USA > Connecticut > New London County > Norwich > The Norwich memorial; the annals of Norwich, New London County, Connecticut, in the great rebellion of 1861-65 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
" Our flag to our eyes is the emblem Of all that the soul holds most dear ! To defend it, we'll show the proud boaster, Northern men neither tremble nor fear ! In such danger 'tis no time to dally, We'll swear to be faithful anew ; Party names all forgetting, we'll rally Round the flag of the red, white, and blue.
" O my country ! to-day on thy altar Our best treasures most freely we lay ; In thy honor no true man will falter, But boldly stand up, come what may ! While we breathe, we'll desert her cause never, We'll all to our colors prove true, The Flag of our Union forever - Three cheers for the red, white, and blue."
E. P.
The " Soldier's Aid Society " was soon after organized, and was the chief organization which the patriotism of Norwich ladies made so serviceable to the soldiers in the field. Its history, from the commencement to the close of its existence, forms a splendid memorial of their earnest efforts in ministering to the comfort of Connecticut troops. The Society was organized in September, 1861, under a call to furnish woolen stockings for the soldiers. Dona- tions of yarn were received, and quickly by willing fingers transformed into warm socks. Considerable finished work was also contributed. At Governor Buckingham's sugges- tion, an arrangement was soon made for supplying regi-
180
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
mental hospitals ; and the ladies of Norwich assumed the especial care of the Sixth, Eighth, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Regiments. They called upon the ladies of New London and Windham Counties to cooperate, who generously re- sponded with the proffer of their services. The Society found an increasing field of usefulness opened before it, and sought, with the necessities engendered by the long continuance of the war, to enlarge its operations. This of course added to the labor of those connected with the organization and made the tax upon time and personal ser- vice by no means small. At the head of this Aid Society, stood Miss Elizabeth Greene, whose untiring zeal and personal superintendence secured for it that efficiency and widening scope, which made it second to no other kindred association in the State. With time and means at her own command, her work in connection with the Society was one prompted by the purest patriotism, while her executive skill and womanly tact kept up the interest in it, and rallied to its enthusiastic support all classes in the commu- nity. Long will she be remembered, by those whom she befriended ; and among the many titles she won, for her rare graces of character, and her devotion to other's good, none will place her higher, or be cherished longer, than the one.her war labors especially gained her, - " The sol- dier's friend." She put her whole heart into her sacrificial serving during the years of the rebellion, and made the sympathy and help of Norwich women felt by Connecticut troops wherever they were to be found, in camp, hospital, or prison. With Miss Greene were associated two other ladies, who shared with her the management and personal direction of the Society's labors - Miss Carrie L. Thomas, and Miss Eliza P. Perkins. With a fidelity and ardor that · was steadfastly maintained, they stood to their posts of laborious service, ably systematizing and seconding the
" THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY." - WOMAN'S WORK. 181
great work the Society had in hand. Miss Emeline Nor- ton, towards the latter part of the war, held a responsible position in the Society's management, and gave of her time and strength to keep up its efforts.
In the first year of its existence the Society received :
1861. October.
By thirty-three subscriptions from Norwich Ladies $139 65
October 26. By the Nightingales 29 33
November. By the Norwich Patriotic Fund 200 00
December. By Personal subscriptions . 57 94
Total for 1861 $426 92
For the second year (1862) the receipts were : -
1862. By Norwich Ladies $291 43
Norwich Gentlemen 250 54
The Nightingales 43 50
Christ Church 67 00 .
East Main Street Methodist Church 38 58
Greeneville Congregational Church 90 00
Sachem Street Methodist Church 49 50
Central Methodist Free Church 63 00
St. Mary's (R. C.) Church . 52 54
First Congregational Church 101 00 .
Broadway Congregational Church 192 19
Central Baptist Church 53 86
Second Congregational Church
497 65
Universalist Church .
