of the work. But her
contributions of supplies were always large; and she had always a
peculiar care and interest in the religious and moral welfare of the
volunteers, who, far from the influences of home, and exposed to new and
numerous temptations, were, she felt, in more than one sense encircled
by peculiar dangers.
Only once did she revisit her Kansas home, and in the autumn of 1862
spent some months there. There was at that time a regiment in camp at
Atchison, and she was enabled to do great good to the sick in hospital,
not only with supplies, but by her own personal efforts for their
physical and spiritual welfare.
On her return to Washington she there entered as actively as possible
into this work. Her form became known in the hospitals, and many a
suffering man hailed her coming with a new light kindling his dimmed
eyes. She brought them comforts and delicacies, and she added her
prayers and her precious instructions. She cared both for souls and
bodies, and earned the immortal gratitude of those to whom she
ministered.
In January, 1863, her last active benevolent work was commenced, namely
the foundation of an asylum at the National Capital for the freed
orphans and destitute aged colored women whom the war, and the
Proclamation of Emancipation, had thrown upon the care of the
benevolent. For several months she was actively engaged in this
enterprise. A charter was immediately obtained, and when the Association
was organized, Mrs. Pomeroy was chosen President.
Almost entirely by her exertions, a building for the Asylum was
obtained, as well as some condemned hospital furniture, which was to be
sold at auction by the Government, but was instead transferred--a most
useful gift--to the Asylum.
But when the time came, about the 1st of June, 1863, for the Association
to be put in possession of the buildings and grounds assigned them, Mrs.
Pomeroy was too ill to receive the keys, and the Secretary took her
place. She was never able to look upon the fruit of her labors. Again,
she had exhausted her feeble powers, and she was never more to rally.
A slow fever followed, which at last assumed the form of typhoid. She
lingered on, slightly better at times, until the 17th of July, when
preparations were completed for removing her to the Geneva Water Cure,
and she started upon her last journey. She went by water, and arrived at
New York very comfortably, leaving there again on the boat for Albany,
on the mor
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