Echoes From the Past

Beginning on p 268, first full paragraph

      Galesburg has been distinctively a place of beginnings. There has scarcely ever been any great movement in this section of the country, whether it be intellectual, moral, or religious, which cannot be traced, more or less directly, to Galesburg and its founders. The improved methods in mathematical instruction, which have ever given Knox College acknowledged precedence in that department, were introduced here by Prof. Losey, a score of years before they were heard of in eastern colleges. The same was true of linguistic training, under Prof. Grant. Temperance was firmly established here, when intemperance prevailed all around us. The first anti-slavery society in this section was the one organized that first winter, down to the Grove; there is good reason that the first political organization having freedom to all, as its corner stone, was started here. Mrs. Chappell has lent me records of some meetings, one of which is a preliminary meeting for organizing a County Association on this basis. It has no date, but must have occurred early in 1843. N. West was chairman and Eli Farnham secretary, of this meeting. Here are the records of the permanent organization, of which Matthew Chambers was president and Leonard Chappell secretary. I will read the pledge the members signed and the names of the signers:

      “We, the members of Knox County Liberty Association, do hereby pledge ourselves that hereafter we vote for no slaveholder, apologist for slavery, nor any person for any office who will not make the protection of the inalienable rights of man is first duty; and we further pledge ourselves to endeavor to influence others to make this a ruling principle in the exercise of the elective franchise, and to give to this purpose our money and time, to the extent of our ability.”

            John Waters  A. S. Bergen  S. Williams

            A. Neeley  S. Thompkins  Eli Farnham

            A. V. Tennoyer* Matthew Chambers F. Leonard 

            R. C. Dunn  G. A. Marsh  N. West

            R. Paine

              *It has been seen in other records as Pennoyer.

      When asked by his wife what they expected to accomplish by this Association, Mr. Chappell replied, “We have made a beginning.” A grand thought! One worthy of men whose lives were devoted to making beginnings in all noble enterprises—men who did not fear to take sides with our popular truths, for they had the greatness of soul to take in, and the courage to act out the thought that “one with God is a majority.”

      These were just the kind of men to vote for Abraham Lincoln and they did it. I find among these old papers the poll books of 1840-41-42. In the presidential election of 1840, Galesburg gave Abraham Lincoln 78 votes out of 106, for presidential elector. The fact that he ever ran for that office was new to me, and may be to some of you.

      I meant to tell you of the thorough organization of the college, in 1838, when Hiram H. Kellogg was unanimously elected president, of the various steps by which Log City of 1836 developed into the Galesburg of today, and give you, by way of contrast to its small beginnings, some figures showing its present business, but I fear I have already exhausted your patience. Besides, I wish to leave something for my successor to do; the mine I have opened is very rich; I have only picked up a few nuggets, here and there. Let us hope that next year another may bring us far richer stores.

Galesburg, Illinois, May 24, 1873

REPORT

OF THE

LADIES’ SOLDIERS’ AID SOCIETY,

OF GALESBURG

From its Organization,

October 26^th, 1861 to January 1^st, 1863.

Galesburg, ILL.

J. H. SHERMAN, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER.

1863

REPORT

      At the first call for troops by President Lincoln, a company of volunteers was raised in this city. The ladies offered to make up their clothing, and the offer was accepted by Government. This work was completed, and during the summer much more was done for our soldiers, though without any distinct organization. But as the summer passed away, and we began to distrust the peace prophecies of our diplomatic Prime Minister, it was felt by all that the cause of our sick and wounded soldiers was of sufficient importance to demand our most earnest attention. From this feeling arose our Soldiers’ Aid Society. It is a union movement in which all of the ladies of the place co-operated.

      After several preliminary meetings, the Society was organized in its present form October 26^th, 1861, at which time the following Constitution, under which we still act, was adopted:

CONSTITUTION

ART. 1. We, the ladies of Galesburg, do form ourselves into a Society, to be called the “Soldiers’ Aid Society,” of Galesburg.

ART. 2. The object of this Society shall be to furnish to our sick and wounded soldiers such articles as may be necessary to their comfort, and which Government, in the multiplicity of its duties, may not be able to supply.

ART. 3. The officers of this Society shall be a President, a Vice President, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer, who together shall constitute an Executive Committee, and fifteen Directors.

      The duties of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be those that usually belong to such officers.

      The Directors shall have an oversight of the work, shall purchase material, prepare work, assign it, and see that it is properly done.

      The Executive Committee shall have power to call meetings, determine the order of the meetings, the work to be done, and shall bring before the Society any matter they may deem of sufficient importance.

ART. 4. The rooms of the Society shall be open every Thursday from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., so long as shall be thought advisable.

ART. 5. The fee of membership shall be twenty-five cents, either in money or material, to be paid annually.

      It is also recommended that a Dime Sociable be held on Tuesday evening of each week, between the hours of seven and ten p.m.

BY-LAWS

SEC. 1. Adopted Nov. 4^th, 1861. Any gentleman may become an Honorary Member of this Society by paying twenty-five cents.

SEC. 2. Adopted Jan. 16^th, 1862. The meeting s holding on the last Thursday of January, of April, of July and of October, shall be considered the quarterly meetings of the Society, at which time a new Board of Officers and Directors shall be chosen.

SEC. 3. Adopted Oct. 2^nd, 1862. A Nominating Committee of three shall be appointed at the meeting two weeks previous to the quarterly meeting. It shall be the duty of this committee to select officers and directors for the ensuing term, and report the same to the quarterly meeting.

