The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-12-25
A Loud Call--Who will ReSpond7

A meeting was held on Wednesday evening Of
last week, in Quinby & Sweetsir's hall, for the
purpose Of giving the people in our community
nm opportunity of hearing some statements
from the Rev. Mr.. Fisher, Chaplain OF tho lst
Kansas Cavalry, who has been sent North, with
other persons, by Gems. Grant and Schoheld,
TO solicit aid for the families OF the freedmen In
the Department of the Mississippi. There was
quite a respectable audience of the best people
10 our village and Saco, who were exceedingly
interested in the statements Of MIR. Fisher and
Mir. Dudley, who accompanies him on this be-
ncvolent agency. Itappeared from the remarks
OF Mr.. Fisher, that In consequence OF the VIC
torious progress Of Gen. Grants noble army
into the rebel territory, there are now in tho
valley or Department Of the Mississippi about
fifty thousand freed persons, whose masters
having fled before the advance of our army,
taking or destroying every article OF clothing
and provisions, left their slaves in such state
of absolute destituton that they we've com.
PEELED by the necessity OF their case to seek for
food and shelter within the lines OF the Union
army. The able bodied men have been enlisted
into the service of the Union as soldiers, team =
sters and laborers. they manifestlng very
cheerful disposition to do any work OF which
they were capable. This class OF persons the
Government cares for, and food Is likewise fur
nished TO the families Of these freedmen; but
II has no authority or means for furnishing
clothing for these families. who are, ut this In
element season OF the year, in state OF appal-
ling mud heart. rending restitution, many OF
them having but few dirty rags about their
persons, and these so limited as to be quite in.
sufficient to cover their nakcdness-many OF
them for shelter living in dens and caves OF the
earth, actually digging holes in the side OF the
hills, and carrying in rails and sticks OF wood
to lie on to protect them from the cold, damp
earth. Comfortable clothing can be furnished
at once from the North. and forwarded to them
free Of charge for freight. And now the cues.
ton is. what will the people in Biddeford and
Saco do for these sufferers! We rejoice that
the call has been nobly responded 10 In many
nlaces. In Brookline, Mass, Sabbath before
last. the pastors of the eleven churches in that
town called the attention Of their people to the
subject, and told them every person IN their
parishes would be called upon by man with
q wagon to receive old clothes and articles OF
every description, that could DO OF service TO
the destitute They were called upon. The
eleven wagons were loaded down, and the goods
collected were valued at S2500. Shall the same
course be taken hero! We would say there
were some s25 or $50 taken up In collection
at the meeting referred to, and q committee
was chosen TO solicit mid. That committee was
G. II. Adams. 7. II. Cole and G. II. Milliken.|
We entrcat you, men and women OF Biddeford,
Saco and neighboring towns, II you have any
articles Of clothing, old hats, caps, shoes; bed
clothes. school books, or any nameable thing
in your possession that you can spare, that can
be OF any possible use to man. woman or
child In an extreme state Of restitution, 10 Jay
Il as willing trophy on this altar OF tne con,
traband. Quite. a number, We are happy to
s,v' have handed in many articles which arc
very much needed, and one box will DO forward
cd This week. Articles may be LEFT ut the Office
Of Geo. II. Adams. No. 4 Washington BLOCK,
or with other members Of the committee, or
at the photograph room Of z. II. MoKsnney.
Do not DO afraid 10 hand 10 tattercd and torn,
and worn out garments, old shoes, caps, son