WEllCOiVIE iNS i ITU 1 E' LIBRARY /
Coll.	welMOmec
Call	m/ ■
No.
	/iZlrC —

PROCEEDINGS.

*

The following paper has been prepared in consequence of the proceedings of the Sanitary Commission, of Friday, November 27th, 1862, morning, as fol¬ lows :

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to confer with Messrs. Bates and Broad well on the subject of the claims put forward by the Branch Organization at Cincinnati.

Dr. Newberry was appointed such Committee, and reported that the Cincinnati Associates would submit a proposition in writing. *********

Mr. Olmsted read a paper on the executive organization of the Commission.

A written communication was received from Messrs. Bates and.Broadwell. en¬ closing printed copies of a Report, dated 12th November, 1862, to the Cincin¬ nati Branch of the Sanitary Commission, and stating that the Report and reso¬ lutions appended thereto embodied the propositions made by them.

(The Report opens with a statement that the Sanitary Commission is a self- constituted, voluntary society, without constitution, by-laws, or rules ; that its end is “ Constitutional Freedom and American Nationality,” through the means of guarding the health of the Army, and “ restoring it in the hospitals ;” that “ what¬ ever is best at any time to this end is by the law of its organization, not written and yet clearly understood, the policy of the'Commission ;” that there are asso¬ ciate members of the Commission, who are sometimes “ organized into Branch Sanitary Commissions, but by no resolution or other written definition of powers has the Sanitary Commission ever allotted to its associated members or its branches any given duties ; ’ that the members of the Commission are gentlemen entitled to confidence ; that it meets at rare intervals at Washington, and has an Executive Committee, which meets daily at New York, a General Secretary stationed at Washington, and a IVestern Secretary, elothed with duties unknown to the Com¬ mittee, who has had an office at Cleveland, and has been usefully employed in distributing supplies for a Cleveland society, “and in various other ways.”

It next describes the Western Sanitary Commission, ast a body of the same sort with the other, “ both being self-constituted and recognized by the authorities.” The Western Sanitary Commission is as yet, however, limited in its scope fit does not include the whole West, but is, “ more properly, a St. Louis Commission.”' It cannot be more without *the co-operation of Cincinnati. This co-operation it. earnestly desires ; it is a praiseworthy institution.

The Report next gives a history of the Cincinnati Branch, as it is understood by the Committee ; of which the material matter is that the first meeting, held at Dr. Mussey’s residence, was attended by Dr.Newberry, who suggested the organ-

4

izafcion, but gave no information as to

*zr2t sr? — ' a^; «

as well as the collection of supping was * ’of soldiers, wiO,-

Commission ; on the Sontvary, with the ex-

vices of its members, who are men ’ ice to t^at of paid agents.

means 0/ distribution ^^tecvetovy, and a few Inspectors,” and expresses agents *oM«Ungo» * g Commission is better prepared to discharge

£ ^::r^ttr,tar/comlfsion - just to the extent that volnn-

%yomT— tit ‘‘a" convention tfaU the Western branches,” called by the Some account o Indianapolis, is then given. It was attended

^ from this it is inferred that he then had no objection

J it •• If a different view prevails in any quarter now, [which is apparently as- ,1 to he the case 1 its causes must be sought for in events which have occurred !•!!! >’ An &count of the donation to the Commission from California is next given, and it is stated that the President of the Sanitary Commission bad said (not in the foi l f “ promise) that $50,000 would be placed “ at the centre of operations™ he Ow“ ” Id at least half of it “expended through the Western auxiliaries; that he delay in this expenditure through the Western auxiliaries is not satisfactory , a ind is

feared to be caused by a disinclination to have them participate in the w oik of feared to can y headquarters at Louisville, is sen-

Which “would thus be assigned it would be better that it should connect itself ;Uh th W fern Sanitary Commission,” which has itself received «0 000 ft*m California, and a member of which proposed at the Convention tha a “real Western Sanitary Commission” should be formed, which proposition being op- Ited by Dr. Newberry was then defeated ; that the fear that the Sanitary Com- mission would undertake to control the details ot the work in ie o , c o ginally to the formation of the Western Sanitary Commission, the organizatio It whfch is considered to be justified by the delay of the Commission indv,d,„g its treasury with its. branches, and by the proposition ot »« estei n Council the chict; cause of immediate alarm is the appearance of a circular which con-

“^Branch Aid’^deto are chartered by the Commission to be ^Hshed a| points suitable for obtaining supplies, intended for distribution It the Commission, from States or large districts. They must be response tor the necessary labor and expense of this duty, and must account exactly and punctually to those from whom supplies are received, and to t e ommission.

5

“ As the Commission are trustees for the judicious distribution of the gifts of t e people to the soldiers, the branches are intermediate trustees for collecting, assorting, packing, storing, and forwarding the gifts. In emergencies the Branch Societies are often called upon to assist the Commission even more directly in the performance of its duties.”

Upon this the Committee comment as follows :

“ The policy thus announced we do not hesitate to condemn in the strongest terms, and to advise you [ the branch] to use every proper means of repelling. Since the commencement of the war until now the branches have done the work of distribution in the West.”

Again the proposition is termed “ an insult.” Three courses of action are then suggested for the adoption of the branch: 1st. “To close our business;” 2d.

^ lo enter upon terms of alliance with the Western Sanitary Commission;” 3d. “To assume an entirely independent name and position.” Several expedients are then suggested for attaining unity and harmony; the last is that “ the Western Secretary should be a Secretary, and not a superintendent or man-of-all-work.” “It is not necessary to his usefulness in this capacity that he be clothed with any authority whatsoever in the work of distribution.”

It is nowhere distinctly stated, but the opinion of the Committed is plainly indicated to be that a plan for an entire change in the whole policy of the Sani- ' tarJ Commission, especially in respect of undertaking an independent method of distributing supplies, has been contrived since the California donation was re¬ ceived. with the purpose of establishing grounds of apology for not dividing this donation among its branches Inasmuch, however, as this plan has not ye been adopted, and may not be, “ however strong the convictions of the Genera Secretary that it is. or ought to be,” the Committee conclude by recommending the passage of the following Resolutions :

“ Resolved, That the President and three other members attend the meeting of the Sanitary Commission on Monday next, whose duty it shall be to use every honorable effort to prevent the establishment of any Western Council or the adoption of any change in the present successful and well-established plan of distribution in the West, and to procure, if possible, the appropriation of half of, the gross receipts from California and Oregon to the ‘Western auxiliaries,’ and whose further duty it shall be, if they succeed in this, to insist upon the terms of the trust, as expressed in California, so that the Branch at Cincinnati be en¬ abled to spend an equal proportion of this money in its field with the Western Sanitary Commission at St. Louis.

“ Resolved. That we endorse the statement of Rev. Dr. Bellows, made in his let¬ ter acknowledging the second donation of one hundred thousand dollars, dated October 28th. 1 8 B 2 , in these, words : ‘ But fortunately wTe have already adopted plans and methods which require no change, but only larger means of more ef¬ fectively carrying them out. Our regular and usual methods are the wisest we can devise, and we shall expend the gift of California in and through them as the most effective and direct means of succoring and saving our sick and wounded men.’

6

“ Resolved . That the ‘regular and f^^luorthrOTghthe branches

Sanitary Commission in the West is required, but only larger

*- *— *• ^ peopieof"m or

tlie provision of' such means. )

LU JJLU V ^ *

After the reading of the Report, Mr. Binney offered the followmg resolut.om

viz

1. Besolved, That the funds of the Sanitary ^nd^espeoW to enable

trust for the benefit of the whole army, East ™ pf „ inq„ivy and advice in

the Commission to fulfil its great and P™<^'f^„q

respect to the Sanitary interests of the lm . ^ ,y natj0nal field, and

2. Resolved. That the field of mquiiy ™ f n'y increasing extent

one of which the cost is immense, and, like the hem,

and dimensions. caimot, without a breach of trust.

3. Resolved, That the Sanitary Commission c ' . ofany organization

. - — .

Which were unanimously adopted.

On motion, it was unanimously M Olmsted’s paper on Execu-

* *

r:rT^

s ^ action proposed 111 their

Report of November 12th would b? rec?“ld“ Vted to reply to the Report pre-

gente^to ns^by^^Ckmtnmt^delegation, in answer to our request to them for a

" T"— ducted to seek a conference with the Cincinnati

Branch, for the purpose of presenting our *!?’* .'^jyeTgent, bqdirected to pre- Resolved , That the General Secretary, . _ . tion and r„les deemed by ns

pare for that Committee a statement of r , . and of the reasons

"necessary to carry out the duties assigned to the Commission,

of their necessity. Philadelphia, and Judge Skinner,

Resolved, That Horace Binney, ., ' l ,.,,nferencc with power to add

of Chicago, constitute the Committee of reply and conference, 1

to their number.

REPORT.

Washington, December 18 th, 1862.

It is clear that the Cincinnati Committee, in the preparation , of their report, acted under an unquestioned conviction that the Sanitary Commission had a perfect right to vote an appropria¬ tion of fifty thousand dollars to their branch, and that in no other way could this sum be expended with so much effect for * the relief of sick and wounded soldiers. It is also clear, that this conviction rested primarily on the assumption, with a state¬ ment of which their report begins, that the Sanitary Commission is not under the control of any constitution, but is wholly self- constituted and self-governing; and secondarily, upon the assump¬ tion that the business of the Commission, at least until very recently, lias not been that of a methodical distribution of hos¬ pital supplies to sick and wounded soldiers.

It is also clear, that the. members of the Commission, in hesi¬ tating to meet the wishes of their friends in Cincinnati, have been primarily influenced by a conscientious doubt of their right to make such an appropriation. The vote upon the resolutions offered by Mr. Binney establishes the fact that those attending the meeting of November 27th, including the Rev. Dr. Bellows, Dr. Agnew, Dr. Yan Buren, Dr. Howe, Prof. Gibbs, Prof. Bache, Mr. Strong, and Mr. Binney, were unanimously of the conviction that such an appropriation could not be made of money which had been placed under the control of the Commission, without a breach of trust. The only remaining members of the Commission who are not at this time engaged in stated duty with the army, are the

8

Rt. Rev. Bishop Clark, the Hon. Mark Skinner, and the Hon. R. W. Burnett. At a meeting of the Commission, Held December 17th, 1862, -Bishop Clark declared that his convictions were com¬ pletely with those of the majority of the Commission. To Judge Burnett, who is President of the Cincinnati branch, and who is known to entertain a different view; to Judge Skinner, who is President of the Chicago branch, and whose opinions on the sub¬ ject have never been expressed, and are unknown to the Commis¬ sion; together witli Dr. Bell, an associate member of the Commis¬ sion, and President of the Louisville branch, whose views are also unknown, the question of the appropriation of a certain special sum of $50,000, (witli reference to which the duty resting on the , Commission is thought to be most a matter of question ) has been now referred, with power. The committee for whom the present report was originally prepared having been discharged of their duty, I have been directed to lay the following statement before the special committee of reference above named.

Washington, December 8th , 1862.

To Horace Binney, Esq., Chairman:

There are at least nine organizations other than that at Cin¬ cinnati, each of which has as good a right as that to designate itself “Branch of the Sanitary Commission ;” there are about four hundred gentlemen who are styled “ Associate Members of the Sanitary Commission,” who are not included within these branches; and there are several thousand “ Auxiliary Associa¬ tions of the Sanitary Commission.” Although umbrage has as yet been taken in no other quarter, at the alleged cause of dis¬ satisfaction, presented in the report of the Cincinnati Commit¬ tee, there has been everywhere much the same ground 6f dis¬ trust, the same danger of misunderstanding.

9

. T,ie Comi"ission can liave no wish to continue on such ques¬ tionable terms with any of its associates; and it is a fortunate circumstance which gives occasion for establishing its relations with them for the future, on grounds which shall at least be of assured truth and frankness. If it should prove that the Com¬ mission had been imposing upon those who have hitherto sus¬ tained it, they will, it is to be hoped, still be able to conceive that, it lias done so unwittingly. If the plan upon which its resources were about to be employed, is, when fairly under¬ stood, altogether what they would wish it not to be, they will believe that its Cincinnati associates could have earned its gratitude in no other way so well as in that which they have adopted.

I piopose, tliei efore, to review tlie relief organization of the Commission in its groundwork, according to the knowledge which, as its chief executive agent, I have of it.

On the 18th of May, 1861, the Advisory Committee of the Boards of Physicians and Surgeons of the Hospitals of New York, the New York Medical Association, and the Woman’s Central Association of Relief, addressed a memorial to the Secretary of War, in which is found the first suggestion on record of the Sanitary Commission. It is in the following words : “ Convinced by inquiries made here of the practical

" dlfficuIty of reconciling the aims of their own and numerous “ similar associations in other cities with the regular workings “of the Commissariat and the Medical Bureau, and yet fully “persuaded of the importance to the country and the success “of the war of bringing such an arrangement about, the under- “ signed respectfully ask, that a mixed Commission of' (a) civil- “ians. distinguished for their philanthropic experience and ac- “ (fuaintance with sanitary matters, of (b) medical men, and of “'('■) military officers, be appointed by the Government, who shall be charged with the duty of investigating the best means

10

“of methodizing and reducing to practical service the already “active but undirected benevolence of the people towards the “ army, who shall consider the general subject of the proven- “tion of sickness and suffering among the troops, and suggeb “the wisest methods which the people at large can use, to mam “fest their good-will towards the' comfort, security, and health

“ of tlie army.”

Among the objects which it is urged that such a Commission would serve arc mentioned, “ the best methods of aiding tie department with such supplies” as “the spontaneous benevo¬ lence of the people is ready to furnish.” '1 lie desne is also 1 s pressed, “to play into the hands of the regular authorities in ways as efficient and as little embarrassing as extra-official co- operation can be.”

J5y reference to an order of the War Department, (see enclo¬ sure marked A,) dated June9t.li, 1801, the original of which, countersigned by the President of the United States, is on hie at this office, and the accompanying plan and specifications on dorsed by the then Acting Surgeon-General and the Secretary of War also on tile in this office, the whole constituting an instrument of commission, it appears that certain persons of the three several classes suggested in the memorial, were on that day appointed by the President of the United States, to undertake certain specified duties. As a part of these, the for mi nc of a plan of common action in respect o( “supplies Ms* and methods ” of popular relief to the sick and wounded, is contemplated. “ Direct relation with the public associations of benevolence” is authorized, and the purpose of such rela tion indicated as follows: “First, to secure uniformity of ]dans, and then proportion and harmony of action, and finally abun¬ dance of supplies, in money and goods, for such extra purposes as the laws do not and cannot provide for.” “ The organizing methodizing, and reducing to serviceablencss,” “ the vague and

11

haphazard efforts7’ of the public towards the army, is also referred to as an appropriate duty. “ Contributions from pat¬ riotic and benevolent associations” are mentioned as u the natuial supply of the cost of sustaining” the proposed under¬ taking. The free entrance of the Commission and of those acting for it to “camps, hospitals, fortresses, &c.,” is provided for, and “all persons in the employ of the United States Gov¬ ernment are directed and enjoined to respect and further the enquiries’ and objects of the Commission to the utmost of their ability.” (By a subsequent special order, the books and rec- 01 ds of all hospitals are thrown open to the authorized agents of the Commission.)

Hie grant of these privileges, however, is accompanied bv an obligation which requires that the plan of common action to be devised, shall be “without embarrassment to the usual ma¬ chinery of the army, and that some one fit to be trusted in confidential intimacy” by the War Department, shall be ap¬ pointed under the Commission to be personally responsible for such agents as can be safely” employed by virtue of its au¬ thority to visit “camps, hospitals, fortresses, &c ;” such agents leceiving instruction from and reporting to” this person.* ISine Commissioners were named in the instrument, of whom three were at the time officers in the service of the War De- paitment; two others had previously been in the service of the War Department ; and one other had been in foreign military

~ H -

* These papers have been extensively published in the newspapers, and three times in pamphlets printed by the Commission: in the edition issued October, 1861, at page 13, (3d paragraph,) page 18 (1st, 2d, and 6th par.) and page 20, (at the foot.) the clauses referred to will be found. Twenty-five hundred copies of this edition were sent out from this office addressed to individuals and (usually in packages of several hundred each) to auxiliary societies. Uecord appears of two early copies sent to Dr. Mussey and Mr. Pendleton, at Cincinnati, by mail, and of two hundred to Dr. Newberry, then at Cleveland, Ohio, by express. Copies were sent to every associate member of the Commission by mail.

12

service. Of the others, one declined to serve. There were, consequently, but two members out of eight who were not con¬ versant with the regulations, customs, and discipline of military service. Of these two, one was a man of distinguished reputa¬ tion in science, the other a man of learning and a divine, able to speak witli authority of the demands of the philanthropy of the. country.

It must have appeared to the President that as thus consti- tu,ted, the philanthropic and scientific element was not as strong as. in carrying out the purposes committed to the Commission, might be found desirable. Authority was therefore given to the Commission, if it saw fit, to elect additional members, its military constituents having, of course, a determining voice in this question, and controlling the selection and the number of those to be thus added, if any. Of the military members, one was chief of the staff of Lieutenant-General Scott, another the active head of the Medical Bureau, another the active head of the Commissary Department. The object of constituting the Com¬ mission in this manner is made obvious by a memorandum on the point, signed by thajnixed committee, as follows :

« As the Government will select its own Commissioners, * * * it is hoped that the character of the Commission will be the best, warrant the Government can have that the inquiries of the Commission, both as to their nature and the manner of conduct¬ ing them, will le pursued with discretion and a . careful eye to avoiding important and offensive interference with the legal au¬ thority and official rights of any of the Bureaus with which it may he brought in contact.”*

It is clear that the fear of annoying intrusions, over-zealous endeavors to aid, and of practices which would militate against discipline and subordination, and which would encourage discon-

* San. Com., Doc. 25, p. 10.

13

tent and indolence in duty, at first led tlie President to hesitate to grant the prayer of the memorialists. It appears, also, that these objections were at length considered to be obviated, in part, by the suggestion that an executive officer should be appointed, to be under obligations of confidence to the War Department, and personally responsible to it for the due instruction and con¬ trol of all who would be engaged in the active operations of the Commission in connection with the army, and by giving a con- I trolling voice in the appointment of this officer, and in all de¬

cisions of the Commission, to men whose habits and sympathies were of a thoroughly military stamp.

During the period in which its organization was incomplete, five additional members of the Commission were elected. One of these was a man of science, and of medical skill and experi¬ ence of a special character, and who was at the time, also, in the service of the War Department. Another had the same profes- ( sional recommendation, and had, also, been a medical military

officer; the third was a physician who had been in charge of the most important Governmental hospital in the country; the fourth was a member of the directory of several important corporations, - commercial and benevolent, and was immediately elected Treas¬

urer of the Commission; the fifth was the chief executive officer of a public work employing more than three thousand men, and was immediately elected chief executive officer of the Com- I mission. The last named was the present writer. Every

member of the Commission could lay claim to a standing and reputation as an expert of some one or other of the special functions assigned by the President to the Commission as a body.

Of the members since added, one is the Judge Advocate General of the United States, a second is a bishop of the Pro¬ testant Episcopal Church, and the three others are men of high professional standing, eacli holding positions of unusual trust in their respective communities. The service of the members as

14

Commissioners is wholly gratuitous. With the exception of the military members, and of one who lias been suffering from pro¬ tracted illness, they all have given a large share of their time and talent to the service of the Commission. The Execu¬ tive Committee meets daily, not having failed to do so ten times in six months, and more than two-thirds of the whole time of every member of the Commission has, on an average, been given to the affairs of the army, from the day of its organization to the present. The number of members is now, and has been for a ygar past, eighteen, of whom nine have held military positions, or been officially connected with the War Department.

Upon accepting the office of Secretary to the Commission, I was informed that its policy would be guided exactly in accord¬ ance with the requirements of the President’s commission, and was advised that it was my right under it, as chief executive officer, to require the removal of the persons already employed, even of the Corresponding Secretary. Unanimous action was taken upon a motion of the Vice-President, the object of which he state 1 to be to fully convince me of the fact of the unquali¬ fied responsibility which it was designed to fix upon me in this respect. The Corresponding Secretary being himself a member of the Commission, and present, assented then and thereafter

• to this action and design.*

The Commission being organized, fell at once to work:

* This design lias since been sustained, not, perhaps, without some inadvert¬ ent inconsistencies, but in general, with such punctiliousness as to conclusively establish the understanding whicli prevails of the peculiar function of the Gene- ral Secretary ; for instance, members of the Commission, when engaging in ex¬ ecutive duties on the battle-field, have obtained credentials of appointment for that duty from me, and have reported to me in the same manner as the regular employees of the Commission. Again, when the Surgical Committee of the Commission have, at my request, employed professional assistance of the, r own selection, they have asked my formal confirmation of their action. The office of Corresponding Secretary has since been discontinued, not at my suggestion or request.

15

Wi tliin twenty-four hours of my appointment, several questions of a practical character, affecting the health of the army, were re¬ ferred to appropriate committees, a scientific study of the ration of the army was begun, and a depot for the collection of extra- governmental hospital supplies was provided for. Special duties, involving weeks of hard professional labor, were assigned to and cheerfully undertaken by every member present except the President, Dr. Newberry, Dr. Harris, and myself, who were assigned temporarily to general executive service with the army, as follows : the President, with Dr. Newberry, to the army in the West, Dr. Harris to the army in the East. The question then arose, “How shall we obtain the means of making the results of our studies and deliberations of practical use, and of distributing wisely the goods which may be entrusted to us? ”

It was incompatible with the confidential character of the Commission, as an adviser of the War Department, and with the design of its constitution, to greatly enlarge the number of its members — to make it either a representative or a popular body. It was accordingly voted, as shown by the minutes, page 14, that —

“Whereas, the professional and scientific character of the “ Sanitary Commission , make it dependent on the existence of “financial committees in various parts of the country, to be “ composed of business men for the collection of funds :

11 Resolved, that the following gentlemen, and such others as “they may choose to associate with them, viz: [here follows a “list of names] who are hereby constituted associate members “of this Commission,” &c.

The following day a circular letter was prepared, soliciting the co-operation of associate members, which was signed by every member of the Commission, and soon afterwards printed and pub¬ lished. In this letter, associate members are asked “ to obtain for

16

11 the Commission the means required to carry out its object; to « inform the public fully (through the press and otherwise) of “ the existence and design of the Commission, and of the gieat ||

“and pressing danger which it is intended to avert; to pio “mote the establishment of auxiliary associations; and so to “ direct the labors of associations already formed for the aid “ and relief of our armies, that they may strengthen and sup¬ port those of the Commission.” No other duty or desirable service on the part of associate members is hinted at, except 1)1

that “suggestions or advice” are invited.*

I then understood, and have since assumed, that no direct action of the executive office of the Commission was intended upon the volunteers before they took the field, except by pub¬ lication and correspondence, but that the Commissiofi would rely upon its associate members and the societies which they would influence, to provide whatever assistance might be re¬ quired by troops at recruiting stations and in transitu. Such |

an assignment of duty does not distinctly appear in the above quoted letter to associate members, nor otherwise of formal record, but it can be shown that this has been the un¬ derstanding of the Commission, and it is undeniable that the majority of the associate members have acted in accordance

* Copies of this letter were sent to every Associate Member of the Commission, including those of Cincinnati, as elected during the next six months: some declined to accept the office, including one associate member elect at Cincinnati, on the ground of engagements incompatible with the obligations required to be assumed. This was not the case with any present member of the Cincinnati branch, I believe.

In December a formal report was made to the Secretary of War, of the ap¬ pointment of about four hundred “Associate Members.” Their relation to the work of the Commission was stated in the following terms: “Through these Associate Members, auxiliary organizations have been established in our prin¬ cipal cities, which have rendered material service to the Commission in supply¬ ing it with funds, in stimulating the supply of hospital material , and in the prepara¬ tion of medical and surgical papers .”

17

with it. This has been most obviously the case at Philadelphia and Cincinnati— where, and at St. Louis, the demand for the required service has been greatest— and the generous and ad¬ mirable manner in which troops at these points have been cared for by the local associations has often been a subject of the most hearty praise and congratulation on the part of the Commissioners toward the associate members in those cities.

The field of special executive responsibility, under the Com¬ mission, I have always supposed to be defined by the limit of the need for special authority from the President to inspect

hospitals, camps, fortresses, etc./’ that is to say, to be espe¬ cially that of troops in the field, and it has been my general purpose wherever I believed that any required service could be thrown upon other associations, as a rule, without destroying the symmetry of the Commission’s work, to encourage them to assume it, and to be very cautious about entering upon it until a trial had been made of leaving it to them. The line between the two fields of duty, as at St. Louis and Louisville, Washing¬ ton and Baltimore, is, obviously ,*not perfectly well defined; but, with a generous motive, sufficiently so for all practical purposes, it being more probable that it would be somewhat overlapped from both sides, than that a neglected gap would occur.

Onthb 5th of September, 1861, when the new levies for three years were being raised, the Commission

Resolved , That the subject of the inspection of volunteers [recruits] be referred to a committee of three. Mr. Strong, Dr. Agnew, and Professor Gibbs were so appointed.

Resolved , That Mr. Strong, Bishop Clark, Professor Bache,

* an^ Dr. Newberry, be appointed a Committee to nominate ad¬ ditional associate members.

Resolved , That this Committee be requested to define the rela¬ tions of the associate members to the Commission, and to pro-

18

A

pose some scheme for making them [more] practically useful in promoting the ends of the Commission.

Mr. Strong, as the Chairman of both Committees, five days afterwards reported verbally, and it was then

Resolved, That whereas the Commission is convinced that the seeds of neglect and disease are extensively sown in the recruit- in. stations of the army, in all cities and towns throughout

the country; and whereas the opportunities of enforcing cor¬ rect sanitary habits, and communicating judicious suggestions, can be readily and abundantly offered at these stations; there fore the Commission earnestly solicits the co-operation of its associate members in the neighborhood of recruiting ’stations, in enforcing sanitary regulations on officers and men.

Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to appoint local in¬ spectors at the several recruiting stations,, to serve without com¬ pensation, and to enquire into the wants and sanitary condition of troops, and to report from time to time to the Commission.

Resolved, That the Reverend Frauds W. Williams be and he is hereby appointed such Sanitary Inspector at t

The only case in which the Commission has appointed an Inspector is that above shown, and this exception to its usual custom proves that the duty for which I was to be held especi¬ ally responsible, did not extend to the recruiting districts of the country; that is to say, to completely loyal communities; while the previous resolutions show that, for the execution ot the work of the Commission within loyal communities, its- asso¬ ciate members were depended on. Even for the pui poses indi cated, with this limitation, and with the view of meeting its

* Minutes, p. 55.

f Minutes, p. 65.

19

“ solicitations/7 the Commission did not conjecture that its asso¬ ciates would appoint Inspectors, that title as used in the Com¬ mission being supposed to establish a certain authority from and "responsibility to the War Department, Accordingly, the Secretary was directed to "appoint Inspectors for this special duty, who should report, not to its associates or to the Secre¬ tary, as all other Inspectors did and do, but to the Commission direct. To harmonize this order, however, with the limited re¬ sponsibility which the associate members were solicited to assume, I addressed the latter, in the following circular note, copies of which were sent to each, including those at Cincinnati :

Circular to Associate Members.

Sanitary Commission, Washington, D. C.,

Treasury Building, September 23, 1861.

The following resolutions having been adopted by the Com¬ mission, the General Secretary requests Associate Members who may be willing to undertake the duty of inspecting recruiting stations in the vicinity of their residences, to so inform him, by letter addressed to this office, when he will forward to them the t necessary credentials of appointment, under authority derived from the Secretary of War. At stations where no member will find it convenient to undertake the duty, the selection and nom¬ ination to the Secretary of some other suitable person is re¬ spectfully suggested. It would be the duty of the inspector to procure the adoption and enforcement of proper sanitary regu¬ lations at the stations and camps of recruits, and to offer such advice in regard to the means of preserving health to the offi¬ cers and privates as might in each case be found desirable. [Here followed a copy of the Resolutions.]

FRED. LAW OLMSTED,

General Secretary.

20

Candidates were nominated, in answer to this request, by as¬ sociates in several cases, and were duly appointed and qua i- fied, receiving in every case formal credentials, and the usual printed advisory documents and instructions. One of these associate Inspectors, nominated by- the Philadelphia branch of the Commission, was afterwards refused the means of inform- in«. himself satisfactorily of the condition of one of the U. b. General Hospitals in that city; a regimental officer in a camp at Harrisburg also declined to answer his enquiries. Report of this was made to the Commission, which, at its next session, laid the matter before the War Department, when the offending officer received prompt reproof under the direct hand of the Secretary of War himself, and proper amends were made.

In April last, the attention of the Commission was directed to the question of providing for the wants of disabled dis¬ charged soldiers, under certain circumstances. It was. then argued and acknowledged that it would be scarcely consistent with the implied conditions of its trust to employ its funds in paying even for the transportation home of such men; the President therefore entered into a correspondence with the Governors of the loyal States (ex-officio Associate Members) on the subject, and the agents of the Commission have since, referred men, in the circumstances alluded to, to other agencies, established in some cases at the suggestion of the Commission,

but not responsible to it.

In July a more general discussion of the subject of disabled soldiers occurred; and in August, one of the Associate Mem¬ bers was asked to make it a matter of special study. Careful reports have since been received from this gentleman. In Sep¬ tember tine matter was again discussed, and a paper, prepared hy the President, was agreed upon as expressing the judgment of the Board, upon the general question of how disabled sol-

■t

21

diers, after being discharged from the service, should be dealt with by the community. This paper was then ordered to be printed for distribution at the discretion of the President. It has not been given to the public at large. Though the action of the Commission on this- subject originated in a suggestion from myself as a member, as executive officer, no responsibility has been given me about it whatever, the President and Execu- tive Committee acting directly in everything that has been done.

This action, taken in connection with that previously had, establish the fact of an intended division of duty, as follows :

1st. On the part of the Commissioners personally: scientific and professional investigations and deliberations, with deci¬ sions of judgment upon matters practical to the health and strength of the military and naval forces of the country, where¬ upon advice should be given, and action taken.

2d. On the part of Associate Members : relations with the public, especially with “ public associations of benevolence;” the collection of funds and stores, either directly or through such associations; and arrangements in aid of the authorities, under advice of the Commission, for protecting the soldier from disease, and adding to his comfort, while yet in the midst of loyal communities, or after his return to them.

3d. On the part of the Executive Office: direct relations with the War Department, especially all duties ordered by the Commission, involving scrutiny of camps, hospitals, fortresses, etc., under military law, and dealings with the troops in the field.

To the whole arrangement of members, a uniting centre was formed in the President of the Commission; and in the person of

99

the President the necessity was met for keeping all mere busi¬ ness concerns under the direct controlling influence of a wise, though warm and readily sympathetic humanity, closely intimate with" and answering to the heart of the people; for, from this, all was to be nourished, and cut off from this, all would lie dead and useless. And in every department of the Commission’s affairs, whether in the field, the office, or on the platform, the personal influence and not unfrequently the personal presence of the President, is to be found, keeping alive the generous soul of the original impulse of the Commission.

I think it has been further established, by the citations I have made, that the Commission is not a purely voluntary and self- constituted body, governing itself, or entitled to govern itself, without reference to any established formulae, as has been sup¬ posed by its Cincinnati associate members; also, that it is through no concealment or neglect of publication on the pait of the Commission, that these gentlemen have remained in ignorance, till now, of the facts of its constitution, and of their Own duty.

I think it is also established by the words of the documents published by the Commission, which I have quoted, that it was constituted for no purpose more distinct, and that its members were pledged to nothing more thoroughly than to establish a common°method of distributing extra-governmental hospital supplies ; that this method was required to be free from the danger of intruding persons into camps, hospitals, and fortresses, of whose discretion or loyalty the War Department could have no adequate assurance, or who, from ignorance of the necessities of the service, with ill-directed zeal, might become an embarrass¬ ment to it; that this method was also required to be universal m respect to the army of the Union, and one into which the liber¬ ality of all patriotic men and women, and of all associations of patriotic men and women, willing to aid in the care of the sick

and wounded of the army of the Union, where and when their aid was most needed, could play, with reasonable ground of assurance that their offerings would be fairly, equitably, discreetly and honestly employed. For this purpose it was obviously neces¬ sary, in the first place, that the wants of the army should be carefully ascertained, and that those wants for which the only radical remedy would be found in an improvement of the admin¬ istration of the army should be clearly distinguished from those which could only be met by calling upon the public benevolence.

Hence the first and most essential, immediate duty of the Com¬ mission was that of enquiry.

By reference to the enclosure marked C, p. 38, it will be seen that, at the session of the .Commission following that in which its own organization as a deliberative body was com¬ pleted, I presented a report, in which, after showing that the formation, of ati executive staff had been commenced, I ex- piessed the opinion that twenty men “of special qualifications, thoroughly instructed” in#their duties, would be needed for the visitation of camps, under the authority of the Commission. This was early in July, 1861, and the estimate referred to the comparatively small army then expected to be kept in the field.

By reference to the enclosure marked A, p. 89, it will be seen that a month after this, a committee of the Commission stated in a paper, (cojfies of which were sent to all the associate members of the Commission,) that “extra hospital clothing” and “additional supplies ’ had then “been provided by the Commission as liberally as the funds under its control would justify ,” and that it was “ in constant receipt of supplies of stores, clothing, and other articles, contributed by patriotic individuals and associations throughout the country .” By reference to enclosed printed slip marked 0, which was generally published in the newspapers

24

about the middle of August, it will be seen that the liberality and promptness with which the public had already begun to make use of the means of distribution offered by the Commis¬ sion, was deemed worthy of a formal acknowledgment. By reference to the enclosure marked E, (copies of which were sent by mail, directed to Judge Hoadly and several of his associates, before the distinctive organization of the “branch in Cincinnati was formed,) it will be seen that in September, of the same year, Dr. Newberry reported that during August, the wants of the troops in camp, from Western Virginia to Missouri, had been carefully ascertained on the ground, and that “ much had been done during the mbnth in supplying” these wants at the hands of the regular agents of the Commission. By ref¬ erence to enclosure marked C, page 38, it will be found that, on the 5th of September, 1861, I reported to the Commission that dSpdts for receiving extra-governmental hospital supplies, to be distributed by the Commission, were necessary »t various points through the country, and that I then estimated that, unless the government-system itself could be greatly improved, a capital in hand would be required by the Commission of fifty thousand dollars, and a secure income, in addition, of five thousand dollars a month, to form and carry out a proper national method of extra-governmental hospital supply.

These citations, I presume, will be found to fully establish the fact that, between the organization of the Commission in June and the first of September following, a “method of distribution” for extra-governmental hospital supplies to the army in the field, had been contemplated; had been, in part, at least, established, and was proposed to be continued and enlarged, in exact accord¬ ance with the plan for this purpose, which, as I have already proved, was had in view from the beginning, and even before the Commission was constituted.

25

By reference to enclosure marked E, p. 8, it will be seen that the Cincinnati branch of the Sanitary Commission was not then in existence. The Commission at that time had no “ branches,” nor was there even the germ of a branch in all the West, except, perhaps, in the Soldiers’ Aid Society of Cleveland, which was then sending supplies in large quantities to be distributed by the method which had been established by the Commission, as will be seen by reference to enclosure marked E, p. 11, and G, p. 11.

It is obvious, then, that the statement which is an important point in the argument of the Cincinnati committee, that “since the commencement of the war until now the branches have done the work of distribution at the West,” was made inconsiderately.

I am now called upon for a statement of the rules by which the executive service of the Commission is governed, and of the reasons for tl^ese rules ; in other words, to describe the usual and regular method of distribution adopted by the Commission,

and to show why it has been adopted.

•

The who^e duty of the Commission, its executive duty as well as its administrative, financial, and deliberative duty, is fore- stated in the instrument of its commission.

The weightiest discretionary duty in its executive depart¬ ment has been the selection, instruction, and superintendence of suitable sub-executive officers, with each of whom could be placed, within certain geographical limits, the use of the com¬ plete discretionary power of the whole Commission, so far as it could with advantage be used, at any time, within those limits; and a share of all the means at the disposal of the Commission, justly commensurate with the extent of the legitimate claim of those under his observation upon the liberality of the public. The chief purpose sought to be attained by the President in con-

stituting the Commission was to remedy evils arising from the necessary limitations of discretionary power placed upon offi¬ cers of Government. If, therefore, similar limitations were to be placed upon the agents of the Commission; if every import¬ ant question arising in their duties had to be referred to Wash¬ ington, or Louisville, or New York, or Cincinnati, the chief pur¬ pose of the President would be frustrated. My business -has been, then, to station such trustworthy agents, properly instructed as to the whole executive duty of the Commission, in such a way that they would together cover the whole field of active operations, and to see that* they were each gble to command a fair share of whatever it should be in the power of the Commis¬ sion to offer the army ; to give them, as far as possible, all needed assistance in the distribution of this bounty, and to hold them accountable for using the authority and advantages of the Com¬ mission for the benefit of the army, in strict subordination to the requirements, defined and implied, of the instrument of the Pres¬ ident’s commission.

These discretionary agents are denominated the General In¬ spectors of the Commission, and each is responsible for the con¬ duct of all other agents of the Commission within his beat. For all practical purposes, each of these Inspectors stands for the Sanitary Commission, with the portion of the army under his observation, being endowed with all the power which the Commission itself could rightly use for the benefit of its sick and wounded, the restrictions placed upon his action being only such as are neces¬ sary to prevent an unjust concentration of the energies of the Commission to meet the special wants of a certain limited part of the field. There are now, and there have been since the organization of the staff was complete in 1861, on an average, constantly sixteen General Inspectors in the service of the Commission.

* 0*7

- t

The privileges of which the commission of the President of the United States authorized the use are cited in .the credentials of each Inspector.

It mav be doubted if these privileges have any practical value. It has just now occurred* that an agent of the Commission having been stopped under an order forbidding any civilian to enter the military lines at Warrenton, upon presenting his credentials, was promptly answered tlie moment the heading was seen : “ Sanitary Commission? The Sanitary Commission goes anywhere, at all times, and is always welcome.” Passes within the military lines ^ ot the grand armv#of General Burnside are at the present time

rigidly refused, except under a special order, rarely given, by the Secretary of War in person. Three inspectors of the Com¬ mission, with a number of relief agents, aue, however, with that

*

army, and both General Burnside and General Hooker, without any request or suggestion from the Commission that they should do so, have taken the trouble personally to give advice as to the best points for establishing the depots of the Commission, and the best routes of communication with them. Soon after Stew¬ art’s raid in the rear of the army of the Potomac a general * order forbidding the admission of civilians within the lines was

most rigidly enforced ; even members of Congress, bearing pa¬ pers from the Secretary of War, being turned back at White House. The Commission at this time had a relief station beyond \ the Chickahominy and, a number of agents within the army lines.

I applied personally to the Provost Marshal for passes for addi¬ tional- agents to be sent on from W hite House, and was answered, in the presence of a member of Congress, who had himself been refused the privilege: “Any one bearing orders from the Sani- tai*y Commission is considered a part of the army, and will, of course, be allowed to pass.” Other Belief Agents, some bearing credentials from Governors of States, others from societies, one

Of (l,e lotto,, .. least, being termed (.none... , ) • «.» J

Commission," w.r. turned b.ck, and became todel, tod te l *« « mission f„ lodging and «"•» k

the loyal par. of the ^ “

and General Bo.ee, an., the .am. disetimmat... ha. he n usee

the West, when the rep— - *-— * .

..ho, civilians ha,, been r.f«rf -eess to camp. . , h«p,» • restrictions to, this purpose have *«. ho.evr, frequently established and less rigidly enforced ■» *• than the Eastern armies.