SEC. 4. Adopted Oct. 9^th, 1862. It shall be considered out of order to carry on private conversation during business hours, or to leave the room during the transaction of business.

SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of the President, and in her absence, the Vice President, to preside at all meetings for work or business, and to preside at the evening sociable's.

SEC. 6. The Executive Committee may attend to all business demanding attention between the meetings of the Society.

SEC. 7. Adopted Oct. 30^th, 1862. The committee on sociable's, in connection with the Executive Committee, shall have power to use all proper and available means to increase the funds of the Society, and the Treasurer shall, on each evening, provide a door keeper, and receive from him the proceeds of the evening.

      For the sake of convenience and greater precision in action, the directors were subsequently divided into five committees, a Purchasing Committee, a Cutting Committee, a Packing Committee, an Inspecting Committee, and a Committee on Sociable's. When a necessity for them arises, special committees are appointed, to serve as long as occasion requires. Of this kind are the committees on blackberries, and the committee on pickles. The duties connected with the various committees, indicated by their names, are both laborious and responsible. We should like to record the names of the ladies who have so faithfully discharged them, but our limits forbid. We can only say that the efficiency of the Society is owing, in large measure, to their untiring exertions. The names of the Executive Committees only can be given.

      1^st Quarter, from November 1^st, 1861 till February 1^st, 1862.

            President, Mrs. J. Wells

            Vice-President, Mrs. J. V. N. Standish

            Recording Secretary, Miss E. Gary

            Recording Secretary pro tem, Mrs. R. B. Guild

            Corresponding Secretary, Miss S. H. Hatch

            Treasurer, Mrs. Clement Leach, Jr.

      2^nd Quarter, from February 1^st, 1862 till May 1^st, 1862.

            President, Mrs. E. F. Thomas

            Vice-President, Mrs. Geo. Churchill

            Treasurer, Mrs. Clement Leach, Jr.

            Recording Secretary, Mrs. J. H. Sherman

            Corresponding Secretary, Miss S. H. Hatch

      3^rd Quarter, from May 1^st till August 1^st, 1862.

            President, Mrs. J. V. N. Standish

            Vice-President, Mrs. J. F. Dunn

            Treasurer, Mrs. J. A. Marshall

            Recording Secretary, Miss Kate A. Coleman

            Corresponding Secretary, Miss E. Gary

      4^th Quarter, from August 1^st till November 1^st, 1862.

            President, Mrs. J. H. Sherman

            Vice-President, Mrs. L. F. Chase

            Treasurer, Mrs. J. A. Marshall

            Recording Secretary, Miss Susan Wood

            Recording Secretary pro tem, Miss M. Coleman

            Corresponding Secretary, Mary Allen West

      1st Quarter, of second year, from November 1^st, 1862 till February 1^st, 1863

            President, Mrs. J. H. Sherman

            Vice-President, Mrs. H. S. Hurd

            Treasurer, Mrs. J. A. Marshall

            Recording Secretary, Mrs. L. F. Chase*

            Corresponding Secretary, Mary Allen West.

*Prevented from serving by sickness in her family; her duties were performed by Corresponding Secretary, Mary Allen West.

      The work in which our Society is engaged is so nearly identical with that which engages the hearts and hands of patriotic ladies all over the land that it needs no particular description. A summary of what we have done will be given, that those who have so nobly aided us by hand, by voice or by pen, may see some result of their labor. By our organization new officers are elected every three months, and our reports are made out for that length of time. During the first quarter, ending Feb. 1^st, 1862, there were boxes sent to Hannibal, Ironton, St. Louis Sanitary Commission, Cairo, Bird’s Point, 17^th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and to Company E of that Regiment, eight boxes in all, whose value added to $153.01, distributed among the city poor during this quarter, gives the sum of $531.01.

      During the second quarter, ending May 1^st 1862, there were sent three boxes to Cairo, care of Miss Safford, three to the 17^th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, one to Leavenworth, three to Paducah, one to Mound City and two to Chicago Sanitary Commission, making thirteen boxes in all, valued at $492.77.

      During the third quarter our efforts were mainly directed to supplying the Quincy Hospitals. In these we felt a particular interest, from the circumstances under which they were opened, and from their being so near home.

      A lady was appointed to visit these hospitals and report on their management and needs. She spent several days in the investigation, and returned such a report as induced us to put forth every exertion to supply their immediate wants. We sent them, during this quarter, six boxes of clothing and about nine bushels of ripe currants. The Society also sent one box to Cairo, one to the Chicago Sanitary Commission and one to the 17^th Regiment Illinois Volunteers. Twenty dollars were also expended for the sick soldiers here at home, making the total value of supplies furnished during this quarter $327.25.

      The fourth quarter ended November 1^st, 1862, but as it was voted to bring this report down to January 1^st, 1863, the months of November and December will be included in this term. The supplies forwarded during this term consisted largely of fresh vegetables, pickles, canned and dried fruits, butter, and cordial, together with the usual supply of clothing. These stores were sent to St. Louis Sanitary Commission, to Quincy, to 17^th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and by Rev. S. A. Kingsbury to the hospitals at Bolivar, Tennessee. These stores were valued at $871.79.

      The total valuation of supplies sent during the fourteen months of the Society’s existence, is $2,222.82. Satisfactory returns have been received from all these stores, with two exceptions. One of these is the pickles sent to the Pilot Knob hospital on the 30^th of October, 1862, directed to the care of a gentleman from this place, in the 33^rd regiment, who was sick in the hospital. About the time the pickles were sent, this regiment left Pilot Knob, taking their sick with them. The pickles may, and we hope did, reach their destination, and being directed to the hospital have been used by the hospital, and as the one to whom we wrote concerning them had gone, and nothing on the barrels showed from whence they came, we of course receive no returns from them. This is doubtless the origin of the story which has been afloat that all the pickles we have put up were sent off somewhere and lost. A genuine three-black-crow-ism.

