At the rear of the battle-fields the Sanitary Commission now began to keep its wagons with hot soup and hot coffee, women, fitly chosen, always joining in this work, in the midst of danger.  After the first repulse at Vicksburg, there was great sickness and suffering.  The Commission sent Mrs. Hoge, two gentlemen accompanying her, with a boat-load of supplies for the sick.  One emaciated soldier, to whom she gave a little package of white sugar, with a lemon, some green tea, two herrings, two onions, and some pepper, said, “Is that all for me?” She bowed assent.  She says:  “He covered his pinched face with his thin hands and burst into a low, sobbing cry.  I laid my hand upon his shoulder, and said, ‘Why do you weep?’ ‘God bless the women!’ he sobbed out.  ’What should we do but for them?  I came from father’s farm, where all knew plenty; I’ve lain sick these three months; I’ve seen no woman’s face, nor heard her voice, nor felt her warm hand till to-day, and it unmans me; but don’t think I rue my bargain, for I don’t.  I’ve suffered much and long, but don’t let them know at home.  Maybe I’ll never have a chance to tell them how much; but I’d go through it all for the old flag.’”

Shortly after, accompanied by an officer, she went into the rifle-pits.  The heat was stifling, and the minie-balls were whizzing.  “Why, madam, where did you come from?  Did you drop from heaven into these rifle-pits?  You are the first lady we have seen here;” and then the voice was choked with tears.

“I have come from your friends at home, and bring messages of love and honor.  I have come to bring you the comforts we owe you, and love to give.  I’ve come to see if you receive what they send you,” she replied.

“Do they think as much of as as that?  Why, boys, we can fight another year on that, can’t we?”

“Yes, yes!” they cried, and almost every hand was raised to brush away the tears.

She made them a kindly talk, shook the hard, honest hands, and said good-bye.  “Madame,” said the officer, “promise me that you’ll visit my regiment to-morrow; ’twould be worth a victory to them.  You don’t know what good a lady’s visit to the army does.  These men whom you have seen to-day will talk of your visit for six months to come.  Around the fires, in the rifle-pits, in the dark night, or on the march, they will repeat your words, describe your looks, voice, size, and dress; and all agree in one respect,—­that you look like an angel, and exactly like each man’s wife or mother.  Ah! was there no work for women to do?

The Sanitary and Christian Commissions expended about fifty million dollars during the war, and of this, the women raised a generous portion.  Each battle cost the Sanitary Commission about seventy-five thousand dollars, and the battle of Gettysburg, a half million dollars.  Mrs. Livermore was one of the most efficient helpers in raising this money.  She went among the people, and solicited funds and supplies of every kind.