40 00
Grace Church 25 00
Trinity Church . 71 00
First Baptist Church 18 20
Christ Church Fair . 710 00
Music Vale Seminary 15 00
Three Concerts, 152, 48, and 144
· 344 00
Soldier in Potomac Army 50 00
Soldier in Eighteenth Regiment .
1 00
Miscellaneous 5 05
Subscribers 37 00
Lisbon Lady . 5 00
Ladies' Association, Old Saybrook
2 00
182
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
Patriotic Fund $200 00
Lyceum Lecture Committee 55 00 ·
Total for 1862 $3,369 04
The receipts for the third year (1863) were as follows : -
1863. By Norwich Ladies $468 67
Norwich Gentlemen 1,211 70
Nightingales 130 90
Wendell Phillips 50 00
Miscellaneous 21 27
Patriotic Fund 100 00
Christ Church Collection 75 75
Montville Congregational Church 8 So
Thompson Soldiers' Aid 22 95
Mystic Island . 16 00
Hopeville Young People's Soldier's Aid 10 00
"Up Street " 20 00
Contributors 6 50
Total for 1863 $2,142 54
So far as the accounts of the " Aid" can be made out, from the monthly reports published in the daily paper, the receipts for the fourth year (1865) were as follows : -
1864, Nov. to
1865, Sept. By Christ Church Collection . $25 00
First Congregational Church 96 53
Collections 143 28
Hume's Reading 147 25
Contributors 674 36
Miscellaneous 9 43
Sale of Photographs 40 50
Soldiers 25 CO
Sale of sundries . 14 90
Juvenile Society 15 00
Total from Nov. 1864, to Sept. 1865 . $1,191 25
This hardly represents the exact receipts of the " Aid for the years 1864-65," but owing to the loss of the Society's
" THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY." - WOMAN'S WORK. 183 account-book, it is given as the nearest approximate returns possible under the circumstances.
The number of articles sent off by the "Soldiers' Aid," so far as they can be itemized, are as follows : -
Total.
Total.
Bed-sacks
460
Slippers
623
Quilts .
1,213
Towels
3,122
Sheets .
2,021
Handkerchiefs
1,773
Blankets
290
Mittens
1,264
Pillow-sacks
392
Pincushions 613
Pillow-cases
2,018
Thread-bags 441
Pillows
1,139
Coats
79
Flannel Shirts
1,993
Vests
84
Cotton Shirts
2,359
Pants
65
Second-hand Shirts
793
Bound Books 438
Drawers
1,519
Wine - Bottles
28.4
Wrappers
403
Vegetables - Boxes
2
Socks
6,587
Pickles - Boxes
30
Bandages.
Dried Fruit and Jellies.
Lint and Old Linen.
These various articles were distributed thus :
THE ORGANIZATIONS SUPPLIED BY THE AID SOCIETY.
FORWARDED TO THE
Quilts.
Pillows.
Bed
Sacks.
Blankets.
Pillow
Cases.
Wrappers.
Drawers.
Flannel
Shirts.
Socks.
Sheets.
Towels.
Slippers.
Mittens.
Handker-
Cotton
Shirts.
Woman's Central Relief Association ..
279
243
74
-
305
73
471
1,265
1,618
463
339
204
-
-
512
352 and 1 barrel jellies, dried apples, etc.
60
Eighth Regiment. .
85
62
-
61
100
42
248
337
786
249
-
146
45
157
Eleventh Regiment.
36
-
49
33
24
40
70
74
38
-
-
-
-
59
140 and I hhd. London porter.
Thirteenth Regiment . ..
115
-
102
75
100
-
120
56
79
144
75
195
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
I
24
26
64
Fourteenth Regiment . .
-
12
12
-
15
18
158
1 54
55
Eighteenth Regiment. ...
-
21
21
-
18
-
18
48
48
42
72
60
-
-
-
-
New England Woman's
186
105
-
-
50
-
22
232
-
48
26
12
25
-
258 and 8 vests.
Aid Association . ..
36
39
Fairfax Hospital, Alexan- dria, Va .. .
