Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/374

Rh a response, and everywhere little bands gathered, or a woman alone did "what she could," for those who had answered their country's call.

Not only did she put her hand to the plow, and start the loom with its many bobbins, harvest the crops which she had laboriously planted and tended, but she also sewed, picked lint, made bandages, and knitted socks and numberless other things for the men and boys at "the front."

Societies sprang up and worked steadily all through the Civil War, and even when peace was declared, many found that their work was not done, for there were maimed and invalid veterans to care for, there were widows and orphans who needed succor, and homes had to be provided for hundreds who had no loved ones to look after them.

With the call of duty ever before them they could not disband, and all over the north, the east, and the west, they were still working when their ability and help were recognized by a veteran who was at the head of the Grand Army of the Republic,—Paul Van Der Voort, commander-in-chief.

An invitation was sent out to all loyal women all over the country to assemble at Denver, July 25, 26, 1883, to perfect a National Order, which should include within its folds loyal women from every state in the Union, who were willing to unite in a fraternity which should be of assistance to the Grand Army of the Republic, in all their works of beneficence.

The National Organization was effected at the Denver meeting, and recognized as the auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic in accordance with a resolution by that body passed in Indianapolis, in 1881: "Resolved, That we approve of the project entertained of organizing a 'Woman's National Relief Corps.' Resolved, That such 'Woman's Relief Corps' may use, under such title, the words, 'Auxiliary to the G.A.R.' by special endorsement of the Grand Army of the Republic, June 15, 1881."