      The other case has reference to this same 33^rd regiment. On the 20^th of October a box was packed to send to this regiment, then near Ironton. The contents of the box was in a great measure furnished by friends of the soldiers, to whom it was sent. Capt. McKenzie expected to take charge of the box, and it was forwarded to Quincy to meet him there. He, however, was taken sick and was unable to go, and the contents of the box being of such a character as would not bear keeping, it was judged best to forward it. This was done, and from that time to this nothing has been heard from it. Our only hope is that it has fallen into the hands of the St. Louis Sanitary Commission, and been by them sent on a mission of good somewhere, though not where we designed it. The exact value of these stores thus unaccounted for is $74.00; over one-half of this was given by friends of the soldiers to whom sent. The curious in such matters can easily make a calculation of the “ratio of uncertainty” by comparing these figures with those given above, $2,222.82. The supplies sent to Keokuk have not yet reached their destination, owing to the closing of navigation, and some other causes. We have heard from them, however, and know that they are safe and will be forwarded as soon as practicable.*

*Since these pages went to press the pickles have been received at Keokuk, and most thankfully received.

      Several boxes and barrels have been sent through Col. Williams, State Commissary General. Supplies thus sent are first sent to Cairo and from thence taken south and distributed under the direct supervision of Col. Williams or responsible agents of the Commission. It is not the object of this Commission to take supplies to any particular regiment, but to supply the wants of the Illinois soldiers wherever found. Hence, as a general thing, we lose sight of the supplies sent through this medium, at Cairo, but our confidence in Col. Williams makes us feel certain that they are well distributed. In several cases, however, he has departed from his general rule, on our account, and has forwarded pickles to particular regiments designated by us. In regard to those sent recently, he writes: “There is so much uncertainty about articles designed for particular companies or regiments reaching them, that we are not now proposing to forward them. To the points near home they can be sent, but to reach the army of the Cumberland or farther south, they have necessarily to go into the general distribution.” And into this general distribution, so long as Col. Williams has charge of it, we are willing they should go. I have thought best to make this explanation, as some do not seem to understand the object or the working of our State Sanitary Commission.

      Our thanks are due Rev. S. H. Emery, of Quincy, who kindly conveyed stores entrusted to him, south, and attended to their distribution. He has also offered to escort any ladies whom the Society may send, to see to the distribution of stores, and to examine into the condition of the hospitals.

      It is earnestly hoped that as soon as the finances of our Society will permit, this offer will be accepted.

      During the fourteen months included in this report, about fifty boxes of clothing and hospital stores have been sent. It would be difficult to give a list of their contents; this can be learned from the Secretary’s book. The following list embraces the more important articles. The figures are probably too low, as in looking over the contents of so many boxes, it is hardly possible that we have not omitted some articles.

      314 Sheets, 197 Towels, 151 pairs Slippers, 256 pairs Pillow Cases, 242 Pillows, 101 pairs Socks, 604 Shirts, 9 Blankets, 79 Bed Sacks, 18 Mattresses, 45 Dressing Gowns, 102 Handkerchiefs, 197 pairs Drawers, 68 Comfortables, 8 pairs Mittens, 93 bundles Linen Rags, 71 pairs blue Pants, 5 Linen Coats, 557 Compresses, 4 Cushions, Lint and Bandages innumerable, 10 loaves Cake, 25 cans Jelly, 41 pounds Corn Starch, 6 ½ lbs. Tea, 28 cans of Fruit, besides Yeast, Pepper, Dried Beef, and other things too numerous to mention.

      There has also been sent 562 pounds Butter, 42 pounds Crackers, 68 pounds Cheese, a barrel of Apple Butter, 56 gallons Sorghum, 338 pounds Dried Fruit, four gallons and six bottles of Wine, 22 pounds honey, 48 chickens, 18 dozen Eggs, 9 bushels Fresh Fruit, besides those stores which come more properly under the head of our pickling department. The work of preparing these stores has all been done in the Society, or by members at their homes. One exception must be made to this statement. We have furnished work to an auxiliary Society in Orange Township, who could do the work, but could not furnish material. This Society has also furnished very efficient aid in putting up pickles and tomatoes. We have had several applications from smaller Societies, wishing to become auxiliary to our own, and had our finances allowed us to furnish them work, we could have accomplished a great deal of good in this way.

      Many cases of destitution among returned soldiers, the families of soldiers, and the poor of the city generally, have been relieved. The amount thus expended is about $175.00.

      Two boxes of clothing for contrabands at Cairo, collected by one of our most efficient ladies, have been sent through the Aid Society to that place. In the estimate of the boxes no account has been made of the reading matter sent. This is a very valuable item, as scarcely a box has been sent that did not contain books and papers.

      During the summer months the fact that the want of fresh vegetables was leaving our army a prey to scurvy, aroused the attention of the whole north. This, if I mistake not, was one of the leading causes of the organization of our State Sanitary Commission. In reply to the circular sent by this Department, as well as to the demand coming to us from hospitals and camp, it was determined to direct our efforts to supplying this demand. A number of barrels of fresh vegetables were forwarded through Col. Williams, but our efforts were mainly for the preparation of a store for use in winter and spring. The Society expended one hundred and eighty dollars in the purchase of barrels, vinegar and spices, for the preparation of pickles.

