Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/372

Rh Standing on this rude rostrum she sang "The Star Spangled Banner." Her natural enthusiasm was intensified by the surroundings, and the desire to inspire the boys with the courage they had all but lost. When she had finished, those prisoners now restored to their former spirits rent the air with cheer after cheer. From this time on her voice hitherto used only for the enjoyment of her friends was devoted to her country.

One of the first things definitely accomplished was the establishment of a Sunday evening prayer meeting in Columbia College hospital. The room where this was held was crowded night after night. The interest steadily increased until the boys often did double duty in order to be present. The soldiers planned what they wanted her to sing from week to week, and she threw into the songs all her great desire to bring the boys back to their former selves and help them feel that they were not forgotten nor alone.

All this time her plans had been assuming outward form. Having received a grant of land from the Government a building was erected and the Soldiers' Free Library founded. Mrs. Walter Baker gave the first hundred dollars and the greater part of the remainder was earned by Miss Rumsey and Mr. Fowle giving concerts, at two of which they had the marine band by order of the President. As far as known this was the first library ever founded by a woman, and that by a mere girl scarcely eighteen years of age. The reading room was modestly fitted up with seats which would accommodate two hundred and fifty persons. It had a melodeon, on which the soldiers practiced at will, and every Wednesday evening regular instruction was given in music and singing by Mr. and Mrs. Fowle. Religious services were conducted by the chaplain twice each Sunday. One room was devoted to the storage of medicine, delicacies, stationery, socks, shirts, etc., and was under the charge of Mrs. Fowle, who filled the knapsack of every convalescent soldier leaving camp from these stores.

The honor paid to Miss Rumsey at the time of her marriage demonstrated the public esteem in which she was held. The ceremony took place in the halls of Congress. A good deal of publicity had been given the affair and the floor and galleries were packed, about four thousand persons being present. The bride, we are told, was dressed in a plain drab poplin, with linen collar and cuffs, and with a bonnet of the same color, ornamented with red, white and blue flowers. A bow of red, white and blue ribbon was fastened upon her breast. After the ceremony had been completed, and the couple were receiving congratulations, a soldier in the gallery shouted, "Won't the bride sing the Star Spangled Banner?" And she did, then and there, in her bridal dress, with never more of fervor in her beautiful voice. President Lincoln had intended to be present, but at the last moment he was detained, and sent a magnificent basket of flowers. On their return from their bridal trip Mr. and Mrs. Fowle resumed their work at Columbia Hospital, but later on they determined to consecrate themselves to the service at the front. Knowing that there would be urgent need and fearful suffering, Mrs. Fowle decided to go to the second battle of Bull Run; so, taking a load of supplies and some four hundred loaves of bread, she and Mr. Fowle started in an ambulance. Having no Government pass it was a hazardous undertaking, and she experienced difficulty in getting through the lines. The last guard peremptorily refused to let