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Sanitary Commission," and had for its first officers Mrs. Geo. Duffield, President; Mrs. Theodore Romeyn, Vice President; Mrs. D. P. Bushnell, Treasurer; Miss Sarah T. Bingham, Recording Secretary; Miss Valeria Campbell, Corresponding Secretary, and Dr. Zina Pitcher, Counsellor.

It was organized at the close of 1864, with Hon. John Owen, associate member of U. S. Commission, President; Benjamin Vernor, Esq., Judge James V. Campbell and P. E. Demill, Esq., Vice Presidents, also associate members U. S. Commission. Mrs. S. A. Sibley, President; Mrs. H. L. Chipman, Mrs. A. Adams, Vice Presidents; William A. Butler, Esq., Treasurer; Mrs. Geo. Andrews, Assistant Treasurer; Mrs. W. A. Butler, Auditor; Miss Lizzie Woodhams, Recording Secretary, and Miss Valeria Campbell, Corresponding Secretary.

Its resources were collections from various sources throughout the State, and from Nov. 1st, 1861, to June, 1863, it had sent forward 3,593 packages, and during the same time had distributed at home 2,724 packages, most of them large, and containing useful articles, their value not being estimated.

From November 6, 1861, to June 1, 1866, $19,633.18, and from June 1, 1866, to April 7, 1868, $8,496.23, being a total of $28,129.41 was expended. Of this amount $11,422.36 was expended on account of "Soldiers' Home" at Detroit, and the balance in purchases and other expenses, leaving a balance of $187.01 on hand April 7, 1868.

Between thirty and forty large packages were received from May to November, 1861, from various parts of the State, by Mrs. Morse Stewart and Mrs. Geo. Duffield, and sent forward to the field, besides an unrecorded amount distributed to regiments in the State.

MICHIGAN SOLDIERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

The people of the State contiued busy in the noble work in other directions, and in addition to the Washington association, organized at Detroit, in April, 1862, the "Michigan Soldiers' Relief Association," with the Hon. John Owen as President; Benjamin Vernor, Esq., Secretary, and William A. Butler, Esq., Treasurer. This organization was most active and useful, continuing in successful operation while the war lasted, accomplishing much good. It directed its efforts to collections throughout the State, gathering together from time to time large amounts of necessary supplies, and sending them to the front, including 331 boxes, 203 barrels, containing almost every conceivable comfort for the use of the soldier, sick or well; in fact, everything thought useful and needful, anong which were socks, shirts, drawers, handkerchiefs, dried and canned fruits, pickles of all kinds, spices, jellies, and wines; also, newspapers, books, needles, pins and thread, together with sheets, quilts, pillow-cases, bed sacks, lint, pads, etc., with innumerable other useful articles.

In 1864 it received by contributions and expended $3,600, as stated in Mr. Vernor's report, for the relief of destitute soldiers, in sums from one to ten

dollars, as their necessities required. Also, in defraying the expenses of sending agents to look after the wants of soldiers at various points, providing refreshments and meals for returned veterans on their arrival, in paying rent for "Soldiers' Home" in Detroit, in burying the dead, and in such other ways as the association deemed advisable.

The

CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.

Christian Commission" was a powerful auxiliary in sanitary opera. tions, possessing immense strength and energy. It was most successful as a sanitary organization, uniting therewith the religious instruction and admonition of good men to the living when opportunity offered, while kindly consolation was afforded in their last moments to those who were passing away.

The following report of the Michigan branch for 1864 finds a proper place. at this time:

To John Robertson, Adjutant General State of Michigan:

In accordance with your request, the Michigan branch of the U. S. Christian Commission beg leave to report the nature and extent of its work in behalf of the armies of the Union for the past year.

The Commission in this State was first organized on the 15th of June, A. D. 1863, but has practically been in operation but a single year. It had no part in the great work of the Christian Commission at Gettysburg in July, 1863, except that some of our citizens were commissioned at Philadelphia, and acted as delegates on that field. Its first funds of any large amount were received from the thanksgiving collections of last year, which were nearly all poured into our treasury. Since that time the operations of this branch have been steadily enlarging, its resources increasing, and its plan and system of working gaining the favor and approbation of the people.

The plan of the commission is to minister both to the mental and spiritual, as well as the bodily wants of the army. It sends the living preacher, the Bible, and the religious newspapers of all denominations, and all the time it is ministering to the temporal wants of the soldier, and working for the sick, wounded and dying. It searches for the wounded amid the thickets of the battle field, and never leaves him till he is discharged from hospital, or a prayer consigns him to a soldier's grave.

All the delegates of the commission are ministers and laymen, selected for their fitness for the work, who labor each six weeks without any compensation, except the consciousness of doing good. All that is given to the commission is dispensed personally by these delegates, and placed by their own hands in the hands of the soldier-not handed over to be dispensed by officials of the Government, or salaried agents of the commission.

This branch of the commission has received from the people down to this time $21,725.20, most of which has been forwarded to the central office at Philadelphia. Stores have been contributed and forwarded to the armies from Michigan amounting in value to about $10,000.