I, i, necessary .. refer to the fc* *h* *«*

of the Commission began to engage public attention, a g

° • fine of the West save themselves the

number of voluntary societies at the W g

name of. “Sanitary Commission,” with no more thought

impropriety of doing so, in the minds of their members, .t may

he Lei than would have been the case if they had been

naming a L steamboat. An order of General Halleck which

was once published in the newspapers, that no more

Commissions” were to he allowed access to Ins - course no reference to the real Sanitary Commission, which was never ’interrupted in its work with his army for a single day On the contrary, General Halleck has frequently expressed entire satisfaction with the conduct of its agents.

There can be no doubt, that had the business of the Samta y Commission with the army been conducted with 1* — * - tion than it has, protests against the exercise of its pr g Lid long ago have been made by the Generals come its agents, and it would have been the duty of the P dent to annul these privileges. A greater abundance of supp hes miaht perhaps, have been got to the hospitals m some quai , ”t bed no, I;,, for .he cons, mint of .he scribed for the .gent. of >'» Commissi... Th» poss.ble greeter

29

profusion at certain times and in few places, however, would but poorly compensate for the loss of the right which the Commission has alone enjoyed for bringing relief at all times to four-fifths of the army when engaged in actual serious operations of war in the territory of the rebellious States. As it is, the agents of the Commission have been everywhere (with a single justifiable exception,) with the advance of the army, and have operated as promptly and as generously in Mississippi and Louisiana and Florida, and both the Carolinas, as in Virginia and Kentucky. In this they have justified a large part of all the plan and purpose of the President’s commission ; it is, at least, doubtful if as much of this could have been accomplished by any radically different method.

No restriction is directly established by the terms of the President’s commission upon the use to be made of the privileges which it confers, but the precaution taken of requiring a chief executive officer of the body commissioned, to be in confidential relations with the War Department, and who should be responsi¬ ble to it for the employment of agents who could be “ safely en¬ trusted” with the duty of visiting “camps, hospitals, fortresses, &c.,” I have always supposed, to establish an intention of holding this agent personally accountable for the purposes, character, discretion, and reserve of all who should be thus employed, and have governed myself accordingly. Hence a fundamental rule in the executive duty of the Commisssion, which may be ex¬ pressed thus :

JSfo one shall use the privileges of the Commission, except for the f urtherance of the purpose had in view by the President in tlie grant of them , nor otherwise than in strict subordination to, and aid of, the discipline of the national forces and the immediate purposes of their commanders.

30

This rule has been rigidly observed from the outset; requests from members of Congress, the purpose of which would not have been strictly justified under this rule, having been more than once refused, and an agent of the Commission having been dismissed for writing to a newspaper from within military lines.

That the Commission could appoint associate members; give these the authority to appoint others, and these again the right to appoint agents to visit the army when in the face of the enemy, and that these agents, unknown t6 the chief executive officer- of the Commission by name, not reporting to him or to any officer or member of the Commission, could claim to be agents of the Sanitary Commission, and to act under its au¬ thority is, of course, a proposition which it had never occurred to me that any one could entertain, until I saw it apparently credited by Judge Hoadly, and his associates of the committee.

Judge Hoadly and his associates, must be aware that the word commission has a meaning entirely different from that of society or committee, and they cannot be supposed to share in that popular error which confounds the simplest laws of military success with a degrading subjection to military pedantry, and which, accord¬ ing to recent statements of the highest officers of our Govern¬ ment, leads to a dissipation of the real strength of our armies equal to one-half of their force. It is satisfactory to know that no suspicion of having administered in the smallest degree to this expensive mistake, through the conduct of its regularly ap¬ pointed and recognized agents, can rest upon the Commission.

The method of guarding against it is simple and uniform, applying equally well in Kentucky and in Florida.

The first formal instructions given to an agent of the Com¬ mission with reference to a duty involving a visit to camps, hospitals, or fortresses within the . military lines, commenced with the following sentences :

31

“ Sir : You will, in the first place, proceed, if practicable, to “ the headquarters of the portion of the army which you are to “ visit, and present your credentials to the general commanding. “ Having explained to him the objects of your visit, you will

“ re(luesfc from Mm such endorsement or aid as will be necessary 4 t° your further proceedings.

a

u

a

■ “ If the regiments which you are to visit are brigaded, you should also pay your respects to the brigade commander, or the

commanding officer of the post, before calling on the regimental officers.

“It is required of you, in all cases, in like manner, to show “your respect for the regulations for the discipline, order, and “ rank of the army, as far as practicable, by approaching the in¬ ferior by way of the superior officer, and only with a formal or “ implied approval or endorsement of your purpose by the latter. “ Unquestionably the first of all conditions of health of the army “ is strict discipline. Do all, therefore, in your power to encour- “ a£e and strengthen a good purpose in this respect; do all in your “ power to sustain it. Honor in your own conduct the strictest “ ru,es of military etiquette, and let it be seen that you expect “ them t0 be stringently enforced. Let it be known that you con- “ Slder no disease so destructive to an army as laxity of discipline. “ Demand, wherever you can properly do so, that the standard of “ the volunteers shall be at least as high as that of the regulars in “ this respect, and reprove any intimation that this is not to be “ attempted.

“ 0n amving at the camp of a regiment, (supposing that no u officer has been detailed by the general to escort you,) ask for the officer of the day, and, stating your business, request him to “ present you to the colonel or commanding officer of the regi- “ment,” etc.

32

Similar but more emphatic instructions were given to Inspec¬ tors appointed within the last month.

It will be seen, then, that the agents of the Commission are not only instructed to scrupulously refrain from any misuse of the privileges of the Commission, but they are enjoined to take precautions to prevent any reasonable ground of apprehension that they may be misused in the minds of the officers in com¬ mand of forces which they visit. These, they are required to remember, have too much to guard against that is unavoidable, and they are warned never to add a particle to their anxieties. The sentiment in this respect which is cultivated among the agents of the Commission has been expressed in the following terms :

“ The cause our armies have to defend is alone dearer to the “ people than are those who have to suffer in its defence. The “ strength and mobility of the army cannot be sacrificed to the “ care of its sick and wounded. The sick and wounded should be “ sacrificed unflinchingly to every unavoidable military necessity ; “ but all the more should they be supplied with whatever mitiga- “ tion of suffering military necessities leave possible.”

There are three conditions under which hospital supplies may be furnished, and which it is desirable should be kept in mind, in considering the organization and rules of the Commission, with especial reference to this way of administering aid to the health of the army. They may be defined as follows :

1st. Where hospitals already have all that Government under¬ takes to supply.

2d. Where hospitals are lacking in what Government under¬ takes to supply.

3:!

3d. Emergencies which government can not undertake at once to fully meet.

Theoretically, Government undertakes to provide all things necessary for the patients in its military hospitals. The Gov¬ ernment’s standard of the necessity of patients has been very greatly advanced since the war commenced, however, and from this it follows that it is a fluctuating standard ; hence it is never quite certain that Government does furnish any particular pa¬ tient with all that which is his particular necessity. In other words, there is a limit to the duty undertaken by Government. It is the duty of every Surgeon having charge of a hospital, if possible, to obtain from Government for his patients whatever they want that will come within this limit. But in almost all cases there will be something beyond it which would give grati¬ fication and comfort to his patients, and which would, perhaps, increase in some slight degree their chance of life, or expedite their recovery. With this end in view, and under the first con¬ dition, there are some kinds of supplies furnished by the people, and most bountifully at the West, as for instance, eggs, butter and canned meats, fruits and vegetables, which may be distributed to all hospitals, at all times, with a certain advantage. .Danger only arises when ignorant persons, in order to enjoy expressions of gratitude from the patients, or from distrust of the honesty or efficiency of the surgeon of the hospital, insist upon placing the gifts they bring in the haq,ds of the patients themselves, a prac¬ tice which has occasioned many deaths.*

But it frequently happens that surgeons in charge of hospitals do not, for various reasons, obtain the supplies which they are

* Green fruit lias been often given to men and boys in the hospitals, when desperately low with dysentery or typhoid fever.

3

34

entitled to receive from Government. It can never be m the power of individuals or benevolent associations to relieve the sick of the army from dependence, in the main, upon govern¬ mental supplies.* The danger arises, then, that, if surgeons in charge of hospitals are relieved in any measure from the conse¬ quences of a failure to obtain the authorized governmental sup¬ plies, such relief will act as an interposition between them and the official correction of neglect; the occasion for such relief being prima facie evidence of culpability on the part oi some one ; if not of the surgeon, then, perhaps, of the quartermas¬ ter’s department, or of the military commandant. Again, it is hardly possible, if surgeons find they can usually obtain what is necessary for their patients more easily from voluntary supplies than from the Government stores, that they will not be influenced to neglect to make sufficient and timely provision for their patients, trusting that the deficiency will still continue to be made good by the eager and careless hand of the public. But this cannot always be the case. When most needed, the voluntary supply may be most insufficient. Hence, unless the assistance thus offered is carefully guarded, there is danger that it may, in the long run, do more harm than good. So much weight is attached to the objections thus indicated to the usual methods for aiding the. sick and wounded of the army of most of those who do not act through the method of the. Commission, that the opinion has been often expressed by medical officers themselves as well as by others whose judgment is entitled to respect, that all efforts of

* Notwithstanding the apparently immensely large contributions ol ’thepublio to the hospitals since the war commenced, it is certain that not one-tenth !° actual cost of sustaining the sick and wounded has been thus met. The real' value of these supplies is almost wholly dependent on their being so is permed as to meet the accidental and occasional defects of the govermental

supply.

35

this kind must be harmful. When the Commission was orcrarii- ized, some of its own military members held that any advantage to be secured by the distribution of extra-govermental hospital supplies, was at least questionable. The results of carefully watched experiment, however, have so far removed these doubts, that no one can now be found disposed to question that at least, in certain cases , where the Government supplies are found inadequate, the advantage to be secured by promptly meeting the deficiency will greatly more than compensate for whatever bad influence may be exerted. When this is so can only be determined, how¬ ever, with a knowledge of the circumstances of each particular case. Hence it woulil be better, if it were possible, that the de¬ ficiencies of hospitals, in respect of the regular Government sup¬ plies, should in no case be made good by the public generosity without a special inquiry as to the occasion of the deficiency, and a deliberately formed conviction, on the part of some competent judge in the case, that, on the whole, advantage must result from * it. But even with as close an approximation to this rule of pre¬ caution as possible, the necessities of the patients immediately con¬ cerned can only justify the offer of volunteer supplies as the less of two evils ; and it is therefore necessary to consider what can be done, in each case where aid is given, to reduce to a mini¬ mum this smaller evil ; that is to say, the demoralizing and undisciplining influence of an act which interposes to prevent the legitimate consequences of some official neglect or misman¬ agement.

It will have some influence in this way if a mere recocr- nition of the fact can be secured that the agent of supply is not justified in furnishing what is needed until he has satisfied himself of the cause of the deficiency, and that, without satisfac¬ tory explanation, such deficiency must needs be regarded as dis¬ creditable to the surgeon. Hence, under the second condition, it

36

is an established rule in the service of the Sanitary Commission that supplies shall not, under ordinary circumstances, be issued

except in case —

1st. The need for them is beyond question ;

2d. An explanation has been requested of the way in which this need has been allowed to arise;

3d. A request for a written voucher from the surgeon, or some other responsible agent of government, showing what the Com¬ mission has been called upon to do in the case.

Such voucher must, under ordinary circumstances, be consid¬ ered either as an admission of neglect on the part of the sur¬ geon, or an accusation of neglect against some one else respon¬ sible to the War Department.

It is, of course, then, in the power of the Inspector to report all cases wherein neglect of duty on the part of the surgeon or of the medical purveyor is apparent to the medical director or other superior medical officer, thus subjecting the delinquent to reproof and loss of favor; or if the neglect appears to have been in the department of transportation, he may report the quarter¬ master responsible for it to his superior officer.

Why should not the Inspector be required to do this in all cases ? For two reasons : first, because the number of cases m which a certain small amount of delinquency is apparent is so large, it is certain that, if all were reported, little notice won be taken of them, while the Inspector would be accounted a busy¬ body It is an axiom of executive science that habitual fan - finding destroys rather than establishes an habitual sense of just responsibility; second, the Inspector can often do more good by aiding the lax conscience and fagged energies of the surgeon by his

37

counsel and sympathy than by bringing upon him the reproof of his superior, while the knowledge that such reproof was likely to be the result of his furnishing the Inspector with full and correct information would lead the surgeon to conceal the real wants of his patients from the Inspector, and create a feeling adverse to his good influence.

Although, therefore, specific reports may be made by the In¬ spector to the Medical Director, in aggravated cases, it is better that he should endeavor, when hospitals are found deficient in necessaries, to assist the Surgeon to obtain these with greater facility, promptness, and certainty from the Government stores. This he may do, for instance, by searching out and striving to remove any obstructions by which Government supplies are kept back in the Purveyor’s or Quartermaster’s office, or elsewhere outside of the hospital.

In order to keep this report within proper limits, nothing is said that can be well avoided, of the duty of the Commission, as an instructor or adviser of the army. It will be readily under¬ stood, however, that whatever instructions it is able to give will * be most appropriately and successfully disseminated through the regimental surgeons, and it is therefore desirable that the In¬ spectors establish the best understanding with these gentlemen, possible to be maintained without a clear neglect of a paramount duty.* The first general advice to Inspectors as to their dealings

* It is evidently the impression of the Cincinnati committee, that the all-impor¬ tant duty of the Inspectors of the Commission has been the detailed sanitary in¬ spection of camps, with the incidental instruction of regimental officers given in connection with such inspection. It may not be denied that such an error can have been founded upon statements formerly made by authority of the Commission. It is well known that there has been a difference of opinion among members of the Commission as to the advisability of continuing its relief system, and that it has been expected, by some of them, at least, that the chief value of its inspections would not be found in the opportunity they would disclose for judicious aid to

38

with surgeons, issued July , eighteen hundred and sixty-one , con¬ tained the following instructions. While the recent, present, and proposed plans of the Commission differ not at all from them in spirit, the policy indicated in the second and fourth para¬ graphs has been so confirmed and strengthened by experience of its good results, that it has gradually become a well-defined trunk to its whole executive system :

u Having obtained an introduction, in your official capacity, “ to the regimental surgeon, it will not, generally, be difficult for “ you to gain his confidence and good will, for your duty will lead u you to magnify his office, and if he properly appreciates its “ responsibilities and difficulties, he will value the services you “ will be able to render him.

“ it is the duty of the surgeon to point out whatever is nn- 44 favorable to tfie health of the regiment, and to suggest the “ proper remedy. You should encourage him to make and to “ persevere in making such suggestions, and wherever possible, “ consistently with your judgment, should add the weigh]: of your “ own influence to his advice. You may find it necessary to 44 remind the surgeon that he becomes responsible for the exist- 44 ence and continuance of any unjustifiable sanitary condition “ pertaining to the camp or to the management of the regiment, “ against which he does not perseveringly expostulate.

the hospitals. The error of the impression of the Cincinnati Committee, how¬ ever, will be sufficiently established by the simple statement that written instruc¬ tions were given Dr. Newberry, more than six months ago, to discontinue the detailed sanitary inspection of camps by the Inspectors at the west, and to direct them to devote themselves wholly to the relief system aud duties which could be pursued with advantage in connection with it. Not more than fifty sanitary in¬ spections of camps, in detail, have been made by the Inspectors since the troops last left winter quarters. In the previous six months the number of these in¬ spections was about one thousand.

“ It is difficult to define the rights and the duties of regimental “ surgeons, because these vary so much with circumstances. The 44 medical and surgical provision for a regiment, on detached ser- “ vice of a special kind, should be altogether different from that of “ a regiment quartered with many others in the immediate vicinity “ of a general hospital. The regulations were not formed with “ reference to large armies in the field, and are not perfectly “ adapted to the circumstances in which our volunteer surgeons at 44 present find themselves. A patient study of their provisions 44 will, nevertheless, disclose the means of remedying most of the 44 difficulties of which you will hear much complaint. When this 44 is not the case, an appeal may be made to the Medical Director, 44 or, if necessary, to the Major General commanding, who, for a 44 special purpose, can override the restrictions ordinarily placed 44 upon the supply of medical stores and hospital conveniences.

44 Inexperienced regimental surgeons will generally be found 44 to err in attempting to maintain too complicated and extensive 44 hospital arrangements, and in undertaking to deal with cases for 44 which proper supplies and accommodations cannot be provided, 44 except in fixed general hospitals. There should be nothing in 44 a regimental hospital to stand in the way of sudden and rapid 44 movements ; and whenever a cure cannot shortly be expected, 44 patients should be transferred to a general hospital. In some 44 cases, however, this will not be possible; and when you meet 44 with these, you are expected to do all in your power to obtain 44 such supplies as are immediately needed , and which cannot be “ got by official process. This may be done either, by requisition 44 upon the stores of the Commission , by an appeal to local charity, 44 or, when necessary , by a moderate expenditure of money on 44 account of the Commission. Whenever practicable, special 44 authority for this purpose may be requested by telegraph.

44 Regimental surgeons also frequently err in the opposite

40

“ extreme, sending patients to general hospital who have some “ simple illness which would yield to judicious treatment under “ canvas, in a few days. Experience is needed to enable the “ judgment to be exercised confidently in discriminating between “ proper and improper cases for camp treatment, and your oppor- “ tunities of observation and comparison will stand you in place of “ an extended experience in this respect. It is your primary duty, “ as it is that of the regimental surgeon, not to take care of the “ sick, but to guard against whatever weakens or embarrasses the “ use of the greatest possible strength of the regiment for warlike 14 puposes. The surgeon’s stores, and the hospital, and the ambu- ‘k lance, should all be instruments to the end of the utmost possible “ rapidity, spirit, and force of movement in the regiment. Discour- “ age whatever really weakens the regiment ; encourage whatever “ tends to strengthen it against the enemy. Oftentimes tender- “ ness to individuals is not true humanity; and the surgeon whose “ baggage impedes an advance or a retreat, may easily be the “ cause of more suffering than the. one who carries the hospital “ stores for a regiment in a knapsack, or whose medicines and “ instruments are all conveyed in a pocket-case.

“ The surgeon should be prepared for battle duty. If he has “ an ambulance, lias he a trusty driver for it, and an ambulance “ corps, upon which he can depend under fire ? Do they know ‘‘how to lift and carry a man with shattered limbs? Do they “ know that water is more precious than gold to those who follow “ the track of a battle, and are they instructed how to secure it “ and administer it providently ? Beds and sheets and wine and “ delicate food in the hospital tent are of little consequence to the “ regiment compared with these preparations.”

After all, the chief ground of trust that the evil will be over¬ balanced by the good, in any attempt to supply the necessaries

41

of proper hospital management from other than governmental stores, must rest upon the deliberate judgment of the Inspector in each particular case, after due consideration of all the circum¬ stances affecting: it.

Thus it is of the highest importance that those employed in this duty should be men possessed not only of good professional judgment, but men whose faculties of moral and intellectual analysis are rapid and trustworthy ; and for this, with regard to the Inspectors of the Commission, I am held responsible for having reasonable grounds of assurance.* But it is obvious that something- more is needed than even professional skill and the best possible common sense; and that is, a thorough familiarity with the army regulations and customs. An Inspector almost needs to be in fact a military lawyer. For this reason an Inspector is rarely placed in any responsible position till he has had several weeks’ training under constant superintendence, and has had time and opportu-

*The following statement with regard to the Inspectors of the Commission was made in the Report to the Secretary of War, dated December 9th, 1861, of which copies were furnished the Cincinnatti branch:

“ Fourteen well qualified physicians are now employed by the Commission, each having a defined portion of the army under his observation. Six other gentlemen, each possessed of special acquirements, are engaged on special duties. A list of their names and of the posts to which they are respectively assigned is appended. It is proper to' record the fact that they have in several cases withdrawn from positions far more remunerative than that now occupied by them, and have undertaken their present duty from motives of the highest benevolence and patriotism. Others have declined the office of Brigade Surgeon, tendered them by the War Department, to enter on what they considered a wider field of usefulness in the service of the Commission. No one is now employed on this duty who is not entitled, by education, experience, and social stand¬ ing, to speak with a certain degree of moral authority ; and whatever success the Commission may have attained in the execution of its duties, is believed to be due as much to the high character and intelligence of its Inspectors, as to all the other advantages it has enjoyed.”

I refer with reluctance to the observations of the Cincinnati Committee upon the subject of paid and unpaid service. A majority of the Commission’s employees have, at the outset, offered to serve it gratuitously. For reasons

nity to familiarize himself with the practices of the quartermaster, commissary, and medical purveyor’s departments of the service.

Where, however, the information and judgment of the Inspec¬ tor cannot be wholly relied upon, as must be the case at least with the younger members of the staff, it by no means follows that the work they do will be harmful. It is the duty of each Inspector to keep a record of his observations, and to report frequently, fully, and accurately of the character of every hos¬ pital he visits, as well as the general character of the hospitals in his field of observation, their common deficiencies, and the causes of these. From all the information thus received, the Commission will be prepared to advise reforms and improvements of the supply system, the removal of neglectful surgeons from important responsibilities, and the promotion of those whose special fidelity and capacity is brought to their notice. or is the influence without its value, which, by this careful ana ubiqui-

which are satisfactory to the Commisrfon the names of aU persons penna-

nentiy * their amount, to the

on its pay-roll wit . . , , h As a ruie, salaries are payable

- rrceiptea for Within on;mon th «

tjtsss rpr V - “

withheld from -epl^ Commission, hy motives would have been laiger cervices which have been

- Commission

rendered the sick aau T»rnfp«ional charges, amount to

gratuitously, would, at the ordinary rates of professional g

considerably more than fifty thousand dollars.

* It would hardly be proper for me to state what the Commission lm done ■ ti •« wav I will venture, however, to repeat an assertion recent y J

all other agencies, intended to benefit them, together.

tous surveillance of tlie army hospitals, can be exercised by the Commission, upon the reputation of the surgeons having them in charge, in the medical community of civil life. Many a surgeon of the army knows that he is now making or marring the for¬ tunes of his life through the judgment formed of his character by the inspection systems, general and special, established by the Commission.*

* _As it may become necessary to place this report in the hands of some who will not have been informed of the “ special inspection system/’’ here alluded to, Document No. 56 of the Commission, just published, is referred to as giving a full account of it. Application was made, in September, (immedi¬ ately after the receipt of the first donation from California,) to one hundred of the marked men of the medical profession throughout the country, whose established duties and other circumstances had prevented them from accepting engagements in the military medical service, to enter the service of the Sanitary Commission for short periods, for the purpose of making a special examination of the treatment of the sick and wounded of the army in the general hospitals. Fifty of those to whom application was made have, up to the present time, ac¬ cepted the invitation of tire Commission* and twenty-four have been actually engaged m duty at different points, or are now on their way to distant stations. Assignments to duty are at this moment being executed by these special inspec¬ tors, as follows : To general hospitals at Nashville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Louisville, Evansville, New Albany, Keokuk, St. Louis, Mound City, Philadelphia, Washington, Newbern, Beaufort, New Orleans. The well estab¬ lished fame in their profession of many of the gentlemen constituting this special corps of inspection gives great influence and authority to their sugges¬ tions with every hospital surgeon. Their reports are made with great care; briefs of them are always prepared for and transmitted to the Surgeon General, and the facts and opinions presented invariably receive the most respectful attention from the Department. Dr. H. G. Clark, the Inspector in Chief, lately reported as follows :

“An examination of the reports of the Inspectors, at different and consecu¬ tive dates, will also^show, in many instances, a very markeHmd progressive improvement in the condition of the hospitals inspected.

“This improvement has, no doubt, been partly owing to the natural effects of time and the better experience and opportunities of the officers in charge, but partly, also, I am assured by the surgeons themselves, to the friendly influence of the Inspectors, and of the establishment, in this way, of a sort of standard of excellence. In fact, it is impossible but that the opinions of men of standing and knowledge in the profession should have its proper weight upon a class of earnest, hardworking, and many of them capable, men, upon whom the acci-

44

The third condition under which supplies supplementary to those furnished by Government may with advantage be pro¬ vided by the public is on the occasion of certain emergencies. The movements of an army, just before and during a great battle, are generally so influenced by the events of the moment, and the exhaustion of all other resources during the battle is gener¬ ally so great, that the supply of hospital stores from govern¬ mental sources is liable to be poorest when the need is greatest.

Under such circumstances, commanding officers seldom think it necessary to maintain the usual restraints with regard to the movements of any who profess to come to the field for the pur¬ pose of aiding the wounded. It cannot, 'of course, be expected that the Commission should be more scrupulous than the military authorities, and its ordinary rules may safely be in part sus¬ pended. How can its organization be best turned to use, is a question which chn be answered only with such a knowledge of the circumstances of any particular battle as it will have been the duty of its Inspectors in the vicinity to* obtain. It will ordi¬ narily have happened that a battle was anticipated, and that for a short time beforehand the available resources of the Cominis-

dents of war have unexpectedly and suddenly cast the gravest labors and re¬ sponsibilities. *

“ I must not omit to notice here another instrumentality, which has, in a very important degree, contributed, in my judgment, to the establishment of the 1 entente cordiale’ between the surgeons and the officers of the Commission.”

* * * * * * * *

LL The meetings have been fully attended, and the result has been the forma¬ tion of a permanent society, which, with a very simple organization, takes cognizance of all matters’ relating to the hygiene, the administration of military hospitals, and the care of their inmates.

“The active members comprise the surgical staff within the District, and some of the officers of the Commission ; but it affiliates to itself, as associates , all the surgeons of the army and navy , and all the medical members of the Com¬ mission, inviting them all to contribute to its stores of knowledge, and inviting them to partake freely of its benefits.”

45

sion with the army engaged had been husbanded with reference to it. When the battle occurs, more goods may need to be dis¬ tributed in a day than in months before, and the ordinary force of the Commission in the vicinity will be quite inadequate for the purpose. Whoever comes, then, will be invited to aid in their work of mercy, the Inspectors doing all they can to direct these volunteers, as wrell as their regular assistants, to those parts of the field where the greatest good is to be accomplished by the distribution of the stores at their command. As the news of the battle spreads, aid, both of goods and hands, will come, hour after hour, in increasing quantity. The Commission’s goods, which have been accumulated in the vicinity, will soon be ex¬ hausted, perhaps sooner than consignments will arrive which have been called for after the battle. Meanwhile, will there be nothing for the agents of the Commission, who have by this time, probably, thoroughly studied the whole field and the vicin¬ ity, to do ? Obviously, the new comers, who will be bringing the first fruit of the excited sympathy of the nearest loyal dis¬ tricts, will need the aid of their experience to guide them in its most merciful distribution. It is no more than the simplest pru¬ dence, then, to calculate somewhat on this course of events before¬ hand, to arrange the affairs of the Commission with some regard to it, and to expect that others will to some extent depend upon their being so arranged.

The established medium of connection between the Commission and the loyal public being its body of associate members, and it being a part of the duty assigned in advance to associate members (See ante p. 16) “ so to direct the labors of associations ” of the people, “ that they may strengthen and support those of the Com¬ mission,” the proceeding thus sketched as most likely to occur, under the simplest dictates of common sense, is almost precisely that which has occurred in practice in every considerable battle of

46

the war on this side of the Mississippi. Take that of Fort Donel- son, for instance.* Under advice from Gen. Grant, the Commission had, a short time before this battle, got together a good stock of hospital stores at Cairo, drawing largely on its ddpots at Boston and New York for this purpose. From these it first furnished clothing, dressings, and bedding very largely to hospitals at Cairo and Mound City, which were expressly prepared to receive the wounded of the expected battle. It next largely equipped and sent stores, with an Inspector, on board a floating-hospital, pro¬ vided by Government at the suggestion of an officer of the Com- mission.t This was stationed, when the battle occurred, at the

*Ihad, shortly before, in anticipation of a battle in Kentucky, telegraphed to Dr. Newberry, offering to detach the most experienced Inspector of our torce in the East, that he might be added to the number of those in Kentucky, and on his replying that he was not needed, I wrote urging that the Inspectors in Ken¬ tucky should be strongly reinforced with men, horses, money, and goods. e Associate Secretary and Inspector of the Commission at St. Louis were at the same time directed to hold themselves in readiness to move with the forces then in Missouri, which afterwards fought the battle at Fort Donelson.

fThis was the first floating-hospital of the present war, the 'statement of the Cincinnati Committee on this subject being a mistake. Both at the Bast and the West, it was the policy of the Commission to induce Government to provide completely for the sick and wounded, as far as practicable, and no to take any duty which was deemed to properly belong to officers of Govern¬ ment until it was clearly necessary. The Western Sanitary Commission of St. Louis, having taken upon itself the duty of fitting up the hospital boats on the Mississippi, before the Sanitary Commission had thought it necessary to further assume this duty, (but not till after the Commission had urged the necessity of providing such accomodations for the forces on the Mississippi, upon Government,) it was, thereafter, mainly left in their hands unti Government adopted the arrangement in full. A similar policy was fol¬ lowed in the East three months later. After waiting till the Army of the Potomac had commenced the siege of Yorktown, finding that the Government would not provide suitable accommodations, the Commission solicited the privilege of fitting up vessels for this purpose. The expenses of the western hospital boats, so far as not paid by Government, were chiefly defrayed by collections made in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, for the express purpose by the “Western Sanitary Commission” of St. Louis. Those of the eastern fleet, from similar collections, at the same points, through the treasury of the Commission.

47

point nearest the field then accessible by an unarmed boat. As soon as the works were taken, this boat was brought to the land¬ ing of the fort itself, and the goods of the Commission on board were thus made available at the earliest moment possible, and the whole field was explored in person by the Inspector. It next placed another Inspector with an assortment of hospital stores sufficient for five hundred patients, at Paducah, the nearest point to the battle ground at which fixed hospital accommodations could be prepared, and whither, as soon as possible after the battle, the wounded were brought in large numbers. But the resources at hand of the Commission had been all exhausted both at Paducah and Fort Donelson, as well as at Cairo, when aid began to arrive from the Commission’s associates. Four of its experienced med¬ ical officers, three of whom were well informed as to the locality and arrangements of all the hospitals and depots of the wounded and of the plans of the medical officers, were then ready to give the most judicious guidance to this aid. Of the expeditions arriving, the most important was that organized by the associate members of the Commission in Cincinnati, which brought to the ground the Western Secretary of the Commission himself, under whose advice its operations were directed, as reported to the Commission in person shortly afterwards by a delegation of the Cincinnati associates. The promptness of the Cincinnati asso¬ ciates, in leading off and ably directing the popular eagerness of their fellow citizens to give aid and comfort to the brave men who had been stricken down in this important battle, was all that the members of the Commission could ask, and their satisfaction was accordingly expressed in a vote of thanks and the request of a historical sketch of the expedition for publication. This was the formal vote by which, as argued by the committee, the “policy and methods ” of their branch was sanctioned and established as a part of the policy and methods of the Sanitary Commission.

48

Again, at Pittsburg Landing, the Commission had, a week before the battle occurred, sent more than 8,000 articles of hos¬ pital clothing to Savannah, Tennessee, the nearest point at which hospitals could then be prepared. These stores were all available for the first wounded men removed from the field, and, in the terrible destitution resulting from the unexpectedly great losses of the battle, they were of inestimable value. Instantly on the receipt of the first telegraphic despatches of the battle at the depot of the Commission at Cairo, a hundred cases more of selected hospital stores, including chloroform, styptics, mor¬ phine, stimulants, and many other things for want of which men were dying by hundreds, and which had been got here ready in anticipation, not of this, but of any such emergency, were placed in the first boat leaving, and with a reinforcement of seven relief agents sent forward the same day. Before these goods had been distributed and the relief agents posted where they could render the greatest service, another steamer arrived with another and still larger quantity of most carefully selected and valuable hospital stores, sent directly to the care of the Inspectors of the Commission by its associate members -at Chicago. Twenty surgeons and forty selected nurses, from Chicago, also arrived by this boat, who were immediately organized, and stationed where aid was most needed, by the chief officer of the Com¬ mission on the ground, acting in all things with the concurrence of the Medical Director. Just after this, again, came a boat under the direction of the associate members of the Commis¬ sion at Cincinnati; and a little later came a perfect fleet of steamboats, all swelling the stream of relief of which the spring had been opened by the Commission, simultaneously with the battle itself. It was the same at Corinth, at Perry- ville, at Roanoke Island, at Williamsburg, and West Point; at every battle on the Chickahominy and the James; at Winches-

49

ter, at Cedar Mountain, at Centreville, at West Mountain, and at Antietam: and should the telegraph bring news of battles to¬ day at Holly Springs or Fredericksburg, the Commission knows that, at each point, there are several of its trusty and experi¬ enced Inspectors provided with many tons of selected stores and means of rapidly and carefully distributing them, while, at the nearest safe point in the rear, there are large reserves to be thrown promptly forward when these fail or are cut off.*

What part, then, should the associate members of the Commis¬ sion take in the work to be done on these occasions ? Precisely that which it was contemplated they would take in such emergen¬ cies from the day the Commission was organized ; precisely that which they have hitherto very generally taken ; precisely that which the Commissioners themselves always take; which the chairman of the committee I am now addressing took after An¬ tietam, and which his associate in that committee took after the battle of Pittsburg Landing.

The only question can be, whether, when they reach the battle¬ ground, they shall place themselves and those they bring with them, with their goods, absolutely at the disposal of the officers of the Commission, or whether they shall simply propose to act under the advice of these officers. The first course the Commission has no right to require of them, it being no part of the duty which those who accept the office of associate members have been publicly in¬ vited to undertake. Moreover, if they are to be placed, by virtue of their office, under the control of the officers of the Commission, they will become qualified agents of the Commission, and the

* Since this was written the battle of Fredericksburg has occurred, and the work of the Commission’s agents has been precisely what was anticipated, the delegates of “ the Christian Commission ” voluntarily placing a large portion of their stores and of their personal services at the disposal of the officers of the Sanitary Commission on the ground.

4

50

Secretary of the Commission will be held accountable for them to the War Department. It will he evident that this would he unjust if it is considered that the right of selection and appointment of such agents would be distributed among five hundred associate members, and that they would not necessarily have received any previous instruction as to their rights and duties while un er military rule.

What might possibly happen in this case is illustrate y an incident of recent occurrence : A day or two after one of t e severe battles in Maryland the rebels having retreated across the Potomac, several regiments of United States troops were sent over the river to follow them. After a severe encounter with the enemy, our forces were repulsed and obliged to retire across the river, leaving their dead and wounded on the other side. The next day some benevolently-disposed gentlemen, acting ap¬ parently as an independent committee, without waiting, as they said “for the formality of a regular flag of truce,” forded the river in company with several officers and privates, (who had been’ only a few weeks in service,) for the purpose of assisting the wounded and identifying the dead, and, hoisting a white handkerchief, improvised a flag of truce for themselves The pickets of the enemy, supposing them to have proper authority, allowed them to come within their lines. The pickets, some hours afterwards, discovering the party to be unauthorized, ordered them to return, which they did; some of the accompanying soldiers, (in unconscious ignorance of the nature of a flag of tiuce, it was asserted,) bringing away arms, and actually capturing a prisoner ! The next day a regularly authorized flag of truce was arrested, the flag refused, though accompanied by a regular officer and the parties accompanying it found themselves in pos¬ session of the enemy, with a fair prospect of their being sent to Richmond. The rebel officer who met the flag stated, in ex-

51

planation, that “ a party had been over the day before, under pretence of a flag of truce, and had stolen arms, &c., and that he was directed by General Lee to refuse any flag whatever.” The entire flag of truce party were then obliged to return across the river and wait upon the opposite shore, until after three hours consumed in explanatory correspondence between the command¬ ing officers, and a formal disavowal of the improper acts of the day before, they were allow*! to proceed upon their mission. The actions of the unauthorized truce party coming to the knowledge of one of the United States Medical Directors, he expressed great indignation at the utter want of discipline which it evinced, and denounced the whole performance in unmeasured terms, declaring that such a party deserved to be shot.

It is easy to see how men who are liable to make such mistakes as this may be no inconsiderable annoyance to the commander of an army, and that the effective power of the army may even be quite seriously impaired through the ignorance and blundering of civilians, who are anxious to bustle about, in independent movement, instead of acting strictly in subordination to the mili- tary authorities.

Had the Sanitary Commission been in any manner responsible for the conduct of this unauthorized truce-party, the President would have been perfectly justified in withdrawing his commis¬ sion from it. This is no reason, however, why the Commission should not be thankful for any extraneous aid which may be of¬ fered in such emergencies. Much less should the Commission dis¬ courage the gentlemen to whom it looks as its medium of com¬ munication with the public from seeking to lead and control the public impulse to offer such aid in the best practicable way which they find open. By the publications which it sends to them, the Commission endeavors to keep these gentlemen informed of the principles desirable to be had in view in all attempts to give vol-

52

unteer aid to the regular provision of Government for the sick an wounded, and of the experience and observation of its agents in their endeavors to organize relief for battle-field sufferers * hj should it not, then, when its associates in any town or district are embodied in a local organization, call upon them, in emergencies, to endeavor to direct the inexperienced efforts of the public to pro¬ vide aid for the wounded in such a way that it shall harmonize with the labors of the Commission's agents, strengthen their hands and replenish their stores? Is it not entirely consistent with the whole theory upon which the Commission operates, tha should do so ? Is it more, or is it less, than the associate mem¬ bers were asked to undertake in the printed letter of Ju 1861, copies of which were sent to every member of the C .

nati branch before he took upon him the obligations which the Commission, by his election, invited him to a“ ’ a diligent study of the Report of the Cincinnati Committee I confess myself unable to decide. Yet this is exacdy what was had in view, and it is all that was had in view, m the con¬ cluding words of the paragraph, to which the Cincinnati .

*Le so warmly object in my circular to those “who stay at homc - « In emergencies, branch societies arc often called upon

t0 aid the Commission even more directly in the performance of

t(8 That there was nothing new or peculiar to the General Secre tary in this view of the proper duty to be undertaken by the tranches in connection with the officers of the Commission, on the occasion of emergencies of battle, within accessible distance / loyal communities, namely, to lead, guide harmonize and sys- 7,„ the ea«er and desultory efforts of the people, to the endof brilging about the speedy and complete relief of suffering, the following extract from Dr. Newberry’s report of the batt e

53

of Pittsburg Landing, addressed to this office immediately after- wards, will sufficiently demonstrate :

“ A lar£e number of other boats were sent by the efficient •“ branches of our Commission which now exist throughout the “ Western States, and nearly all were fitted out by our stores, “ and were accompanied by our associate members.

“This splendid display of humanity may therefore be re¬ garded as the exponent of the value of our organization, and “ in a great part the legitimate fruit of the efforts we have made “and the system we have adopted for ‘promoting the health, “ comfort and efficiency of our volunteer troops.’

“ 11 1S true> tllat the luxuriant growth of the measures of “ relief in which the interest of the people in the success of our “ arms> a!ut tiic fate of brothers, sons, husbands and lovers has “expressed itself, symmetry has been often lost, and system ‘■'■overshadowed; yet, while we have to regret that in many “ cases the efforts for the relief of suffering have been irregular , wasteful, fruitless and even harmful, we can congratulate our- “ selves that, on the whole, incalculable good has been done, in u which all should heartily rejoice.

The part which Dr. Douglas , Dr. Prentice and myself were “ a^e to Verform in the great work which has been done at Pitts¬ burg Landing , was , I think, not without its value and impor- “ tance. It was to harmonize and systematize , so far as possible,- the diverse , and sometimes discordant elements which are in “ action in a common cause .

“ Through our relations with the military and medical author¬ ities, we were able to facilitate the accomplishment of the objects u for which our friends had come, and to effect the more speedy u and complete relief of the suffering .

