The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-03-24

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Phelps of Missouri, whose arrival in our city
we chronicled last week, was Unexpectedly
called by business engagements to Bangor
consequently her stay in our city was much
more limited than she intended it should be.
Mrs. Phelps was born in this city. Her
| grandfather was actively engaged in the revo-
lutionary war, and her father commanded a
revenue cutter In the war of 1912. For the
past twenty-four years she has resided In the
State of Missouri, where she was married to
her present husband, who for many years has
represented that State in Congress. Since the
rebellion broke out, she has devoted her time
and strength and means in alternating the dis
trssses of the people in the western part of
the State of Missouri.
1t was by her exertions, says the Boston
Post, that the body of the lamented LYON
was recovered and deposited In her grounds
Indeed the land about her house is a common
burial place for the brave men who have died
in defence Of their country.
One object of Mrs. Phelps in visiting her
native State was, to solicit contributions for
the relief of loyal citizens in Missouri and Ar
kansas. The following letter explains the ur-
gency OF the cause for which she is SO nobly
laboring
SPRINGFIELD, NO., March s, 1858.
Hon. Mrs. PHELPS
Dear Mdddm-I hear that you are in New
York. and that you propose to solicit contri-
buttons for the relief of those loyal citizens of
Missouri and Arkansas, who have been reduc-
ed to want by the war for the Union. have
endeavored, with the aid of the Springfield la
dies. to alleviate the distress which exists in
this single town, and can speak from actual
observation of the imperative necessity which
exists that they should receive charitable as
sistance from abroad or die.
1t is evident that the Government cannot
undertake to provide for all the poor In this
district. II is almost impossible to supply our
own soldiers. The country has been laid
waste, and the greater part of our subsistence
is hauled in wagons from Rolla, distance of
l20 miles, over bad road. 1t is equally i'm
possible for the citizens to provide for them
out of their own superabundance, for, although
the presence of the army has made Govern
ment paper plenty, the necessaries of life are
scarce and high. Corn meal, the staple article
OF diet, can scarcely be obtained at all, at any
price. The necessity for obtaining forage for
the troops has led wagon-masters TO take,even
from wealthy farmers, nearly or quite all their
orn living.
Yet the number of those to be provided for
is constantly increasing. Every week, new
refugees arrive from Arkansas, new cases of
suffering in our midst are brought to light. /
have myself with about four hundred dollars,
received from various sources, provided for
nearly fifty families ia whole or ia part, during
the winter. The families number from one
hundred and fifty to two hundred souls. By
the aid of contributions in money and in dry
goods, the Ladies' Relief Society Of Springfield
have supplied the most pressing wants of the
same and other families, by donations of cloth
ing and of shoes.
In spite OF all attentions paid them, many Of
them have died OF want and exposure. In one
family in town four died. In another four;
three of them carried to the grave the same
day. In another, seven died in little more
than week. Three of their deaths Witness
ed personally in single night upon the bare
floor, without clothing sufficient to keep them
warm. All these deaths were the consequence
of hardships and exposure. presume that
one hundred poor have died In this town dur
ing the past winter.
The condition Of those who are here Is In
many cases little better than living death.
Some are in houses without stove or
fireplace. Some have not bed upon which
TO lie down. In one house, saw three per-
sons with only two quilts, old and ragged, to
NpSCi tiiciit III tic utdu oi WtultT. 1NtTt Is,
at this moment, q family upon the Cassvile
road, living in the woods, with no shelter but
rude hut of fallen limbs covered with old bed
covers and other rags.
trust that you will be abundantly success
full in your efforts to provide some relief for
these sufferers. Their principal wants are !:
first OF all, food, or the means Of obtaining il,
and then, clothing, or the material for it.
Coarse linseys, domestic flannel, and cotton
and a,,t .A..l 4.
great demand for shoes, especially for women
and children. Many of these refugees could
earn their own living, IL they had the instru-
ments necessary. l refer particularly to wash
boards and cotton cards, for which there have
been several applications.
1t Is unnecessary to add that they are loyal,
truly aud thoroughly SO. Their suiferings in
the cause of the Union, husbands murdered,
sons conseripted, families broken up aud di-
vided, houses burned, farms destroyed cattle
killed and stolen, their very corn and wheat
driven off in army wagons, put to blush the
untried but more noisy patriotism Of many who
remain at home, while others fight for them.
Ii is in this deep, abiding, self-denying loyalty
Of the masses even in portions of the Southern
States, that our national safety lies, under
God. These sentiments must ultimately tri-
umph. the rebellion be crushed and our nation
al unity restored.
With kind regards to Col. Phelps and many
good wishes for yourself, l am, dear Madam,
sincerely and truly your friend.
FRED. H. WINES,
Hospital Chaplain.
In letter to us, Mrs. Phelps states that she
will not have time to stop in Portland on her
return to Washington, where her husband has
for some time been confined by illness con-
tracted in camp, which for a long time confn-
ed him at st. Louis, and from which we are
glad to learn he is now recovering.
Arrangements win be made for some one to
receive such contributions as may be offered
for the aid of the suffering in Missouri and
Arkansas. Those who may wish to forward
donations personally, can do so by sending
them to Mrs. John S. Phelps, care of Philip
Grow, ESQ.,, st. Louis, Missouri.
APPoINTMENT.-Parker ID. Boyd, son of