Wednesday, May 30, 2012

My Week

Tuesday evening, at the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, Jim Davis invited a group of bikers planning a breakfast ride to Beaver Dam State Park but I couldn't remember the time they were meeting.   I had emailed but did not get the message of the time until Saturday morning about a half hour before.    We had a pleasant ride and beat the heat by making it early.  I had never been to that park.  One thing you got to understand about Illinois,  it's really flat prarie but has a few hidden secret gardens like this park.  There were humming bird feeders around the peir and resturant and we enjoyed watching them.  I only put my feeder out in the fall because of the migration.
I got dressed and made it.  It was lovely ride down there and very scenic.  Worst thing that happened was the dead skunk in the middle of the road.   There was a small restaurant adjoining the pier over the lake.  There were many humming birds there.  I was surprised because I only see them in the fall. I got home about 11AM and my son was still in bed.  I still had time to do some house cleaning before he woke up.  I told Alan I'd like to go to Camp Butler and explained that the morning ride had many flags decorating yards and that I shouldn't wait until Monday to put take the flowers to Camp Butler on his dad's grave.  There were flags on all of the graves and many people doing the same as us.

Here's a funny picture that I took in a refrigerator at work.  Apparently someone felt guilty about picking up someone's similar cup of carrots and wanted to pay back.  There were 3 carrots there.


Sunday I went to church and found Jim drying his eyes after Mass.  He stated that the song (America the Beautiful) gets him emotional.  I suggested that he join our Catholic War Veterans.  He is retired from the Air National Guard but thought he couldn't join because he'd never been in a war nor even left the states.  I told him that the term 'war' was misleading.  All that's required is Catholic and miliary. 

I left around 12:30 for a graduation party in St Charles, MO.  It was nice so I rode my motorcycle.  I got a little sunburn on my rists despite long sleeves on a hot day.  Allison DeRousse was a little baby in the next door adjoining driveway in our first home since my retirement and now look at her --  all grown and graduating high school.  I was her confirmation sponsor.


Since I had seen so many memorial Day decorations in yards on the trip, I knew that the flowers that I got for my husband's grave would not be appropriately placed on memorial Day 2 days from then so I got my son and we placed them there.


My email address sent out "work at home" Spam sometime over Sunday night so I changed my password.  I'm not the only one however.  I've received it from others too.  I did get a nice email Monday morning that my picture was in the paper.


One comment I got was "nice picture; everyone else, as the "old sarge" used to say, is looking for Indians!" Later my friend Linda Crites, who can be seen in the background came forward by my side and shook hands with the returning veterans.  She's a real cheer leader.

Memorial Day I got up at 6AM and by 6:10 I was out in the public square placing my 3 by 5 flags.  I came home and showered and walked the dogs then got in my American Legion wear for the honor guard early for the 10AM ceremony.   I was also surprised to see Sen Sam McCann there because his district is so wide and there are so many activities on this memorial day but he chose to attend Chatham's ceremony.  I asked him why here and he told me he felt a lot of support here.  During the ceremony there was an announcement that there would be a dedication of a memorial bench for KIA Chad Young at 11:30.  His Gold Star parents were at both ceremonies. It was a fine black granite-like bench with his picture on it.  His parents are there in the background of this.  Jerry Young told me he would have loved to have had this 'Made in America' but couldn't find all the specifications he wanted for it.  It was made in Indonesia and he paid about $1800.  The Chatham Clarion (a local paper that I don't get because it has too much student info) wrote that the bench was paid by Jaycees and Legion.  However, the bench faces new safe playground equipment that those organizations supported.  The park was renamed from West Part to Chad Young Park.

I came home and took the motorcycle to Camp Butler NC for a ceremony there.  I knew that parking would be tight.  My son and the staff of the Vet Center were there.  Boy it was hot.  Many familiar faces there and Grace Miller from our Womens Overseas Service League said the prayer. 
At 4PM I got back in my car with the flags in the trailer hitch mount and headed to a retreat ceremony at the DAV on Lake Springfield.  As I went over the bridge, I could see someone in a boat wave at me and the flags waving as I crossed the bridge.  I waved back but not sure if they could see a caged driver.  I carried the left Springfield on the flag detail.  I had the trigger facing in the wrong direction but waited for a command before I could correct its direction.  After the ceremony we had sloppy joes and fixin's.  I was invited on a pontoon ride but I insisted it be a short ride because I had to get back to Chatham and take home the flags I left in the square.  There were 2 others that joined this ride, a youth and Fred from AL Post 809.  Fred said it made his day.  The pontoon ride was like a mini-trip.  I spread my arms as we flew across the lake just like Rose did in the Titanic movie.  We went thru the Lindsey Bridge and our boat owner showed us an island where there's an eagles nest.  Because of the foliage we couldn't see it but that was very interesting tidbit.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

