Smyrna times., 1865-10-11
MISCELLANEOUS
American Union Commission,

The following address is being circulated by
the Maryland Branch of the Union Commits
sion in behalf of the suffering people of the
South, many of whom are in starving condi-
tion. Read and reflect
Permit us, kind reader, to call your most Sc
rious attention to the work of the great nation
al charity, that is sought to be promoted by
this Commission. What is done by this Com.
mission in behalf of refugees and others who
have been rendered destitute by the war. is
gratultOus-theSe persons being unable either
to buy or insure payment for what thev re-
receive. 1t is national organization It has
the approval of the Government. Like the
christian and Sanitary Commissions, it has
been called into being by the emergencies of
war.
Members of this Commission from Baltimore
have visited various desolated portions of the
South, and from personal observation they as
sure Us that the condition of things is well
calculated to call forth our deepest commisera-
ton. 1t demands hberality commensurate
with our ability. We are also in daily receipt
OF letters from ministers of various denomina-
tons, and Others in the South, which excite
the most fearful apprehensions of distress du-
ring the coming winter, unless timely efforts
are made to avert such calamity.
The Richmond Republic, a loyal and trust
worthy paper, says: The poverty and suffer-
ings of the people of Virginia, great enough
already to melt the sternest nature, bid fair to
assume proportions Of horror in the approach
ing winter which it curdles the blood to con-
template. Money is scarce the means
of subsistence is high; the wheat crop through
out the South is comparatively a failure, and
though the coru crop is unusually fine for the
area cultivated yet the area, owing to the OBJ
structions to planting from various causes. is
exceedingly limited. 1t makes the heart bleed
to think Of the suherings which, if some sutfi-
cient measures are not adopted for relief, may
be the terrible lot Of thousands of our people
when the rgOrs OF winter shall aggraVate the
horrors of the present destitution. !"
A letter from Rev. {. A. Raymond, Judge
of the United States Military Court of the
District of the Peninsula of Virginia, to q. s.
Griffith, Esq, President Maryland Union Com
mission, says Perhaps in no part of the
South has there been more general depriva-
tions, and consequently there are now but few
nortions of the whole country whose future is
more gloomy than the counties above us. This
is not because this has been succession of
battle fields merely, but from the fact that, at
the beginning OF the war, under the influence
of simple panic, nearly the whole peninsula
was abandoned. Old men, widows, and young
all fled from the imaginary cruelty of their
enemies. After an absence of four years, years
of unparalleled want and suffering, the survi-
vers have returned to find their home occupied
by others, their stock consumed, their perso-
nal effects and implements of husbandry des-
stroyed y Many are widows, many Or
phans, and the winter, with its seventies in
prospect. threatens accumulated misery. They
need everything, especially bedding, clothing,
wheat for seed, and implements. ., =.
Persons and families in great distress are
daily making application at the office of the
Commission, in person, for relief. During the
last month, fifty.four refugees and nine. fami-
hes were assisted at the office, evidence being
given that they were In state of destitutiOn
and distress. Thirteen hundred and forty diff
ferent articles, mostly wearing apparel, have
been sent to different places in the South for
gratuitous distribution through our committees
Eleven hundred and fifty-two dollars and sixty
five cents have been expended for grain, cloth
ing, medicine, and refugees and such families
as have been reduced to poverty by the war.
Eighteen hundred books have been sent to va
rious places in the South for gratuitous distri-
button. OF these, three hundred were Bibles,
and six hundred and eighty-three We're Testa-
ments. and the rest Of moral and religious
character, except three hundred and fifty spell
ing books. The present demands upon US are
greater than our means to supply. The de-
mands multiply as we approach the winter
The dwellings OF thousands ot helpless wild
ows and orphans from West Virginia, East
Tennessee and of other Southern States, whose
loyal husbands and fathers fell in battle for
their country, and whose blood -mingles with
the blood OF their comrades on every battle-
6eld, have been burned, and they are now
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