      Circulars were distributed throughout the county, giving directions for preparing the pickles, and requesting the ladies of town and country to take the barrels and fill them. The response was most noble. Sixty-five barrels were filled; about thirty have been sent on their anti-scorbutic mission; the rest await the demands which spring is sure to make upon us. A judicious outlay of one hundred and fifty dollars in materials for pickles, has, on a very moderate estimate, returned the Society six hundred dollars. The difference between these sums is the value of the work which loyal hearts have prompted willing hands to do. In the name of the soldiers, whose thanks to us are abundant, we thank them.

      We would also return our thanks to the Chicago Sanitary Commission for so kindly sending us twenty casks when there were no barrels to be obtained in this county. These casks have been filled, and they or their equivalent forwarded through Mr. Folsom, of Cairo. Twenty barrels of fresh vegetables, including apples, have been forwarded through Col. Williams and Rev. S. A. Kingsbury. About seventy dollars was expended in the purchase of blackberries, which were canned, dried or made into cordial. The returns from this expenditure have been most gratifying. From hospitals and camps, where the cordial has been sent, we have received assurances that it has apparently saved the lives of many suffering from camp diarrhea. The larger part of the dried and canned berries are still on hand. About one hundred jugs, holding one, two or three gallons apiece, have been filled with tomatoes and fruit. Between thirty and forty of these jugs have been sent away; the rest remain on hand.

      The supply still on hand of pickles, dried and canned fruits and cordial is valued at about five hundred dollars.*

*It has been found that our rate of valuation was too low by nearly one-half, and it has been increased by vote of Society about 75 per cent. This gives over eight hundred dollars as the actual value of stores on hand.

      The Society designs bestowing its benefactions where they are most needed, and where they will be most judiciously distributed. That we may be kept informed on these points, an extensive correspondence has ever been kept up, through the Corresponding Secretary, with the various Sanitary Commissions, the Matrons of hospitals, and with the Regiments in which our county is represented. In this way we learn the exact wants of the hour, and can more easily meet them than we could by working at random. This correspondence also furnishes us with answers to those who seem to make it the chief business of their lives to discourage all efforts for the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers on the plea that all we do effects nothing but to pamper the appetites of officers and surgeons. Bad officers and surgeons there undoubtedly are, but files of letters from soldiers, whose word we have relied on implicitly while at home among us, thanking us for our benefactions, and giving assurances that they have done much good, are a good proof that all our work has not been swallowed by unprincipled officers. To say that all officers even, are what many would make us believe, is to assert that they have all merged their humanity into demon-ship—rather a sweeping assertion. That stores forwarded carelessly are often, perhaps always lost or misappropriated, is very probably, but it would be a difficult matter to convince any one who has been Corresponding Secretary for six months that there is any necessity for this, or that the risk in sending sanitary stores to our army, when properly attended to, is any greater than that incurred by our merchants in receiving goods from the east.

      The use of the rooms in which we have met for sewing has always been free of rent. For this the Society would return its thanks to those churches and individuals owning the rooms. We have thus been spared a great expense, and funds saved for the legitimate objects of our Society. We would also return our thanks for the use of the cellar in which the pickles are stored. We are also under obligations to those two gentlemen who have rendered us such valuable assistance in working sewing machines. One met with us almost weekly for nearly six months; the other has frequently given an entire day to our work. Neither would we forget in our acknowledgements that firm of hardware merchants who have so generously furnished us with iron bands and nails to secure all our boxes, nor the merchants of the town in general who have given us all the boxes we could fill. Indeed, we are under so many obligations that the burden would be a painful one did we not feel that we are simply agents in a cause in which all are interested. 

      It is impossible to give any estimate of donations received, as it was voted not to keep an account of them in our books. A large amount has been received by the Society, in clothing, material, eatables and money. Many of these donations have been acknowledged in our city paper. Many not written there have made their mark on the hearts of sick and wounded ones in camp and hospital.

      The funds of the Society are derived from the initiation fees, from donations, and from dime sociable's and entertainments. The initiation fees, being but twenty-five cents annually, do not amount to a very large sum; donations, though always acceptable, are rather an uncertain dependence; thus it is seen that our main chance for funds are the dime sociable's. Up to the 1^st of January 1863, there had been forty-nine sociable's and entertainments, bringing the Society $1,371.50. The expenses connected with these sociable's for room rent and printing are necessarily large, as will be seen by the Treasurer’s report, and must be deducted in making an estimate of the actual funds of the Society. We intend, the present year, to attempt to lessen these expenses by using the Society’s sewing rooms for sociable's, when nothing unusually interesting is the order of the evening.

      Many thanks are due those lecturers and musicians, both of our own place and from abroad, who have given their services to these Dime Sociable's.

      Thus it will be seen that we have done much, but none will say too much. Our county stands second in the State in the number of volunteers she has sent out, and the daughters of “Old Knox” must not be behind her sons in patriotism. Our work Will not be done so long as one rebel to our Government remains. No war for a principle was ever a short war, and no one can foresee when this shall close. Until it closes our work is plain. We must do and suffer, if need be, for the cause in which we are engaged. To carry on our work during the present year will undoubtedly call for more self-denial than we have practiced the past year. But what of that? Our Country is worth denying ourselves for, and as yet we have given her scarcely more than our superfluities. We have not given, as have the southern women to their sick soldiers, the carpets from our floors, the clothing from our person. From every battle field comes up a cry, from many-mouthed gaping wounds, and we shall be unworthy of our inheritance if this cry is unheeded, and it is for us to answer it. Governments, National and State, cannot. It is useless for us to argue that they ought to do so; we have nothing to do with what ought to be—our duty is simply with what is.  We know our brothers and sons are suffering; we must relieve them. What if the price of cotton cloth has increased four fold, the wounded must not lie in their gore-stiffened shirts for all that. If the cost of material has increased, we must give more. God is trying to teach us the noble lesson of giving—let us not be slow scholars.

