Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-06-03
Sanitary Commission.

1t is hardly possible to over estimate
the Importance of supplying the Santa
ry Commission with the material for re
lieving the sick and wounded soldiers O
the country. The large stock of sup
plies which have been accommodating
through the winter have already beer
nearly If not quite exhausted by the ex
traordinary demand of the recent battles
and unless there is diligent and untiring
rffort to make aud forward a new stock
it is to be feared that an immense amount
of suffering will go unrelieved. No
doubt thousands of lives have been saved
and an incalculable amount of suffering
prevented by the timely aid afforded
since the battles of the Wilderness, by
this Commission. Whether it is able to
do as much good after the next great bat
tie will depend upon the alacirty with
which the patriotic men and women Of
the country respond to the call now made
upon them. The following extract is
from letter from Mrs. Annie I. Endi.
colt of Boston, Secretary of the New
England Woman's Auxiliary Association
to Mrs. p II. White, Associate Manager
for Orleans County, makes known what
things are wanted, and gives good rea-
sons why they should be furnished, and
that Immediately. Let there be a prompt
and unusual response.
"On May 9Th and 7th in answer to
requisition we forwarded our whole ac>
cumulated stock to Baltimore to aid load
ing the steamer chartered by the Santa
ry Commission. Then came orders to
send daily to Washington-and we de,
pend now entirely upon our daily con-
ributions. The articles we send now are
Ill kinds of food and stimulants, bed and
very much needed, we hear
If men just from the operating table with
,nly an over~coat rolled up under their
leals,) pillows, quilts, sheets, pillowcases,
towels, socks, and flannel
clothing. We asked recently, (under
,dvice of surgeons) for cotton garments
or wounded men; but we fnd that a
nan cannot be taken out Of his uniform |
10 have amputations or wounds dressed
and be put into a cotton shirt on the field, !
Every flannel garment we can secure
goes every day, but as soon as transPor-
tation is no longer absolutely necessary
for the field supply, we shall send to hos
pital all our cotton shirts and drawers,
dressing gowns, caps, slippers and read
ing matter. Arm sings are needed also.
/ suppose that we have learned so
much, and the preparations of Govern
ment and the Sanitary Commission were
so extensive and SO admirable, that the
present large number of wounded will be
well cared for with greater ease than
much smaller number after the battle of
Gettysburg but the amount must far
exceed all expectation, and Grant fought
so continuously that probably no amount
of preparation could meet the emergency.
1t seems from what we hear as if the
people in Sanitary Commission at Wash.
ington took neither time to eat or sleep,
and they can't stop to blow any trumpet
about what they are doing.
Our last letter from Washington says
the Medical Directors are continually
warning our Agents against lavish DIS
tribution, for the heavies; fighting is yet
to come. Let no hand be stayed now
If we ever wished to aid our brave soldi-
ers, surely we must do il now when they
are SO marching, so fighting, so suffering,
so dying. Let our spirit strengthen
theirs, but it seems to me it is too much
the other way. Their faith and courage
puts ours to shame.
Hoping to hear from you again soon,
| am very truly yours,
ANNIE T. ENDIcoTT.