-
-
-
-
-
-
8
-
42
-
18
4
David's Island Hospital .
-
-
1
1
-
1
-
132
73
12
-
-
-
4
Dried apples and wine and 24 thread and needle bags.
First Conn. Cavalry . ..
-
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
36
I box turkeys and 27 thread and needle bags.
Sanitary Commission
-
-
-
-
-
-
100
50
-
-
-
-
-
Old linen, blackberry syrup, and wine.
Christian Commission.
54
42
Connecticut State Agent.
-
-
74
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
52
-
1
1
71
-
Twenty-first Regiment ...
-
-
Forwarded to the Freedmen : 3 quilts, 103 dresses, 24 aprons, I shawl, 19 under-garments, 9 coats, 11 vests, 8 pants, 2 hats, I pair boots, 16 shirts, 7 barrels clothing, books and papers.
Books and papers.
39
29
1
E
-
I box wine.
-
1
1
-
-
-
chiefs.
Packages of Sundries.
Sixth Regiment ...
8
" THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY." - WOMAN'S WORK. 185
Besides the supplies forwarded to these enumerated regi- ments and associations, the " Aid" was solicited to con- tribute to the following, and did so with a generous hand. Hospital at Fort Schuyler ; National Freedmen's Society, Washington ; First Regiment S. C. Volunteers ; New Haven General Hospital ; Freedmen at Port Royal, Dr. Peck ; Freedmen at Washington, Dr. Webster ; Chesapeake Hos- pital ; Fortress Monroe, Miss Ramsey ; Mrs. J. G. Piatt, Washington ; Mrs. Tyler, Philadelphia ; Freedmen at New- bern.
MONEYS EXPENDED BY THE "AID."
For Flannel
$3,181 57
Yarn $1,143 48
For Ticking
267 17
Mittens
72 23
Sheeting, Shirting, Calico 1,348 55
David's Island Hospital 65 00
Toweling
16 00
Connecticut State Agent . 25 00
Medicines
133 40
Needy Soldiers and families 128 00
Transportation, Carpentry,
Sundries
1,529 34 Total from 1861-65, $7,909 74
All the clothing and surplus funds remaining on hand at the close of the war were distributed, through the " Aid," for the benefit of soldiers and their families.
These statistics give but little idea of the personal labor of the ladies. For the articles they sent away had for the most part to be made up, and represent an amount of work which only the industrious hands of women could perform, and which was a serious tax upon their time and strength. Then, in addition to this simple plying of the needle, on them fell largely the work of collecting the funds they received, representing an amount of solicitation which cost many weary walks, and the most diligent persistency in presenting the claims of the Society to individual con- tributors.
In the fall of 1862, when all the churches in Norwich took up in behalf of the " Aid " a collection, this generous action on their part was secured through the efforts of a special
186
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
committee, consisting of Mrs. Charles Johnson and Mrs. John B. Young, who took great pains in bringing the matter before all the several church committees. The result was, that all the congregations, including St. Mary's (R. C.), re- sponded. To the faithful and cheerfully rendered service of these two ladies was the exchequer of the Society in- debted for the handsome sums it received from the churches.
In September, 1862, the ladies of Christ Church held a fair, for which they worked with the utmost enthusiasm, and from which they netted for benefit of the " Aid " seven hun- dred and ten dollars. In April, 1864, after the most pains- taking preparation, an elaborate exhibition was given in Breed Hall, for the " Soldiers' Aid," lasting through the greater part of a week. The programme, which was changed each evening, embraced tableaux, charades, statuary, of the most finished description. Amateur vocalists of the city, to- gether with White's Band, contributed their services for the occasion. Many of the costumes were procured from out of town, and every possible effort was made to render the entertainment of unequaled variety and completeness. Between fifty and sixty ladies and gentlemen took part, and their representations were with every advantage that appropriate costume, and study of the characters personated, could secure. The exhibition was the most artistic and successful ever witnessed in this city, and reflected the greatest credit upon the committee, who spent most of their time for three weeks in arranging for it.
