Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-08-29
Clothing for the Soldiers-Circular Letter from the Military Board.
 OFFICE MILITARY BOARD. :
 T5Hle ROcE fuoast 20 1861

A LARGE number of our felow-citi- IA zens having gone forth to the field of battle for the defense of their country, and being dest- tutc of those articles of clothing made ndispens. ble by the rigors of the approaching winter, it is necessary that some effort should be made to sup ply these articles and to provide for their comfort The enemy trusts to the depression of trade and the blockade of our ports to prevent sufficient sup niles from reaching army, and the Military Board deems it their duty to appeal to the patri otism of the country to aid them Tn their winter Trenerations None will be forgetful of the wants of their friends and kindred in the army. For the purpose of systematizing this appeal to the country, the Military Board has appointed the county judge, the county clerk the sheriff, or in his absence the depus sheriff of each county, a central committee for the purpose of collecting such clothing as may be procured in the county. This committee agan (two being quorum shall invite the ladies ot each township in the county to form sCld1ers and socites and shall assist in their organization. The animating patriotism of the ladies is especially in- yoked in furtherence of this effort to supply the volunteers with clothing. The ladies Of this State have already done much, and their efforts are held in the highest appreciation Similar appeals to the one we make have been made to the patriotism and devotion of the ladies in other States, and they have been nobIy responded to- We feel as sured that the ladies of Arkansas not deficient iii patriotism; that they will not lag behind their sisters in other States but will act in concert with the State authorities in providing for citizens soldiers who have gone forth to defend them.
 We have no misgivings or doubts as to the re- suit of this appeal. The patriotism Of the people is equal to any emergency or any occasion, and It is only necessary that it be systematzed and dlrec ted in such channels as to render it available and useful. For this purpose the central committee already indicated, will establish clothing depotS at such point ill their respective counties as they may deem the most advisable. At this place they will receipt for everything in the clothing lne sui
 table for the army that may be placed there, which they will place in the care of safe and reliable per-
 sons. And the Military Board will pay in Arkan- sas or Confederate Bonds, for all goods of the de- scrptiOn herein indicated that the patriotism of the country may place at their disposal. That price will be paid which is reasonable in the county where the articles are purchased. As fast. as the garments accumulate the central committee will report them to the Military Board so that the inn
 mediate and pressing wants of the soldiers may be relieved at as early period as practicable.
 Blankets greatly needed and are indispensa. ble to the comfort of our soldiers. In many in. stances domestic blankets may be manufactured articles of that kind which families have provided for themselves. There is scarcely house in the State in which there is not an excess of bed-cloth ing. It is not making too great a call oa the pa triotism of the county, at time like this, to asl that the soldiers be supplied from this surplus ant abundance Where blankets cannot be supplied comforts may be substituted; but brankets are muc preferred All the other articles of soldiers cloth ing such as woolen uniforms, flannel shirts, drawers seeks, cts, are equally needed. whenever shoe