From Wayland
in the Civil War:
ÒA SoldiersÕ
Relief Society was early organized by the citizens of Wayland...Ôto 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.Õ
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
35th was in winter camp. Christmas 1862 Draper remembers with
interest a visit from his father Òladen 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 indeedÉa godsend.Ó 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 Òfreighted with
an abundance of good things and good wishesÓ– for him in Baltimore (now Capt. of the
39th Colored Infantry) and to the other Wayland boys of the 35th
in Annapolis.