Handwritten Charter Forming a 'Special Relief Corps' of YMCA Members to Help Care for Soldiers at Annapolis Military Hospital
Washington, DC: "Rooms of the Y.M.C.A." 1865. Single sheet, folded to 7 1/4" x 9 3/4"
Dated March 27th, 1865 at the Rooms of the Y.M.C.A. in Washington, D.C., this document reads as follows:
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"The undersigned hereby organize ourselves into a 'Special Relief Corps' to be held in readiness to send not exceeding three of our members at one time to help care for sick and starved soldiers at the U.S. General Hospital at Annapolis Maryland. We agree that our delegates shall remain at Annapolis working under the supervision of either the local manager of the U.S. Christian Commission stationed there, [or, of the Directress of said hospital]* for a time not exceeding three days excepting as they may be able or willing voluntarily to remain longer. Otherwise, in cases of special emergency their places are to be filled by others of our number all of whom are to be held in readiness to go to Annapolis upon notification by telegram or otherwise of such services being needed.
[signed] Geo. May Powell / Warren Choate / A. K. Browne / Alex. A. C. Klaucke / John S. Polen / Levi Beardsley / Wm. A. Thompson / B. H. Stinemetz"
* words in brackets above stricken through.
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The U.S. General Hospital mentioned in this document occupied a substantial area of the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. It was the primary receiving point for Union soldiers wounded in the eastern theatres of the war as well as those being returned from Confederate prisons such as Libby and Andersonville. The former prisoners were in shockingly poor health due to the conditions in which they were held, with many dying on the transports to Annapolis, and those who survived needing much attention.
Document shows two old horizontal fold creases, else fine. Ink remains clean and legible.
Item #1986
Price: $350