History of the town of Westford, in the county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, 1659-1883, Part 16

Author: Hodgman, Edwin R. (Edwin Ruthven). 4n; Westford Town History Association. 4n
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Lowell, Mass. : Morning Mail Co.
Number of Pages: 595


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > History of the town of Westford, in the county of Middlesex, Massachusetts, 1659-1883 > Part 16


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).


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1865, Aug. 20.


1862, Aug. 31. Whitney, John H


1863, June 3.


1862, Aug. 31. Whitney, William M.


1863, June 3.


1864, July 22. Wheeler, Alonzo D.


42nd reg. E, 100 days. 45th reg. A


1863, July 7.


1862, Oct. 17.


Wilkins, Luther ..


53rd reg. D.


1863, Sept. 2.


1862, Oct. 17.|Wilkins, Luther Edwin. . 53rd reg. D


1862, July 2.1 Willis, Andrew L.


16th reg.


1864, March 1, 2nd Cav. . 1865, July 20. 1864, July 27.


1864, Aug. 23. Wilson, Jesse ... .


V. R. C.


6th reg. 100 days. .


1864, Oct. 27.


1864, July 17. Woods, J. Everett. 1862, Aug. 31. Woods, Charles G.


6th reg. B.


1862, Sept. 16. Wright, Albert A ...


. 5th reg. I. .


1863, June 3. 1863, July 2.


199


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


1861, Nov. 9, died at Baltimore.


1864, Mar. 30. Taylor, Thomas E. Taylor, William R


1861, June 13.


1864, April 22. Tileston, Justin W.


1862, Aug. 31. 1864, April 12. Tracy, Joseph.


Thorning, Augustus W. . 6th reg. B.


26th reg. B.


.


Signal Corps. 56th reg. B.


Trudelle, Joseph.


1861, Oct. 21. Waterman, Dexter W


30th reg. C.


1864, Jan. 2.


1865, JJuly 12, prisoner. 1863, June 3. 1863, June 3.


1863, April 29, to V. R. C.


1862, Aug. 5.


33rd reg. G, sergt.


V. R. C ..


1865, June 11.


1862, Aug. 31. Sweeny, Charles H.


.


#


. . . . .....


Signal Corps.


11th reg. B.


1863, Dec. 17. Whipple, Daniel


54th reg. F. 6th reg. B. 6th reg. B.


1864, Nov. 11.


1862, Sept. 26. Wheeler, Isaac G ..


V. R. C. 56th reg. B.


Alphabetical List of Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion,-Concluded.


ENLIST'D OR MUST'D IN.


NAMES.


REGIMENT.


RE-ENLISTMENT.


EXPIRATION OF SERVICE.


1862, Sept. 16. Wright, Edward E.


1862, Aug. 31.


Wright, Ellery C ..


6th reg. B.


1863, July 2 1863, June 3.


1861, Aug. 3 .. Wright, Hannibal ..


1862, July 14.


Wright, Jefferson ..


35th reg. D. .


V. R. C.


1865, June 27.


1862, Aug. 19. Wright, Mason A.


35th reg. E


1864, July 1, to V. R. C ..


1861, April 22. Wright, Morton G.


16th reg. C, corp


1862, Oct. 18, disability.


1861, April 22. Young, James G ..


16th reg. C. :


1863, Sept. 1, to V. R. C.


200


HISTORY OF WESTFORD.


5th reg. I.


201


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


Here are more than two hundred names. Of the men who were credited to Westford, at least thirty-five were born here and more than sixty were residents but not natives, making about one hundred that were connected with the town by greater or less strength. It was natural that a deeper interest should be felt by the citizens in their behalf than could be awakened for those who were strangers ; and it so happened that the number of martyrs to the country was thirty-five, a number corresponding to the number known to be born here.


The full roll of the men who enlisted April 22, 1861, is here given : William Metcalf, Charles M. Cummings, Milan A. Stiles, Marcus M. Chandler, John Harris, Myron Rand, Morton G. Wright, James Sherburne, Thomas E. Dow, Albert P. Ingalls, Timothy Nolan, Charles A. Bond, James A. Graham, James G. Young, George S. Falls, Andrew L. Willis, Patrick Sheahan, Joseph Irish, John F. Richards, Julius C. Bostwick and James T. Flint. These were soon joined by Nathaniel Bond, George Hutchinson, Nathan D. Bicknell and William T. Wells. They remained at Groton Junction a few weeks and removed to Camp Cameron, in Cambridge, where they were joined by Ai Bicknell. Calvin W. Spalding was a recruit in August, 1862. Timothy Callahan, John Jubb, Michael Murphy and Patrick Daly, were also members of Company G.


