Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-05-28
Patriotic Organization Of the Ladles---NO
More Foreign Dry Goods During the War.


A meeting of American Ladies was recent
ly held at Washington, and an organization
formed having for its object the promotion of
economy by the ladies during the wal, the
checking of the enormous importations of for
eign dry goods now draining the country of
gold and threatening to impoverish it.
The organization is called the Ladies Cove
nant The officers of the Central Covenant at
Washington are as follows:
Presdent-Mrs. Gen. James Taylor
Vice President-Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas.
Recording Secretaries-Miss Rebecca ellis, Miss
Virginia Smith.
Corresponding Secretaries-AIrs. NJ Morris, Mrs
B. B. French, Mrs S. Bowen, Mrs ii e. Ingersoll,
Mrs. z. Robbins, Mrs. Prof. Henry, Mrs. Chitten-
den, Mrs. Captain Hidden, Miss Williams, Miss Ma
tilda Bates.
These officers constitute the executive com
mittee. Advisory and organizing commit
That for Wisconsin consists of Mrs. Senator
Doolittle, Racine; Mrs Senator Howe, Green
Bay; Mrs. Gov. Lewis, Madison.
The pledge or covenant taken by members
is as follows:
+" For three gears, or tie acar, me pledge our
SelueS to each otter and tie country to purchase no
imported article Of apparel"
They have also adopted an address to the
women of America from which we take the
following extracts:
Let it be well understood, that every ounce
of gold that goes from the country detracts
from the pay Of the soldier who is fighting
for our salvation, and diminishes the wages
of our sister women, who toll for their bread
into miserable pittance that scarcely suffices
to keep them from starvation. The precious
metal that flows from this country to Europe
for the luxulies we do not need increases the
price of gold here, depreciates the value of
eur national currency, and helps to sweep
the necessaries of life beyond the reach of
the working man.
1t is painful truth, for which We shall vet
learn to blush, that the impOrtations of the
most expensive goods manufactured in Europe
have been far greater during the war than at
any time in the history of our country. The
importations last week at the New York Gus
tom house alone amounted to five millions of
dollars and all that week-which viii yet
find its ignoble record in history-the streets
of Washington were blocked up with weary
soldiers, marching through mud, rain or dust
down to the army of the Potomac, which now
waits with undated courage for the carnival of
death which is almost finging its crimson
shadow over US.
For the good of our country and the honor
of our sex, let US redeem ourselves from this
reproach of wanton extravaganza. Let US
prove by cheerful retrenchment that the wO-
men of the country are not so welded to lux
urious self-indulgencc tAat they cannot fill
glorious page in the history of this war, and
yet retain all that is retiring aud beautiful in
womanhood. In all humane works, they have
proved themselves charitable kind and NUM-
icent. let these comprehend that selfab-
negation will accomplish more than works of
charity, and they will not be less earnest to
sacrifice than they have been to act. 1t must
not be said of us that we have been willing
to give up our husbands sons and brothers,
to fight or die for the Union, and yet refuse to
renounce our laces, silks, velvets and dia-
monds That thought would cover US with
shame before the nations of the earth. No
our women of the Union only lack knowledge
of the means by which they can prove them
selves true help-mates of the heroes who are
fighting our battles. Impress it upon them
that in discouraging excessive importations
and adopting goods manufactured at home,
they keep gold in the country, reduce the
rates of exchange, and establish confidence
in the government, and they will prove how
far patriotism can rise above vanity in the
hearts of American women.
In order to invoke this spirit of selfsacri-
fee, it is important that the great object of
the covenant we have made should be broad
" circulated and thoroughly understood. 1t
discourages profigate expenditures of any
kind, recommends the use of domestic fab
RIGS wherever they can be substituted for
those of foreign make, and advises simplicity
of attire, both as a matter of policy and good
taste. 1t asks the great sisterhoOd of Amer
lean women to aid in this reform before it is
too late.
In every town and village throughout the
Union, some woman who lives her country
is implored to establish an auxiliary society
and forward the names of the ladies invited
to act for the State is which her duty lies
We ask simultaneous action, earnest work,
and generous selfsacrifice at the hands of
sister women. With their ardent help, a
work will be accomplished so important in its
results that the woman who shares in it may,
hereafter, leave the emblem of our object as
the richest jewel that she can leave to pos
terity.
Col. BOardman--- he was Killed.
A letter written by Col. Boardman himself
and dated the day previous to his death, May
I'd, states that he had just been appointed by
Gen. Cook to a command, equal to a brigade,
including the 4th Wisconsin, and the next
day would start from Baton Rouge upon an
expedition, composed of artillery, cavalry
and infantry, which promised success.
A letter from Surgeon Wilson, dated two
days after, states that the expedition set out
for the purpose of discovering the force of
the enemy in the rear. About seventeen
miles out on the Clinton road, the enemy's
pickets were found, and heavy skirmishing
commenced. Col. Boardman went forward to
discover suitable place for the passage of
his cavalry over a creek that ran between him
and the enemy, when volley of balls was
discharged at him from an ambuscade, wound
ing him in three places. A mimic ball pene-
trated the brain, causing instantaneous death.
Surgeon Wilson adds that the colonel had
been out of health for over a week previous,
which may account for strong foreboding of
his fate which he expressed before he left.
He told friend that he should not return
H. ba opI,- g fI,o aNrrodi-