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APPENDIX B: “TimelyAidRendered” Hospital, 3rd Division, 20th A. C.1 Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 2, 1864 Agent U.S. San. Com.— Dear Sir—It affords me great pleasure to acknowledge the many timely and inestimable favors from the U.S. Sanitary Commission to the sick and wounded soldiers in the hospital of the 3rd Division during the past five months. With no desire or intention to utter a disparaging word of our best of Governments, that is putting forth every effort for self-preservation and our preservation, yet it cannot but be confessed that in many instances our sick and wounded soldiers would have suffered very much more than they did for the want of proper food and clothing, had it not been for the timely aid rendered by the humane and gentlemanly agents of the Sanitary Commission , that had followed us through the whole campaign with constant determination to do us good. Large amounts of food and clothing, as well as other necessities for the comfort of the invalid, have been furnished, just at the time and of the kind needed, cheerfully, and only the regret expressed that the limited transportation would not allow them to bring forward all on hand. Our Government may be strong, but, being of the people, its strength is in the patriotism and well-directed energies of the masses, not only of the men, who, musket and sword in hand, to forth to the bloody encounter with the traitorous foes, but in support, sympathy, and aid given directly by the people who remain at home.The wisest of men could not foresee and provide against all the exigencies that have arisen or might arise. The people, foreseeing, to some extent, the necessities of the soldiers in the field, and anticipating their wants, prepare to send them through the U.S. 383 1. This letter appeared under the heading “Testimonial of Surgeon Bennett” in the November 15, 1864,issueof theSanitaryReporter,thesemimonthlypublicationof theWesternDepartmentof theU.S. Sanitary Commission. Sanitary Commission as a shorter route than the slow process of legislation and military orders. The pleasure of the invalid soldiers derived from the comforts furnished by these and other kindred agencies is much enhanced by a knowledge of the fact that a loved mother, wife, sister, daughter, or, may be, sweetheart, is engaged in the matter, heart and hand. May the God of Heaven bless them and their agencies in their noble work, and give them and us great success, and hasten the time when efforts in this direction shall no longer be necessary—when traitorous hands shall no longer be raised against our country, but peace restored with righteousness enthroned. I am, respectfully Your ob’t servant, John Bennett,2 Surg. 19th Michigan Infantry, In charge hospital 3rd Div., 20th A. C. 384 Appendix B 2. Bennitt’s name was consistently misspelled. ...

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