My Week

Seems like there was a lot of food available this weekend everywhere I went.
Friday I went to a meeting for the OWLS (older wiser lovable seniors) at church as one of three acts for the entertainment.  Dinner was provided and the other two acts were singing but I did my reenactment of Mrs Major Belle Reynolds.  I wore the outfit that I had been working on and still need to add some snaps or hooks in the back.  I made a few bobbles in my presentation but suitable for the group and something to learn for the upcoming civil war encampment.  I used the antique toy musket that I got on eBay as a prop.  I had been using a colt but her diary said she was using a musket.  Most toys are real fake looking but the antique toy had steel and a wooden handle.  Here’s a link to my performance
Saturday I went on a support the troops poker run.  The weather was hot and the sign at the bank said 92 degrees.  It was nice to be joined by some of the American Legion Riders from Belleville area.  They couldn’t stay for the whole ride because they went to a PGR mission at 3PM.
Sunday morning I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans.  It’s a monthly memorial Mass and extra special because our post commander had passed on Thursday.  The priest showed off his digital cammies and boots under his hassock since he was a chaplain in the guard.  Afterward we went to breakfast and discussed the visitation and succession of leadership.
On my way home, I took a side road thru the corn field and noticed how high the corn was already.  I thought about the old saying about corn needing to be ‘knee high by the 4th of July” and it was higher than my knees on May 20th.
Then at 2:30 I went to a reunion of our Ireland trip and intro to my upcoming trip to France.  We shared pictures and stories.  Joanne who was my giggly roommate was there and said she was losing her voice which made me laugh.
Monday I took an hour off of work to go to a visitation in Taylorville for Bernie Scott, our Catholic War Veterans commander.  As a group of CWV and Korean War Veterans, in our veteran blazers and cap, we prayed and did a pass in review salute to our lost member.  After that I went to the VFW for the pre-flight banquet for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.
Tuesday I got chicken ‘to go’ at the VFW. There was a little old lady in a green tee shirt that saw where I got my Styrofoam box and then she got one of the small salad size boxes and put 2 pieces of chicken in the box which I thought was unusual because I used the small box for my salad and the large box for chicken and sides.  It’s “all you can eat” if you eat in and this was brought up at our meetings that some were double dipping their meals by eating in and using to-go boxes.  So I asked politely if she was getting carryout too.  She replied “it’s ok”.  Then I saw she sat down to a table with a tray full of food and two Styrofoam boxes in front.  So on my way out I mentioned it to Commander Wilson.  He seemed upset.
Later in the evening I rode over to the airport for the homecoming of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.  On the way there, my little Yamaha turned over the odometer to 8,000 miles.  Shortly after that, I noticed a noise when I got over 45 mph.  That’s got me worried.  Performance seems fine but the sound is like an alarm only not as shrill. It seems to abruptly start at 45-50 MPH and the sound abruptly stops decelerating about 35 MPH.  Well the flight arrival was delayed.  I had plenty of time to find a tall person to put up the welcome home banner.  The 3M Velcro strip from last month had been removed from the overhang so a member of the ground crew found some duct tape.  I also had to find a member of the Springfield Park District so I could give him a group of tickets for the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Tournament to be on June 9th.  I joined the Patriot Guard flag line but since the flight was late, we sat and rested awhile.  I socialized with a number of the veterans and even noticed a man with an American Legion Cap from California.  I asked him if he was from there and he said yes and he came just for this.  I got to chat with Linda, a Navy veteran while we waited.  She is the commander of the Navy Club and asked me to pass around the info on their upcoming entertainment night.  I created a facebook event for it and sent it to the Springfield Yahoo group.  She told me of a spat she had with the Auxiliary.  Apparently this disrespected her service and position.  Although they removed the disrespectful photo from their album she is yet to receive an apology.  I explained what my father told me, “Whenever someone says something bad about you, it’s really about envy”.  Linda nodded.  I still have my service and my retirement.  Well the veterans finally exited the terminal and we gathered in the flag line and welcomed the veterans home.  There were blue shirts on the WW2 veterans and yellow on the Korean War veterans.  We shook hands with a lady in a blue shirt.  We mentioned that we were both in the Womens Overseas Service League.  This lady wanted to know how Jean was. Jean Goretski is a member and has recently gone into an assisted living home.  I had trouble disconnecting the PGR flag pole from the base at the connecter. I asked John Stewart for help and he ignored me and stood there with hands folded over his fly. I started rolling up the flag with the base intact and was asked to take it apart to put the lower pole in the roll.  I explained I couldn’t get it apart and John wouldn’t help.  Then someone else came to help me.  I will remember.
I heard my son go to bed this morning so I looked at my clock – 5:15AM

Friday, May 18, 2012

My portrayal of Mrs Major Belle Reynolds ~ Civil War Nurse

Script for Mrs. Major Belle Reynolds
Written by Rosemary Connolly

{Photo from the book "A Civil War Captain and His Lady" by Gene Barr}

{sweep opposite side with musketoon}
“Halt! By order of the Doctor Norton. This hospital ship is off limits to retreating soldiers.  I shall determine who gets on or off this steamer”

This is what I had to do on that fateful day at Pittsburg Landing on April 6th 1862.

I am not bold or boastful to speak about myself but my circumstances thrust me into the media and I have been asked to tell you my story.  My name is Belle Reynolds of Peoria, IL.  Perhaps you’ve read about me in the newspapers and how Governor Yates recognized me for heroism at the battle of Shiloh.  There were stories written about my experience in the “Peoria Journal Star” because of the attention Governor Yates gave me in 1862.   
I was among the women who chose to accompany their husbands to the battle and have helped with domestic chores in the camp. 


