Civilians always responded when combat occurred near them, and they often volunteered their services whenever soldiers were nearby. Thus from Missouri south to Louisiana and west to Texas, civilians helped accumulate medical supplies and offered comfort to the wounded, sick, and dying. After major engagements such as those at Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove, Arkansas, in 1862, every public building, church, and private home was pressed into serve as a temporary hospital. On the Northern side civilian support became highly organized. St. Louis was home to the Western Sanitary Commission, a civilian support group that donated tons of medical supplies to the military and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical purposes. The Sanitary Commission arose in part from the efforts of another St. Louis group, the St. Louis Ladies Union Aid Society. The city’s African American community established a parallel St. Louis Colored Ladies Union Aid Society. Through these and other volunteer organizations women played important public roles that were rarely available to them in peacetime. Although they did not develop organizations as large or comprehensive, Southern ladies were equally supportive of their cause, particularly through their community churches.
