Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1861-12-06
To The Loyal Women of
America.
w AsHINGFoN, ID. Z
October. 81.

enlargement OF the Whoie structure OF
our National Government, which has
this year been forced upon US, the wants
of the sick and wounded. of the Army
and Navy cannot be at once fully pro-
vided for by the ordinary means.
Whatever aid is to be given from
without, must, nevertheless, to be effect
i've, be administered system atically, and
in perfect subordination to the general
system of administration of the govern
ment. To hold its agents in any degree
responsible for the duties with which
they are charged, government must pro-
tect them from the interference of ire
sponsible persons.
Hence, an intermediate agency be-
comes necessary, which, without taking
any of the duties of the regular agents
of government out of their hands, can,
nevertheless, offer to them means Of ad
ministering to the wants Of the sick and
wounded much beyond what could be
obtained within the arbitrary limits of
supply established by governme mt, and
in strict accordance with the regulations
necessary for maintaining proper ac-
countability to it.
The Sanitary Commission, volunteer
and unpaid bureau Of the War Depart
ment of the government, constitutes
such au agency.
The Sanitary Commission has sstab-
lished it's right to your confidence. The
President, the Secretary of War, General
Scott and General Mcclellan, have each
recently acknowledged, in the warmest
terms, the advantages which have already
resulted from its labors, and the discre
ton and skill with which they have been
directed. Its advice has been freely
taken, and, IN several important partic
ulars, acted upon, favorably to the health
Of the army, by the government. There
has scarcely been "a company of volun
tecrs in the field, with regard to which
some special defect, error, or negligence,
endangering health, has not been pointed
out by its agents, and its removal or
abatement effected. There has not been
a single instance in which its services or
advice, offered through all its various
agencies, have been repulsed ; not sin
gle complaint has been received of its
embarrassing any officer in his duty, or
Of its interfering with discipline in the
slightest degree. Its labors have, to
this time, been chiefly directed to induce
precau tions against certain class of
diseases which have scourged almost ev-
cry modern European army, which dec
mated our army in Mexico, and which,
at one time, rendered nearly half Of one
Of our armies in the war Of 1872 unfit
for service. 1t is ground for national
gratitude that our present armies have
passed through the most trying season
OF the year wonderfully escaping this
| danger. That there are grander causes
.or this than the labors Of the Comflis-
sion cannot be doubted, but that, among
human agencies, large share OF credit
| Tor it should be given to those labors, 1t
is neither arrogant nor unreasonable to
assert. In this assurance, what contrl-
oution that has hitherto been made to
the treasury or the store of the Commits
sion is not received back again ten fold
| in value?
| After full and confidential conference
with the Secretary Of War, the Com
mander Of the Army of the Potomac,
and the Quartermaster General, there
is reason to ask with urgency for a
large increase CT the resources Of the
Commission, especially of that class of
it's resources upon which it must chiefly
draw for the relief Of the sick and
wounded.
The experience of the Commission
has SO well acquainted it with the earn
est desire of their loyal countrywomen
to be allowed to work in the national
cause, that it is deemed unnecessary to
do more than announce that there is a
real and immediate occasion for their
best exertions, and to indicate convent
ent arrangements for the end in view
1t is. therefore, suggested that So
cieties be at once formed in every neigh
borhood where they are not already es-
tablished, and that existing societies OF
suitable organization, as Dorcas Socie-
ties, Sewing Societies, Reading Clubs
and Sociables, devote themselves, for a
time to the sacred service Of their coun-
try; that energetic and respectable com
mittees be appointed to call from house
to house and store to store, and obtain
contributions in materials suitable to be
made up, or money for the purchase o.
such materials; that collections be made
in churches and schools and factories
and shops, for the same purpose; thai
contribution boxes be placed in pos
offices, newspaper Offices, railroad ane
telegraph Offices, public houses, steam
boats and ferry boats, and in all othel
suitable places, labelled "FoR OUR sIcE
AND WOUNDED" and that all loyal wo
men meet at such convenient times ant
places as may be agreed upon in eacl
neighborhood or social circle, to worl
upon the material which shall be so pro
cured.
DESCRIPTION OF ARTICLES WANTED
: Blankets; Quilts, Of cheap material
about seven feet long by fifty inche
t wide; " oollen or Canton Flannel Bed
Gowns, Wrappers, Undershirts, an
Drawers; Small Hair and Feather Pill
lows and Cushions for wounded limbs
Knit Wollen Socks; Slippers.
= All articles should be closely packe
% in wooden boxes, or in very stroDgl
wrapped bales, and clearly directed
r, On the top of the contents of each boz
under the cover, list of what it cor
II tains should be placed; duplicate {
this list should be sent by mail. Al
: rangements for free transportatio
should be made, or freight paid in &C
vance. (The express companies wi
generally convey goods for this purpos
- at a reduction on the usual rates. J.
is Packages may be directed and sent, ;
is most economical, from any point
n any of the addresses below, ('For tt
u. S. Sanitary Conmission:")