drawn up by Miss Louisa L. Schuyler, and issued in pamphlet form. Two hundred and thirty-five replies were received, (all to be read)! which were for the most part favorable to the Sanitary Commission with its Federal principle as a medium, and all breathed the purest patriotism.

In February, the plan of "Associate Managers" borrowed from the Boston branch was adopted. Miss Schuyler assumed the whole labor. It was a division of the tributary states into sections, an associate manager to each, who should supervise, control and stimulate every aid-society in her section, going from village to village, and organizing, if need be, as she went. She should hold a friendly correspondence monthly, with the committee on correspondence (now separated from that on supplies) besides sending an official monthly report. To ascertain the right woman, one who should combine the talent, energy, tact and social influence for this severe field, was the difficult preliminary step. Then, to gain her consent, to instruct, and to place her in relations with the auxiliaries, involved an amount of correspondence truly frightful. It was done. Yet, in one sense, it was never done; for up to the close, innumerable little rills from "pastures new" were guided on to the great stream. The experience of every associate manager, endeared to the Woman's Central through the closest sympathy would be a rare record.

An elaborate and useful set of books was arranged by Miss Schuyler in furtherance of the work of the committee "on correspondence, and diffusion of information." Lecturers were also to be obtained by this committee, and this involved much forethought and preparation of the field. Three hundred and sixty-nine lectures were delivered upon the work of the Sanitary Commission, by nine gentlemen.

State agencies made great confusion in the hospitals. The Sanitary Commission was censured for employing paid agents, and its board of officers even, was accused of receiving salaries. Its agents were abused for wastefulness, as if the frugality so

proper in health, were not improper in sickness. Reports were in circulation injurious to the honor of the Commission. Explanations had become necessary. The Woman's Central, therefore, published a pamphlet written by Mr. George T. Strong, entitled: "How can we best help our Camps and Hospitals?" In this the absolute necessity of paid agents was conclusively vindicated; the false report of salaries to the board of officers was denied, and the true position of the Sanitary Commission with reference to the National Government and its medical bureau was again patiently explained. A series of letters from assistant-surgeons of the army and of volunteers, recommending the Commission to the confidence of the people, was also inserted.

About this time a Hospital Directory was opened at Number 10, Cooper Union.

In the spring of 1863, the Woman's Central continued to be harassed, not by want of money, for that was always promised by its undaunted treasurer, but by lack of clothing and edibles. The price of all materials had greatly advanced, the reserved treasures of every household were exhausted, the early days of havelocks and Sunday industry had gone forever, and the Sanitary Commission was frequently circumvented and calumniated by rival organizations. The members of the Woman's Central worked incessantly. Miss Collins was always at her post. She had never left it. Her hand held the reins taut from the beginning to the end. She alone went to the office daily, remaining after office hours, which were from nine to six, and taking home to be perfected in the still hours of night those elaborate tables of supplies and their disbursement, which formed her monthly Report to the Board of the Woman's Central. These tables are a marvel of method and clearness.

To encourage its struggling Aid-Societies, who were without means, but earnest in their offers of time and labor, the Woman's Central offered to purchase for them materials at wholesale prices. This was eagerly accepted by many. A purchasing Committee

was organized, consisting of Mrs. J. H. Swett, Mrs. H. Fish, Mrs. S. Weir Roosevelt.

Miss Schuyler's wise "Plan of organization for country Societies," and the founding of "Alert-clubs," as originated in Norwalk (Ohio), also infused new life into the tributaries. Her master-mind smoothed all difficulties, and her admirable Reports so full of power and pathos, probed the patriotism of all. Societies were urged to work as if the war had just begun. From these united efforts, supplies came in steadily, so that in the summer of 1863, the Woman's Central, was able to contribute largely to the Stations at Beaufort and Morris Island. The blessings thus poured in were dispensed by Dr. and Mrs. Marsh, with their usual good judgment, and it is grateful to remember that the sufferers from that thrilling onslaught at Fort Wagner, were among the recipients.