“ Ifc affords me sincere pleasure to say that at all times and in

54

“ all cases, we were most courteously and kindly treated by those “in authority, and a degree of respect and consideration “accorded to us, as the representatives of our Commission,

“ which was most gratifying to us and complimentary to it'. *

The second, fundamental rule governing the service of the Commission, rests upon the fact that its name, authority, privi¬ leges, and duty are derived from the President of the United States, without law or recommendation of Congress or of any State authority. The President is responsible for the Commis¬ sion. The members of the Commission are deputies of the President. It is right for them to do nothing that it would he wrong for him to do. The President is the federal head of the country, standing for its unity as other branches of the govern¬ ment stand for its parts. So must the Commission. Whatever is contributed to its treasury or stores, then, must come into a common stock. All its work must be with a common and com¬ prehensive purpose. It is not necessary that each man who acts for the Commission should himself look over the whole country and the whole army. It is necessary that the work done by each man should be an undivided part of a work which compre¬ hends in its purpose the whole country and the whole army. No one can be allowed to work in the name of the Commission who does not work in subordination to this common purpose. No drafts can be rightly made from the common stock without due regard is had to the wants of all interested in that stock.

It is alleged that it is impossible for a board or a secretary at Washington to appreciate the necessities of the army in the West, and to adapt the organization or the rules of the Commis¬ sion to these necessities. The same might be said with regard

* 2,500 copies of this report were printed and circulated at the time.

t0_ the a™y !n tfle far South, and it is obvious that the same might be said of the “Army Regulations,” or of the duty of the President of the United States in the West and the South. As a practical fact, the President does not see either the West or the East with his own eyes, and the affairs of the Government will truly be in a bad way when the President’s means of obtaining information off the wants of the West are less effective than his means of obtaining information of the wants of the East, because the Federal capital is geographically in the East. It being clear that a Governor at Columbus cannot see the needs of the people anywhere else as well as at Columbus ; if to see these wants with his own eyes is what is required of the executive office of the business of a State, the same reasoning should detach Cincinnati from the State of Ohio.

It is true, however, that in meeting the sudden wants of the wounded at the West there might be a loss in prompt and effi¬ cient action if the use of the central resources of the Commis¬ sion could only be commanded at Washington. Perceiving this, perceiving, also, that there were local jealousies, ambitions, and rivalries operating at the West, the importance of consulting which I could not appreciate, and also that my want of familiarity with western communications might in time lead me to some un¬ intentional injustice, or to unnecessary expenditure, in a desire to avoid all possibility of injustice to the West, I proposed to the Commission, soon after I entered upon my duties, to authorize the appointment of a deputy chief executive officer to reside at the West. A western member of the Commission, my senior in it, sup¬ posed to be charged fully with its spirit, and familiar from the out¬ set with its whole mode of work, was appointed to this position. The committee of the Cincinnati branch have distinctly acknow¬ ledged that a better man, or one more acceptable to them, could

56

not have been selected. I have never heard an intimation to the contrary from any source. *

I have said that contributions to the Commission must come to a common stock. The Cincinnati committee declare this to be a new doctrine and may allege that it is but a recent inference from the letter of the commission. So far is it otherwise that, from the first day to this, of my service to the Commission, I have declined to receive, or to allow other agents of the Commission re¬ porting to me, to become responsible for goods or money offered for a special purpose, or with any restriction upon the place where, the body or persons to whom, or the mode by which, such contributions should be applied. When funds have, in exceptional cases, been received by agents of the Commission for a special department of its duty, I have not allowed them to account to me for the use of such funds. Amendments to papers read before the Commission have been made, at my request, by unanimous vote, for the avowed purpose of maintaining in the minds of its agents the fact that it could officially take cognizance of nothing which was not of the common stock.f

• Since .his was written, it has been asserted that certain members of the Cincinnati branch do not regard Dr. Newberry with favSr. I know of no reason for this except that he has expostulated with them as he states, r pursuing a method of forwarding relief goods for the army of which he could

not approve.

4- The fact that a majority of the Executive Committee are physicians re- eidinv in New York, thus allowing its sessions to be held without who ly withdrawing its members from their important ordmary duties in society^ leads this committee to be called upon to meet many wants of recruits land of hospitals at New York, which appeal here, as elsewhere, strongly to the feel¬ ing! of the citizens, and which could readily be made a most effective ground for a call for funds to be especially collected for their reme y. u e ®0™ mittee having sometimes determined, where prompt action was required, to meet these wants, have always drawn upon the general fund and stores for the purpose. This adherence to the rule above given may seem to be not consistent with the statement on page 16 with regard to services to troops

57

Whatever has been under the control of the Commission, at any point, has thus always been considered as a part of a com¬ mon stock, to be drawn upon wherever it was most wanted in the field of the war; to be everywhere held and guarded for all. The depots of the Commission on the Atlantic have been as ready to meet the wants of the army in the West as those on the Ohio or Mississippi. Hundreds of cases have been shipped from depdts at Boston, New York, and Philadelphia upon the shortest possible telegraphic calls from Missouri, Ken¬ tucky, and Tennessee. No such call from an authorized agent of the Commission has ever been disregarded. No explanations have been required ; no credit taken for generosity. The thought that there was more generosity in aiding the army when opera¬ ting against our enemy on the west side of the Alleghanies, than when on the east, has never, to my knowledge, received utterance at the East. It is universally understood that what is contributed to the depots of the Commission goes to a common stock for the whole army, wherever it may be. But, for the same reason that I wanted a deputy at the West, possessed of whatever prestige might be supposed to attach to a commission from the President, I have allowed issues from the common stock and the common treasury to be made more freely at the West than at the East. For instance, at the East, Inspectors’ requisitions for goods from the common stock are, under ordinary circumstances, required to be approved and endorsed by one of the Secretaries before issues can be made upon them. This precaution against local favor at the expense of the common stock has been generally neglected at the West; Inspectors drawing directly from the receiving

within the loyal States. It is not hut it may be justified, as an exception, on the ground that, by reason of such action, the committee had been able to increase the contributions of New York to the store and treasury of the Com¬ mission by much more than the amount thus issued by them for local relief.

58

depots. This was because the Western Secretary, contrary to my personal judgment, was of the opinion that the greater security for equitable distribution which would result from keep¬ ing the control of all considerable movements of goods closely within his own hand, would be of less value than the more prompt and ready meeting of the ordinary demands of the several west¬ ern columns which was supposed to be secured by the course adopted.

With regard to issues from the Treasury, the custom has been for the Western Secretary to send me a monthly estimate for ordinary expenditures of money required for the western opera¬ tions of the Commission. Such estimates are subject to my re¬ view, but their amounts have never been in the least reduced by me, and the amount called for has in every case, with the ap¬ proval of the Treasurer, been promptly remitted. In addition to these calls for ordinary expenditures, special calls have fre¬ quently been made by the Western Secretary upon the Central Office. With a single exception, (when a short delay occurred because of a recent general order of the Executive Committee, which had been unknown to the Western Secretary when making his draft,) these calls have also, in every case, been promptly and fully met. I have sometimes transmitted twice the amount called for. I have never reduced it by one dollar. I have fre¬ quently urged the Western Secretary to enlarge his operations and expenditures ; but, even when the treasury of the Commis¬ sion was at its lowest, and I was contracting operations and dis¬ missing agents on that account elsewhere, I have never advised him to contract or reduce at the West. It is my duty to see that the army is as well provided at the West, in those particulars wherein the executive organization of the Commission can aid it, as at the East or the South. I believe that it has been. I will not

59

assert that there has been no reason for such suspicions as are expressed by the Cincinnati Committee, but I trust that it will appear 4>hat they have been chiefly derived from the fact that the army in the West has been, for the most part, less compactly massed, less frequently operating with the -enemy in force close upon it, and that, consequently, there have usually been less stringent restrictions upon direct popular communication with its hospitals than with those of the Army of the Potomac.

For another reason many hospitals of the Army of the Potomac have received, during long periods, no assistance at all from any source of volunteered supply except at the hands of the agents of the Commission. This is to be found in the fact that a very much larger proportion of the regiments of the Army of the Potomac than of any other part of the army have been recruited in large towns and manufacturing districts, and, to a considerable extent, from the foreign born population of these. It is a fact that the poorer people in our towns, and especially the foreign born of them, send little or nothing to the hospitals, while the wealthier classes of our eastern towns either send nothing in the form of hospital goods or send very much less than the people of the rural dis¬ tricts for the special use of regiments raised in their own neigh¬ borhoods. A larger proportio n of the Army of the Potomac being composed of town-recruited regiments than of any part of the army in the West, there is constantly a larger proportion of its hospitals, the inmates of which are found, by the Inspectors of the Commission, to be in need of supplies, which they are able to obtain from no other source than the Commission’s common stock.

Not only is the town population of the West less in proportion to its whole population than that of the East, but the difference be¬ tween town communities and rural communities is less in the West than in the East. Western townspeople are generally less federal

60

and more locally bound in their benevolent inclinations than the townspeople of the East. There are five legiments sent from the city of Chicago, for instance, for whose exclusive benefit I believe that much more than half of all the voluntary gifts of the people of that city for the sick and wounded of the forces of the Union have been, hitherto, by express stipulation, rigidly restricted. The hospitals of these five regiments were not long since reported to me not only to be actually encumbered with the gifts they had received, but to have a hospital reserve-fund laid up in bank of over sixty thonsand dollars. Besides which, as I am informed, there is a large stock of goods kept back in Chicago, from which supplies are sent to them at tne first inti¬ mation from their surgeons that they will not be in the way. I know of no regiments in the army of the Potomac thus liberally provided for, and, as a general rule, the city regiments of the East receive little or no direct assistance from the city people. One hundred regiments have probably been raised in the cities of New York and Massachusetts, whose sick and wounded have had

* It should not be forgotten that when wounded in any important battle, the men of these regiments have very little, if any, better chance than others of es¬ caping the good offices of the Sanitary Commission. It is ten to one that in any important movement, and when relief would have its highest value, they will be separated from their baggage- wagons and their regimental surgeons, and if wounded, thrown into general field hospitals, where it would not be in the heart of a savage to maintain any distinctions save those established by degrees of suffering. It is a fact most creditable to our men, that under these circum¬ stances, the offer of assistance coupled with state preferences, is generally re¬ ceived with indignation. “Are there any Pennsylvania men here?” asked a man, looking in upon a barn-floor half covered with wounded Pennsylvanians, after Antietam. There was no answer, and the question was repeated : the man en¬ tering with a large basket, “ are there any Pennsylvania men here?” No sir,” faintly answered a young hero at his feet, “ some of us came from Pennsylvania, but we are all Union men now.” “ Are you not the boy I gave a bottle of wine to yesterday ?» “ Yes.” “ Where is it ?” “ Why I sent it round, d’ye think I’d

keep it to myself because I came from Pennsylvania. Some of these men wanted it more’n I did. Tell you, we are all Union men here.”

61

less direct provision made for them altogether, by the people of those cities, than the wounded of these five regiments alone will have had secured to them, by the people of Chicago. The inference that the people of the eastern cities had been less patriotic, or sympathetic, or liberal, would be unjust, unless it could be shown that their contributions for the wounded of the whole fighting forces of the Union had been relatively less than those of the citizens of Chicago, which may or may not be the case ; but the inference that they are more federal, and regardless of personal and local predelictions in their patriotism and benevolence is, at present, not to be avoided.

I have shown that it is regarded as the duty of the Commission to see that all goods received by it for the army come practically into a common stock, and that this stock is drawn uj5on, accord¬ ing to the relative wants , not otherwise met , of the sick and wounded , of the different divisions of the army. How is this to be done ? Absolutely and perfectly, to the fraction of a parcel, it would obviously be absurd to attempt it. To a reasonable approximation of accuracy, how can it be ? Certainly not by the method of the Cincinnati branch ; certainly not by that of the Western Sanitary Commission ; I mean no disrespect to either. It is not what they propose. The Western Sanitary Commis¬ sion has taken at least twenty thousand dollars, and more than a thousand cases of goods, probably, from the States of Massachu¬ setts and New York. It has transported these goods at no incon¬ siderable cost to somebody, to St. Louis, and has then distributed them, with the wise zeal of the gentlemen who have the control of its operations. But to the soldiers of New York and Massa¬ chusetts, so far as I know, it has distributed nothing; to the sol- * diers of the Western States wounded on the Potomac, the Rap¬ pahannock, the Peninsula, in the Carolinas and on the Gulf, it has distributed nothing. It is not its province to do so. It is the

62

province of the Sanitary Commission to see that all within the field of active operations, as far as practicable, are equally 'well provided for.

Hence by the method of the Sanitary Commission, all hospitals within the field of active operations, are intended to be inspected at frequent intervals by physicians of ability in their profession, + just-minded and discreet, reserved and trustworthy. This inten¬ tion, at least, is carried out as well in the West as in the East. Of the sixteen Inspectors at present employed by the Commission, eight are stationed in the States of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ar¬ kansas. Ten are west of the Mississippi. These Inspectors make stated frequent reports to central offices intermediate between them and the people, and upon the best judgment which can be formed by the chief executive officers of the Commission stationed at these places, the most direct movement practicable toward the different positions of the army hospitals is given to the offerings of the people, according to the varying necessities of the hospitals in each quarter. These central offices are intended to be also m constant correspondence with collecting agencies in the midst of loyal communities, in order to bring goods at all times by the shortest and most economical routes to the, common-stock depots under their control.

Before its arrangements for collection were complete, the Com¬ mission itself sent many hundred cases of goods from its Eastern depots to be distributed at the West. But it has lately been found that in respect to certain important classes of supplies, the contri¬ butions of the people of the West to the army have been more lib¬ eral than those of the East. Hence it has happened in emergen¬ cies, when the Eastern depots of the Commission were exhausted, that it would be more economical as well as more expeditious and life-saving to purchase such stores as were imperatively needed than to transport them from the Western depots. The same

68

thing has been done at the West, not so much, so frequently or so largely, only because there has been less necessity for it. The resource has always been ready to be used at the West as freely as at the East, and as far as I have been able to ascertain from the reports of the Western officers and members of the Commis¬ sion, it has been used as freely, relatively to the wants of the West.

That the necessity of purchasing stores at the West has been less than at the East is owing, it must be acknowleged, in consid- erable'part, to the irregular action of such agencies as the Western Sanitary Commission, which has taken large quantities of goods from the East to be distributed at the West, and to the State .relief agents. There is no Eastern Sanitary Commission ; nor are the benevolent operations of the people of any State of the East directed with reference to the assistance of the trodps of that State to the degree, which this is the case in several western States.

That these methods of relief of limited scope, which prevail not exclusively at the West, but much more there than at the East, have their advantages is not to be denied : nor is it to be denied that they have their peculiar disadvantages. One of these is, that goods often travel great distances to be given to troops already abundantly provided for, while troops to whom they might have been as cheaply and quickly sent, may be suffer¬ ing for the need of them.

I could point to a body of hospitals in which the patients have been for months better provided for than any other in the United States, yet I see appeals made by certain societies, whose agents are particularly devoting themselves to this body of hospitals, for contributions in aid of them, and I know that such contribu¬ tions are constantly being sent to them from a distance of many hundred miles, passing on their way through the very midst of

64

another body of hospitals, the patients of which are not pro¬ vided with one-fourth as much of extra-governmental supplies.

Goods are known to have been sent last week by citizens of Chicago, who choose not to avail themselves of the arrangements, of the Commission, by way of New York, to soldiers at Fred¬ ericksburg, in Virginia; goods of the same kind were being sent the same day from New York by way of Chicago, to soldiers in Missouri. Many tens of thousands of dollars have in this way been wasted in freight since the war commenced. The goods which have been distributed to the soldiers in the hospitals in Missouri, have been drawn not from Illinois or other adjoining districts alone, but to an enormous extent from New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Goods indeed, in many cases, after bearing this immense transportation, have again been sent eastwardly, into Kentucky and Tennessee.

That the method of the Commission affords a completely ade¬ quate remedy for this, it might be too much to claim. That it does so as far as practicable, due regard being paid to a provi¬ dent use of the funds at its command, I believe may be justly claimed.

But it may be asked, if any needed goods are contributed to the dfepots of the Commission more freely, relatively to the wants of the army at the nearest distance from the contributors, at the West than the Bast, why does not the Commission meet the wants of the army on the coast by a transportation of a fair propor- ’ tion of the goods of the West to the East ? Many of these goods are of a character requiring, and are packed with reference to direct transportation to the consumers and immediate con¬ sumption. They are very largely contributed on account o public reports of immediate wants in the army at the West. Similar accounts of special wants in the East do not result in immediate large contributions of the supplies wanted, so much as

■'J

65

i

in contributions of money to the treasury. It is neither in ac¬ cordance with the wishes of the western contributors nor with a wise economy to convey the contributions in goods of the West to the East unnecessarily, nor to convey the contributions of the East to the West in money unnecessarily. What the Com¬ mission has to do is to meet the wants of the sick and wounded everywhere, by the cheapest and most direct means at its com¬ mand.

The Western associates of the Commission have chosen, because more convenient to them, to have much done for the army at the West by means of special contributions of goods, and of money expended directly by themselves, to obtain what they have deemed necessary to meet certain occasions. They have availed themselves of the services of the Commission’s agents ; have acted in the name of the Commission, and have been intend¬ ing in good faith to advance the work of the Commission. On occasions, the associate members of the Commission in Chicago, a body of gentlemen as liberal, industrious, just, and prudent as any who have honored the Commission with their service in this capa¬ city, have gathered ten thousand dollars worth of battle-field stores m a single day, and made their contribution in this form to the common-stock. On similar occasions in the East, the associate members in Boston have taken no special action at all ; but while the associate members of the Commission in Chicago' have collected $1,000 for the Commission’s common-stock treasury, the Boston associates have collected for it $20,000. The Boston associates have a right then to say, as they have done, “ If you stand in need of whiskey nr beef-soup or fresh vegetables for that portion of the army nearest us, don’t wait for us to send these goods, but buy them at once with the money we have given you. The Western associates have again and again said to the Commission, “ Don’t expect us to raise money, but if the army 5

66

wants anything which our citizens have in store, you may rely upon our getting a wholesale supply of it on any emergency which appeals to their sympathies.” It would have been great folly to have attempted to gather contributions of stores at the West, for the purpose of transportation to the East, as a constant arrangement. Emergencies at the East, therefore, have generally called for larger direct expenditures of money, than emergencies at the West. But I have no reason to doubt that the stores of the Commission, since its collecting system has been well organ¬ ized, have been on an average, as ample and as freely given to those needing them, at the West as at the East.

Reference here cannot be avoided to the delusion of the Cincin¬ nati Committee in supposing that the suggestion of a “ Western Council,” to which so much importance isgivenin their report, pro¬ ceeded from a desire to avoid a distribution among the W estern as¬ sociates, of the funds of the Commission, since the large donations from California have been announced. The first I heard of a suggestion looking in this direction was at a meeting of the Com¬ mission in Washington, which was attended by the chairman of the Cincinnati committee himself. I was then informed that he had entertained it with favor, and it was proposed that he should be a member of the body to be established. This was all before the first message was received from California. On the same occasion, I myself gave more exact form to the suggestion, and first employed the phrase “ Western Council.” Nothing what¬ ever was intended by it, as far, at least, as I was concerned, but to give to Dr. Newberry’s mind the support of the opinion and endorsement of others in making drafts upon the Commission s treasury. The suggestion was communicated by me to the Presi¬ dent of the Commission ; no action of the Commission was ever had upon it, and the first step has never yet been taken to carry ‘ it out.

67

The following passage from a communication addressed to Dr. Newberry, November 18th, 1861— more than a year ago, and before the Cincinnati branch was established — will, perhaps, more clearly show why such support might be felt to be desirable :

“ You are authorized to employ and discharge all agents ; to “ determine remunerations for service ; to collect and distribute u money and supplies. Matters of the whole army, as [with] u tke Surgeon-General, the allotment system, etc., belong strictly U to thi® [central] office. The governing purpose of the organi- “ zation is to avoid delay and circumlocution to the end of ac¬ complishing efficiency and directness of action. All practicable “ checks and methods consistent with and * subsidiary to this are to be observed. In one are to be cared for which assuredly in- “ terfere with it. * * *

hat one man cannot do two must. It is immaterial whether the work is done here or there. The question is one of time, not of trouble. When the money gives out we are to U scuttle and go down — -till then, do our work thoroughly.”

Yours cordially,

FRED, LAW OLMSTED,

General Secretary.

If the phrase “do our work thoroughly” should be ana¬ lyzed to its root in the mind of the writer, it would be found to have this significance, “ we, are under obligations to see the * sick and wounded of the Western armies as well cared for as the rest. While there is a dollar in our treasury, therefore, it must be placed by the Commission at your disposal, if it shall appear that it is more needed at the West than anywhere else. When the demands which this assurance lays the Commission open to receive from you can no longer be met, it will be time for it to resign, because no longer able to maintain the primary

68

condition of its right to exist.” Obviously, an advisory council of three gentlemen of his own selection, would give confidence to Dr. Newberry in the use of this discretionary right of ca . is it not equally obvious that no such confidence could be rig it y placed with committees formed at will by the associate members of the Commission ? Is it not obvious that the existing me 10 is more direct and efficient, as well as more certainly just and

legal, than such an one would be?

No instructions abrogating those above cited have ever been given to Dr. Newberry, nor by word or action has the policy or the administration of the executive office of the Commission toward the West ever varied in the least from the spirit of those instructions.*

*1 am ashamed to feel forced to earnestly argue this question. Wer eit

otherwise than it is, neither I nor any other member of the Commission woo d stand with it for an hour, for X doubt if there be one whose blood is not in the army in the west. My only brother, the very light of my father s house which is left anxious and lonely, carries his musket to-day, in the ranks regime itt in the valley of the Mississippi. If he falls, God will have accepted as pure an offering for mere love of the Union, and of what stands with the Union as ever man and woman made. Ten of those who were under my roof, my Lends and professional assistants, when the trumpet first sounded, are now in the military service of the Union, in hospital from honorable wounds, or have been slain by rebel bullets. One commands a Missouri brigade, another a Missouri regiment, and less than half of those living, are a i moment on the Bast side of the mountains. There has not been a battle the West since the war commenced, that I have not lost a friend Whoeve ^ publicly sustains the idea that armies operating in the West, are the peculi property of the people resident in th'e West, not only encourages a mischie vou's, dangerous, and impracticable theory, but a false, cruel, unju ,

"fer/istrded evidence, that a chief ground of hope with the greatest onhc villains whom we have got to subdue before we can hope for any peace that Ihall not he more dreadful than war, has been the belief that when he burden Of war became a trying one, divisions between the "c and * Valley can he effected, and a hearty co-operation in the strength of the people of the country he rendered impossible. There are indications that we are approaching our time of trial, and upon what an American has been willing to do, to give, and to suffer, during the next year or two, to disappoint this hope, will forever hereafter depend his right to exist with self-resp .

69

To those who would say then, “ I wish that <vhat I have to offer, whether of goods or money, should go exclusively to com¬ fort the wounded of my town, of my county, or of my State,” or “ to fche wounded of the army which is nearest to me,” or “ of that which is at this moment most commanding the public inter¬ est,” or “ to those Avhich are to be cared for in a particular lo - cality,” the organization of the Sanitary Commission is insuffi¬ cient. There is room for methods which will meet this demand, and the Commission has never opposed itself to such methods, but it is not right that any method should be claimed to be that of the Sanitary Commission, which proposes to regard the army at the West by itself, or the army in the East by itself, or the army in the far South by itself.

To those who would say, “I wish that what I have to offer should go — if it will not cost more than it is worth to carry it there— to the point where it is wanted most, where it will do the most to relieve the suffering of the sick and wounded of the whole army of the Union,” the Sanitary Commission can say, 66 this is exactly what we lay all our plans with a religious purpose to accomplish. Our means to this end are not perfectly adequate, but they are measurably so, far more so than any other that can be offered you, and their efficiency is constantly increasing ; give us what you have to offer, and they will be more nearly perfect.” This, in effect, is what the Commission has been constantly saying to the public ever since it was first organized. Every part of its organization has been in¬ tended to be subservient to this purpose. It was in subservi¬ ency to this purpose that it added the arrangement of u associate members” to its organization. It was in subserviency to this purpose that it authorized the organization of “ branches.”

The report of the Cincinnati branch is entitled “A Report upon

70

the relations of the Sanitary Commission and it! branches,’ an its aim is to show that these branches were constituted at the re¬ quest of the Sanitary Commission, or its agents, for the purpose of undertaking certain duties, among which duties one of the most important was that of administering, directly by the hant s of the members, or indirectly by agents of their appointment, to the wants of the sick and wounded soldiers of the army in t ie field, independently of any method of distribution established y the Commission. The ordinary and generally understood meaning of the 'word branch is an out-growth, and the relations of an out¬ growth to that from which it proceeds are the functions whic it performs with reference to its trunk, or which are performed by the trunk with reference to the outgrowth. The function of a branch in relation to its trunk may be either that of collection or feeding, or that of dissemination. It may be both. What it c<y lects, however, it cannot immediately and independently dissemi¬ nate ; it must collect for and toward and into its trunk, or the common stock of all the branches; what it disseminates it dis¬ seminates from the common stock. This is the primary mean- ing of the word, and the ordinary usage of the word in its analo¬ gical sense, as applied to organizations, corresponds exactly to this. I do not say always or necessarily, though I know o no instance in which the contrary appears, from the Brick Lane Branch of the United Grand Junction Ebenezer Association, in the Pickwick Papers, to the branch banks of the United States Bank in the presidential messages of General Jackson. It does not follow that such must be always the case. It cannot be de¬ nied, however, that the common meaning should be assumed to be the true meaning, unless it plainly appears that a different, meaning has been intentionally established.

71

The Cincinnati committee argue that this has been the case with reference to their organization.*

“ On the 27th of November,” says the Report, “a number of gentlemen, who had been notified a few days before , by Dr. New¬ berry, of their election to associate membership in the Sanitary Commission, were called together to meet him at Dr. Mussey’ s residence ; the objects and methods of the Sanitary Commission were explained by him, and at his suggestion the Cincinnati branch was organized.” Whether these gentlemen were at this time informed of the method of distribution, which, a,s I have shown, had already been established by the Commission, or not ; and, whether they were distinctly informed, as the committee allege, that -‘one branch of the work” required of them “was to be the distribution, [to the army in the field,] as well as the collection of supplies for the army,” is a question the decision of which might be decisive, as to the point in debate. Upon this question the testimony offered by the committee is simply that of their memory — that is to say, it appears that the members of the

* Their argument is prefaced with the statement, that the Sanitary Commission had been nearly eight months in existence before any associate members in Cincinnati had been notified of their appointment; and the delay of notification is referred to as a neglect. It was apparently forgotten by the committee, for the fact must have been well known, that at least one gentleman of Cincinnati had been zealously engaged in the performance of the duties of associate membership to the Commission, as long as any other in the country, having been elected among the first, and within a week after his election hav¬ ing accompanied the President of the Commission and Dr. Newberry in an official visit to the various camps of the army in the West, from Cincinnati to beyond St. Louis. It may be well to state, also, that the very first active work of the Commission was with reference to the adoption, by Government, of a hospital at Cincinnati ; a project, which, at the suggestion of this associate member, in June, 1861, was successfully presented to the War Department. It was probably unknown to the committee, that thirteen gentlemen of Cincinnati had been elected associate members of the Commission only at its meeting last preceding the date before which they admit that their notification of election had been rece ved.

committee do not, at present, recolleet that they were informed that the Commission had established any method of distribution, and, according to their recollection, they were distinctly informed that they were themselves called upon to establish such a method. They probably suppose that if this had not been the case, their course would have been different, and their present position different; and, therefore, that their statement must be correct. They offer no documentary evidence. Dr. Newberry’s own recollection is quite different from that of the committee, and there is documen¬ tary evidence that Dr. Newberry’s recollection is correct ; and that the recollection of the committee is completely at fault. Before offering this, it will be necessary to again refer to the history of the executive organization of the Commission.

As before stated, with the knowledge and approval of the Com¬ mission, I had commenced, in July, 1861, the formation of an executive staff, by whose aid I could collect the information re¬ quired by the Commission, and disseminate the advice and dis¬ tribute the aid which it was to offer the army. My progress in this duty was slow, for two reasons: 1st. The difficulty of getting suitable medical assistants; 2d. The small amount of funds at the command of the Commission, and the uncertainty as to the extent to which the public could be relied upon to sustain any scale of operations which might be adopted. The latter difficulty prevented a confident application to the former, of the commercial principle of demand and supply. By September, however, the business was fairly well organized, and though, owing still to the want of funds, the staff for relief purposes was not as large as might have been desirable, the skeleton was so far complete that it has since been scarcely at all enlarged; I was receiving regularly, specific and trustworthy professional reports from every column of the army, irom

78

Kansas to the Atlantic, and was thus, for the first time, able to speak with entire confidence of the wants of the hospitals, and of the ability of the Commission to assume before the public the full responsibility of the task assigned it by the President.

On the 16th, accordingly, I advertised this fact to the public; (see enclosure marked J); again, on the 26th: (see enclosure marked K); and again, fully, formally, and carefully on the 1st of October. The form in which I did so was after¬ wards (October 15th) approved and adopted unanimously by the Commision ; (see Minutes, p. 81) ; a copy of the advertisement referred to is herewith sent to the committee, marked I. It was published extensively in the newspapers, among others, in the Weekly New York Tribune, which is known to circulate largely in the West. An edition of eighty thousand , in the form of a circular letter, bearing the endorsement of the President of the United States, and of General Scott, was printed at the Government Printing house, by order of the Secretary of War, which, by a special order of the Postmaster General, was sent free by mail, marked “ On Government Business.” By ref¬ erence to enclosure marked P, it will be seen that it was also printed in the form of a poster; and by another special order of the Postmaster General, of which a copy is enclosed, marked R, all postmasters of the United States were required to aid in placing this conspicuously before the people, and in carrying out its objects.

The post offices in California, and Oregon, were served at my special request, with copies of this order, and three copies of the advertisement, in the circular form, were also sent to each postmaster in those distant loyal States for distribution. Copies of the letter were also sent by my direction to each editor, clergyman and physician, so far as names and addresses could

74

be obtained, as well as to many citizens, of California and Oregon.*

A copy was sent, as far as possible, to every clergyman and family physician in the loyal States. Ohio was not neglected in this distribution ; not only were many thousand sent to that State from Washington, but a special edition of the advertisement was printed at Cleveland, in pamphlet form ; and an important quotation from it will be found in the first circular of the Cin¬ cinnati branch, published some months afterwards.

In the advertisement, thus laboriously distributed, the Commis¬ sion tenders its services for certain specified duties to those who shall choose to make use of them. The method by which these duties are to be performed is set forth as distinctly as it well could bo in a brief form, as is the necessity for such a method. This is argued on precisely the same grounds as in the original memorial upon which the President’s commission was founded. The impossibility of an equitable method of distribution, without a method of ascertaining tbe'respective wants of the different parts of the army, is alluded to; the impossibility of such a method, unless it shall be sanctioned by Government, is asserted, and the reason is given why Government should refuse to sanc-

* I had recommended in the advertisement, of which several thou¬ sand conies went to California early in October, that contribution boxes

should be placed in hotels and public offices, es

Wounded,” and that whatever money was received in these ^ shouU 1 be pended for material to be made up into garments, and sent to the Comm Sion’s depots for distribution.. Whether it was owing to this suggestions, not I have never been informed, but at the State election of California, con¬ tribution boxes so labelled were placed at the polls in seve™l instances: from the collections made, the local military and naval hospitals, which had been neglected in the pressure upon the Government of affairs on le an 1 side of the country, received needed assistance, and from the surplus I had, 'in February, the pleasure of acknowledging the first to the treasury of the Commission, in the form of a draft for $1, •

75

tion any such method, unless there is incorporated with it a per¬ fect system of accountability for all the agents employed, to the War Department.

The broadest publicity which, with the means at my command, I knew how to secure, having been given to this announcement, the Commission, in the act of formally adopting it, was bound, as I have always considered, as by a written contract with the President and the War Department on the one side, and with the people who should choose to make use of its agency for the conveyance and delivery of goods to the sick and wounded of the army on the other, to distribute such goods only by means of qualified agents, held strictly accountable for their judicious delivery, according to the method in¬ tended by the President’s commission and recited in the advertisement.

The advertisement concludes with advice how to make use of the agency, which, in brief, is as follows : That in every neigh¬ borhood where army-aid societies do not exist they should be formed, and that existing societies should be devoted, for a time, with them to the work of the Commission, and that as fast as packages of needed hospital goods, (of which a descriptive list of those most wanted is given,) can he made up by these societies, or by individuals, they should be sent “as soon as possible to the most convenient of the depdts of the Commission

A list of these depdts concludes the advertisement, as here follows :

“ Office of Central Relief Association, New York.

“ Care of Messrs. S. & W. Welsh, Philadelphia.

“ Care of Dr. S. G. Howe, Boston.

u Care of Dr. W. H. Mussey , Cincinnati.

“ Care of Dr. C. D. Griswold, Wheeling.

“Care of F. L. Olmsted, Washington. ”

76

It will be observed that the word “ branch ” is not used m this advertisement, and that in accordance with my suggestion of September 5th, before quoted, ddp6ts for the receipt and stor¬ age in reserve of goods are provided for “at various points in the country,” and that these are placed in charge of members or associate members of the Commission, as originally proposed in June, in every case but one.

Nothing can be more clear than that all the arrangements here referred to are parts of a well-digested, long-contemplated, and thoroughly-organized system of which the method of distri¬ bution of the Sanitary Commission is the key and governing condition. Nothing can well be more clear than that the only just sense in which the words “ depots of the Commission in the advertisement can be understood is that of places of collec¬ tion for goods to be distributed according to the obligations as¬ sumed before the public by the Sanitary Commission.

The first “ depot” for the receipt of goods to be distributed by the method of the Commission was established in Washington, and was exclusively under my care and control. The second was established at New York, and was placed in charge of the Women’s Central Relief Association, of that city, which entered into a formal contract with the Commission, signed by a commit¬ tee of the association and by the President of the Sanitary Com¬ mission. As will be seen by reference to the first numbered sec¬ tion, (of which a copy is enclosed, marked X,) it was distinctly stipulated that, the supplies which should be received at the depot should “ be delivered solely upon requisition from the Sanitary Commission, or to agents authorized by it.” The third depot was established at Boston, and was placed in charge of a member of the commission. The fourth was established in Cleveland, Ohio, in charge of a member of the Commission ; the fifth in Philadelphia, in charge of Messrs. S. & W. Welsh,

77

merchants-, and associate members of the Commission, who, on your' application, at my request, agreed to receive and hold all hospital goods which should be sent to their warehouse “subject to the order of the Commission;” the sixth in Wheel¬ ing, in charge of an employee of the Commission ; the seventh in Cincinnati, in charge of Dr. Mussey, the senior associate member of the Commission in Cincinnati.*

There was no instrument of contract between the Commission and any of these parties except the Women’s Central Association of New York. No distinction however was ever made or pre¬ sumed in the manner of dealing with those in charge of these depots and the Commission. In every case the goods in them were assumed to be and were in like manner as in the first, un¬ der “the exclusive control of the Commission.” Except in one case, those in charge of them, were members or associate mem- beis of the Commission, and their services were gratuitously ren¬ dered.

As I anticipated, however, that the work to be done at the depots would increase as the result of the advertisement, so far that it would be wrong to ask that all the labor of managing them should continue to be gratuitously performed by individ¬ uals, on the same day that I sent the advertisement to the print¬ ers, I directed that the Messrs. Welsh, of Philadelphia, should be written to as follows :

“ It is possible that the service will involve greater trouble “ and mconvenience than you may be disposed to be burdened with, in which event you will please not fail to communicate “ with this office.”

Neither in this nor in any other case did I think it right to

* See report of Cincinnati branch.

78

wait, however, for the burden, which I had thus thrown on indi¬ viduals, to become too heavy to be patiently earned. I, there¬ fore, began at once- to take measures to have it divided among all the associate members resident in the towns where the depots had been established, sometimes suggesting to them to form an organization among themselves for the purpose ; sometimes to

induce existing organizations of ladies to relieve individuals or

commercial firms upon whom I had ventured to temporarily im¬ pose the charge. Dr. Howe was requested to act in the matter in Boston, yourself in Philadelphia, «nd Dr. Newberry at Cleve- land and Cincinnati.

In Boston, the depot of the Commission was transferred by Dr. Howe to the care of the New England Women s Auxiliary Association, which is not composed of associate members of the Commission. Goods received therein have ever since con¬ tinued absolutely at the control of the Commission.

In Philadelphia, the depot of the Commission was transferred by yourself, from the care of two of the associate members of the Commission to that of an organization of all the Philadelphia as¬ sociates, and goods contributed to it have ever since been, as they were before, at the absolute control of the Commission.

The agencies which took this duty were called branches, this title having, with the approval of the Commission, been assumed previously by the Women’s Central Association of New York. The following is a copy of the official announcement of this

action :

Office of the Sanitary Commission,

Treasury Building , Washington ,

September 16, 1861.

Messrs. J. S. Newberry, M. D., J. H. Douglas, M. D., and J. Foster Jenkins, M. D„ are from this date appointed Associate Secretaries of the Sanitary Commission. A. J. Lioor, Bsq., is appointed Assistant Secretary in the central office of the Com- mission in Washington.

*

'•1

79

The Inspectors of the Commission will, in their respective dis¬ tricts, receive instructions from the Associate Secretaries, and, unless by special orders, report to them.

The distribution of duty for the Associate Secretaries will, for the present, be as follows :

To Dr. Newberry, the department of General Rosecrans, General Fremont, and General Anderson. Post office address, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Newberry will establish hospital depots at Wheeling, Virginia, (in charge of C. D. Griswold, M. D.,) at Cincinnati, (in charge of W. H. Mussey, M. D.,) and at Quincy, Illinois.

To Doctor Douglas, the columns under General Banks and General Dix. Post office address, Baltimore, Md. Dr. Doug¬ las will establish hospital depots at Baltimore and Frederick city.

To Dr. Jenkins, the columns under the immediate command of General McClellan and General Wool ; with hospital depots at Washington and Fortress Monroe. Post office address, Washington, D. C.

Contributions of hospital stores may be made to either of the above depdts, or to the Women’s Central Relief Association, No. 10 Third Ave., Cooper Union, New York.

The Women’s Central Relief Association of New York is, by order of the Commission, at its own generous instance, constituted an auxiliary branch of the Sanitary Commission ; retaining, however, full powers to conduct its own affairs in all respects independently of the Commission ; neither the Commission nor the Association being in any way respon¬ sible for any pecuniary liabilities or obligations, except such as are contracted by itself or its authorized agents.

Benevolent societies north and east of New York, propos¬ ing to contribute supplies for the national forces may com¬ municate with the Women’s Central Relief Association, which will be in constant correspondence with the various Secre¬ taries of the Commission, and will, from time to time, forward supplies where they may be most needed.

Contributions of money may be made to the Treasurer, George T. Strong, Esq., 64 Wall street, New York.

IT. W. BELLOWS, President.

FRiiD. LAW OLMSTED, G-eneral Secretary.

No change was made in the previously arranged contract? and it has been carried out since to the letter.

Care was taken, however, as will be observed, that the pub-

80

ic should understand that the Women’s Central, in taking this title of “branch of Sanitary Commission,” assumed it only with reference to the’ office of collecting and hold¬ ing hospital supplies for the Commission’s system of distri¬ bution to the army, and that even in respect to this the Com¬ mission came under not the slightest obligations to it in a pecuniary way. This was even more specifically stated in the letter in which I informed the association of the action of the Commission upon its application. A statement of this action of the Commission, in nearly the words of the above advertise¬ ment, was furnished to the associate members of Cincinnati, and proof can be given if required that it was received by them before the organization of their branch.

