The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-08-01
The Ladies' Meeting.

AT O'Clock yesterday, the loyal ladies
OF Burlington assembled at the Congrcpa-
tional Church. Mrs. NJ. A. P. Darwin was
elected President. Mrs. Wittenmeyer sta
TED the object of the meeting, and spoke of
me condition OF thearmy about Vicksburg.
VI our own soldiers, more are sick now
than at any former time, and in addition.
between 5000 and 900 sick and wounded
rebel soldiers. The supplies have never
been equal to the demand, and now. since
the long siege, the men are worn out with
toll and hardships, and every hospital an
pllance is needed. We can form little idea
OF the suffering they undergo unless wa
could be at the hospitals and see them.
She gave an interesting description of
the hospitals in the rear of Vicksburp
Stated that they were much more comfort
able than could be expected, mostly shaded
by trees. 1t was impossible for the gov
eminent to supply those delicacies most
needed. Two OF the worst months are be-
fore US, and demand the greatest effort
Many object to keeping the sick soldiers
IN the South, and think they ought to be
sent home.
In the first place transportations were
very dangerous-the Generals were unwil-
ling to have their men leave their COM
mands-and as there are only three hos
pital boats, they were generally so much
crowded that surgeons strongly objected
to removals, as very many died that would
otherwise have lived. Fifty died during
one trip, recently.
She visited ali the hospitals, and talked
with the men-inquired. how they were
treated-what they had to eat, and when
they heard from home? They usually
were satisfied. In one hospital there was
much complaint. A detective was soon on
the track, and frauds were discovered.
Much scandal had been circulated on ac-
count OF spectators marking their goods
SANITARY Stores and by claiming to be
sanitary Agents passed themselves and
their boxes through the lines. They sold
these stores to the suffers, and when SOL
dlers saw boxes marked Sanitary Stores"
at suffers establishment, they naturally
supposed they had been defrauded. It has
been inquired into, and ascertained that
not less than $4,000 worth of goods had
peen disposed OF In this way during the
Gen. Grant has issued an order. by
which all such goods will be confiscated.
Or. Eastabrook, who has been for some
time an inspector of Hospitals, was intro
duced. He fully corroborated Mrs. Wit
tenmyers statements and added many in
teresting facts. Mrs. Darwin made some
most appropriate remarks, followed by
Mrs: Hager, stating what had been done
by the Methodist Society, and closed by a
motion that the ladies of the Aid Societies.
unite in Loyal League Motion. second
ed and carried. Time one week from to-
day Tuesday at four o'clock. Meeting
Mrs. Wittenmyer wished to state. that
during the Investment of Vicksburg, the
negroes had secret agreement, that when
the town clock struck twelve, they should
all pray TOR the success of our arms This
they did faithfully.
1t is impossible in report like this to do
Mrs. Wittenmyer justice. Those that re-
manned at home lost much that would have
been very interesting and profitable.
M. A. P. DARWIN, Pres.
NJ. +. SHELTON. Sec'y.