The Portland daily press., 1864-06-15
The Ladies Sanitary Committee.


10 the Editor Qrfhe Press
In reply to the questions asked In this
mornings Press, as to who constitute the
Ladies' Sanitary Committee, what their duties
are, their means &c., would reply as fol-
lows:
This societyis no new organization but was
formed by the Ladies of Portland at public
meeting held at Lancaster Hall, April 22d,
1851, for the purpose of ascertaining in what
way they could render the most efficient aid to
our volunteer soldiers. 1t was composed OF
the ladies of Portland who constitute them
selves the working members, choosing Pres
ident, Vice President, Secretary and Treasu-
rer with "a ladies as managers. These at the
time were taken four from each ward ofthe city
but owing TO changes OF residence and other
causes, though the number Is still full, yet
each ward may not at present be fully repre-
sented. Alter organization circulars were
sent to most OF the towns in Cumberland
county, as well as to some in the neighboring
counties, entreating their cooperation in the
cause and requesting them to send such sup
plies as they could furnish, to Portland, to be
thence transported to such places as they
were needed. As soon as the object OF the
society was known, the public became inter-
ested, donations OF money and articles OF
clothing were sent in and the work was
commenced. The first year the supplies were
sent to the various Maine regiments In camp
or hospital, as the wants Of the sick were
made known. But after time ii was de-
cided Ly the Committee to adopt some more
systematic method of working, convinced that
by thus sending to the field the desired object
of affording timely assistance to the sick sol
ders was not attained, both on account OF
the loss and delay in transportation, and on
account of the supplies, although sent in an
swer to some call, having often failed OF
reaching their destination until after the need
had ceased. The vast operations of the Sani-
tary Commission having then become fully
known and the responsibility Of It's agents es-
tablished, in compliance with the request OF
some of its most prominent benefactors, and
by the advice Of some OF our most influential
citizens, the managers Of the Committee de-
cided that as this was the most fitting chan
mel through which to direct their supplies
they would for the future 80 send them, re-
serving to themselves the right 10 answer any
special calls made upon them from other
sources, when their supplies had not been
specifically given. Il was then that the word
Sanitary was added to the title which had for
merly been merely Ladies' Committee.
Their duties have been and continue to be,
to stimulate supplies both in City and State, to
receive and acknowledge all contributions for
the Commission as well as furnish any desired
information in regard TO articles most needed,
best method Of sending, &C., to expend ju-
diciously all money intrusted to them In the
purchase of materials for clothing, ito be made
by our patriotic womeu) and lastly TO forward
as rapidly ms possible to the New England
Branch OF the Commission.
Some feeling has been expressed Of thus
sending TO the Branch Committee, Boston,
rather than to the Central A gency; but we
would take this opportunity TO say that 1t Il
by the express request OF their Associate Sec
rotary, Mr.. Knapp, who visited this city in
February last on business Of the Commission.
He desired that THE State Of Maine should
adopt the plan by which almost all the New
England States now forward their supplies, p
Of sending to the N. L. Auxiliary Association,
Boston, that these supplies may be gathered
into central depots and there held in reserve
ready TO be sent to whatever point may be
designated" At his suggestion the managers
also took upon themselves to provide Lodge
Home for those invalid soldiers who found
themselves in the city for short time and
were unable TO take care OF themselves. As
but few of these would be likely TO be here at
any one time, sufficient accommodations, II
was thought, would be obtained at the City
Hotel, and thus lar these have been found
ample.
The following ladies comprise the Commit
tee :-Mrs. w. II. Smaller, President; Mrs.
Woodbury. Storer, Vice President; Mrs. DIR.
Gilman. Treasurer; Mrs. ID. N. Rea, Secre-
tary; Mrs. J.P. Boyd, Mrs. VIM. Boyd, Mrs.
J. b. Brown, Mrs. J. Cammett, Miss ii. Cam
NETT, Mrs. l.. Cobb, Mrs. Z. Cross, Mrs. j. b
Cummings, Mrs. N. Deering, Mrs. ]. J. Gil
bert, Miss j. Greedy, Mrs. C. ii. Hall, Mrs. G.
Holden, Mrs. +. Ilsley, Mrs., 5. Leayitt, Ms.
J. Libby, Mrs. ]. Mcclellan, Mrs. F. G. Moody,
Mrs. John Neal, Mrs. C. Richardson. Mrs. S.
Small, Miss A. Steele, Mrs. J. j. Thompson.
The Hon. s. K. Spring is the resident Agent
of the Commission. Fe.--s.- r~