The Women’s Central Association is composed in part of associate members of the Commission, in part of others. It has received, held, cared for, and forwarded goods contributed to the depdt of the Commission at New York, exactly according to

instructions from the Commission or its agents. It has never

used these goods in any other wise than as thus instructed. It has, however, always maintained its perfect independence with regard to all duti.es which its members chose to undertake which were not duties already assumed by the Sanitary Commission. The Commission has never undertaken to provide female nurses for hospitals, for instance; the Women’s Central Association has an independent arrangement of a very perfect character for training and registering female nurses, and has supplied some hundreds of these to the government hospitals. It had made ar¬ rangements with the public and with Government for this pur¬ pose before the Commission was established. It had a consider¬ able fund in its treasury, contributed in part for sustaining these arrangements when it undertook the collecting duty for the Sani¬ tary Commission in New York. I know from its publications that

:v.

'81

It has since sustained most extensive correspondence with all parts t)f the country and with Washington, on this portion of its inde¬ pendent duties, with regard to which it is no more a branch of the Sanitary Commission than it is of the Society for the Propo¬ rtion of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.*

No communications have passed between the Commission and the Association on this subject, nor with reference to its nurses in Washington or elsewhere. The simple fact that the head of the Sanitary Commission holds a subordinate office in the organ¬ ization of the Woman’s Central, being its Vice President, estab¬ lishes the purely functional character in which it is a branch of the Sanitary Commission.

The word “branch,” then, was first used in connection with this enterprise simply to designate a collecting and forwarding agency for goods to be distributed according to the advertised method of distribution of the Sanitary Commission. That the word has been caught up and carelessly applied in quite another way, I am aware, just as the word “ Sanitary Commission” itself has been. Still this is its more common and popular meaning. Thus, in the annual report of the Soldiers’ Aid Society of North¬ ern Ohio, a list is given of more than five hundred societies of Northern Ohio, all of which are designated “ branches,” that is to say in one word, contributive societies.

But the words “branch of the Sanitary Commission” had an established meaning, before the words “Cincinnati branch of the Sanitary Commission” had ever been pronounced, and

believe that the Commission’s associates in Chicago, have united to do the same service for the hospitals of the West, that the Woman’s Central does m this respect for those of the East. 1 have learned incidentally, (for no re¬ port of this or various other valuable services rendered by these gentlemen to the army outside of the duty assumed by the Commission has been made to

is office,) that they have placed nearly one hundred female nurses in the Western hospitals,

6

82

that meaning clearly was whit I have stated, to wit : a collecting agency of the Sanitary Commission. The branches all grew out of the hud of associate membership, and no duty having been for¬ mally given them by the Commission, their true relationship to the Commission can be best inferred from the carefully defined duties assigned by the Commission to its associate members; that is to say, “to obtain for the Commission the means to carry “ out its object; to inform the public fully (through the press and «. otherwise) of the existence and design of the Commiss.cn; to « promote the establishment of auxiliary associations, and so to « direct the labors of associations already formed, that they may « strengthen and support those of the Commission.” Less than, this might be the duty of a branch, more than this, its duty to the

Sanitary Commission, could not he.

It by no means follows that the same societies or persons can have no other and independent functions. I have shown that the Woman’s Central had other functions when it undertook the collecting agency of the Commission at New York, and that it continued to perform these independently of the Commission ; not responsible to the Commission ; not controlled by the Com¬ mission any more than the Messrs. Welsh, in Philadelphia, were controlled by the Commission, in whatever other charitable or commercial affairs they were interested, when they assumed the charge of the Commission’s depot at Philadelphia. The goods which it collects are marked by it “Sanitary Coin- mission.” They are controlled by the Sanitary Commission ; they go into the common stock, and are called Sanitary Com¬ mission goods. But its nurses do not conic under the control of the Sanitary Commission ; they are not called Sanitary Com¬ mission nurses; they are called the Woman’s Central nurses. The Woman’s Central is then, in part, independent of the Sanitary Commission ; in so far as it is, it has never been considered

83

branch of the Commission. Its treasury, for instance, is not considered any part of the branch of the Sanitary Commission in New York, not being controlled by the Sanitary Commission. It has a ddpdt for goods which is not independent of the Sani¬ tary Commission, but is controlled by it and is a true branch of it — a branch of the common stock of the Sanitary Commission.

On the 22d November, Dr. Newberry addressed a circular letter to associate members at the West, of which a copy, marked AA, is enclosed, with a memorandum of Dr. Newberry upon it, showing that a copy was sent by him to Judge Iloadly at Cin¬ cinnati, Mr. Blatchford at Chicago, Dr. Smith at Columbus, and Dr. Bell at Louisville. At none of these points did depots or collecting agencies of the Commission then exist except at Cincin¬ nati. Within a short time they were established at each of the points designated, the gentlemen to whom the circular was ad¬ dressed joining with others in forming the organizations which took charge of them, in all cases except one. This was at Colum¬ bus, where the depot was established by an existing society, and on the 5th of December following, the Commission, then in ses¬ sion at Washington, “ On motion of Dr. Newberry, Resolved, That the Soldiers’ Aid Society of Columbus, Ohio, be recog nized as an association auxiliary to this Commission, on the same terms as the Woman’s Central Association of New York.”

Dr. Newberry, in this circular of the 22 d November, directs attention to the “ Letter soliciting the co-operation of associate members, and which defines their duties in the words which I just now quoted. He promises that a copy shall be sent to each with the circular. Thirteen gentlemen of Cinc’nmti had been elected associate members of the Commission by the Board at its session in Washington, on the 19th of October. Dr. New¬ berry assures me that at this time he personally sent a copy of

84

this document to Judge Iloadly and to every one of these gentle¬ men. It would, indeed, have been a noteworthy accident if he had failed in his promise to do so, and he would probably have been informed of it by those interested. The circular of Dr. New¬ berry, as will be seen, is little more than an extension and ex¬ planation of the Letter to associate members, but points among other things to the special duty required of associate members, at this time, “the formation of auxiliary aid societies, and aiding them to procure depot rooms.

The advertisement was issued in October, and there was a depot at Cincinnati, which received goods sent to be delivered in accordance with what it promised during the month of November. This is proved by the Report signed “R. W. Burnett,” (a mem¬ ber of the Commission, and President of the Cincinnati branch,) addressed to “ Dr. John S. Newberry, Western Secretary, Sanitary Commission,” of which a copy is enclosed, (marked N,) bearing the hand-writing of Judge Hoadly. It will be observed that it is ex¬ pressly stated by Mr. Burnett that these goods were sent to the ddpot in consequence of the advertisement of the Commission dated October 1st. (See first to fourth line, page 2.)

By reference to enclosure marked H, evidence will be found that the agencies which, as I have already shown, had been previ¬ ously established for distributing supplies to the army in the field at the West by the Commission, had been enlarged and extended during the months of September, October, and November. With regard to the military district nearest Cincinnati, a list of hos¬ pitals which had been aided in person by the Inspector of the Com¬ mission upon that beat during the month of November, is given at page 26 of the same enclosure, in the report of Dr. W. M. Prentice, (who was acting under directinstruction from Dr. New- berry,) us follows :

85

; Frankfort,	patients 60 furnished supplies.
' Lexington,	a	220	a	*> a
' Nicholasville,	a	80	a	a
: Camp Dick Robinson,	a	200	it	a
Brick Church,	a	100	it	a
Lancaster,	ti	80	a	a
Crab Orchard,	it	440	a	a
London,	it	620	a	“ in part.
Mt. Vernon,	a	72	a	a
Stanford,	a	49	a	u
Danville,	ti	185	a	u
Baptist Church,	it	42	a	a
Lebanon,	it	820	a	u
New Haven,	it	93	a	a
Louisville,	ti	1000	a	u in part.”*

The above is reported at the last of November bj Dr. Pren¬ tice, and appears in a printed document of the Commission, copies of which were sent at the time to Judge Hoadly and his associates at Cincinnati, as I have proof. It will be remembered that the first preliminary meeting for the organization of the Cincinnati branch was held on the evening of November 27th.

What, then, was the probable motive of Dr. Newberry in re¬ questing the associate members elect of the Commission in Cin¬ cinnati to give him an opportunity to converse with them at the residence of Dr. Mussey on the night of November 27th? Dr. Newberry is the gentleman styled by the Cincinnati Committee

* These hospitals, it will be remembered, come within the category defined at page 17 of this report, and the words “in part” indicate, I presume, that at the points designated, the Inspector found local associations at work, whose aid it was only necessary to supplement in some few particulars of articles which could be procured locally.

86

the “ man-of-all-work” of the Sanitary Commission for the West, a descriptive designation which he need not be ashamed for the present to bear. What work sent him at this time to Cincin¬ nati? Dr. Prentice was just then distributing supplies to cer¬ tain hospitals which are within the distance of a morning’s ride from Cincinnati, while the supplies thus distributed had been collected and sent to him by associate members of the Commis¬ sion or auxiliary societies, not in Cincinnati, as it must have appeared to Dr. Newberry should have been the case, but by associate members and societies more than five hundred miles away. If these supplies could be collected just as well in the adjoining rich and populous loyal agricultural communities of southern Ohio, and in the rich and enterprising loyal commercial community of the Queen City of the West, it would plainly be better.

By reference to the enclosure marked II, at page 2, it will be seen that Dr. Newberry had recently added two medical inspec¬ tors to his force, and had sent them into Kentucky. By refer¬ ence to the enclosure marked I, page 8, it will be seen that on the 22d of November, five days before the first meeting of the Cincinnati associates, Dr. Newberry had, in the circular letter previously cited, stated to several persons, among others to Judge Hoadly, of Cincinnati, that the agents employed by the Com¬ mission at the West “ are paid from funds all of which, up to the present time, have been contributed in Eastern cities,” and that these funds were, at the moment, “nearly exhausted.” In the scheme of the Sanitary Commission, as I have proved, the duty of its associate members had, beforetime, been to aid in the formation of auxiliary societies; to collect extra-governmental hospital supplies and to provide it with funds ; it was for this pur¬ pose that associate members were first appointed; there is no documentary evidence that any other duty had ever been asked

87

of them, in behalf of the Commission, or that any has since been, (except that of nominating inspectors of recruiting stations,) nor that authority to invite them to undertake any other duty has at any time been given to Dr. Newberry, or any one else. I distinctly assert that no authority or consent has in any man¬ ner been given by this office, intentionally or to my knowledge, at any time, for placing with branches or associates any other duty of the Commission.

There had been goods, on the first of December, 1861, held in trust by Dr. W. II. Mussey, to be distributed by an organized method or system already in operation, and known by those who delivered the goods to him as that of the Sanitary Commission. Dr. Mussey had also held the duty of receiving goods for this purpose, in behalf of the Sanitary Commission, under a continu¬ ous obligation, assumed before the people of Southern Ohio, with great pains-taking, by the Sanitary Commission. When Mr. Burnett, a member of the Sanitary Commission, and certain other persons, who had been solicited to assume the duty of associate members, under the Sanitary Commission, were asked a few days afterwards, to receive those goods from the hands of Dr. Mussey, it is fair to presume that they were asked to as¬ sume the obligations of Dr. Mussey, unless the contrary is very clearly shown ; that is to say, they were asked to receive those goods in trust , under a stipulation that they should be distributed hy the method of distribution previously existing of the Sanitary Commission.

I have shown that at the time the advertisement of October was issued, I had it in mind to relieve individuals who were serving gratuitously of the labor of taking care of the depots of the Commission, before this should become a very heavy task„ by inducing associate members coming together in an organiza¬ tion, either of themselves alone, or of themselves in connection

with others, to assume the duty, and’ in either ease the term* “branch,” following the precedent established at its own sug¬ gestion by the Woman’s Central Association of New York, was applied indifferently with the special title of the organization, to indicate such an agency. I have stated that this was gradually accomplished at the East, and that Dr. Newberry was advised to see it accomplished at the West; that, at this moment, thirteen gentlemen were elected associate members at Cincinnati; that they were notified by Dr. Newberry of their appointment, and that a few days afterwards, at his suggestion, they organized under the title of the Cincinnati bruiicJi of the Sanitary Commis¬ sion. I have shown that, in previous instances, the word branch had been publicly used and accepted to indicate a certain rela¬ tionship to the Commission, which relationship was one simply of collection. I have shown that the organization called the braneh at Cincinnati, and which consisted of a collection of asso¬ ciate members, assumed a charge which had been previously held by a single associate member ; that this charge, when held by him, was one simply of collection ; and that a precisely similar transfer had been made at Philadelphia, and had not been attended by any inoculation of the duty of distribution to the army in the field upon this charge. I have shown that the duty of associate members, in relation to the Commission, had been defined to be merely that of collection and the facilitating of collection through publications and organizations for the pur¬ pose. I have shown that, at the very moment of the organiza¬ tion of the Cincinnati branch, the established distributing agency of the Commission was employed within half a day’s ride of the city of Cincinnati in distributing supplies to the army in the field; that this agency was supported by funds, every dollar of which had been collected a thousand miles away from Cincinnati^ which funds were now nearly exhausted, and that Dr. Newberry

89

informed the associate members of this fact, a few days before the organization of the branch, by a written circular letter. I have also shown that the supplies which were then being dis¬ tributed almost in the neighborhood of Cincinnati by the agency of the Commission, were brought from a long way off, and of course at a cost which it was desirable to avoid. Under all these circumstances, does it appear possible that Dr. Newberry should have said nothing, whatever, of the Commission as a distributing agency ; that he should have taken this opportunity to inaugurate a new feature in the arrangements of the Commission, by giving the Cincinnati associates the peculiar duty of going into the field to distribute goods collected at the branch depot of the Commis¬ sion already established and in operation at Cincinnati, this being not merely unprecedented, but in violation of an under¬ taking publicly assumed in advance by the Commission?

Against all this inherent improbability and against the distinct recollection of Dr. Newberry himself,* there stands merely the absence of recollection of Judge Hoadly and his associates, and the fact that they have recently been acting in a manner quite at variance with the obligations, which in this case, it might have been understood they had assumed and which it seems almost incredible that, honorable men as they are known to be, they should have forgotten.

Let us ask, then, how trustworthy is their memory of what they were then unquestionably informed about ?

Enclosed, marked BB, is a copy of a letter addressed espe-

* Dr. Newberry says that so markedly plain was his statement before the organizing meeting of the purely collecting function of the proposed branchy that one of the members present addressed him in ihe meeting thus : “ I don’t see, then, but that all the Commission wants of us is simply to get all the money and the goods we can for it.” “ In one word,” replied Dr. Newberry, “that is all.”

7

90

daily to the chairman of the committee himself, which was sent by Dr. Newberry, (accompanying the above-recited circular letter to western associate members of the Commission, and the gen¬ eral letter defining the duties solicited of associate members by the Commission,) as appears by the memorandum, upon the copy, of Dr. Newberry. In this letter Dr. Newberry, after stating what, in particular, is wanted of the associate members of the Commission in Cincinnati, suggesting, for instance, the selection of some one to immediately relieve Dr. Mussey of the labor of taking care of the Commission’s depot, closes with these words :

“ We have sent about 100 boxes hospital stores into Kentucky within the last two weeks.

Could Judge Iloailly have been unaware that these goods were sent into Kentucky for distribution by the agents of the Commission ? Could be have remained in ignorance of tins, when shortly afterwards be received the printed report of Dr. Prentice’s distributions at Lexington, Frankfort, Dick Robinson, and the rest of the camps over there?

On the 9 tli of December, twelve days after the first meeting of the Cincinnati associates, I presented my report as the officer charged with “the chief executive duties of the Com¬ mission ” to the Secretary of War. From portions of this report referring to the particular duty of the Commission now under consideration, I copy the following passages:

11 The Commission lias for some months past held itself “ready to receive and to distribute where most required « among the soldiers of every portion of the army all sup¬ plies, Especially of hospital stores, which might he for- “ warded to its depots by the humane and charitable societies “ that are working for the army in every northern city, town,

91

“and village. These supplies have been forwarded to it in “ large quantity.

“The Quartermaster General having advertised for blan- “kets from the private stocks of citizens, and having become “acquainted with the method of action adopted by the Corn- emission, has also directed that all blankets which shall be “obtained by his agents shall be placed in the stores of the “ Commission for gratuitous distribution, where found to bo “ needed by the sick.

“System of Distribution.— It is the duty of the Commis¬ sion to prevent, as far as possible, the sacritice of human life to matters ot form and considerations of accuracy of accounts. Its method of distribution, is as thorough and “exact as can be maintained consistently with this duty.

Phis department ot its business has so greatly increased, of late that it has been difficult to enlarge its clerical organ¬ ization with corresponding rapidity. Vouchers signed by “the surgeon, or his assistant, ot every regiment or hospital, aided, and countersigned by an Inspector of the Commission, who has ascertained that the articles supplied are actually needed, have been obtained, however, for every dollar’s woitli issued at all the depots directly controlled by the “Commission. + *

“ Caution is exercised in the distribution of the gifts of “the people, chiefly in the following particulars:

“1. Ihat they should be as fairly divided as is practicable “ — those most needy being most liberally dealt with.

That no officer shall be unnecessarily relieved from an existing responsibility to secure for all dependent on him all the supplies which it is his right and duty to demand “directly of Government.

92

44 The Commission has, b}f circulars and advertisements, a given the widest publicity to the need of hospital supplies 44 at all its depots, specifying particularly the nature, dimen¬ sions, form, &c., of the articles especially needed.

44 Depots of the Commission. — The principal depots of 44 stores for the Commission are in New York, ( under charge 44 of the 4 Woman’s Central Relief Association of New 44 York,’) at Boston, at Providence, R. I., at Philadelphia, at 44 Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus, Ohio, at Wheeling,

44 Va., at Louisville, at Chicago, at Cairo, at St. Louis, and at 44 Washington.”

This report was laid by the Secretary of War before Con¬ gress ; it was, in considerable part, republished in the news¬ papers, among others in the New York Times, World, and Herald, also in the London Times, and other foreign journals; ten thousand copies of it were printed and circulated by the Commission, a thousand or more being sent into Ohio. One hundred copies were sent to Judge Hoadly, in person, and I have the Expressman’s receipt for them.

In addition to what I have quoted, this report states, with reference to the plan of making distributions by the Com¬ mission, that (previous to November 15th x 1861,) fifty-one thousand articles of hospital clothing, besides several tons of hospital diet, had been issued from the Cleveland depot of the Commission to the army in the West; that 4,814 articles of bedding and clothing had been distributed from the Wheel¬ ing d^pot; and that the value of the supplies which had been issued 44 during the month of November , 1861, by agents of the Commission , amounted , at a very moderate estimate , to the sum of forty thousand dollars .”

At this time there was not a 44 western branch” in ex-

93

istence, and yet, Judge Hoadly’s recollection of all this is so much at fault, that on the 5th of November, 1862, he wrote as follows: “It is idle to consume ink and paper to “prove what you know, viz: that up to this time the western u branches have, with your approval, undertaken the work of “supply to the army, and that you have never even attempted “to provide means for that work on your part. I do not “know, of course, what you have proposed, but if you ever “ thought or talked of any plan other than the one adopted in “practice, [assuming this to be by distribution through the “ western branches,] I never heard of it. Query: would he “be ungenerous who should intimate that the whole plan of “ making distributions in the West by the U. S. Sanitary Com- “mission is an after thought, the result of the generosity ot “California?”

This statement of the chairman of the Cincinnati com¬ mittee enables us to measure very exactly the value of the testimony of the committee upon the question, whether the branch at Cincinnati was formed at the request of the Sain¬ tary Commission, through Dr. Newberry, for purposes of independent distribution of the stores to be collected at the ddpot ot the Sanitary Commission, in Cincinnati, as now sup¬ posed by the committee, or not; for this all turns upon the trustworthiness of their supposed recollection that Dr. New¬ berry addressed them in a way very different from that in which he had a few days before written to them, and in a manner wholly inconsistent with all his instructions, and with the established and published plans and duties of the Com¬ mission.

The question, ^whether “he would be ungenerous who should intimate that the whole plan of making distributions

m the "West, by the U. S. Sanitary Commission, is an after thought, the result of the generosity of California,” cannot be regarded as a mere error of memory; but, as I am in¬ formed, that this idea has been strongly impressed upon other persons besides the committee, I will undertake, from the materials I can readily lay my hands upon in the office, to show that the “plan of distribution,” which, as I have al¬ ready proved, was established and working throughout the West before, and up to the time when, the Cincinnati Branch was organized, was supposed, by those responsible for it, to be in continuous operation up to the day the first intelli¬ gence of the first of the recent California donations reached them; the only changes made in the “plan” having been for its enlargement and improvement, according as the moneyed means of the Commission warranted.

The Cincinnati branch went into operation December , 1861. I to-day opened, for the first time, the London Medical Critic and Physiological Journal, for October. At page 626 I came upon the following passage, reviewing the work of the Sanitary Commission to the close of that year, from infor¬ mation obtained from the newspapers and some few publi¬ cations of the Commission, found, probably, at thc.Hunterian museum :

“It had filled up several serious blanks in the provision for wounded ami sick, which had arisen from the inaptitude of the medical bureau, hampered by its regulations, adapt only to the small force of the regular army; it had become the recognized agency of the bulk of that private bounty which was lavished bg the different States upon the forces; and it had offim ted many ameliorations in the Sanitary condition ot the volun¬ teers.”

By reference to the enclosed advertisement, dated January 1st, 1862, marked T, it will be seen that on that day the

95

Commission announced to the public that it was “ dispen¬ sing supplies to the wounded and suffering to the value of more than a thousand dollars each day,” and that it employed “ more than fort)/ hard-working men in the duty, of whom fif¬ teen were skilful physicians constantly serving as Inspectors of camps and hospitals.” By reference to the enclosed ad¬ vertisement marked S, issued under instructions from the Central Office, in February, 1862, it will he seen that the Commission was still calling on the public for general hos¬ pital supplies to he sent to its depots. By reference to the enclosure marked V, it will be seen that in March renewed and increased contributions of hospital supplies were called for, and that the system of distribution which had been ad¬ vertised in October was again recommended to the public; it will be seen also that the list of receiving depots had been enlarged during the winter; it being mentioned* that the Commission had recently established additional “ distributing depots at Port Royal, Ivey West, Ship Island, Nashville,” etc.

By reference to the Minutes , page 123, it will be seen that from March 4th to March 8th the Sanitary Commission was in session at Washington, and that its meetings were attended by Messrs. Baker, Shoenberger, Andersoi^ and Baldwin, associate members, of the Cincinnati branch. Reports were read giving account of the recent operation of the relief system of the Commission by several of its western officers, as follows: general report by Dr. Newberry as to the Mississippi valley; by Dr. Douglas, as to Missouri ; Dr. Warriner, as to Missouri ; Dr. Aigner, as to Southern Mis¬ souri, and Illinois, and Western Kentucky; Dr. Reed, as to Kentucky; Dr. Griswold, as to Western Virginia; Dr. Blake, as to Louisiana. Reports from other points on the coast, and from the army of the Potomac, were also read, and a

96

complete system for the equitable distribution of hospital supplies was shown to be in equally efficient operation throughout every column of the army. Among other evi¬ dences of an intention to continue the system, at this time evinced by the Commission, was the discussion of a motion u for the appointment of a committee to make an appeal to the clergy of the loyal States for collections in their respec¬ tive churches for the aid and relief of the volunteer army through the Sanitary Commission.1 ” This discussion elicited the fact that one member, and but one member, of the Com¬ mission had any doubt as to the duty of the Commission to continue the system of distribution which it had undertaken for the people. This was Dr. Howe, whose views had been previously published. Ilis objections were against all 'vol¬ unteer relief, as likely to exert an influence unfavorable to a proper accountability on the part of the medical officers of Government, and a full statement was made by Dr. Hew- berry and myself of the system of distribution which we had adopted, for the purpose of satisfying the Commission that proper precautions had been taken to guard against this evil. Dr. Howe has since approved of and given his aid to the system. It was considered inexpedient to pass the mo¬ tion, because it was deemed better that the churches should, in many cases, make contributions of hospital clothing to the depots of the Commission, and use their money for the purchase of material to be made up for this purpose, in accordance with the policy of the advertisement of October.

By reference to enclosure, marked C C, it will be seen that on the 16th of April, an advertisement was issued from the Central office, which contained the following exhibit of the general relief system of the Commission :

“The Commission has, at this moment, special professional

97

agents attending respectively the Mississippi fleet , the army at Pittsburg Landing, General MitcheV s division , [then in North¬ ern Alabama.] Banks' column, Dix’s column, McDowell’s column, Wadsworth’s division, at General McClellan’s head¬ quarters, at Newbern, at Fern^ndina, and at Ship Island, to each of ivhom supplies are shipped as often as it is advised they should be."

It was at the same time urged, as will be seen, that “ in no other way, and through no organization less general and comprehensive in its scope" than that thus exhibited, could the sick and wounded of the army be as well aided by the public. The above was published in the newspapers as well as in circular form, and was especially addressed to the Commission’s ‘ Associates."

On the 19th of April , 1862, an elaborate article appeared in the New York World newspaper, the following extracts from which will show that the Commission’s “ method of dis¬ tribution," as first fully presented to the public in October, was still understood to be in full operation East, West, and South :

“ There was great danger at the beginning of the war that the gifts of the patriotic and benevolent, intended for the sick and suffering volunteers, which would fail to reach their destination entirely, or be so distributed as to leave very many unsupplied, while others had a superabundance. * * *

One ot the good works done by the Sanitary Commission has been the systematizing of this spontaneous benevolence, so that all could work for the good cause, and when sending the products of their patriotic endeavors and their gifts to some depot, be assured that where there teas suffering there would their gifts go, without reference to the State badge of the re¬ giment or the hospital.

In this zuay the Commission has labored everywhere, and has depots of hospital stores at St. Louis, Cincinnati , Chicago, Cleveland, Wheeling, Washington, Alexandria, Fortress Monroe, Newbern, Hilton Head, Ship Island, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. The expenses of storage are usu¬ ally borne by Government, or by the owner of the premises

8

98

used. Having these depots selected with reference to bases of military operations, the Commission is not only enabled to anticipate and relieve the suffering in battle and hospital any¬ where throughout the United States, but to furnish centers about which local benevolence •and patriotism, may organize themselves

On the 1st of May, the following advertisement was issued:

“The Sanitary Commission asks contributions for the aid and relief of the volunteer army. There will in all proba¬ bility soon be many wounded men to provide for, and our troops on the southern coast are endangered by the unhtdfl by season now approaching. There is therefore special need of public liberality on their behalf, at least until the measures now pending in Congress to strengthen the Medical Depart¬ ment of the army shall be perfected. Agencies and depots o. hospital stores, &c., are maintained at heavy expense m con¬ nection with every portion of the army. Contributions may be

aduiessed to qeqrG-E T. STRONG, Treasurer,

No. 68 Wall street, New York.

May 7th, the Treasurer made his usual monthly public acknowledgment of cash contributions received, adding at the close this sentence :

“ Further contributions for the objects of the Commission, and Specially for floating hospitals at the West and in the waters of Virginia, will be received by

GEORGE T. STRONG, Treasurer „ No. 68 Wall street, New York.

May 23d, the “New York Agency of the Sanitary Com¬ mission’ ’ advertised as follows .

“ The following articles of hospital clothing and supplies

are urgently wanted by the Commission and may he sent to

the ‘ Women’s Central Association of Relief,* No Goopei s

fll“The prodigious demand of the last month, during v Inch more than a hundred thousand articles of clothing (ben les other supplies) have been issued by the Commission to the

99

Slck and wounded in the Army of the Potomac alone (and probably a much larger amount to the Western and other Departments,) has reduced our stock, and although 686 cases have been received at the Washington depot since April 23 the demand is much greater than the supply.”*

It was in May, also, if I mistake not, that the letter from an Ohio associate member of the Commission, from which I make the following extracts, was published in the Columbus Journal :

“Dr Prentice, of Cleveland, Medical Inspector, appoint- ed by the United States Sanitary Commission, has now three large tents near the Purveyor’s office, and is distributing sanitary goods without regard to States. Any needy regi¬ mental hospitals can be supplied. Many Aid Societies com- phun that their goods are not distributed to the immediate friends from the points from which they are sent It is im¬ possible for him to do. so, and the rule of the Commission for¬ bids it. Some local institutions have sent goods here and carried them back, and others have been thrown upon the shore with. none to care for them. Dr. Prentice is indefati¬ gable in his labors to correctly distribute anything sent to him, to examine personally the needs of the regimental hos¬ pitals, and to distribute only to the surgeons or on their re¬ quisitions. . Goods sent to Dr. Prentice, United States Sani¬ tary Commission, care United States Purveyor, Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee, or to the Commission at Cleveland, Co¬ lumbus or Cincinnati, will be properly cared for. Had it not been the sanitary system at Pittsburgh Landing, many a brave man would have been beyond saving.” * * *

lo the depot at Pittsburgh Landing I have since sent a lai ge amount of stores, and shall to-morrow start with over two hundred boxes more, and with nearly a steamer load of potatoes, vegetables, fruits, stimulants, ice, &c., &c., all fur- ms led by the liberality ot the Soldier’s Aid Society of North¬ ern Ohio.” J

F. C. SESSIONS.

By reference to the enclosure, marked W, it will be seen

*The last three advertisements quoted, may be found in the New York Tribune, daily, of the dates named.

100

that the circular of March was re-issued in June , with, the following additions :

Washington, D. C., June 1st, 1862.

“ While the general objects of the Commission remain the same as at the date of the foregoing circular, there is now added the claim put forth by our soldiers engaged in active operations in the field, who have suffered in battle, or fiom the more destructive influence of an unfriendly climate.

11 Besides furnishing very large supplies of hospital bed¬ ding and clothing, (more than 100,000 articles having been issued during May from the Washington depot alone,) the Commission has felt itself called upon to supply additional comforts for the sick and wounded, which involve an expen¬ diture for the past month of not less than $22,000.*

{( Our armies on the Peninsula, in North Carolina, through- out, General Hunter’s Department, and at New Orleans and vicinity, are all sharing the attention and good offices of the Commission, while the wants of our large army near Corinth, Mississippi, are in like manner freely supplied^ by our West¬ ern Secretaries and their generous co-laborers.”

July 15th the Soldier’s Aid Society of Northern Ohio issued a circular, (see copy enclosed marked DO,) the following sentence from which will show that its managers had not yet been informed of any discontinuance of the Commission s '‘method of distribution :”

“The United States Sanitary Commission is laboring most diligently to establish depots for relief in every quarter where suffering can be found, and to prevent as far as possible the waste and loss of supplies, which are to a degree unavoidable, and we doubt not in the future our stores will be still more widely disseminated.”

In the same document appears a letter from the Western Secretary of the Sanitary Commission, the statements of which

%Note. — Not one cent of this expenditure was made through the Cincinnati, Philadelphia, or any other branch.

101

are endorsed by the managers of the society from personal knowledge, some of their number having visited the seat of war in Tennessee for the purpose. The following passages are taken from it:

“2d. The system of distribution of sanitary stores, which has been introduced into my department, is the result of much thought and effort, and, so far as adopted, seems to render all great abuses impossible.

“My aim and practice have been to establish at all import¬ ant head-quarters of the army, near the office of the medical purveyor, a depot of sanitary stores, to which the surgeons of regiments or hospitals, when coming for supplies, may have recourse for such things as government cannot furnish. These depots, under the care of competent persons, are managed with as much care and system as that of the medical purveyor, a record being kept, and receipts taken for all articles issued. They are also under the general supervision of the Inspectors , who are constantly employed in visiting the camps and hos¬ pitals in the vicinity, drawing on the depot for the supply of all real wants. Nor does the care of the Inspector over your bounty end here. On his rounds of inspection he repeatedly visits every hospital, and sees with his own eyes that his gifts are properly used, and while he is instructed to err, if at all, on the side of liberality, he is also enjoined to keep careful watch that the stores he dispenses are not misused.

“Where this system has not been adopted, and stores are hurriedly distributed by inexperienced persons, making but a single visit to a locality — a course still pursued by some aid societies and sanitary associations — errors and abuses are lia¬ ble, even sure, to occur. But your stores have not been, and will not be, thus distributed, so long as they are entrusted to the care of the agents of the U. S. Sanitary Commission/’ “Yours, very respectfully,

' J. S. NEWBERRY,

Secy Western Department.”

On the 9th of August , the following statement appeared in the newspapers of Buffalo, N. Y.:

“ The committee of twenty, appointed by the citizens of Buffalo to provide for the sick and wounded of the regiments

102

organized in or sent from Buffalo, have adopted the following report and ordered it to be published. [The committee state that they have been in conference with the Sanitary Commis¬ sion, and had been advised that:]

“The great extent of territory occupied by the army, and the distribution of our soldiers at such various and remote points, rendered it impossible to supply specific assistance to any particular regiment. The arrangements of the Commis¬ sion were so extensive and complete , that any means 'placed in its hands would he sure to reach all suffering soldiers , without reference to their particular locality

“The report not meeting the original moving element of the organization, somewhat paralyzed the operations of the committee, and render it necessary to investigate more thor¬ oughly the subject, and information was sought from other sources. ”

The committee at length deliberately concluded that the purpose of their organization had been a wasteful and un¬ worthy one; that even if it were not so, it would be impracti¬ cable to follow the Buffalo regiments with any method of re¬ lief, which would reach them when relief was most needed, unless it were equally comprehensive, elaborate, and carefully systematized with that of the Sanitary Commission, and that the citizens of Buffalo would not only best serve the sick and wounded of their own regiments, but the national cause and their own self-respect, by dividing their relief fund between the treasury of the Sanitary Commission and the Soldiers’ Aid Society of Western New York, for the purchase of mate¬ rial for its members to work up.

The recommendations of the committee were adopted by the citizens of Buffalo, and the local society has since sent a special committee to more thoroughly examine the affairs of the Com¬ mission. This committee made a searching investigation of the accounts of the Commission, and of all its methods ot business, and as the result reported the most complete and hearty expression of approval of all they found which the

103

work of the Commission has ever received. (See enclosed, marked E E.) The contributions of the Soldiers’ Aid Society of Western New York have since been sent exclusively to the Commission’s depots at New York, Washington, or Louisville, according to the varying demand of the Eastern, Western, and Southern armies. The report of the first committee was made about one month before the Commission was advised of the recent California donations to its treasury; the investiga¬ tion of the second committee was in progress on the very day that the first advices of these donations were received, and its chairman, in returning to Buffalo from Washington, spent an evening in conversation with Judge Hoadly and two other associate members of the Commission from Cincinnati by in¬ vitation of the President of the Sanitary Commission, in hie library, in New York.

By reference to the Minutes , it will be seen that from Sep¬ tember 16th to September 20th the Commission was in session in Washington. The following are extracts from the minutes of proceedings on the 18th:

<k The Surgeon General and the Hon. George Hoadly were present.”

“ The Secretary reported that since the commencement of active operations in Maryland, and previous to yesterday, five wagons and one railroad car, loaded with supplies, had been sent by the Commission to and beyond Frederick; that six Surgeons and Inspectors of the Commission, with a car load of supplies, were sent on yesterday afternoon; that three wag¬ ons left Washington for the front of the army on the Upper Potomac at 12 o’clock last night, with a party of eight, in charge of Drs. Agnew and Harris; that a train of army wag¬ ons are now loading with supplies to he despatched imme¬ diately for the battle-field, also by way of Frederick; that Dr. Crane had been previously stationed at Chambersburg or Ha¬ gerstown, with large discretionary powers to act for the Com¬ mission; and that despatches had been sent to Philadelphia, ordering the purchase of large supplies at that point; that

104

these, with stores forwarded from the North, would be for¬ warded to Hagerstown in charge of special agents/'

UA report was presented from Mr. Caleb Cope, treasurer of the Philadelphia associates, showing a balance now in the treasury of fourteen thousand seven hundred and sixteen dol¬ lars and fifty-two cents, and an aggregate of receipts by him as such treasurer amounting to thirty -three thousand ^ seven hundred and thirty-four dollars and thirty-eight cents.

u Dr. Howe presented a report of receipts and expenditures of Boston Agency ot the Sanitary Commission since Maich 1? 1862, showing a balance to its credit of $4,444.

On the next day :

“ Mr. Olmsted presented a report on the general operations of the Commission since the last meeting."

u Dr. Newberry presented a special report of the operations of the Western branch of the Commission’s [executive force,} in the Valley of the Mississippi since March last."

(It does not appear of record that Judge Hoadly was pres¬ ent at this time. He had been invited to be.)

The battle of Antietam was in progress, and during the session several wagon trains, one of them accompanied by a member of the Commission, departed for the battle-field from before the door of the building in which the session was held. More than 30,000 articles of clothing, with several tons of articles of nourishment, stimulants, &c., were sent during the week from the Washington depot for distribution to the wound¬ ed by the method of the Commission.

The Commission adjourned on the 20th, and on the 21st, in¬ telligence of the first of the recent donations of California was first received.

On the twentieth , however, I had had printed a brief expo¬ sition of the “national system of distribution," adopted by the Sanitary Commission, for “all divisions of the army, those “on the Mississippi and the Western frontier," as well as those “on the Southern coast," being particularized.

105

Copies of this paper were placed on the table of the Commis¬ sion, and the attention of Judge Skinner, of Chicago, I re¬ member, was particularly called to it by myself, while it was in proof, and it received his endorsement. I cannot say that a copy was given to Judge Hoadly, but copies were sent to newspapers the same day, and it will be found in the New York evening papers of the 22d, the morning papers of that date having first published the telegraphic dispatch from San Francisco, announcing the donations from California. Sub¬ sequently to its general publication, which was very promi¬ nent in the New York daily papers, Judge Hoadly met the President and New York members of the Commission with the President of the Chicago branch, and spent an evening with them discussing the affairs of the Commission, and the next day the President wrote me that the advertisement was satisfactory.

It appeared in the newspapers of Cincinnati the following week. It was published for one month, daily, in the Cincin¬ nati Gazette, as follows:

“FOR THE SICK AND WOUNDED.

“Under an order from the President of the United States, a national system has been established by the Sanitary Com¬ mission for the safe transmission and judicious distribution of articles contributed by the people for the sick and wounded of the Army and Navy. The system, after being well tried, has been formally approved and recommended by the President, the General-in-Chief, and the Surgeon General. The security it offers against misappropriation is practically perfect, 'until the contributions are delivered in the hospitals, where they necessarily pass from the control of the Commission. Of more than a million articles sent through one of the largest of its channels of supply, it has been ascertained that not one hun¬ dred have miscarried or been dishonestly used. Discreet

106

and trustworthy agents are constantly employed in visiting all divisions of the army, including tnose on the Southern coast, the Mississippi, and .the Western frontier, to observe their wants; to direct supplies where they are most tmeued, and to secure, as far as practicable, their honest ^ ,

Commission does not undertake to deliver articles to individ¬ uals, and declines to receive contributions with any res.r.otion as to their destination within the limits of the force employed in the service of the Nation, it being one of its secondary b-

jects to strengthen the sentiment of National unity wherever it can come in antagonism with State or loca PM< ‘ • distribution of hospital supplies is but a branch of the wo k of the Commission. It employs the best professional talent which can be obtained in the country to aid its larger pur¬ pose— to do all that is possible for the health and vigor of our fighting men, to lighten their burdens, and to sustain then spirits under the privations and hardships which are an es¬ sential part of successful warfare. For this purpose contribu¬ tion to its treasury are solicited. They may be directed to the Treasurer, G. T. STRONG, esq., No. 68 Wall st„ Eew

^“Commissioners under appointment from the President of the United States: The Rev. Henry W. Bellows, D. D.; Prof. A. D. Bache, LTj. D.; George W. Cull urn, U. S. A , Alex¬ ander E. Shims, U. S. A.; Robert C. Wood, M. D ,D. S.A., William II. Van Buren, M. D.; Wolcott Gibbs, MD. .Sam¬ uel G. Howe, M. D.; Cornelius R. Agnew, M. D..; E.isha Harris, M. D.; J. S. Newberry, M. D.; George 1. ^'""0. Horace Binney, jr.; the Right Rev. Ihos. M. dark, : D O., the Hon. Joseph Holt; R. W. Burnett; the Hon. Mark Skin- ner; Frederick Luiw Olmsted.

