The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-12-27

by express, accompanied by letter from
our president, Miss Arbella johnson. In
due time came letter. which was in
part, as follows
Armory Square Hospital
Washington, D. c.,
Miss Belle Johnson: Your letter to
Miss Southwick, informing her you had
) sent quilt for the soldiers in this hos
pital, was duly received
Miss Southwick left here for the front
three months ago and as | am occupying
her position, l opened the letter and have
only been waiting for the arrival of the
| box, which came today, and | thank you
in behalf of the soldiers for the contents.
The quilt has been exhibited to each
one in the ward, and many have been the
expressions of surprise and admiration
which it has called forth, as it has been
spread before the eyes of those who are
suffering from their devotion to the flag
which it represents. Thanking you again
for the interest you have exhibited for
the men in this hospital
| am yours truly,
MISS MCCLELLAN, Ward 5th.
Some little time later second letter
came saying their first thanks were in
adequate TO express the pleasure mani
tested by the soldiers, for many poor
sufferer had forgotten for the time being
his agony in looking over the quilt.
wonder why it might not be pretty
idea for the 'Blue Birds to sit around
their Camp Fire. and do something
similar for our Belfast boys?
Towards the close of the war when our
young heroes had come home with honor,
a large party one evening at the home of
Mr.. James P. White, now the Taliaferro
residence was brilliant affair, and our
soldiers looked so handsome in their full
dress uniforms. Col W. H Fogler, Col.
Philo Hersey, Major Ansel L. White, Cap
tain Horace Moves and others l do not
now call to mind.
During the five years, one or more war
ships were in the bay most of the time,
making very attractive appearance, and
the naval officers with their shoulder
straps and gold lace added many bright
spots to the festivities, and many officers
found their First mates" among our
young ladies.
The 10th of April, 1865, came the Joy
full news that General Lee had sur
rendered, and our troop were in Rich
mond. No one who heard the news will
ever forget that day.
The news came in the forenoon, and
nothing could stay the demonstrations of
Joy. The church bells rang continuously
through the day, National salute was
fired, and the heavy guns from both Bat
teries, and the warship, the Rhode Island,
responded. Business was suspended, pri-
vate residences, and business places were
illuminated in the evening, huge bonfires
burned, and an old house was purchased
of the owner, hauled up in Custom House
Square and burned A mass meeting was
held in Pierce's Hall, where speeches,
music and dancing took place. Our Joy
was soon turned to sorrow, for few
days later came the terrible news that
President Lincoln had been assassinated,
but that is too we'll known, and too sad
for further comment.
My task is done, and if these discon-
nected "reminiscences shall have served
their purpose, | am repaid; and now we
draw the veil over the incidents of the
last half century, remembering only our
brave "boys in blue" who ''fought the
good fight" and restored to US united
country. One country and one flag! The
most beautiful flag in the world, our own
Star Spangled Banner.