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

terlal IN America.
The fine gold of this material was tried
in the fiery furnace of our war between
the states.
Among the best that the little Pal
metto State gave to us, was noble wom-
an and her large circle of relatives VINO
came with. or followed after, her whose
name was always mentioned with bless
ings, that poured from the lips of those
whom she had nursed back to health, or
whose dying agonies were soothed by
her sweet Christian ministerings. rms
woman was Sarah Halls Bellinger, wlte
of DR.. Garnet Bellinger, and the Flor
enee Nightingale" of the Confederacy. So
truly modest and retiring was this noble
woman, so Christlike in her self-efface-
ment, letting not the left hand Know
what the right hand doeth," that her in
valuable services to the Confederacy nave
been well-night lost, in the fight of years
and the modest silence of family and
friendsi
systematic searching into newspaper
files, old trunks and treasure boxes, now
ever, has brought to light the record of
those history-making days. Old, yelloWed
letters, deeds, military papers and many
treasured mementos of the past, make
continuous story of this notable wom-
ans life-so full of loving service and
good deeds.
Sarah Halls was born in Columbia.
South Carolina, when Eighteen Hundred
was but a youth. She was born OF the
spirit of true patriotism as we lind
it recorded in the military annals OF
South Cardinals Revolutionary expert
ences Her father was an officer IN
Light Horse Harry Lees command, ana
one of Lees beloved friends.
The old colonial home that sheltered
the girlhood of Sarah Halls, stands in
Columbia ito this very day Here, sur
rounded by such friends and neighbors
as the Hamptons, Rhetts, Prestons'
Pinckneys. Taylors, and many another
whose name has been added to the glory
scroll of not only South Carolina, but
was educated at the Barronville seminary
for young ladies; here under the influence
of two of the south's most noted edu-
Gators, DIR. and Mrs. Marx, the young
girl developed into the refined and beau
tHul woman, typical of the south OF
that blessed day; when to book-knowl-
edge was added modcsty and to that,
respect and reverence for age that made
youth peculiarly attractive.
An old album. presented to Miss Sarah
Halls, 1922 remains to tell the tale of
those days. The dedication is in the hand
writing of James Hammond, afterwards
United States Senator from South Caro-
lima, and whose lavish hospitality and
generous mode of life is so graphical
1y set forth in "A Belle of the Fifties'
by Mrs. Clay-Clopton. One verse OF the
dedication gives us a clear picture OF
the environment of the albums owner:
"Tor thou Cboolo, canst tell that pos
sessed
Kind friends in happier hours;
Can all their virtues bring to mind
Their wit, their worth, their taste re-
fined,
And all their social powers.
Yes, thou canst soothe the weary breast
And teach fond memory how to look
behind"
Other signatures disclose names al
ready then on South Carolinas list OF
honor. while others there were to be
added during the awful stress of the
SOS Albert Sidney Johnston writes quite
an effusion to Miss Sarah's Bright Eye.
TO what signs, what protestatlons.
what vows. did the venerable walls OF
the historic home echo? While parents
looked indulgently on. renewing their own
youth in that of their precious children.
One who was a gay girl, and Sarah
chum in those bright days. in recalling
the joys of the past breaks forth INTO
verse:
HALLS HOUSE.
90 Halls house, dear Halls house iona
memory is stalking
The piazza where oft we were slttlng ana
talking;
And remembrance upon my hearts tablet
has craven
Every room in that house, which to me
was a haven
= tn, lava would recall
'twere able,
All the faces that smiled either side that
long table
And that one. 50 \ indulgent and klnd'
there presiding,
Ever doubling our Joys, our sorrows dl-
viding
o. well remember my heart beat
whea fairly enseoncad in the low win
dowed attic,
TIL. storms might inTease and tenn
pest might gather
What cared !, in Halls house, for wind
or for weather.
How light rolled the hours when Jbe-
guiled by some story, -
As told by Aunt Jane of the country
past glory
"A u II Jane, With Hedit y c. ho"iiiS
with kindness,
TO our woes who gave tears, TO iaults
who gave blindness'
D. Halls house. thy earliest inmates are
sea ttered,
Like to a diamond in peices that shat-
tered
Each fragments a diamond as you will
discover
So. Halls is a Halls, you will find the
world over!
No matter what sort of house he reside
BE it palace. or cot, a Halls doth
abide in,
That kind hospitality still will be given
That the Scriptures enioin as mandate
of Heaven
A house not made with hands'-'eternal
In the Heavens
To each one of that bless'd old Halls
house be given.
And may Heaven incline my heart so TO
choose
That / be one in their midst, as on earth
l was used!'
The author was Mrs. Margaret Max
we'll Martin. Of Charleston, and the
mother of the first soldier to fall in
the seige of Fort Sumter.
Travelling in that day was slow, but
so pleasant. The huge old coaches swung
their fair freight as in cradles; the gal
liant cavaliers rode beside the open win
dows of the vehicles; while the digni-
fed negro coachman were the black
angels-ofter the only chaperons-haV-
ing care of all, making sure that little
Missile" always observed the prophecies!
In this fashion, on one occasion. rode
Sarah Halls with a gay party of relatives