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Shipment received at Virginia
(newspaper article excerpt from Rochester Daily Union & Avertiser March
31, 1863)
Rochester Daily Union &
Advertiser
March 31, 1863
The Rochester Young Ladies Aid Society
CAMP 140th N.Y.S. VOLUNTEERS
NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., MARCH 25, 1863
I would respectfully, and with much gratitude, inform you in behalf of the
sick soldiers, that the box sent to regiment marked "From the Ladies of
Scottsville," had been received in good order, and the various articles
are now being used in hospital with the most gratifying effect. Indeed, a
few such delicacies from home seem to throw a peculiar charm over the
soldier. It is impossible to understand the power of this spell until you
have witnessed the reception of such things by some poor, emaciated fellow
whose life seems almost to depend upon something nutritious and palatable
- until you have said to such a one, "Here, my good fellow, take this: it
is something from home," and then see him stare a you, then at the plate,
see the strained cords stands out on his wasted neck, his eyes fill up
with tears, his chin tremble, and he draws his rough blanket up to hide
his face fro a moment before he thinks of eating that sacred food. God
alone can fathom the depth of that man's gratitude or estimate the fervor
of his whispered prayer.
The ladies of the "Young Ladies' Aid Society" may rest assured that they
are not working in vain. The cause is a good one, and I believe the poor
soldier's faltered blessing will reach heaven through the flapping canvas
of his scanty tent full as soon as the prayers of eloquence that
reverberate in the vast cathedrals.
Again thinking you for your interest and sympathy, and hoping that the
burden of our unanimous prayer that meek eyed Peace may perch again on our
country's pennon, with her olive branch fresh blooming.
I am, very respectfully,
M.L. Lord
Assistant Surgeon in charge of 140th N.Y.V.
MISS MATTIE P. HASTINGS, Secretary, "Rochester Young Ladies Aid Society." |
