The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-06
IL OMMuNiCATED.
Hospital. keoku


the sick soldiers now confined here of the
Sd Regiment uf Iowa Cavalry, has embold
ened me to address you, and through your
columns. the loyal and humane citizens of
your city and county, and would that
could in like manner appeal to the people of
the whole State.
No loyal State of the Union has furnished
to the field, more valiant or self.sacrificing
body Of soldiers, in the proportion ofpopula.
ton, and in expressing this belief, confess
to the indulgence of much pride and gratifi-
ton. This is owing to the fact that large
majority have come from the rural districts,
unpolut, d and uncontaminate,i by the vices
and immoralit,es, too common and prevalent
in our large towns and cities. They are,
therefore, mainly farmers and the sons of
farmers, who have homes and fresides, made
sacred to them by the fact, that they are the
homes ofparents, sisters, wives and children
These they are bound to protect and defend
with all the ardor inspired by the love Of
friends and country.
There is not a nation upon the face Of the
globe, which could, under the circumstances,
equip and send into the field, as many sold
iers in the same time nor is there one which
could furnish as promptly and speedily, or
upon so gram scale, such variety ofarm.
ament, as this government has done in the
same space Of time.
While this is true, there is yet, however,
much that remains undone which the gov
eminent has had neither the time nor the
means to effect. Although every effort has
been made, and every nerve of the admins
tration put to its utmost tension to effect the
much which has been accomplished, yet
there are those who are constantly indulg-
ing in outcries and denunciations, because
it could not effect more and accomplish i'm
possibilities and superhuman results. This
charge of remisness is most industriously
made and circulated by those who are disin.
clined TO render voluntary aid, and is fog
raised to conceal their own supineness and
remisness, and this brings me to the subject
and object of this letter, which, if it were
possible, would address to every patriot
end loyal citizen of the State.
Are you willing to aid the government in
speedily crushing out this most unnatural,
unjustifiable and bloody rebellion IF you
have not rendered your personal services by
entering the ranks as soldier, are You
willing to contribute of the means at your
disposal. and which you can spare to make
comfortable those who tassFs ieit Their homes
and fan niles peril their lives upon the
battle fad. 10 maintain the government and
its institutions, which secures to you peace
FIJI and quiet homes beyond the reach of
danger ? Have you just conception Of
what great sacrifices the soldiers make p
If you have, then let me appeal to you in
the name Of the sick and suffering soldier,
of patriotism and common humanity, to con-
trast your situation with theirs, and cheer
fully extend that aid which they so much
require to render them comfortable; that
sickness may be avoided, and when disease
overtakes them, that they may not suffer for
want of that which you in your abundance
can so well spare.
The winters cold and storms arc fast ap-
preaching, and the soldiers will need more
than they are now provided with, to enable
them to endure the chilling blasts 1t is
enough to face deadly foe, but it adds to
their sufferings and dangers when this is
done in mid winter without the necessary
means to protect them. The march of the
enemy may be delayed, or prevented but
the steady advance of winter is sure and
cannot be delayed or prevented The last
may prove more Obstructive and ,adly than
the former, and therefore, "when it is done,
it is well done if done quickly" that unhap-
py results may be avoided
| have said that the government, although
exerting its every effort, is incompetent to
the discharge of the whole duty in time
The flying movement, of the shuttle is be-
hind the rapid movements of time, and.
although the looms are never at rest, vet
they cannot accomplish every thing, or an
swer every want. The soldiers will want
blankets, socks, wooden shirts, wooden draw
ers, and such other appliances as will con-
| tribute to their personal comforts, and which
the ladies can SO well indicate. The sick and
wounded, in addition to the above, will need
muslin and fine flannel for bandages, linen
or half.worn muslin for dressings, quilts,
blankets, sheets, pillows with cases, needles,
thread, pins. tape, &C. &c.
Aid Societies and other organizations
should only be formed for the purpose of
receiving and forwarding such articles as
may be voluntarily contributed Let the
name of the donor of each article be placed
upon it, and the corps, regiment, or person,
be also recorded. These can be collected at
one common depot, in the care ola response
BILE or efficient person, who will receive and
forward. A fund should be raised for trans
portation to their destination.
Those intended for the Sd Regiment of
Iowa Cavalry, may be sent to the care ofthe
undersigned, and those articles including
dried fruits, intended for the sick, may be
marked, "for the use of the Hospital" all
to be sent to the Hospital at this place, or
further on to the regiments now in the field.
Your truly, ID. L. McGUGIN, NJ. d.
Surgeon Sd Regiment Iowa Cavalry.
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