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 |