Women No. East Grace
Street. this city. sits Captain Sally
Tompkins. 50 commissioned by Presi-
dent Jefferson Davis during the War
between the States
Home In Richmon
Captain Tompkins Is one OF the very
few Southern wopen who ranked as an
officer in the Confederate army. Ger
tainly, she wan most Justly rewarded
for her love and devotion to the cause
of the Confederacy and its heroes.
She Was known during the days OF
the war as the Angel of the Hospital"
and more than one poet ha5 essayed
in eloquent numbers to tell Of how, as
she passed gently from cot to ,cot
within the whitcwashed walls, she
inf &, a,.tt ha1 1,.it,
and prayed that the Good Shepherd
would shelter them +" in His all-encir-
cling arms" and so bring them to the
green valleys OF immortal rest.
No more honored or beloved figure
will appear at the approaching Confed
crate Reunion than that OF Captain
Tompkins
She is bright. CHEEKY and active. in
ttrestcd in all that goes ON. and al
ways glad to see the many friends
who count among their pleasures,
visit TO Captain Tompkins and n chat
with her in her room. which reflects
the individuality OF its occupant
Captain Tompkins Is the daughter OF
the late Christopher Tompkins of
Poplar Grove" Matthews county. Va
She has made Richmond her home con-
tinuously since the year 1859. except
for two years spcn, in the home OF
Mrs. Thomas H Garter. at the Univer-
sity OF Virginia.
She established private hospital
at the corner Of third and Main
Streets. in what was then .Iudg, Rob
ertson's house ten days after the first
battle of Manassas.
In referring to her motive for open
Ing the hospital. Miss Tompkins said
to n recent visitor: My aim and OBJ
tect was to help all could. not to be
paid for it,
And then she repeated with genuine
feeling and emphasis:
What I did for the wounded and
I'll Confederate soldiers was entirely a
work of love, never took any pay
never"
Quite n number of private hospitals
were established, but. unlike Miss
vrompkins, charges were made by some
'bf them for services rendered.
In course of time abuses crept into
the system. and President Davis. be-
iieving that the men were returned to
duty less, promptly than from public
institutions. ordered them all closed
except that over which Miss Tomp-
kins presided.
Commission as Captain.
In order TO make an exception. be-
cause the Confederacy could not af-
ford to dispense with the valuable help
she rendered. President Davis ordered
commission as captain In the Con-
federate army to be issued to Miss
Tompkins. Though hers was a govern
ment hospital from that time on. Cap
tain Tompkins conducted 1t as before,
paying the expenses incurred out of
her private purse.
Among the 1880 soldiers who ware
nnrsed under the captains direction
were many Marylanders.
"'rhey We're most anxious" says Cap-
tain Sally. that l should call mine q
Maryland hospital. But ! said 1 could
not because l was a Virginian. and too
loyal to my State
Mr.. Halliday. OF Maryland, who was
disabled by n wound received at the
first battle Of Manassas, remained
in the hospital for a year. filling
the position of hospital steward to
Captain Tompkins. She also received
Mrs. Mary Page, a daughter of General
Richardson.
The dangerously wounded or iii
Confederate soldiers were sent to me-
Captain Sally afiirms. because Presi-
dent Davis said they received such
careful attention in my hospital"
Her Photograph.
The captain tells q good joke on her.
self about friendly conspiracy among
her Richmond admirers that resulted
in the wartime picture appearing in
The Times-Dispatch of to-day, being
taken.
Two young girls from Mathews
county, relatives of mine. had come tc
Richmond" says Captain Tompkins
''One was staying with me and one
with Mrs. Crump. l took my young
guest to the photographers for til.
purpose OF having a picture taken"
when she had gotten through Will
her sitting, and we turned to leave
Imagine my surprise when found Tho
door locked
What do you mean?" l asked of tn.
photographer. Are we prisoners?"
II have orders to hold you as such
Captain Tompkins,'' said he. until
can get your photograph"
"And that is the reason" declares
Captain Sally, laughing, that there