The regiment first went to Baltimore, where it remained a few weeks, and was ordered to Suffolk, Va. The men witnessed the triumph of the Monitor in Hampton Roads ; went from Suffolk to White House Landing ; were in "Wood- land Skirmish," June 18, 1862, and in the second encounter at Fair Oaks a few days after, and retreated with others to Harrison's Landing. Returning to Yorktown they were soon transported to Aquia Creek and participated in the second battle of Bull Run, August 29, 1862. Some portion of the regiment, it is believed, were in the battle of Antietam. On the 12th of the following December the men took part in the attack on Fredericksburg, where their chaplain, Arthur B.


26


202


HISTORY OF WESTFORD.


Fuller, was killed. They were in the battle of Chancellors- ville, and in the stoutly contested action of three days' con- tinuance at Gettysburg. During the winter following they were encamped at Brandy Station, Va.


Advancing with Gen. Grant in the spring of 1864, they were in the battle of the Wilderness, in that at Spottsylvania Court House, and at Petersburg, June 16.


They were released at the expiration of their term of service, July 27, 1864.


Of the thirty-two men credited to this town, only nine served out their full time in this regiment, to wit: Bond (Nathaniel), Carkin, Chandler, Cummings, Ingalls, Murphy, Nolan, Bostwick and Willis ; four were killed, to wit: Bick- nell, Flint, Harris and Sheahan; the following were dis- abled : Bond (Charles), Irish, Rand, Sherburne, Wells and . Wright ; one, Richards, died in prison at Richmond.


In the Second Regiment, which went out in 1861 and was in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, were two brothers, Hiram and William Dane. The first was released on account of disability, and the second was killed at Winchester, Va., May 25, 1862, just one year from the day of his enlistment, being the first martyr to the cause from Westford.


On the 4th day of August, 1862, the President issued a call for 300,000 men to serve for nine months. " The Sixth Regiment, the same which had fought its way through Balti- more, April 19, 1861, was recruited and organized for nine months' service, at Camp Henry Wilson, in Lowell. It was the determination of the governor to have this regiment the first to leave the State. It received orders to report at Wash- ington and left Massachusetts, under the command of Col. Albert S. Follansbee, about September Ist. It remained in Washington until the 13th, when it was ordered to Suffolk, Va." *


* To this regiment as first organized, "distinguished honors have been paid, as the historic regiment of the war. Distinguished ladies volunteered to nurse the sick and wounded. Poets sang its praises in heroic verse. The loyal ladies of Baltimore pre- sented it with a national flag. The United States House of Representatives unani- ' mously voted these soldiers the thanks of the House for their 'prompt response to the


203


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


In this regiment, under the new organization, were Franklin M. Jewett, sergeant ; Ellery C. Wright, corporal ; George W. Blodgett, George A. Blood, Timothy Calnan, Francis P. Howard, James McDonald, Augustus Reed, William Reed, Augustus W. Thorning, Thomas Tully, John H. Whitney, William M. Whitney and Charles G. Woods in Company B; William F. Hale, John Hancock, Allen G. Smith, Matthew A. Smith in Company E; Robert Comber- beach in Company I; Thomas Carney, James B. Peck, Charles H. Sweeny in Company K.


In addition to these were Alfred A. Richardson and Gardner H. Richardson, born in Westford, but enlisted in behalf of Groton.


The regiment was in several sharp skirmishes or battles, but in no general engagement like that at Antietam or Get- tysburg. The severest test of their courage and endurance was made near Blackwater, at a place called Deserted House, when they were supporting the Seventh Battery. Their position was upon the edge of a swamp and was very much exposed. The engagement lasted two hours, under close range-eight hundred yards. While the men were lying on their faces, a shell from the enemy burst above them, killing instantly George W. Blodgett, taking off the arm of Augustus Reed, and shattering the leg of Francis Howard, so that each of them died, Howard in two days and Reed in four weeks. Blodgett and Reed were intimate friends, were both quite young, only seventeen, and were both brought home for burial. The funeral of each was held in the Union Congre- gational Church, and they were buried with military honors.


