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


Forests command, when the cruel win
ter winds of the Tennessee valley cut like
knives as the troops went under. whip
and spur to the undoing of the enemy,
blessed the women of Montgomery for
the warm "helmets" they had knitted
and sent.
What a blessing those knitting needles
were to usl What an outlet to the strain
of anxiety which slackened only to
strengthen its coils about us, as our
armies fought one battle only TO prepare
for another. So you may be sure, dear,
the needles clicked on and OIL
Mrs. Fountain was one OF the rev
women in whose family scrapbook was
kept in those days in it is found de-
scrlptions of famous battles, the tall or
cities as the coils were relentlessly drawn
more closely about our doomed south
land; obituaries of the noble and brave
who fell in battle-Coionel lomaX, Zeno
Gayle, Captain Armstead, young Tom
Brown and on down the bloody record
that covered Montgomery best-oblt-
uarles written while public and private
grief was fresh and unrestrained.
Patriotism and religion in the early
sos were SO interfused that religion was
patriotic, and all patriotism was relig-
ious-and social activities were haVored
with both Tie safety of their flresides,
the security Of their race, were at stake;
the women knew it as well as the men
Never since the world began did failure
or success of Il war mean so much 10 the
women OF a country.
The women of St. Johns parish met
first in the vestry room of the church on
Madison avenue; after a While in the
room which Is now, at this writing, the
law office of the Hon. Temple Seibles.
Mrs. Eliza Moore was the presiding Of
ficer and directed the making OF the
garments which sne cut out. Sometimes
the workers remained all day at then
post of duty, lunch being sent In to
them by Mrs. Tom Oliver and others.
Unfailing tact AID gentleness, executive
ability and consee:Gted devotion cnarac-
terized the president Here Mrs Abfdm
Glndrat taught Miss Ann Goldthwait
(now the widow of the gallant Major
Selbles of Senple's battery TO make her
first buttonholes; while many willing but
young and untried hands were guided by
Mrs. Robert Someryille, Mrs. Scott, Mrs.
Franklin Randolph and others of blessed
memory.
Other aid societies were presided over
by such women as Mrs. Judge Phelall,
Mrs. VIM. L. Yancey Mrs. Geo. Petrle,
Mrs. Gindrat, Mrs. John Elmore, Mrs
Bugbee and others. One of the most ef-
ficlent aids was the Hebrew women 8
Aid society, presided over by the well
man.
Other prominent women took charge or
the sick and wounded soldiers as they
came back from the front. These women
assumed charge of the hospital work I'M
der the supervision of the Confederate
medical corps. They rendered efficient
service Withholding not their hands from
any form of aid, assisting at operations,
helping to place bandages, etc, yet many
a one afterWard crept away TO a seclud'
ed corner and--quietly tainted away.
Sometimes no one ever knew OF lhls
weakness but the woman and her
God. Some of the names of this heroic
band are: Mrs. DIR. Bellinger, Mrs Judge
Bibb, Mrs. W. E. Bell Mrs Matthews,
Mrs. Ann MaeIntyre, Mrs. VIM. Bald
win Mrs Sarah Heron, Mrs. VIM. Knox
and Mrs James Ware, who Is living at
the ripe age of SO with her daughter,
Mrs. Hal Walker.
1t was the custom of these good women
TO have conveyed to their homes as many
of the convalescent soldiers as their
houses would accommodates; these were
turned oyer to doctor cook and Kitchen
physic" The recoveries were rapid and
permanent.
During the sessions of congress In
Montgomery it was the custom of the
Georgia delegation to dine every Sunday
with Mr. and Mrs. Ware, at their ele-
CANT home on Perry street.-the house
now owned by Mayor league and now
more than ever the most perfect type or
the co onial homes of Old Montgomery.
Mr.. Ware was an ardent follower or
Yancey, and his wife shared his prefer,
ences. Speaking recently of hearing the
speeches of Yancey and OF his magnet
ism and eloquence she said, with kindilns
eye: He simply swept his audience Off
their feet-nopody compared with nm!
VIM. L. Yancey and the impressions he
made upon the popular mind are the
most vivid recollections of the survivors
of the sos. Even those who deprecate
his rush into secession" did not deny
his honesty and his marvellous power
over his fellow men-and even over the
gentlest women, turning them Into fierce
patriots!"
The ladies of the Baptist church, organ
lied under the presidency of Mrs. Is. Il.
Noble, were among the first to offer their
services, meeting in what was called
Miss Jane Smiths ROOM" the infant de-
partment of the Sunday school. Some OF
the names recalled as devoted workers
are Mrs. VIM. Ray. Mrs. Manly (wife OF
the pastor), the Misses Benson, Anne
Bell Jane Smith and Martha llnkle,
Mrs Maddox, Mrs. Lou Hugely, Mrs.
John Stratford, Mrs. Knapp, Mrs. John
Figh, Mrs. Littlepage, Mrs. Dave Shular,
Mrs. Chisholm, Mrs. Ben Davis, Mrs
Copeland, Mrs. Iargrove, Mrs. Onut and
Mrs. Wharton. When there was camp
of sick soldiers in that plot of ground
known afterward as "Seelye's gardens =
now West End-they We're daily visited
and nursed by members of this faithful
band. For six months after the pattle
Of Murfreesboro, Mrs. VIM. Ray daily
visited the hospital in the old Pond
building at the southeast corner of DeN-
fer avenue and Perry street, taking fresh
buttermilll and other delicaeles to the
wounded and fevered men. Many
time she wrote letter for sick or
diving man to the anxious dear one so
far away.
one whose name Is written in letters
of gold is Mrs. w w. Waller, in whose
beautiful home out on South Union
street, many a sick one was nursed back
TO strength of body and soul, for here
was a peaceful haven where creature
comforts abounded but those of the spirit
more also. Yet old letters tell the story
of this woman's anxious WaitinS-one
from Mrs Waller TO her brother, MI
Jno. Stout of the Wetumpka Light
Guards, Third Alabama regiment, at
Norfolk, Va, draws the picture OF ms
mother and hers, rejoicing IN a letter
from himself, when in comes a friend TO
say that a telegram has been received
announcing the death of the soldier son
of a neighbor. When she resumes her
letter she says that her ll.tle girl Kate
(now Mrs. Frank Chambers of New York
City) Is praying for Uncle johnnie S
safe return. She adds pathetically that
1.-The town is doing no visiting now; all
are absorbed in work Cor the soldiers or
the sorrowing." Yet tears and smiles are
not so far apart; she goes on to give him
an amusing account of her work. just
xxrrftn latter. reset