“You are now going forth to sustain and defend that Constitution against an unjust and monstrous rebellion, fomented and carried on by wicked and ambitious men, who have for their object the overthrow of the best government the world has ever seen. To this noble cause we dedicate this flag. We know you will carry it proudly, gallantly and bravely on the field of battle and wherever you go, and we trust it may ever be to you the emblem of victory.
“Soldiers: We cannot part with you without a few words of counsel and warning. In the new and dangerous path you are entering upon, let us entreat you to guard well your steps and keep yourselves aloof from every vice. Avoid, above all things, profanity and the intoxicating cup. The latter slays annually more than fall on the battlefield. The hearts of mothers, wives and sisters go forth after you. Many tears will be shed and many prayers will be offered in your behalf. See to it, then, that you so conduct yourselves that whatever may befall you, whether you fall in the service of your country or return to gladden the hearts of the loved ones you leave behind and to enjoy the peace you will have conquered—that no sting shall pierce their hearts, no stain rest on your fair fame. Go forth in your sense of right, relying on the justice of your cause. Seek peace with God your Saviour, that you may be prepared to meet His summons should it come suddenly, or to enjoy life should it please Him to spare you for many days.
“Our good wishes go with you, and we shall ever hold you in honorable remembrance; and when this important war is ended which calls you from us, and you are discharged from duty, we shall heartily welcome you back to your home and friends.”
This address was delivered at dress parade just as the sun was going down and only a day or two before the regiment left for the front. The volunteer soldiers listened with deep emotion, and when allusion was made to the homes and friends left behind many a stout heart heaved and tears trickled down many a manly face.
Lieutenant Kinsman, in behalf of Captain Craig, accepted the flag from Mrs. Bloomer in a neat and appropriate address.
Lieutenant Kinsman had been a partner of her husband and a dear friend of Mrs. Bloomer’s; over his subsequent career she watched with the greatest interest. He soon rose to be the captain of his company, then a lieutenant-colonel, and then colonel of an Iowa regiment at whose head he fell bravely fighting at the Battle of Black River Bridge, in Mississippi, in 1863. As showing the earnest patriotism of Mrs. Bloomer and her intelligent appreciation of the great questions involved in it, the following letter written by her to the convention of loyal women in New York City in 1864 is here inserted:
LETTER TO CONVENTION OF LOYAL WOMEN.
“Miss Anthony:
“Your letter inviting me to meet in council with the loyal women of the nation on the 14th inst. in the city of New York is received. Most gladly does my heart respond to the call for such a meeting, and most earnestly do I hope that the deliberations on that occasion will result in much good to woman and to the cause you meet to promote.
“The women of the North are charged by the press with a lack of zeal and enthusiasm in the war. The charge may be true to some extent. Though for the most part the women of the loyal states are loyal to the government, and in favor of sustaining its every measure for putting down the rebellion, yet they do not I fear enter fully into the spirit of the revolution, or share greatly in the enthusiasm and devotion which sustain the women of the South in their struggle for what they believe their independence and freedom from oppression. This is owing, doubtless, to the war being waged on soil remote from us, to women having no part in the active contest, and to the deprivation and heart-sorrows it has occasioned them. There are too many who think only of themselves and too little of the sufferings of the soldiers who have volunteered to save their country. While they are willing to give of their time and means to relieve the sick and wounded, they at the same time decry the war, lament the sacrifices and expenditure it occasions, think it should have been prevented by a compromise and long for peace on almost any terms. These think not of the great cause at stake, they care not for the poor slave, think not of the future of our country, and fail to see the hand of God in the movement punishing the nation for sin and leading it up through much suffering and tribulation to a brighter and more glorious destiny.