“ Miscellaneous Department.” This solved the mystery, but on our expressing wonder as to what “miscellaneous” included, our fair charmer proceeded to explain, first telling us, with an appeal to our sympathies, that the “ Miscellaneous ” had been called the “scav engers ”of the Fair. We suggested that this Committee take for its motto this, from Scrip ture: “Gather vp the fragments: that nothing he lost:" First, we saw everything that a surgeon or physician could need in the way of apparatus —cases of instruments, artificial arms, boxes for pills and everything made, invoiced and contributed by the best makers, and for sale at regular retail prices. Here, also, are family cases of Homoeopathic medicines for sale; lan terns, lamps, and shades of all kinds; crutches and canes, together with a fine contribution of playing-cards; also, a large case of Mason’s best shoe blacking, surmounted by appropriate figures in bronze. Wc paid one dollar for a chance to win an elegant case of stuffed birds, valued at one hundred dollars. A beautiful miniature cottage, with grounds, furniture, and all the modern improvements complete, the work of a lady who is devoting herself to this department, is here for sale ; it would make a beautiful parlor ornament. Two other orna ments of the same kind are here for sale—a beautiful church, with pulpit, pews, stained glass windows, and so arranged that it can be lighted up at night. A full-rigged miniature vessel is also exhibited. HOW THE SANITARY IS WORKING IN THE FIELD. [Letter from Dr. Steiner.] Sanitary Commission, Headquarters Field Relief Corps, Army of Potomac, 12 miles from Richmond, June 0, 1804. My Dear Mr. Stili.£:— Our friend John son suggested that a line from here to you for the Sanitary paper would be acceptable; ac cordingly, I take the pen and shall try to com ply with his suggestion. Separated as we are from the comforts of home and home-life, writing is by no means an easy task, still, what we can do, to show the liberal public who be stow their wealth lavishly on the army, is always freely done. You all know, more or less, what this heroic army has done since the morning of the 6th ultimo; how it braved the deadly fire of the Wilderness, underwent the bloody battles of Spottsylvania, fought at Jericho Crossing, on the North Anna, and, having crossed the l’a munkey, has fought day and night for the recon struction of our glorious Union and the re-esta blishment of the reign of law and order. In this long series of battles many a gallant soldier has freely otfered up his life for his country, and many more have received those honorable Oue, ID^ailt Pabe. wounds which will forever endear them to those who know how to appreciate a patriot’s offering. The line of march of this army has been consecrated forever by a baptism of blood, which must make it a prominent feature in the geography of the country. And the work still goes on. As I write, the continuous sound of musketry from sharpshooters and skirmishers salutes my ear, and prevents me, even if I could attempt to think of other things, from forgetting where I am, and what is the cause that has brought us all from our homes. A General of indomitable firmness of purpose and determination, aided by the prudence and wonderful command of the minutim of military science possessed by another, is in command, and an army, possessed of full confidence in him, sturdily stands by him ready to execute all his commands. This protracted series of battles lias resulted in an unprecedented number of wounded; in an unprecedented demand for assistance. The Government had provided for the emergency most liberally, and still the demand was for more. Starving, suffering men—heroes all bloody with their wounds—were to be aided and succored. The Sanitary Commission had looked forward toward this emergency with a full knowledge of what was expected from it. A full account of its stewardship cannot be rendered until the great campaign shall be won. Its first preparation consisted in secur ing eighty thousand dollars’ worth of supplies, in loading a boat and barge to reach the first water-base that should be opened, and in hav ing a trained band of nurses, under the vete ran army nurse, Frank R. Fay, ready for work. As soon as permission was given it, the Commission started for Belle Plain. The flag of the Commission streamed gaily from the flag-staff of the Mary F. Rapley, as she entered the harbor and made fast to the dock. I can never be too thankful that the great privilege of opening up and conducting this grand scheme of relief for the army was mine. It is now a matter of history that thousands (twenty thousand and over) of the wounded were fed by our agents at Belle Plain—that at Fredericksburg every hospital daily drew from our stores sent thither in our own wagons— that even organizations, whose pride tempts them to ignore us in their speeches and pamph lets, drew from our stores, (the receipts for such issues are on file,) and employed these in their own ministrations, though no reference is made to the same in their speeches made at public meetings since—that all the wounded at Port Royal received the kindest treatment in the same way at our hands—that at White House the work is continued under charge of that “big-soulcd man,” the Rev. John A. Anderson —that ministers of the gospel of every faith, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Metho dist, and others, have recognized the catholicity of our organization, and have worked in con- junction with us. It is not for me to laud this work. The work that is done will speak for itself; that which is to be done we may hope shall equal it. Let us thank God that He has enabled us to minister, in the name of Chris tian philanthropy,to our fellow-men; it is not ours to mar the ministrations by Pharisaic declarations of our superiority to other workers. Such is not the spirit of the U. S. Sanitary Commission. The Field Relief Corps is working steadily in this army. Wagons under competent agents are now dispensing clothing, and such other articles as may be needed to supplement the Government supplies in the division hos pitals. As the wounded are only kept here for a few hours, the wants in the field are not as great as at the Water Base, and hence but few laborers comparatively are needed in this place. Our supplies will, however, be kept up, and will be offered freely to the chief medical officers of the corps. In this great contest it is our pleasure to aid in upholding the authority of the officers by dispensing mostly through tlicir aid. The amount of mis-appropriation charged against medical officers is certainly very small, notwithstanding the popular idea on the subject. Medical officers prize their characters and their subsequent reputations at home too highly to be chargeable with such offences. Army life during a campaign like the pre sent is by no means a luxury. Crackers, cof fee and beef may be considered good food for one day, but when the same bill of fare con tinues for five weeks, it becomes intensely distasteful. Disease will visit the campaigner. Already one. of our relief corps has been sent from this army with typhoid fever, brought on by his labors here. Still, all feel that the position is a glorious one, and arc ready to brave the common lot of the army. Would that some of your glorious women could be here to see the comforts that their gifts produce—that your wealthy men could see what an investment they made when they contributed to the soldiers’ fund ! One hour would repay them for all their labor, for all their contributions. Just as the sweet sounds of the birds singing on the boughs of a tree near me, bring quiet home-feelings and thoughts to one’s heart, even while the rude sound of musketry greets one’s ear—so the gifts of liberal hearts and gentle hands make the soldier feel, amid blood and carnage, that there are those at home whose best wishes and most fervent prayers are always with him. God bless the women of this land ! May their hands never tire nor their hearts faint in well doing, until the blessings of peace shall once more visit our counry. ■pRINTED by Rinowalt k Brown, 111 k 113 South 4th -*• Street, Philadelphia, for the Great Central Fair in aid of the United States Sanitary Commission.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers