Woman's Work in the Civil War Part 41

At this time, Mr. S. W. Bridgham put his broad shoulders to the wheel.

He had been a member of the board from the beginning, but not a "day-laborer" until now. And not this alone, for he was a night-laborer also. At midnight, and in the still "darker hours which precede the dawn," Mr. Bridgham and his faithful ally, Roberts, often left their beds to meet sudden emergencies, and to s.h.i.+p comforts to distant points.

On Sundays too, he and his patriotic wife might be easily detected creeping under the half-opened door of Number 10, to gather up for a sudden requisition, and then to beg of the small city expresses, transportation to s.h.i.+p or railroad. This was often his Sunday wors.h.i.+p.

His heart and soul were given to the work.

In November, 1862, a council of representatives from the princ.i.p.al aid-societies, now numbering fourteen hundred and sixty-two, was held in Was.h.i.+ngton. The chief object was to obtain supplies more steadily.

Immediately after a battle, but too late for the exigency, there was an influx, then a lull. The Woman's Central therefore urged its auxiliaries to send a monthly box. It also urged the _Federal principle_, that is, the bestowment of all supplies on United States troops, and not on individuals or regiments, and explained to the public that the Sanitary Commission acted in aid of, and not in opposition to the government.

In January, 1863, all supplies had been exhausted by the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. Everything was again needed. An able letter of inquiry to secretaries of the auxiliary societies with a preliminary statement of important facts, was drawn up by Miss Louisa L. Schuyler, and issued in pamphlet form. Two hundred and thirty-five replies were received, (all to be read)! which were for the most part favorable to the Sanitary Commission with its Federal principle as a medium, and all breathed the purest patriotism.

In February, the plan of "a.s.sociate Managers" borrowed from the Boston branch was adopted. Miss Schuyler a.s.sumed the whole labor. It was a division of the tributary states into sections, an a.s.sociate manager to each, who should supervise, control and stimulate every aid-society in her section, going from village to village, and organizing, if need be, as she went. She should hold a friendly correspondence monthly, with the committee on correspondence (now separated from that on supplies) besides sending an official monthly report. To ascertain the right woman, one who should combine the talent, energy, tact and social influence for this severe field, was the difficult preliminary step.

Then, to gain her consent, to instruct, and to place her in relations with the auxiliaries, involved an amount of correspondence truly frightful. It was done. Yet, in one sense, it was never done; for up to the close, innumerable little rills from "pastures new" were guided on to the great stream. The experience of every a.s.sociate manager, endeared to the Woman's Central through the closest sympathy would be a rare record.

An elaborate and useful set of books was arranged by Miss Schuyler in furtherance of the work of the committee "on correspondence, and diffusion of information." Lecturers were also to be obtained by this committee, and this involved much forethought and preparation of the field. Three hundred and sixty-nine lectures were delivered upon the work of the Sanitary Commission, by nine gentlemen.

State agencies made great confusion in the hospitals. The Sanitary Commission was censured for employing paid agents, and its board of officers even, was accused of receiving salaries. Its agents were abused for wastefulness, as if the frugality so proper in health, were not improper in sickness. Reports were in circulation injurious to the honor of the Commission. Explanations had become necessary. The Woman's Central, therefore, published a pamphlet written by Mr. George T.

Strong, ent.i.tled: "How can we best help our Camps and Hospitals?" In this the absolute necessity of paid agents was conclusively vindicated; the false report of salaries to the board of officers was denied, and the true position of the Sanitary Commission with reference to the National Government and its medical bureau was again patiently explained. A series of letters from a.s.sistant-surgeons of the army and of volunteers, recommending the Commission to the confidence of the people, was also inserted.

About this time a Hospital Directory was opened at Number 10, Cooper Union.

In the spring of 1863, the Woman's Central continued to be hara.s.sed, not by want of money, for that was always promised by its undaunted treasurer, but by lack of clothing and edibles. The price of all materials had greatly advanced, the reserved treasures of every household were exhausted, the early days of havelocks and Sunday industry had gone forever, and the Sanitary Commission was frequently circ.u.mvented and calumniated by rival organizations. The members of the Woman's Central worked incessantly. Miss Collins was always at her post.

She had never left it. Her hand held the reins taut from the beginning to the end. She alone went to the office daily, remaining after office hours, which were from nine to six, and taking home to be perfected in the still hours of night those elaborate tables of supplies and their disburs.e.m.e.nt, which formed her monthly Report to the Board of the Woman's Central. These tables are a marvel of method and clearness.

To encourage its struggling Aid-Societies, who were without means, but earnest in their offers of time and labor, the Woman's Central offered to purchase for them materials at wholesale prices. This was eagerly accepted by many. A purchasing Committee was organized, consisting of Mrs. J. H. Swett, Mrs. H. Fish, Mrs. S. Weir Roosevelt.

