Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) [Leaflet encouraging women to contribute their patriotic efforts to the Civil War as members of the United States Sanitary Commission]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00700 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Printed document Date: 1 October 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy
Includes a statement issued by Frederick Law Olmstead, Secretary of the Commission, encouraging patriotic donations. Contains a letter from Lincoln stating that "The Sanitary Commission is doing a work of great humanity." Includes a statement issued by directors of the Commission (including Commission President Henry W. Bellows) to the women of America describing the organization as "a volunteer and unpaid bureau of the War Department of the government." Bellows encourages the formation of more benevolent societies in the United States created to collect items for military donation. Montgomery C. Meigs, Quartermaster General, requests the donation of woolen blankets for the military.
The United States Sanitary Commission, formed in 1861, unified the efforts of benevolent societies and the Federal Government in acquiring donations and provisions for the Union Army. Women were instrumental in the Commission's formation, perpetuation, and success.
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