The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-02-13

FRIRsD OsxAx:-ws n ticel in your last
paper but ono, letter from NJ. we sup.
pose it was by your brother Moses. We
were panied to read in it bis disparagc-
ment Of the Sanitary Commission and It's
work.
We knew Moses Osman has toe kind
cart, to Intentionally write a word that
should in any way lessen the already too
limited comforts of the sick and wounded
men, suffering and dying in the defense OF
there country.
A man that has been living on quarter
and half rations, surrounded by ragged,
baTefooted, and hungry men, may be ex-
pected to write quite earnestly when speak.
ing of the wants of his men. We wish
every thing that M" names in his letter
could be forwarded, with ten times the
amount added. 1t would but fsebly ex-
press our obligations to those brave men.
We cannot but think M" has forgot
ten in the suftrings and hardships Of the
present The facts Of the past, undesignsdly.-
His letter is ungrateful to the Sanitary
Commission, and bitterly cruel to his own
men that may sicken Ia camp fail upon
the march, or fall wounded in battle.
We did not want TO say this, bat We do
believe that M on reviewing the past and
calling to mind seine of its facts will most
cheerfully say that he wrote that portion
of his letter without due reflection. For
We take it upon US to say, that if there is
not another regiment under obligations to
the Sanitary Commission the l04th is.
When we were sent by the citizens Of
La Sale county to Hartsvil1e to lock after
the sick and wounded Of the lO4th, the
Sanitary Commission seemed to ieel under
special obligations to aid US in our work.
The Soldiers Aid Society OF the county
had CO operated SO earnestly with then, in
their work that they appeared to feel an
unusual interest in the l04th.
The president gave US letter that took
US through cur lines without delay, when
hundreds of fathers, mothers and wives
were turned back. The name OF the San,
itary Com mission was sort of talisman to
ms, for with it we passed the lines OF the
enemy as we'll as our own. John MeIgans
men conducted us into Hartsville III the
darkness of the night because we were
connected with sanitary work. Mr.
Skinner also made us agents O: the Com
mission, and authorized Us TO draw or
them for anything that we rgi ght find our
men TO need
The Sanitary Commission At Louisville
received us like old and tried friends and
turned over 10 us tina last box of desicca-
ted meat that they had.
When wa arrived at GalatIn and found
large building filled with sick and
wounded men Of ,ue lO4tl,. we also
found one end of the surgeon rooms
filled with fruit, vegetables, clothing, tow
els, bandages, &c. every pound of which
had been sent there free by the Sanitary
Commission.
When we arrived at Iiartsvil!e among
those dreadfuiiy wounded men we found
not one comfort beyond the government
rarions, out what Surgeon Dyer or Free
man had received from the Sanitary Com.
mission The shirts and drawers IN which
our own La Sale county soldiers died bore
the names of ladies' III northern Ohio -
Their hands had made them and the
Sanitary Commission had sent them.
Once more the Sanitary Commission
stepped GU, Of its way 10 reach the well
men Of the 10th. The friends Of the
10th wished t. send Christmas present
TO their friends in the regiment. The
Sanitary Commission forwarded box after
box free of charge, Not TO hospitals bat
TO the well men. This was outside OF their
business vet it was chserfully done
Much of the stuff spoiled on the way, for
the Commission did not rer,ack the boxes
'
Commission FOR hospital purposes, most Of
il if not all would have seea saved, Is II
would all have been rePacked with care
1T Chicago One thiag IS certain. \ DID
not thus think NJ the tine we were .Ee~c
on our GRAND of mercy. lie joined will
the rest Of the officers IN = warm tes:Ill'
nial Of thanks and gratitude 10 Us, as you
will see by turning back the flies ct your
paper to that time
" do not write this to fad fault with
NJ nor could We have any controversy
with one who is exposing, his lie in the
service os hi. country We write this TO
counterfeit any evil influence that might
spring from. q letter written, as we believe.
in the haste and hustle ot active duties.
We cannot bat think N would JOIN Us
in counteracting any such influence if / G
were here. The Sanitary Commission IS
dong coed verk ard rever more rcedcl:
than roy- and the coming season. let US
strengthen and not impair their hands
Very respectfully,
G Had
Z CoixAE