Unitarianism in America: A History of its Origin and DevelopmentCooke, George Willis
History
Unitarianism in America: A History of its Origin and Development
Cooke, George Willis
Unitarianism -- United States
These words of Charles J. Stillé, a member of the Sanitary Commission and
its authorized historian, afterward the provost of the University of
Pennsylvania, indicate the remarkable qualities of leadership possessed by
Dr. Bellows. These were undoubtedly added to and made more impressive by
his oratorical genius, that was of a very high order. Dr. Hedge spoke of
the miraculous power of speech possessed by Dr. Bellows, when he was at his
best, as being "incomparably better than anything he could have possibly
compassed by careful preparation or conscious effort," and of "those
exalted moments when he was fully possessed by his demon."[16] He was
inexhaustible in his efforts for the success of the Commission, in
directing the work of committees and branches, in appealing to the
indifferent, and in giving enthusiasm to all the forces under his
direction.
Of the nine original members of the Sanitary Commission, four were
Unitarians,--Dr. Bellows, Dr. Samuel G. Howe, Dr. Jeffries Wyman, and
Professor Wolcott Gibbs. In the number of those added later was Rev. John
H. Heywood, for many years the minister of the Unitarian church in
Louisville, who rendered efficient service in the western department. In
the convalescents' camp at Alexandria "a wonderful woman," Miss Amy
Bradley, had charge of the efficient labors of the Commission, "where for
two and a half years she and her assistants rendered incalculable service,
in distributing clothing among the needy, procuring dainties for the sick,
accompanying discharged soldiers to Washington and assisting them in
procuring their papers and pay, furnishing paper and postage, and writing
letters for the sick, forwarding money home by drafts that cost nothing to
the soldier, answering letters of inquiry to hospital directors, securing
certificates of arrears of pay and getting erroneous charges of desertion
removed (the Commission saved several innocent soldiers from being shot as
condemned deserters), distributing reading matter, telegraphing the friends
of very ill soldiers, furnishing meals for feeble soldiers in barracks who
could not eat the regulation food. Miss Bradley assisted 2,000 men to
secure arrears of pay amounting to $200,000. Prisoners of war, while in
prison and when released by general exchange, were largely and promptly
relieved and comforted by this department."[17] Another effective worker
was Frederick N. Knapp, who had been for several years a Unitarian
minister, and who was the leading spirit in the special relief service of
the Commission, "and organized and controlled it with masterly zeal,
humanity, and success."[18] The work of Mr. Knapp was of great importance;
for he was the confidential secretary of Dr. Bellows, and gave his whole
time to the service of the Commission. He was a methodical worker, an
efficient organizer, and supplied those qualities of persistent industry
and grasp of details in which Dr. Bellows was deficient. Without his
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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