I  Biography
II  Becoming a Camp Follower 
III  Story at Shiloh 
IV  Governor Yates commissioning 
V Post Civil War

I  Biography
I was born Oct 20 1840 as Arabella Loomis Macomber in Shelburne Falls Massachusetts.  Everybody called me Belle for short.  The place that I am from is along the Connecticut River Valley.  If you happen to come across a runaway in this area, I may be able to help them to contact the Underground Railroad.
My family came from a highly respected background.  My father is Kingsley W. Macomber a prominent lawyer and proud descendant of Revolutionary War.  Mother was related to the governor of Connecticut.   Our family valued a good education. My brother took after my father and perused a legal career. When I was 14 years old, our family traveled west to the new frontier. We settled in Cass County, Iowa.  After a few years there, I returned East for schooling to become a teacher. I met a young man in
Massachusetts by the way and more about that in a moment.  I then returned to my family and began teaching.  Teaching was well respected in the sparsely populated settlement. 
I met William S. Reynolds also from Massachusetts while in school and he moved to Cass County Iowa, most likely he followed me there.  I'm not sure why he moved but maybe to follow me home.  He grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts son of Henry S. Reynolds who ran a grain, feed, and lime business on Washington Street.  William went to Springfield High School. Click here for Reference. {this site says Springfield, Massachusetts}
We were married in Iowa and shortly thereafter we moved to Peoria.  There he had a new position as a druggist.  

II Becoming a Camp Follower
I’ll never forget our first anniversary.  We were attending church services when a messenger gave the news of the attack on Fort Sumter  (April 12, 1861 was a Saturday).  Our parishioners were appalled but not totally surprised.   We live in the “home state” of our new president, Abraham Lincoln, and understood the political tension that was growing at the time.  Everyone wanted a solution and fast.

My husband and 3 other men joined the volunteer army for a period of 3 months.  He became the adjutant for the 17th Illinois Infantry.   As he departed for war I wrote my first letter to him I will tell you why I shall not miss you and shall not want you to come home.  I am going to the war with you.  Now, don’t protest…I am in perfect health, as strong as you and as patriotic.”

My friends and relatives discouraged me from making the journey but I insisted.   I had been used to traveling with my trunks between Massachusetts and Iowa and this would be just another journey.   
It was not uncommon nor against any rules to join our husbands off to war at that time period.  I just need permission and after three days of convincing the regiment's colonel, I headed to the front with them.  My free spirit and lack of ties to hold me down made me want to follow.   I also felt that by accompanying my husband, I was supporting the Union cause.  

Four months later, I joined Lt Reynolds at Bird's Point, Missouri on August 11th 1861 where his regiment was camped. Initially, it was a scenic trip and important to me to be close to where I was needed.  The beauty of the Mississippi River was nearly that of a romantic honeymoon that we never had.  I made the best of the journey.  

There were a few other women with me who joined their husbands as well. I was offered fine conditions to live in because I was  an officer's wife but chose to live like a soldier:  sleeping on the ground and drinking from pools.  I traveled by horse, cart and on foot living a soldier’s life and sleeping on the ground. To the order, "Fall in," I hurriedly mounted my horse in the darkness of the night.  I made long marches sometimes without food or rest.

Women like me who chose to accompany their families were known as “Camp Followers”.   Well that is just what we did.  We followed the army and did domestic chores but often camped separately from the rest of the regular army.  Sadly, there were a few camp followers that gave us a bad name.  A few, I say, because most of us gave all of our work and hearts to supporting our soldiers.  One can choose to focus on the few or choose to focus on the typical majority of women supporting their husbands and fellow soldiers.

I kept a journal, describing in living color the events, the trials and the tribulations of an army wife.  At times I would send letters to newspapers back home about things that I saw so that others who stayed behind could understand what we were doing and the conditions we lived.

When time allowed, I would talk to the soldiers that were sick or melancholy.  This seemed to lift their spirits and want to join the rest of their fellow soldiers with great pride and enthusiasm.  They called me their guardian angel because I spent my nights by their side with my needles and thread and writing letters.  

While traveling with my husband, I witnessed several battles.  The Union won skirmishes at Fort Henry and Fort Donaldson in Tennessee resulting in 12,000-man garrison to surrender unconditionally.  The river was opened for the Union advancement.   It seemed like the war was going well for the Army and Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant got a nice promotion to Major General.

III Story at Shiloh
Now, let me tell you about the battle at Pittsburgh Landing in Tennessee.  I was in the field with my husband from the first great western battle at Shiloh.   

We heard the gunfire in the distance but I thought it was simply the pickets firing their muskets to make sure the gunpowder was still dry.  You see, there was a lot of rain and mud and it was common to check the powder.  I casually prepared a breakfast feast of griddlecakes and peaches over the campfire.   Suddenly, bugles were calling and people began running and so I dumped the food into a napkin and into my husband’s haversack as he left on his horse.  Meanwhile the women casually packed our trunks to leave.  We came across another camp already deserted.  It was not until a wagon master told Mrs. Norton and I to run for our lives that the reality of a rebel attack finally sank in.  We headed for Pittsburgh Landing for a steamer known as the Emerald.
For the remainder of that day the women assist as the wounded soldiers that began to pour in. Many were taken behind the lines to the Union steamboats on the river.  The rebels drove the Union back towards the river.
Allow me to read what I had recorded in my journal:
"Shells were bursting in every direction about us. Tents were torn in shreds, and the enemy, in solid column, was seen coming over the hill in the distance." As they fled, they saw cavalry soldiers forming on the parade ground near the camp. "Balls were flying and shells bursting among the terrified horses and fearless riders."

