In November 1864, a letter was
published in many newspapers throughout the North asking
"all loyal people in the North and East" to help furnish
"our gallant soldiers and sailors a good Thanksgiving
Dinner."
“The undersigned, a Committee
appointed at a meeting held at the Union League Club House,
appeal to the people of the North to join them in an effort
to furnish to our gallant soldiers and sailors a good
Thanksgiving Dinner. We desire that, on the twenty-fourth
day of November, there shall be no soldier in the Army of
the Potomac, the James or the Shenandoah, and no sailor in
the North Atlantic Squadron, who does not receive tangible
evidence that those for whom he is periling his life
remember him. It is hoped that the armies at the West will
be in like manner cared for by those nearer to them than
we. It is deemed impracticable to send to our more Southern
posts.”
“To enable us to carry out our
undertaking, we need the active cooperation of all loyal
people in the North and East, and to them we confidently
appeal. We ask primarily for donations of cooked poultry and
other proper meats, as well as for mince pies, sausages and
fruit. If any person is so situated as to be unable to cook
the poultry or meat, we will receive it uncooked. To those
who are unable to send donations in kind, we appeal for
generous contributions in money.”
“Will not every wife who has a
husband, every mother who has a son, every sister who has a
brother serving in the armies or navies of the Union, feel
that this appeal is to her personally, and do her part to
enable us to accomplish our undertaking? Will not all who
feel that we have a country worth defending and preserving,
do something to show those who are fighting our battles that
they are remembered and honored? Will not the press and the
clergy lend their aid to the movement?”
“We will undertake to send to
the front all donations in kind that may reach us on or
before November 20, and to see that they are properly and
equally distributed. They should be wrapped in white paper,
boxed, and addressed to GEORGE W. BLUNT, Getty's Building,
Trinity Place, New York. If uncooked, it should be so
marked on the outside of the box, and a list of the contents
should accompany the box. If sent as above without being
packed, we will pack it. Poultry, properly cooked, will keep
ten days. None should be sent which has been cooked prior to
November 14. Uncooked poultry or meat should reach us on or
before November 18 that it may be cooked here.”
“Contributions in money should
be sent to Theodore Roosevelt, Treasurer, No. 94 Maiden
Lane, or to any member of the Committee.”
“The time is short, and we trust
that no one will wait to be personally solicited. Will not
some person in every city and town of the North and East
volunteer, however, to canvass his own city or town?”
“The American, Adams, Harnden,
National, Kingsley, Hope, Long Island, and United States
Express Companies have generously offered to transmit to
this city, free of charge, all boxes addressed as above, and
it is not doubled that other Express Companies will do the
same.”
CHARLES H. MARSHALL, Chairman.
GEORGE BLISS, JR., Secretary.
George W. Blunt, Chairman of Executive Committee.
Theodore Roosevelt, Treasurer.