“Contributions of suitable supplies for the sick and wounded will be received at the Rooms of the Sanitary Commission, cor¬ ner of Sixth and Vine streets, Cincinnati, Ohio.”

On the day that the first telegraphic dispatch was sent from San Francisco to the Sanitary Commission, the Sanitary Com¬ mission had eight, of its regular “paid agents” constantly and systematically employed in making distributions of hospital supplies to the army in the States of Kentucky and Tennessee.

107

In no single month of the last year have less than one thousand cases of hospital goods been distributed, exclusively by the hands of these agents to the sick and wounded of the army within those States.

I have quoted the passage from Judge Hoadly ’s letter, and have shown how completely mistaken it was, because it suggests the only explanation of which I can conceive for the character of the Report of November 12th of the com¬ mittee of which he was chairman. Strangely uninformed, or forgetful, as the other members of tin's committee equally with Judge Hoadly must have been of the real facts of the case, they were probably imposed upon by the statements of some interested persons, who, to induce the consummation of some* previously conceived purpose, had contrived a theory of their own to account for their unwillingness to divide the trust of California with their “associates,” and had made facts after a very common fashion, to fit their theory.

The following is a fair indication of the allegations of the report in which this is apparent:

-The U. Sc Sanitary Commission had not when we organ¬ ized, nor have they now, any adequate means at their com- “mand for doing properly the work of distribution. During “the last year they have had in service a number of paid “agents, viz: A western secretary and a few inspectors.”

Judge Hoadly, of course, received the misinformation thus conveyed, as a statement of truth: The truth is this, however: The Sanitary Commission has had, on an average, at least fifty “paid agents,” devoting their whole time to its service during the whole of the past year. At the time this was written its paid agents numbered exactly one hundred, accord¬ ing to the statements presented to the Commission at its November session.

108

“In fact, if consolidation is to be the policy, and but a single “agency is to undertake the work of distribution, the W estei n “Sanitary Commission is, in our opinion, better prepared to “discharge the duty than the Sanitary Commission— just to “the extent that voluntary service exceeds in value hired “labor.”

I am confident that the Sanitary Commission has, and has always had, on an average, ten times as many volunteer la¬ borers in its service as the Western Sanitary Commission; that its system of distribution reaches daily ten hospitals for every one reached by that of the Western Sanitary Commission, and that it daily gives aid and comfort to ten sick and wounded soldiers where the Western Sanitary Commission touches one. Moreover, the sick and wounded who are ordinarily reached by the Sanitary Commission are by far the most in peril of life lor want of aid of the character bestowed.'

* The Western Sanitary Commission was constituted “ with a view to the health and comfort of the Volunteer Troops in and near the City of St. Louis while the relief organization of the Sanitary Commission was yet incomplete. The Cincinnati Committee are mistaken in their statement that the Western Sanitary Commission is, in the same sense with the Sanitary Commission, «ogmad by the authorities.” The Western Sanitary Commission was recognized for a local purpose early in September, 1861, by the General commanding ^epartm whose Headquarters were then at St. Louis, in an order tom which ^th above quotation is taken, and for which he was reproved, in an order of the Secret y of War, dated October 2d, 1861, in the following words: Such a step, .by ding the authority, can only embarrass the general plan adopted by the ^Depart-

ment. I would therefore request you to rescind the order creating e sai *

or that you would direct the said Commission at St. Louis to work under the instructions of the Sanitary Board here.” When the main body of the Ar^ of the West withdrew from Missouri to operate on the base of the Ohio, just befo

the movements which resulted in the capture of FortHenry and Fort Donelson the

St Louis Society was left in sole charge of the duty of relief for the hospitals at SL Louis and vicinity, and for the field hospitals of the troops operating ^ base the State of Missouri being considered as a loyal State, and within the cate¬ gory of the intermediate ground described at page 17 of this report, and Ahe Com¬ mission has since refrained from working within the selected field of the Society at St Louis, from a desire to avoid the danger of conflicting action betwee s agents and a body of men whose motives are believed to be the same with its own Td who command its respect. The Commission has relief agents in Arkansa

109

There are not less than twenty associations, and so-called “commissions” and “branches” operating independently of the Commission, which have engaged in the work of relief to the sick and wounded within the region of warlike operations. I believe that any honest, intelligent man, who will take the trouble to investigate the matter, may satisfy himself that the Sanitary Commission has distributed four times as much of needed hospital supplies; has mitigated ten times as much suffering, and has saved ten times as many lives as all of these together.

I am, in this case, giving opinions and not proofs, but my character for sound judgment is worth something, and my convictions have been formed with as much general knowledge of the subject, probably, as is possessed by the Cincinnati com¬ mittee, and certainly with a much better knowledge of the work of the Sanitary Commission than they have shown. They are considerate convictions, which Judge Hoadly’s on this subject certainly are not. Of the precipitancy with which he has been ready to express very ill-considered impressions, the following circumstance affords some evidence:

In his letter to the President of the Sanitary Commission from which I have before quoted, (dated November 5th,) and which constitutes a part of the personal correspondence be¬ tween Dr. Bellows and Judge Hoadly, from which quotation is made in the Cincinnati Committee’s report, Judge Hoadly opens with an expression of surprise at “the erroneous opin-

and Kansas. The Western Sanitary Commission at St. Louis has recently 'em¬ ployed the system of the Sanitary Commission for distribution of goods to the Army in Tennessee and Mississippi. The President of the St. Louis Commission is an associate member of the Sanitary Commission, and while confined, as it mainly has been, except in emergencies, in its operations, to Missouri, it performs precisely and very admirably the duty which is elsewhere performed in loyal communities by the regular “ branches” of the Commission.

110

ions” evinced by Dr. Bellows in a letter to wliich this is a reply. He then takes up these erroneous opinions one by one, thus:

“I. It is not true that our body has ever styled itself, or “permitted itself to he called, ‘The Cincinnati Sanitary Com- “mission.’ Our title is, e Cincinnati Branch of the U. S. Sani- “tary Commission. * I speak whereof I know; for I have writ¬ ten every circular our Commision has addressed to the public “from the beginning. I enclose the last of these, issued in “August. * * * Our first circular I also enclose.”

Judge Hoadly encloses not only the two, hut a third circu¬ lar of the Cincinnati branch, on which he writes: “ Please read all of this;” and the President having sent them to this office, they are herewith sent to the committee. On the fourth page of the August circular, and on the fifth page of the other two, will he found the designation in large block- letter capitals, as distinct as type can make it :

CINCINNATI SANITARY COMMISSION.

I enclose the leading article of a Cincinnati paper, marked W, which hears abundant internal evidence of having proceed¬ ed from a member or an employee of the Cincinnati branch, who had been upon a visit to the hospitals at Perry ville, Iven- tucky, after the late battle there, and throughout which the term “ The Sanitary Commission” is used as the proper desig¬ nation of the Cincinnati branch, and this in connection with most serious charges against a Medical Director of the U. S. army: charges of a character such as the Sanitary Commis¬ sion itself has never made against any surgeon without being able to procure his dismissal in disgrace from the service; but

Ill

which, according to the testimony of the agents of the real Sanitary Commission, are pure libels on a faithful officer of the Go vernment.

How carefully I have felt to he my duty to guard against any such wrong being committed for which “ the Sanitary Com¬ mission” could be justly held accountable, I have already shown.

How long it was, after the preliminary meeting, before the organization of the Cincinnati branch was in working order and entered upon its separate work of- camp inspection and hospital-supply distribution at certain accessible points with¬ in the field of war, does not clearly appear from any pa¬ pers in my possession. It is morally certain that it was not till after the “Report of Operations of the Sanitary Commission in the Valley of the Mississippi during the months of August, September, and October” had been placed in the hands of the members. Now, this report, besides the table of the relief operations under Dr. Prentice in that part of the valley, occupied by our troops in force, nearest Cincinnati, contains on every page evidence of the thoroughness with which the wants of the hospitals were explored by the Inspectors of the Commission, the prompt¬ ness and clearness with which Dr. Newberry was informed of them, and of the zeal and energy, labor and pains-taking of that gentleman in obtaining, forwarding and distributing supplies to meet these wants by the hands of these agents and their assistants.

Presuming, of course, that the report of the Cincinnati Committee is not intended for mere special pleading, but to honestly express the convictions of its members, I think it is again established, not only that they are mistaken in suppos¬ ing that the Sanitary Commission had no arrangements for

112

the distribution of supplies, when they entered the field, but it is also established that it was no fault of the Commission if they failed to be informed of it, before they entered upon their plan of a separate distribution. That the means of dis¬ tribution were “adequate” to the occasion, it would be impossi¬ ble to prove until a standard of adequacy had been establish¬ ed. A standard for this purpose, from which there would be no appeal, is not attainable. But even if the means of the Com¬ mission were not adequate, it still remains extremely im¬ probable that Dr. Newberry went to Cincinnati for the pur¬ pose of asking the associate members of the Commission there to organize an entirely new system of distribution of supplies from that depot. It is quite certain that he was never au¬ thorized to do so. And when Dr. Newberry reported, as he did to the Commission in person, on the 5th of December, 1861, that the gentlemen who had been appointed associate members of the Commission in Cincinnati, at its last previous session, had united to relieve Dr. Mussey, in charge of the Commission’s depot in that place, as the associate members in Philadelphia, at your request, had united to relieve the Messrs. Welsh, it is equally certain that no member of the Commission had the smallest suspicion that within a year, it would become a part of the duty of the Sanitaiy Commission to collect the means of obtaining supplies for these gentlemen, to distribute to the army in the field, by their voluntary labor in the intervals of business, or by the assistance of two hired agents, and that this, in connection with similar arrangements of other bodies, would be claimed by them not merely to be a vastly superior method to that which the Commission itself had originally undertaken, but the usual and established method of the Commission itself'!*

*See Resolutions of Cincinnati branch, unanimously adopted, November 13th, 1862 ; ante page 5.

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113

Dr. Newberry states that he did not hint that auy such duty was required of them, or would ever be required of them, as that of distribution, unless, as was the custom of the associate members of the Commission elsewhere, to the re¬ cruits or to the hospitals in their midst. He did not even propose to them to relieve Dr. Prentice at Lexington. He did propose to them at this time, and this we know, for it stands on record, to collect funds for the Sanitary Commis¬ sion to enable it to sustain the agents by which its established method of distribution was carried on, which funds, till then, as he told them, had been wholly contributed in the East, and which funds were at that moment nearly exhausted. He did ask them to stimulate the contribution of hospital supplies to the depot of the Commission in their midst; and he did ask them to take measures to relieve Dr. Mussey of the burdensome charge of this depot.

But, would all this constitute a branch of the Sanitary Com¬ mission, with an independent treasury at Cincinnati, in the sense claimed by the Cincinnati committee or meant by the California contributors? Would not the Commissioners be justly charged with a careless administration of their trust if they had hastened to obey the evidently friendly impulse toward their Cincinnati associates, with which the somewhat am¬ biguous suggestion of the first California message was un¬ questionably received by them ?

In the deliberate judgment of every member attending its late important sessions, including able jurists and grave divines, it could not be justly and truly concluded that an au- thorized branch of the Sanitary Commission had ever been es¬ tablished at Cincinnati, with an independent treasury, for the purpose of sustaining an independent system inconsistent and inharmonious with the system of the Sanitary Commission,

9

114

for distributing the gifts of the people to the sick nnd wounded of the Federal army. The Sanitary Commission includes within itself a system based on the commission of the Presi¬ dent, for distribution to the army everywhere. This system, as a part of itself, the Commission, aided by the Secretary of War and the Postmaster General, bad been at pains to adver¬ tise through every city, village, and neighborhood ot Califor¬ nia. The gentlemen from Cincinnati came with a claim to the Commission for a share of the contribution to the treasury of the Commission from California, based on the assertion that they were a branch of the Commission with an indepen¬ dent treasury, and that this branch ignored and repudiated, and had nothing to do with this system of distribution. It is surprising that the Commission did not know what to make of this, or that they hesitated to make the appropriation demanded ?

But, the Cincinnati branch had been “insulted by the Commission’s General Secretary. Such, I am pained to see, was the unanimous opinion of the associates, in branch meeting assembled.

Your committee is instructed to seek an interview with them, and through your committee I hope that I may he al¬ lowed to tender, most respectfully, to the gentlemen ot Cin¬ cinnati the following explanation of the circumstances and considerations which immediately led to the production ot the supposed ground of offence, sincerely trusting that it may remove from their minds the belief that I can have been guilty of any intentional or real discourtesy to them.

Could the Commission’s system of distribution, with its accompaniments of inspection, advice, and reporting, be completely and steadily sustained, with contident su-

115

pervision and energy, in all parts of the Held of war, by capable and faithful men, well instructed and trained, and held to a strict accountability, I believe that no Commis¬ sioner now doubts, nor do I believe there is a well-informed officer of the army who now doubts that it would be, ^o the end of the war, and not only in this, but in all wars, a humane and economical arrangement, not embarrassing, but augmenting the force and efficiency of the army, in its work of punishing the enemies of the law of the land.

What is in the way of this good thing?

The grand difficulty heretofore experienced has been the uncertainty of being able to maintain as large a number of suitable agents in the field as would be necessary to fully carry it^put, and of being able to hold so large a number to such effective accountability as, in sending them to positions of close observation of the army, in all situations, the Com¬ mission is bound to require : the California donations gave it the means of overcoming this difficulty, for a certain period at least.

A second difficulty has threatened the integrity of the system, from the inadequate or uncertain rate of supply of goods from the people. This admits of a simple illustration : the inspectors may be regarded as retailers of the supplemen¬ tary supplies; their stocks must be replenished at intervals, and irregularly, according to the demand arising from battles and sickiiess, in their respective ranges of observation. For this purpose they call upon the Secretaries of the Com¬ mission. The Secretaries must meet these calls as the whole¬ sale merchant meets the orders of the retailers. They may come from many at once, and for all sorts of stores at once. The Secretaries, then, to enable them to carry on the busi-

116

ness with regularity and system, must have large and well assorted stocks in reserve.

Suppose, for example, that our fleets should next month open the Mississippi, from Memphis to New Orleans; oui inspector at New Orleans informs us that his stores are very low ; that sickness is increasing, and that an expedition is preparing to move upon the enemy in Alabama, and urges that large supplies of certain articles should be sent him as soon as possible. If goods have been sent forward to the army as fast as they could be gathered, it will be impossible to meet this call, and the sick and wounded in the army of the southwest will be deprived of that to which they are justly entitled, and which it is the Commission’s special charge from the President to secure to them. <*

It is the duty of the Commission, then, to provide in some measure for calls of this kind, by keeping stocks at its dif¬ ferent ddpQts of supply, or wholesale stores, to any one of

which, most convenient, New York, Boston, or Philadelphia, Memphis, Louisville, or Cincinnati, resort can he had, with confidence that any moderate order will he met without delay.

The necessity of establishing depots at different points being thus evident, it will also be seen that they cannot safely be placed in close proximity to actual operations of war. It is better, then, that they be placed, as far as convenient, in loyal commercial towns, from which communication is read¬ ily had with the different departments of the army.

At such points, the responsibility of the Commission for the discretion of its agents with reference to military opera¬ tions, amounts to nothing. It is chiefly necessary that goods should he accumulated, assorted, and packed, and held ready for shipment; that the central distributing agents of the

*

117

Commission should be informed, at frequent intervals, of the stock on hand, and that their orders upon it should be prompt¬ ly met. These will be laborious duties. If the associate num¬ bers, or members of local societies, are disposed to under¬ take them they will, in so doing, contribute most valuable aid to the purpose of the Commission, and such aid must be gratefully accepted.

Reserve depots of the Commission have been maintained at Washington and Louisville under direct management, and at Boston, Hew York, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati, under the management of local auxiliaries. The latter were in¬ tended to be depots of collection as well as of reserve. Depots solely for collection have been intended to be main¬ tained at Providence, Hew Haven, Hewark, Buffalo, Cleve¬ land, Columbus, Indianapolis, and Chicago, each in charge of a local association, which should provide for all the labor and expense of collecting, packing, and freighting to any point designated by the Secretaries of the Commission, such goods as should be collected.

These intentions had been mainly, though not precisely lealized before the California donations were received. The business of the Commission at some of its depots had been admirably transacted; others had failed in rendering clear and punctual accounts, and there was a want of uniformity in their methods which caused unnecessary embarrassments, and labor of correspondence in the offices of the Secretaries of the Commission. In %t, no uniform sj7stem had ever been distinctly established in the dealings of the Commission with the societies managing its depots.

I considered an improvement in the affairs of the Commis¬ sion in this direction, practicable. It was a question with me how it should be brought about, but the question, how

118

the supply should be made larger, or rather, the current ot supply steadier and the reserves increased, was one of much greater, and more immediately pressing, importance.

A lamentably deficient, stock for ordinary distribution, after certain recent emergencies, had led me to carefully study the prospect of being able to command a sufficient rate - of supply to .justify a further enlargement ol the arrange¬ ments for distribution, such as the California donation would otherwise have justified. In fact, I considered that a large accumulation of supplies under direct, central con¬ trol was absolutely necessary to any equitable arrangement for distribution to the whole army. My first duty, then, after I was informed of this donation, was to make certain, if possible, of a sufficiently large accumulation. What was

the difficulty in securing this?

I was satisfied that it was not any want of liberality with the people. I was satisfied that enough was given already

were it judicially directed.

Why was it not judiciously directed?

It appeared to me that it was chiefly because of represen¬ tations made by individuals and other organizations, whose observation was local only, and who, generally with a good purpose, set forth the wants of a comparatively small num¬ ber of the sick and wounded of whom they were personally cognizant, or thought they were, and who appealed for the means of relieving them to considerations of State and local

pride, sympathy, and jealousy.

More than half of all the seriously wounded, and not permanently disabled and set-aside men of the whole army of the United States were at this time in the hos¬ pitals of Washington and its vicinity, and there were more than a dozen organizations, with several hundred

t.

119

men and women belonging to them, each operating in¬ dependently of the other, for the relief of the patients in these hospitals. They did not act in concert; they did not act under any common system ; as a rule they paid no respect to the responsibilities of the surgeons ; they were, for the most part, rather inclined to look upon the surgeons unkindly and suspiciously. It did not enter into their pur¬ poses to so give their aid to the hospitals as not to encourage the surgeon in neglecting to make timely and sufficient pro¬ visions for his patients through the government channels of supply. Yet this assistance was not regular, and a hospital was liable to receive from them ten times as much aid in one day as it had received the previous day, and this with¬ out any request for it by the surgeon; and when, the same day, other hospitals, where these goods would have been more desirable, received none. These facts had been all es¬ tablished and strongly impressed upon me by the statements of the surgeons, made at meetings preliminary to the organ¬ ization of the Army Medical Society, at the Commission’s rooms, in Washington.

A hearty convalescent patient had been known to receive six pairs of socks in one day, from as many different visitors, and this at the very time that some thousand severely wounded men lay sixty miles distant, bare-footed or nearly so, and we were purchasing, with the very last dollar in our treasury, socks for them, in Washington, because the supply contributed to our depots was exhausted, and the emergency was extreme. This is a literal fact. There were men, as there probably are still, who made it a business to buy from soldiers the articles thus inconsiderately given them at the expense of the well intended bounty of the loyal women of the land, and I was able to get possession of a large case of

120

goods thus obtained which the industrious collector was

about to ship to the North for sale.

While this was the case in the hospitals of the District of Columbia, hundreds of visitors, each corresponding directly or indirectly with the liberal givers far away in all parts of the country, each having his or her particular tale of suffer¬ ing, personally witnessed, wherewith to point an appeal for immediate, direct assistance in the work of relief— while this was the case with the hospitals of the District— in the hospitals of the department of North Carolina, there was at the same time but one agency through which relief, supplementary to that which government furnished, could be conveyed to the suffering, and that agency was the Sanitary Commission, which equally regards the soldiers of the Union, be they m North Carolina or Washington, New Orleans or Nashville.

Again, I knew that some northern villages were sending all • their* offerings of relief to a certain chaplain, because he was before the war the pastor of one of their churches, and the people knew they could depend on his using the goods, it they should ever reach him, for the benefit of the men who had volunteered from' that village. It is true, that he would do so, and he would truly write to the donors afterwards, that the goods had been thankfully received by the boys. lie would not tell them— for that would be the concern of an¬ other chaplain less fortunate in a clientage of benefaction, and, perhaps, less humane or industrious — that in another regiment of the same brigade, fighting the same enemy, for the same good cause— fighting their battles equally with their own regiment — the men had been in far greater want ot the things they had sent, and that they could expect them but from one source — the depots of the Sanitary Commis¬ sion— that when this resource failed they had none other.

121

The daily experience of almost every inspector or relief agent of the Commission, in the field, established the gen¬ eral fact thus illustrated, at a time when our storehouses were nearly empty, and the calls upon them were urgent. I knew that the surgeon of one favored regiment requested his friends at home to refrain from sending further sup¬ plies, as the regiment suffered in health from the excessive quantity of certain articles of luxury which, the men re¬ ceived as presents, and they were unable to march, from the weight of clothing and “good things” which had been sent them, and which they were unwilling to throw away. I knew that some hospitals in the same division were, at the same time, poorly provided, and that from the county in which this regiment had been recruited the Sani¬ tary Commission had never received a case of goods, nor a dollar in money.

*

I knew, that there were many societies acting carefully, discriminatingly, methodically, within the limited field of operations to which they devoted themselves, but, I also knew, that even in Washington, the aid furnished by hospital visitors was so indiscreetly rendered, on an average, that it was not uncommon to hear surgeons declare that, on the whole, it did their patients more harm than good.

It was, then, perfectly obvious to me, that much of the vol¬ untary supplies of the people for the sick and wounded sol¬ diers were really wasted, and that a much larger part failed to be expended when and where it was most needed. It was equally obvious to me, that this was not the case with any part of the supplies directly and fully controlled by the San¬ itary Commission.

What, then, was my duty as the responsible executive officer of the Commission?

10

Was it not, in the first place, to put the claims of the federal system of assistance to the soldiers of the Union more distinctly before the people at home? to ask the people at home to forego the gratification of their local, State, county, or sectional interests in what they were ready to do for the army; to say to them, “you have offered the lives of your sons and your brothers to the Union, make now the offering complete— do not give of your substance to comfort your sons and brothers alone, give to comfort the soldiers of the Union, to all who need, most to those who need most, wherever they are, whether you know them or not. Give, trusting us that your gifts shall be well used, as they should be used by the President of all the States, fraternally, fairly, equitably.”

It seemed to me that we had hitherto gone to the peo¬ ple too much on the grounds, that others had done that any one else might have done. The wants and dangers of this or that army, of this or that regiment, had been too often urged by our associates as the ground of a claim for contributions to our stores. This had been, I was aware, more the case at the West than at the East. At the East, from the outset, it had been well under¬ stood by all, that all goods contributed to our branch depots came to a common fund as money to our treasury, and the contributions of towns or States, in fruit or flannel, were no more known after it had been contributed, as the contribu¬ tion of that town or State than its particular dollars or dimes were known in our treasury. I mean, that we accounted for it in particular no more. They were the Sanitary Commis¬ sion’s goods which we distributed— goods given by the people of the United States to the sick soldiers of the United States, and the goods we distributed at Port Royal and New

Orleans was j ast as much contributed by citizens of the United States in Indiana as by those in Hew York, for all that was com¬ monly said of it. That the people of Pennsylvania or Hew York were more interested in what he did than those of Ohio or Illinois, never entered the head of an Insnector on the Atlantic columns or in the Atlantic hospitals. Yet, it seemed to me, that we had not presented our federal claim as we should, even at the East. That we had not asked the people to disregard local and personal interests, and to re¬ member only the army of the Union, as we should. Had we done so; had it been known and appreciated that we differed in this from others — aside from all other claims — it seemed to me that they would gladly have sent to our depots much of that which I knew had been in great part wasted through injudicious distribution. Under this con¬ viction, I sent a gentleman who had been engaged in our relief service, to visit some of the eastern fields of supply, with instructions to put the following alternative fairly and distinctly before the people: ,

“You can, if you please, send all your contributions to some special agency, to be delivered at some designated point where you can know exactly how, and to whom, they will have been given. You can, on the other hand, entrust all, or a part, of them, if you prefer, to us, not knowing and never expecting to know where what you give us is to go, or whom it is to benefit; only knowing that we, the Com¬ missioners of the President of the United States, watch the soldiers of the United States^ everywhere ; and that it is our duty equally to aid all wherever we find any needing aid ; and that for this we are responsible to the President. Which do you prefer?”

The immediate result of this mission, I am happy to say,

124

*has been most unexpectedly gratifying and encouraging, so much so that it is probable that our rate of steady supply from the districts visited by this gentlemen will be than doubled.

I determined at the same time, to ask a council of women, drawn from the active managers of our largest auxiliaries, to meet me at Washington, from whom I could obtain ad¬ vice as to the probability of an increased continuous late of supply, as one of the necessary bases of a general enlarge¬ ment of the executive operations of the Commission, and upon whom I could urge the advisability of spreading a knowledge of the claims of the Commission, as a federal body, upon the liberality of the people. I had intended at the same time, to present a scheme for aunifoim, and a more exact, accountability to the branches, or societies hav¬ ing charge of depots, and as a part of the general enlarge¬ ment and improvement of the organization for executive duty. I contemplated at the same time, procuring from the Inspectors more exact and complete reports of their distribu¬ tions, and other work of relief; and the issue of frequent bulletins, made up in great part from these reports. An examination of the documents enclosed (marked F. F. and G. C.) will disclose the various measures taken to carry out the general scheme of improvement which I had at this time * in contemplation.

The circular entitled: “ What they have to do who stay at Home” so strongly objected to by the Cincinnati commit¬ tee, was drawn up under the impulse of the same reflections^ and was intended to serve the same general intentions. It consists of two distinct parts; the second being, however, in the nature of a note or postscript to the first.

The first is an appeal for an improved organization of

V

those who stay at home, to. the end of obtaining' a more secure supply, to the distributing depots of the Commission, urged by a presentation of the essential rightness, justice, and beauty of its federal or fraternal purpose, in distinction from any merely local or sectional purpose of benevolence. Tt concludes with the following fervent exhortation, and the subjoined memorandum :

“Hence the necessity for a carefully guarded yet elastic sys¬ tem of distribution, resting upon large accumulations of supplies. Such accumulations cannot be obtained, except the people shall be generally willing to forego the gratifica¬ tion of those impulses which allow personal and sectional feeling to narrow and determine the channels of beneficence and patriotism.”

“In view of the immensely increased worth, in the absolute saving of the lives of our soldiers, which the system of the Commission has given to the benefactions of the people, as demonstrated at Autietam, at South Mountain, at Manassas, at Cedar Mountain, at Winchester, at Malvern, at Seven Pines, at West Point, at Williamsburgh, at Corinth, at Shiloh, at Port Donelson, at Hew Orleans, at Roanoke Island, at Hewbern, and at Port Royal ; in view of the obvious fact that such articles as are most needed are becom¬ ing more scarce and valuable ; in view' of the large force now taking the field; and in view7 of the sterner spirit with which the people now plajfly demand that the war should be con¬ ducted, it is hoped that all good men and women wTho are not privileged to take a more active part, will lay hold here, and try to have this business henceforth put, everywhere, fairly and squarely on the same ground as that of the cause itself for which we are struggling. In union is strength. In disunion is weakness and waste. Can we not, in this trial of our nation, learn to wholly lay aside that poor disguise of narrowness of purpose and self-conceit, wThich takes the name of local interest and public spirit, but whose fruit is manifest in secession ? Distrust of generous policies, and want of faith in principles, with an indolent dependence on leaders and parties, have been the national sins of which this war brings the plain and direct retribution. God grant us grace to turn from them. Let us remember that, while we are called to lay our household offerings upon the bloody

altar of the war, we are also called to bring forth fruits meet for repentance.”

“ The plan of the Relief Service of the Sanitary Commis¬ sion, is” —

1. 44 To secure, as far as practicable, reserves of hospital and ambulance supplies, in order to be prepared to act with efficiency in emergencies.”

2. “ To cover in its work, as far as practicable, the whole field of the war, dispensing supplies wherever most needed, to all in the service of the Union, without preference of State, arm, or rank, army or navy, volunteer or regular. ’

3. “To study the whole field, by means of carefully select¬ ed and trained medical Inspectors, in order to determine where supplies are most needed, and to watch against their misuse.”

4. “ While administering to all pressing needs of the suffer¬ ing, to carefully avoid relieving the officials in charge in any unnecessary degree from their responsibility, but to do all that is possible to secure his full rights to the soldier, unable to help himself.”

5. “ To cordially co-operate, as far as practicable, with the hospital service of the Government, endeavoring to supple¬ ment, never to supplant it.”

“Societies, churches, schools, and all other organizations, the members of which cherish the principles upon which this plan is founded, are cordially invited to avail themselves of it in any action which they may see lit to take for the benefit of the sick and wounded.”

1st. “ Contributing Aid Societies will send supplies whep they see fit, through the channels*established by the Com¬ mission.” ,

2d. “ Corresponding Aid Societies must be devoted to the collection and preparation of supplies, to be sent to the soldier exclusively through the Commission.”

3d. “Branch Aid i Societies are chartered by the Commis¬ sion, to be established at points suitable for obtaining sup¬ plies, intended for distribution by the system of the Com¬ mission, from States or large districts. They must be re¬ sponsible for the necessary labor and expenses of this duty, and must account exactly and punctually to those from whom supplies are received, and to the Commission.” .

“ As the Commission are trustees for the judicious distribu¬ tion of the gifts of the people to the soldiers, the Branches are intermediate trustees for collecting, assorting, packing,

storing, and forwarding gifts. In emergencies, the Branch Societies are often called upon to assist the Commission even more directly, in the performance of its duties.”

“Branches and Corresponding Societies will he supplied with the bulletins ajml all other publications of the Commis¬ sion as soon as issued.”

“Commissioners under appointment from the President of the United States: The Rev. Henry W. Bellows, D. D.; Prof. A. D. Bache, LL. D.; Gen. George W. Cullum, U. S 4 • Alexander E. Shiras, U. S. A.; Robert C. Wood, M. D., if! S. A.; William II. Van Buren, M. I).; Wolcott Gibbs, M.’d • Samuel G. Howe, M.D.; Cornelius R! Agnew, M.B.; Elisha Harris, M. Eh; J. S. Newberry, M. D.; "George T. Strong- Horace Binney, Jr.; the Right Rev. Tlios. M." Clark, I). D.; the Hon. Joseph Holt; the Hon. R. W. Burnett; the Hon.’ Mark Skinner; Frederick Law Olmsted.”

“ For further information, apply to”

“FRED/ LAW OLMSTED,”

“ General Secretary.”

“Washington, October 21st, 1862.”

The Cincinnati committee accuse me personally, not only of an insulting suggestion toward all the associate members of the Commission, but of an attempt, in the words above quoted, to establish an ex post facto plan, by which the Sani¬ tary Commission may seem to have undertaken to be direct¬ ly responsible for the distribution of goods contributed to its depots by the people, and in this way to impose upon the people of California, with a fictitious claim, or, in their own words, “a pretext” that the Commission is able of itself to expend the funds entrusted to it judiciously toward the relief of the sick and wounded of the army of the Union, and they propose, that unless the Commission promptly repudiates the claim made by “its General Secretary,” that -its associates in Cincinnati shall withdraw their countenance from it, and form an alliance with an institution, the object and aim of which is highly laudable, but which is as different from that of the Sanitary Commission as the duties of the Governor of

Missouri are different from those of the President ot the United States. - If it had been desired to prove that the G.n- cinnati branch in maintaining the claim of this report, thereby established itself no true branch of the Sanitary Commission of the United States army, this readiness to entertain the purpose of distinctly limiting its field of view to that ot the Western Sanitary Commission would have been more time v than it was under the circumstances. For if the committee had really any substantial ground for their suspicion ot a trick in behalf of the Commission, so contemptible, inte - lectually and morally, that it would have disgraced the mean¬ est pettifoger hired to help a swindler to get the better ot the ]aw I cannot conceive that any one who knows them can be in doubt what course would have been taken by the men whose honorable names were appended to the circular, the moment it came to their knowledge. And the manner m ' which the circular had actually been received by members of the Commission, before the Cincinnati committee had taken action upon it, affords conclusive evidence that it pre¬ sented no new or unauthorized view of the relation of the Commission to its associates or its branches. ^

I had issued the circular in a letter-form edition ot five thousand, from the central office, on my own responsibility, without consulting any member of the Commission, unless it was Professor Baohe, who is a resident of Washington, on the 21st October, just one month after the first donation from

California had been announced to ns.

When read by the executive committee, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Bellows, Prof. Gibbs, Dr. VanBuren, Dr. Agncw, and Mr. Geo. T. Strong, at their meeting in New York, so far from repudiating it, and at once suspending its author from duty, as they unquestionably would have done, had

129

they taken the Cincinnati view of it, a special vole of appro¬ val was passed, and a new edition ordered to he printed in pamphlet form often thousand copies, of which five thousand were directed to be sent to California. This was before the question of assigning a portion of the California donation to the control of the Cincinnati associates had been discussed in the committee* and before the first letter from Judge IToadly advising Dr. Bellows of the expectations of the Cin¬ cinnati associates had been received. *

I cannot suppose that to any mind which has not a strong bias of inclination against a fair conclusion upon the ques¬ tion, this will not be conclusive, confirmed as it has since been by a unanimous vote of the Commission in session.

To remove any possibility of a lingering doubt, fyowever, as to how the views which have been announced by the- Cin¬ cinnati associates through their committee, since the Califor¬ nia contribution to its treasury have excited public atten¬ tion, would have been received by the Commission, had it been made aware of them long before that occurrence, I will conclude this report with a copy of a paper written more than six months before those contributions were heard of. This paper was manifolded, and copies have been sent on seve¬ ral occasions as an answer to inquirers about the relations sustained by the branches to the Commission. Copies were sent at the time it was written to Judge* Skinner, President of the Chicago branch ; to Dr. Bellows, the President of the Commission, and JoDr. Newberry, the Western Secretary, who acknowledged its receipt and expressed his satisfaction with the ground taken. At the subsequent meeting of the Board — the same which was attended by the five members of the Cincinnati branch, as well as by Mr. Blatchford, Secre¬ tary of the Chicago branch — I read the letter as an appen- 11

*

dix to my general report, before the Commission, when it was informally approved, and the suggestion made that it should be printed, which, however, I then deemed to be un¬ necessary, presuming that all concerned were now sufficient¬ ly well informed of the general scope of duties undertaken by. the Commission, and of the part in those duties which the branches had been organized to fulfil.

Washington, February 6th, 1862.

To the Rev. Geo. F. Magoon,

Secretary , Iowa Army Sanitary Commission:

Sir: — I yesterday received your favor of January 28th, in which you suggest that a connection should be formed between your association and the Sanitary Commission. You do not state the object to be gained by the connection, nor indicate any advantage which would arise from it. As there will be sufficient time for letters to be exchanged be¬ tween us before the next meeting of the Commission, at which it will give me pleasure to propose any plan of con¬ nection which you may think desirable, I should be glad to hear further from you on this point.

You will excuse me for reminding you of a few circum¬ stances which must influence the Commission in whatever action it may conclude to take.

Our loyal Yellow countrymen in Tennessee are suffering persecution, their crops and cattle have been taken for the support of the rebel hordes, their houses burned, their stores plundered. Sick and weary, thousands hide in the moun¬ tains, biding their time. How they support life, God knows. They certainly have nothing to spare, and though many have broken through the defensive lines of the enemy, if they had to spare it would not be possible to send their goods where they are more wanted than they are at this moment in Ten¬ nessee.

But of those who have escaped, the strong and healthy men to the number of two or three thousand, are fighting our battles side by side with your Iowan heroes [in Ken¬ tucky.] Those who are not strong and well, fill the homes of our noble and hard tried brethren of “ the dark and bloody

ground,” and the latter have enough to do to provide for their own necessities.

\ iigima, in like manner ravaged by war, has furnished seven thousand men to fight the battles of our common country.

This Commission received the other day seventeen thou¬ sand dollars in hard cash, collected in one of "the States of New England. It has received in two months in hospital stoies, fiom the same State, sufficient supplies for ten times as many men as that State has sent to the field. The troops of Iowa and Virginia and of Tennessee have recei ved within two months, at least as great advantages from those contri¬ butions as those of that State.

Do you wish Iowa troops to be dependent on the contribu¬ tions of New England? On the other hand, do vou wish to spurn for Iowan Volunteers the patriotic offerings of New England? Would you at such a time as this say to New England : ‘Mind your own business;” would you say to Virginia and Tennessee, “ Take care of your own sick folk, and we will take care of ours?”

Suppose that in the next battle in Kentucky the brunt should be borne by Iowans, and some thousand of them should be thrown on the surgeon’s hands— do you wish that the surgeons should refuse all assistance for them until it can be sent from Iowa.'1 AVould you be unwilling that they should be dependent, for a time, on the provision for such an emergency to which the women of New England have contributed so liberally ? Whether you would or not, they will be so dependent: they have been so dependent; and at this moment some of your Iowan sick, I do not doubt, rest 011 beds sent from New England, and their strength is sus* tained by wine sent from New York.

This being so, are you willing that when, in the next bat¬ tle in Virginia, the husbands and fathers and sons and brothers of the women of New England are brought low, Iowa shall have contributed nothing (except in the form of a tax) by which their lives also can be cherished?

Of course I do not ask these questions reproachfully ; upon their answer, seems to me, to depend the answer which should be made to your proposal. In the work of this Com¬ mission no State is known ; all contributions to it are to a common stock, for the army of a common country. It has received, as it appears, by far the most from those States for whose men it has done least. Whether aided by Iowa or

132

*

not, it will be as ready to aid Iowa as to aid New oik, New England, Ohio, or Tennessee.

You may ask bow far.it has done so? I do not know because I have never thought of asking how far it has aided one or another. I know that its agents, under their orders, can never regard one and disregard another.

