repugnant to aid the soldiers of the North, could, without violence to
their feelings so far as the object is concerned, gracefully employ a
share of their elegant leisure in the service of the Medical College.
But Mrs. Fenn did not refuse the new call, and having let her charity
begin at home with those who are dearest and nearest to our hearts, our
country's soldiers, expanded it to embrace those whose claim is also
imperative, the poor whom we have always with us, and made large
collections for the patients of the clinic.

"We have thus briefly sketched the services of this noble woman, partly
in justice to her, but principally as an incentive to others."

Very early in the war, a meeting of the ladies of Pittsfield was called
with the intention of organizing the services, so enthusiastically
proffered on all hands, for the benefit of the soldiers. It was quite
numerously attended, and the interest and feeling was evidently intense.
But they failed to organize anything beyond a temporary association. All
wanted to work, but none to lead. All looked to Mrs. Fenn as head and
leader, while she was more desirous of being hand and follower. No
constitution was adopted, nor officers elected. But as the general
expression of feeling seemed to be that all should be left in the hands
of Mrs. Fenn, the meeting adjourned with a tacit understanding to that
effect.

And so it remained until the close of the work. Mrs. Fenn continued to
be the life and soul of the movement, and there was never any
organization. In answer to her appeals, the people of Pittsfield, of
many towns in Berkshire, as well as numbers of the adjoining towns in
the State of New York, forwarded to her their various and liberal
contributions. She hired rooms in one of the business blocks, where the
ladies were invited to meet daily for the purpose of preparing clothing,
lint, and bandages, and where all articles and money were to be sent.

Such was the confidence and respect of the people, that they freely
placed in her hands all these gifts, without stint or fear. She received
and disbursed large sums of money and valuable stores of all kinds, and
to the last occupied this responsible position without murmur or
distrust on the part of any, only from time to time acknowledging her
receipts through the public prints.

Pittsfield is a wealthy town, with large manufacturing interests, and
Mrs. Fenn was well sustained and aided in all her efforts, by valuable