12

‘We does suffer for water,’ said the old doctress, who is installed as
chief assistant in the women’s ward. ‘Where are your buckets?’ f
asked ; ‘Dey dun give us none,’ was her reply. Remembering thata dear
friend, from whose lips many of us have drank in words of truth that spring
from the eternal Fountain, had given me a sum of money to purchase ?
waterpails, I promised immediate attention, and am glad to record that
there will henceforth be no lack of buckets to hold the water.

“On returning home, we brought with us fifteen men, women and: chil-
dren, for all of whom good homes have been obtained; they came a oe
the expense of those employing them. Li Be
Tenth month 13th, 1864.

Early in the Eleventh month, Helen G. Longstreth, accom-
_ panied by our friend, James Mott, visited Mason’s Island and
Camp Wadsworth. Upon their return the following report was
presented to the Executive Board, and the suggestions therein
contained were approved :

“Tn company with our friend, James Mott, of the Executive Board,
T visited Mason's Island, (which is now a Government reception camp,) on
the 4th and on the 6th inst. We found that the condition of the people
had improved since the visits of Louisa J. Roberts and Margaret A.
Griscom; several of the abuses, which they had represented to Col.
Elison, having been wholly or partially relieved.

“ The new school room is large, well lighted and ready for the stoves
which are promised this week. The discontinuance of the school taught
by a daughter of the superintendent places all the children under our
care ; these at present number about one hundred who can be accom-
modated in this commodious room.

“The supply of water, although still insufficient, is somewhat greater
than it has been. Another well has been commenced; we complained
of its unfinished state to the superintendent, who promised it should be
finished at once. In our interview with Captain Brown of the Contra-
‘band Department, at his office in Washington, this promise was repeated.

“Government now furnishes some clothing to the most suffering cases
on the island.”

“The sanitary arrangements are atk cleanliness is apparent through-
‘out, and it is evident’ that the sanitary officer does his duty. He has the
floors of the barracks cleaned every day, and’ there was neither rubbish
nor offal-'to be seen on the premises.

“At present there are but four inmates of the hospitals.

“Not more than four hundred persons are now here; these are mostly
women and children. We visited every barrack, and had an opportunity

for conversing freely with the occupants of each. The! countenances of
*« few beamed with pleasure, as they showed us useful’articles which they