To be mom explicit, however, I will give the outlines of the arrangements of the Commission tor collecting and sup¬ plying hospital stores. # ,, ,

Depots for hospital supplies are established at different points, with reference to accessibility for different columns of the armv. Four of these are at the four largest seaports; one at Washington, for the army of the Potomac; one at Wheeling, for Western Virginia and Kentucky; one at Louisville; one at Cairo, and one at St. Louis, for the col¬ umns operating in the Mississippi Valley _ and Missouri. Another will probably be established soon further West. There is also one at Port Royal; one at the Tortugas, and one at Ship Island. At each of these depots it is intended to keep a stock of hospital goods in reserve. A further reserve is also usually maintained at Cleveland, intermediate between those of the" East and West, and which is intended to he drawn upon both from the East and West, upon ocea-

There are three associate Secretaries of the Commission, one of whom is responsible that the goods given in charge to the Commission are distributed, as far as possible, to those most in need of them on the Atlantic. The second is in like manner responsible for the necessary distribution to the armies between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi; the third for those west of the Mississippi. The duty of the latter is, however, complicated, and embarrassed somewhat, by the existence of a Commission organized by General I ie- mont, which has undertaken to do the same work in the same field, believing that is can do so harmoniously without being in subordination to the same rules. The national Commis- ' sion has thought best, while it regards the arrangement as a bad one, to yield to the wishes of the excellent men at fet. Louis, who, under official sanction, have established a local institution, which they are, perhaps, naturally indisposed to make merely auxiliary to the national system. 1 Ins local institution, however, while it has an independent depot and makes independent collections therefor, and exercises duties other than those undertaken by the Commission, is perfectly

naf onal and catholic in its purpose. Although its members all Ine m St Louis, it takes thought as much tor the siek II li no, s, a, . or Ohioan, as for the sick St. Louisian or Missourian It can, therefore, work harmoniously with the Commission' The Commission is, however, obliged, in order to carry out its plan completely to maintain an independent depot at Sr Louis, free of any local control, and always ready, like that m New York Cleveland, or Washington, to^serve any demands of the sick and wounded of the army or nnv/ wherever they may arise. At any of these depots contribu¬ tions are received from the various societies of patriotic

SmteeLosr‘otgT Ut the, ^'d’ ,C0UMti"S hundreds in every State Last ot Iowa and North of Kentucky, and including

some m Kentucky as well. It is not known, and it never

will be known, how much the women of one State have

given and how little those of another. All who contribute

st°o" kbUTl t y’ ?CC01'dLn» -t0 their means, to a common sto, . I he advantage ot this common stock thus divided is almost daily illustrated. For instance:

. ^ COMS>derable force has been recently massed and placed in movement in the mountain region of Virginia, west of the held previously occupied by the army of the Potomac, and east of that occupied by the army of Western Virginia. Ovying to the difficulty of transportation, this force was without tents, and being obliged to bivouac in bad weather at midwinter in a highland region, a large sick-list was rap¬ idly formed. An Inspector of the Commission had been sent a week ago to look after it, but it was not until the day before yesterday that information of its wants was received by the associate Secretary of the Commission for the army ot the Potomac to which the column was subordinate. To send goods to the position in question from Washington, or any of the Eastern depots, it would have been necessary to move them several days journey by wagon, and with eonsid- eiable hazard. A supply of hospital stores for a thousand patients was consequently ordered by telegraph from Wheel¬ ing, whence, although needed by the army of the Potomac, l was sent by railroad at least sixty miles nearePto the point of demand, than itcou dhave been by any railroad from theEast. At the same time the agent at Wheeling was advised by tel¬ egraph that, if his supply ran short, it could immediately be replenished from Cleveland, and those in charge of the de-

v ?e a'ilJL>iV?r<i fd,v.Ised that akhough the depots at v ork and Philadelphia had been drawn low to supply

naval expeditions, a considerable reserve existed at Boston, upon which, if they were not amply provided for al possible demands from Kentucky and Missouri, they should imme¬ diately make requisition. This, however was found to be unnecessary, the industry of the women ot Michigan, Wes¬ tern New York and Ohio, having at this time supplied a verv large accumulation at Cleveland. , , .

There has been no time to my knowledge during the last six months when any demand made upon any one ot the depots of the Commission has failed to be met, and yet the Commission has been, during all that time giving out to hospitals nearly two thousand articles ot clothing everyday, and no surgeon has allowed a want of hospital clothing in his regiment to become known to the Commission or to any ot its" twenty camp inspectors, or other agents, that a supply has not been immediately placed at his disposal. Since our depots were fairly established at Cleveland, Wheeling, Cairo, and St. Louis, I 'am not aware that any demand upon any one of them has failed to be met at once. Nevertheless, urgent appeals have frequently been made by ignorant per¬ sons to New England, New York, New Jersey, and Penn¬ sylvania, ' for goods immediately needed for a regimental hospital within fifty or a hundred miles of those depots, and manv tons of freight have been conveyed unnecessarily and at great cost from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, in answer

to such appeals. . A .

The Commission cannot engage that its depots alwa\a will be fully supplied, it cannot engage that all proper demands upon it shall be met. This will depend upon what is supplied to it. It can engage, having better means ot in¬ formation than any organization of a local character, or any not in immediate connection with the War Department, can have, that what it receives shall, as far as possible, be so distributed as to be of the greatest good to the greatest num¬ ber of soldiers of the Union, come whence they may, go

where they may. . ., T1

At each depot where goods are received to a considerable amount by direct contribution, there are local organiza¬ tions auxiliary to the Commission, composed ot its asso¬ ciate members and other men, with a body of women and young people, who undertake the onerous labor and expense of opening, .assorting, packing and accounting tor goods, and of the necessary correspondence, t hese aux¬ iliary organizations also frequently purchase articles needed

l>.y the sick -winch they fail to receive as contributions in kina, m sufficient quantity. They pay the local rents, &c. A large working staff is constantly required and is main- tamed for these purposes. An expenditure of many thou- sand dollars, in each case, has thus been saved the treasury of the Commission. J

There are many hundred sub-depots maintained in the same manner, again auxiliary to these, no one of which however, is expected to be constantly ready to meet a sudden demand, as is the case with the regular directly auxiliary depots of the Commission, among which, besides those already named, there is a very important one at Chicago foi the State of Illinois; another at Cincinnati, for southern Ohio, &c.

It the good people of Iowa believe that they can best serve the common cause by directing their energies exclusively to the supply of their own neighbors and relatives gone to "the war, it is no part of my duty, nor am I disposed to argue against that conviction. At the same time, I cannot conceal that my own judgment is led to a different conclusion, and it is within my duty to fully explain and justify the plan of the organization I represent, which plan would certainly fail if none should take a different view of their duty, from that which I find indicated in your letters and publications. There seems to me to be a stain of the very soft, out of which the monster Secession has grown, when such a complete ma¬ chinery as you have formed in Iowa is confined in its opera¬ tions by State lines.

But, if you contribute to the common stock, it may be asked, what assurance will you have that Iowan# will" not be neg ected? I might ask, in reply, what assurance has Massachusetts, Yew York, or Ohio? But a better answer is found m the fact, that no surgeon from Iowa, or anywhere else, has, for months past, asked for a single article which it was not in his power to get, as a right, directly from a Gov¬ ernment source, that it has not been supplied to the full ex¬ tent of the entire resources of the Commission, and as soon as possible. '<

. the Iowa hospital have, nevertheless, wanted much

is to be accounted for —

1st. By the constant movements and frequent changes in the plan of the campaign in Missouri, which, for a time, ren¬ dered all attempts at systematic supply abortive.

2d. The failure of the arrangements instituted under Gen-

eral Fremont to relieve the national Commission of duty in Missouri, it having been understood that these would lender unnecessary if not impertinent any undertaking on its part

to pro “de^Btematically for the wants of the forces within the field of the St. Louis organization. f, ■

3d. The neglect of the surgeons to call upon the Comm sion; excusable when it is considered what a variety ^ sources they are invited to resort to for the h

as for instance, first, the Government stores; second the Sanitary Commission ; third, the St. Louis S^riitaiy mission; fourth, the Iowa Army ban, tfry Commission ,fitth, various village Sanitary Commissions, which, as I obseive .by your report, supply directly as well as thioug y organization; sixth, eastern local societies; seventh, ^ In cl. societies, &c., in St. Louis; eighth, individual benevolence.

I am advised that an impression prevails with you, our organization has chiefly confined its operations to the East. On the contrary, the very first action of the Comm s- sion after its complete organization, before it looked at t amiv in Maryland, was to send its president, along with a special resident western secretary, to look after the koojr then beginning to concentrate in Illinois and Missouri. The first Iowa volunteers were visited by the President of he Commission and Dr. Newbery, in June last, and before he Commission had met in Washington, except in pait, tor the

nnrnose of organizing. . . , i

P You observe in your own report, of a visit to the bospi a s at Mound city, on the Mississippi, the largest military hos- uitnl iu the United States — .

1 “The surgeons assured us that they could not

on but for the Sanitary Commission. Said one , You uiu ji

a hundred articles here from the Sanitary Commission where you

will find one from the Grovernment. r li ,

By reference to our report of operations in the W est, for the three months ending 30th November, you will see t hat tl esc supplies were from our depots at New York and Cleveland and that at that time upwards of 90,000 articles had been sent from our Cleveland depot alone to Western P y and in the first report of the Chicago branch of the Comni s sion n. 4, you will find reference to repeated visits ot the “ members^ of the U. S. Sanitary Commission to the camps

find hosDit.als at and near Oairo. TTr . .

The meetings of the Commission are held at M ashmgton because Washington is the headquarters of the army, an

137

the seat of Government, with whom it is a part of the duty of the Commission to constantly advise. A majority of the members of its central board reside in the East, because it is necessary that they should be frequently and quickly assembled. For the same reason its central office is estab¬ lished at Washington.

If the army of the Potomac has been better supplied than that of Wisconsin, it is because the former has been closely concentrated and at rest. Systematic provision for it has, therefore, been more practicable. But precisely the same machinery of supply has been extended throughout the West. And as soon as it became apparent that the Com¬ mission should re-assume the duty of providing for the forces in Missouri, one of its Secretaries, familiar with all the details of its operations in Maryland, was sent to reside in Missouri, and all the resources of the Commission placed at his command. Obviously, however, if other organizations undertake the supply of the hospitals in Missouri, obtaining their supplies from the neighboring sources, our Secretary for Missouri must either enter into a competition with them for these supplies, or obtain supplies at greater and unne¬ cessary cost from other sources, which he can have no cer¬ tainty will be required.

The explanation I have thus given of the existing arrange¬ ments of the Commission will, I trust, enable you the more readily and definitely to determine in what manner your very efficient State organization can be honorably and ad¬ vantageously brought into connection with it.

The Commission will probably meet at Washington about the 21st inst.

Reciprocating your assurance of sympathy in the cause and the work,

I am, &c.

The above letter, written nearly a year ago, embraces es¬ sentially the same ideas which characterize the recent circu¬ lar, “ What they have to do who stay at home.” I am confident that, could the inmost record of my desires and of my actions be clearly read, they would bear testimony to a deep and unremitting purpose, existing in my mind from the day I assumed the office I have the privilege of holding to 12

establish and maintain, with all my might, the bestmethods by which the common sympathies of this people could be brought to bear most effectively for good, and with the least danger of mischief, upon the work of relieving the common suffering of all parts of its common army fighting for its common cause. Such a purpose is wholly incompatible with any dis¬ respectful intention toward the associate members of the Sanitary Commission, in whose service, as well as that of the members of the Commission,

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

FRED. LAW OLMSTED,

General Secretary.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 60.

DOCUMENTS

OF THE

U. S. Sanitary Commission.

VOL. II.

NUMBERS 61 to 95.

NEW YORK: 1866.

documents

OP THE

iiiteil states! Jwuto (tamintejsion

VOL. II.

Numbers 61 to 95 inclusive.

“• «*«• Jan. 27, 1863.)

G2. Rules of the Supply Department.

(Jan. 27, 1863.)

03. Letter to the Women of the Northwest, "assembled at the Fair at Chicago/ Ill, for the benefit of the u. b. Sanitary Commission.

{Oct. 29, 1863.)

64. What the Sanitary Commission is doing in the

Valley of the Mississippi.

Letter to Hon. W. P. Sprague.

(Feb. 16, 1863.)

65. Special Inspection of General Hospitals - 2d

Keport.

(Jan. 21, 1863.)

66. General Regulations for the Supply Department.

67. Report on Pension Systems and Invalid Hospitals in Europe.

68. Preliminary Report of the Operations of the Com¬

mission in the Army of the Potomac, during

June and July, 1863. .

69. Statement of the Object and Methods of the Sam-

tary Commission — with Supplement.

(Dec. 7, 1863.) 70. Preliminary Sanitary

Report of the Operations of the U. S. Commission before Charleston, S. C.

71. Report ofthe Operations of the Sanitary Commission

at Gettysburg in July, 1863.

(Aug. 15, 1863.) . , * r»

72. Account of the Field Relief Corps in the Army of

the Potomac.

73. Letter’ tothe President of the United States con- cerning the Removal of Surgeon General \V. H. Hammond.

74. List of Associate Members.

(March 15, 1864.) . . . ,1

75. Report on the Operations of the Commission m

Mississippi Valley.

(Sept. 1, 1863.) . . at

76. Preliminary Report on Campaign m or iein

Virginia.

(May 24, 1864.) / .

77. Fifth Report concerning the Aid and Comlort given

by the Sanitary Commission to Sick and Invalid Soldiers. — Dec. 15, 1862, to Oct. 1, 1863.

78. An Answer to the Question— “ Why does the

Sanitary Commission need so much Money ?

(Jan. 1, 1864.)

5

79. Special Inspection of General Hospitals — 3d Report.

(May, 1863.)

80. Letters from the Army of the Potomac.

^May, 1864.)

81. Regulations for Field Relief Agency Corps.

(July 8, 1864. Extract from Minutes of Standing Committee.)

82. Rules for Executive Service.

(July 14, 1864.)

83. Financial Report from June 1, 1861, to Oct* 1, 1864

— with Supplement.

(Dec. 1, 1864.)

84. Report on the Operations of the Commission in the

Mississippi Valley.

(Oct. 22, 1864.)

85. Case and Opinion — The Trust on which the Sani¬

tary Commission holds its Funds, and the Objects to which they can properly be applied.

(Nov. 4, 1864.)

86. Plan of Executive Organization of the Commission,

and Rules for its Executive Service.

(Dec. 16, 1864.)

87. Preliminary Report on Work at Wilmington, N. C.,

and upon Physical Condition of Exchanged Prisoners.

t Aprif4, 1865.)

88. Address at Packer Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y., in

Aid of the Great North-Western Fair.

March, 1865.

89. Concerning Rebel Hospitals at Richmond, Va. —

Extracts from Quarterly Special Relief Report.

(April 20, 1865.

90. Circular to Branches and Aid Societies.

(May 15, 1865.)

— Supplement to Hoc. 90. — Bureau of Information and Employment.

(June 10, 1865.)

6

91. Report of the Auxiliary Finance Committee.

(June 1, 1865.) # .

92. Report concerning the Field Relief Service with

the Armies of the Potomac, Georgia and Ten¬ nessee, in the Department of Washington.

(July 7, 1865.)

93 Circular to Branches and Aid Societies, accompanied by Circular respecting the “Army and Navy Claim Agency ” of the Commission.

(July 4, 1865.)

94. Report concerning the Aid and Comfort given by

the Sanitary Commission to Sick and Invalid Soldiers, for the Quarter ending June 30, 1865.

95. Report concerning Provision required for the Relief

and Support of Disabled Soldiers and Sailors and their Dependents.

(Dec. 15, 1865.)

»

u. S. SANITARY COMMISSION

date of

Rev. H. W. Bellows, D. D.		APPOINTMENT.
Alexander Dallas Bache, LL. D William H. Yan'Buren, M. D.		u
Wolcott Gibbs, M. D. .
* Robert 0. Wood, M. D., U. S. A
t George W. Cullum, U. S. A
t Alexander E. Shiras, U. S. A
Samuel G. Howe, M. D Elisha Harris, M. D . . Cornelius R. Agnew, M. D		u
George T. Strong, Esq. .	. . .New York
J ohn S. Newberry, M. D. Frederick Law Olmsted, Esq Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark. Horace Binney. Jr., Esq. § Hon. R. W. Burnett.		• • . .July 30, 1861. C 1 OD 1
Hon. Mark Skinner.		. . .Jan. 23, 1863. ...Feb. 6,1863. . . .Jan. 15, 1864. ...Mar. 9,1864.
§ Hon. Josepet Holt Rev. James H. Heywood || Fairman Rogers, Esq J. Huntington Wolcott, Esq Charles J. Stille, Esq. Ezra B. McCagg, Esq. .

* Resigned, December, 1864. t Resigned. February, 1864.

+ Resigned, December 17th, 1864.

§ These gentlemen never took their seats. II Resigned, 1864.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

IVo. 03.

Mineral ©nln- of t\u <§»tutoy iomiHteioti

FOR ITS

EXECUTIVE SERVICE.

1. There shall be a Central Office for the executive service near the Central Office of the War Department, and a branch of the Central Office at a point where communication can best be commanded with the chief sources of supply of goods contributed by the public for this service which are at the greatest distance from the Central Office, and with those portions of the army which will be best served therefrom. The portions thus to be in communication with the Branch Central Office shall be determined by the General Secretary, and shall form the Associate General Secretary’s department of the executive service.

2. The Central Office shall be responsible for all the execu¬ tive service of the Commission, except as hereinafter provided for, and shall be answerable to the Commission for the entire management and control of all agents employed in it ; it shall also be charged with the duty of keeping full records of the whole executive service of the Commission, and of accounting for it to the Secretary of W ar when required ; it shall also be charged with the preparation of all reports of the executive service for the Commission, for record or for publication ; it shall also be charged with the duty of trans¬ mitting all orders or instructions of the Commission for the whole of its executive service.

3. There shall be an Assistant Secretary for the Branch Central Office, who shall be in charge of the records and correspondence of the department of the Associate General Secretary, and who shall be accountable therefor to the Cen¬ tral Office. It shall be the duty of this Assistant Secretary to take for office record and use copies, abstracts, or briefs

9

of all Offlci.1 paper. p»i<>« *'« ^

Office. All official communications received at t Central Office from the agents of the Commission w.thjhe army shall be sent as soon as they can be copic to the Central Office. Copies or memoranda of all orde instructions given to the agents of the Commission from the Branch Central Office shall he sent to the Central Office j the next mail after they have been given. All mipo tant information of the operation of the Commission s agents of large movements of goods for the Commission, and especially

of battles and special relief operations in conneetion with

battles shall he transmitted to the Central Office briefly bj Xraph as soon as received, and more frilly by letter a, soon as possible after their receipt by the Branch Cential Office.

4 In all other respects the Assistant Secretary _

Branch Central Office shall act under the instruction of the

EZ2&— »■,, mhI Ml. *

Branch Central Office of the Commission, whenever the

Associate General Secretary is absent therefrom

5 The Associate General Secretary shall select, appoint, and assign to duty the agents of the Commission to be employed with the army in the field of his department, and he shall he charged with their immediate control and man agement, and shall he responsible for their compliance with the general instructions and rules given for the executive service of the Commission, and for then- faithfulness and efficiency. He may remove any of them at will. He s supply them with goods for the relief of the sick and wounded i/such a manner as shall in his judgment most equitably distribute the means placed at his command for that purpose, relatively to the degrees of want not otherwise provided , of the sick and wounded of the array in las department

6 The Associate General Secretary shall he accountable for all goods received by the Commission or any of its agents in his department, whether gifts, transfers, or Account shall he rendered monthly to the Cential 0 all goods received and all goods issued in his department for ordinary distribution to field, floating, or general hospitals designating these, with the names of the persons becoming

3

responsible for the goods when they have passed out of the control of the Commission’s agents. He shall also render an account monthly, or oftener, of goods distributed in emergencies, giving estimates when exactness is imprac¬ ticable, and stating enough of the circumstances to show why the particular account required for ordinary distribution is impracticable. Goods issued for individual or special relief, or administered to the sick and wounded, convales¬ cents, or disabled men, and for the assistance of those engaged in medical or relief service, shall be accounted for in the like general manner.

7. Between the 1st and the 15th of February and of May, of August and of November, there shall be prepared in the Branch Central Office, and transmitted to the Central Office, a statement of all the property of the Commission in the Associate General Secretary’s department, with an estimate of its value ; a statement of all persons employed therein, in the service of the Commission, their respective stations and compensations, and an indication of the class of duty required of each ; together with a full statement of all expenditures made in behalf of the Commission, classified as shall be di¬ rected by the Central Office. Accompanying these statements an estimate of expenditures to be made in behalf of the Commis¬ sion in the department for the following quarter shall be fur¬ nished the Central Office, regard being had in this estimate to the general condition and prospects of the Commission’s treas¬ ury, and to the prospects of the war in the department.

8. At each quarterly meeting the Central Office shall present to the Board a general report of the operations of the executive service of the Commission; a statement of all the property in its possession, with an estimate of its value; a statement of all persons employed under pay in the service of the Commission ; their respective stations, duties by classes, and compensations ; together with a classified state¬ ment of all expenditures made in behalf of the Commission in the Receding quarter.

9. At each quarterly meeting of the Board appropriations of money to be expended during the ensuing quarter in the

executive service of' the Commission shall he made, under divisions and classifications of service, including an amount for contingencies which shall he at least fifteen per centum ot

the sum of the appropriations.

10. Remittances for the executive service, under these appropriations, shall he made in sums not exceeding ten per cent, of the whole appropriation, hy the Treasurer, upon the order of the General Secretary ; provided that no remittances shall he made, except hy order of the Executive Committee, until an account has been rendered from the Central Office of the expenditures from the second preceding remittance, and the same shall have been approved as authorized expenditures hy the Executive Committee.

11. All expenditures not thus provided for shall he made only upon special appropriations of the Executive Committee.

12. A monthly report shall he made hy the Central Office to the Executive Committee, showing the disposition of all the agents of the executive service, the date of the last advices from each subdivision of them, together with information of the goods on hand, and ordered to each part of the army, the recent rate of issue, and the prospect of supply.

13. It shall he the duty of the Executive Committee to see that the undertakings intrusted to the management of the General Secretary are administered as intended and provided for hy the Commission. They shall, when they see fit, make special appropriations to provide for exigencies not contem¬ plated hy the Board in its appropriations, or for deficiencies in these appropriations for the purposes for which they were designed by the Board.

14. In case of the failure of the General or Associate General Secretary to provide for the accomplishment of the purposes entrusted to them by the Board, through ignorance, neglect or inefficiency, the Executive Committee may super¬ cede them in any of their duties, reporting such action, and the grounds for it, to the Board at its first subsequentjsession.

By order of the Commission :

FRED. LAW OLMSTED,

General Secretary.

Washington, January 21, 1863.

SANITARY

COMMISSION.

No. «2.

R IT L E S

OF THK

^uPpIff Sqiartotent of tlje Saitifari) Commission.

1. Depots of supply shall be established at Boston, New Wk, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Louisville, and Chicago, and at such other points as may he determined by the General Secretary. These depots shall be placed in charge of agents, committees of members or associate members, or of auxiliary societies who, under the general designation of Branches-of- supply, will assume the duty of collecting goods for the Commission, ot acknowledging donations, of preparing goods received suitably for shipment and holding them for shipment, subject to the call of either the General Secretary or the Associate General Secretary, or of some one authorized by them to call for the Commission’s goods.

2. Each depot shall be in correspondence either with the Central or the branch Central Office, and a weekly account of goods received, issued, and remaining in store shall he rendered from it to the office with which it is in correspond- ence.

3. For each depot there shall he appointed by the Treasurer a Branch Treasury Committee, the duty of which shall be to make collections in money for the Commission, to be remitted to the Central Treasury, or to be issued to the Branch-of- supply for the purchase of materials to he made up for their depot stock, or to be held as a fund for local purchases to be made when required by either of the Central Offices of the

Commission The Branch Treasury Committees shall also he 'purchasing committees to procure good, reared the executive service, which shall not have been contributed in sufficient quanti v to the depots of the Branches-of-supply meTe the funds in any Branch Treasury shall be insufficient to meet the demands of the executive offices forgoodj reqmr to be purchased, and it shall be deemed impracticable immediately obtain the necessary amount by the Branch Treasury Committee shall ^e authom d^o dra. upon the Treasurer of the Commission for the defici y, provided that not more than two thousand dollars shall be so drawn by anv Branch Treasury Committee m any week, except by special authority from the Executive Committee.

By order op the Commission :

FRED. LAW OLMSTED.

General Secretary.

Washington, January 27, 1863.

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION.

KTo. 63.

A LETTER TO THE WOMEN OF THE NORTHWEST, ASSEMBLED AT THE FAIR AT CHICAGO, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE U. S. SANITARY COMMIS¬ SION.

New York, Oct. 29, 1863.

Mrs. R. H. Hoge,

Mrs. D. Y. Livermore,

and others :

Ladies, — I have received your kind invitation to attend the Fair held in your wonderful city on the closing week of Octo¬ ber and the first week of November ; and, later, your call to the Dinner to be given by the ladies of the North-Western Fair, on the 5th November— at which the governors of the States are expected as guests. I have been hoping to indulge myself in the pleasure of meeting the marvellous hive of industrious and patriotic women, to whose love and labor is due the honey that has sweetened the lot of so many suffering soldiers in this war. I do not wholly despair of it yet. I would sacrifice all ordinary or extraordinary business, to meet you face to face ; the only thing I cannot sacrifice is the claim of dying parishioners, who bind me to their bed-sides at this moment with the sacred cords of duty and affection. If these are broken by Divine Providence, I shall be with you on the 5th of November. But, lest I should not come, I have determined to send a messenger to you, to bear the expressions of my profoundest sympathy in your work, to thank you for the past energy you have displayed in the Northwest — that miracle of our generation ! — and to tell you how dear and sacred to us are the bonds which unite us in our great common undertaking,

The Central Board has watched the patriotism, the self-sacri¬ fice and the unwearied fidelity of the Northwest, to the federal principle which animates the work of the U. S. Sanitary Com- mission, with the utmost admiration. They know full well that you are a people complete in your own resources, independent in your spirit, and capable of controlling your own concerns. They know, too, how natural it is for a region so vast and strong as yours, to assert its independence, and even refuse to mix in its lot with other and far-distant sections of the country. What, then, has been its gratitude, in recognizing that your devotion to the principles of Union and Nationality, was such that you could sacrifice local feelings and the consciousness of your com¬ plete independence, to the desire to mingle your spirit and your work with that of your sister States, however distant ; to swell the federal principle, at the hour when it is threatened by polit¬ ical rebels, with the tides of womanly fidelity, and make up for all the losses it has suffered at men’s hands, by the free offerings of women’s hearts ? The noble temper of Nationality maintained in the Northwest, equally in its political and military move¬ ments, and its benevolent operations, but nowhere more mani- fiest than in the whole history of your vigorous Branch of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, is one of the. chief securities of our perfect triumph over all the disintegrating influences which have threatened to make the grand loaf of the Union, a basket of crumbs . Thank God ! the Northwest does not mean to put her wheat into any such beggar’s wallet. She will bake it into the biggest batch of Union-bread the world ever saw, and invite all honest hearts from all oppressed nations, to come and eat at her hospitable board, beneath the glorious Stars and Stripes of a vast American nationality. I believe a great deal more in human instincts, than in human reasonings. I believe, there¬ fore, more in the people of this country, than in the politicians and editors and thinkers, because the people follow their in. stincts, which are divinely implanted, while the would-be lead-

3

ers follow their theories and their guesses, or their fears and hopes. . It is the great drift of the people's hearts that is saving the nation and the Government are merely careful raftsmen some of them happily accustomed to flat-boats, who float on a cur¬ rent they do not make, are subject to freshets they do not ex pect, and are only capable of steering and keeping afloat what receives ds mam direction and its speed, and has its pre-ordained destination, from other and irresistible sources ! But most of all I trust the women of this country, because of all its people they are most controlled by their instincts; which are purer, holier and better than those of men. The women of America have the filial instinct toward their country, in a form and degree as marked as their maternal instinct for their own children They have shown a holy passion for the preservation of the nation in its absolute wholeness. They have given their husbands, their sons, their lovers and brothers, with a generous abnegation of all their own interests, to the army and the cause, with a heroism that cannot be surpassed even by those they have sent, many of whom have already sanctified the soil which rebels had polluted, with their own blood, and all of whom stand prepared to re- baptize and re-claim it with their heart’s gore. This passion, not content with giving up the bread-winners, the pride and joy and stay of their homes, has led the women of the land to take the snowy quilts and blankets from their beds, the curtains from their windows, the hoarded linen from their presses, and send it in avalanches of comfort to our storehouses of relief. The women have considered themselves as at a great national quilting-party ; the States so many patches, each of its own color or stuff, the boun¬ daries of the nation the frame of the work; and at it they have gone, with needles and busy fingers, and their very heart-strings for thread, and sewed and sewed away, adding square to square, and row to row ; allowing no piece or part to escape their plan of Union; until the territorial area of the loyal States is all of a- piece, first tacked and hasted, then sewed and stitched by women’s

4

*

hands, wet often with women’s tears, and woven in with wo¬ men’s prayers ; and now at length you might truly say the Na¬ tional Quilt — all striped and starred — will tear anywhere sooner than in the seams, which they have joined in a blessed and in¬ separable unity !

Is not the U. S. Sanitary Commission the woman’s plea for nationality ? — the expression of their instinctive determination to have an undivided country ? They have said in Massachu¬ setts, New York, Illinois, in Rhode Island and Kentucky, in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in Iowa and in Connecticut, in Michigan and Maine, We will know no East and no West, no middle and no sides. We have a common country ; are fellow countrymen ; are all national citizens ; our troops all national soldiers ; and we will work for them only as such. At other times and seasons unlike this, let state and local jealousies and sectional pride have their natural way ; but not now ! No ! not now ! Leave it to Southern traitors to first talk, and then act secession! Leave it to angry Copperheads and rebels in loyal disguises, to hiss division and breed disaffection and party and sectional animosities. We will give our sacred instincts of Union to the great cause of co-operative charity ; of national relief to national distress ; of national succor and comfort to national soldiers ! And so the patriotic women all over the land have fallen in as by a Providential necessity, as by a true¬ hearted, disinterested, magnanimous spirit of love and sympa¬ thy, into the great common work, in which you, the North¬ western women assembled at this Fair, are now so gloriously and successfully engaged. And while you, with true western large¬ ness, energy and invention, are conducting this immense enter¬ prise with such marvellous spirit and success, remember that New England is just preparing, in a similar Fair, to exhibit her fidelity to the same principles and the same common cause, the U. S. Sanitary Commission ; and that she does not mean to be

5

behind the noble example you, by a month’s priority in time, will have the opportunity of setting her ! Don’t give her any excuse for raising, by her Fair, a dollar short of your mark — $25,000 ! ! ! I don’t believe that will turn out to be high-water mark in Chicago. I think there will be a 3 in the sum total of your labors! You have raised your streets to get out of the wet ; you must lower your pockets to lift your Northwest reputation as high as your Eastern admirers fix it! We bid Boston prick up her ears when Chicago reports the result of the N. Western Fair.

Lest you should for an instant fancy that my words are sweetened by the hope of seeing some of your money in the general treasury of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, I beg here to disclaim either the expectation or desire of the Board for any such diversion of your funds into our central coffers. It would be a mere waste of time and transportation. While the store¬ houses of the Northwestern Branches are open to the cry of our Western Secretary, what interest have we in fingering the money which, if you did not yourselves, with a noble pride, raise for your own and for our ultimate use, we should have to raise for you? We are spending hundreds of thousands of dol¬ lars upon our western armies, from the central treasury. Every dollar you raise and every article you accumulate saves our treasury and our store-houses just so much. In God’s name, go on! and the richer your local treasury and store-houses, the richer we are in the common work, which our united country— and especially our American women — are carrying on, through the TJ. S. Sanitary Commission.

Let me, through you, thank the women of Wisconsin, Iowa} Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, for their incessant and most pro¬ ductive labors in this good and gracious work. Their sisters in the Middle States and in the East hail them with true family affection ! I pray you guard, as the apple of your eye, this holy

6

oneness of plan and organization. Trample on the serpent that would tempt you out of this Paradise of national wholeness of heart and soul. Suspect all who seek to sow seeds of division and local rebellion ; we have escaped it thus far almost entirely ; only enough of that bitterness has entered into our common cup to make us beware of any more. To the generous, intelligent, and whole-hearted Northwest we look for a persistent support to the last. The nation has adopted the United States Sanitary Commission as its own work ; a rampart of women’s hearts protect it — a ring more sacred and inviolable than if it were a park of artillery. The time will surely come when the great uprising of the women of America, — nay, their systematic organization and co-operation in a common w^ork, will be regarded as the most marked social feature of the war, the most splendid achievement on record of spontaneous humanity, the brightest augury of perpetual peace and unity in our Nation. May God give the Northwest a continuance of its faith and fervor in this cause ! The blessing of the Almighty Father rests on the women of the Northwest, and on their pious endeavors to bind up the wounds of the national soldiers, and preserve, without seam, the spotless robe of our National Union.

Faithfully and affectionately yours,

HENEY W. BELLOWS,

President of the United States

Sanitary Commission .

7

P. S. I desire to commend to you and all our Northwestern friends and coadjutors, our minister plenipotentiary and extraor¬ dinary, charged with delivering in person this message from your President ! He is our most tried and trusty Special Relief Agent, now also the head of the Eastern department, holding here precisely Dr. Newberry’s place among you. No man, outside the Board itself, understands better than Mr. Knapp the spirit, the methods and the plans of the United States Sanitary Commission, and, in conjunction with our deeply honored fellow Commissioner, your efficient President, Hon. Mark Skinner, and Dr. Newberry, he is fully authorized to come to any understanding with the Northwestern branches which changes of circumstances may commend to the common judg¬ ment of our constituents. We know no occasion for any im¬ portant changes in our machinery and relations. We are always glad, however, to hear of any new lessons which your local experience may be able to suggest for the common good.

H, W. B,

"i

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 04.

SECOND edition.

What the U. S. Sanitary Commission is Doing in the Valley of the Mississippi.

LETTER FROM DR. J. S. NEWBERRY TO HON. W. P. SPRAGUE.

Hon. W. P. Sprague, Lo™“, Ky, Feb. 16, 1863. Chairman Military Com. Ohio State Senate:

Dear Sir-I received your letter of the 13th yesterday and improve the first leisure moment to send you the infer’ matron you have requested in regard to the operations of the Sanitary Commission. If you will have the kindness to read the accompanying documents, I think you will „et a good general idea of what the Commission is doing in the Valley of the Mississippi, and how its business is done If you care to go outside of this department, and learn what it is accomphshing in the East, I must refer you to the series

of the Commission s publications, which I send vou by express. J

In addition to other matters with which I thus burden you— or, perhaps, more properly, in explanation of them- peimit me to call your attention to the following brief

Common1116 aimS> meth°dS’ aDd results> of the Sanitary

?' T,ht U\ 8' SanitaiT Commission was authorized and ordered by the President, Secretary of War, and Surgeon General, and by them it was granted certain powers and p lvileges, and assigned special duties, set forth in Docu- men s No. 2 and 25 of its series of publications.

- It was, however, designedly made dependent for its support on the voluntary contributions of the people. This

9

support has been more and more liberal, as the value and magnitude of the work it is doing has been more generally recognized. Since its organization it has expended over three hundred thousand dollars in cash, and has distributed hospital stores of the value of several millions. At the present time, more than three fourths of all the contributions made by the people, for the benefit of the sick and wounded in the army, pass through this channel ; in the aggregate, amounting to something over one thousand dollars in cash, and ten thousand articles of clothing and diet, expended and issued each day. Of this aggregate, about one third of the money, and more than one half of the stores, are being expended and distributed in the Western Department, the remaining two thirds being expended in the work of the Central Office and in the armies of the East. Since the battles of Murfreesboro and Vicksburg, over 4,000 packages of hospital stores have been forwarded to these points by the Sanitary Commission.*

3. Among the agencies by wffiich the Commission does its work, may be enumerated : First. Its system of Inspec¬ tions — general and special — for the prevention of disease and the investigation of wants. Second. Its system of General Relief, for the production, transmission, and distribution of needed supplies not furnished by Government. Third. Its system of Special Relief, for procuring papers, pay, trans¬ portation, and pensions, for discharged soldiers and all those requiring this sort of assistance. Fourth. Its system of Publication, for the dissemination of sanitary knowledge, technical or general, through the medium of the press. Fifth. Its Soldiers’ Homes. Sixth. Its Hospital Directory. Seventh. Its system of Transportation of sick and supplies by Sanitary Commission steamers and hospital cars.

Although the limits to which I am restricted in this communication will forbid me from giving you a full description of all the details of this somewhat complex machinery, the functions of a part of it may be inferred from my enumeration of the different classes of agents

* Over 11,000 packages at this date, May 1st.

3

employed by the Commission, with a synonsis of tv,0; a ,•

££2, S' to ,h' p.«°

army, keeping watch over camps and hospitals ; occupied in removing the causes of disease, investigating the condition and wants of the sick and wounded, supplementing n necessary the resources of the Government in the supply 0f these wants, and carefully supervising the use made J/the s ores furnished by the people and distributed by themselves

i *evssiBrts- !Second- special rsz

petals Eminent medical men, temporarily employed to make rounds of inspection through all our military hospitals T urd. Hospital VisiTORs-Earnest Christian men, who view the hospitals in the light of humanity and religion and

Set consolation to all individual cases of want,

egiect, or sorrow. Fourth. Storekeepers — In charge of depots of sanitary stores, which are located among or near < important bodies of troops, delivering, on requisitions

forTheSsLSk “t I0" °Ur own ^Wbuting agents, supplies

issues Kfth «“g re°el?.tS f°r and maldn° record of ^11 . fth; Special Relief Agents— Engaged in the stnbution of stores, in procuring discharges and pay transportation and pensions, and, so far as possible, relieving

I™ “trf " Dg tThereVer they °CCUr- Sixth- Canvassing Agents -Exploring the home field, and promoting the prepa¬ ration and forwarding of supplies. Seventh. Office Clerks^ Keeping up the accounts, records, and correspondence, of the Commission and the Hospital Directory, in its offices at Mhmgton and Louisville. Eighth. Messengers-WIio

Sw rentS 0f St0res> t0 prevent delays or W

Western Department there are nearly one hundred these agents constantly employed in the service of the mmission, to say nothing of all that noble band of women o are engaged in the preparation and forwarding of stores or our distribution, and the earnest and indefatigable corps vo unteer laborers who are connected with our Branch

4

Commissions, at Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, &c.

5. Soldiers’ Homes. — These are intended to afford comfor¬ table quarters to discharged men, who, weak and disabled, without money or friends, need such resting places on their way to their places of residence ; to those taken sick in transitu, and to those waiting for their papers or their pay. All such are here received, cleansed, fed, clothed, cared for kindly and well, saved from sharpers, and helped on their way. A number of Homes of this kind have been established by the Commission in the East and West, and up to the present time have accommodated over 60,000* of our soldiers. At least half of these have been entertained at the Sanitary Commission “ Homes” in the West, established at Cairo, Louisville, Nashville, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Measures are now being taken to increase the number and efficiency of these institutions, which confessedly represent one of the most important branches of our work.

6. Hospital Directories. — Of these there are two estab¬ lished by the Sanitary Commission — one at Washington, and the other at Louisville. f They are intended to be com¬ plete registers of all the inmates of our military general hospitals. Already they contain each over 50,000J soldiers’ names — Louisville over 65,000 — and are affording precious information and unspeakable comfort to those who have friends sick or wounded in the army. At Louisville we are sometimes called upon to answer a hundred or more inquiries in a day, coming from residents of all parts of the West. We here receive regular reports from hospitals in the follow¬ ing places :

Columbus,	Ohio.	Mound City,	Ill.	La Grange,	Tenn.
Cleveland,	cc	Bardstown,	Ky.	Murfreesboro,	CC
Camp Dennison,	cc	Bowling Green,	“	Memphis,	cc
Cincinnati,	u	Columbus,	U	Nashville,	c c
Gallipolis,	u	Covington,	( i	Keokuk,	Iowa.
Clarksburg,	Va.	Columbia,	Cl	Davenport,	u
Charlestown,	a	Danville,	cc	Ironton,	Mo.

* May 1st, 75,000.

f Besides local directories at Philadelphia, New York, and Cincinnati. £ May 1st, Washington 'TO, 000, Louisville 76,000.

Grafton, Parkersburg, Point Pleasant, Jeffersonville, Evansville,

New Albany, Quincy,

Cairo.

Ind.

Ill

Ky

Tenn.

Holla,

St. Louis,

Springfield,

Helena,

Vicksburg,

Corinth,

Mo.

Ark.

Miss.

Va. Louisville.

