The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1907-11-03
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HISTORICAL SKETCHES -
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Who Saved the Uuion?

youthful student of history, as well
as the veterans of the COS. The ar
ticle bears the title, Anna Ella Car
roll, name we'll known to. the con
gressmen and military men forty odd
years ago Miss Carroll was born
IN Maryland. and early in life repu-
dated slavery. When the war came
she freed her slaves and gave her
time to writing what was considered
very able pamphlets to the cause OF
the Union
So forceful were these that she was
regularly employed by the War De-
partment TO put before the country
in writing the views OF the govern
mcnt ON military and other leading /
questions. Such was her influence /
with the administration that she I
came to be practically a member of
Lincoln's cabinet Even as early as
Buchanan's term her friends claim /
that she held Maryland to the Union
by what she said and wrote. But it
is as war strategist that she figured
most conspiculously.
In those wonderful days when the
South stood like slender David bar
ring the onward path OF the Northern
Goliath, Assistant Secretary OF War
Scott proposed to Mr.. Lincoln that
Miss Carroll, who had already given
them such valuable hints, b. sent to-
the West TO examine the topography
OF the Mississippi valley and suggest
if possible, some plan by which the
Federal troops might force an en-
trance into the heart of the Confed-
eracy.
The plan already proposed by the
military men was the descent OF the
Mississippi river. But 10 Miss Car
rolls mind this was not likely to be
So effective course as an attack
elsewhere, and when she returned to
Washington she laid on Mr. SCOTS
table the plans and maps for de-
scent by the way of the Tennessee,
with the capture OF the forts along
the course. and the seizure of the
Memphis & Charleston railroad,
which was the key OF the Confederate
/ Businesses.
This, as all the world knows, was
the plan adopted and executed and
the success whereof made possible
he Union triumph at Appomattox.
Thus do we find that the ultimate
success OF the North was due to a
Southern woman, and yet her name
is an unknown quantity on the pages
OF history, while the men who car
.eried ont her plans were crowned with
chaplets Of fame while she remained
in obscurty
Many contestants roRe to claim
the honor which should have been
given to her. She saw Grant, N
coin, Halleck and others credited
with that which was hers. and found
no means TO recover her appropriated
glory 1t was said THE President
did not diyrlge her name at first be
cause he feared the army would put
no confidence in the scheme if it was
known that woman originated il
and he we'll knew that the utmos,
skill and courage were necessary tc
the successful accomplishment I'm
questionably there was much in thi.
view OF the matter
The name of Miss Carroll shoult
have been blown through the country
with silver trumpet. Had Lincoln
lived this might have been done a:
he 70
her DETAINED. But the wears went b,
and she remained unrecompensee
both as TO money and reputation
Many times since her friends triet
to win for her just recognition bu
always without success. During var
sous sessions of Congress. notabf,
the fortieth and forty-fourth. bill
we're presented. Among those vouci
ing FOR the genuineship OF her claim
were Secretary Stanton and Assis
tant Secretary Scott, Senator Bel
Wade. Vice President Henry Wilso
and others. Some years since sh
died in obscurity and poverty be
cause an ungrateful section had ne
the honesty to render unto her tia
(which was her due.
The advance by the way of tn
Tennessee was the great strageti
movement of the war. There is n
doubt whatever but the Confederate
were generated by this unexpec
ed move as they fully expected til
attack 10 come by the way OF TIL
MISSISSIPPI river. and had made ever
preparation to meet it. at Columbti
Fort Pillow. and Island No. TO- A
these strongholds had to be abandon
ed; Memphis fell and I'VE lost til
Charleston railroad, and the FEEDER
army was truly III the heart of tt
Confederacy ]. w. Smith.
LETTER TO AIKEN & DuccE