os she would proceed to tell of
incidents which she had witnessed, so touching, that long ere she had
concluded her entire audience would be in tears.

By two years of earnest and constant labor in this field, these ladies
succeeded in adding to the packages sent to the Sanitary Commission,
fifty thousand, mostly gifts directly from the Aid Societies, but in
part purchased with money given. In addition to this, over four hundred
thousand dollars came into the treasury through their efforts.

Early in 1863, Mrs. Hoge, in company with Mrs. Colt of Milwaukee, at the
request of the Sanitary Commission, left Chicago for Vicksburg, with a
large quantity of sanitary stores. The defeat of Sherman in his assault
upon that city, had just taken place, and there was great want and
suffering in the army. The boat upon which these ladies were traveling,
was however seized as a military transport at Columbus, and pressed into
the fleet of General Gorman, which was just starting for the forts at
the mouth of the White River.

General Fisk, whose headquarters were upon the same boat, accorded to
these ladies the best accommodations, and every facility for carrying
out their work, which proved to be greatly needed. Their stores were
found to be almost the only ones in the fleet, composed of thirty
steamers filled with fresh troops, whose ranks were soon thinned by
sickness, consequent upon the exposures and fatigues of the campaign.

Their boat became a refuge for the sick of General Fisk's brigade, to
his honor be it said, and these ladies had the privilege of nursing
hundreds of men during this expedition, and undoubtedly saved many
valuable lives.

Early in the following spring, and only ten days after her return to
Chicago, from the expedition mentioned above, Mrs. Hoge was again
summoned to Vicksburg, opposite which, at Young's Point, the army under
General Grant was lying and engaged, among other operations against this
celebrated stronghold, in the attempt to turn the course of the river
into a canal dug across the point. Scurvy was prevailing to a very
considerable extent among the men, who were greatly in need of the
supplies which accompanied her. Here she remained two weeks, and had the
pleasure of distributing these supplies, and witnessing much benefit
from their use. Her headquarters were upon the sanitary boat, Silver
Wave, and she received constant support and aid from Generals Grant and
Sherman, and from Admiral Por