Lebanon,

Lexington,

Paducah,

Perry ville,

Clarksville,

Gallatin,

Jackson,

7. Hospital and Supply rp .7

slTnTd 7 °f St0I'eS t0 the dep0t‘S 0f the Sanitary CoSmt

mission SWk 7hen desirable> the Sanitary Com-

r.ck.Se. of stores. Geoer.l G,„, b“~j

der, given the control of another steamer to the agents of

he Co nmis n> t0 be employed by them ^

of sanitary stores, and she is now in use for that purpose

ini? * 77 CT~T° pr0vide the comfortT the inmates of hospitals in the interior of Kentucky and Ten-

essee, destined to be removed by rail to Louisville a train

mspital cars lias been fitted up, and is now running under he supervision of agents of the Commission. These ca

medicbi; lWlthdC°mf0rt\b,e b6dS’ Wlth f°0d> stim«lants"

On? f d are ln charSe of kind and faithful men

cWrafd ff 6 daiu traDSp0rted in them> with as little 7ep i8fring: tb0«gh they remained in hospital.

lished in a -1,1 v^' + T f Sanitai7 Commission has now pub-

one t?dred ?rn T" min01' cirCulars> n°tices, &c„ nearly f ,, dlstlnct pamphlets, comprising many millions

of pages, all bearing on the health of the army

10. Special FAciLiTiEs.-Through the liberality of the

setore°s ha? "7 S*Tboat lines> *<» transportation stores has been afforded to the Commission throughout

^enS free? ‘ ^ limi* military depart¬

ments free transmission of stores is universally granted to

the Cfommrssion by the various quartermasters f and this

Cen T?S bee" further guaranteed by special orders from General Kosecrans and General Grant-which orders, ho “

1)

ever, definitely limit tire fever to good, forwarded l.y Ur" by the Government, and most ot our depo s

‘h^^^offi.»..,tke0.mmi.«^

free nee of meet of the telegraph ..... m the a large part of it. oorre.pondene. .. franked • *“ C.ngre.1 or other offieer. of the ‘

privilege; by all of which favors and facilities I

doing good is greatly increased. fi;«erimination

The U. S. Sanitary Commission makes no discnmmation

between the ai.lt and ..feting of. .Ygh. feren. State., reekoning .« Toemm.n

under one flag, for one cause, a tmided

fate • sivin°' equally of its bounty and its caie to all, gmueu

only' by the°rule that the most needy aretbemost worthy^

*r its

authority and ^vor which 1 ’ ^ steamboat, and

the pnvdeges granted to 7 cotnbination of a great

telegraph lines, ancl, maeea, u,y . • +0

variety of influences, the Sanitary Commission^ Mejo

transmit stores for the sick and woun e ; tbem with •

celerity, certainty, and economy, an ° organization

more justice and effect, than any State 01 local g whatever; and I would earnestly dissuade the the honorable body which you represent torn penmt g

resources of our State to be employed to B^tam y g

zation less catholic in its spirit, less systematic methods, and less effective in its results. •

Yours, respectfully,

J S. NEWBERRY,

Sec’y West. Dep’t U. S. San. Com.

24 of Appendix.

APPENDIX.

TESTIMONIAL OF MAJ. GEN. ROSECRANS. -

Headquarters Department of the Cumberland T, n , ~ , Murfreesboro, Feb. 2.

The (xenera] Commanding presents his warmest acknowledgments to

th n^Dr." ° ® 80 diers of thls armJ> whose generous sympathy with

the suffering of the sick and wounded has induced them to send for their com ort numerous sanitary supplies, which are continually arriving by . , JS. °f individuals and charitable societies While he highly appre¬ ciates and does not undervalue the charities which have been lavished^ . arm-V- exPerieDce has demonstrated the importance of system and impartial, ty, as well as judgment and economy, in the forwarding and distributing of these supplies. g

In ^AthT reSpeCtS the United States Sanitary Commission stands unrivalled Its organization, experience, and large facilities for the work- are such that the General does not hesitate to recommend, in the most urgent manner, all those who desire to send sanitary supplies, to confide them to the care of this Commission. They will thus insure the supplies reaching their destination without wastage or expense of agents or trans¬ portation, and their being distributed in a judicious manner, without disorder or interference with the regulations or usages of the service I his Commission acts in full concert with the medical department of the army and enjoys its confidence. It is thus enabled with few agents to do a large amount of good, at the proper time and in the proper wav. -mce the battle of Stone River it has distributed a surprisingly large amount of clothing, lint, bandages and bedding, as well as milk, con¬ centrated beef, fruit, and other sanitary stores essential to the recoverv of the sick and wounded. J

VT. S. ROSECRANS,

Maj. Gen. Commanding Department.

LETTER OF COL. MOODY.

Dr. A. N. Read, Murfreesboro, Tenn., Feb. 5.

Inspector I. S. Sanitary Commission :

Mp.— I desire to express to you, and through you to the generous and patriotic donors sustaining the Sanitary Commission, my high apprecia¬ tion of the works of love in which they are engaged. As I have visited

8

the various hospitals in this place, and looked upon the pale faces of the sufferers, and marked the failing strength of many a manly form, IJhav reioiced in spirit as I have seen your benevolence, embodied in eubstant a forms of food, delicacies, and clothing, judiciously and systematical y distributed by those who are officially connected with the army.

If the donors could only know how much good their gifts have do and could but hear the blessings invoked upon their unknown fnen > the suffering ones, they would more fully realize the divine proverb, It

;s rjssass rrind *. **

as to reach the suffering officers and soldiers, who have stood betwe their loved homes and foul war’s desolation,” to commit their offerings to the custody of “the United States Sanitary Commission, an orgamza- on aulorized by the Secretary of War and the Surgeon General, having the confidence of the entire army, and affording a direct and expeditious medium of communication with the several divisions of the army free ot expense to the donors, and entirely reliable in its character. It is worthy of special note, that the goods entrusted to the Commission a distributed to those who are actually sick or convalescent ; and this is “under the security of the most responsible persons in its empl y and through regularly established official agencies in the army H the patriotic donors of the several States would direct their contributions m o this channel, it would save much expense of agencies, blend the sympat, of Union men of the several States, and prevent unpatriotic distinctions in the patients in the hospitals, who are from every ^giment from every State Side by side they fought and were wounded, and side by side they suffer in the hospitals; and the Commission, through appropriate agencies extends its aid alike to the sons of Virginia and Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee, Michigan and Missouri, thus giving prominence to our cherished national motto, “ We are many i ne ” As an illustration, the other day an agent of a Wisconsin society came to a hospital with sanitary goods lor Wiscoman so drers and went along the wards making careful discrimination in behalf of W - cousin soldiers, but soon saw that it was an ungracious task, and handed his mods to the United States Sanitary Commission. Learning Z one JS Wisconsin soldiers said, ‘‘I am glad of that, for it made

me feel SO bad, when my friends gave me those good things the other dal and passed by that Illinois boy on the next bed there, who needed them just as much as I did; but I made it square, for I divided what I „ot with him .” Brave, noble fellow ; his was the true spirit of a soldier g, *1 TTnited States We have a common country, language, religion,

tz&sz. *• ** •' -

9

SO that the genius of liberty may, like Him “who went about doing good wear a “ seamless garment.” We believe in the constitutional nghts of States, but most emphatically believe in our glorious nationality which like the sun amidst the stars, has a surpassing glory, and is of infinitely greater importance, and should be cherished in every appropriate form of development.

GRANVILLE MOODY,

Col. Commanding 'lA.th Regiment 0. V. I.

LETTER OF DR. G. G. SHUMARD.

Dr,

Medical Director’s Office,

Danville, Ky., Dec. 20, 1862.

J. S. Newberry,

Associate Secretary Sanitary Commission :

Dear Sir— Permit me through you to acknowledge my obligations to t le United States Sanitary Commission, for the very efficient aid it has rendered me in furnishing supplies for the sick and wounded soldiers

under my charge, at a time when they could not be obtained through any other source. & J

When the hospitals were first established in this district, we were almost entirely destitute of hospital and medical supplies, including almost every article necessary for the comfort of the sick. With an unusually large number of sick and wounded on our hands, we were compelled to see them suffer, without the proper means of affording them relief.

The condition of things was immediately telegraphed to the Medical 1 urveyor in Louisville, and that officer, with his usual promptness, at once furnished everything necessary to render our sick comfortable ; but from some cause the supplies were detained several weeks on the road, and were not received until long after those arrived that were sent by the Sanitary Commission.

Considering the large number of sick and wounded in the District, (between six and seven thousand,) and the almost total absence of every¬ thing necessary to render them comfortable, I have no doubt that the timely aid afforded by the Commission in this single instance has been the means of preventing much suffering as well as of saving many val¬ uable lives.

I trust that the Commission will be able to continue in its good work, and that it may have, as it certainly deserves, the thanks of every friend of humanity.

I am, dear sir, very respectfully,

GEO. G. SHUMARD, Surg. U. S. V.,

Medical Director Danville District.

10

ORDER OF GEN. ROSECRANS.

Headquarters 14th Army Corps,

Department oe the Cumberland, Nashville, December 11, 1862.

The General Commanding, appreciating the vast amount of good which the soldiers of this army are deriving from the .sanitary stores distributed among them by the United States Sanitary Commission, directs:

That all officers in this department render any aid consistent with their duties to the agents of this Society, and afford them every facility for the execution of their charitable work.

By order of MAJ. GEN. W. S. ROSECRANS.

C. Goddard,

Maj. $ A. A. A. G.

LETTER OF JOSEPH SHIPPEN, ESQ.

Louisville, Dec. 20, 1862.

Dr. J. S. Newberry,

Secretary Western Department U. S. Sanitary Commission:

Sir — Under a commission from the Governor of Pennsylvania to visit the regiments, and to report the condition of the sick and wounded from that State throughout the Western Department, I came to Kentucky in the early part of November, and since then, in pursuance of my instruc¬ tions, my time has been employed in visiting all the hospitals of Louisville, New Albany, Jeffersonville, Lexington, Lebanon, Perryville, Danville, Bowling Green, and Nashville.

The purpose of this communication is to express to you my apprecia¬ tion of the kindness and courtesy I have constantly, while in this depart¬ ment, received from yourself, from the gentlemen connected with the Louisville Branch Commission, and from your agents everywhere; and to bear testimony to the faithfulness and efficiency wRich I have personally witnessed in the performance of the duties imposed upon you all. Aware of the prejudices which exist in some minds against the United States Sanitary Commission, I have embraced the opportunity presented to me to become acquainted with the objects to which your attention is directed, the system you have adopted for accomplishing them, and the degree of success that attends your efforts. Your system of keeping accounts and correspondence seems to me simple yet comprehensive ; your business is conducted with economy ; and the agents you have employed, so far as my observation extends, are active and faithful men, and take pleasure in ministering to the needy. The trust of distributing hospital stores

11

committed to their bauds, 1 am led to believe, from my own observation and the testimony of various surgeons, to be faithfully and conscientiously executed. On seeing the imperative needs existing in the hospitals at Nashville, Bowling Green, and Perryville, my only regret was that the supply of goods from your rooms fell so far short of the demand.

These facts I have communicated to Gov. Curtin, and one of my recent reports urgently recommended that whatever hospital stores the Surgeon General of Pennsylvania might design for the Western Department should be forwarded to your care at Louisville.

My admiration has been aroused by the broad generous spirit with which your Commission is animated. It recognizes all suffering soldiers to be brothers, needing help and succor, and it strives to do the greatest good to the greatest number, regardless of State lines and local distinc¬ tions. Observation and reflection teach that this is the true system of benevolence, founded upon pure patriotism. All special distributions are attended with great difficulty and expense, and inevitably engender State pride at home and jealousy among the soldiers. They are opposed to the fundamental idea for which we are warring — our undivided nationality. If the people throughout the breadth of our land would accept these facts, and would with doubled energy in unison and co-operation work for the cause of suffering humanity upon these principles, how much the sick soldier would gain.

With sincere respect, your obedient servant,

JOSEPH SHIPPEN,

Commissioner from Pennsylvania.

LETTER PROM DR. J. S. NEWBERRY.

United States Sanitary Commission,

Cleveland, July 12, 1862.

Mrs. B. Rouse,

President Soldiers’ Aid Society :

Dear Madam — You ask me if I can give you an assurance that the hospital stores received from your Society, and distributed by the agents of the Sanitary Commission, are not wasted or misapplied.

In reply, I must say that I cannot assert positively that every article is honestly and wisely used to relieve the suffering of the sick in the army, for human nature is proverbially imperfect, and it would be too much to expect that all the various persons through whose hands these stores must pass are alike pure and honest. I have no hesitancy in saying, however, that to my certain knowledge a vast majority of the

12

articles which you send arc properly used, and that the reports whic have come to your ears to the effect that they are generally and syste¬ matically misappropriated by officers and hospital attendants, are either gross exaggerations or unmitigated falsehoods. _

War is evidently an invention of the devil, with almost nothing goo about it, but among its attendant evils wastefulness is conspicuous and inevitable. In this waste we must share. Do what we can to proven it some of our stores will be wasted and lost. It is our constant care, however, to make that charge to “ profit and loss” as small as possible. We all know how large an item this is in the expenses of the Uovern- ment, and yet who thinks of giving up, on that account, the struggle in which we are engaged ? The losses which we suffer, so much lighter, even proportionally, than those which befal the Government stores, since for the most part unavoidable, seem to me, therefore, only incen- tives to greater effort.

With the use that we make, and the care that we take, of your sani¬ tary stores, you are personally well informed, and, if I mistake not, well satisfied. For the benefit of those who have not had your oppor- tunity of observation, permit me to suggest: .

1. That the inspectors and agents of the U. S. Sanitary Commission in the Western Department are all men of established character, and o a reputation above suspicion. The names of Drs. Read of Norwalk, Ashmun, of Hudson; Warriner, of Yellow Springs; I rentice, Hop¬ kins, and Cleveland, of this city, are in themselves a guaranty that their

work will be done faithfully and well. ,

2. The system of distribution of sanitary stores which has cen introduced into this department, is the result of much thought and effort, and, so far as adopted, it seems to render all great abuses

impossible. ,

My aim and practice has been to establish at all important headquar¬ ters of the army, near the office of the Medical Purveyor, a depot of sanitary stores, to which the surgeons of regiments and hospitals, when coming for supplies, may have recourse for such things as the Govern¬ ment cannot furnish. These depots, under the care of competent per¬ sons, are managed with as much care and system as that of the Medical Purveyor, a record being kept and receipts taken for all articles issued . They are also under the general supervision of the inspectors, who arc constantly employed in visiting the camps and hospitals in the vicim y, drawing on the depot for the supply of real wants. _ Nor does the care of the inspector over your bounty end here. On his rounds of inspec¬ tion he repeatedly visits every hospital, and sees with his own eyes that his gifts are properly used ; and while he is instructed to err, it at all,

on the side of liberality, he is also enjoined to keep careful watch that the stores he dispenses are not misused.

# Where this system has not been adopted, and stores are hurriedly distributed by inexperienced persons, making but a single visit to a locality— a course still pursued by some Aid Societies and Sanitary Associations— errors and abuses are liable, even sure, to occur ; but your stores have not been, and will not be, thus distributed, so long as they are entrusted to the care of the agents of the U. S. Sanitary Com¬ mission.

Yours, very respectfully,

J. S. NEWBERRY,

Secretary Western Department.

LETTER OF DR. A. H. THURSTON, ON HOSPITAL CARS.

Assistant Medical Director’s Office,

Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn. , April 11, 1863.

Dr. J. S. Newberry,

Secretary West. Dep't San. Com.

Dear Doctor I understand that it is your intention to organize another “ sanitary train” for the transportation of the sick and wounded from this post to Louisville. I sincerely hope that you may be success¬ ful in your efforts, for experience has shown me that the train which has been running heretofore has been of the greatest benefit to the sick and wounded. The rapid transportation, the care given them in their transit by the competent attendants who accompany each train, have, I am convinced, been the means of saving many lives.

I was forced to use steamboat transportation for many wounded imme¬ diately after the battle of Stone River, but the length of the voyage and the necessary exposure, &c., compelled me to ask your co-operation, in order that the men might be transported by railroad. I feel myself (as well as the sick and wounded soldiers) to be under many obligations to the Sanitary Commission, but, in my opinion, the “hospital train” is one of the most useful and merciful provisions it has made for the comfort of the sick. I sincerely hope, I repeat, that you will be suc¬ cessful in reorganizing the train ; and believe me ever to be,

Very respectfully,

A. H. THURSTON,

Assistant Medical Director , Department of the Cumberland.

14

LETTER OF REV. J. E. ROY.

Chicago, Jan. 22, 1863.

Editors Chicago Tribune— As I have just returned from a trip down the Mississippi to the mouth of the White river, in charge of stores from the Chicago Branch of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, I desire to say a few words to the ihany friends of this enterprise in the Northwest, in regard to the disbursement of goods hy this patriotic and philan¬ thropic agency. As that of an outside observer, my testimony may perhaps be of value. None would ever question the patriotism, the unflagging zeal, and the integrity, of those gentlemen who gratuitously manage the collecting operations at home. But an impression has gained something of currency that these sacred benefactions are not used as exclusively for the good of the soldiers as they ought to be. In all commercial and benevolent schemes something of a percentage is allowed for unavoidable loss ; but beyond this I do not believe that the U. S. Sanitary Commission is at all chargeable.

As an arm of the Government, appointed by the President, and by him entrusted with the important function of the inspection of hospitals and camps as to their sanitary condition, and yet performing its service independent of the national treasury, this Commission deserves profound respect. The several branches at Cleveland, Cincinnati, Louisville, and Chicago, arc but correlative parts of the central organization at Wash¬ ington, of which Rev. Dr. Bellows is President, and Fred. Law Olm¬ sted Secretary. The appointees, as inspectors, general superintend¬ ents, and local disbursing agents, are all amenable to the one organic body. Thus, in the Southwest, Dr. II. A. Warriner, a man of eminent qualifications, is Sanitary Inspector of Camps and Hospitals, and Gen¬ eral Superintendent of Sanitary Agencies in General Grant s army. These agencies are at Cairo, Columbus, Memphis, Corinth, and Jack- son. lie also controls the movements of the steamboat Sir William Wallace, chartered for the uses of the Commission in that region, a boat which, paying one half of its surplus earnings to the chartering party, does much towards the meeting of this expense, while enabling the agents to carry their stores to such places and at such times as the exi¬ gencies of battle, or the uncertain movements of war, may demand. This boat is in charge of Dr. R. G. McLean, who is also U. S. Inspector of Hospitals, for which double responsibility his professional and military experience (in Mexico) eminently qualify him. On her last trip down this boat carried 1,027 packages, or one hundred tons of stores, gathered up from the several branches.

15

The local agencies are usually in buildings confiscated by the Gov¬ ernment, and so costing nothing for rent, while the agents are held to a strict account for the goods in their charge, giving and receiving vouchers for the same. They, or the General Superintendent, if at hand, make appropriations to camp or general hospitals as they need. And then these goods are delivered into the possession of the head female nurse of the hospital, who carries the keys of the rooms con¬ taining . sanitary clothing and delicacies. She administers upon written requisition of the surgeon for each particular patient. Thus, at Mem¬ phis, the “ Overton Hospital,” in a new hotel equal to the Richmond and the “Jefferson Hospital,” in a block equal to the Portland, and the several others there, all confiscated property, are supplied by the agency of the Commission, which occupies and fills a store equal to any on Lake street, and in one of the above mentioned buildings.

Miss Babcock, of this city, is head female nurse for these hospitals, and gives out from the goods appropriated to her department only upon requisition of the surgeons, and that, too, by the hands of other nurses, who take them to the needy patients, and all with that kind of economy and Yankee “faculty” with which the frugal housewife disburses her stores of linen and food by the hands of her servants.

^ The same course is pursued in the hospital at Cairo, where Rev. E. Folsom is Sanitary Agent and Chaplain of the hospital. It did my eyes and my heart good to go to the Sanitary rooms in those hos¬ pitals. In the linen room, sheets, towels, pillow-cases, shirts, socks, &c., &c., were assorted and placed in great pigeon-holes, ready of access ; while in the room for delicacies the good things were arranged m perfect order and readiness for use; and the whole bearing that air of home cleanliness that made me bless God that women’s taste, love, and gentle services, were consecrated to this holy cause. Indeed, I was not at all prepared to find such wisdom and economy in the disburse¬ ment of sanitary goods. At Helena, Mrs. Newcomb, also of this city, stands in much the same relation to the sanitary business, the agency there being under the care of the Western Sanitary Commission at St. Louis, and the churches of the place being used for hospitals. In the regimental camp hospitals the stores are disbursed through the Medical Steward. Visiting the tent hospitals in the camp of the 3d Iowa cav¬ alry, at Helena, and expressing gratification at their appearance of neatness and comfort, I was informed that nearly everything there, from coats and bedding to delicacies, was from the Sanitary Commission.

. 0ne reason why soldiers, returned home from the hospitals, some¬ times say they never received anything from the Commission, is that the articles furnished through the system described above seem to them to

16

come from the Government. A soldier from his cot, eating canned peaches, made the same remark, when it was shown by the marks that his peaches, and the shirt and bedding he had, were all from the Chicago Commission ! And if the nurses do sometimes lay aside their stogies and stiff jackets, and put on slippers and gowns from the sanitary goods, it is all for the quiet and comfort of the suffering, to whom now heavy foot-falls are louder than the cannon’s roar when in health and soundness. * * * * * * *

As an illustration of the amount and accuracy of the disbursements, let me report, from Dr. Warriner, the articles given out at Columbus during the last six months : 225 lbs. arrow-root ; 97 boxes bandages, 2,346 bed ticks, 507 lbs. dried beef, 308 blankets, 3,946 lbs. butter, 626 lbs. cheese, 2,260 lbs. codfish, 2,263 comforts, 170 lbs. corn starch, 8,558 pairs of drawers, 1,067 doz. eggs, 16,279 lbs. dried fruit, 6,774 cans fruit, 4,960 pillows, 8,402 pillow cases, 7,387 sheets, 13,913 shirts, 260 pairs slippers, 3,003 bushels vegetables, 491 bottles wine and cordials ; and so on through a list of 74 articles!

From personal observation, I am only impressed with the magnitude and blessedness of the work to which so many men and women are con¬ secrating so much of time, service, and money. I am satisfied that the disbursements are made with as much precision and economy as could be expected in a work so extensive and complicated. I am also con¬ vinced that the only true and safe channel for such offerings is that afforded by the U. S. Sanitary Commission and its branches. Indeed, it is probable that most of the abuses in this respect that have been bruited, have occurred in connection with efforts at private ministration, and through irresponsible parties.

Let us not, then, be weary in well-doing. The 100,000 soldiers lying in hospital sick and wounded, who have fought our battles for us, have a claim upon our material sympathy. Our obligation to them is not simply that of humanity, but that of debt.

J. E. HOY.

LETTER OF DR. A. N. READ,

On the Misappropriation of Sanitary Stores.

U. S. Sanitary Commission, Louisville, Ky., November 5, 1862.

President Soldiers’ Aid Society , Cleveland , O.

Dear Madam — Dr Newberry has just called my attention to certain passages in letters from your Society, in which it is stated that many reports are reaching you from inmates of hospitals and returned soldiers

17

to the effect that the gifts of the Soldiers’ Aid Societies are not received by those for whom they are intended, are misappropriated by surgeons, nurses, &c. Now, after many months devoted to the examination of camps and hospitals, in almost all parts of the Valley of the Mississippi, constantly engaged in distributing the stores of the Sanitary Commission" and carefully looking after their application, I do not hesitate to say, decidedly and definitely, that in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the gifts of the people transmitted through the agencies and agents of the Sanitary Commission, are faithfully applied to the relief of real wants among the sick and wounded of the army, and that they have accom¬ plished so great an amount of good, that no language of mine can express it. Nowhere, but on the records of Heaven, will the true bearing and benefit of this great work to suffering humanity, in which you and thousands beside of the loyal and warm-hearted women of our country are engaged, be fully and justly reported; but there they will form one of the brightest pages in the history of our fallen world.

It has been, as you know, my special duty to look after and guard the interests of the sick soldier in all my intercourse with the army, and I certainly had every incentive to be faithful in that duty, jealous of the rights and careful of the comfort of those of whom I have been elected a representative and guardian. No one has had any better opportunity than myself of knowing whether your efforts for the poor soldier have been misdirected, your confidence abused, your bounty wasted. I say it without boasting — simply as a matter of fact — that there is scarcely a hospital in Kentucky or Tennessee, east of the Tennessee river, with the management of which, and the condition of the patients, I am not familiar, and I take pleasure in assuring you positively, and fearless of contradiction, that in none of them is there prevalent any systematic or considerable misappropriation of the stores which your Society, or other auxiliaries of the Sanitary Commission, are furnishing. That all the attendants of these hospitals are honest and faithful, I will not state, nor do I believe ; for instances are known to have occurred where our stores and those of the Government have been purloined, but these cases are few and unimportant, and the opportunity for this kind of dishonesty is very rare. This is my testimony. But you will ask, “If this is the truth, how do these reports which are so current, so paralyzing to our efforts, originate?” This question, to the best of my ability, I will answer.

1st. A large portion of the bounty of the public has been distributed by special agents sent on hasty visits to camps and hospitals, who have not made use of our system, or any system, in the distribution of stores under their charge ; nor have they remained to see that their bounty was

Doc. 64.

18

properly applied. As a natural consequence, a considerable percentage of stores distributed in this way has gone where not really needed, and in many cases they have been fraudulently diverted from their proper destination. All these cases are wrongly charged to us and you.

2d. With all our efforts during the year past, not half the patients in hospitals, though really needing our help, have received it, simply because our supplies were inadequate in quantity. Many a poor fellow has, therefore, failed to receive of o\ir stores, only because we had not them to give him. Remember that half the number who have been sick in hospital come into this category, and their testimony, if properly understood, is the strongest possible argument in favor of increased activity in furnishing supplies.

3d. Not half nor one fourth of those who received the bounty of the people, in the form of hospital clothing and diet, are aware of the source from which those supplies come. The want is supplied— the good is done— but the Government gets the credit for it. The surgeons and nurses who distribute your gifts to the patients in the hospital cannot be depended upon nor expected to say to each one who receives a shirt, or pair of drawers, socks, or slippers, “These are the gifts of the Sanitary Commission, the work of the good women who are laboring for and thinking of you at home.” In the press of our work, we can only say this to here and there one, and so the great mass receive the gifts, but only thank the Government. Many of the articles of clothing are now , and all should he marked, so that they may tell their own story ; but even when this is the case, you would be surprised to hear how often the name stamped on the article is never read by the wearer. Let me give you an example of this: Once when going through a hospital in Paducah, with Dr. T. B. Austen, the surgeon in charge, I noticed one man who was wearing a shirt and a pair of drawers, both plainly marked, “ Chicago Sanitary Commission.” He was then eating dinner, and had on his plate a spoonful of canned peaches, an article never furnished by the Govern¬ ment I said to the man, “lam glad to see that the Sanitary Commission is doing you some good.” He looked up with a blank expression, and said, the Sanitary Commission had been no benefit to him; he had never got ’anything from it. I asked him who supplied him with the clothes he had on, the clean pillows and sheets on his bed, the fruit on his plate l He “didn’t know — the Government, he supposed,” and “he was not specially thankful to Government, for he thought he had lully earned all

he was receiving, and a little more.”

Articles of diet cannot be marked and thus identified, so that it very rarely happens that the patient in hospital who is daily eating the food you have sent him, is at all aware of it.

19

■4th. In a few instances these reports are wilful misrepresentations originating in s0,ne grudge entertained against the Commission by some old army officer or soldier, or derived from some personal pique from ^c.«st,gat,on as to the performance of duty. Generally,’ how-

T; m 6 COnscienti<)u%. but by persons ignorant of

he facts. I have been at the pains to ferret out a great number of these stories, and have in each case found that they either wholly misrepre¬ sented or grossly exaggerated the facts in the case. ' f

My answer to all persons disposed to question the value of the services you are rendering to the sick and wounded in the army, would be to ask Uiem to go with me to the battle field of Perryville, or the hospitals of , . ’ fromiwll,ch I have just returned, having assisted in the distri¬

bution among tnose wanting almost every comfort, not to say necessity of life, over thirty tons of stores forwarded by the Sanitary Commission.

., y rep0rtS have glven y°u a description of the need at these points, and he measures of relief afforded. I will not here report what I have there

’ " wdl only add that if any one, having seen what I have of the

wor is of the Sanitary Commission, and its auxiliaries, shall then and still question the value of the organization to the army, or the propriety of sus aining it earnestly, his eyes and mind and heart are not mine.

Yours, respectfully,

A. N. READ,

Inspector Sanitary Commission.

LETTER FROM E. D. HOWARD, ESQ.

Dr. J. S. Newberry:

Murfreesboro, Tenn., Feb. 12, 1863.

About a week since my attention was called to a communication, first published in the Ohio State Journal , and copied into the Cincinnati E2ulrer^ dated Murfreesboro, and over the anonymous signature of “Mack,” in which statements are made respecting the hospital and hospital officials in and about Murfreesboro, which I know to be grossly untrue. That part of the communication which referred to the conduct o the surgeons and assistants, charging them, luithout exception , with gross and criminal neglect of the sick and wounded men, I replied to immediately in a communication to the Journal, in which I stated, from my personal knowledge, that in most, if not all the cases which have come under my observation, the surgeons are honestly and faithfully endeavoring to discharge their arduous and difficult duties to their patients. This statement I felt constrained to make as a matter of justice to the surgeons of the army in this department. With regard to the

/

20

authorship of the communication, I have since ascertained that it was written by a discharged soldier, who acknowledged to a comrade, now here, (and whose name can be given if necessary,) that he was drunk when he wrote it, and regretted it. The letter, however, has gone widely spread through the newspapers, and will be read by thousands who will be ignorant alike of its source and its falsity.

Among the misstatements made, however, is one calculated to exert an influence even more pernicious to the interests of the brave men now lying sick and wounded in hospitals here, and which I have thought best to meet in a different manner. In speaking of the sanitary stores sent here, “Mack” makes the wholesale statement that they are all consumed by the officers and hospital officials, and that the sick and wounded soldiers do not get any of them. Knowing the effect which such statements —made, I am sorry to say, by others of the “ same ilk ” with “ Mack”— have had, and will continue to have upon the source of our supplies at home, I determined at once to make the appeal to the soldiers in hospitals, and endeavor to put the result in such shape as would settle the question, so far as the hospitals here are concerned.

Accordingly I have circulated the following statement as I have passed from one hospital to another in the performance of other duties, simply stating the charges made by “ Mack” and his confreres, and asking them to sign or not, according to their positive personal knowledge and experience.

The names appended to this paper have been in every case put there by the voluntary consent of the men, the signatures being actually made by the individuals, except when wounds or sickness made it necessary for another to write at their dictation ; and let me state that every patient to whom this paper has been presented has not only signed it, but signed it willingly and gladly. The list comprises all the patients now in hospital here and on the battle field, with the exception of a few whom I cannot, reach without delaying the publication, which is demanded now I hope that every editor in the North, who has at heart the interest of our brave men, sick and wounded in the common cause, as well as the vindication of truth and justice, will publish this list, and thereby sustain and stimulate the thousands whose philanthropic efforts are flagging under the discouraging influence of statements made by irresponsible and reckless men, who, like “Mack,” do not hesitate to vilify a holy cause to gratify a petty spite, or the drunken humor of a disappointed

selfishness.

E. D. HOWARD,

Agent San . Com ,

21

LETTER OF REV. W. W. PATTON.

Chicago Sanitary Commission,

To the Editor of the Chicago Tribune: Cni0AG0’ APril 3’ 1863-

Having just returned from an expedition ou behalf of the Chicago Sanitary Commission to the army before Vicksburg, I desire through your paper to communicate to the public, without delay, an important order respecting sanitary supplies and expeditions, just issued by Gen. Grant. The natural desire of citizens at home to add to the comfort of relations and friends in the army, of cities and counties to provide for regiments raised in their localities, and of the benevolent public to send stores for promiscuous distribution, has resulted in so many evils to the army, when these operations have been, as heretofore, conducted by persons not officially connected with the Sanitary Commission, that Gen. Grant has felt compelled to apply a remedy. The Quartermasters’ and Government boats are put to inconvenience; the hospitals are invaded by a host of male and female visitors, some of whom are incompetent to observe and report, and others have further selfish ends in view.

. The medical discipline of the army is weakened; false reports are circulated as to the condition of the army, which discourage the troops and prevent enlistments. Sutlers’ goods are smuggled in with forged sanitary marks. The well are frequently made ill, and the ill made worse by improper articles of diet; and certain favored regiments are loaded and even encumbered with supplies, while otheys receive little or nothing, who yet deserve equal treatment. The effect is absurdly and injuriously to foster State and local feeling, at home and in the army, in a war for the Union against rebellion, waged in the name of State rights, or the benefit of local institutions, and under the inspiration of sectional pride. This is all wrong. All Union soldiers should fare alike in the camps and in the hospitals. The people should contribute to the relief of the b ederal army as a whole, without distinction of States or sections. To carry out this plan is the design of the United States Sanitary Commission, with its several branches and numerous agents. Hence, General Grant has determined that hereafter no special supplies shall have free transportation, but those only intrusted for promiscuous use; and that these latter shall be forwarded by the Sanitary Commission alone on their boats, and shall be distributed only by their agents. This gives unity and simplicity to this class of operations, and confines responsibility to well known parties. Simply adding that General Rosecrans has adopted somewhat similar measures in the department under his command, I enclose a copy of the order referred to, and remain,

Yours, truly, W. W. PATTON.

22

p. S. _ The steamer New Dunleith has been set apart, by Government,

for the purpose mentioned in General Grant’s order, and will be despatched from Cairo, by the Sanitary Commission, about once in two weeks, stopping to land supplies at all points at which there are troops.

GEN. GRANT’S ORDERS.

Headquarters Department of Tenn., Young’s Point, La., March , 1863.

Special Order , No. 86.

1. The Quartermaster’s Department will provide and furnish a suitable steamboat, to be called the “ United States Sanitary Store Boat,” and put the same in charge of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, to be used by it exclusively for the conveyance of goods calculated to prevent disease, and supplemental to the Government supply of stores for the relief of

the sick and wounded. „

2. No person will be allowed to travel on said boat except officers ot

the army and navy, (and they only on permits from their proper com¬ manding officers,) discharged soldiers, and employees of said bamtary Commission, (and no goods whatever for trading or commercial purposes will be carried on said boat,) and no goods will be taken for individuals, or with any conditions which will prevent them being delivered to those

most needing them in the army or navy. . >

3. The contents of all packages to be shipped on said U. bamtary store boat, will be inspected before shipment, unless an invoice of their contents has been received, the correctness of which is assured by the signature of some person of known loyalty and integrity. . A statement, showing what goods have been placed on board at each trip, will be sent to the Medical Director of the department at these headquarters. .

4 A weekly statement will be made, by the said Sanitary Commission, to the department of the Medical Director, showing what sanitary supplies have been issued by said Commission, and to whom issued.

5. All orders authorizing the free transportation of sanitary stores from Cairo south, on boats other than the one herein provided for are hereby rescinded. By order MAJ. GEN. IT. S. GR i

John A. Rawlins,

Asst. Adjt. General.

Headquarters Department of the Tenn., Young’s Point, La., March 1863.

Special Order , No. 87 .

4 The Quartermaster’s Department will immediately provide and furnish a sound and seaworthy barge, and fit the same up, furnishing the

23

necessary materials therefor, under the direction of Dr. G. L. Andrew for the storage of U. S. Sanitary stores, and for the reception of and providing accommodations for discharged soldiers while awaiting trans¬ portation, as well as quarters of the U. S. Sanitary agent.

The same to be under the management of the duly authorized agent of the U. S. Sanitary Commission.

By order of MAJ. GEN. U. S. GRANT.

John A. Rawlins,

Asst. Adjt. General .

RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY OHIO LEGISLATURE, APRIL 13, 1863.

The Committee on Military Affairs having been requested to examine into and report upon the manner in which the contributions of the people for the comfort of the sick and wounded soldiers have been sent to the army, made a thorough investigation of the matter, with a view to see if any legislation was necessary to insure greater promptness and safety in the transmission of these goods. The committee report that, though at first there was delay, and some loss and misapplication of articles sent, there is now no cause for attempting any change, the business being so well done by the Sanitary Commission. The following preambles and resolutions, drawn by Mr. Sprague, were unanimously adopted:

IT hereas, The assiduous and unremitting efforts of the ladies of this State, in the preparation of clothing, hospital stores, and other comforts for the army, have resulted most happily in relieving a vast amount of suffering, and contributed largely to ameliorate the hardships to which our brave soldiers are exposed while in arms, battling for the preserva¬ tion of the Government ; and

Whereas, The Sanitary Commission — an organization instituted and designed as an agency for transmitting to the army, in a more efficient, economical, and direct manner, such articles as may be contributed by the benevolent for the comfort of our soldiers — has proven to be a valuable auxiliary to the Government in the acccomplishment of this purpose ; and

11 hereas , These kind offices on the part of our people, either in their individual or associate capacity, have been so important to the service as to be altogether indispensable, and are performed voluntarily, generously, and without recompense, other than that which flows from the conscious¬ ness of doing a kind action, and merit at the hands of this body a public recognition ; therefore

Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That the thanks of this body are due, and are hereby tendered to the ladies of our State,

24

as individuals, or in their associate capacity as Soldiers’ Aid Societies or otherwise, for their laudable and most praiseworthy efforts in relief of the wants and necessities of our patriotic soldiers ; that the energy and self- sacrificing devotion manifested by this class of our citizens are worthy of and do receive our highest admiration; that the importance of this work is such that we would sincerely deplore any decline in the zeal and determination which have hitherto so eminently distinguished this move¬ ment, until the want that exists shall be fully met and satisfied ; and in the name of thousands of noble and patriotic men who are exposed to hardships, toils, and perils, in maintaining our cherished institutions, we solicit continued exertions in their behalf.

Resolved , That in the Sanitary Commission we recognize an institution eminently qualified to accomplish the object had in view in its organiza¬ tion, to wit: to be an auxiliary to the Government, supplementing its efforts in providing for the comforts of the army, by procuring and trans¬ mitting delicacies and medical stores for the sick, clothing and provisions for the needy, and whatever else is calculated to soothe, to comfort, and to bless; which undertakes as a kind friend and companion to follow the soldier in his marches, administering to him, in sickness or health, the bounty of his friends or of a benevolent public; cheering, consoling, and sustaining him when the shock of battle has left him wounded and faint¬ ing upon the field; as an angel of mercy appearing to remove him to a place of shelter, where his wounds may* be dressed and remedies applied for his recovery; or, if death at once should close his suffering and existence, to insure him a decent and respectful burial ; if disabled in battle or broken in health, requiring his discharge from the service, far from friends and destitute of means, which volunteers to furnish him advice and assistance, and to provide him in the Soldiers’ Home a resting place until he can be safely conveyed to his family and friends. We can but admire the humane and generous spirit which prompted and sustained this movement, and deem it proper to extend to all who co-operate in this noble undertaking the well-earned tribute of the thanks of this General Assembly, for the zeal, energy, and good results which have attended its prosecution in the past, and most cordially commend it to the kind consideration and confidence of the public, in the hope that its good fruits in the future may be even more abundant.

Resolved , That the Governor be requested to transmit copies of this preamble and resolutions to the several Soldiers’ Aid Societies and Branches of the Sanitary Commission in this State.

25

REMARKS OF GEN. BUTLER, AT LOWELL.

