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[With George O. Glavis letter 2/1/64]
(Circular No.3.)
U. S. Sanitary Commission for New Jersey,
Office, 255 Broad street, Newark.
Dear Sir:
The U.S. Sanitary Commission is in urgent want of funds. Its operations for the relief of the Army were never more extensive and effective than now. Its depots and agents are at every military centre, from Washington to the Rio Grande. The money value of the supplies it issued to the Army of the Potomac during and immediately after Gettysburg, exceeded seventy thousand dollars. Its issues at Chattanooga were on a like scale. Thousands of men needing "Special Relief" are daily cared for in its "Homes" Its steamboats and wagon trains follow our soldiers everywhere. Its other and equally important depatments of work - Sanitary Inspection, Hospital Inspection, Hospital Directory, Transportation of the sick and wounded, &c., are in full operation. Aid has also been extended to refugees from various parts of the South. Since July last 3,500 persons alone passed through Cairo, 3,000 of whom sought and obtained pecuniary aid from the Sanitary Agents there. The cost of this life-saving work is not less than forty-five thousand dollars per month. The funds are now much reduced, and immediate contributions are requested to sustain it.
New Jersey, as a State, has, so far, not done justice to herself in this matter. Having had hitherto no systematic organization, she has scattered her benevolence, and consequently received no credit for it. As other States work as organized bodies, and as the future historian will record the aid given by each State, New Jersey should not be found wanting in this noble record. She ought to be in the good work all over as a unit. This Commission aims to bring about this good result. You are hereby appointed as one of the Committee for your Township, and are respectfully requested to inform us of your acceptance at an early day.
Bring the facts of what the Sanitary Commission has, by the blessing of God, been enabled to do, prominently before all. Stir your town
and neighborhood to the depth. Call forth all its patriotism. If your people knew a tithe of the relief thus afforded to our brave boys, you could not keep a spare dollar in any man's pocket out of the treasury, nor leave one woman's fingers idle while the war lasts and a single soldier lies in filthy or bloody clothes, to be replaced by her industry and pity.
To facilitate your labors permit us to make the following suggestions:
1. Where there is no organization in existence, call together a few of your leading citizens to arrange for a public meeting. At this meeting appoint a Committee of five, or more, of your most active, stirring men. Let this Committee district the city or township, and appoint ladies or gentlemen, as it sees fit, as Collectors to call upon every family. Have a meeting at least once a week of the Committee and Collectors to report progress, etc. See that the churches and other organizations co-operate in this work of benefiting the sick and wounded soldier, by holding Fairs, (Township, City or Church Fairs,) where contributions of every production of the Farmers, Manufacturers, Machinists, Mechanics, Merchants, Clothiers, Jewelers, Milliners, Gardeners, etc., may be received and disposed of.
2. In order, moreover, that nothing, however small, which even our youth can contribute, may be lost to the general offering, it is requested that Directors and Teachers of Schools, public and private, everywhere, invite their pupils to prepare articles of their own handiwork.
3. We also invoke the aid and influence of the women of the State, as individuals in their homes and social circles, and as classes in their churches, aid societies and other organizations
4. Headings for books, authorizing subscriptions, will be furnished on application.
5. It is hoped that all present organizations will make this Commission the channel through which they convey their contributions (we would blush to call them charities,) and communicate to us also their past labors and results.
6. The Commission is preparing for early publication, to be followed by regular issues, a Pamphlet containing items of interest relating to the work, together with donations received and the names of the donors, as also the various Committees engaged in the good cause. To enable us to make this as complete as possible, early communications, as to progress, etc., are solicited. These pamphlets will form the basis of a complete history, to be published hereafter as a testimonial of the sterling patriotism and devoted sympathy of New Jersey.
7. All articles forwarded should be accompanied with a statement of their value.
8. New Jersey has been invited, with other States, to participate in the Metropolitan Fair, which will be held in New York City on the 28th of March.
To meet the wishes of those friends of the cause who desire to take a part in it, the Commission has deemed it desirable to accede to the request, and appointed a Committee on this Fair, of which WALTER RUTHERFURD, Esq., is Chairman.
Co-operation in this Fair will be an auxiliary to the Commission, but is in nowise designed to interfere with either the proposed collections or Fairs contemplated to be held in the different Townships.
New Jersey will have a separate place and be credited with the amount of the contributions of her citizens.
All merchants, manufacturers, artisans, farmers, painters, sculptors, booksellers, musical instrument makers, etc., who desire to contribute to this Fair should have their goods ready for delivery on the 18th of March.
9. All contributions and communications direct to U. S. Sanitary Commission, Newark, New Jersey.
10. The influence of the Press, in furthering our efforts, is earnestly requested.
Please report your proceedings weekly, either verbally or by letter.
Meetings of the Committee will be held every Wednesday afternoon at 3 P.M., at which you are invited to be present.
Office hours daily from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Respectfully yours,
C. WALSH, President.
S.G. GOULD, Vice President.
MARCUS L. WARD, Treasurer.
GEORGE TAYLOR, Secretary.
GEORGE O. GLAVIS, Corres. Sec'y.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
His Excellency JOEL PARKER, Gov. of N.J.
Hon. CHARLES S. OLDEN
Hon. W.A. NEWELL.
Hon. W. WRIGHT, U.S. Senate.
Hon. JOHN C. TEN EYCK, U.S. Senate.
Hon. N.PERRY, M.C.
Hon. JOHN F. STARR, M.C.
Hon. GEORGE MIDDLETON, M.C.
Hon. HENRY W. GREEN.
Hon. EDWARD W. WHELPLEY.
Hon. DANIEL HAINES.
Hon. ELIAS B. D. OGDEN.
EDWIN A. STEVENS, Esq.
Hon. FRED. T. FRELINGHUYSEN.
Hon. JOSEPH P BRADLEY.
THEODORE RUNYON, Mayor.
Hon. T.P. CARPENTER.
Hon. M. RYERSON.
Hon. GEORGE T. COBB.
Right Rev. Bishop ODENHEIMER, D.D.
Right Rev. Bishop BAILEY, D.D.
Rev. Bishop SIMPSON, D.D.
Rev. JOHN MACLEAN, D.D.
Rev. W.H. CAMPBELL, D.D.
HENRY J MULFORD, Esq.