To Miss Gertrude May, Mrs. David Young, Miss Eme- line Norton, Miss Hannah Ripley, Miss Elizabeth Greene, Mrs. Gardiner Greene, and Mrs. John B. Young, who, with rare taste, and patient labor, projected and superintended this unique entertainment, was the " Soldiers' Aid " in- debted for the handsome resultant of nearly nine hundred
" THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY." - WOMAN'S WORK. 187
dollars. The public appreciated their patriotic services, and the exhibition was attended throughout by large crowds, eliciting the heartiest applause. Some of the charades were composed for the occasion, while many of the tableaux were original. Not a few of our citizens well remember the in- tense enjoyment these entertainments afforded, and recall even now with just pride the industry and zeal of those who wrought their patriotism into so delightsome and useful a form.
Aside from its regular work of preparing and forward- ing supplies to the sick and wounded of our soldiers, the " Aid " not infrequently sought to diversify and add to its usual labors.
In November, 1862, in response to an appeal of Colonel J. H. Almy to furnish pies for the Thanksgiving dinner of the Connecticut soldiers encamped on Long Island, the " Aid " received one hundred and sixty pies of various kinds, which were carefully packed in boxes and promptly forwarded. These indispensables of the Yankee's Thanks- giving feast were keenly appreciated by the soldiers, and brought back some feeling acknowledgments.
Again, in November, 1864, the " Aid " issued an appeal to the public for contributions toward furnishing a " Thanks- giving " to Connecticut Regiments. Somehow there was a sort of secret power to these appeals of the Society which made them always effective. The ladies of the " Aid" had the art of putting, as well as doing things, that made them successful in all their patriotic undertakings. So it proved in this instance, for their report runs thus : -
" Received five hundred and seventy-four dollars, two hundred and fifteen turkeys, one hundred and ninety-nine pies, thirty-three chickens, ninety-six cans of tomatoes, four and three-quarters barrels of apples, twelve tongues, forty-five bottles of pickles. Also, divers roast geese, spare-ribs, beef a la mode, corned beef,
188
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
roast veal, brown bread, sugar, cheese, oranges, crackers, ginger- bread, cake, crullers, doughnuts, cookies, ginger-snaps, nuts, rai- sins, plum-puddings, tobacco. From out of town, - two boxes of turkeys, etc., North Stonington ; two barrels turkeys, chickens, etc., and one box of apple-sauce, Dayville ; one large box roast turkeys, Windham ; three smaller boxes roast turkeys, chickens, etc., Danielsonville."
All told, these contributions filled twenty-one barrels and seven boxes, and were forwarded to the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thirteenth, Twenty-first, and Twenty-ninth Regiments. Three hundred dollars were spent for turkeys, chickens, etc., for Connecticut soldiers on the James River, and in the Shenandoah Valley. One hundred dollars were appropriated for purchasing supplies for sick and wounded soldiers of the State in Washington hospitals. One hun- dred and seventy-four dollars were applied to the Thanks- giving pleasures of sick and wounded soldiers and returned prisoners at David's Island. The stores were generously conveyed free of charge by Adams' Express to New York. Such remembrances as the ladies of the " Aid " received from the happy soldiers, can be better imagined than de- scribed. One of the turkeys forwarded had a note attached, addressed "to any soldier or sailor who may receive this Thanksgiving gift," and brought back promptly this feeling acknowledgment : -
CAMP OF MOUNTED RIFLES, KAUTZ'S CAVALRY, November 25, 1864. 5
Mr. -- , DEAR SIR : I have just risen from eating a good dinner off your turkey, - a jolly good soldier's dinner ; and with it was received your kind and sympathising letter, which added good sauce, making a kind gift the better from feeling how truly you felt for us who are in the field, facing the common foe. It is not in the power of my pen to describe the feeling of satisfac- tion and pleasure, and of gratitude, we all feel that those at
Edward Harland anel
" THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY." - WOMAN'S WORK. 189
home could think of the poor soldier. Accept the thanks of one who really enjoyed your bounty. May the good God spare you to eat many Thanksgiving dinners, restore yours in safety to you, and prosper you in all the pursuits of life. Accept, again, the grateful thanks of one who enjoyed your kind gifts, with this ac- knowledgment of its safe arrival and proper disposition.
