Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-08-29
soLDIERsl AID SOCIETY.

Hudson-who in returning to their New
England homes at the expiration of their
term of service, have given us occasion to
offer refreshment to the we'll and to min
lister to the comfort Of the sick and dis
abled.
In these unusual demands upon the re-
sources Of the Society and the time and
services Of its members, we recognize no
new duties, no stepping aside from the
purposes Of our organization. It is only
that the objects Of our care have come
nearer to us-have been brought, as it
were, to our very doors, SO that we have
had the privilege of bestowing with our
own hands the comforts which, until now,
have been sent by trusty agents and
through well-knoTn channels to the far
off scenes oftrisl and suffering from which
these brave men have just been released.
Itis matter of much regret that seve-
raj regiments arrived at unreasonable
hours and before we had been notifed~Of
their approach. Thanks to the beuevolence
of our sister cities the most abundant pro-
vision was made fer their refreshment
few hours later, though we cannot but feel
chagrined at losing the opportunity Of
doing for all what it has been so great
pleasure to offer to the eight that have
passed here within the last week.
The presence Of these worn and broken
regiments has given to many of US our first
sight and most vivid realization of the sad
effects Of war and the deep sympathies
and enthusiastic benevolence thus awak-
ened are a lasting honor to our citizens.
In reviewing the care given to these
soldiers in transit we are gratefully sens
ible Of the obligations due to all our
friends, but especially to the officers and
managers Of the Cleveland, Columbus and
Cincinnati, and Cleveland, Painesville
and Ashtabula Railroads, who magnsni-
mously hiding their own noble generosity
behind our feeble efforts, have put into cur
hands every facility, removed every obsta-
Gle and cordially seconded and sustained
us throughout the whole To Messrs.
Wheeler and Russell we are indebted for
much kindness, of which it is pleasure to
make this publio acknowledgment.
Indeed it is to the uniform generosity
and kindness of all our railroad and depot
men-oficials and employees-that we
owe the success Of the work to which we
have lately been devoted. and surely this
aid, so cheerfully and promptly given, is
not among the least pleasant memories Of
the busy week just passed.
The response of our citizens to the re-
pssted calls for refreshments for the tables
or delicacies for the sick has been unfag-
ging and abundant So lavish were the
donations that have poured in upon us
from all parts of the city and from ad-
joining towns that it has been impos-
sible to keep any accurate record
Of either the donors or their gifts. We
must now beg our friends to sccspt in be-
halt of the soldier our grateful thanks and
to pardon the errors which must have
crept into the very incomplete list Of
Acknowledgements made out last week.
Wines and other stimulants solicited
for the sick have been especially abun-
dant and of the choicest quality. Fruits
and vegetables we're plentifully supplied.
Soup and broth and delicate morsels Of
sick diet were sent to tempt the feeble ap.
petite, and everything that generosity
could provide or the skill of the housewife
prepare has been offered in abundance.
The sympathy and interest of some have
been nObly shown by constant personal
attendance at the hospital cars, where the
word Of cheer and the deed of kindness
have called up an answering brightness in
many a sunken eye and quickeued the
feeble pulsatiOns of many an exhausted
frame.
But how shall we chronicle some of the
scenes that have passed before our eyes
during these daysl
Some cares have been unavsiling, and
we remember with awe the sacred hush
that pervaded our little depot hospital as
one brave soldier too weary and worn to
reach the arms of an earthly love already
OutstretChed to receive him, calmly laid
his head upon a strangers pillow snd
breathed away his life.
To those who ministered to that passing
spirit hallowed memory Of the scene is
given. To all who have hearts for the
sorrows Of others, the subioined letter
written by the pastor of the late Lorenzo
j. Thayer will have special interest.
From other letters we have learned that
the care taken here to preserve and for
ward the remains was quite successful and
proved great comfort to the family of
the deceased:
ATTLEBORo, August %, 1863.
P: THATCHEs, JR.-MY DEAR SIR:-Nv |
friend Captain Horton, of Company 6. |
FOrty-seventh Massachusetts regiment,
has mentioned to me the kindness of YOUR |
self, your wife, and the ladies of the Sol |
diers' Aid Society of Cleveland to his reg
iment in their recent stop in your city.
Especially your Christian charity to the |
bedy and to the afflicted friends Of the
late Lorenzo ]. Thsyer, of Attleboro.
In behalf Of Company C, Captain Hor-
ton, and the afiicted-wife and poor blind
mother, am desired TO make this men
tion Of your kindness. It was very great
and opportune. May the widows God
bless you for it. The shadowed homes
and smitten hearts Of our land are so
many and SO sad that deeds Of love like