Secretary Stanton's Generous Gift
Annie Wittenmyer recounts how, while attending a sanitary convention at Muscatine, Iowa, she was burdened by dying soldiers’ messages to their families and proposed a home for soldiers’ orphan children. The convention enthusiastically endorsed the plan, organized the Orphans’ Home Association, and opened a rented house, which soon proved too small for the many children seeking admission. A committee discovered new cavalry barracks on thirty acres near Davenport. Though Wittenmyer resisted being sent, she was commissioned to seek the property from the government, or to rent it if necessary. In Washington she obtained statements from Surgeon-General J. K. Barnes and Quartermaster-General Meigs that the barracks were unnecessary for hospital or military purposes. Meigs, who considered their construction wasteful, formally declared that they would not be needed even if hostilities resumed. Secretary Stanton was absent, and Major Eccles, acting Secretary of War, initially said he lacked authority to give away government property. Wittenmyer telegraphed Stanton and also submitted a large requisition for hospital supplies, arguing that Iowa had sent nearly $200,000 worth of supplies to military hospitals and deserved the return of a small portion. Eccles and the Iowa delegation supported her cause. Stanton asked whether the Association would accept the barracks subject to congressional approval. Wittenmyer agreed and promised to secure the necessary bill. Major Eccles soon delivered the order transferring the property and supplies, a gift valued at $52,000. The Association bought out the heirs of the confiscated land, repaired the buildings, and housed nearly five hundred soldiers’ orphan children before Congress met. Hiram Price carried the confirming bill through Congress, and the State Legislature later made the Home a State institution. Wittenmyer credits Stanton’s gift with securing the institution’s success and praises him as a loyal, frank, tireless, honest public servant whose work strengthened Mr. Lincoln’s administration.
By Annie Wittenmyer · First published 1895 · Genre: Historical Nonfiction, Memoir, Civil War History · 1,855 words
First lines
In October, 1863, I came up from the hospitals in the front, to attend a sanitary convention at Muscatine, Iowa.
As I was legally commissioned the sanitary agent of the State by Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood, having been elected to that position by the Legislature of Iowa, my presence was greatly desired by the workers.
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Genres
- Historical Nonfiction — The work recounts a documented Civil War-era effort to establish an orphan home for soldiers' children, naming real institutions, officials, places, dates, and governmental actions.
- Memoir — Annie Wittenmyer narrates her own experiences in the first person, including her wartime relief work, mission to Washington, negotiations, and personal impressions of public figures.
- Civil War History — Its central circumstances arise from the aftermath of the American Civil War, including military hospitals, Union relief networks, confiscated property, government administration, and soldiers' orphaned children.
- Biographical Sketch — The narrative offers a strongly evaluative portrait of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, emphasizing his character, public service, administrative abilities, loyalty, and generosity.
Tags
American Civil War · Civil War home front · 1860s United States · Iowa · Muscatine, Iowa · Davenport, Iowa · Washington, D.C. · soldiers' orphan children · orphanage movement · children's welfare · sanitary commissions · military hospitals
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Secretary Stanton's Generous Gift is listed on Textopian as a historical account by Annie Wittenmyer, dated 1895 CE.
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- Work type: Historical account
- Author: Annie Wittenmyer
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Nonfiction, Memoir, Civil War History, Biographical Sketch, Social Welfare History
- Length: 1,855 words
- Structure: 1 section, 54 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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