The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-28
ny JOHN ELFRETH WATKINS
S e * 81

While you are weaving your May
blossoms into Memorial Day garlands
you will be Interested 10 learn how
the fntes are dealing with the widows
left behind by the great generals of
the blue and gray armies.
With the aid of several government
bureaus l have been making n census
Of these good women left behind by
The heroes that have gone to answer
the last roll call They are scattered
all over the land, and great have been
the contrasts in their fortunes, as you
shall presently observe Some have
remarked and few have been lost
To ina sight OF government officials.
surviving war heroes and sister war
widows whom ! have been question
ing within recent days.
Mrs Sheridan In Europe.
Mrs. Sheridan is now travelling IN
Europe. and time wears well with her.
for longevity is part of her heritage
from her father. General Daulel Ii.
liucker who died last year, shortly be-
fore his ninety-eighth birthday, and af-
ter having been continually an off
Ger OF the army for seventy-two years
And then. Mrs Sheridan Is one of the
younger widows of our heroes, as She
did not mary the great general until
fourteen years after the close of the
CIVIL War. and when he was bachelor
OF forty light Her mother, former
j. Miss Jane Curtis. was General Ruck,
cr's second wife. the first having beer
a half breed Cherokee Indian girl. thc-
daughter OF wealthy ranchman OF
The frontier H4
little Phil" was lieutenant general
when he married ccmely Irene RuckeI
in 20. and four years after their we'd
ding he became general in chief, the
full emoluments of which rank he en-
,oyed until his death in 1855. During
Ave of the nine years of her married
life Mrs. Sheridan's social reign was
supreme in army circles. Her carly
widowhood was devoted to the rearing
and educs ton of her children, of whom
! son, Philip H., Jr., was appointed to
West Point by President Mckinley. AND
is now a lieutenant OF cavalry, and two
daughters remain unmarried. In 1900
Mrs. Sheridan aided her father and
mother in the celebration of their
golden wedding. In sight of her home
impressive bronze statue of her late
husband. depicted in the act of
making his historic ride TO Winchester
Mrs. stonewnii JRckson's Pluck.
At her old home in Charlotte. y. c.
Mrs. Stonewall jackson still enjoys R
Wholesome old age among her books
and flowers. And to her. also. lonSev
illy mas come as q HtlllaEe II lloii-
agonarian father, the late Rev. r. II
Morrison. d. d. prominent Presby-
terrain divine, and college president OF
her native State. Before she became
the noted Confederate generals second
wife. Mrs Jackson-thcn Miss Mary
Ann Morrison e whole socia!
season in Washington as the guest OF
her uncle. William -. Graham. Secre
tary of the Navy. That was fifty
II nrir no a a it,ta
tration OF Willard Fillmore. and she en-
ioycd all OF the eclat due to cabinet
lady"
She devoted her early widowhood tc
editing her husbands papers and to
writing her book "Stonewall Jackson
which contains some of her love let
;crs from the general. Her one child.
Julia, born in the second year of the
war married ". Z. Christian. Rich
Inond journalist. and had two children,
Thomas j. Jackson Christian whom
President Roosevelt appointed TO West