Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-08-20
TO THE LADIES OF THE
CONFEDERA ATE STATES

The unders1gf ed. a committee appointed for
that purpose by tie Soldiers Aid Society. of Vir-
|ginla, ask your attention to subject which all
must now feel to be very important.
lhe war which has been suddenly and cruelty
forced upon Us by the authorities at Washington
ustinevitaby cause a great deal of suffering a.
Emong onf troops. Thousands Of our husbands,
brothers and sons have been almost without
warning, summoned from the comforts of home
to the es posure and rough experiences of the
camp. They have obeyed the call of our State
and Confederate authorities with an alacrity as
att citing as it is neLle. 1t can hardly be expect
ed that the sacrifices made by them Will not he
seriously felt ever if that Providence which has
so sigaslly favored them hitherto, should contin
ue to shield them ia the hour of battle We are
sare that every arrangement which ordinary
prudence could suggest will made by our Gov
eminent for the sick and wounded yet we are
equally sure great deal should and can be done
| Uy the women OF our States to promote the com
tort OF cur soldiers. They can sufficient ID
are furnished, procure many things which the
medical department of the best organized army
could not be expected to provide. It would not
|perhaps fall within the line of surgeons duty
to suggest arrangements tor the sick. which
readily occur to the minds of mothers, wives and
Isisfeis And, however ample or careful prepa-
ratlons may have been ma e, the women OF our
Estates should render to our authorities all posi-
BILE assistance in this work.
i We make no appeal to you to come up earnest
ly snd unitedly to our help--such an appeal
! would be unnecessary. We design simply to
state that an organized lney ement is already in
|grogress, and tosaggest how yon.ra fcq-eperate.
A society consisting OF delegates from the differ
Ient churches in Richmond was formed nuder the
name OF Soldiers Aid Society of Virginia, on
Monday, June 9th. Is started with ample funds
for the present necessities. committee was
lappointed TO collect and dispense such articles
as may be needed by the sick and wounded g
Another committee was appointed to engage
lcompetent nurses for the different camps and
lhospi ais. Plans have been adopted 10 continue
such supply as can be collected here aud we
ar, encouraged to believe that we are prepare,i
for any call that is likely to b made upon Us AT
this time. 5-.l
We felt, howeve-, we should need the CO OPP
Grafton of eur sisters, and therefore address a
circular, first to those OF our own State suggest
ing that 10 every community societies slogid be
formed at once, which suggestion is meeting with
a hearty response.
J We now address ourselves 10 you, our Sisters
of the Confederate States, and invite you 10 u
mite with Us in oar work, assured that you fee
as deep an interest as ourselves in this move
ment.
, We will say, in conclusion, that the most o.
: those who may be wounded in any battle thai
may take place will be brought here; still as al
ready mentioned, we propose TO send nurses tt
the different camps, most of which accessible,
from Richmond by railroads.
We have the Presid 4nt's sanction for what VIZ
+. propose, and with your aid promptly rendered
we may, By Gods blessing, do a great deal 10
the bodily and spiritual comfort OF those wiz
, may erdure the pain and suffering for Us ant
3 our country. Any contribution tor this lurs os
ay be forwarded to our Treasurer, MRs SAM
( NJ. PRICE.
Mrs. VIM II. MCFARLAND,
Mrs. FRANK G. RUFFIN
Mrs. CATHERINE H. MYERS,
Mrs. T. E. n Nelson,
Mrs. Fl. B. GWATHMEY.
MRs IOHN STEW APT WAIKER