Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-01
The Ohio State Agency and AS
sOClatlon ct Washington,
History Of It's Organization.
Money Appropriated for the Work
PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
IT'S WORK AT FREDERICKsBUG-AR.
RANGENENT WITH RAILROADS
FOR OHIO SOLDIERS.
From the Sunday Washington Chronicle.

From the Sunday Washington ChrORiele.l
At the commencement Of this war, which |
is to decide whether slavery or liberty
shall control the destinies Of nations and |
the world, an association was formed Of
Orleans temporarily residents in this city,
and great work was done by their vol
untsry effor g. But a something more
seemed to be necessary to render the action
IS efficient as could be desired, and, in
August, 1852, Mr.. J. G. Wetmore COM
menced to act as State agent upon his
own responsibility. December 18th Of
the same year he received an appointment
from the Governor Of Ohio to represent
the State in that capacity, and has been
busily engaged in ever since in looking
after the interests Of the soldiers from
Ohio, whether they we've in the field, on
furlough, or in the hospital. An appro-
pristion Of one hundred aud ffty thous-
and was made by the State Legislature to
defrsy the expense Of this noble work
throughout the oosntry, Of which this
agency receives fair proportion. Month
" are made to the Governor OF the doings
Of the agency, besides the constant cor
respondenoe which may be necessary. As
with other agencies, great attention is paid
to the adjustment and collection Of sol.
diers' claims giving useful and necessary
information, obtaining furloughs and
transportation, visiting hospitals, and
supplying such articles as the soldier may
need, and caring for the sick and wounded
upon the field. -. - ~
-sss6tIsfioD, though they sre iistinot n
their organ zations, and the care and en-
ergy which they have manifested in look
ing after the interests Of the heroes who
are far away from home engage in defer d.
ing the honor of the nation, have endeared
them to ali who are acquainted with their
manifold operations. No paid clerks or
visitors are employed, but the duties incl
dent to the agency are attended to by
committees Of the association and persons
from OHIO temper irily resident in the city,
aud employed as clerks or otherwise.
Great facilities are afforded by oil the de-
psrtments except the Postmaster Generals,
by granting leaves Of absence to suoh
clerks and employees IS the sgency de-
sires to devote few days to the care Of
the wounded in this city and at the front.
About one hundred different persons hsV'
visited the field under the auspices Of this
agency since the opening OF the present
campaign, and twenty four persons are
already there or en- route for the new bsse
Of operstions.
The amount Of business transacted and
good done by this agency is incslculsble.
Large amounts Of articles, so acceptable 10
the soldier, are constantly received from
the people Of Ohio, who are wide awake
in this natter, and though the most Of the
packages are prepsil, yet, some days, the
agency pays upwards Of two hundred dol
lars freight on articles Gent to be distrib-
uted under its direction.
This agency was on hanl at Fredericks-
burg with its supplies two days before the
Sanitary COmnission, and thereby saved
hundred Of lives and, as its agents took
hold Of the work to be done as a lsbor Of
love, the results accomplished were so
great and timely that the Governor Of Ohio
made direct appeal to the people to send
the agency an immediate and abundant
supply of such articles as WOull promote
the we'll being Of the soldier. The vast
amount Of freight received and the con-
stsntly seeumulsting supply Of articles in
its storehouse, which are to be sent to the
new base OF operations, show how nobly
Ohio has responded to the osll, and give
gratifying assurance that, where aid is pos
sible, her soldiers shall not suffer want Of
neglect. Its operations show the import
snce Of each State being in the field to look
after the interests Of its own heroes, thus
bringing them directly in contact and full
sympathy with the hearts Of the people
1t increases their patriotism by proving to
them that, hough absent from home, they
are not forgotten.
The State Of Ohio has also made sR az
raDgement with the different railroad com.
panies, whereby one-hslf a cent per mile
for transportation is saved TO each private
soldier who may wish to return to or from
home making saving to each man Of
several dollars beyond the low rsIes OBJ
tsined by the general Government. The
amount saved in this manner alone ex-
ceeds the expense to the State Of the agen-
cy. We might also speak OF the many 9TH
er ways in which the interests Of the SOL
dier are promoted, but 8 statement Of the
fact that verything possible is done for
him, and that without compensation, is |
sufficiently suggestive.