Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-09-24
F04. the Spectator.
BLUE RIDGE. Sent. 13. 1861.

.s4l8 .ea@ BLUE RIDGE, Sept. 13, 1861.
EDITOR SPECTATOR. Dear sir, noticing some
remarks in recent number Of the Dispatch in
reference to sending supplies of clothing to our
sons, our brothers, our kinsnlen, and our friends
in the army, they touched the very nerve of my
judgment and feelings. Winter with its fros's IS
close by, and though October is beautiful and
delightful to the vigorous frame in the day, it
will be trying to the poor soldiers in the cold and
frosty night, If he be scantily supplied with warm
clothing. With it he will rise refreshed, not the
poor, enfeebed, detected soldier, but the bold
warrior, with strong nerves and bounding heart,
to defend his country and those he loves, and
those he feels love him by their kind care
How foolish shall we seem if, after shaking a
continent and moving the world in defence of the
RIGHT and to maintain our LIBERTIES, after rais-
ing our hundreds of thousands of men and mill
lions Of dollars, after gaining mighty victories,
all should be nipped the bud for want of socks
and flannel shirts and blankets-all should be
nipped in the bud by an early frost. How will
the hearts ache, not only of the maids and ma
irons but of the men, too, if two three months
hence they learn (wrat is certain to be the case,
if the army is ill supplied,) that the warm blood
of their defenders had been chilled and frozen
that in their tents, through the long night while
| the winds howled and the rains beat chill and
| cold. no warm clothing was comforting them p
But chilled and stiff with headache and heart
ache and bTeast-ache, their minds looked back
| to the neighborhoods they had left, and those
they had left there, and saw theLl in warm houses
| by cracking fires, or saw them retiring to warm
feather beds with piled covering. If such were
the case his heart would be bitter as he thought
lssThey think not of me while / perish with the
cold, nor send me even pair of woolen socks, oil
wooden shirt or blanket. But such will not be
the case. The peo'1e will strip their beds rather
than the supply shall be wanting, knowing they
still have shelter and fire to warm them, and
the soldier never murmurs, but fights on, endure:
on, knowing thatthey think and provide and pray
for him at home.
October is here. It is not money thatl Is call
led for particularly in this case. Lincon's ships
by their blockade keep out the old supplies o.
/ fannels and cloth, and our manufacturing estab
lishments are too limited yet to supply, at once
the vast demand which has been filed from the
North heretofore. 1t is wool we want-woo
lspun and knit into socks, and wove into blanket.
and flannel. Have the looms gone to pieces r
make new ones. The time is ample if we com
lmence right away, and if each lady will do hel
part to work up the WOOL. 4
i The writer has been in camp He knows I'll.
the cold night and wet, that tries tue soldie
most OF ALL Think not because dear husband
lson, or brother is supplied, all is done There
room to do more Many one may be far from
lhome and friends, away from the South fighting
lyour battles Will you let your defender suffer
because he is no kin or neighbor and forget him
No, you will be brother, or sister, or father tt
him. 1t has happened, and may happen again
that the soldier loses all in a retreat-it may b.
lyour own-and he will have to depend upon tha
Icomon fund of clothing which now urge upol
|you to provide after supplying your own.
i once, while in, camp, after a fatiguing day.
Imarch, we encamped for day or two at pleas
ant place. Sated with camp food, longed fol
butter and milk, and companion and went tc
a farm house hard by and asked for some butter
mil tohvy fn1d cho ~, h,,tk
lmilk-would give US half. We returned will
Jour bucket. She told US she had plenty of swee
milk and, though we did not want to take it, sh,
gave us two gallons, (and none OF your SKINNED
milk either) and then a great roll of golden but
ter, fresh and sweet and good assshe seemed her
self. We protested, but, yes, we must have it
Her huSbani was away in the army, and he
heart not only cared for him, but for his com
rades in the service also. Who can picture how
the soldier remembers and feels kindness?
L Then brother, then kind and gentle woman
hasten and provide these simple, but absolutely
necessary comforts If you fail, the very here
that was to have rushed in the thick battle ant
braved the dangers and turned the tide, may have
Iperished for want of the shirt and blanket yol
failed to send. If no one calls on you, and there
be no organization in your neighborhood, max
the garments and send them to the nearest point
No time to be delaying; and surely you wouic
not see your warriors suffering for clothing be
cause 1T would occasion you little trouble t
send it. Wool gathered and worked up, an(
blankets from the beds, and sent to camp ere tn
froSts come, is the work to be done, in grea
measure, by the hands of the good women a
home.
Permit me to suggest, in conclusion, Mr.. Ed
itor, that if such be not the case already, ther
should be Immediately organization through
out the South, either by magisterial districts o
otherwise for each county, and persons appoint
ed by Government, in each district, to receiy
contributions Of money clothes. In this wa
levery neighborhood would have the SUI jec
brought home, and it will be more successful
when it is known that it is confirmed organize
movement through the land.
Yours, respectfully,