As the war progressed, it became eminently clear that there would be no quick end to southern secession. The war machine generated overwhelming demand for mass production of supplies and provisions, creating jobs in factories, arsenals, sewing rooms, and offices. Industrial Bridgeport was fully prepared for the wartime surge and was capable of satisfying the needs of the Union cause. The Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company was one of the most prominent suppliers of sewing machines for government-contracted arsenals, and Bridgeport's large labor force, vital port and rail system enabled the city's major manufacturers to increase and distribute production.
Social and domestic challenges encountered by those entrusted with the maintenance of northern industry, generated enormous volunteer involvement and community support, stimulating the expansion of women's roles in society and in the industrial world. The concept of war as an exclusively masculine province began to diminish as the efforts and skills of women became more apparent publicly, and relied upon politically. Issues of gender distinct responsibility were challenged by wartime demands, and the ideology of the domestic sphere shifted to incorporate active national support. The government relied heavily on the provisions supplied by home-work, and women were adamant that the resources they provided be accounted for and not disseminated for profit or waste. (3)
The cohesion of local resources and fundraising efforts by women created unified community spirit. The Ladies' Societies of Bridgeport transformed operation during the war years into various aid societies to administer to the physical and medical needs of the Union forces. The Ladies' Relief Society was formed on August 1, 1861, acting as Bridgeport's conduit to the non-government organization, the United States Sanitary Commission. Independent of the Medical Department of the United States Army, the Commission was the first formal benevolent war relief operation created to combat the difficulties of supply and demand and alleviate the suffering of the sick and wounded during wartime. The Commission streamlined the efforts of its subsidiaries, including The Ladies' Relief Society, and members of the Bridgeport community joined together to coordinate provisions that were shipped to the front. Meeting every Wednesday, the Society collected and forwarded money, clothing, and hospital supplies, transporting large numbers of boxes full of provisions including mittens, stockings, blankets, towels, sewing kits, and personal items to Connecticut regiments in the field. The Soldiers' Aid Society, organized July 19, 1862 became responsible for the collection and shipment of thousands of barrels and boxes of preserved goods, fruits and vegetables.
The League of Loyal Women of Bridgeport was formed in 1863 to encourage and foster loyalty for the Union cause. Many households focused on the patriotism that the war evoked, displaying flags, cockades, engravings and sculpture with idealized themes, and many exchanges regarding the war and community involvement in war work, were regularly articulated. As the war progressed, the tasks of these societies became increasingly more significant and even relied upon by the Union Quartermaster. The concepts of community efforts as sentimental and emotionally rendered were transformed to definitive and valid national war-relief support. "Through homemade products, military rallies, village parades, flag raisings, and fairs, women devised a visible national identity" (4) and their work was praised by prominent period figureheads including P. T. Barnum, Frederick Law Olmsted, and even President Abraham Lincoln.
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