William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[55] had been attacked in Baltimore, the enthusiasm and resolution of the people were intense. Many ladies of the most refined and tender culture offered their services as hospital nurses; and many of them subsequently went forward on their mission of humanity, and ministered with tender hands and feeling hearts to the comfort of our sick and wounded men in the hospitals. The letters of these true Christian women are on file at the State House. They speak one language, and express one thought,—opportunity to do good, and to comfort those who are afflicted. Among these letters is one dated April 19, from Mrs. Frances Wright, of Foxborough, and signed by one hundred young ladies of that town, offering their services as nurses, or to make soldiers' garments, to prepare bandage and lint, to do any thing for the cause in their power to do. The Governor, in his answer, writes, ‘I accept it as one of the most earnest and sincere of the countless offers of devotion to our old Commonwealth, and to the cause of the country;’ and concludes by asking them ‘to help those who are left behind, and follow those who have gone before with your benedictions, your benefactions, and your prayers.’

Benjamin F. Parker, and Whiton, Brown, & Wheelright, ‘tender the use of their sail-loft, and all such assistance of workmen as may be necessary to do any work on the tents, free of expense to the Commonwealth.’ John H. Rogers, offers ‘twenty cases of boots, as a donation for the soldiers now enlisting.’ Captain Francis B. Davis offers ‘his barque “Manhattan,” to take men and munitions of war to any part of the United States.’ As arrangements had been already made, this offer was declined for the present. James M. Stone and Newell A. Thompson offered their services to superintend the distribution of quartermaster's stores and ordnance, which were accepted. Robert B. Forbes, on the 17th, made a proposal to raise a Coast Guard, which met with the cordial approval of the Governor; but as there was no provision, in the militia law, by which material aid could be given by the State, the Governor wrote to the Secretary of War on behalf of the project. On the 19th, thirty thousand dollars was subscribed by a few gentlemen in Boston, as a fund to organize