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

D, Box 100, Richmond, Ind.
were not to be outdone. A large num-
Der Immediately formed a society called
the Ladies Aid" and continued their
efficient aid during the four long years of
the war. The younger ladies added
, their help, and formed Branch Aid, and
did much efficient service, under the
management of the Ladies Aid, whose
| teachers were Mrs. Horatio johnson, a
| tireless worker, Mrs, William H. Bur
rill, Mrs. j. G. Dickerson and others
whose names | do not now recall The
only lady can think of now as living, is
Mrs. Sanford Mathews on High street
She was a most efficient worker, and al
ways ready with a pleasant smile to as
sist and advice the inexperienced,
! Until permanent place could be Sc
cured, the Methodist vestry was offered
and when the first hurry-call for gar
ments came, we worked all day Sunday,
even while services were being held in
/ the auditorium above, Mrs Wardwell,
I the minister's wife, working with us.
/ Later, Pierce's Hall Opposite the Opera
House, since DESTROYED by fire. was Sc
cured, and busy hands were constantly
| employed.
/ OF course there was no Red Cross or
1 Navy League organization, but things
moved on very Systematically and rapid
/ the work at the present time, There was
no call for knitted garments. The work
consisted of grey flannel shirts and draw
ers, bandages, rolled by hand, and lint
scraped from old linens
Before the departure of the list Belfast
Volunteers, the Ladies Aid, with the
help of the Branch Aid, made over 300
flannel shirts, in the pocket of each one
was placed small testament. In April,
1868, they had sent l, 600 articles to the
seat of war, and had raised S946. 80 in
money. That for the times seemed
great deal, but compared with McAdoo's
Billions" is hardly worth mentioning.
May A. 1861, big meeting took place
in Pierce's Hall to witness the presenta-
ton of pair of beautiful reVolvers to
each commissioned officer of the military
companies Col Alfred W. johnson
presided, Capt. Henry w. Cunningham
of the Artillery and Lieutenants Gum
of Searsmont and Aver of Liberty re-
ceived the gifts from Miss Carrie William
son, Miss Mary Moore and Miss Arbella
johnson Speeches followed, with music
and it was decided patriotic entertain
ment.
Two weeks later similar meeting took
place, when Major Thomas H. Marshall
who had been promoted from Captain of
the 'City Greys") and his officers, Cap
tain S. M. Fuller, Lieut.. Alden d. Chase
and H. H. Carter received their gifts
from Misses LIVE Angler, Mary Dyer,
Ella Wheeler and Abby H. Faunce. At
the conclusion, Col. Hiram Chase pre-
scented the Company with an elegant
banner.
| We had no slackers then. There was
no stabbing in the back, no strikes, and
front of US Every body was interested
and the enthusiasm continued unabated.
There were some ''War Democrats"
whose efficient aid will never be forgot
ten. samong them Mr.. Warren White,
whose name has gone down in history as
one of the staunchest supporters of the
Union He gave freely of money, time
and assistance. At a meeting early in
the war he offered 500 to the first man
who would volunteer as a soldier. His
offer was promptly taken, and the money
was as promptly paid.
The latter part of July came our first
bad news from the memorable battle of
Bull Run, when the Union forces were
moved down like grain. AS our Belfast
boys were supposed to be in the engage
ment, the news was appalling Strong
men stood on the corners and wept like
children. All seemed to have met with a
personal loss. One plague-spot, and one
alone, l hope, appeared in sight. A fe-
male "copperhead" thought she saw a
chance to celebrate. She ran up her Sc
cession flag and stood on her doorstep,
clapping her hands and waving her hand
kerchief to all passers by, but her Joy
was short-lived, the flag was ordered
taken down, and any further demonstra-
ton would be promptly dealt with.
The same state of unpreparedness ex-
listed as in the present war, and in July
it became fevident that some precaution
must be taken for the protection of our
coast. Two batteries were at once COM
menced, one on the East side of the
river, the other about one mile below the
city now local summer resort) While
only little hillock gives evidence now,