Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-23
Address Of the Ladies' Patriotic Assoc
citation of indianapolis To the Wo-
men of Indiana.

nACn VI
The Ladies' Patriotic Association met on Fri
day afternoon in response to the Governors APP
peal to the patriotic ladies of the State, asking for
comfortable clothing for our volunteers who are
suffering from the cold in the mountains of Vir
GINA and the hills of Kentucky. Knowing the
desire that our sisters in all portions of the State
feel to aid in anything that can contribute to the
comfort of our noble soldiers, it was
Resolved, That a memorial be drawn up by the
ladies and a copy sent to every ~postofice in the
State for distribution, asking the cooperation of
the ladies in their vicinities.
To THE WOMEN OF INDIANA.
Winter, with all its hardships, is here, and the
soldiers, who are defending our liberties and
homes, are unsupplied with warm clothing suit
able for their protection while undergoing the
exposures attendant upon camp life. We have
husbands, sons and brothers in the field exposed
to the pitiless storms of winter in severe eli
mates. We are surrounded by all the comforts
of home ourselves, the cheerful society of
friends, the warm Preside, and the soft, clean
bed. Our volunteers have taken their lives in
their hands and gone forth to battle for all that
is dear to us. Shall we refuse to do all in our
power to render their hard life at least endurable9
Can we remain at ease and feel no sympathy for
them?
The Quartermaster General. Endorsed by the
President and General Scott, has appealed to the
women of the North for contributions of blank
cts, the Government supplies being exhausted
Our own Q-uartermaster has appealed to us for
assistance. Our honored Governor has appealed
to US in the strongest terms for our cooperation
with the Government to clothe our soldiers. They
need blankets, wooden socks and mittens, and
flannel shirts and drawers. 1t is said that the
women of the South have even taken the car
pets from their floors and made them into blank
cts for their soldiersl They have sold their jew
els and given the money to their Government,
and, by their sacrifices and devotion, almost sup
ported the Southern army thus far Their en-
thusiasm knows no bounds, and they thus inspire
their men with a spirit which has been but too
successful until now. If they can do so much in
an unholy cause, what ought We to d. in one
which is so exalted and Just as ours?
We, the ladies of Indianapolis, are rapidly or
ganizing ourselves into societies for the aid OF
our soldiers. We meet at stated times and pla-
ces to do work. We have an admittance fee for
the admission of members, which gives us means
with which to furnish materials to work upon.
We also ask contributions of money and materi-
ais from those who feel able to give, and we hope
to accomplish great good in our labors. Such So
cities might be organized in every town, village,
and neighborhOod in the State, and in the name
of our suffering soldiers we appeal to you to ear
nestly begin the work which IL so imperatively
required Of you. There is scarcely a farmers
family of means in the country who has not a
store of blankets, WOODEN coverlets, stocking yarn
and flannel laid away, which is useless to them
at present. These are the very things which our
soldiers needI Women of the country now is
the time to make your patriotism manifest. We
look 70 you for great things. Those women who,
in the Revolution, most distinguished them.
selves, we're c~ountrywomen, wives of farmers,
women of practical common sense, who were not
afraid Of work. Your husbands, sons. brothers
and friends are fighting the battles Of the Union.
They sre suffering for the want of articles which
you can supply, and which you would supply were
they at home. Box up your blankets and cover
lets and send them to our Qusrtermaster. Let
your hands toll busily in making up your stores
of flannel into shirts and drawers. Spend the
long evenings in knitting warm WOODEN socks
and mittens out of your supplies of yarns. EN-
ulate your New England sisters in this work Of
love; work as individuals, or in societies; only
work. and send in the results of your labors tc
the proper authorities, and thus comfort the bod
les and cheer the hearts of our soldiers.
How can we reach you with our feeblencss'
How arouse you to active participation in thii
great work. Would that we had the voice of ar
archangel, that with trumpettones we nigh
awaken your hearts to a proper sense of the i'm
portance of the cause Unless our soldiers arr
warmly clad sickness will ensue, ard death vii
stalk abroad among them and carry awey thos'
who are dearert TO US than all other earthly objects