      We have made no direct appeal to our citizens for aid before, but we feel that we must do so now. When funds come in by dimes and go out by hundreds of dollars, there must be a deficit. With the passage of every month the cost of materials increases; without a corresponding increase in our receipts, our hands are tied.

      Government cannot do the work in which we are engaged, as well as we can. Could all sorts of Sanitary supplies and delicacies be dealt out as rations are, they would lose half their efficiency. The fact that they came from home doubles their value. All physicians agree that home sickness aggravates every disease, and the report of our State Sanitary Agent shows conclusively that the patients in our army hospitals exemplify this rule. Nothing seems to cheer them up so much as to find that they are not forgotten at home, hence the double value of supplies thus sent. This is peculiarly the case now. Every Illinois soldier must feel his arm palsied as he reads the proceedings of our State Legislature. It is for us to nerve the arm anew by showing that Legislators are not our Representatives.

      Many ladies in different sections of our county having applied to us for directions in regard to forming Societies, and the work to be done in them, perhaps a few suggestions on these points may not be out of place here. In regard to forming Societies, no directions need be given. Form them as you please, only be sure to have good working women at the helm. As to the work, shirts and drawers are always needed. Make them just as you would for your own husbands or sons. A few shirts may be made with one sleeve open all the way down. Be sure that the bands at the neck and writs are loose, and the buttons firmly sewed on. Don’t use strings instead of buttons; men are not used to fastening with anything but buttons, and a hospital is a poor place in which to learn new ways. Then come sheets; make them the usual size, or at least a breadth and a half wide. Single breadth sheets are a perfect nuisance—they roll up into strings. Bed sacks are very much wanted at some points. These should be made to fit single beds. Pillows both feather and husk and pillow cases are always in demand. Small cushions on which to rest wounded limbs are a very great comfort to the sufferers. Lint and bandages innumerable are needed. Get your school children interested in rolling bandages, and they will accomplish a great deal. Let them work in pairs, stretching the bandage out smooth on a long table. Let one hold the end of it drawn firmly down over the end of the table, while the other rolls up the other end, with the palm of the hand pressed firmly on the roll to make it as tight as possible. The little hands will become very tired, may be blistered, but it is in a good cause. The bandages should be an inch or an inch and a half in width, and as long as it possible to make them from one piece of cloth. Mark each roll with the number of yards it contains. Towels, socks, handkerchiefs, rags, compresses, slippers—everything, in fact, useful in a sick room is useful in a hospital. I notice one thing called for by our State Sanitary Agent, which we have never thought about—that is worsted neckties. A little reflection will show that these might be very acceptable, as the shirt to be at all comfortable while lying down must leave the throat very much exposed.

      Experience has proven that it is not worth while to spend very much time in preparing delicacies. There is so much danger of their being misappropriated, or of their spoiling by transportation. We always wish to keep a supply of canned and dried fruits on hand to send to the Quincy hospitals or to other points, when we have opportunities to send them by responsible persons who will see to their distribution, but we send very little, if any, of these for general distribution.

      Pickles are not so tempting, and hence do not run such a risk of being misappropriated, and for nothing have we had greater demand or received more hearty thanks than for pickles. They seem just the thing needed. The season for making them is past, but if any lady has any on hand she can do no better than to send them to the hospitals. Butter and eggs are very much needed. Most of our hospitals are situated in districts over which the tide of war has swept again and again, leaving absolutely nothing to supply the wants of the sick. If we will think for a moment what the fare of our own tables would become, should we strike out every dish in which butter and eggs are ingredients, we can form some idea what it must be to be deprived of them. A dozen eggs or a single pound of butter a week from the larder of each farmer’s wife in our country, would, in the aggregate, give a great gratification to the inmates of the hospitals, whose throats have been scratched long enough by toast without butter. Butter can now be sent with perfect safety—in summer it will be almost impossible to send it. In a week or two eggs will be very plenty, and the weather will probably allow sending them.

      We know our farmers’ wives well enough to feel certain that they need only to have this thing suggested to them to act upon it immediately. Potatoes are also much needed. The cellars of the farmers are stored with them. Don’t let the fact that they are bringing a dollar a bushel prevent them being sent to our brave boys.

      How shall stores be sent? Send always by one you can trust, not only as regards honesty, but as regards judgment, or through the Commission. Such names as Hon. Mark Skinner, its President; Mr. E. W. Blatchford, its Secretary; Rev. W. W. Patton, and others of its members, gives to the Chicago Sanitary Commission a place in our confidence not easily shaken. I wish that every one who makes the uncertainty of supplies reaching their destination an excuse for not aiding in our work, would read Rev. J.H. Dill’s last letter to the Independent, written but a short time before he died, on the hospital boat, in which he offered up his life a sacrifice to his country.