This regiment was at the front under Col. Follansbee, April II, 1863, when an attack on Suffolk was threatened, and " from this time onward a continual skirmishing was kept


call of duty' and their patriotism and bravery in fighting their way through Baltimore to the defence of the capital."


There was one man from Westford in this regiment when it hurried to Washington on the 19th of April, Charles G. Woods, who afterward enlisted for nine months in Com- pany B, and served out his full time.


204


HISTORY OF WESTFORD.


up for twenty-three days, mostly between sharpshooters, gun- boats and artillery, though several times the engagements assumed the proportions of smart battles. During the twenty- three days' siege the regiment was severely taxed and much exposed, but it did not fail. May 13th, the regi- ment with others started towards the Blackwater for the eighth and last time. During the three fights of this expedi- tion the Sixth suffered much. They returned to the Deserted House, May 19th, and bivouacked on the ground for which they fought, January 30th. It next moved under General Corcoran to Windsor, where it remained until the 23rd of May, and arrived at Suffolk after ten days of most fatiguing and exhausting service, which told more on the health of the regiment than all the rest of its hardships combined. On the 26th of May it bade adieu to the scenes of its toils and perils, arriving in Boston, after a delightful voyage, May 29th, and reaching Lowell the same day, where it was mustered out, June 3, 1863.


Thus ended the memorable campaign of this regiment, honorably to itself, and with remarkable exemption from death by disease and battle, considering the number of its engagements and the unhealthy location of its camp, on the edge of the Dismal Swamp.


All who were killed in battle or died of disease were embalmed and sent home for interment-a remarkable fact in the history of a regiment. Not one of its members rests in Virginia soil." *


The Twenty-sixth Regiment was enlisted for three years at Camp Chase in Lowell. Many of its officers and men be- longed to the Sixth Regiment in its three months' service. It left Boston for Ship Island, September 21, 1861, and was the first loyal volunteer regiment that reached the Department


* The facts here given, as well as those relating to other regiments, are taken mainly from Schouler's "History of Massachusetts in the Civil War," to wliclı volume the compiler is greatly indebted.


It is proper to add that Isaialı Hutchins, a native of this town, was hospital stew- ard in this regiment.


205


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


of the Gulf. Westford was represented in it by Brown Bussey, Stiles (Corporal William), Stiles (Milan), and Tiles- ton.


The Thirtieth Regiment, called at one time the Eastern Bay State Regiment, was under the command of Gen. Butler, and was assigned to the Department of the Gulf. It landed at Baton Rouge, La., June 2, 1862, and was quartered in the State capitol, and raised the stars and stripes over its dome, from which they were never struck. It did service at various points in the State of Lousiana, but was in no general engage- ment. The climate caused a great amount of sickness among the men. Capt. Welles reported that at times not more than seventy men were free from sickness and entirely well. Feb- ruary 15, 1863, the regiment had about four hundred men left for light duty, out of more than one thousand officers and men.


The men from Westford were Edward Keyes, Charles Miner, Hiram Peabody, Merrick Reed and Dexter W. Waterman. Of these Miner died and was buried opposite Vicksburg, and Peabody at New Orleans. Waterman came home sick, and died. The regiment was retained in the ser- vice after hostilities had ceased, and was on duty in South Carolina. While there Edward Keyes died at Sumter, August 18, 1865.


The Thirty-third Regiment was organized at Camp Stan- ton, Lynnfield, and started for the field August 14, 1862. It joined the army of the Potomac, was at Fairfax Court House and Thoroughfare Gap, and in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. It joined the army of the Cumberland, near Chattanooga, September 30, 1863. It performed the task of climbing Raccoon Ridge, October 29th, and charging the enemy on the summit and driving him out of his rifle-pits. This was declared by Gen. Hooker to be the greatest charge of the war. In that perilous undertaking Thomas J. Hutchins was killed, and his body was found within ten feet of the enemy's works. William Jubb leaped over the defences and


206


HISTORY OF WESTFORD.


was collared by a stalwart Rebel, who attempted to stab him with a dirk. Buckley knocked down the "Reb." with his musket and saved the life of his comrade. This regiment entered Atlanta, September 3rd, and started with Sherman for the sea, November 16, 1864. The Union troops occupied Savannah, Ga., December 25th, and Raleigh, N. C., April 14, 1865. Gen. Johnston surrendered April 17th.


