Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-06-25
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch, !, ].
To the Ladies. of Virginia. ! e


The undersigned committee appoi1ted for that
purpose, ask your attention to subject which
all must Iow feel to be very importhat!r
u The wal which has been suddenly and cruelty
forced upon Us by the authorities M4shingteo
must inevitably cause q great eeBs4 suffering
among our tIoops. Thousands oH Hf3F husbands,
brothers and sons have been. an6st withouI
warning, summoned from tie comforts OF home
to the exposure aud rough experiences Of the
camp. TLey have obeyed the cal, OF our State
and Confederate authorities with an alacrity as
affecting as it was noble. 1t can scarcely be ex-
pected that the sacrifices made by them win not
be seriously felt, even if that Providence which
has so sgnally favored them hitherto should
continue TO shield them all in the hour of BATTLE
We aae sure that all the arrangements which
ordinary prudecce could suggest will be made by
our Government tor the sick and wounded; vet
we are equally sare that great dealshould be
and can be done by the women of our State TO
promote the comfort of our soldiers. They can.
if sufficient means are furnished, procure MANY
things which the medical department of the best
organized army could not be expected to provide
1t would not, perhaps, fall within the line of
surgeons duty to suggest arrangements tor the
sick which readily occur to minds of mothers.
wives aud sisters. And however ample or care
ful preparation may have been made, the women
of our State should render to our authorities all
possible assistance in this work.
We eImake no appeal to you to como dp ear
nestly and unitedIy TO our help such an appeal
would be unnecessary. We design simply to
state that an organized movement is already in
progress, and to suggest how you mag CO.
operate. A society consisting of delegates from
the different churches, was formed on Monday,
June 18th. 1t started with ample funds for
present necessities. Acommittee was appointed
to collect and dispense such materials as may be
needed for garments, &c, for the sick and wound
ed. Another committee was appointed to en-
gage comaetent nurses for the different camps
and hospitals, and to accept the services of any
who may volunteer to act as nurses. Already
some of our number have ministered efficiently,
and, as we have reason to know, most accepta-
bly,, to the sick soldiers who have been quartered
lin this vicinity. These and others will be ready
to perform similar offices for any who may be
placed in the hospitals. Plans have been adopt
ed to continue such supply of funds as can be
collected here, and we are encouraged to believe
that we are prepared for any call that is likely
to be made upon Us at this time. We shall, how
ever, need eventually. the co operation of our
sisters throughout the State, and therefore we
would suggest that in every county and in every
community societies be formed at once. What
ever amounts can be raised, let them be forward
led as soon as possible to our Treasurer, Mrs.
Samuel NJ. Price.
f. We will say, in conclusion, that the most of
those who may be wounded in any battle that
may take place will be brought here; still, as
already mentioned, we propose to send nurses
and comforts to the different camps You will,
therefore feel as deep an interest as ourselves in
the success of this movement. We have the
Presidents sanction for what we propose, and
with yonr aid promptly rendered we may, by
Gods blessing, Go great deal for the bodily and
spiritual comfort of those who may endure pain
and suffering for Us and our country
Mrs. VIM. 81. MAoFARLAND,
MRS. F. 6. RUFFIN,
Miss CATHARINE H. MYERS,
Mrs. F. E. NELSON,
aa MRS. Fl. B. GwATHMRY,
MRS. JNo. STRWART WALKER