      When sending through this medium, mark the boxes plainly to “Chicago Sanitary Commission”, having also the name of place from whence sent. Write also to Mr. E. W. Blatchford, giving an accurate description of stores sent, and date of sending them. If boxes are sent, place a list of the contents, with valuation, corresponding to the list sent by letter, under the cover. Vegetables, Pickles, butter, and the like, would probably as well be sent through our State Sanitary Department, Col. John Williams, State Commissary General. I have said enough already to prove our entire confidence in Col Williams. Were anything more necessary, the fact that he was appointed to this responsible position by Governor Yates, and the amount of good accomplished by this agency during the few months of its existence, furnish firm ground of confidence. Clothing and all kinds of Sanitary stores can be forwarded through this agency, and frequently stores can be sent to particular hospitals, though Col. Williams cannot of course pledge himself to do this always. Regiments in the field cannot be reached very readily. Mark all stores sent in this way, “Illinois Sanitary Stores,” then, if to be sent to any particular point, name person, regiment and place to which sent, “care of State Agent, Cairo.” Give also the name of place or Society from whence sent, and, if several packages are sent, whether at one time or at different times, number them with consecutive numbers. Then write, as directed in regard to the Chicago Commission, to Mr. M. F. Folsom, Cairo, and to Col. Williams, Springfield. Be very particular in marking and in sending an accurate bill of goods sent, including the numbers on the packages, to Mr. M. F. Folsom.

      Should any one, desirous of engaging in the work of alleviating the suffering of our sick and wounded soldiers, which for any further directions which I am able to give, I shall be very happy to answer any communications on this subject.

      Allow me to bring this protracted report to a close by saying, in the words of another, to those whose generous efforts have thus far sustained us in our work, “Ye have done well, and may the consciousness of being engaged in a good work stimulate you to put forth still more earnest efforts in behalf of our noble cause.”

            Mary Allen West, Secretary, Galesburg, Feb. 4^th, 1863. G.S.A. Society.

REPORT  OF THE

LADIES’ SOLDIERS’ AID SOCIETY,

OF GALESBURG

FOR THE YEAR 1863.

PRICE 10 CENTS

GALESBURG, ILLS.

J.H.. SHERMAN, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER,

1864

REPORT

      As almoners of your bounty we would now give an account of our stewardship. Our work for the past year has been similar to our work the year before, only varying to meet the varying wants of the soldier. The call for clothing has not been so imperative as at the beginning of the war; while the call for eatables has been much more so. Clothing is still needed, and will be till the war closes, to supply the inevitable loss by waste and wear, but the supply has been greater than has that of vegetables. Under these circumstances the distribution of last year’s stores has been a continued pleasure, from the thanks with which they were received. Said a soldier, returned for a few days’ rest, after the siege of Vicksburg, as he grasped my hand, the tears starting to his eyes, “you ladies can never know the good those stores you sent us did; I believe they saved our lives.” Nor was he alone in this. Many such expressions of gratitude have reached us, causing us to feel thankful for the privilege of engaging in so noble a work.

      The Society has met for work and business forty-three times during the year. There have been made 262 cotton shirts, 31 woolen ones, 326 prs cotton drawers, 38 woolen ones, 33 prs slippers, 36 prs home knit socks, 17 prs pillow cases, 4 feather pillows, 20 husk ones, 6 comforts, 1 dressing gown, 5 sheets, 100 handkerchiefs, 200 packages roll bandages and compresses, and fifty large bundles of rags. Should any one be curious enough to compare this list of work done with that given in our last Report, we hope he will remember that that report was for fourteen months, while this is for twelve.

      Of eatables, there have been forwarded 45 barrels pickles, 21 barrels fresh vegetables, 4 barrels eggs, 679 lbs. butter, 195 bottles cordial, 28 bottles wine, 8 gallons prepared horse radish, 4 barrels and 317 lbs. dried fruit, including apples, peaches, blackberries, prunes, etc., 40 bottles pepper sauce, 300 lbs. dried beef, 87 lbs corn starch, 23 2/3 lbs. green tea, 38 lbs. farina, 10 lbs. tapioca, 193 lbs. white sugar, 14 lbs. castile soap, 10 lbs, saleratus, 1 large box mustard, 6 lbs. pressed hops, 1 box (costing $40) extract beef, 23 cans condensed milk, and 20 lbs cheese.

      We have received assistance in work from several auxiliary societies. The ladies of Mulberry Street has a pleasant habit of meeting to sew for the soldiers. Many bolts of cloth have they taken and made up. One month this little circle did more than did the parent society. We wish out town could boast ever so many Mulberry Streets. The ladies of Wataga have in like manner taken two bolts of cloth, which were returned in shirts and drawers.

      The pickling and preserving operations of this year have been conducted through much tribulation. Owing to the almost utter dearth of vegetables, stores, which last year were freely …………end of page 279….pages 280-285 missing………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

* The juvenile society has taken most of this kind of work out of our hands. 286…………..

cannot share the excuse? Many who cannot rightly enjoy the blessings of peace, because they have not done what they could to assuage the horrors of war? Will there not come a day, when the excuses which now keep many from this work will make the cheek tingle with shame at the recollection of their frivolousness?

“We are living, we are dwelling,

In a grand and awful time,

In an age on ages telling--

To be living is sublime.”

      Thank God for living in such an age, when Truth and Right are strong enough to struggle and to win. Better one year of such an age—the year eighteen hundred and sixty-three, with the Proclamation for its herald, with victories over rebels and victories over wrongs as its scepter and its crown—than whole centuries of supineness and night. War is terrible; but if it must come ere the country can be purified, thank God it has come in our day, when even our weak hands may do something to help the Nation work out its great redemption. Guarded from shot and shell, shielded from the fierce blasts of war, we have our work to do.

      Strong minded women have prated long and loud of their mission and their rights; now God has pointed out to them their mission, granted to them their rights; let them see to it that they fulfill the one and improve the other.

