The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-12-10
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To the Soldiers Aid Societies
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t,.sg. Ina t in Iowa. a6i ii au o.
So, / have deemed it to be my duty, since
the commencement of the existing war, tc
do all in my power to assist in alternating
the ,sufferings of the sick, wounded and
destitute soldiers of our armies. Nv hus.
band has yielded to my convictions Of duty
in this respect SO far as,to permit me to use
in this cause all Of our limited income owe,
our current expenses. II have been enabled
by the kindness of the Secretary of War, to
visit our armies, and our field and hospitals
East, South and West, through the border
and, loyal States !; through the Carolinas,
Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri,
arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. where
| have done what / could 70 correct abuse,
and to aid the suffering soldiers of the Re.
public. 1t has been my sad privilege to ad.
minister to the wants of the wounded and
diving on many Of the great battle-fields Of
the country, before the smoke ofthe con-
fiict had passed away, while the, combat.
tants were still covered with the blood and
dust of the battle . With these varied OPP.
portunities, extending over a period or more
than two years, ! " ould have been very
Indifferent observer had / not beco me some.
what familiar with the character and rela.
tive efficiency Of the different State organic
cations as well as relief of soldiers Al
though, have not desired nor sought aeon
nectioni with any oftheu,, I have at differ
ent Iperiods, distributed goods for many
and have observed the bearing and conduct
Of the agents of nearly all, Of ,them.r 4 have
consequently, some knowledge of theasys-
tep and rules adopted, by these organiza.
tons for the control Of their business. zoe
I. AT anearly period observed what seem
ed to me to be defects in the plans adopted
for The distribution OF iowa sanitary goods
There was 20 head to theisy stem--no home
Office at which accounts could be kept mo
arrangement by which Iowa n egiments
could be regularly visited by our agents,
no business arrangement for the shipment
Of goods-no regular plans existed at that
time for procuring discharges for the per-
disabled, ), and f,,rioughs for those
suffering under protracted, ailments, end
and subsistence for ' those
who were discharged and without funds, to
pay their expenses home. The efforts of
our friends seemed tonne to be- spasmodic,
irregular, and of course inefficient, and in
marked contrast with that of other States,
50 mich so as to attract the notice of our
brave boys In the army, and cause them to
feel neglected. l desired at once, to enter
on q reform. but was told in our own State
that this could not be done without effecting
individuals and individ ual interests-that
my motives would be impugned, and
my purposes and conduct misconstrued and
nisrepresentedJand thata. conflict would
arise more or less personally, which would
Dc exceedingly unpleasant. This was unsat.
'factory reasoning, confess, for a woman's
,eart.' To argue that soldiers almost worn
ut in fighting our battles, ard who might be
'aved by little effort, must be allowed to
,erish, to avoid interference with the petty
interests and ambitions of individuals,
night be satisfactory reasoning to public
men, and "strong minded women" but it
ras rot TO me- But as had entered a
ield where I found more to do than my
lands could perform, | yielded my convic-
ions to tbs judgement Of, others, trusting
0 time and the communications Of the pri,
ate soldiers and hopest officers, fer the
scts, which would secure the reform in our
ystem in Iowa, SO much needed, Il knew
hat while some officers might be Hattered
nd coaxed into silence, and some of them
ito the support Of a bad cause, that other
ficers, with the private soldiers who bear
lie heat ana bprthen fthe day . and the
runtt q the battle, would, ip time, make
1emselvss heard, - - "'r
And | waited patiently ( the time has at
myth coiue. The friends Of the soldiers in
,e State who have contributed hundreds
ItheIsands, of dollars worth of fstores, n de.
andsd q more perfect system, bioTho Aid
acietjss.and leagues from! aalmost everyI
lrt o ,theaState met in jCopventiop lat the
apitol. on theaISth apdrs l8thTinst.,i and
lo4ptea plans for rhe Stale organization,
hieh meets the approval q nearly All WIG
ere present and which It Is believed will
cure tie harmony, efficiency, and accopn,
olity of agents. SO mich desired. The
IN does aotsoek to intetfsref fin my wsy, }
thatbe sysnts lappointediby tie State isu- !
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