The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-01-16
u. S. General Hospital.
TO THE LADIES OF VERMONT.
BRATTLEBORO, VI. Jan 3, 1863.


Within the last few days very important
change has been made in the affairs of the
sick and wounded soldiers from this state.
This change has been long desired, but the
Governor of the State has not succeeded in
his efforts to bring the sick home to their ma
tive air, until very recently. Now an arrange
ment with the War Department exists, by
which the Vermont sick and wounded soldiers
will be transferred from the Southern hospl-
tails, to the L.. S. Hospitals al Burlington,
and Brattleboro. This most desirable ar
rangement has been made only upon condl-
ton that the State authorities should provide
additional Accommodations at Brattleboro. for
whatever number of patients were thus trans
ferred above 200 (the number the present
hospital can accomodate.) 10 carry out
these arrangements ten large barrack build
ings, now stan ling near the L. S. General
Hospital, will be at once moved to the Hos
pital, and fitted up in proper manner, form
ing large Hospital of about 800 beds.
Towards this the Government has con-
tributed full and very perfect outfit for l50
beds. We have now on hand. received from
the ladies of Vermont, and from the State, an
equipment of abou: 30 beds, and shall there
fole need to have supplied lis from the State,
in some fern an outfit for 300 beds. For
the reasons, that the people of this State have
shown most untiring disposition 10 contri-
butte literally to the relief Of the sick: and
because We are every day asked what dispo-
sition benevolent societies and individuals
shall make of their contributions, we are led
to make this appeal, and We make it without
fear OF any repuse. We make it on the
! broad ground that the soldiers who have SO
uniformly maintained the honor of the State
on so many battleiields, and who have suf-
| fered So much under the malarious atmos-
pheie OF the South, and vino have So patient
1 " endured all the rrivations and hard.hips
of the camp and march. deserve all the atten-
ton that We can possibly bestow upon them.
As to our particular wants we can briefly
state them. As before stated we need az
equipment of hospital beds and bedding to-
gethcr with the articles of clothing. worn by
patients in the hospital.
For each bed and patient it requires:
l iron bed stead, (army pattern) fuckers Pa
tent,
i Mattrass, e! f. long by 80 in wide,
I sheets | E! yds wide = yds long,
/ II pillow cases Il , cases for bets,l
> blankets, or comforter,
| coyerlet,
l hal, pillow,
, towels,
> shirts,
, pair drawers.
/ dressing gown.
night cap,
pairs socks.
. pair cloth slippers
refer to this particular bedstead as being
not only cheap one. but also as being Yer,
perfect in al! respects for the sick. or inGeeJ
for those in health. Il is 81 feet long and 81
inches wide; the legs and head fold up, 81
that it only takes space of Il inches il
thickness. and is consequently very portable
As there has been many inquiries as TO what
disposition should be made of money tina
has been raised, | wond suggest that il b.
applied 10 tie purchase of these bedsteads "A
being likely to contribute in this way NOR
TO the comfort of the sick than any o,he
mode. Inc mattress. if made. better be Giit
with the birch shayingS. called Excelsior
which costs about jJ cents to maitrass
the weight required for each being IL pounds
This material is put up in bales. and can b,
obtained in Boston and New York. at an,
Upholster's for about two cents per pound b,
the bale.
The Blankets covrrlets and sheets should
be Of size 10 silt the rlattra>s.
Iransportati, II on anv articles sent for iht
Hospital will be paid by The Qnarterm.steI
of the State.
would not OF course limit the contrbu
tio"s OF any one. or direct how their contrhu
lions should he applied, but would >uEs-s
that rs all sections of the State are interest
ed. the supplies might be proportional to III,
population o. counties. In this way ali ont
fit OF 800 beds, would give abou, one bed ion
every one thousand inhabitants. viz:
-, n,,1s NI,l,s., Tn,,pt,