From Wayland in the Civil War:

“A Soldiers’ Relief Society was early organized by the citizens of Wayland...‘to look after and keep up a knowledge of the condition and needs of soldiers enlisting from Wayland, by (letters) to supply them...with articles as they require beyond what they receive from the Commissary Department,...and to promote the comfort and well-being of their families.’

The Society sent an agent (William Heard II) to visit the soldiers personally subsequent to the fight at Antietam...and also another (J. S. Draper) just after the battle at Fredericksburg...

Frank Draper remembered these visits: Following the Antietam and Fredericksburg battles the 35^th was in winter camp. Christmas 1862 Draper remembers with interest a visit from his father “laden with good things and good wishes, and his stay of a fortnight with the army was a source of much gratification to the Wayland soldiers and others of his acquaintance. The supply of clothing which he brought was indeed…a godsend.” Draper also speaks of heartening letters from home that strengthened patriotism and raised spirits.

In April 1863 Draper reports pleasure from another visit from his father “freighted with an abundance of good things and good wishes”– for him in Baltimore (now Capt. of the 39^th Colored Infantry) and to the other Wayland boys of the 35^th in Annapolis.