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MANY ROADS TO FREEDOM: LOCAL CIVILIAN RELIEF EFFORTS

Shipment received at Virginia (newspaper article excerpt from Rochester Daily Union & Avertiser March 31, 1863)

Rochester Daily Union & Advertiser
March 31, 1863

The Rochester Young Ladies Aid Society
CAMP 140th N.Y.S. VOLUNTEERS
NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., MARCH 25, 1863

I would respectfully, and with much gratitude, inform you in behalf of the sick soldiers, that the box sent to regiment marked "From the Ladies of Scottsville," had been received in good order, and the various articles are now being used in hospital with the most gratifying effect. Indeed, a few such delicacies from home seem to throw a peculiar charm over the soldier. It is impossible to understand the power of this spell until you have witnessed the reception of such things by some poor, emaciated fellow whose life seems almost to depend upon something nutritious and palatable - until you have said to such a one, "Here, my good fellow, take this: it is something from home," and then see him stare a you, then at the plate, see the strained cords stands out on his wasted neck, his eyes fill up with tears, his chin tremble, and he draws his rough blanket up to hide his face fro a moment before he thinks of eating that sacred food. God alone can fathom the depth of that man's gratitude or estimate the fervor of his whispered prayer.

The ladies of the "Young Ladies' Aid Society" may rest assured that they are not working in vain. The cause is a good one, and I believe the poor soldier's faltered blessing will reach heaven through the flapping canvas of his scanty tent full as soon as the prayers of eloquence that reverberate in the vast cathedrals.

Again thinking you for your interest and sympathy, and hoping that the burden of our unanimous prayer that meek eyed Peace may perch again on our country's pennon, with her olive branch fresh blooming.

I am, very respectfully,


M.L. Lord
Assistant Surgeon in charge of 140th N.Y.V.
MISS MATTIE P. HASTINGS, Secretary, "Rochester Young Ladies Aid Society."