Michigan furnished to us the following delegates, fifty-seven in number, nearly all of whom have spent their full term of six weeks in the work of the commission:

William Harvey, Detroit, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. Seth Reed, Ypsilanti, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. J. M. Strong, Clarkston, Army of the Potomac.
Rev. James Walker, Eckford, Army of the Mississippi.
Rev. L. Slater, Kalamazoo, Army of the Cumberland.
James E. Carson, Centreville, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. E. H. Pilcher, Ann Arbor, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. B. Franklin, Saline, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. A. F. Bournes, Dexter, Army of the Mississippi.
Rev. F. R. Gallaher, Hillsdale, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. W. P. Wastell, Holly, Army of the Potomac.
Prof. A. Ten Brook, Ann Arbor, Army of the Mississippi.
Rev. George H. Hickox, Saline, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. D. H. Evans, Palmyra, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. J. J. Gridley, Pinckney, Army of the Mississippi.
Prof. Joseph Eastabrook, Ypsilanti, Army of the Potomac.
Alanson Sheley, Detroit, Army of the Potomac.

Rev. O. C. Thompson, Detroit, Army of the Potomac.
Rev. Wm. Hogarth, D. D., Detroit, Army of the Potomac.
E. C. Walker, Detroit, Army of the Potomac.

Rev. George Duffield, Jr., Adrian, Army of the Potomac.
Samuel W. Duffield, Adrian, Army of the Potomac.
Samuel E. Hart, Adrian, Army of the Potomac.
W. F. King, Adrian, Army of the Potomac.

A. S. Berry, Adrian, Army of the Potomac.

Rev. Daniel E. Brown, Flint, Army of the Cumberland.
Prof. J. C. Plumb, Ypsilanti, Army of the Potomac.
Wm. Patterson, Ypsilanti, Army of the Potomac.
Robert H. Tripp, Hillsdale, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. H. N. Bissell, Mount Clemens, Army of the Cumberland.
F. S. Walker, Bass Lake, Army of the Cumberland.
Rev. S. E. Wishard, Tecumseh, Army of the Potomac.
Rev. J. W. Allen, Franklin, Army of the Potomac.
Rev. R. R. Salter, D. D., LaSalle, Army of the Mississippi.
Rev. James F. Taylor, Chelsea, Army of the Cumberland.
C. K. Adams, Ann Arbor, Army of the Potomac.
O. C. Thompson, Jr., Detroit, Army of the Potomac.
Rev. John Pierson, Milford, Army of the Potomac.
Rev. J. R. Cordon, Oak Grove, Army of the Potomac.
Rev. Robert H. Conklin, Detroit, Army of the Potomac.
George Andrews, Detroit, Army of the Potomac.

Rev. S. L. Ramsdell, Northville, Army of the Potomac.
Rev. James S. Sutton, Brighton, Army of the Potomac.

Rev. Wm. Harrington, North Adams, Army of the Potomac.

H. B. Denham, Dowagiac, Army of the Potomac.

O. F. Shannon, Fairwater, Wisconsin, Army of the Potomac.

J. P. Garvin, M. D., Kendallville, Indiana, Army of the Potomac. Rev. O. H. Spoor, Vermontville, Army of the Potomac.

Daniel W. Church, Vermontville, Army of the Potomac.

Rev. E. H. Day, Otsego, Army of the Mississippi.
Rev. Thomas Lowrie, Stratford, C. W., Potomac.

Rev. E. J. Howes, Sylvanus, Mississippi.
Rev. J. A. Ranney, Sturgis, Cumberland.
Prof. O. M. Currier, Olivet, Cumberland.
Prof. H. E. Whipple, Hillsdale, Potomac.
Rev. Mr. Taylor, Tecumseh, Potomac.
All of which is respectfully submitted.

E. C. WALKER, Chairman.
CHARLES F. CLARK, Secretary.
HENRY P. BALDWIN, Treasurer.
DAVID PRESTON,

CALEB IVES,

FRANCIS RAYMOND,

J. S. VERNOR,

Army Com. of the U. S. Christian Com. for Michigan.

LADIES' SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY OF KALAMAZOO.

In 1864, those associations were most opportunely assisted by the "Ladies' Soldier's Aid Society of Kalamazoo," by way of a "State Sanitary Fair" at Kalamazoo in September of that year. It was managed with much good judgment and energy, ending in complete success, netting $9,618.78 over all expenses. The following report of the Executive Committee, made to the Adjutant General of the State, covers in detail the origin and proceedings of the society in connection with the enterprise:

John Robertson, Adjutant General State of Michigan:

SIR: Herewith the undersigned submit a report, embracing an account of receipts and disbursements of the "Michigan State Sanitary Fair," held at the village of Kalamazoo, on the State Agricultural Fair Ground," on the 20th, 21st, 22d, and 23d days of September, A. D. 1864. The following correspondence exhibits the origin of the "Fair:"

To Mrs. John Potter and Miss Eliza Fisher, of the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, of Kalamazoo, Michigan:

