Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-08-20
New England WOmen,s Auxiliary
Association.
MONTHLY REPORT.

We cannot offer our usual monthly re-
port to our friends and fellow workers,
without congratulating them upon the
grand results Of the summer army cam
paign. Vicksburg and Port Hudson ours.
with comparatively small loss .of life Lee
crippled and driven back, though at such
fearful cost with such and similar
facts before US, is not our work made
plain and easy? Yes, more, even joyful!
For surely to share, however humblv, IN
labors crowned with victory, is joyful, in
spite of the horrible sufferings that belong
to success in war.
But let US ask what have we learned in
this months experience that may be of
service to us in the future
First, a renewed and deepened thank
fulness for the Sanitary Commission, and
the opportunity afforded US for working
with it. The Gettysburg battle field Law
within our own borders. 1t was compar-
ativey easy for hundreds of persons to go
there Immediately to minister to the suf-
ferers and hundreds of tons of supplies
could be furnished at short notice, from
the wealth and loyalty of the prosperous
North. The Commission was on the
field and well prepared for the expected
exlgency, as 1t has always pledged itself
to be to the extent of the means furnished
to it. "While the battles of I'd and Sd
July were in progress, and hours before
supplies reached them from other quarters,
the wagons and agents of the Commission
visited the collections of wounded on the
field of Gettysburg"
Hundreds owed their lives that week to
those who did not hold their hand when
there was no special public excitement, by
whose aid the Commission had stores
ready at Frederick, Baltimore and Wash
ington, and reserves at Philadelphia, New
York and Boston. Hundreds of wagon
loads and numerous car loads of all-im-
portant articles We're furnished to the
wounded men, with facility only to be
attained by thorough system and great
experience. But this is not ALL The
Commission did not, it could not, expend
all It's energies there. Its agents, with
supplies, were in the Western Department,
on the Mississippi, at the Gulf, all along |
the sea-coast, with the army Of the Cum |
berland-in short everywhere where SOL !
der IN our country's service could be |
found, was also an agent of the Sanitary !
Commission, with your gifts in his hands,
waiting only a need that was sure to come.
Or sympathies in that memorable week
were chiefly with the new commander and
the noble army of the Potomac.
The sympathies Of the Commission were
not only there, but its work was as large
IS the Union army, its field co-extensive
With our war. Secure in this knowledge
We could work, and await the issues of all
hose widely scattered fields. But" say
ONE, lis all this system necessary b? Was
here not an overplus of supply at Gettvs-
'urg Z" Undoubtedly there was. 1t
'ould not be otherwise at the first great
'attle IN our midst. But this does not
rouble us. Every shirt and pair of socks
S counted and registered. Only lust as
many were distributed by the commission
IS were really needed and all that re-
NAMED after such distribution, by the
borough system of the Commission was
made ready for most efficient use else
where. Better too much than too little al
UGH time, when it is manifestly impossi-
lie to estimate nicely what the demand
vii be; and especially when we know
hat surplus Is only a reserve fund for
he next need, whenever that may occur.
Another lesson has been impressed on
ur minds more fully than ever before.
amely, the advantage to be gained by
eeplng up knowledge of what is most
eeded by the Commissioners. Tbs. is
endered easy by the systematic cores
ondence earned on by them with all
heir Branea Socleties-the Branches be-
lg charged with imparting information to
IL VINO desire. We cannot estimate the