Monday, February 20, 2012

Oliver's Story - A Gift from the Home Front

Thursday, February 20, 1862

The women of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the hometown of Oliver Stanton Bates of Company A, sent a package to Camp Benton for the welfare of the soldiers. In gratitude the Pittsfield soldiers penned a letter of appreciation, which appeared in the Berkshire County Eagle newspaper:

To the ladies of Pittsfield: We the subscribers, soldiers of the 20th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, Company A, tender our sincere thanks for the interest taken by you in our welfare, in sending by express a large box containing blankets, stockings, etc., which we received yesterday and distributed for our comfort. We hope to repay you by a safe return to greet you with the assurance that we have tried to do our duty as soldiers, in assisting to put down rebellion and preserve our glorious Union. May God protect you in our absence, and shield you from the ravages of war, and make your hearts glad at some future period by the return of your friends that you hold dear. Remember us in your absence with your prayers and we remain yours, etc.1

References:
1"To the Ladies of Pittsfield," Berkshire County Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), 20 February 1862, p.2, col.2.

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