Yes, there is a substantial literature on benevolence during the Civil
War, some of which touches on motivations, etc. Fredrickson's THE INNER
CIVIL WAR is the best starting point. The recent reissue includes a
new foreword, I believe. Robert Bremner's THE PUBLIC GOOD is a good survey.
Lori Ginzberg's WOMEN AND THE WORK OF BENEVOLENCE is excellent and
right on your topics. See also Gallman, MASTERING WARTIME, on Philadelphia,
and Gallman, THE NORTH FIGHTS THE CIVIL WAR, for some discussion and sources.
good luck
matt gallman
loyola college in maryland
jmg@loyola.edu