The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-13

|
| sheltered life-as had most of the women
of the south-that she shrank with re-
pugnancen from every form of activity
| that would draw upon her puDnclty'
| When 1t became necessary for her, as
| president of "The Oldiers' Home 10
| transact its business, she appealed TO her
| husband but he looking with appre-
| hension into the future, thought It best
/ to teach her to rely on herself. lie taught
| her how to make out bills, receipt them'
/ and to write and sign checks. On one
| occasion it was necessary for her to sign
| a check to use for the 'oldiers' Home
| she signed 1t: Sarah B. Bellnger' ana
| handed 1t to her husband to criticlse
No said he, 1T is not correct" what
! is the matter?' she inquired. THAT is
| your own Individual check, my dear, you
| must attend to official business official
| ly; after your name must be written
| president of Soldiers Home, Mrs. Bel
| linger denlurred saying that it sounded
! too "hlssy'' and made her too "conspicu-
GUS" he Welded however, and on ar
irving at Henleys bank Mr.. Nathan
! Burton came out to her carriage and
| transacted the Home business with her.
! Thus were the women of the south re-
luctantly indicted into the mysteries of
! business-against that terrible day that
! surely overlook them.
So, the year 1861 passed toward its
| close with Mrs. Bellenger absorbed in the
labors of her country, In September OF
/ that year, we find the following de-
scription of a visit paid to "oldiers'
! Home" by a representative of the Mont
| gomery Advertiser:
A VISIT TO SOLDIERS HOME.
We are indebted to the kind attentions
of DR.. William o. Baldwin. president of
the board of physicians, for a pleasant
visi. on Thursday, September II, 1861, to
Soldiers Home the delightful suburban
retreat selected by the Ladies' Aid as
sociatlon as hospital for sick and
wounded soldiers. The hospital buildings
are situated on an elevated and romantic
spot of ground, about three-quarters of
mile from the central portion of the
city adjoining the residence of DR.. c.
Bellnger and overlooking the city and
surrounding country. The fields immedi-
ately around the houses, covered with
a beautiful growth of grass interspersed
here and there with shade trees, relieved
in the freshng breezes-present to the
mind feeling of relief and hope for
the suffering soldier which can be better
immagined than described. But when we
add to this, IA snug cottoge residence,
with nice clean beds, and floors free
from stain and dirt, and see the pains
of the soldiers alleviated by the con-
slant attendance of our best physicians,
the soothing care OF an excellent matron,
aided by the kind ladies of the city, it
does appear that this Is truly the
soldiers home," to which all may come
and be provided for with the same tender
regard for their health as if they were
really at home surrounded by the fami-
ly physician, mother, sisters and brothers.
The hospital is under the supervision of
the Ladies' Aid association some of
whom pay regular visits to the soldiers
to see that they are not neglected. They
have been so fortunate as to employ Mrs.
Walton as matron, who is constantly on
hand; while Mrs. rellinger president of
the board of ladies' is nearby to render
assistance whenever needed. The physi-
clans of Montgomery, with commenda-
BILE liberalty, appoint two of their num-
Der each week to attend upon the SOL
diers; it may be mentioned as fact
credtable to this class of our citizens,
that not one of them. we understand,
has been known to charge soldier any
thing for services.
We have been thus particular to speak
of all the appointments of the 'oldiers'
Home" in this city, to impress upon the
public the Importance of this institution,
and the necessity for its support. 1t was
gotten up by the Ladies' Aid association.
and has been kept up mainly by their
contributions but it should be borne in
mlnw that this hospital accommodates
the soldieds not only of Montgomery, but
of Alabama, and all other states. There
are now several from other states OF the
Confederacy, and comparatively few from
this locality. On all, there were eighty
five soldiers at that time). This must
needs be the case as long as this city
is the thoroughfare of so many of our
soldiers passing to and from the war 1t
is for these reasons that we remind the
public that their contributions will L
all times be proper and acceptable. The
ladies now need comforts, beds, and bed
ding, to accommodate the large increase
of patients. Chickens, eggs, butter and
vegetables of all kinds are in demand to
say nothing of money, with which to
purchase necessaries. We trust that the
farmers who have 1t in their power to
supply so many of these articles, will not
fail to do so regularly. and. to no class
of citizens, who are able. do we hope
this appeal will be made in vain.
The "oldiers Home" had by this time
taught its grim lesson to the women of
Montgomery while the South was now
land oe mournins-wth its sick, wounded
and dead.
About this time. family anXeties made
strenuous demands upon the strength of
Mrs. Belinger; Willie her second son,
was very sick soldier, at home on
sick leave" DR.. Belinger's health was
slowly declining and grave apprehensions
were entertained by the family physician
as to his condition; while Robert. the
first born was in the trenches at Rich
mond, too sick to be there. but would
neither complain nor give up Yet. We
find this heroic citizen, wife and mother
writing as cheerfully as possible to her
absent daughter.
(Date not used)
My Dear May-I send you Roberts last
letter | was in hopes he could find some
business in the government, as | have
seen William Taylor, and he seems anH'
ious to get Bob out of the army. He
says Bob is too feeble to stand 1t. and
soon breaks down on a march His let
ters all come in uncomplainingness
He never lets us hear from himself how
very bad off he has been. | hear today
that another battle will soon take place
at acknowledgement to be more eX-
tensve design for our destruction than
the last. Oh my God. help us! TINS
must still be our prayer; if He is for
us, who can be against us Oh, what
land of mourning and Lamentations! VIII
lie has been very i'll. / feared he would
not live last Saturday; he is still so weak
lie can scarcely cross the floor.
William Taylor gives glowing accounts
of William Murphy's conduct just before
he was taken prisoner. During the bat
tie his general rode up to him and said
| that his gallant conduct entitled MN TO
rank of colonel 1t seems something hap
pened to the colonel; William was cap
tain. it devolved upon him to lead ms
men. He exclaimed, Boys. who VIII
dare follow met 1t was done-and gal
lantly done A few minutes after it was
thought he was killed by the Yankees.