In this regiment was George M. Lawrence, Company A, who was killed at Dallas, Ga., May 25, 1864. In Company E were Benjamin F. Billings, Henry A. Friar, James Hosley, Albert A. Gilson, James Owens, James Savage, Michael Sullivan, William Jubb (sergeant), and Thomas J. Hutchins. In Company C, William Johnson. In Company F, Edward E. Hutchins (corporal), killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864. In Company G, Gilmer Stone. Henry A. Friar died at Chat- tanooga, Tenn., February 1, 1864. James H. Gilson, for several years a resident of this town, was in this regiment. He served for Groton.


The Thirty-fifth Regiment joined the Army of the Poto- mac in August, 1862. In it were John Hutchins, Jr., George H. Prescott, Luther F. Reed, Lorenzo Sweetser, Jefferson Wright and Mason A. Wright. Reed was killed at Antietam. The regiment was in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Petersburg.


The Fifty-third Regiment was organized for nine months' service at Camp Stevens, in Groton. It left Massachusetts November 18, 1862, for New York, with orders to report to Gen. Banks at New Orleans, where it arrived January 30, 1863. It was sent to Baton Rouge, March 6th, and was at Port Hudson supporting a battery, where it remained until the surrender of that garrison, July 9th. In an assault made June 14th, this regiment was in the storming party and suf- fered severely. The men from Westford were Ancil Davis, Albert W. Fletcher, Luther Wilkins and Edwin Wilkins. Fletcher was killed in the assault on the morning of June 14th, and his body was not recovered.


207


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


The foregoing account of the movements and operations of several regiments has been given because they contained a larger number than any others of men who were either natives or residents of the town in whose fate the people at home were deeply interested. It is given with no intent to undervalue the patriotism or self-denial of others who went in smaller numbers into other regiments. The heart of the people beat in sympathy with every loyal heart in the Union army, but it was especially tender and true to every one born or domiciliated on the hilltops or in the valleys of this town which, as it faltered not in the struggle for national independ- ence in 1776, wavered not and never grew weary in the effort to save the nation's life in 1861.


The following names are mentioned with hearty approval of the service rendered : The Wright brothers, Albert and Edward, in the Fifth Regiment, who served for the town of Marlborough ; Dow, Bean, Hildreth and Bunce in Illinois regiments ; Bailey, Jackson and Reed in New Hampshire regiments ; Hildreth, Taylor and Wait in the Signal Corps ; Hunt and Eager in the navy; the Taylor brothers in the Eleventh and Seventeenth Regiments.


Three or four entered the Regular Army-Hutchinson before the war, and continued in the ranks till it was over. A much larger number entered the Veteran Reserve Corps and received bounties from the town. Two men entered the Fifty- ninth Regiment and the Fifty-sixth. Eighteen or more went into batteries or artillery companies ; five into cavalry com- panies. One is credited to the Fifty-fourth Regiment of col- ored troops. Some were on guard in the forts in Boston Harbor and at other points. So, in the various branches of military service, this town was well represented; and when the details of achievement are carefully weighed, it will be found that the record of Westford soldiers is honorable and worthy of recognition, reflecting, as it does, in no dim and unsteady light, but in a clear and unmistakable manner, the spirit of patriotism that never was discouraged nor overborne


.


208


HISTORY OF ' WESTFORD.


in that long and eventful struggle. In the common defence they could climb precipices in Tennessee, dig trenches in Louisiana and bear with unconquerable patience the vexa- tious delays and terrible reverses in Virginia.


The apportionment of Massachusetts for nine months' men was 19,090 men. The quota of Westford was twenty- three men. These were to be drafted. But " from the be- ginning to the end of the Rebellion, the Governor, the city and town authorities and the people of the Commonwealth were opposed to a draft, and labored to avoid it." In obedi- ence, however, to the requirements of the national government, preparations were made for a draft. Each town was required to make an enrollment of its citizens. A copy of the enroll- ment for this town, dated August 4, 1862, shows a total of two hundred and fifty men. As this town and, indeed, the whole State, furnished the men within a reasonable time, the draft was avoided. But the enrollment made at that time remained as the basis upon which quotas of cities and towns were apportioned from that time to the end of the war.


