Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-02
the Enquirer.
TOT tNt EHYHVET.
Con,Iorta for the Sick and Wounded Sol
uicrA.

It's veil knogn, Mr.. Editor, that the ladies
are as ready as the Hen for the Service Of their
country: nay, arc more enthusiastic than they
are. in our great cause. Thcy need only to
know what they can do, and they will erince
as they have already ~erinccd, that persistent
energy and self.sacri!icing devotion which are
their especial characteristics, when enlisted in
any great and noble purpose. But 10 not
wish to dwell on what is SO we'll known, that
no one would have the hardihood to deny it.
am induced to address 4 few lines to you, mere
IL to call the attention Of those Of the fair sex
who read your columns, to the notice published
in the pauers by the Army Committee of tho
Young Mems Christian Association Of this
city, IN reference to the supplies for the sick
and wounded soldiers.
All over the country packages arc being fixed
IN for the benefit Of the soldiers who have
fallen sick or been wounded. The supply of
| articles will soon become immense, and unless
some organized method for q judlcious distri.
button Of the same be adopted, there must be
great waste both in the labor and time OF
those seek ing their proper disposal, and of the
materials themselves. 1t needs no argument
to provo that if q box Of nice wines, brandies,
&C., be sent TO an army hospital, for example,
as 4 free offering, and without requiring L re-
ceipt and IN account Of the use OF the same,
the chances will be- three TO one that they will
delight the palate Of some burly nurse or other
INSCRIPTIONS attache, instead Of being used
for railying the strength OF the sick or wound.
cd. All this will, in 4 great measure, be rene
died by the plan proposed i'll the above men.
toned notice, Of having y general depot here
a. headquarters, where all such articles may
be sent, 10 be taken care Of and judiciously
distributed. It would add still more 10 the
efficiency Of The plan if the committee could
act in conjunction with the Surgeon Generals
Department. Very many articles Ct great i'm
porlancc to the sick and wounded cannot be
provided by the government, but could be easily
obtained through this medium. Then, again,
il is evidcn; that such Il union Of patriotic cx-
ertions on ti:c part Of the ladies in every vii
lage, tow and city, must result in the accu.
mutation Of such IN amount of hospital stores,
clothing, &c rs must, in no tritilng degree,
assist the Treasury Department Of the Gov
crrIment 1t would be Il wise policy, then, for
the government 10 lend its ccuntcnancc and
aid to this patriotic undertaking Of the ladies' !;
and this can DC done in more ways than one
by furnishing the various associations with
material, by assisting the committee here with
the aid Of additional clerical force Us the bust.
ness at the depot increases, az.
A. any rate let the action OF the committee,
in procuring Il depot and providing for the
judlciuus Distribution Of The articles placed in
their hands, meet With an immediate support
from the ladies in every State and the grow
ing importance Of the movement will cocrce
the attention Of the Government in proportion
as it must receive Inc grateful blessings Of the
sick and wounded Of our brave soldiers. Alter
q little experience On the part of the disbursing
officers, it Will be easy 20 inform the various
| associations Of the kind Of articles most needed,
and Of the best manner OF putt,.S them up
In the meanwhile, however, let them all send in
| whatever may he Oi uSc 10 the sick and wound
cd; for example, dietary articles, as rice flour,
sage, arrow root, wines, brandics, malt liquors,
iellicS, &c, flannel wrappers, shirts, drawers,
socks, &c, handascs three by three and 4 halt
inches wide and three 10 ten yards long,
towels, loose cotton (Which is quite as good as
lint,) wax, sweet oil, &c, &c. Nor ncrd the
| contributions be confined to associations. Let
individuals send, too and AL may rest assured
that their ctf,rts in TINS grea: cause will here
receive the best possible direction.
In short, it is not hazarding too much 10 say
that this plan Of organized reliy, if heartily
seconded-as We may be certain It will be-by
the ladies in all the Confederate States, must
prove 4 source Of vast comfort TO the sick and
| wounded soldiers; Of material assistance TO the
Government III It's Medical, Commits ,ary ana
Treasury departments, and Of increased ell
cheney to the army. Our ladies arc all Us
anxious to assist in this crisis as the men in
fact, as ] have already said, they are notorious
~ more enthusiastic in the cause Of Southern
independence. Let them, then, no longer sup
pose that they can do but little. Here is a
field where their efforts will prove OF vast i'm
p~ortancc. Let these Ladies' Commissary
AssociatioHS-for such they really arc-be
lormed il every town and city let their
articles nc forwarded to the general depot
here and the effect must soon be exhibited, as
has been only partially and impcrfcclly indi-
| Gated in this article. MEDIrrS.