"We stopped, took off our bonnets, and prepared to assist in dressing their wounds,
 But an orderly dashed up, shouting orders to move the wounded immediately to the river. The rebels were closing in, and they were not safe where they were. “

"I dared not ask the boys if my husband was unharmed and feared each moment to see him among the almost lifeless forms that were being brought on board the boat."

"At the Landing it was a scene of terror -- Rations, forage, and ammunition were trampled into the mud by an excited infuriated crowd.... Trains [of wagons] were huddled together on the brow of the hill and in sheltered places. Ambulances were conveying their bleeding loads to the different boats, and joined to form a Babel of confusion indescribable. None were calm, and free from distracting anxiety and pain, save the long ranks of dead, ranged for recognition or burial, at the hospital on the hill-side."
After working hard all day, a surgeon objected to having women on board not knowing all that the women had done.  You see,  It was customary that men would be nurses for men.  Not intimidated in the least, I proceeded to search the boat for any members of my husband’s regiment.

I wrote in my diary that “though there were three or four hundred wounded men on the boat, there were but two or three surgeons, and they unwilling to have us relieve what suffering we could.” The surgeons also refused to give the women any supplies.  Undaunted, I gathered some from other boats and returned to clean wounds and serve food.  I myself did not take time to eat.


The Emerald soon became a hospital ship of sorts, receiving an estimated 350-wounded troops. In the beginning Capt Norton gave me a gun to keep the retreating soldiers at bay while he guarded the steamer on the other end. I assisted our surgeon but there were some that I could only console.  I felt compelled to go a bit farther because I was saddened by all of the blood and torture going on around me.  I often headed for the battlefield.  I looked to see whom I could help among bodies of union and confederate soldiers. I made way to Shiloh’s chapel, which was full of wounded in need of food.  I arranged for 15 men to get food and water.  I returned with those I could save on an ambulance wagon to the hospital ship.

I kept dressing wounds while wondering the fate of my own dear husband.  Twice I was given the word that my husband was mortally wounded.  Then, I felt a hand touch me.

From my journal:
"I hardly knew him-blackened with powder, begrimed with dust, his clothes in disorder, and his face pale. We thought it must have been years since we parted. It was no time for words; he told me I must go. There was a silent pressure of hands. I passed on to the boat."

Later I learned that his horse was shot from under him but that he had survived.  I was grateful and relieved.  I also realized that it was close enough.

IV Governor Yates commissioning

Let me explain my relationship with Governor Yates.  My relationship with Governor Yates was both good and bad which I can explain.
 
After 7 days without rest, Governor Yates arrived with physicians to survey the battlefield.  He was shocked at my worn appearance and had me escorted back to Illinois for some rest.  We traveled on the steamer, Black Hawk.  Some of the wounded were on board and all we could talk about was the battle of Pittsburg Landing.  I told stories of the battle along the way with vivid imagery and my audience was moved by the gravity of war.  I was asked many questions by people who where not there and wanted to know.  I provided answers as only an eyewitness could provide.  

Allow me to read the feelings I had recorded in my journal:
"The terrible scenes were still before [me] and seemed to be a dreadful part of me, which I was glad to have removed, if relating them might have that effect. I told my story to quite an audience of ladies and gentlemen, Governor Yates being of the number. As I was one of very few ladies who were present at the battle, and had witnessed so large a portion of its scenes, the story seemed to interest all who heard."

Dr Colburn suggested I be given a commission because of my bravery on the bloody battlefield.  Governor Yates obliged and had his secretary fill out the necessary papers for a commission, establishing me as an army officer with the rank of Major.

Thus, I became an army officer without enlisting and outranked my husband. This event placed me squarely in the media’s eye. Beyond local Illinois newspapers like the Peoria Transcript, my story was also featured, complete with photo, in the May 17, 1862 issue of the national "Harper’s Weekly".  The newspapers had apparent difficulty with the military rank for a woman and referred to me as "Mrs. Major Belle Reynolds".  After that, my stay in Peoria was that of a heroine before returning to the army after a few days stay and securing the safety of the wounded back at their homes.

MRS. MAJOR REYNOLDS.

