The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-13
SKETCH OF MRS. SOPHIE GILM6R BIBB

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| his home for a year as his pastor, said
Il was then deeply impressed by the
| admirable attributes Of his character,
| combining high intellectually, strict IN
tegrity, tender sympathy and generous
| charity, and after an intimate friendship
| of about forty years / fully realize that
| the life of b. S. Bbb was a benedictlon
| to all who knew him. Side by side from
1919 to 1884 Benajah S. Bibb and Sophie
| Gilmer Bibb were building up the most
| beautiful thing on earth, Christian
| home, where every day was a mlnistra-
tion of royal hospitality, and the hours
came and went with a gladness akin to
| festal joy"
| His devotion to the southern Confed-
| eracy equalled hers, and he gave her
valuable assistance in the patriotic work
she so tenderly and bravery performed
In the first year of the war of the states,
1861, the Ladies' Hospital association was
organized, and Mrs. Sophie Gilmer Bibb
was elected president and remained its
chief executive and guiding genius until
the mournful day when our nation that
rose so fair and Tell without a stain" sur
rendered to overwhelming numbers after
the braVest battles that ever were fought
encrcling our southland with halo or
glory which will never grow dim until
time shall be no more. A short history
of this association will, we trust, be ap-
preciated as a rich inheritance to all
those who cherish the memory OF the
glorious yet pathetic days which trled
mems souls. The Ladies' Hospital assoc
citation was composed of the noplest
women of this city and county and the
results accomplished by them prove how
grandly they labored to sustain the cause
to which every true southern heart re-
sponded The large building, corner or
Bib and Commerce streets, Where Presl-
dent Davis and his cabinet first held
their meetings to devise ways and means
for the best interest of the Confederacy,
was secured and for about two years
this association and the auxiliary. the
Hebrew association, of which Mrs. Caro-
line Hausman was the patriotic, gener-
Gus, efficient president, supported 1t, sup
plying all that was necessary from our
recources for the comfort OF the SOL
dlers When the war assumed such large
proportions, having at one time 800 sick
and wounded soldiers, that the ladies
could no longer support 1t. Mrs. Sophie
G.. Bibb applied to President Davis when
en- route to Mobile for permission TO
draw from Major Calhoun the highly es-
teemed quartermaster stationed mere,
whatever might be lacking, and he most
graciously granted her request and SAID:
MY dear madam, the surgeon-general
has informed me that the ladies' hospital
in Montgomery Is the best managed and
the most comfortable one in the Confed-
eracy, and l will take pleasure In giving
you carte blanche for anything that may
be necessary.
The work went bravely on and in the
sewing rooms Of that hospital the fair
hands of our gentlest women daily
knitted socks, comforters, gloves, and
made uniforms and garments OF every
kind for the soldiers of the south, II
mattered not whence they came, and
through its wards during the weary years
of war came these true-hearted daughters
of our southland, showing how divine
woman may be in ministering to suffer-
ing humanity. Mrs. Sophie Gilmer Bbb's
carriage followed every soldier who died
in the hospital to the cemetery and re-
ligous rites were held over their hon
ored remains, about 800 in number In
tensely southern she was, her care was
not confined to the Confederate soldiers
alone When the Federal soldiers were
brought from the battlefield of Shiloh to
Montgomery she received them into the
ladies' hospital until suitable provision
could be made for them elsewhere, be-
cause, she said, they are sunering men
and shall be made as comfortable as our
Confederate soldiers. In acknowledge
ment of this amenity of war, when the
Federal troops entered Montgomery, the
commanding officer, without application
from Mrs. Bib, graciously placed
guard Immediately at her home to protect
her from moestaton until the troops
left the city. When the four years or
war were ended and the soldiers no
longer needed her care, those surviving
returned to their desolate homes to re-
build their broken fortunes, Mrs. BioD,
with other ladies of the Hospital assocla-
ton, straightway commenced making ar
engagements for the organization or an
association to raise funds for placing
headstones and monuments over our slain
nd no of
was organized and Mrs. Sophie Gilmer
Bibb was unanimously elected president
and continued to be reelected until her
death, though often resigning, modestlS
saying she would gladly vote Tor some
other members Of this faithful band and
work as earnestly in the ranks as she
had tried to do in the honorable position
of chief executive. Under her admins
tration marble headstones were placed
over the graves of 500 soldiers ana a
monument erected in the cemetery to our
own immortal heroes; also expended con-
siderable sums in aid of Confederate sol
diers and their families Impoverished ny
the raVages of war.
The Ladies' Memorial association hav-
ing completed this labor of love- de-
, termned to work for Il purpose cherished
from its organization, the erection of
monument ON Capitol Kill, near the spot
where our illustrious President Jefferson
Davis was inausurated. a rev hundred
dollars remained in the treasury and con-
tributions came from the generous people
of the state. Bazars. concerts ana va
rious entertainments were given Tor TINS
purpose and thus the treasury was re-
pleted In April 1866. by request of the
Ladies Memorial association and Col
Warren Reese mayor of Montgomery
President Jefferson Davis came from his
home, Beauboir Miss, to lay the corner
stone and thousands of people came from
far and near to look upon the noble,
careworn face and attenuated form,
wasted by the cruel indignities and
shackles of prison life at Fortress Mon
roe. and TO render grateful and reverend
homage to the grand old cheftain VINO
had been made a Vicarious onerlng Tor
his people Immortal hero. he taught the
world how sublime 1t is TO suf1er ana
be strong" One of the many touching IN
cidents that made the visit OF this Illus
trious man a time of tears as well as
ioy was his meeting with Mrs. Sophie
Bibb Having learned that she was pre-
vented by serious Illness from witnessing
the imposing ceremonies, he called at the
old historic home where cordial hospi-
talities had been enjoyed by the congress
and brilliant cabinet of the Confederate
states, and approaching her couch Kissed
her pure forehead-a kiss 1t was. eloquent
of friendship, bitter sorrow and patriotic
memories
A glass Of wine was handed TO MN ana
he gave a beautiful toast. wishing for her
speedy restoration to health ana pro
longed life. that she might continue her
ministrations of good works and gentle
courteses. Her daughter Mrs NJ. D.
,,ol,t To a goblet