The undersigned, citizens of Kalamazoo county, knowing that you have been active, and have accomplished much, ever since the rebellion commenced, in every good work for the relief of the sick and wounded Union soldiers, would most respectfully suggest that thousands of the patriotic and generous people of Michigan will be glad, in connection with the annual fair of the Michigan State Agricultural Society, to be held on the 20th, 21st, 22d, and 23d days of September, at Kalamazoo, to contribute of their abundance, in money and articles, for the purpose of aiding the wounded and sick of that army which fought in defense of our national flag and the Union, against the traitorous designs of those who hate liberty and love despotism. We would suggest that a fair be held on the grounds to be occupied by the Agricultural Society, for the purpose above mentioned, and we earnestly solicit that you, calling to your aid suitable persons, may devise such plan for the consummation of the foregoing purpose as may be deemed proper.

Signed:-H. G. Wells, Joseph Sill, Allen Potter, John Baker, Daniel Cahill, J. M. Edwards, J. P. Woodbury, N. A. Balch, J. W. Breese, L. H. Trask, George Lewis, Henry Montague, F. W. Curtenius, O. N. Giddings, David S. Walbridge, Marsh Giddings, J. M. Neasmith, B. M. Austin, George A. Fitch, J. W. Mansur, Henry Hoyt, Hiram Arnold, Henry Bishop, Henry Dreese, Samuel W. Walker, J. J. Perrin, Isaiah W. Pursel, Frank Henderson, J. A. B. Stone, James A. Walter, G. H. Gale Henry Wood, David Fisher, A. Cameron, S. S. Cobb, J. W. Lay, William A. Wood, John C. Basset, Trowbridge & Basset, John M'Kibben, Charles Bell, Alfred Thomas, George

Colt, W. B. Clark, F. Chase, M. B. Miller, E. A. Carder, G. D. Penfield, J. K. Wagner, E. O. Humphrey, Charles S. May, C. D. Handscomb, Thomas Brownell, James Turner, William A. Hurst, A. C. Wortley, Thomas Browning, S. K. Selkrig, A. H. Geisse, James P. Clapham, Pickering & Wormley, Austin George, A. D. Robinson, W. H. Snow, Z. S. Clark, F. U. Clark, P. L. Haines, H. S. Parker & Co., John Bennett, I. C. Bennett, A. E. Bartlett, Frank Little, D. Putnam, C. S. Cobb, R. S. Babcock, C. W. Hall, H. F. Cook, P. C. Davis, H. C. Briggs.

KALAMAZOO, August 23d, A. D. 1864.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN: The undersigned, of the "Soldiers' Aid Society," of Kalamazoo, pursuant to the foregoing request, after having obtained the kind aid of many ladies and gentlemen of this county, and other parts of the State, have made arrangements for holding a "Michigan State Sanitary Fair," at Kalamazoo, on the 20th, 21st, 22d, and 23d of September, A. D. 1864, at which we hope to avail ourselves of patriotic addresses from his Excellency, Austin Blair, and other distinguished persons.

It is proposed to devote the entire proceeds of this "Santitary Fair" to the sick and wounded soldiers, who have gone forth in defence of that flag which is the symbol of Union, and whose brave hearts nerve them to meet suffering and death rather than permit one star to be stricken from its azure field.

One-third of the proceeds of this fair will be distributed through the "Michigan Soldiers' Relief Committee," at Detroit, consisting of C. H. Buhl, B. Vernor, Adjutant General John Robertson, W. A. Butler and Anthony Dudgeon; one-third through the "United States Christian Commission," to be distributed by David Preston, E. C. Walker, Caleb Ives, Francis Raymond, J. S. Vernor, and Charles F. Clark of Detroit, and one-third through the "Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society," at Kalamazoo.

We ask the people of Michigan, men and women, old and young, to bring or send to us money, or such articles of value as can be spared, for this, a great national purpose.

May we not, especially, appeal to the young men who still remain at home, and who are preserved from the accidents of the battle field, the long suffering and the weary night watches of the hospital? If home duties and family ties, or impaired health, compel you to resist the inclination to aid your country in this its hour of peril, by active service in the field, we implore you to give of your means, that health may possibly be restored, and comfort administered to the sick and wounded soldiers.

Of the women of Michigan we ask efficient, active aid in this our effort to accomplish a great good; to them, we believe, we shall not appeal in vain.

God's own blessing, we trust, will rest on all men, women, and little children of Michigan who may be thus inclined to strengthen the hearts and hands, and encourage the valor and patriotism of the fathers and husbands, and brothers and sons, who have manfully resisted the overthrow of that government which good men of the olden time established, and which we humbly pray a righteous God may ever preserve.

RUTH L. POTTER,
ELIZA W. FISHER,

Of the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, Kalamazoo.

It will be noticed that a very brief period elapsed between the time that the idea of holding the "Fair" was first entertained and its occurrence, but the foregoing address was as widely circulated among the people of Michigan as circumstances would permit. The ladies of Kalamazoo county relied mainly

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