MRS. MAJOR BELLE REYNOLDS, whose portrait we publish on page 317, from a photograph by Cole, of Peoria, Illinois, is the wife of Lieutenant Reynolds, of Company A, Seventeenth Regiment Illinois troops, and daughter of K. W. Macumber, Esq. Her native place is Shelbourne Falls, Massachusetts. The Seventeenth, to which her husband belongs; is one of the most popular regiments in our Western army, being one of the earliest in the field, and during the whole war have been in active service. They met the enemy in a terrible encounter, and vanquished him, at Frederickstown, Missouri. They early took possession of Cape Girardeau; they also bore a prominent part, and were terribly cut up at the battle of Fort Donelson, and were in the thickest of the fight at the battle of Shiloh (or Pittsburg Landing). In these last two battles Lieutenant Reynolds was Acting-Adjutant. During the greater part of the campaign Mrs. Reynolds has shared with her husband a soldier's fare in camp; many a night, while on long marches, sleeping upon the ground in the open air, with no covering other than her blanket, and frequently drenched with rain; and ofttimes, to the order "Fall in," she has hurriedly mounted her horse in the darkness of the night, and made long marches without rest or food except such as she might have had with her. She has at all times exhibited a degree of heroism that has endeared her to the brave soldiers of the Seventeenth and other regiments that have been associated with them, and to the officers of the army with whom she is acquainted.
Governor Yates, of Illinois, and his staff were at Pittsburg Landing to look after the Illinois troops, who suffered so severely in that fearful struggle, and learning of Mrs. Reynolds's heroic conduct on the field, and untiring efforts in behalf of the wounded soldiers, by and with the advice of his staff commissioned her Daughter of the Regiment, to take rank as a Major, "for meritorious conduct on the bloody battle-field of Pittsburg Landing." Mrs. R. left Pittsburg Landing a few days after the battle to attend some wounded soldiers to their homes by the rivers, leaving the last one at Peoria —Captain Swain, of Illinois, who died as the boat touched the wharf at Peoria. She remained at Peoria a few days to recover from her fatigue, and has left again to rejoin the army, and hopes and expects soon to be in Corinth.
The following letter has been addressed to Governor Yates by citizens of Peoria:
"PEORIA, April 27, 1862.
"To His Excellency Richard Yates, Governor, etc., Springfield, Illinois:
"DEAR SIR,—Permit us to thank you for the honor conferred upon Peoria by your voluntary act in commissioning Mrs. Belle Reynolds, of this city, to take rank as Major of Illinois State Militia, showing your appreciation of valuable services so nobly rendered by a lady on the bloody battle-field of Pittsburg Landing.
"And we take pleasure in bearing testimony to the high moral and Christian character of the 'Major,' believing that in whatever circumstances she may be placed she will ever honor her commission and the worthy Executive who gave it.   Respectfully yours."
 http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/civil-war/1862/may/censorship.htm

Good
I was glad when I saw the faces of the soldiers in my presence.  It was so motivating for their eagerness to the war's resolve after a great disappointment at Shiloh. 

I was rewarded with a handsome black warhorse and a blue jacket with a major’s gold braid.  I rode for the troops in  review in my uniform at Lagrange, Tenn which seemed to help morale of the soldiers.  There was an air of patriotism among all present. I was known as the “Daughter of the Regiment”.  

When my husband learned of my appointment as Major, he insisted on being promoted to colonel.   He said his wife commands him in opposition of our nuptial vows.  I vowed “honor and obedience” to my husband.  That would invade his rights and place him in a position to take orders from me.  The army did not recognize my rank nor did give credence to his request.  Humbly speaking, you will not see my name on any muster rolls nor in any pay records.  In time, he did become a colonel later on his own merit.
 
Bad
I did have a falling out with Governor Yates and his staff that resulted in unwanted advances. You see, some "camp followers" had a bad reputation as women of the night.  All of this recognition had turned on me. Some of Colonel Price's rowdies, that had been drinking that demon whiskey,  literally asked me to surrender and not in a good way.  I'd much prefer to forget that and proceed with the task of taking care of our soldiers' needs.  After that, I shied away from the governor and newspapers.  Reporters wanted to make a story where there is no story.  I wish the stories focused on shaming the rowdies and not so much myself.

Humanity has gained so much knowledge about death and healing as a result of this War Between the States. I have learned many things from the losses we had to endure in the battlefield hospital.  Many mistakes learned, were less repeated and shared with the other nurses.  I have made critical decisions on the battlefield in choosing who to save and who to let go.  I know I saved many men but I wish I could have done more.   My name still is not listed on the roster of 17th Illinois Infantry.   I became the soldier boys' comrade, their friend and fellow soldier, and yet they stood on no ceremony with me. Yet I exerted the strongest and the most cheering influence upon them because of this very feeling of comradeship. I was the soldier's comforter and counselor. All through the war I was sitting many an hour with the sick and wounded until death or health relieved him.   It was sad taking their last request.

However, I became an invalid after what I’ve been through.   
 
V Post Civil War

After the war, I went on to become a doctor in the late 1879.  Meanwhile my marriage slowly eroded and I divorced in 1884 without children of my own.

I followed in the footsteps of my father and a brother who became  physicians after the war.  I entered medical school in Chicago. Upon graduation, I practiced at the Home for the Friendless in Chicago and became very active in the Red Cross. After accompanying a patient to Santa Barbara in 1891, I opened an office there, specializing in pediatrics and women’s medicine.  There were only 5 other women doctors while I was there. 

I closed the practice in 1915. I did remain active and vital even though age robbed me of sight in the last years. I died in 1937, just short of my 97th birthday, the first woman commissioned a major in the United States Army.

