least, as
the supervision of any statements I might find it necessary to make.
But it was decided by her friends that it would not be well for her at
present to be troubled with new projects, or even informed of them. It
was at first a serious disappointment to me and seemed to increase my
difficulties, but as I was allowed access to sources of family
information I have been enabled to present a sketch, slight and
inadequate, but authentic, and greatly desired by many distant
friends. With continued improvement in health I trust that the wishes
of Miss Carroll's friends may be better met by an autobiography taking
the place of the present meager and imperfect sketch.

It should be at once understood that this is not a plea for Miss
Carroll.

Her work has but to be fairly presented to speak for itself.

Her claim was settled once and forever by the evidence given before
the first Military Committee of 1871, met to consider the claim, and
reporting, through Senator Howard, unanimously endorsing every fact.
The Assistant Secretary of War, Thomas A. Scott, the Chairman of the
Committee for the Conduct of the War, Benjamin F. Wade, and Judge
Evans, of Texas, testifying in a manner that was conclusive. These men
knew what they were talking about and human testimony could no farther
go. Congress, through its committees, has again and again endorsed the
claim, and never denied it, being "adverse" only to award as involving
national recognition.

Our great generals have left us one by one without ever antagonizing
the claim, and General Grant advised Miss Carroll to continue to push
her claim for recognition.

But this work is to be considered rather in the light of an historical
research bearing on questions of the day.

Are our present laws and customs just toward women? Are women ever
preeminently fitted for high offices in the State? Is it for our honor
and advantage when so fitted to avail ourselves of the whole united
intellect and moral power of men and women side by side in peril and
in duty? Such a life as this gives to all these questions the
authoritative answer of established facts.

NEW YORK, _April 21st, 1891_. (Summer address, Lawrence, Long Island,
N. Y.)

Miss Carroll's address is 931 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, D. C.

A SEARCH FOR THE DOCUMENTS.

Arriving as a stranger in Washington, knowing nothing of libraries and
document rooms, Secretaries offices, and War departments, I was at
f