In the summer of 1863, the Association lost its faithful Secretary, Mr. George F. Allen. Mr. S. W. Bridgham was elected in his place.

During this eventful summer, Miss Collins and Mrs. Griffin, had sole charge of the office, through the terrible New York riots. These ladies usually alternated in the summer months, never allowing the desk of the Supply Committee to be without a responsible head. Mrs. Griffin also became Chairman of the Special Relief Committee organized in 1863, all of whom made personal visits to the sick, and relieved many cases of extreme suffering.

Early in January, 1864, a Council of women was summoned to Washington. Thirty-one delegates were present from the Eastern and Western branches. Miss Collins and Miss Schuyler were sent by the Woman's Central. This meeting gave a new impulse to the work. These toilers in the war met face to face, compared their various experiences, and suggested future expedients. Miss Schuyler took special pains to encourage personal intercourse between the different branches. Her telescopic eye

swept the whole field. The only novelty proposed, was County Councils every three or six months, composed of delegates from the Aid-Societies. This would naturally quicken emulation, and prove a wholesome stimulus. Westchester County led immediately in this movement.

About this time supplies were checked by the whirlwind of "Fairs." The Woman's Central, issued a Circular urging its Auxiliaries to continue their regular contributions, and to make their working for Fairs a pastime only. In no other way could it meet the increased demands upon its resources, for the sphere of the Sanitary Commission's usefulness had now extended to remotest States, and its vast machinery for distribution had become more and more expensive.

Letters poured in from the country, unflinching letters, but crying out, "we are poor." What was to be done? How encourage these devoted sewing-circles and aid-societies? Every article had advanced still more in price. A plan was devised to double the amount of any sum raised by the feeble Aid-Societies, not exceeding thirty dollars per month. Thus, any Society sending twenty dollars, received in return, goods to the value of forty. This scheme proved successful. It grew into a large business, increasing greatly the labors of the Purchasing Committee, involving a new set of account books and a salaried accountant. Duly the smaller Societies availed themselves of this offer. The Sanitary Commission, agreed to meet this additional expense of the Woman's Central, amounting to over five thousand dollars per month. Thus an accumulation was gathered for the coming campaign.

In November, 1864, The Woman's Central convened, and defrayed the expenses of a Soldiers' Aid Society Council, at which two hundred and fifteen delegates were present.

The Military Hospitals near the city had, from time to time, received assistance, though not often needed from the Association. The Navy too, received occasional aid.

In the spring of 1865, The Woman's Central lost its President, Dr. Mott, whose fame gave weight to its early organization. From respect to his memory, it was resolved that no other should fill his place.

At last, in April, 1865, came the glad tidings of great joy. Lee had surrendered. In May, Miss Collins wrote a congratulatory letter to the Aid-Societies, naming the 4th of July, as the closing day of the Woman's Central, and urging active work up to that time, as hospital and field supplies would still be needed. With tender forethought, she also begged them to keep alive their organizations, for "the privilege of cherishing the maimed and disabled veterans who are returning to us."

The receipts and disbursements of the Woman's Central are as astounding to itself as to the public. So much love and patriotism, so little money! As early as May, 1863, the Treasurer in his Report, remarks:

"That so small a sum should cover all the general amount of expenses of the Association in the transaction of a business which, during the year, has involved the receipt or purchase, assorting, cataloguing, marking, packing, storing and final distribution of nearly half a million of articles, will be no less satisfactory to the donors of the funds so largely economized for the direct benefit of the soldier, than to those friends of the Association from whose self-denying, patriotic and indefatigable personal labors, this economy has resulted."

In the Table of supplies received and distributed from May 1st, 1861, to July 7th, 1865, prepared by Miss Collins, the item of shirts alone amounts to two hundred and ninety-one thousand four hundred and seventy-five.

For four years' distribution, purchase of hospital delicacies, and all office expenses, except those of the committee which purchased material for the aid-societies amounting to seventy-nine thousand three hundred and ninety dollars and fifty-seven cents, the sum