|
Between 1861 and 1866 the ladies and gentlemen of the United States Sanitary Commission worked tirelessly to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical supplies and medical treatment to the troops of the Union Army and their families. Women across the country organized themselves as Soldier Aide Societies and met to sew clothing, knit socks, and canvass their communities for the goods and money to be sent to the Sanitary Commission for distribution to the soldiers. Sanitary Fairs were staged in many of the larger cities, including, Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. Additionally, the Sanitary Commission provided women nurses for field hospitals and hospital ships, manned soup kitchens and soldier comfort stations, established Soldier Homes, and assisted soldiers to obtain back wages, make travel arrangements back to the front and to home, and secure employment. Doctors employed by the Sanitary performed inspections of Union camps to insure proper hygiene, nutrition, shelter and clothing were being provided to the soldiers. As a result of the efforts of thousands of volunteers throughout the country, the U. S. Sanitary Commission distributed $15 million worth of stores to Federal soldiers in the field and in Confederate prison camps.
Rosalyn Johnson with display of goods
typically sent to the Union Soldiers
|
| 
Ladies of the Sanitary Commission
in the “Time Tunnel” Duncans Mills 2006
|
|
In 2001 our U.S. Sanitary Commission was formed as a part of the California Historical Artillery Society. Inside Union camp, we provided a hospital and feeding station scenario. The procurement branch of the Sanitary Commission, known as Soldier’s Aid Society, was organized in Civilian Town, comprised of a Soldier’s Rest Station, a sewing circle, a dietary soup kitchen, and soldier’s laundry service. The Sanitary Commission became a member of the NCWA family of reenactors in 2002. Over the years the various scenarios have been refined, and some have been set aside. Since 2004 our concentration has been on the Soldier’s Aid Society impression in Civilian Town, comprising of a Soldier’s Rest Station and sewing circle. The ladies participate in “Mail Call” for the soldiers of the Third U.S. Artillery, Battery L&M by writing “letters from home”, display samples of items needed by the men, and sew useful articles of clothing for the men and hospital patients.
Unit Contact:
Judith Boling
sancomlady@sbcglobal.net
559.627.3160
www.warhorse.org
|
|
Judith Boling and Carolyn Faubel
Gibson Ranch 2006
|
|
