The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-04
NEWS OF INTEREST TO
 THE D. A. R. IN ALABAMA
By MRS. ]. WALTER BLACK
 CloverdnIc, Montgomery
OFFICERS

By MRS. j. "
 Cloverdnlc,
 OFFICERS
 State Regent-Mrs. J. l.. Cobbs, Mont gomery. 12i Mobile street.
 Vice-Regent-Mrs Wm Gray, Dadeville
 Secretary-Mrs. John DeLoney, Tuscum- bia.
 Corresponding Secretary-Mrs John w Tullis, Montgomery.
 Treasurer-Mrs. J. H. Thomson, Ope- ltka
 Historian-Mrs. R. E. Sanders, New De- catur
 Chaplain-Mrs. Ellen P. Bryce, Tusca- loosa. ,S
 Registrar-Mrs. G. c. Goodrich, Annis- ton.
 Official Reader-Mrs. J. St. G. Tucker, Mobile
 Agent D. A. R. Magazne-Mrs J. H. Crenshaw, Montgomery
 Vice-President-G General from Alabama Mrs. Rhett Goode, Mobile.
 Honorary Vice-Presdent-Gener and Honorary State Regent-Mrs. J. Morgan Smith, Birmingham
 Honorary State Regent-Mrs. A. P. Mo Clellan, Athens. Honorary State Regent-Mrs Rhett Goode Mobile Z
 CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES
 Historic Spots and Graves of Revolu- tionary Soldiers-Mrs. N. w. Trimble, Birmingham.
 Revolutionary Relics-Mrs. Matthew Brewster, Mobile.
 Dissertation of the Flag-Mrs. A. O. Lane, Birmingham
 Patriotic Education-Mrs. w. G. Mont gomery, Birmingham.
 Conservation-Mrs J. G. Winter, Mont Z gcmery.
 Continental Hall-Mrs. o. c. Wiley, Troy.
 Real Daughters-Mrs. c. c. Thach, Auburn.
 Welfare of Women and Children-Mrs. Francis Tappey, Huntsville. Sons and Children of the Republic-Mrs R. E. Sanders New Decatur.
 Jackson Trace-Mrs w w Whiteside Oxford.
 PATHOLOGICAL Conducted by Mrs. George C. Goodrich, 1918 Christine avenue. Anniston, Ala
 Conservation of the Home-Mrs. G. R. Shafer, Dadeville.
 Correspondents will please write quer ies on one side of paper, enclose it with letter, but on separate slips. Give full name and address, which is so desired, will not be published.
 All data for publication must be sent to lil0 one week DeIOF6 the llTSU Sunday in each month.
 The election of Mrs William Gray of Dadeville as Vice-Regent of Alabama was ratified at the Continental Congress held in Washington in April. Mrs. Gray was elected at the conven- ton in Huntsville in December, to fill the unexpired term of Mrs. William Harvey of Decatur, whose removal from the stale necessitated her resignation as vice-Re- gent.
 Mrs Grays office as secretary vas filled by the election of Mrs. John De- Loney of Tuscumbia.
 TWO THANKSGIVINGS
 Did you ever know that what was pro- bably the happiest Thanksgiving our coun- try has seen since that which the Pill grams first held was not in the fall of the year, but in the merry month of May? That is a fact It was on the 7th day of May 17s and the proclamation was | issued by General Washington. Before l 4 tell you about it let me speak of another l Thanksgiving that was held, simply but \ reverently, on the, December immediately 4 preceding.
 This Thanksgiving was just before the period of starvation, and the army of the l Colonials was camped by the Schuylkill river, at Valley Forge, about twenty miles \ above Philadelphia. On the 17th of De- ] cember. 17T, General Washington issued I the proclamation directing that ''the army remain in it's present quarters and that chaplains perform divine service with their several corps and brigades, and all officers and soldiers whose absence is not \ 1nl1spensably necessary to attend with reverence the solemnities of the day. Washington also announced his intention or creating little town of his own for the winter quarters of the troops, saying that with activity and diligence huts may be erected that will be warm and dry and in which the troops will be more se- cure against surprises and at hand to protect the country. This was part of the Thanksgiving proclamation, or orders, and was intended to cheer up the men, Who were rather dreading the winter in such quarters as they had. So, on the 18th Thanksgiving day was solemnized. and on the following day the building of the log cabins was begun. It was on this day that the spirit of thankfulness was greater and more pronounced, and every one went to work with will The army was divided into parties of twelve, and each group was to build a cabin to hold that number of men. General Washing ton promised a present of $12OO to the party that should finish it's house in the shortest time and in the best manner He also offered reward of $100 to the officer who should think of the best scheme for making roofs because of the scarcity of boards. For several days the camp was very busy indeed, and by Christmas several cabins were finished On New Years day all were done. and little town with conveniently arranged streets sprung up. Then followed that terrible winter The states were backward about sending food and supplies, and at one time the army was so short of clothing that a number of men had hardly enough clothing for oecency. Twenty miles away the British in Philadelphia were living In luxury It was owing to Washington's patient endur. ance. his manifest sympathy, and his ac- tfvityN in doing all he could to relieve suffering the most, that the army held together. Later in the winter he sent for Mrs. Washington, and then for the first tlme allowed himself to enjoy some lux uries. But supplies had come, and the men were really comfortable and gaining courage as well as health Finally, on the End day of May, 177S. the news came to the little army that the new republic had found a friend in France. On the oth Washington published the following proclamation:
 Tt having pleased the Almighty of the universe to defend the cause of the United American States, and finally to raise us up powerful friend among the princes Of the earth to establish our liberty and independency upon a lasting founda- ton. it becomes us to set apart day for gratefully acknowledging the Divine Goodness. and celebrating the important event which we owe to His Divine inter-