The Portland daily press., 1864-09-05
Hospital Wants-Letter from Mrs. Fogg,
3D DIVISION 9TH A. c. HOSPITAL,
City Point, Va, Aug. 20, 1864.

3D DIVISION 9rH A. c. HOSPITAL,
City Point, Va, Aug 20, 1864.
Mr.. GILMAN:
Sir:-Through the medium of your pape
would like TO say few words to the friend
OF the soldiers, in Maine, especially as this
the season for preserving fruits for the army.
Could our friends in the North. know III,
value OF the various fruits and berries which
grow in such profusion there, TO the bray,
boys who have spent this scorching summer
In long and fatiguing marches, the laboriou.
digging of trenches, and in the advanced
rifle pits unsheltered from the sun, all in close
proximity to the enemy, until very many have
contracted desesse, l feel assured they would
not permit any to be wasted, but would care
fully preserve them in some way for army
use.
In Ihe treatment Of chronic intestinal dis
eases, which neglect and exposure so often
induce, the blackberry is found to be especial
ly useful. Its medical virtues have been
proved beyond doubt, and its healing effica-
ey acknowledged by our most efficient army
surgeons, even in cases where all other reme-
dies have failed.
All kinds of fruits and vegetables are most
acceptable to the soldier sick in the hospital,
and would call on all, even little girls and
boys, to do their utmost to supply their urgent
necessities.
Children can do mnch for the poor sick sol
der by gathering the wild fruits which abound
in the forests of Maine, il unable to preserve
them, let them be dried, as they are equally
useful.
In many other ways children can do much
for the comfort Of the soldier. They can
make housewives, pocket handkerchiefs, pin
cushions, and many other things which are in
constant demand
Let them contribute these things to the
Christian Commission and they may rest as
sured they will reach the soldier.
During my long experience in the army and
almost daily association with the Christian
Commission, l have never in single instance,
known Of their stores being wasted or put TO
an improper use.
The poorest soldiers can 60 to them and
have his wants suppled without being made
TO feel that any one is comforting favor on
him. In my wards, containing one hundred
men, the man OF God may be seen going from
tent TO tent with large basket on his arm,
containing food for both mind and body, pass
ing from bed to bed, speaking words of en-
coaragement to the despsirtng, directing the
weary soul to the Saviour, and gently poipt-
ing the dying to the Lamb of God, where he
viii find haven Of rest from ell his weary
tolls and privations, Then st evening the
voice Of prayer and praise may be heard from
nearly every tent.
Could the friends of the soldier at home
witness the efforts made by these good men as
l do, they would lift heart and hand I, strength.
en- them In their laAors Of love and mercy.
wish TO make still one more appeal to our
friends at home, urging them to exert them
selves, and never grow weary in well doing.
Give us full support from home, and we are
willing to work, bearing all the hardships, pri-
vations, trials, and exposures of camp life, for
the sake of alleVlatng IN any degree the suf-
terings OF the brave boys who are so nobly of
tering up their lives on the altar af their coun-
try, until We can all return together-our ban
ner triumphat, and peace and tranquility
reigning throughout the land.
ISABEL FoGG.