Miss Schuyler's wise "Plan of organization for country Societies," and the founding of "Alert-clubs," as originated in Norwalk (Ohio), also infused new life into the tributaries. Her master-mind smoothed all difficulties, and her admirable Reports so full of power and pathos, probed the patriotism of all. Societies were urged to work as if the war had just begun. From these united efforts, supplies came in steadily, so that in the summer of 1863, the Woman's Central, was able to contribute largely to the Stations at Beaufort and Morris Island. The blessings thus poured in were dispensed by Dr. and Mrs. Marsh, with their usual good judgment, and it is grateful to remember that the sufferers from that thrilling onslaught at Fort Wagner, were among the recipients.

In the summer of 1863, the a.s.sociation lost its faithful Secretary, Mr.

George F. Allen. Mr. S. W. Bridgham was elected in his place.

During this eventful summer, Miss Collins and Mrs. Griffin, had sole charge of the office, through the terrible New York riots. These ladies usually alternated in the summer months, never allowing the desk of the Supply Committee to be without a responsible head. Mrs. Griffin also became Chairman of the Special Relief Committee organized in 1863, all of whom made personal visits to the sick, and relieved many cases of extreme suffering.

Early in January, 1864, a Council of women was summoned to Was.h.i.+ngton.

Thirty-one delegates were present from the Eastern and Western branches.

Miss Collins and Miss Schuyler were sent by the Woman's Central. This meeting gave a new impulse to the work. These toilers in the war met face to face, compared their various experiences, and suggested future expedients. Miss Schuyler took special pains to encourage personal intercourse between the different branches. Her telescopic eye swept the whole field. The only novelty proposed, was County Councils every three or six months, composed of delegates from the Aid-Societies. This would naturally quicken emulation, and prove a wholesome stimulus.

Westchester County led immediately in this movement.

About this time supplies were checked by the whirlwind of "Fairs." The Woman's Central, issued a Circular urging its Auxiliaries to continue their regular contributions, and to make their working for Fairs a pastime only. In no other way could it meet the increased demands upon its resources, for the sphere of the Sanitary Commission's usefulness had now extended to remotest States, and its vast machinery for distribution had become more and more expensive.

Letters poured in from the country, unflinching letters, but crying out, "we are poor." What was to be done? How encourage these devoted sewing-circles and aid-societies? Every article had advanced still more in price. A plan was devised to double the amount of any sum raised by the feeble Aid-Societies, not exceeding thirty dollars per month. Thus, any Society sending twenty dollars, received in return, goods to the value of forty. This scheme proved successful. It grew into a large business, increasing greatly the labors of the Purchasing Committee, involving a new set of account books and a salaried accountant. Duly the smaller Societies availed themselves of this offer. The Sanitary Commission, agreed to meet this additional expense of the Woman's Central, amounting to over five thousand dollars per month. Thus an acc.u.mulation was gathered for the coming campaign.

In November, 1864, The Woman's Central convened, and defrayed the expenses of a Soldiers' Aid Society Council, at which two hundred and fifteen delegates were present.

The Military Hospitals near the city had, from time to time, received a.s.sistance, though not often needed from the a.s.sociation. The Navy too, received occasional aid.

In the spring of 1865, The Woman's Central lost its President, Dr. Mott, whose fame gave weight to its early organization. From respect to his memory, it was resolved that no other should fill his place.

At last, in April, 1865, came the glad tidings of great joy. Lee had surrendered. In May, Miss Collins wrote a congratulatory letter to the Aid-Societies, naming the 4th of July, as the closing day of the Woman's Central, and urging active work up to that time, as hospital and field supplies would still be needed. With tender forethought, she also begged them to keep alive their organizations, for "the privilege of cheris.h.i.+ng the maimed and disabled veterans who are returning to us."

The receipts and disburs.e.m.e.nts of the Woman's Central are as astounding to itself as to the public. So much love and patriotism, so little money! As early as May, 1863, the Treasurer in his Report, remarks:

"That so small a sum should cover all the general amount of expenses of the a.s.sociation in the transaction of a business which, during the year, has involved the receipt or purchase, a.s.sorting, cataloguing, marking, packing, storing and final distribution of nearly half a million of articles, will be no less satisfactory to the donors of the funds so largely economized for the direct benefit of the soldier, than to those friends of the a.s.sociation from whose self-denying, patriotic and indefatigable personal labors, this economy has resulted."

In the Table of supplies received and distributed from May 1st, 1861, to July 7th, 1865, prepared by Miss Collins, the item of s.h.i.+rts alone amounts to two hundred and ninety-one thousand four hundred and seventy-five.

For four years' distribution, purchase of hospital delicacies, and all office expenses, except those of the committee which purchased material for the aid-societies amounting to seventy-nine thousand three hundred and ninety dollars and fifty-seven cents, the sum expended was only sixty-one thousand three hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifty-seven cents.[L]

[Footnote L: This does not include, of course, the value of the supplies sent to the distributing depots of the Sanitary Commission, to Hospitals, or to the field. These amounted to some millions of dollars.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: MRS. MARIANNE F. STRANAHAN.

Eng^d. by A.H. Ritchie.]