Your grateful and obliged friend, ·
A MOUNTED RIFLE.
Lieutenant-colonel Peale wrote back a warm letter of thanks in behalf of the regiment, whose Thanksgiving bounties made them feel peculiarly loving towards the "Sol- diers' Aid." No more welcome " birds " could have been sent to the brave men who were still roughing it amid war's duties and hardships, than these savory turkeys and chickens, and to a New England soldier it was next to be- ing at home, to have one of these pleasant reminders of the great family feast of the year, well supplemented with a genuine Yankee pie.
The following letter from Dr. C. B. Webster, to the " Aid," will show the nature of his labors, and the assistance which was cheerfully accorded him : -
WASHINGTON, February 7, 1863.
I learn that the " Soldiers' Aid" in Norwich will cooperate with friends of the contrabands in providing clothing for these destitute people. You may have learned already that I am sta- tioned at the Contraband Camp Hospital in this city. Seeing every day the pressing wants of the sick at this camp, my thoughts turn at once to benevolent friends in Norwich, whose hearts and hands have ever been ready for every good work.
We have here about eleven hundred refugees from slavery. More than three hundred are sick and under medical treatment. Government furnishes to them army rations and medicines. For many supplies almost indispensable to the sick, and for clothing of all kinds these people must still look to the liberality of be- nevolent friends.
13
190
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
This demand is met to some extent by the Quakers of Phila- delphia and New York, but with the numbers to be supplied here, at Alexandria, at Fortress Monroe and the great South- west, and these numbers likely to increase, it will be seen that the call is urgent. These people come with their little all, con- tained in most cases in a bundle or box, which a woman can "tote " upon her head. Their great possession they consider their free- dom.
The camp is constantly changing, and this is the reason of the continual demand for clothing. The able-bodied find employ- ment soon after arrival, and go out, leaving their places to be supplied by new comers, who sometimes arrive to the number of one hundred and fifty a day. Many of these, however, become sick from exposure on their journey, and are obliged to remain. They need stout clothing, of the coarsest material, large, thick shoes for both men and women, and socks are greatly in demand. Anything, literally anything, in the shape of a garment of any kind can be put to immediate and good service. Nothing can come amiss.
We have two hundred patients in the Small-pox Hospital. We greatly need clothing wherewith to furnish them when they are able to go out, after recovery, or for decent burial. Many thou- sand must die in the transition from bondage to freedom, and it is sad in the extreme to see the sufferings of great numbers of these poor people, alleviated only by the thought that they die free, and do not leave their children slaves.
May I not appeal through you to many kind friends of the poor in Norwich for the ability to supply a portion of the pressing want ?
The " Aid " at once issued their call for contributions, and with the usual success. Many a box went to this camp from this Society which attested the wide sympathy of the ladies, and the promptitude with which they responded to every new appeal for help.
The " Soldiers' Aid," as will be seen from the facts already
" THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY." - WOMAN'S WORK. 191
given, sent their supplies wherever needed, and did not con- fine their ministries to Connecticut regiments exclusively. They were as impartial in their serving as such patriotic ardor as they manifested could alone have made them.
Among the many fortunate recipients of their favors was the First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, un- der command of that brave soldier Colonel Higginson. He was among the first to advocate the emancipation of the slaves, and the enlistment of the most capable into the military service of the United States. And ever ready to do what he so eloquently urged as an act of justice and a measure fraught with incalculable benefit to the Union cause, he accepted the colonelcy of the first regiment of blacks organized in South Carolina.
