Requests from the
field (newspaper article excerpt from Rochester Daily Union & Avertiser
October 15, 1862)
Rochester Daily Union & Advertiser
October 25, 1862
From the 140th regiment - Heir Location - Promotions - Hospital
Arrangements - What the Men Want - Good Suggestions to the Soldiers, etc.
CAMP NEAR SANDY HOOK, MD., 140TH REGT. N.Y.V., OCT. 18TH, 1862
DEAR UNION:-- ...I heard much before I left home, and have see in the
papers since, about the ladies of Monroe county getting up so much for the
soldiers. Some were scraping lint, some making bandages, and other
preparing delicacies for the sick; but so far as I can learn, and
certainly so far as this regiment is concerned, it all ends in talking and
writing. If they would make a practical thing of this towards the
regiments composed of their own sons, brothers, husbands and fathers, the
good they might do is incalculable. I know a difficulty exists in
forwarding these things to any particular regiment, as many of them never
reach their destination, or they lay in storehouses so long that they
spoil; but if the good people of Rochester and vicinity have anything to
send, that difficulty is easily obviated, and I will tell you also what we
most need here. When a package of articles for a regiment is ready for
shipment, just select some good, trustworthy man to go right along with
it,, and by so doing, and a trifle extra expense, the package can be taken
through direct to any place without delay, and the goods sent are neither
lost or spoiled. We are much in need of bandages. If anything should
happen that an engagement should take place, and our men be wounded, we
should have no bandages to dress their wounds; also would be very
acceptable, something for the sick - such as some jelly, sauce, or
anything of that kind that will keep a reasonable time without spoiling.
There is an impression among some that such things sent to a regiment are
used up by the officers, and the sick get but little of them; but I hope
no such impression will prevail concerning this regiment. It is not made
of such materials, and I believe our hospital corps are of the right stamp
for the places they fill, and for the benefit of the sick... IRONSIDES |