In answer to a subsequent call a draft was made on the eighteenth of July, 1863, when the lot fell upon the following persons : Luke L. Fletcher, Frank L. Fletcher, A. Bancroft Fletcher, C. H. Danforth, Arthur Wright, Albert P. Richard- son, Charles N. Richardson, William Reed, J. Henry Read, J. Blodgett, Fletcher Peckens, Henry Hayden, William H. H. Burbeck, Thomas Drew, George Drew, John Farmer, John Trull, C. H. Decatur, C. Freeman Keyes, John W. Day, Charles E. Walker, Stephen Hutchins-25. Some of these were released on the ground of manifest disability. Others procured substitutes, and others still paid a commutation fee which the town refunded to them, as well as sums paid for substitutes, in sums of $300 or less.


The following extracts are from a letter on file from John W. P. Abbot, who, as chairman of the Board of Select- men and recruiting officer, conducted the military corres- pondence during the war. It is addressed to Hon. Tappan Wentworth in reply to a circular :


209


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


"WESTFORD, July 18, 1865.


"DEAR SIR-I find it impossible to give you an answer as [required] in your circular, and therefore I send you this :


Indebtedness of the town, Feb. 8, 1865 . . $24,407 34 Indebtedness of the town on account of the war :


Up to Feb. 10, 1862 1,447 81


Up to Feb. 10, 1863 6,795 30


Up to Feb. 10, 1864, there are no bounties or ex- penses reported as being paid, having been credited in the following year. Up to Feb. 1865 16,937 47


Since Feb. 10, 1865, there have been paid :


Bounties to re-enlisted men . $625 00


Three more men at $125 each . . 375 00


1,000 00


Total . $26,180 58 Total number of men put into the service to whom bounties have been paid, 160.


Average to each man, $162.62.


" It is impossible to state the times when men were put into the service. There was at several times great difficulty in ascertaining whether the quota was full or not. On or about the first of February, 1865, the Provost Marshal in- formed me that by his books the town of Westford had a surplus of sixteen men. On the first of November, 1864, the town was in arrears. It is impossible to give any satisfactory explanation."


This estimate is only a proximate one, and does not in- clude the whole expense, nor the whole number of men. In accordance with the vote of March 5, 1866, large sums were paid to cancel the claims of those who had employed substi- tutes, or paid commutation money. The alphabetical list shows that more men than Mr. Abbot reported must have received at some time a bounty and a certificate of enlist- ment. It is doubtless true that some received it who never entered the service.


27


210


HISTORY OF WESTFORD.


CASUALTIES OF SOLDIERS.


George S. Falls was wounded at Chancellorsville, his leg being broken between the ankle and the knee.


Mason A. Wright was sun-struck in Mississippi, and was in Camp Nelson, Kentucky, for six months, unfit for duty.


Morton G. Wright was wounded in the arm, probably in a skirmish at Fair Oaks.


Myron Rand was wounded below the knee at Gettys- burg.


Albert P. Ingalls was wounded at ----- (Glendale ?) He is said to be the first man from Westford who received a wound.


James A. Hosley was wounded in the arm by an explo- sive ball.


William Bunce was wounded at Fort Donelson and left for dead on the field, but revived ; was taken prisoner and carried to Nashville, where he remained in the Confederate hospital until the Union troops took possession of the city.


ROLL OF HONOR.


" Is't death to fall for Freedom's right ? He's dead alone who lacks her light."


John Z. Taylor died in hospital at Baltimore, November 8, 1861.


William Dane, killed in battle at Winchester, Va., May 25, 1862.


James Bicknell died of typhoid fever at Gaines' Mill, Va., June 7, 1862.


Charles Miner died in hospital opposite Vicksburg, July 22, 1862.


John Jubb died in hospital at Harrison's Landing, July 30, 1862.


Reuben W. Cummings died in hospital at New Orleans, August 20, 1862.


211


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


James T. Flint, killed in second Bull Run battle, August 29, 1862.


John Harris, killed in second Bull Run battle, August 29, 1862.


Patrick Sheahan, killed in second Bull Run battle, Au- gust 29, 1862.


Luther F. Reed, killed in the battle of Antietam, Sep- tember 17, 1862.


Hiram Peabody, died in hospital at New Orleans, October 9, 1862.


Charles B. Reed, died in hospital at Alexandria, Va., December 6, 1862.