Our " Aid " had the honor of contributing the first box of supplies to these swarthy soldiers, and their noble Colo- nel sent the ladies the following acknowledgment : -
HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT S. C. V., CAMP SAXTON, February 13, 1863. 5
-: Your inestimable box arrived here yesterday in perfect order, the packing being worthy of the contents. It was re- ceived with delight by Dr. Rogers and myself, and all the greater from the fact that since our last successful expedition our thoughts have been much occupied with sickness, and we have been com- pelled to enlarge our hospital accommodation. This is, I find, the sickly period of the year for the negroes - February and March, - while the summer is such for the whites. The physique of these people is peculiar. They have not the toughness of the whites, but instead of this have greater susceptibility, both of disease and cure.
They have a great tendency to pneumonia and pleurisy, and the only way is to take each case very promptly, when they can be cured with the facility of children, while twenty-four hours delay may prove fatal. You will see how directly this bears on
192
THE NORWICH MEMORIAL.
the importance of hospital conveniences, and this gives a pecu- liar value to your donation.
It is the only donation we have received from the North, ex- cept a box of mittens just received from Worcester, for the use of our guard at night. The nights here are often uncomfortably cold, ice forming in the tents, though the days are warm. Just now, however, we are having weather like our Northern May.
It is impossible to command this people and not become at- tached to them. Under military organization they are so prompt and ready in service, so cheerful and patient in action, so free from inconvenient vices, and in general so confiding and so little troublesome.
On the other hand, in battle they show a fiery energy which must give them an important part in the history of the war. I feel sure that no one who aids their usefulness will have reason to repent it.
With sincere thanks, in behalf of the regiment, to the "Sol- diers' Aid Society," I am most cordially yours.
THOMAS W. HIGGINSON, Colonel Commanding First Regiment S. C. V.
Aside from those ladies we have already had occasion to name, there were others whose fervid loyalty prompted them to services deserving special mention.
The " Soldiers' Aid " received an invitation to be repre- sented in the great Northwestern Fair, held in Chicago, in October, 1863, under the auspices of the Sanitary Commis- sion. The response was prompt and hearty, and resulted in the preparation and shipment of a large box filled with articles and gifts from the ladies of this city and vicinity. These donations were exhibited first in the large windows of the " Soldiers' Aid" room, making a display which was creditable to the taste and industry of the.contributors.
A letter from one who visited the Fair makes the fol- lowing reference to this handsome donation from the " Aid" :-
" THE SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY." - WOMAN'S WORK. . 193
" As a Norwich boy, I am proud of the part that was taken by its citizens in not only sending some beautiful articles to the Fair, but also sending a delegation to see them. And here let me say that 'Old Connecticut' was represented by one of the handsomest booths, and some of the finest articles on exhibi- tion. God bless her ; she has done her part towards giving our brave soldiers over sixty-five thousand dollars. Who says we of the Northwest can 'leave New England out in the cold' after this."
The " Aid Society " acquired a wide reputation for its efficiency, and calls were made upon it from various parts of the country. It kept such a steady stream of supply flowing toward the needy in our army, that abroad the im- pression prevailed that it must be a much larger organiza- tion than it really was. It had indeed a wider constituency than that represented by Norwich ladies, indefatigable in good works as they were. For, to the honor of the ladies of New London and Windham Counties, it should be re- corded, that they generously contributed of their money and effort to it, and the Relief Associations formed in the adjoining towns wisely and cordially became auxiliaries to it. So that it was the grand "Soldiers' Aid Society " for Eastern Connecticut, with its headquarters here, and the leading spirits to whose direction and peerless devotion it owed its name and usefulness, were residents of Norwich. Now that we can look back and review its history, a juster estimate than ever before can be formed as to that unwearied labor and sacrifice, which through all the years of our war made this agency so widely beneficent in its influence. Hereafter the " Soldiers' Aid Society " of Norwich will be- come the historic witness to the earnest patriotism of the ladies of this town, and of those who in New London and Windham Counties contributed to its treasury and stores of supplies.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.