Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-02-28

Condition of the Freedmen at Wash.
ingtOn-Interestirg Personal Details
concerning the Freedmen-an Ap-
peal foF Aid.
Within the limits Of the City of Wash
ington and the District of Columbia,
thousands Of women and children, whose
husbands, fathers and brothers are in their
graves or lar away at unknown places
with our armies, are at present suffering
for the want Of clothing, food and fuel
These poor people were driven hither by
the inevits bic necessities of the civil war,
and came among US destitute and stran-
gers. Yet with brave self-reliance and
untiring toll, they have supported them
selves and their families, with aged and
infrm relatives dependent upon them,
through the summer and autumn weather.
But winter with greatly added cost of
fuel, food and clothing, now oVerwhelms
them with suferings; and unless they
are aided for a short period, they must
sicken and die from hunger, cold and
want.
A few cases from the hundreds actually
seen and personally visited by Mrs. Grif-
fin, will show the demsnd for charity on
Within few days an old woman sat in
her bed in shanty where the melted snow
dripping down on her pallet of rags, un-
able TO lie down, alone, having lately bu-
ried two children. There was no appear
ance of fire, no wood, and in the house
nothing to eat. She had begged match,
which on stool by her bed, that she might
'1ight it in the night" as she said, "to
make the night seem shorter"
Near by was q mother and an undressed
infant, two days old, with another small
child in bed with her to keep it warm.
she had eaten nothing for twenty-four
hours, had no fire, and a child, nine years
old, was washing in cold water rags to sell,
to buy, if possible, loaf of bread. Her
husband has been soldier in the army six
months and during that time she has not
heard from him.
On Fourteenth street is an old, gray
haired man, who has, by the consent of his
master, as he says, preached the Gospel Of
Christ great many years. He sleeps on
board, with a stick Of wood for a pillow.
He has no means of getting either fuel or
food, has no shirt on his back, and hisshoes
are little better than none. His arm and
not perform hard labor.
In the southern part of the city are six
children. Their mother, Mrs. Jackson,
died few weeks since, from exposure and
want of food. The poor creatures were
huddled together like sheep in storm,
two of the little ones barefoot; all of them
in rags and shreds of garments, and old
shoes picked up in the streets. The eldest
was delicate girl of twelve; the youngest
babe, year old. They had no fire, and
no appearance of having eaten anything
for the last tWenty-four hours, as they said
they had not. They were some distance
from house, and the yard around them
was one expsnse of mud.
These cases might be multiplied. Their
name is legion. Never have more love,
more devotion, more sacrifice, more eXer-
tion, been displayed than by the suffering,
naked, starving mothers who are trying TO
rave the lives of their children even if they
perish themselves.
We ask for help to meet this transient
emergency. Clothing, new or old, of every
variety, for infants, children and adults,
but especially winter garments and shoes
for women and children of all ages, with
bedding and bedstesds for the sick and
aged, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery,
and carpeting old as it may be are urgently
needed.
The War Department has appropriated,
q portion of the HOontraband Fund" for
special relief, and ordered distribution of
blankets and wood, as well as supply of
rstions for soup house, which, however,
furnish only limited supply for the many
thousands who are destitute. Additional
funds are needed for the purchase of medi-
cines, nutritious food for convalescents, and
the countless wants of these poor refugees,
which the Government cannot supply.
The public may rely on a iudicious and
economical use of their contributions by
duly appointed and responsible visitors,
under the direction of the Freedmen's Re-
lief Association of this District.
We entreat an. immediate response to
this appeal, as of the ability that God giU-
eth. Donatsons of money may be sent to
Geo. T. Baker, Esq, disbursing clerk of the
State Department, and donations Of cloth
ing, bedding, and other articles may be
sent to Rev. VIM. 81. Charming, No. 439
Fifth street.
WASHINGTON, d. c., February, 1866.
oFFICERs AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF
THE NATIONAL FREEDNIEN's RELIEF AS
ISOLATION.
WV. A. CLAIMING, President.
s.. j. W. TABOR, (4th AUDI Vice Pres.
GEO. E. BAKER, (Dis. Cpk State Dep't)
Treasurer.
N. DUBOIS, Interior Dept Secy.
G. BUCKINGHAM, Treasury Dept.
G. +. NEEDHAlI, Treasury Dept.
p RUFUS LEIaHToN, Treasury Dept.
WILLIAM SLADB, Treasury Dept.
J. s. Brown, Quartermaster's Dept.
il FERREE Chap. Stanton Hospital
GEO. E. Il. DAY, Attorney.