Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 29.djvu/51

 Memoir of Jane C. Jotwson. 37

poused with ardor, the meeting making a liberal contribution in money on the spot."

The Hon. Kenneth Rayner, in addressing the meeting, said :

. " If great events produce great men, s\> in the scene before us we have proof that great events produce great women.

" It was one that partook more of the romance than of the reali- ties of life.

"One of our own daughters, raised in the lap of luxury, blessed with the enjoyment of all the elements of elegance and ease, had quit her peaceful home, followed her husband to the camp, and, leaving him in that camp, has come to the home of her childhood to seek aid for him and his comrades, not because he is her husband, but because he is fighting the battles of his country against ty- rants."

He paid a high tribute to the patriotism and love of liberty which characterized the people of Maryland.

" They were fighting our battles," he said, " with halters around their necks."

On the 29th, Mrs. Johnson left Raleigh with her rifles and her escort, and, stopping a day in Richmond, procured from Governor Letcher a supply of blankets and camp equipage, consisting of camp-kettles, hatchets and axes, &c. , and ordered forty-one tents to be made at once.

On the 3ist May, she left Richmond with her supplies, and on June 3d, 1861, after an absence from camp often days, returned and delivered to her husband the results of her entire trip.

The following record has no parallel in the history of war :

Invoice of ordnance and ordnance stores issued to Mrs. Bradley T. Johnson by Lieut. Alex. W.. Lawrence, Ordnance Department, in obedience to order for supplies :

No.

500 Rifles (made at Herkimer, N. Y.), without bayonets. 500 Wipers. 500 Screw drivers. 500 Spare cones. 50 Spring vices. 50 Ball screws. 50 Moulds. 2000 Percussian caps.