      Many of us have given our hearts’ dearest treasures to this war; the light of many homes is gone; many weary eyes look in vain for the un-returning dead. Having thus given the greater shall we refuse the less? Having given our loved ones can we refuse anything? From many hands is taken their accustomed work’ for them never more shall be the loving ministrations to husband, or brother, or son, borne home to God in the fiery chariot of War; for such hands here is fitting labor. Never was a nobler work given into the hands of woman, never was a higher duty joined to a sweeter privilege—the duty to God and our country—the privilege, woman’s dearest privilege, of ministry. Let us so discharge this duty, so improve this privilege, that the year 1864 may bear even a brighter record up to the great white throne than did the year to which we last night bade adieu.

            Mary Allen West, Secretary, Galesburg, Jan.1^st, 1864

LIST OF OFFICERS

For the year 1863

First Quarter

President       Mrs. J.H. Sherman

Vice President       Mrs. H.S. Hurd

Treasurer       Mrs. J.A. Marshall

Rec. & Cor. Sec.      Mary A. West

Second Quarter

President       Mrs. H.S. Hurd

Vice President       Mrs. W. C. Willard

Treasurer       Miss Sarah M. Sage

Rec. & Cor. Sec.      Mary A. West

Third Quarter

President       Mrs. L. F. Chase

Vice President       Mrs. J. A. Marshall

Cor. Secretary       Mrs. J. H. Sherman

Rec. Secretary       Miss M. Kingsbury

Treasurer       Miss Sarah M. Sage

Fourth Quarter

President       Mrs. L. F. Chase

Vice President       Mrs. J. A. Marshall

Treasurers       Miss Smalley

Mrs. Greenwood

Rec. Secretary       Mrs. J.H. Sherman

Cor. Secretary       Mary A. West

The list of membership for the year numbers one hundred and ten.

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

LADIES’

SOLDIERS’ AID SOCIETY,

OF GALESBURG,

FOR THE YEAR 1864.

GALESBURG, ILL:

D. MYERS, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER,

1865

SOLDIERS’ AID SOCIETY,

GALESBURG, ILLINOIS.

RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING

JAN. 1^ST, 1865.

Entertainments     $ 470.60

Donations and Honorary Membership   124.36

Sale Goods left from Sanitary Fair    26.90

Refunded by Committees     50.51

Received from Stores sent to Quincy    51.00

Interest on Money Deposited     30.34

Reports and Membership     39.15

Received from Sanitary Fair     4459.92

Remaining in Treasury, January 1^st, 1864   240.45

                                          _______

            Total      $5493.23

EXPENDITURES FOR YEAR ENDING

JAN. 1^ST, 1865

Donated to Needy Soldiers, and Soldiers’ Families here $ 920.34

For Onions        887.86

For Muslin        507.19

For Dried Blackberries & Cordial     161.25

For Potatoes, Turnips & Cabbage     293.92

For Butter        396.95

For Dried Apples       109.02

For stores sent to particular regiments    120.68

For Expenses of Sanitary Fair      390.95

For Barrels, Vinegar, Spices, Jars, and Work in

      Making Pickles and drying Fruit    329.61

For Groceries        118.05

Sent Mr. C. T. Chase       50.00

Expenses of Entertainments and Lectures    220.88

For Sewing Machine       45.00

Incidentals, including rent, washing, drayage, care of

      Room, postage, stationery, etc.    105.33

                                                _______

            Total      $4657.03

            Remaining in Treasury    836.24

                        Mrs. Josiah Babcock

      Again, at the year’s close, do we bring you a record of the year’s work. The main features of our work remain unchanged, but the generous manner in which our treasury has been supplied, has enabled us to carry on operations on a much more enlarged scale than in former years. As the war progresses, the demand for clothing becomes less, while that for eatables more than proportionately greater. Our efforts have therefore been chiefly directed to forwarding vegetables.

      A large field has also opened for us, this year, in the care of solders’ families here. Of this work we will speak more at length by and by.

      During the year we have forwarded two hundred and eighty-one packages of sanitary stores, containing 270 shirts, cotton and woolen, 212 pairs of drawers, 18 pairs slippers, 46 yards mosquito bar, 30 yards deming, 96 palm leaf fans, 46 eye shades, 38 handkerchiefs, 180 gallons cider apple sauce, 6 gallons catsup, 370 gallons canned fruit, 83 gallons blackberry cordial, 2,895 gallons pickles and kraut, 36 bottles native wine, 200 pounds chickens and turkeys, 52 pies, 5 bushels cakes, 2 barrels apples, 9 1/3 bushels horse radish, 44 bushels potatoes, 15 bushels turnips, 480 bushels onions, 983 pounds of butter, and 1,841 pounds dried fruit—mostly blackberries. Small packages of tea, corn starch, sago, with cans of oysters, have occasionally been sent, which are not included in this list. Six boxes of books and papers, not estimated, have also been sent, and every box of clothing sent has contained rags, bandages and reading matter. The value of stores forwarded during the year is $4,836.55. The value of stores dent by the Society since its organization, November 30, 1861, is $9,311.58.

      The work of preparing these stores has been done mostly by our own society, though assistance has occasionally been received from others. The ladies of Centre Point have repeatedly sent donations of clothing. The ladies of Altona, Wataga, and of Kelly Settlement have made up cloth sent them from this society; the ladies of the Kelly Settlement also donated fourteen shirts.

Jump to page 323: Recruiting poster (can’t do diploma or picture of Byron S. West.)

