INDIANA’S CARE OF HER SOLDIERS IN 
THE FIELD, 1861-1865 
Systematic care by the state of Indiana for her soldiers 
in the field dates from the battle of Fort Donelson. But con- 
tributions of goods, clothing, and medical supplies were made 
in a small way during the summer of 1861. The advent of 
cool ni^nts in the mountains of western Virginia in August 
hastened the contributions. During August and September 
the state government was instrumental in securing a supply 
of overcoats.^ In October, Governor Morton’s special calls for 
contributions of clothing and blankets were supplied by people 
over the state.- During December and January supplies of 
this nature trickled into Indianapolis and were forwarded to 
points of need. 
Special relief organizations continued to be formed during 
the winter, but it was not until February and March, 1862, 
that a well-organized plan was worked out and urged on the 
people of the state. The losses resulting from the battle of 
Fort Donelson were the occasion for the formation of the 
Indiana Sanitary Commission on March 3, 1862. Its work 
was to collect supplies of all kinds needed in the field and 
distribute them to Indiana regiments. William Hannaman 
was made president and Alfred Harrison treasurer.^ The plan 
used for collecting goods was simple at first, but developed 
rapidly into an intricate system. Various devices were used 
to induce a constant flow of contributions to the central ware- 
house at Indianapolis. Hannaman and Harrison made appeals 
1 Indianapolis Daily Journal, August 19, 1861 ; J. H. Vajen to Quartermaster Meigs, 
September 11, 1861, unclassified MSS., Indiana State Library; W. H. H. Terrell, RepoH 
of the Adjutant-General of the State of Indiana, “Indiana in the War of the Rebellion”, 
and Statistics and Documents (Indianapolis, 1867), I, 315; Madison Courier, October 16 
and December 11, 1861 ; Indianapolis Daily Journal, October 9, 11, 12, and 18, 1861 ; 
John H. Dickerson to M. C. Meigs, September 6, 1861, unclassified MSS., Indiana State 
Library. 
-Indianapolis Daily Journal, October 10, 12, and 15, 1861 ; Neiv Albany Daily Ledger, 
October 16 and November 10, 1861 ; Terrell, Report, I, 318, 319 ; William Dudley Foulke, 
Life of Oliver P. Morton., including his important speeches (Indianapolis, 1899), I, 159; 
Indiana Documentary Journal (Indianapolis, 1863), 653. 
^Indianapolis Daily Journal, February 28, March 1, 4, 5, and 6, 1862; Indianapolis 
Daily Sentinel, Febi-uary 28, March 1, 4, and 8, 1862 ; Terrell, Report, I, 324. 
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