Urgent Appeal - February 1863.

MARSH, WITTENMYER

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 6/3/2011 at 09:08:31

URGENT APPEAL FOR SANITARY GOODS.
Near Vicksburg, Feb. 18th, 1863.
MRS. MARSH - Dear Madam: -- I appeal once more to the ladies of your town and the surrounding country for supplies for our sick, suffering soldiers. I will not enter into details, as your husband has returned home, and can give you all the information you desire.

There is a fearful amount of sickness here, and unless our troops can be supplied with a greater variety in their food, their case will no doubt become more alarming. Stimulants and anti-scorbutics are greatly needed. Potatoes, onions, butter, eggs, krout, pickles, dried fruit, cranberries, condiments, toasted rusks, soda crackers, codfish, dried beef, molasses, cheese, and any other article of food that will bear transportation. I will be in Mt. Pleasant in about ten days for supplies. Let there be a hearty response to this call. As you value the lives of these men, -- as you value the success of our cause. -- I beseech you in the name of humanity to put forth extraordinary efforts in this our time of need.
I am very truly yours,
ANNIE WITTENMYER, Iowa Sanitary Agent.
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The Mount Pleasant Ladies Soldiers’ Aid Society, at their last meeting, appointed a committee to visit all parts of the city and solicit donations of the articles named in the above communication, and we doubt not that every fireside visited by the HOME JOURNAL contains those who will give a ready response to this call. We know the good ladies in the country will heartily co-operate with us in our earnest endeavors to lighten in some small degree the sufferings and privations of our brave soldiers. Let each contribute a mite, and much good may result.

In the wretched condition of the roads it will be impossible for our committee to wait on our friends in the country, but we trust they will find means of sending in their contributions. They can be left at the residence of Dr. MARSH, where they will be properly packed and forwarded.
[Mt. Pleasant HOME JOURNAL, Saturday, March 7, 1863]