Conclusion 1

The war changed our view of the World, our attitude towards conviction and what sportsmanship was all about. The war erupted out of emotions, pride and money under the guise of property rights.  The war began as some kind of sport with spectators gathering picnics on the hillside to watch the battles.   Both the First Manassas and Bull Run brought out spectators with picnic baskets and parasols to watch the battle and even cheer for their side like a sporting event. Ladies and politicians watched with parasols and opera glasses only to see defeat and retreating solders.  A few became prisoners and some were harmed.  [ In truth, the First Manassas battle had many sightseers that packed picnic baskets; but this was more a necessity than a frivolous pursuit on a Sunday afternoon. ]  The long marches were views as parades with spectators cheering on the side of the road.  Gone is the day when curiosity-seekers got caught in a stampede of retreating Union troops. I cannot fathom the direction this nation was headed before the war and knew that change would have to come by force.  The change we got had a very high price.  

 “There is no woman who can not in some way do something to help the army. This war of ours has developed scores of Florence Nightingales, whose names no one knows, but whose reward, in the soldier’s gratitude and Heaven’s approval, is the highest guerdon (reward) woman can ever win.”

Listen...I hear the trumpet.  It calls "Fall In".  The army is headed on to Corrinth and on to Vicksburg and I must follow.  Thank you for listening to one woman's story for there are many whose stories are untold.


Conclusion 2

I began telling you that I learned of what happened at Fort Sumter through a messenger interrupting our Sunday Church service.  I recall the Gospel we read that Sunday from Luke Chapter 10 about Jesus as a guest of Martha and Mary.  Martha was very busy with the domestic duties preparing a meal for their guest and Mary sat and socialized with their guest.  Martha felt that Mary should help more instead of being conversational and idle with the preparations.  To Martha's surprise, Jesus sided with Mary as her job was important too.

This story is my story too.  What I did in our hospitals before and during the Battle of Shiloh was more like Martha.  Busy with the chores of a hospital under emergency conditions. After that I learned that life was short.  Instead I spent much time at our recovering soldiers' bedside and making them feel worthwhile during their last time on this Earth.  I stayed with recovering soldiers and there were many I could only console on their death bed.  Time with them was often melancholy but others noticed that listening, sitting, or reading to them that gave hope to all that were there.  In their dying moments, the soldier knew he had suffered for a cause. I supported the nurses side-by-side.  After the war, I became a supporter of the newly formed Red Cross.  I do not regret ignoring requests for me to go home but I knew too much and the need was overwhelming.

General L. E. Ross wrote to me: "I wish you would stay if you possibly can Mrs. Reynolds, your influence is so good upon the boys."

This war produced many Florence Nightingales of which I'm proud to have known a few.  Listen...I can still hear the trumpet.  It calls "Fall In" and I must follow.  Thank you for listening and understanding one woman's story.





References:
 

Heroic Services of Major Belle Reynolds. (favored resource)

San Francisco Call, Volume 83, Number 173, 22 May 1898
I really enjoyed this article published in later years to put Belle's story in lifetime perspective.
http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC18980522.2.173.2

Or

https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC18980522.2.173.2&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN--------1

Page 255 google book has much of her vivid diary:
Women of the War: Their Heroism and Self-Sacrifice

Discussion forum on Belle Reynold in Civil War Talk

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/major-belle-reynolds.106315/#post-989318

This was written by DUVCW
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnmbrdcw/reynolds.htm

Belle Loomis (Macomber) Reynolds written by Cliff McCarthy
http://pvhn2.wordpress.com/1800-2/belle-loomis-macomber-reynolds/



MAJOR BELLE REYNOLDS; The Only Woman Ever Commissioned in the United States Army. HER SERVICES DURING THE REBELLION Gov. Yates Made Her an Officer After the Battle of Pittsburg Landing -- Popular with the Soldiers.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50E16FE3A5A1A738DDDAC0994DB405B8685F0D3


Guidelines for those women following the army.
Compiled by 44th camp follower Christina Neitz.
http://44thregiment.itgo.com/cfguidelines.html


July 21, 1861 Senators Witness the First Battle of Bull Run
https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Witness_Bull_Run.htm

Civil War Nurse from Illinois by
http://civilwarwomenblog.com/major-belle-reynolds/

Santa Barbra Independent: 
Question: Belle Reynolds

I would like to know more about one of Santa Barbara’s early doctors, Belle Reynolds.’ -Paula Sanderson

http://www.independent.com/news/2008/jun/05/question-belle-reynolds/

More on the relationship between Belle and Govenor Yates.
http://www.thezephyr.com/backtrack/bellereynolds.htm

We know that the author of "What I Saw of Shiloh" by Ambrose Bierce was referring only to Belle Reynods in sec IV
http://www.classicreader.com/book/1165/1/

Fuller speaks about government sex scandals at symposium

http://reflector.uindy.edu/2018/10/10/fuller-speaks-about-government-sex-scandals-at-symposium/

 Fuller did a zoom meeting for the Village of Elsa

United Service: A Monthly Review of Military and Naval Affairs, Volume 8

page 603
http://books.google.com/books?id=Y6qgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA603&lpg=PA603&dq=%22belle+reynolds%22+pass+review&source=bl&ots=W3Kv7vY0dY&sig=opq0NNEN4r0fwsrF1p7QagTJ9Rg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nWfxU4jcE5CdygSNrILABw&ved=0CEoQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=%22belle%20reynolds%22%20pass%20review&f=false

Picnic Baskets and Parasols
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/civil_war_series/17/sec2.htm
 


This was my first formal presentation taken at the Illinois State Military Museum in April 2014.  I had been doing this informally at reenactments for small groups of spectators on an impromptu basis prior.  

