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.
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
{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."
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)
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
