The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-17
THE WOMEN IN THE WAR.
What They Did to Supplement the Eff
forts of Soldiers in the Field.
Development of the System of Hospitals
contributions From the Ladies-Lec-
ture by Mrs. Mary A. Livermore.


large audience at Plymouth Church, which fol-
lowed the lady's eloquent descriptions, incidents
and "reminiscences with the keenest interest
She was frequently interrupted by applause. and
in turn carried her auditors from smiles to
tears. She began by saying that no one could
conceive the mental condition of the North
in the winter of 1860--'61. 1t was the winter of
secession, and it seemed that tho Nation
was relapsing into chaos. No one
could tell what would be the
end. An old man in whose veins the blood
never flowed warmly occupied the presidential
chair Rebel designs were being carried out
without interference. The people of the North
seemed paralyzed, and they were accused of
cowardice and poltroonery. The South did not
understand the North, nor did the North under
stand the South The North hoped the bitter
cup would pass away. It held at bay that
which was dreaded. But the FIVE months Of Sc
cession reached its crisis when Abraham Lin
coin became President. Following the familiar
events of that time she said that the
firing on Sumter caused the North to awake.
There were no longer Republicans and Demo
Gratis, social distinctions differences in creed,
so far as the salvation of the Union was con-
cerned. The ordinary habits of life suddenly
changed but all the while the South believed
that the North would back down, as it had
backed down, backed down, backed down for
fifty years
At the first call for troops by President Lin.
coin, the came together 70 make the
flags. for flags were few at that time. The
speaker could not say then she could even
tell the number of stars on the flag. She
never realized the full significance of the emblem
until it was run up over Faneuil Hail. when the
first troops came to Boston. Over 10000 people
greeted it with cheers and threw kisses at it.
It meant something then-free homes, free
schools, a land for liberty Women in making
the flags refused to leave out single star.
Describing the departure of the first troops for
the seat of war, she said we little dreamed then
that the war was not to end until the bodies of
100000 men made the earth billowy with their
graves.
She did not claim exceptional patriotism for
American women 1t was patriotism that in
spired the heroism of the women of Scripture
and history, who had accomplished great deeds
for their countries sake, but for the first time
in this hideous bitterness called war American
women gilded it with genteness. They were
faithful in doing for the suffering on both sides
Friend and foe alike received their gentle ad
ministrations They did not make holes in men,
= but had nober purpose, TO bind up wounds
and heal them. The very day President
Lincoln called for the first troops, women met
in Bridgeport, Conn, Boston, New York and
other cities, to organize for their part in the
war. The constitutions of their societies
impromptu, but 80 well answered the purpose
that their spirit and letter continued until the
end. They were founded on fidelity to country,
and all the patriotic moral sentiment that
women could carry into their work of relief for
the sick and wounded. There were two meet
ings of ladies in New York, one in the vestry of
Dr. Belowss church. He advised that the
two be united and general meeting called
for Cooper Institute. Four days later it oc-
Cured with 4, 900 women present, who contribut-
ed on the spot $4,000. Dr. Bellows said that
the Endorsement of the government must be
had, or he would have nothing more to do with
the organization. From the middle of April I'M
I'll the 2lsr of June he was in Washington per-
suading the authorities to give the women's
work their official countenance. The President
and Secretary of War said they could not see
what could be done in the war by women" At
last the President gave the object recognition.
and, when Secretary Cameron Endorsed it, he
said he did it as he would throw tub to a whale
The organization of the Sanitary Commission
began with the branch societies in Boston. New
York, Chicago, Phiadel phia, Cincinnati, Louis
vile and other cities. Other branches and aux
Hilary societies were formed so rapidly that it
was hard to keep track of them -oo Within
societies, and three months later II,
500 The number of women engaged
actively as interested members was 1000, 000
1t was proposed by the sanitary commission to
supplement the work of the government and do
what the government could rot do. At the be
ginning, and through the first months of the
war; there was lack of hospital facilities, an
utter absence of hygienic knowledge and san
itary methods. Everything, to discipline,
had to be learned. The commission was assisted
by men efficient in the work they were adapted
to. These men were principally physicians
who sent inspectors into camps to teach the
men how to locate their tents do police service,
cook and other details necessary for their health
; and comfort Company officers were as children.
At Cairo camp was located right in the midst
of mud and water. AS to discipline. this Incl
dent will serve. private approached his col
onel with: Jim, am going home"
.'What for9"
1--WE are doing nothing here, and thought 1
would like to go home and see what they are do
ing there"
You will not stay fortnight
Eyes, will, jim"
WELL go. Come back as soon as you can.
but don't stay longer than a fortnight
Two years later that private was compelled to
give military salute on approaching the Off
GERS. Physicians of the commission also in
structed SUI geons of the army. But another
feature was added to the work. Out of the
first methods Of feeding soldiers as they passed
system. The women of Chicago rent.
ed building and equipped it with
all the facilities that would enable them to feed
at least 200 men at moments notice An an
peal was made to the government and the
money the woman paid out was paid back Dur
ing the war a, 500 900 meals were served at that
soldiers home, besides 1900. 600 lodgings.
Soldiers homes were organized in all the cities
and along the lines followed by the armies.
Later, hospital service was added. Whenever
a battle fought, great trouble arose
in keeping the friends of soldiers back from the
lines. But to keep them away from the field
was like issuing an order to the north wind not
TO blow woman once said to Mr. Lincoln:
us 1t so that an order prevents US from going to
our wounded friends on the field and in the hos
.pitals within the lines2"
Eyes" replied the President "There is also
an order prohibiting furloughs or the granting
of leaves of absence That is the theory. but
the fact is, IL woman comes down to 60 90 she
will. and brig the man back with her."
The sanitary commission took this in hand,
and in every purpose of the philanthropc work
women stepped a high plane of nobility, the
petite became noble and dignified, the frivolous
thoughtful, the naughty tender Nor did it stop