 

17th Illinois Infantry veterans at their 50th reunion in 1911. Organized and mustered in at Peoria and fought in Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, and many other engagements. Picture was found in the photo database of the Will County Historical Museum in Lockport.



Thursday, May 17, 2012

My Week

A member of the fundraiser team sent me this picture from the USO fundraiser for the Land Of Lincoln Honor Flight.
Thursday, during my lunch hour, Michael and I went to drop off a memento at the Wall That Heals in honor of Gene’s brother.   It was the ribbon that flew on the back of Michael’s motorcycle which we attached his brother’s name and a flag card.  I knew Gene would find it on his own and be surprised. He wasn’t sure who left it but knew it had his brother’s name and meant for him to find. 

I went to the opening ceremony Thursday at 6PM for the Wall that Heals.  Since I get off work at 5PM, it didn’t pay to go home so I mailed a package to a lady soldier and then got some Jamaican Jerk Chicken from the nearby shack before the ceremony. Senator Sam McCann was there.. 

At work I stuck my head into the all-male section of “Administrative Services” and all the guys started going “KAW, KAW, KAW”.   Apparently a warning to clean up the talk.

Friday I came home to an empty house because my sons went to see The Avengers.  In the evening I volunteered from 8PM-midnight at the Wall That Heals.  I’m not used to late nights but a brief nap before and the camaraderie kept me awake.  We got volunteer shirts that had collars.  I volunteered in 2007 and those volunteer shirts were of such poor quality that it washed out fast.  I slept in Saturday morning but did go back to the wall because I wanted to meet some AMVETS from Quincy on the day shift.  I wanted to thank them for taking over the Wreaths Across America in a pinch.  Although the person who headed it up was not there due to knee surgery, others from Post 104 were there and told me they were willing to do it again.  I also learned that Carol whom I first spoke with and a past IL Veteran of the Month had passed away in October.  Afterward I went to the Old State Capitol to see a presentation of “A Boy In Blue”.  It was difficult getting downtown due to the “Fat Ass 5K Run” blocking the streets.

Sunday I bought some chocolate covered strawberries from a church fundraiser.  I went to County Market to take advantage of my discount coupons.  Later my sons and I celebrated mother’s day by going to a movie.  They know I’m a Dark Shadows fan.  I was the only one in the theater dressed in vintage 70’s.  After the movie I did a little work in the garden before the sun went down.  I got a few flowers to plant for mother’s day and the ground was not quite prepared.  It had been neglected the last 2 years because of the accident and my inability to dig.  I was surprised however that the mild winter allowed some of the cana to come up because the frost hadn’t hit the roots.  That’s great news.  Those flowers attract humming birds in the fall. 

I spent time after work on Monday and Tuesday finishing the planting in my garden.  I still had unplanted tomatoes and some petunias that I got for Mothers Day and now that’s done.  I still have some housekeeping like weeds thrown to the side to be picked up and tools lying around.  At least the plants can grab the soil and get going.

Wednesday I went to a wine birthday party for Christine, a counselor at the Vet Center. 

I’ve also been sewing some neck coolers.  Left off at bedtime when my bobbin ran out of thread. 

I had some cake at the opening of our farmers market.  Yum!

Friday, May 11, 2012

My Week

I had a busy weekend. Saturday I got my oil changed as soon as they opened then went to Lincoln Land Community College for the opening ceremony and wreath laying for Illinois Connections for Families of the Fallen. Then I went to the Old State Capitol to help volunteer from 11-3PM. Some of the reenactors did a tabloid performance. After that I picked up a wreath for the AmVets Riders to place at the Vietnam Memorial during the 24 hour vigil. Later that night our American Legion Post 759 had a one hour shift during the supermoon on 5/5/12.


At 4PM Derby Day at the VFW and I had my first mint Julep. It wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. I liked it better when the ice melted and the mint flavor soaked awhile. Those that had the drink before said these were not the best. I placed a $5 bet on a drawing but LOOSER! Folks dressed in derby attire.
We had a record high temperature on Sunday of 90 degrees surpassing the last record of 88. Despite avoiding the sun and sun block I did have a red V neckline.

Well made it to both. As long as they don't delay that closing ceremony, I can leave right after returning the POW flag back to full staff and make it to the ABATE State rally to the capitol. 2 members of the Sangamon Co Burial detail fainted out of the formation after some 45 min in the 88 degree sun. There 659 bikes at the ABATE freedom run from all over the state. After the rally, I had to go back to the memorial and pick up the wreath for the AMVETS riders to be used again for the Wall That Heals later this week.

I had to get a new modem and router last week and my son installed the cable on his laptop. The cable host should have been installed on the desktop but he was in a hurry to save his Kingdom. So when he tried to correct the problem, they said I needed a new hard drive because it would not recognize the new modem.