Alfred A. Richardson, died in hospital at Suffolk, Va., December 9, 1862.


George W. Blodgett, killed at Deserted House, Va., January 30, 1863.


Francis P. Howard, wounded at Deserted House, Janu- ary 30 ; died, February 1, 1863.


Augustus Reed, wounded at Deserted House, January 30 ; died, February 27, 1863.


Albert W. Fletcher, killed in an assault upon Port Hud- son, Miss., June 14, 1863.


Ancil Davis, died in hospital at Baton Rouge, June 30, 1863.


Nathan D. Bicknell, killed at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863.


John F. Richards, fell out sick on the march to Gettys- burg ; was taken prisoner and carried to Belle Isle prison, where he suffered intensely ; was removed to hospital, Rich- mond, Va., and died, October 13, 1863.


Thomas J. Hutchins, killed at Raccoon Ridge, October 29, 1863.


. Henry A. Friar, died in hospital at Chattanooga, Febru- ary 1, 1864.


Dexter W. Waterman, died while at home on a furlough, April 28, 1864.


Edward E. Hutchins, killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, I864.


212


HISTORY OF WESTFORD.


George M. Lawrence, killed at Dallas, Ga., May 25, I864.


Alfred Jackson, killed while on picket at Petersburg, Va., September 4, 1864.


William Dinsmore, died in prison at Andersonville, Ga., September 4, 1864.


Warren E. Hutchins, died in hospital at Duvall's Bluff, Ark., November 29, 1864.


Franklin M. Jewett, having served nine months in the Sixth Regiment, re-enlisted in the frontier cavalry and died at Camp Meigs, Readville, January 23, 1865.


Henry N. Bailey, died while at home on a furlough, March 8, 1865.


Savillion B. Coburn, died in Westford of disease con- tracted in the United States service, May 22, 1865.


John W. Craig, died at Haverhill, Mass., while on his way home from the army, June 13, 1865.


William H. Shedd, died in Westford of disease contracted in the army, June 19, 1865.


Edward Keyes, died in hospital at Sumter, S. C., August 18, 1865.


Gardner H. Richardson, died in Lowell of disease con- tracted in the service, July 11, 1867.


These were the unreturning braves who laid down their lives for their country. Their names are inscribed on a marble tablet in the Town Hall.


" To live in hearts we leave behind, Is not to die."


THE WORK OF THE LADIES OF WESTFORD FOR THE SOLDIERS.


The following paper, which was prepared in November, 1863, exhibits, in a summary way, the work done by the ladies up to that time :


"As a circular has been forwarded to our pastors, request- ing that a contribution be taken up throughout the State on


213


THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.


Thanksgiving day in aid of the Sanitary Commission, the sum obtained to be expended in materials and these made up in the town wherein the money is raised, the ladies of the Soldiers' Aid Society think it a suitable opportunity to state what they have been doing since they commenced operations. They do this, not in any spirit of boasting, but of thankful- ness that they have been enabled to contribute to the comfort and alleviate the sufferings of the sick and wounded in the hospitals, and that all may be stimulated to continued exer- tion. Their efforts commenced with the first and largest in- stalment of our young men in the spring of 1861, these being furnished, in all, with some seventy flannel shirts, the same number of drawers and socks, and a large number of towels, handkerchiefs, pin-cushions, also thread, needles, buttons, etc. But being little aware of the field of benevolence open- ing before them, no account was kept until they commenced working for the Sanitary Commission. At the outset, in order to procure materials wherewith to work, it was decided that at the meetings held one afternoon in each week each person should pay five cents. This has been their regular source of supply, increased now and then by gifts of money from those unable to attend the regular meetings and from patriotic and large-hearted gentlemen. Twice, through the disinterested exertions of those in sympathy with our cause, have valuable subscriptions been raised, amounting to $134, with important household stores. The members also have given articles of comfort and use as the needs of the Commission required, so that, although the cost of material has been high, they have been enabled to work diligently at the regular times, and many at home, from the resources thus obtained. Since August, 1862, there have been received $i91 ; paid out $171, of which $50 in money was sent to the Sanitary Commission after the battle of Gettysburg. Since that time there have been made up 336 yards of cloth, and of 40 pounds of yarn purchased the greater part has been knit for the Commission, although our own soldiers have been furnished occasionally with socks and shirts, also with mittens, of which 41 pairs have




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