[for the Richmond Dispatch.]
the ladies of Warrenton, Va.
Warrenton, Sept. 1, 1861.
I see that it has become usual to notice in your very excellent paper the many acts of kindness and the many angelic-like ministrations of that noble sex — woman — to our sick and wounded soldiers; and not to those alone, but to all. This is right; continue to publish, and let after generations see what the ladies of the nineteenth century did for the all important cause we are now battling for. Let the Dispatch be preserved as a record to show which did and which did not their duty.
I am now at this place, and have been for three weeks, in attendance upon some sick comrades, and I am free to declare that the poor fellows who have lain so long could not and would not have received more attention from the loving hand of mother, wife or sister, than they have from the noble women of Warrenton and its vicinity.
They meet the sick at the cars, carry them home with them, provide every comfort for them, set up with them, nurse them, and when the icy hand of death fastens on them, they bestow a kiss for the poor soldier's loved ones at home, and attend him to his last earthly abode.
Those in my charge are Alabamians, and some of these very, very kind ladies have even written to the mother to keep her advised as to the condition of her son. I will ask that you give to the public the names of two ladies who have ministered unceasingly, day and night, on my poor sick comrades; they are Mrs. Isabelia Chilton and Mrs. Bettle S. Keech.
Others have been kind to them, but these have always been by their bedside, and this, too, when the disease is typhoid fever, which many believe to be contagious.
May such patriotism be rewarded hers and hereafter, will be the prayer of many a Soldier.
