Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-09-17

The WAITS of the Western Sanitary Commission

The Western Commission of st.
Louis is under the necessity of again ap-
pealing to the patriotic citizens of the
States, for the contribution of money
aud hospital stores.
The demands upon this Commission
are as great as at any previous time, aud
tue field Of It's labors- is daily enlarged.
An army of not less than one hundred
and fifty thousand men, in Tennessee,
Kentucky. Arkansas, Missouri, aud the
guuboat flotila, looks to St. Louis for
nearly all its sanitary supplies and must
continue to 90 SO through the war, as
the most CONVENIENT and accessible place
at all seasons of the war. Heretofore
the Commission has been able to meet
all acquisitions. 1t has never refused 10
send literally aud promptly, to ;lleviate
suffering ana to cure or prevent Sickness.
At the l,a sent time arrangements arc in
progress 10 supply regiments in tn field
with vegetables and other articles Of
food for sick and convalescent soldiers.
AT CoIinth and Columbus, this Will be
done by cooperation with DR.. Warmer,
agent of the q. S. San. Com, and else
where by the West,rn COMMISSION alone.
In Missouri, Tenne>se e, and Alkans 8,
the demand for all kinds of hospital sup
plies is great, and increasing, for a war
of unprecedented malignancy has begun to
be waged, and exposures of our brave
men both TO disease and wounds are
tearfullv great. Those who are at dis
lance from the scene .of action, can have
no adequate idea of the priSations and
hardships of the service, or number of
those broken down by it. The casualties
of the battle field are but small item in
the estimate. Forced marches, the MUIR
derous rife of an unseen and skulking
enemy, who knows the work of the as
slssin better than that Of the soldier, fill
our hospitals, and thin our ranks. To
such risks are our sons and kindred ex-
posed from day to day, in defence Of
the country which we all love so well.
Has money any value greater than to sup
ply their need? Ought we to become
niggardIy in gifts, or weary of work in
such cause? Can the women of Am
erica enjoy or endure the luxury of peace
full homes, except on condition of giving
the labor of their hands and the prayers
of their hearts to those who are dentend-
ing them at such costa
For nearly two months past the West
ern Sanitary Commission has been left
to rely almost exclusively upon its own
resources and the liberality of the citi
zens of St. Louis. The attention of the
loyal States has been directed chiefly to
the armies of the Potomac and She
nandoah, and the Department of the Mis-
sissipi has been comparatively forgotten.
In the whole eight weeks the contribu-
tons received from all our sister States
would not supply the demand of a
single day. The Western Commission
has continued its work thus far, without
diminuton, and makes no complaint of
this temporary and unavoidable neglect,
which is fully explained by the pressing
need of the Eastern armies. But it's trea-
sury is getting low, and it is in imminent
danger Of exhaustion. Its members are
striving to economic in all expenditures,
so that every dollar received shall 90 to
the direct relief of suffering. They are
still willing and thankful to give their
own time aud labor gratuitously, and to
contribute freely from their own means,
as they have always done. But they are
not wilirg to incur debt, and the renew
ed liberality of those who have heretofore
helped them must intervene or the sick
and wounded will soon cry for relief in
vain.
This must not be SO. The Western
armies deserve well of the nation and
have done their full part in the war.
Thew nave done their work well in the
field, and must not be neglected in the
hospital.
This appeal is, therefore, most earnest
ly and atfeciionateIy made to all loyal
and humane persons in the Union.
They have already done much, bal re-
oeuo!ed eifJlts ~ all departments Of the
war mus; now DC made. The o9o,000
new recruits " not be without their
sick aud wounded, and many hard
battle must yet be fought. Let TIE rich
give of their abundance. Let the poor
spare ali they can.
Especially we appeal to LOYAL WOMEN,
wherever they may be. They are the
true "Home Guards" of the nation, the
lninistering angels to sickness and suffer
ing. Without them Sanitary Commss-
ions can do but small part of their work,
and upon their efficient assistance we
principally depend.
The articles most needed are hospital
shirts and drawers, socks, slippers, dress
ing gowns, iarina. corn starch, aud delica-
cies, and money, which is the representa-
tigo of all.
Boxes should be sent by Merchants
Dispatch, prepaid, if possible, TO "James
E. Yeatmen, Western Sanitary Commits
sion, St. Louis, Missouri" with names on
the box OF the party sendng, SO as to in
sure prompt acknowledgment.
JAMES E. YEATMEs,
VIM. G. ELLIOT, Committe
M. SCHUYLER.
p. S.-Since the above was written, and
as an illustration of the demands made
upon the Western Sanitary Commission,