From The National Freedman, Vol. 2, No. 1 (January 1866), p. 17

RICHMOND.

RICHMOND, VA., January 6, 1866.

MR. HAWKINS.

Dear Sir: - After the liberal donations which we have received from time to time, I feel almost ashamed to ask for anything else.

But could you visit our people here, you would not wonder at our appeals, and could you see them after they have been furnished with warm clothing, their expressions of joy and gratitude would melt your heart. One old woman, to whom I gave a warm suit of clothes, took the dress and kissed it over and over again, saying: “This was made for me; was it not? God intended it for me; didn’t he?” Yes, Aunty. “Well, God bless ye, miss; I loves ye so; I loves ye so!” Thanks to kind friends, we are very well supplied with clothing of every sort, except shoes; these are very much needed. There are many children in the camp, who are obliged to stay from school for want of them. We have more than 100 children in school whose feet are very poorly protected. If you would only send us one or two cases of children’s shoes, it would be a great help to us.

We called to-day to see Lieut. Townsend, the officer in charge of Chimborazo Camp, hoping to enlist his sympathies in behalf of our suffering poor. We were very kindly received, and after stating our case, found him quite disposed to favor us; his sympathies were aroused, and he promised to do everything in his power to make the buildings more comfortable, and to assist them in getting rations, which many find a very difficult matter. So now, we think, with the donations of money which some of us have received in answer to appeals to our friends at the North for the purchase of fuel and other necessaries, we will be able toalleviate much of the suffering which would otherwise be unbearable. 

L. G. C.

• Prev
• Next