Monday evening I went to our American Legion meeting. Ed asked me to be on the scholarship committee but that is not in my area of interests. He asked what I did besides harass American Legion members. I showed him my blog and told him that was a long story and that my blog was an abridged letter to the soldiers.
Last week I had trouble with the cable internet. I got a new router and still had a problem. I got a new modem and still my son used his laptop as the main PC because he couldn't wait to get back to his kingdom. I told him that the desktop HAD to be the host for cable internet. So the following day he tried to set it up. It wouldn't accept cable internet. So I took the PC back to BLH where I got the Dell and learned that the network card needed to be replaced. He still needs to move the cable host from his laptop to the desktop or else I cannot access the family tree and other things well.

Tuesday, I took the afternoon off for an escort for the Vietnam Memorial Wall replica called the “Wall that Heals”. Weather was great for this. The traveling museum is sponsored by AmVets so we escorted the truck to place in Springfield. Since it was an Amvets event, Amvets Riders led the truck and other riders followed.




The little motorcycle has been having difficulty with holding a charge so I ran all over town looking for a motorcycle battery. Walmart had one for $36 but wanted me to fill it and charge it. I can’t do that. Same at Napa. So I went to Overturf Motorsports and they wanted $59. Jerry at the VFW suggested Mister Battery so I went the next morning. There’s still needs the acid and charge but I can get it tomorrow for $30.

Alan Connolly caught a bird in the house that came down my chimney. NO NESTERS allowed.
There’s a lot of talk going around about the Illinois state employee pension plan. New contract starts in July and there’s talk that anyone retiring after that will fall under the new contract. Talk of rising the minimum age from 60 to 67. I was planning to retire at 60. Key is that medicare kicks in and the state wouldn’t have to pay health insurance during the gap.



 Here's your wedding dance of the day! http://vimeo.com/41751468





Sunday, May 6, 2012

My Week

One of the ladies in our dog obedience class took pictures for us.  Marley did not want to have her picture taken and it was difficult to get her to show her face.  Marley was also afraid of the flash because she is afraid of lightning.  It took a number of shots to get Marley to face the photographer.
Friday evening I rented 2 movies: The Rite and some guy flick about a baseball team for my son.  I didn’t watch that movie.  He stays up late.
Saturday I went to the Old State Capitol for tours from 11-3PM.  It was a boy scout weekend and they get a badge for the Lincoln Pilgrimage.  I really enjoy that because the visitors are really interested in what I have to say about the Old State Capitol and I am eager to share it.
After I left the Old State Capitol, I came home briefly and then left for the VFW.  There was a big sold-out fundraiser for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight and I was going to be on their honor guard for the first time along with Dave, Jerry and Gene.  The staff had served 310 people dinner in 60 minutes.  We get to eat if there are dinners left.  There were tap dancers and jugglers and a 40’s band.   There was a barbershop quartet as part of the entertainment. I thought that quartet was odd singing Wild Irish Rose and wanted anyone named Rose in the audience to stand. I looked around like it was a setup because of the earlier attention I got being the only female on the honor guard.  I stood shyly I felt like I had called enough attention to myself after that 3 men and a lady Honor Guard gig. No others stood.   Their song seemed directed toward me.  Later I went to the rest room and the quartet was at a table in the bar and said “Hi Rose”.  I had to do a second take on how these strangers knew my name because I was the only Rose in the crowd.  Duh – then it occurred to me that they saw me standing for their song.
Sunday I went to church.  Someone there asked me if I rode my motorcycle.  It was pouring rain.  If someone sees me enjoying my ride, I wonder if they are happy that I’m happy.  I’m happy for the farmers getting the much needed rain.  I was planning to go to a visitation for KIA Sgt Dean Schafer (50 miles away) but decided to cook dinner for my 2 sons and have quality time with them which will be remembered more than just being a PGR member in the crowd especially since it was a rainy day.  We had 2” of rain and it was much needed.  I prayed for Dean at Mass.  I roasted some pork and cooked colored peppers and tabouli salad which my sons didn’t like.  We had strawberry-rubarb pie which is always a hit.
I had to get a new router and modem for our internet. 
Tues morning it rained again but cleared later in the day.  I tried to walk the dogs before work but Marley heard a clap of thunder and we had to turn around.  At least Bentley got to squeeze out his morning duty before putting them back in the house.  Before I left the house, my son called from his room.  He wanted me to see Marley had jumped up on his bed for security from the thunder.  I was also pretty sore from my exercise class.  We did something like snow angels with weights.
My son got called for jury duty and went and then came home.
I am now “the admin” for the Illinois Soldiers Angels facebook page.
I rode my motorcycle to work on Wednesday for the first time since my accident.  On the way to work at a stop light near the high school with students present, I signaled for a right turn.  I could not turn on red with traffic and students but the lady in the car behind honked for me to turn on red and I could see her throwing her hands up in the air in my mirrors.  You’d be so proud of me for not flipping her off.  She was in a hurry.  After it turned green, the students crossed in the cross walk so as soon as they cleared the crosswalk, then I turned.  The bitch then turned and passed me only to brake for a jeep ahead of he

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