Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 25.djvu/117

 '/'A- Richmond Ambukntct < ';/'>. 113

[From the Richmond (Va.) Dispatch, Dec. la, 1897.]

THE RICHMOND AMBULANCE CORPS.

List of Members of This Useful Organization for 1861-1865.

When the late war first broke out a number of Richmond-' s well- known citizens formed themselves into a committee and charged themselves with the duty of supplying the needs of the Confederate wounded. Their services in this respect are still gratefully remem- bered by many a surviving Confederate veteran who received the benefit of their unstinted and kindly ministrations in time of dire distress. The committee, which was limited to about fifty members, was composed for the most part of citizens exempt from military duty. Afterward, as the exigency of the war period demanded, many of them went into active service, while others not only fur- nished substitutes, but continued their membership in the committee till the end came on that fatal gth of April, 1865. at Appomattox Courthouse.

Nearly the first thing done when the committee organized was to form its members into a military company, to serve in case of emer- gency, of which John Dooley was chosen captain; Philip J. Wright, first lieutenant, and John J. Wilson, second lieutenant. The ser- vices of the committee extended through the battles of Gettysburg, Sharpsburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, the seven days' fights around Richmond, including Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, Cold Har- bor, Malvern Hill, Frayser's Farm, and, in fact, most of the engage- ments in which the Army of Northern Virginia participated. The committee served without pay, and was always ready to buy for the wounded, with their own funds, any delicacy that could not other- wise be procured for the use of the objects of their solicitude. But a few, comparatively, survive the lapse of years intervening since the great contest ended. Appended is a partial list, so far as can be recalled, of this famous and useful organization. Those who live deserve, as they receive, the gratitude of all surviving veterans, while the good deeds of those passed away are wreathed in memory that blooms sweetly and blossoms in the dust: