Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jackie Martin.
A HANDSOME DONATION.
The following correspondence deserves to be recorded as a testimony of the generosity and self-abnegation of our gallant soldiers in the field.—Such a deed needs no comment—it carries its praise and honour with it:
“CAMP NEAR GAINES’ MILL, June 12, 1864.
“Mrs. Dr. Bolton:
“Madam—The undersigned, commanding the batteries of Lieutenant Colonel Nelson’s battalion, beg leave to tender you for the orphan children of the asylum of which you have charge, one hundred and twenty pounds of bacon, one hundred and thirty-eight pounds of meal, eighteen pounds of flour, and thirty-eight pounds rice, contributed by the men of our respective companies from their rations.
“We beg to assure you that this contribution is made most cheerfully, and hope that no hesitation will be felt by you in accepting it for the purpose indicated.
“With great respect, we subscribe ourselves
“Your obedient servants,
“THOMAS J. KIRKPATRICK, Captain.
“AMHERST ARTILLERY, commanding.
“JOHN L. MASSIE, Captain
“Fluvanna Artillery,
“THOMAS A. MADDOX, first Lieutenant
“Commanding Milledge Artillery.”
“TO CAPTAINS THOMAS J KIRKPATRICK, JOHN L MASSIE AND LIEUTENANT THOMAS A. MADDOX:
‘Gentlemen—Permit me, in the name of the institution which I represent, to return my acknowledgements for the liberal donation specified in your note of June 12th, now before me.
“Be assured Lieutenant Colonel Nelson’s battalion will long be remembered by these orphan children with gratitude, and their prayers will be offered in his behalf that the blessing may rest up it, ‘in as much as you have done it unto one of the least of there my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’
“Respectfully,
“A. M. BOLTON,
“Secretary of the Board of Directors
“Female Orphan Asylum.”1
Source:
- “A Handsome Donation.” Richmond Examiner. June 15, 1864, p. 2 col. 3 ↩