Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-04-29
IS THE SANITARY COMMISSION
WORTHY OF SUPPORT

we regret tnat mucn mas been SAID OF a
character inclined to injure confidence in the
Sanitary Commission, and restrain people
from giving freely and literally to it in fur.
therance of its noble and patriotic ends
That this opposition arises altogether from
ignorance and misapprehension we feel quite
confident for there can be no firm ground
maintained against this noble charity which
carries life and health and comfort to our
sons and brothers in the army. individuals
not personally knowing to the worth Of and
great good accomplished by this instrument
atty, can by triling effort fully satisfy them.
selves and establish their confidence. 1t is
lamentable that there are soldiers WHO take
up against the Sanitary Commission, and to
some this may be very surprising fact
But these soldiers, generally, we are glad to
believe, are such rs have been blessed with
health, and who have had but little il any
hospital experience. The Sanitary Commits
sion, beside, is not ostentatious in its work,
and many soldiers are unconsciously largely
indebted to its kindly ministrations. Sol.
diers, whose testimony is so mighty on this
subject, should be jealous to speak rightfully
and be very careful that they utter no word
detrimental TO the interests Of their sick and
wounded comrades.
Having been in the service as as a private
soldier, and having faithfully served in the
hospital (if not in the iield) until honorably
discharged, we feel qualified to bear intelligi,
bic testimony to the worthiness of the SAM.
lary Commission to most generous support,
And, as we pledged in giving our Hospital
Experience" in former number Of the GA.
zETrE, if our "pen can do aught to encour.
age the ladies in their Soldiers Aid Societies,
or inspire men to open their hearts and give
freely to this blessed work, most checrfully
shall it labor, retaining not stroke when its
influence may be felt"
Our first hospital experience was with the
regiment (3lst Iowa. four miles frem Hole.
ma, Arkansas. This was in November, 1862
at time when the new regiments that had
been organized under the call of that yea,
were just gaining the field, and short time
before the siege Of Vicksburg began. There
were thousands Of new recruits gathered a,
Helena, and hundreds of them we're prostra
ted by disease. The mortality among GU,
soldiers at this time and for some months
subsequent was fearful. How vast must have
been the distributions of the Sanitary Com
mission among the sick TO have made con.
scious each individual soldier of being the
recipient of its blessings, perhaps may be
approximately realized. Mrs. Wittenmyel
visited our hospital and Sanitary goods fol.
lowed her. We were furnished with beds
and pillows. A small matter, perhaps you
say. Lay on crooked and jagged poles for Z
few weeks with nothing but your clothing
and an army blanket to protect your aching
bones, and then receive bed and soft feath.
sr pillow, and if tears of gratitude do no,
we'll up in your eyes, your feelings would be
in contrast to what ours were when the nurse
adjusted under our head pillow on the
white case of which was stamped SOHO
Sanitary Commission" Our mother, we
know, would not begrudge all her toll for the
Sanitary Commission to be enabled to bestow
the blessing on her boy which that one little
pillow afforded. Our diet, too, was much
improved after Mrs. Wittenmyer's visit, and
we have no doubt but wi at we were indebted
to tho Sanitary Commission for most Of GU,
best dishes. This, remember, was in q field
hospital "a rcsmcntal hospital.