A Recruiting Broadside (poster) for 1862. With the coming of the Civil War such posters were plentifully distributed on walls and signs around the country. This particular item is of interest because M.V. Hotchkiss was a student at Knox College until 1861. His full name was Memoir Victory Hotchkiss, he was from Peoria and he died in 1889. (Broadside courtesy of Chicago Historical Society)

      Witness my hand and official seal, Galesburg, April 27^th, 1863.

                              By the Mayor,

                                          JAMES F. DUNN

W. A. WOOD, City Clerk

             A Galesburg Broad Side of the Civil War, calling for enlistees to go into the 72d Illinois Infantry. A good many boys answered this particular call and were signed into Company B, 72d Illinois Infantry. This company sustained numerous fatalities at the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864. One boy killed there was Dr. Woodward’s eldest son, Henry. One Galesburg boy who came through that battle was Steve Cole.

ONE MONTH MORE

FOR BOUNTIES

A few more Recruits can yet be received for the

FIRST CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE

(72^nd ILL.) REGIMENT!

***************************************

      Men of Illinois, this is the last opportunity that you will have at enrolling yourselves in the glorious army that your State has sent into the field for the defense of the Union. The forward movement of our armies, in the Spring, can but crush into powder the remaining power of this miserable Rebellion.

COME FORWARD, THEN!

AND FORM A PART OF THE TRIUMPHANT HOST!

************************************************

$302 BOUNTY

TO NEW RECRUITS!

$402 to Veterans!

*************************************

To any person who will bring an acceptable Recruit to my office, a cash premium of ?, or a certificate entitling him to $5 after the recruit is mustered into the service, will be paid.

Office with ESQ. POND, South-East corner of Public Square, Galesburg, IL.

D. W. WHITTLE, Captain 72^nd Regiment IL Infantry.

            A Soldiers Song of Peace”

by Harry Allen

We were once a peaceful nation, true and happy band

And with pride we saw our banner waving o’er the land

Plenty reigned through out our country, we could ask no more

Until treason raised her banner, on Carolina’s shore.

Chorus

Rise freemen, nobly battle ‘gainst that traitor band,

Never let disunion prosper In our happy land

From the south so bright and sunny, comes the din of war

And we hear the sound of cannon booming from afar

There are thousands of brave freemen foremost in the fight

Battling for our glorious Union liberty and right.

Chorus

Thousand hearts are sad and lonely, weeping for the slain

For the loved ones gone forever n’ere to come again.

will this carnage n’ere be over, will it never cease

Will our poor distracted country n’ere again have peace.

Chorus

Rally freemen round the standard?? of the brave and free

And we’ll conquer peace that’s ?? Glorious Victory.

Fill our ranks now thinned and broken with a few men more

And in arms will leave no traitor on Columbia’s shore

Chorus

Three years more if need be longer we will wage this fight

Trusting in the “God of Battles” to protect the right

We’ve no compromise to offer, want no armitage

“Unconditional Surrender” is our terms of peace.

Chorus

“A Soldier’s Song of Peace” by Henry A. (Harry) Allen, reproduced here from his Civil war diary. Dated September 21, 1864, this entry was set down almost three years after Henry Allen enlisted in Galesburg into the 11^th Illinois Cavalry.

RAILROAD TIME TABLE

TOWARD CHICAGO

10:20 p.m.—Night Express. Stops at all stations between Galesburg, Mendota, and at Leland and Aurora.

7:15 a.m.--Atlantic Express. Stops at Galva, Kewanee, Buda, Princeton, Mendota and Aurora.

8:35 a.m.--Quincy Passenger. Stops at all stations.

1:10 p.m.—Day Express. Stops at all stations.

5:00 p.m.—Mendota Accommodation.

TOWARD BURLINGTON

7:00 a.m.—Night Express. Stops at all stations.

9:50 a.m.—Burlington Passenger.

5:05 p.m.—Pacific Express. Stops at all stations.

TOWARD QUINCY

7:05 a.m.—Night Express. Stops at all stations.

9:40 a.m.—Quincy Passenger. Stops at all stations.

5:15 p.m.—Pacific Express. Stops at all stations.

TOWARD PEORIA

7:00 a.m.—Peoria Passenger. Stops at Knoxville, Yates City and Elmwood. Through Car for Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

8:35 a.m.—Rushville Passenger. Stops at all stations

10:10 p.m.—Express stops at Gibson, Yates City and Elmwood. Through car and sleeping car to Indianapolis via Bloomington.

4:55 p.m.—Passenger. Stops at all stations.

CHURCH SERVICES

Congregational Church—Rev. M.L. Williston, Pastor  10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

First Church of Christ—Rev. H.S. Huntington, Pastor  “  “

Presbyterian Church—Rev. M.B. Lowrie, Pastor  “  “ 

First Baptist Church—Rev. J.H. Griffith, Pastor  “  “

Grace (Episcopal) Church—Rev. S.T. Allen, Pastor  “  “

Methodist Episcopal Church—Rev. G.W. Arnold, Pastor “  “

Universalist Church—Rev. S.A. Gardner, Pastor  “  “

Christian Church—Rev. J.B. Allen    “  “

German Lutheran Church—Rev. Mr. Rausch, Pastor  “  “

Roman Catholic Church—Rev. Father Howard, Pastor Mass 8a.m., Preaching 10 ½ a.m.

1^st Swedish Lutheran Church—Rev. T.N. Winquist, Pastor 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

2d Swedish Lutheran Church—Rev. Chas. Anderson, Pastor “  “

Swedish Methodist—Rev. John Linn, Pastor   “  “

Second Baptist Church (colored)—Rev. J.L. Graves, Pastor “  “

African M.E. Church—Rev. E.C. Joiner, Pastor  “  “

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