Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/370

Rh systematizing their efforts, they could render the largest amount of assistance to the Sanitary Commission.

By two years "of earnest and constant labor in this field these women succeeded in adding to the packages sent to the Sanitary Commission fifty thousand, mostly gifts directly from the aid societies but in part purchased with money given. In addition to this, over four thousand dollars came into the treasury through their efforts.

Early in 1863, Mrs. Hoge, in company with Mrs. Colt of Milwaukee, at the request of the Sanitary Commission, left Chicago for Vicksburg with a large quantity of sanitary stores. The defeat of Sherman in his assault upon that city had just taken place and there was great want and suffering in the army. The boat upon which these women were traveling was, however, seized as a military transport at Columbus and pressed into the fleet of General Gorman, which was just starting for the forks at the mouth of the White River.

General Fiske, whose headquarters were upon the same boat, gave Mrs. Hoge and Mrs. Colt the best accommodations and every facility for carrying out their work, which proved to be greatly needed. Their stores were found to be almost the only ones in the fleet composed of thirty steamers filled with fresh troops, whose ranks were soon thinned by sickness consequent upon the exposures and fatigue of the campaign. Their boat became a refuge for the sick of General Fiske's brigade, and these women had the privilege of nursing hundreds of men during this expedition, undoubtedly saving many valuable lives.

Early in the following spring, and only ten days after her return to Chicago from this expedition, Mrs. Hoge was again summoned to Vicksburg, opposite which at Young's Point the army under General Grant was lying, engaged, among other operations against this stronghold, in an attempt to dig a canal across the point opposite the fortified city. Scurvy was prevailing to a terrible extent among the men, and they were greatly in need of the supplies Mrs. Hoge brought. She remained here two weeks, her headquarters being upon the sanitary boat, Silver Wave. She received constant support and aid from Generals Grant and Sherman and from Admiral Porter who placed a tug boat at her disposal, in order that she might visit the camps and hospitals, which were totally inaccessible in any other way, owing to the impassable character of the roads during the rainy season. Having made a tour of all the hospitals and ascertained the condition of the sick and of the army generally, she returned to the North and reported to the Sanitary Commission the extent of that insidious army foe, the scurvy. They determined to act promptly and vigorously, and these efforts undoubtedly proved the salvation of a good proportion of the troops.

Again the following June she returned to Vicksburg on the steamer, "City of Alton," which was dispatched by Governor Yates to bring home the sick and wounded Illinois soldiers. She remained until shortly after the surrender which took place on the fourth of July, and during this time visited the entire circle of hospitals as well as the rifle-pits where she witnessed scenes of thrilling interest and instances of endurance and heroism beyond the power of pen to describe.

In the two great sanitary fairs that were held in Chicago, the efforts of