Catherine Stratton Ladd (28 Oct 1809 – 30 Jan 1899 | Richmond VA – Buckhead SC) poet, educator, essayist, playwright, Civil War nurse, early Confederate flag designer, pseudonyms: Alida, Arcturus, Minnie Mayflower, and Morna.

A Remarkable Woman Passes Away: Mrs. C. Ladd died this evening at Buena Vista about five

o’clock. For the last week she has been quite sick and the end was not unexpected. Her

immediate family were with her. I supposed Mrs. Ladd will be laid to rest beside her son. This

beautiful poem was written by W. H. Wayne, Esq., and as it is so applicable to our friend Mrs. C.

Ladd, I have copied it as a tribute to her and hope that you will give it space in your column.

Beyond the Night: The lark-like voice that sang so long, through bitter days or bright, has found

the source of deathless song beyond the night. The loyal heart that beat so true, unchanged by

earthly ills, has reached the everlasting blue of God’s own hills. The poet soul that clearly saw in

every mortal thing, twin miracles of love and law, has taken wing. The eyes by stress of time

made dim Death’s mystic border passed, beyond the far horizon’s rim to see the Light at last.

Obituary: Mrs. C. Ladd Dead. The News and Herald. Winnsboro, South Carolina. February 2, 1899, p. 3. https://www.newspapers.com/article/11682886/mrs_c_ladd_dead_catherine_stratton/. Note: Have not found any of Catherine Stratton Ladd’s original poetic writing, nor any written under her pseudonyms.