How was this accomplished by the Woman's Central except through its band of daily volunteers (the great unnamed) its devoted a.s.sociate managers through whom came an increase of one hundred and thirty-eight new societies, the generosity of Express companies, the tender self-sacrifice of country-homes, and the indefatigable labors of the several committees, all of whom felt it a privilege to work in so sacred a cause. Neither love nor money, nothing less than sentiment and principle, could have produced these results.

To the Brooklyn Relief a.s.sociation the Woman's Central always felt deeply indebted for supplies. Its admirable President, Mrs. Stranahan, was in close sympathy with the a.s.sociation, often pouring in nearly half of the woollen garments it received.

The careful dissemination of printed matter tended to sustain the interest of country societies. The voluminous reports of the a.s.sociation arranged monthly by Miss Schuyler, who also contributed a series of twelve articles to the Sanitary Commission Bulletin, published semi-monthly by that board, the "Soldiers' Friend," "Nelly's Hospital,"

and other doc.u.ments amounting in sixteen months to ninety-eight thousand nine hundred and eighty-four copies were issued by the committee "On Correspondence," etc. For the last two years that committee consisted of Miss L. L. Schuyler, chairman; Mrs. George Curtis, Mrs. David Lane, Miss A. Post, Miss C. Nash, H. W. Bellows, D.D.

For the last three years, to the first members of the committee on "Supplies," etc., were added Miss Gertrude Stevens, the Misses Shaw in succession, Miss Z. T. Detmold, Mr. Isaac Bronson. George Roberts remained the faithful porter through the whole four years.

The territory from which the Woman's Central received its supplies after the various branches of the Sanitary Commission were in full working condition, was eastern and central New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and partially from northern New Jersey, Ma.s.sachusetts, Vermont and Canada. Generous contributions were also received from European auxiliaries.

On the 7th of July, 1865, the final meeting of the board of the Woman's Central took place. Its members, though scattered by midsummer-heat, did not fail to appear. It was a solemn and touching occasion. The following resolutions, deeply felt and still read with emotion by its members, were then unanimously adopted:

_Resolved_, That the Woman's Central a.s.sociation of Relief cannot dissolve without expressing its sense of the value and satisfaction of its connection with the United States Sanitary Commission, whose confidence, guidance and support it has enjoyed for four years past. In now breaking the formal tie that has bound us together, we leave unbroken the bond of perfect sympathy, grat.i.tude and affection, which has grown up between us.

_Resolved_, That we owe a deep debt of grat.i.tude to our a.s.sociate Managers, who have so ably represented our interests in the different sections of our field of duty, and, that to their earnest, unflagging and patriotic exertions, much of the success which has followed our labors is due.

_Resolved_, That to the Soldiers' Aid Societies, which form the working const.i.tuency of this a.s.sociation, we offer the tribute of our profound respect and admiration for their zeal, constancy and patience to the end. Their boxes and their letters have been alike our support and our inspiration. They have kept our hearts hopeful, and our confidence in our cause always firm. Henceforth the women of America are banded in town and country, as the men are from city and field. We have wrought, and thought, and prayed together, as our soldiers have fought, and bled, and conquered, shoulder to shoulder, and from this hour the womanhood of our country is knit in a common bond, which the softening influences of Peace must not, and shall not weaken or dissolve. May G.o.d's blessing rest upon every Soldiers' Aid Society in the list of our contributors, and on every individual worker in their ranks.

_Resolved_, That to our band of Volunteer Aids, the ladies who, in turn, have so long and usefully labored in the details of our work at these rooms, we give our hearty and affectionate thanks, feeling that their unflagging devotion and cheerful presence have added largely to the efficiency and pleasure of our labors. Their record, however hidden, is on high, and they have in their own hearts the joyful testimony, that in their country's peril and need they were not found wanting.

_Resolved_, That the thanks of this a.s.sociation are due to the ladies who have, at different times, served upon the Board, but are no longer members of it; and that we recall in this hour of parting the memory of each and all who have lent us the light of their countenance, and the help of their hands. Especially do we recognize the valuable aid rendered by the members of our Registration Committee, who, in the early days of this a.s.sociation, superintended the training of a band of one hundred women nurses for our army hospitals. The successful introduction of this system is chiefly due to the zeal and capacity of these ladies.

_Resolved_, That in dissolving this a.s.sociation, we desire to express the grat.i.tude we owe to Divine Providence for permitting the members of this Board to work together in so great and so glorious a cause, and upon so large and successful a scale, to maintain for so long a period, relations of such affection and respect, and now to part with such deep and grateful memories of our work and of each other.

_Resolved_, That, the close of the war having enabled this a.s.sociation to finish the work for which it was organized, the Woman's Central a.s.sociation of Relief for the Army and Navy of the United States, is hereby dissolved.

The meeting then adjourned _sine die_.

SAMUEL W. BRIDGHAM, _Secretary_.

For further and better knowledge of the Woman's Central, is it not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Board of the United States Sanitary Commission?

SOLDIER'S AID SOCIETY OF NORTHERN OHIO