Gen. Butler, without further introduction, came forward and said : “lam happy, my fellow-citizens, to bear testimony, from personal knowledge, to the efficient, economical, charitable, and kindly aid received by the soldiers in the Department of the Gulf from the Sanitary Com¬ mission ; and I am very glad to unite with you in aiding that most noble charity, which, I believe, has been efficiently administered everywhere. Certain it is, I do know, that it has alleviated much suffering in the hospitals and among the sick in the Department of the Gulf. Its charities there were of immense value to us ; and to it, for its many features worthy of commendation, is to be awarded the praise of that Department, as well as that of many others, I doubt not. But of this I speak from knowledge, that no soldier wanted the proper medical attendance and comforts of the hospital during my command there ; and therefore I say again, I am glad that, from the patronage which this charity has received here, the Com¬ mission will obtain very material aid.”

KITCHEN GARDENS FOR THE HOSPITALS.

Lo meet the wants of vegetable food, present and prospective, in the hospitals of the Army of the Cumberland, the Sanitary Commission has secured the establishment of two kitchen gardens of twenty acres each, one at Nashville and the other at Murfreesboro — has furnished seed to stock them, and has obtained from the military and medical authorities the requisite assistance to provide for their care and maintenance.

LETTER FROM I)R. WOODWARD.

Dr. J. S. Newberry :

Park Barracks, Louisville, Ky., December 31, 1862.

Dear Sir After the short interview with you this morning which it was my pleasure to have, I have thought I could not more appro¬ priately close the year than by bearing a willing, grateful testimony to the great good which has been done by the Sanitary Commission during the past year, as it has come under my own knowledge.

Immediately after the battle ot Belmont, Missouri, in November, 1860, was fi^t I knew much of the workings of the Sanitary Commission. At that time, Dr. Aigner was in Cairo ; and learning of the great want of sanitary stores, he caused a supply to be forwarded to the various hospitals where our wounded were.

26

After the battle of Fort Donelson, there was great destitution among the soldiers, and without the aid of the Sanitary Commission much suffering must have ensued, and many lives been lost, which by the aid of their supplies were saved. It was while our army lay before Corinth that I was enabled to see the amount of good which the Com¬ mission was doing. The 22d regiment of Illinois took part in all the fights and skirmishes on the left of the lines, at and near Farmington, Mississippi. Here, on the 9th of May, our whole brigade lost their knapsacks, and not only their extra clothing, but very many their over¬ coats, blankets, and coats, they having been left on the edge of a piece of woods, just before entering the fight, and as we were driven back by the greatly superior force of the enemy, were not able to recover them.

I had, at that time, five large tents crowded with sick and wounded, the most of them without a change of shirts and drawers. Thus they lay in the blood-soaked clothes in which they fell, and there were no quar¬ termaster’s stores available, as the whole transportation of the army was required to bring forward rations, forage, and munitions of war. We had nothing but army rations for our sick, and dysentery and diarrhoea were very prevalent. At this juncture I learned that there was a supply at Hamburg, and I immediately sent my hospital steward with an ambu¬ lance, over the worst roads possible to conceive of, with a letter to the gentlenfen having the stores in charge, stating my wants. In three days he returned with shirts, socks, and drawers, loaf sugar, tea, crack¬ ers, dried beef, oranges, canned and dried fruit, farina, pearl barley, and indeed with every needed article. No moments of my life were fraught with more pleasure than when these things were taken into the hospitals and distributed. As the bloody, filthy clothing was replaced by that which was clean and comfortable, the tears came to many an eye, and “thank God” came from many a lip. Most of the articles were from Ohio and Illinois, as indicated by the stamps “ Soldiers’ Aid Soc. Northern Ohio,” “ Soldiers’ Aid Soc. Chicago,” &c., and one large package from “Indianapolis, Indiana.”

Soon after I was assigned to these barracks, where we had the debris of Buel’s army after the fight at Perryville, there was so much destitu¬ tion among them that I wrote to Judge Skinner, of Chicago, asking for aid, and the response was seven large boxes and a barrel. I distributed over 200 shirts, as many pairs of drawers, and 75 quilts. When I wrote to him I was not aware that there was a branch of the United States Commission in this city, but before the articles arrived I learned the fact, and made application to you and received a good supply of shirts, drawers, &c. I have thus been enabled to distribute from these and

27

other sources of supply, 90 quilts and blankets, over 400 shirts, 900 pairs of drawers, 108 pairs of socks, and various other articles, to men who, from loss of descriptive rolls and other causes, could not be other¬ wise supplied. While our wards were full of sick, especially typhoid cases and dysentery, the “ Soldiers’ Aid Society of Northern Ohio” sent some boxes of fresh grapes.

Whether with the regiment in the field, or laboring in hospitals, I have always found the agents of the Sanitary Commission the most efficient friends of the surgeon and the soldier, and to none can I more warmly ten¬ der my thanks for encouragement and aid; and while I review the year just past with all its incidents on the field, in the camp and hospital, I thank God for all His goodness, and particularly that he put in the hearts of the friends of humanity to establish the “Sanitary Commission;” and pray that His blessing may rest upon and cheer them in their good work through the coming new year,

I am, my dear sir, yours, very truly,

B. WOODWARD,

Surgeon 22 d Regiment III . Vols.

LETTER FROM DR. DUCACHET.

U. S. Army General Hospital,

Georgetown Seminary, February 22, 1863.

Wm. H. Hadley, Esq.

Sir In reply to the interrogations contained in yours of the 11th inst. , I would state that an experience of many months has proved to me that State distinctions have done, and are still doing, much harm in the army. Consequently, “individual visitors and dispensers,” who observe these distributions do more harm than good.

The same objection holds good in regard to State agencies, when they confine their bounties strictly to their own volunteers.

Any society, or agency, established for the relief of the sick of our armies, should, in my opinion, cast their contributions into one common stock, to be distributed to any suffering soldier who needs the articles which may have been provided.

The Sanitary Commission, which is such a depository, from which supplies and delicacies can be obtained simply by asking, is by far the best channel through which supplies can be conveyed to the wounded and suffering.

28

The evils of keeping up State distinctions are so glaring, and are doing so much harm, that I cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing myself freely on this subject. The Pennsylvania or Ohio volunteers are not supposed to be fighting for the benefit of those States alone, but belong to one grand army, whose object is to suppress this unholy rebellion, and to restore to us peace and union ; and if suc¬ cessful, each State, from Maine to Georgia, will be alike benefited.

I have seen Ohio ladies go into a ward filled with wounded after the last Bull Bun fight, for the purpose of distributing delicacies, and pick out the soldiers from their own State, without even a kind word to those of other States. Is this right? No, sir. Set your face against such distributions, as I have, and ever will while this war lasts, and if you have a loaf to give, let all share alike.

What would you think of a surgeon who would go into his wards after a battle, and pick out the soldiers from his own State, and admin¬ ister first to their necessities ? Would you not say that such a man should be instantly dismissed the service? Would such a thing be tol¬ erated for a moment ? In many cases nourishment and clothing are more needed than medical and surgical aid, and if distinctions are wrong in one case, they are equally so in the other; yet it has been done.

I entered the army to do my duty to the whole, and am a Pennsyl¬ vanian, yet I know no distinctions. All suffer alike, and all will ever receive at my hands like attentions. Some patients are more attractive in their manners than others, and it is hard sometimes to refrain from showing preferences, yet I have always striven against it, and, I think, succeeded. Your letter did not perhaps call for all I have said, but you will forgive me if, in my enthusiasm to urge upon others what I believe to be right, I have said anything out of place.

Respectfully,

H. W. PUCACHET,

Surgeon in Charge.

TO ALL WHO HAVE FRIENDS IN THE ARMY.

Soldiers’ Aid Societies, clergymen, editors and others, are respectfully requested to aid in disseminating the following notice, which is of interest to all who have friends in the army :

DIRECTORY OF THE HOSPITALS.

The Sanitary Commission has made arrangements for supplying information gratuitously, with regard to patients in the United States General Hospitals, at the following points, (others will be added :)

29

Eastern Department. —For information, address “Office Sanitary Commission , Washington .”

Washington, D. C. Georgetown, D. C. Alexandria, Va. Baltimore, Md.

Annapolis, Md. Frederick City, Md.

Annapolis Junction, Md. Fairfax, Va. Cumberland, Md. Aquia Creek, Va.

Point Lookout, Md. York, Pa.

Philadelphia Department. — For information, address “ Office San¬ itary Commission, No. 1,307 Chesnut Street ”

Philadelphia, Pa. Germantown, Pa. Reading Pa.

Chester, Pa. Chesnut Hill, Pa. Harrisburg, Pa.

New York Department.— For information, address “Office Women's Central Union, No. 10 Cooper Institute .”

New York, N. Y. New Haven, Conn. Burlington, Vt.

Albany, N. Y. Portsmouth Grove, R. I. Brattleboro, Vt.

Newark, N. J. Boston, Mass.

Western Department.— For information, address “Office Sanitary Commission, Louisville, Ky .”

Clarksville, Tenn.

Jackson, Tenn. Murfreesboro, Tenn.

La Grange, Tenn.

Gallatin, Tenn.

Nashville, Tenn.

Vicksburg, Miss.

Corinth, Miss.

Helena, Ark.

Grafton, Va.

Point Pleasant, Va. Parkersburg, Va. Clarksburg, Va. Charlestown, Va.

Columbus, 0. Cleveland, 0. Camp Denison, 0. Gallipolis, 0. Cincinnati, 0. Quincy, Ill.

Cairo, Ill.

Mound City, Ill. Jeffersonville, Ind. Evansville, Ind. New Albany, Ind. Saint Louis, Mo. Ironton, Mo.

Rolla, Mo. Springfield, Mo.

Keokuk, Iowa. Davenport, Iowa. Paducah, Ky. Bardstown, Ky. Lebanon, Ky. Columbus, Ky. Columbia, Ky. Louisville, Ky. Covington, Ky. Lexington, Ky. Danville, Ky. Perryville, Ky. Bowling Green, Ky. Memphis, Tenn.

Information will, under ordinary circumstances, be given to any one applying for it, in answer to any or all of the following inquiries. If the application is by letter, the answer will be sent by return of mail ; if in person it will be answered at once :

1. Is - [giving name and regiment, and state where and when

last heard of] at present in the hospitals of - ?

2. If so, what is his proper address?

3. What is the name of the surgeon or chaplain of the hospital ?

4. If not in hospital at present, has he recently been in hospital ?

30

5. If so, did lie die in hospital, and at what date?

0. If recently discharged from hospital, was he discharged from service ?

7. If not, what were his orders on leaving?

More specific informatibn as to the condition of any patient in the hospitals will be furnished in the shortest possible time after a request to do so is received.

The office of the Directory will be open daily from 8 o’clock, a. m., to 8 o’clock, p. m., and in urgent cases, applicants ringing the door bell will be received at any hour of the night.

The Sanitary Commission, under special authority from the President of the United States, maintains an extensive system of agencies for securing the safe conveyance to, and distribution of, goods put in its charge for the sick and wounded, at points where they are most wanted. It operates with equal care and generosity at all points — at New Orleans and at Washington, before Vicksburg and at Nashville ; its distributions being governed by a comparison of the wants of the [patients in all cases. To ascertain the relative character of these wants in a trust¬ worthy manner, and to secure an equitable distribution and honest use of the goods distributed, besides the unpaid services of the members of the Commission, twenty physicians of high professional and moral char¬ acter, and more than fifty lay-agents, are employed, under pecuniary securities for responsible and efficient service. The cost of these arrangements has thus far been about 3 per centum of the value of the goods distributed. The Commission has not been able to obtain authentic evidence of losses, miscarriage, or misappropriations, to the value of one dollar in ten thousand, of goods which have been once received at its shipping depots. The following is a list of these depots, to which auxiliary societies, and all disposed to aid the sick and wounded without reference to States or localities, but simply to their relative necessity for assistance, are invited to send their offerings :

SANITARY COMMISSION BRANCH DEPOTS.

No. 22 Summer street, Boston, Mass. No. 10 Third Avenue, New York.

No. 1,30? Chesnut street, Philadelphia. Cor. Vine and Sixth streets Cincinnati, 0. No. 95 Bank street, Cleveland, 0.

Madison street, Chicago, 111.

No. 2 Adams’ Block, Buffalo, N. Y. No. 59 Fourth street, Pittsburg, Pa. Columbus, Ohio.

The Commission receives no pecuniary aid whatever from the Gov¬ ernment, and is wholly dependent on the voluntary contributions of the public for the means of sustaining its operations. Contributions to the

31

treasury are solicited, and may be transmitted to George T. Strong Lsq., Treasurer, 68 Wall street, New York.

The names of the following gentlemen, commissioners of the President of the United States, are pledged to the public for the economy, integrity and efficiency with which whatever is entrusted to the Sanitary Com- mission will be administered :

H. W. BELLOWS, D. D.

A. E. SHIRAS, U. S. A. WOLCOTT GIBBS, M. D. ELISHA HARRIS. M. D.

Rt. Rev. T. M. CLARK, D. D. Hon. MARK SKINNER, Hon. SCHUYLER

A. D. BACHE, L. L. D.

R. C. WOOD, M. D., U. S. A.

S. G. HOWE, M. D.

GEO. T. STRONG, Esq.

G. W. CULLUM, U. S. A.

W. H. VAN BUREN, M. D. C. R. AGNEW, M. D. HORACE BINNEY, Jr., Esq Hon. R. W. BURNETT,

Prof. FAIRMAN ROGERS,

-u-vjji. U WOXLiL XX JtLUJU l ,

Rev. JOHN HEYWOOD,

COLFAX, FRED. LAW OLMSTED, Esq. J. S. NEWBERRY, M. D.

Prof. J. W. Draper, Dr. E. Krackowizer. Prof. Alden March,.

Prof. A. Jacobi .

Dr. C. A. Terry .

Prof. Z. Pitciier .

Prof. S. G. Armor...

.Annapolis and Frederick. .District of Philadelphia.

11 New York.

<c New England. ..Port Royal and Newberne. .District of Memphis.

t i <<

Reports have been received from the following gentlemen, viz.: On the hospitals at —

Louisville, by Dr. Joshua B. Flint.

Baltimore, Dr. Edmund Fowler.

Philadelphia, Drs. A. A. Gould and R. M. Hodges.

Fortress Monroe, etc., Drs. Minot and Abbot.

District of Louisville, Drs. Buckingham and Gay.

« Nashville, Dr. W. E. Coale.

« Columbia, Drs. Morland, Foster, and Ayer;

and they are herewith transmitted.

They exhibit the faithful industry and intelligence of the Inspectors; and several of them, especially those from New York, by Dr. Winslow Lewis; Philadelphia, by Drs. Hodges and Gould; Nashville, by Dr. W. E. Coale; the District of Louisville, by Drs. Gay and Buckingham; and Fortress Monroe, by Drs. Minot and Abbot: an exactness of detail, and an elaborate completeness, which leave nothing to he desired. Considering the circumstances under which these gentlemen have been called to serve, we may congratulate the Commission certainly on its success in this. One of the Inspectors, Dr. Buckingham, writes to the General Secretary as follows: “The fact is, that both Gay and myself were pretty well used up. The papers (reports) which we sent can give no adequate account of the labor to one who is not accustomed to the work.” This remark can be fully appre¬ ciated by many of our inspectors on this special service, who have undertaken, amid the fatigues and inconveniences of travel, at its close, to reduce to order and put into writing the notes and various experiences and observations of the

day.

3

Although the Inspectors report great detects in some of the hospitals of the Southwest, from the difficulty of obtain¬ ing suitable buildings in all cases ; from the too small number of attendants, and from the embarrassments of transportation in localities so near to the seat of hostilities, and where so many of the inhabitants are disloyal, or lukewarm; their testimony is uniform as to their very cordial reception by the medical directors and the hospital surgeons, who seem not to have lost their equanimity under many trying circum¬ stances, or to have been discouraged by the obstacles and embarrassments abounding in a district in the very focus of the war, and but just relieved from a state of siege, with a very large number of sick and wounded suddenly thrust upon them; and which would have appalled or paralyzed men who were less devoted, less capable, or less courageous than they, but which were proved to be only the stimuli needed to bring into active operation all their best sentiments and energies.

A few extracts from these reports will best illustrate these statements. They are taken from many others equally pertinent. Dr. Minot says; “As the result of our tour of inspection we are much gratified at being able to say, that we have found, on the whole, the hospitals we have visited in a most creditable condition.’’ “We were uniformly received with courtesy, and the utmost freedom of inquiry and examination was accorded to us. Feeling that our inspection was, to some extent, a matter of suffrance, we wish to put on record our acknowledgments of the gentle¬ manly and hospitable treatment that we met with every¬ where.”

Dr. Coale, speaking of one of the hospitals in his circuit, says: “I must acknowledge how much I am indebted to the surgeon-in-charge for his carefulness, fulness, and minute¬ ness in furnishing me with the required information, and his genial courtesy in doing it;” and of several other medical officers: “These gentlemen offered me every facility in their power for prosecuting my enquiries, and my relations with them were most pleasant and cordial.”

4

As to the difficulties to he encountered and overcome, the following will give us some idea: “Water has to be brought a mile and a half, from the river.” “The washing cannot be done for the amount allowed by Government.” “The medical men are much too few in number, and far too much overworked.”

“The most urgent and instant want, not only of the places I have officially visited, but of every military station in the West where I have been, is— Hospitals. This want was pressed upon me very forcibly, not only by my own observa¬ tions, but by officers and soldiers, and not less by civilians. Many and bitter were the comparisons made by these several classes of our people upon the different treatment of the East and the West; and I could not deny the justice of their complaints that, while hundreds of thousands of dollars had been spent for hospitals, with all the best means and appliances to boot, for ameliorating the condition of the sick and wounded soldiers in the East, not one cent had been distributed for a proper hospital West of the Allegheny mountains.”* “In looking back at those pages devoted to what I found at Bowling Green, it will be at once seen that I have not described a single hospital, or a house which could readily be converted into one.”

The most suitable building at Louisville, the State Blind Asylum, is thus spoken of by Drs. Buckingham and Gay: “This large four story building, with a high basement, on high open ground by itself, and furnished with every convenience for a hospital, the best adapted in every respect of any building yet seen, has just been vacated by order of the Secretary of War.” “ It seems wrong that this magnifi¬ cent building, with all the conveniences for at least four hundred men, which the Government has already spent so much money to protect, and for which damages to the amount of $40,000 have already been claimed, should be abandoned, when it is evident that no damage has been done. Fourteen

* Since this was written, orders have been issued for the construction of a very large hospital at Nashville, on the plan of the “ Chestnut Hill,” at Philadelphia.

5

or fifteen persons, now elsewhere well accomnnvW. i not to be permitted to exclude thousands whose comforTfnd safety can no otherwise be provided for ”* nd

To show how bravely these discouraging circumst™ are met by the medical men, I extract the following pa “ e from the previous report.-f “The surgeon t of Ho •* i S 2 and 3 (Ka.hviU.) had

in two college buildings, which, with the grounds, had until within eight days been a camp for a brigade of cavalrv the

haTf8 7hlf been 6Ven Stabled in the buildings In that time he had policed off 280 loads of manure from the

louses am grounds, and deposited them a half mile distant •

It to make all the soup for the two buildings; had built a

bedsnfilledVern riVy’ 100 f6et l0"S; had had a11 ^e 455 beds filled with hay: and all this without a requisition (for

I mcZa 7 beeU USeless>) ^raging for all the material-

Surelv I ne P “ C0Rditi°n °f Nasbville at that time. y never saw more energy and ingenuity crowned by

a consummate amount of executive abilities, and all covered No. 2, °aSe ^ H°Spital

cr rr n ^

imperfect mat ° "'T' T’* lnSenuit7> out of scant and

men The d I'9 7 meS8e8’ Puddin8s> &o., for the

house wl e t0r i?ad T6Cted by hlS convalescents a bake¬ house, where excellent bread was baked. The iron oven

used was made for field purposes, and struck me as beino-

very excellent. I saw nothing like it in the Army of thf

*MS. Reports, fol. XIII, No. 38. t MS. Reports, fol. XV, No. 3.

ifnr‘5?lIy’ Assistant Surgeon, 1st Wisconsin.

II Dr. Selby.

6

Potomac. I ought to add, in justice to Dr. S., that he personally retook this on the battle-field after it had been captured by the Confederates, who had tried to render it useless by firing shot through it. Where the Surgeon had control of the grounds in the vicinity, they were thoroughly policed, and the sinks were provided for, as regards hygiene and decency.”*

Considering the West, especially the Southwest, a very important field, and having received no report from Dr. Flint, of Louisville, who had been there inspecting under the appointment of the Committee, I detailed, on the first of December, to that region, and to the Nashville district, three very competent Inspectors ; and to their reports, from which I have extracted above, I especially refer. I have already arranged for another inspection at these points during the ensuing month.

I have, in accordance with the announced policy of the Committee, felt obliged to prefer Eastern Inspectors for this purpose j and have also, for the same reason, invited oui Western brethren to inspect at the Last. Experience, and the information I have derived from these reports, and from personal interviews with the writers, as well as from the note of the Western Secretary, which your chairman was good enough to transmit to me, have satisfied me fully of the wisdom of this arrangement. I have, therefore, taken great pains to send into this field, and shall continue to do so, gentlemen from this part of the country, whose general intelligence, weight of character and loyalty, ought to make them anywhere and everywhere welcome.

We hope, therefore, that this mutual interchange of the Special Inspectors of the General Hospitals of the Army will not only prove mutually agreeable, but that it will tend to foster that true spirit of national loyalty to the Govern¬ ment, which, laying aside personal and local prejudices, should count all men as its friends who in this most effective way have rallied to its support ; and that our brethren at the

*MS. Reports, fol. XV. No. 2.

West will not, on that account, receive with tha iflo , . . those who, like the Magi of old Xu W ™ “rf“hty

with their good gifts and the frankincense of good fellowshS’

from the direction of the rising sun. ' lip'

The District of New Orleans is the only one which will not be under inspection during the next two or three weeks Th 0“lssion is less to he regretted from the fact that’ under the energetic administration of the general lately in command of that department, its sanitary- condition has been so well maintained that the number of sick there is not

vuy arge. I have the offer of an excellent Inspector for that district m the month of April.

. Having fo“n,d that of the Inspectors prefer to visit

in company, I have, when I have been able to do so rnTde that arrangement for them; and I am certain that the conjoined observations of two Inspectors for a fortnight are ten more satisfactory, for many reasons, than those of a sing e Inspector, for a longer comparative period.

I am happy to he able to say that the knowledge of the

2tTa natT °f °Ur rep0rtS ; the certainty that any I ounds of complaint stated in them will be made known

him to H ’ v, l6ad °f tlle medical department, and by him to those whom they most concern ; that our whole desire

Ul and not t0 embarrass the surgeons in charge- to

”72 "7 ">• : t«™ been eulcte.i

make our path of duty so far, not only one of present b“* ~

Respectfully submitted :

HENRY G. CLARK,

Inspector -in- Chief.

'

■

.

SAj^ itaky commission.

No. OG.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

FOR THE

?PLY OBPARTMCEin

i L o

1. Plan proposed for the organization of the Department ot Supplementary Supply.

II. It's function defined.

III. To consist of four Sections and a Secretary.

1^ • Field of each Section defined.

A . Each Section to appoint a Superintendent.

A I. Duty of Superintendent defined.

A II. Duty of Sections with reference to distribution of supplies defined.

A III. Duty ot Sections with reference to reserve of supplies defined.

IX. Duty of Sections with reference to issue of goods on occasions of emergency.

X. Duty ot sections with reference to popular battle-field relief movements.

XI. Hov Sections may voluntarily reinforce one another.

XII. Duty of Superintendents with reference to Monthly Accounts and A ouchers defined.

XIII. Duty ot Sections with reference to Monthly Accounts and A ouchers defined.

XIA . Duty ot the Secretary of the Department defined.

XA . Special account of transfers provided for.

XA I. Duty ot Secretary with respect to the Accounts of the Department defined.

2

XVII. Duty of the Secretary with respect to Semi-Annual Reports defined.

XVIII. Associate members of Supply Sections.

XIX. No agent of the Commission to work for others.

XX. Inspectors of the Commission not to be employed m the Supply Department.

XXI. No agent to be employed in Supply Department with the Army, except under certain credentials and engagements.

XXII. Duplicate of these to be deposited at Central Office, triplicate at the Office of Section.

XXIII. Monthly roster of each section to be deposited at Central Office.

XXIV. Evidence of loyalty and trustworthiness of Superin¬ tendent to be deposited at Central Office.

REGULATIONS.

Functions de- The business of the Supply Department shall be fined' to provide, superintend, and recommend to the people arrangements by which voluntary contri¬ butions intended to supplement the Government provision for the sick and wounded, may be made available without injury to the efficiency, of the Government provision, or interference with the requirements of discipline, or embarrassment to military operations.

How com- The Department shall consist of a Secretary and posed< of a body of Commissioners, to be hereafter named, who shall be divided into four sections.

Atlantic Sec- One section to be named the “ Atlantic Supply tion* Section,” shall collect goods in all parts of the New England States, except those parts from which

3

goods will be more conveniently and economically collected at New York than at Boston; and shall transport and distribute goods to those portions of the army, best reached by shipment on the Atlantic.

Another section, to be named the “ Eastern Eastern Cen- Central Supply Section/’ shall collect goods in the tral Section- region between New England and the Atlantic, on the one side, and the Alleghenies on the other, with that portion of the State of New York, from which goods can conveniently and economically be drawn to the city of New York, and shall transport and distribute goods to those parts of the army most conveniently reached by land transportation east of the Allegheny Mountains, or through the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

A thiid section, to be named the uAYestern Western Cen-

Central Supply Section,” shall collect goods between tral Section-

the district last defined and that portion of the country from which goods can be collected at Cairo or Chicago more conveniently and economically than at Louisville, and shall transport and distri¬ bute goods to those portions of the army most conveniently reached from this district by land or water conveyance east of the Tennessee River.

The fourth to be named the “ Mississippi Supply Mississippi Section,” shall collect goods in the district west- Section- ward of the last defined , and transport and distribute goods to those portions of the army most con¬ veniently reached by the Tennessee River or by routes of communication westward thereof.

Each Section shall appoint a Superintendent, Superintend- who shall be responsible for the transportation and v?dedPfor" distribution of all supplementary hospital supplies coming under the control of the Section.

All persons to be employed in the transportation Their duties or distribution of these hospital supplies, shall be defincd- appointed directly by the Superintendent, or by the Section, upon his nomination. He shall define

4

*

their duties ; they shall be responsible to him, and he shall be responsible for them.

Authority of Each Section shall establish such rules for the SUstiimitsnd distribution of hospital goods, for the supplementary supply of the forces of the United States within its own field, as it may deem best, provided that no goods be issued, (except in cases of great emergency, as after battles, or upon the order of Vouchers for the Secretary of the Department,) without vouchers lssueS; obtained for the same, testifying that a competent surgeon has become responsible for an honest and judicious distribution of them, and that in those cases where goods are issued, and it is impracticable Record of to obtain vouchers, a record shall be made and 1 vouched! furnished to the Section, of the circumstances justifying the issue.

It shall be the duty of each Section to maintain

Reserve sup- reserves of such goods as are likely to be wanted lilies ^ v

Battle-field immediately after battles, either within the field of

distribution. act*ve 0perati0ns, or as near thereto as will be safe.

In cases of battles, or unusual calamities, these and other supplies may be distributed when neces¬ sary to save life, or relieve suffering, without the vouchers ordinarily required, though this evidence of judicious distribution shall not be neglected to be obtained where it is possible to secure it without inhumanity. It shall also be the duty of each Sections to section on such occasions to lead in, and accom- lKlar rdiefU" modate its operations to all popular movements of movements, relief, so far as this can be done without disregard of the known wishes of officers personally responsi¬ ble for the judicious care of those needing relief. Such extraordinary action may be extended to other departments than its own, care being taken to harmonize and subordinate its operation as much as possible, to those of the Section more directly responsible in behalf of the Commission.

Monthly Ac- The Superintendent of Supplies for each Section perintendent" shall render an account, monthly, to the Section,

5

of the goods which have come under his control since his previous report ; the society or individuals from whom they have been received, and the kinds and quantities of each kind received from each.

He shall also, monthly, render a specific account of all goods issued, and shall therewith exhibit vouchers for the same, or a statement, showing the circumstances which justified the issue of all goods which have been issued for which he is unable to present vouchers.

A Monthly Statement shall be made by each MonthiyState- Section, signed or countersigned by its chairman ™0entofSe(> and sent to the Central Office of the Commission’ showing the amount of each kind of goods issued’ for which examined and approved vouchers are held, and for which satisfactory written explana¬ tions of special occasions for issue have been received respectively, and the total amount issued from the Section.

The Secretary of the Supply Department shall Power and be ea? officio a member of each Section of that % 0£SecV Department ; he shall meet and confer with the ° ™entPart members of each section at frequent intervals, and with the several Superintendents. He shall examine their books and accounts, and instruct those who keep them to adopt methods, so far as he may think desirable, of a uniform character ; and his instructions in this respect shall not he overruled by the Sections. He shall also visit at intervals the different stations of distribution, and .secure information, which will enable him to judge of thecomjiarative degrees of need for supplementary supplies of all kinds in all parts of the army. He shall endeavor to cause special deficiencies in any part of the army to be met, by advising the proper Section to stimulate the supply in the special direction required.

But if this action will not, in his judgment, he adequate to the duty of the Commission in the

6

case, as an equalizer of* the supplementary supply of the whole country, with reference to the wants of all parts of the army, he shall call upon any other Section, whose supply of the article wanted is known to he greater relatively to the demand of the portion of the army immediately correspond¬ ing with that section.

Account of A special account shall he kept hy each section Transfer. tpe g00qs s0 removed from or received into the

custody of its Superintendent.

Semi-Annual On the first of May and the first of November,

Stsaete“tanry?f of each year, the Secretary of the Department shall supply to the Central Office of the Commission a consolidated statement of all accounts which have heen provided for in each section, for the half year ending one month before these dates respectively. This account shall exhibit a summary of the kinds and the quantity of each kind of goods received, issued, and remaining on hand in each Section.

Semi-Annual A General Report upon the affairs of the Depart- SeecPretary°f ment shall he made at the same time hy the Secre¬ tary, which shall subsequently he presented to the Commission. This report shall state wherein the Department has fulfilled its assigned purpose, and wherein it has failed to do so, and through what fault of the system or through whose neglect or mismanagement the failure has occurred. He shall at the same time present in a distinct form for action, a statement of the legislation of the Board which he may deem to he required for this Department.

Supply Agents No agent of the Sanitary Commission with the

to thdrTuti^ army, after the Sections shall have heen completely organized, shall allow his time to he occupied, or take any responsibilities about supplementary supplies which have not heen entrusted unreserv¬ edly to the Commission’s agency of distribution.

Inspectors not From and after the first of August, proximo, no Agents PPly Inspector of the Sanitary Commission shall he

7

employed in collecting, forwarding, storing, or distributing supplies, nor in superintendence of those so engaged.

No one except members of the Commission, and Credentials of the Secretary and Superintendents of the Supply Supply Ag’ts- Department of the Commission, shall he authorized to visit the army or to act in any way with the army in the name of the Commission, for the conveyance, care of or distribution of supplies, except he hears with him credentials after the following form :

“ To all whom it may concern : The hearer [here giving his name] with regard to whom I have received the testimony of persons whom I know to he honorable men and good and loyal citizens of the United States, that he is and has been a thor¬ oughly loyal citizen of the United States, is appointed in behalf of the Sanitary Commission under authority from the Secretary of War [here state nature of appointment, with the date and signature of Superintendent].”

“ The above appointment is accepted by me, and I hereby solemnly engage that while holding this appointment, I will honor and sustain all require¬ ments of discipline in the Army and Navy of the United States , that I will refrain from giving information or repeating reports, or expressing surmises, by letter or otherwise, to any persons not connected with the Army or Navy, with regard to any movements or operations of the Army or Navy; the strength of posts or of bodies of the Army and Navy; about sickness or mortality in the Army or Navy, or about anything whatever concerning the Army or Navy, which I do not know to have been otherwise made generally public , I also engage to refrain from giving information or expressing ojnnions calculated to create or confirm distrust of the arrangements of the Government, or unfavorable to the character

8

of its officers and agents ; I also engage that I will not write or communicate information for publica¬ tion in any newspaper, while I hold this appoint¬ ment; I also engage, that whenever I leave, or am dismissed, from the service of the Sanitary Commission, I will return the copy which I now retain of this paper to the Superintendent from whom I received it, or to his representative.

[date]

Signed with a full knowledge I and understanding of the - obligations assumed.

Attest —

Copy of Crc- Within one week of the appointment of any agent

dentials to be , i -.i , , xl A

sent to Cen- to he with, or to go to, the Army or Navy in the trai Office. name 0f the Commission, on business of the Supply Department, the Superintendent, by whom he is appointed, shall send a duplicate copy of his cre¬ dentials, with his signature attached, to the Central Office at Washington, and a triplicate to the office of the Section under which he is employed.

Lists of'Agcnts Once a month each Superintendent of the Supply Central Office! Department shall send to the Central Office of the Commission a list of all persons employed by him, or authorized by him to visit or act with the Army or Navy, showing the character of the duties for, and the stations at which each is employed. Appointment Each Section shall, within one week of the dentTo re- appointment of its Superintendent, advise the For,te^i° Cen" Central Office of the Commission thereof, and shall supply the Central Office with adequate testimony of his loyalty, and qualifications as a discreet and trustworthy man for the responsibilities imposed upon him.

Adopted by the Commission, June 13 th, 1863.

FRED. LAW OLMSTED,

General Secretary.

SANITARY COMMISSION,

ISTOi G’7’.

REPORT

ON THE

PENSION SYSTEMS,

AND

FRANCE, PRUSSIA, AUSTRIA, RUSSIA AND ITALY,

WITH SOME SUGGESTIONS UPON THE REST MEANS OF DISPOSING OF OUR DISABLED SOLDIERS.

BY STEPHEN H. PERKINS.

NEW YORK :

Wm. C. Bryant & Co., Pkintees, 41 Nassau St., coe. JLi3ekty.

1863.

NOTE.

e attention of the Samtary Commission has been for a long while directed to the subject of a timely provision for the soldiers disabled in the war after peace shall be restored. The question is full of difficulties. Very little inform¬ ation or guidance is to be obtained from books. The Commission learning during the past summer, that Mr. S. G. Perkins, of Boston, was about visiting Europe, and being acquainted with his interest in similar questions, resolved to avail Itself, if possible, of his talents and opportunities to collect information, by personal visits, or otherwise, touching the administration of Invalid Hos¬ pitals, and the provision made for disabled soldiers, in Europe. Mr Perkins accepted the appointment, and sailed soon after for France, where his investi¬ gations began. The annexed Eeport presented by him, embodies the results of his observations in the various countries which he visited. It will be found of interest to philanthropists and economists, and will also furnish us with valuable practical suggestions to guide our legislation, in its ultimate disposition of the future of our disabled soldiers.

New York, July 1st, 1863.

letter of instructions.

New Yoke, August 15tli, 1862.

Stephex G. Pekkixs, Esq. .

j)ear g;r_Xhe Sanitary Commission are much exeicis i with the subject of the future of the disabled soldiers of this war Thev calculate that, if it continue a year longer, not less than a hundred thousand men, of impaired vigor, maimed or broken in body and spirit, will be thrown on the country. Add to this a tide of another hundred thousand men, demoralized for civil life by military habits, and it is easy to see wnat a trial to the order, industry, and security of society, and what a burden to its already strained resources, there is m store for us. It is, in our judgment, to the last degree important to begin now, to create a public opinion which shall conduce to, or compel the adoption of, the wisest policy on the part .of our municipal and town governments, in respect of disaolea sol- diers_s0 as to discourage all favor to mendicity-all allow¬ ance to any exceptional license to those who have been soldiers — all disposition for invalids to throw themselves, any further than is necessary, on the support and protection of society You, who have paid so much attention to social science, know how easily loose, indulgent and destructive notions creep into communities, under the name and purpose of humanity, and what temptations of a sentimental kind there will be, to favor a policy which will undermine selt-respeet, self-support, and the true American pride of personal mde-

pendence. , . ,1

Iu view of this, the Sanitary Commission is now studying

general subject of the proper method of dealing with our dis-

abled soldiers at the close of the war, and, as far as possible, prior to that. The few guiding principles thus far excogitated, appear to be these :

1. As little outside interference with natural laws and self- help as possible.

2. As much moral and other encouragement and strengthen¬ ing of the natural reliances as possible.

3. The utmost endeavor to promote the healthy absorption of the invalid class into the homes, and into the ordinary industry of the country.

In opposition to these principles will be the rivalry and com¬ petition of States, in generosity to disabled soldiers — similar to that which has appeared in running bounties to recruits up to an excessive and injurious height; the attempt to make political capital out of the sympathy of the public with the invalids of the war — issuing in over-legislation and over action — with much bad and demoralizing sentimentality — and, worst of all, a public disposition to treat this whole class as a class with a right to be idle, or to beg, or to claim exemption from the ordinary rules of life.

To illustrate what I mean by interference with natural laws, I should regard any general scheme for herdingthe invalids of the war into State or National Institutions, as a most dangerous blow to domestic order, to the sacredness of home affections and responsibilities, as well as a weakening of what may be termed the law of local sympathy. Their natural kindred are the first protectors of our invalids ; the local community* the next ; and the State the last. We must exhaust the two first before drawing* on the last ; or, rather, wo must cherish and sus¬ tain the two first by every possible means before resorting to the last, which in the end will require to be heavily drawn

6

upon. This is not a matter of mere pecuniary consideration.

It is not to save the State or National Treasury, but to encour¬ age and save the spirit of independence, to preserve the self- respect, and the homely graces and virtues of the People on which all the real dignity and strength of the Nation rest.

To accomplish this result — i. e., to restore the large ’propor¬ tion of all our invalids to their homes, there to live and labor according to their strength, sustained and blessed by their own kindred — we must have a sound, a generous, a wisely considered pension law; and this pension law must be rid of all humiliat¬ ing or enslaving character. It must be considered as the pay¬ ment of what has been earned, and its payment should be made regular, punctual, immediate, and with as little loss by agen¬ cies and obstructions as possible. Moreover, the right to a pension should not rest exclusively on visible wounds. Broken constitutions, or impaired vigor, traceable unmistakably to mili¬ tary service, should entitle to a pension.

To employ to the utmost the law of local sympathy, the dis¬ abled and invalid soldiers should be encouraged in every way to settle in the neighborhoods from which they came, and be thrown as much as possible on the fraternal responsibility of their neighbors for employment and sympathetic aid. A sense of local or communal responsibility to leave the light employ¬ ments in every village or hamlet to these invalids, should be cherished. The emulations of towns could be depended upon for this, were a proper start given to it by a judicious amount of writing on the subject in the leading journals. In London, by some recent law, one-legged or one-armed men have some special privileges, as ticket-taker3, parcel-bearers, messengers, &c. (I hope you will find out when abroad precisely what it is.) I am confident that if we begin right we can induce a most extensive and most wholesome re-absorption of the invalids of the war into the civil life of the nation, to the actual advantage

7

of its affections, its patriotism, and its honest pride. But the subject will need careful guidance.

After every thing has been done to discover and appropriate all light forms of industry throughout the whole circle of trades suited to maimed and invalid men, there will still re¬ main those whom the small support of a pension, eked out by home protection or local sympathy and co-operation, will not adequately care for. The large body of foreigners, the reckless and unrelated, those who have hitherto been afloat, with such as are most seriously disabled, or have least natural force to provide for themselves— these must be collected in National Institutions. We don’t want a vast net-work of soldiers’ poor- houses scattered through the land, in which these brave fellows will languish away dull and wretched lives. Nor do we want petty State asylums, to be quarrelled about and made the sub¬ ject of party polities. We want to economize our battered heroes, and take care of them in such a way as to maintain the military spirit and the national pride ; to nurse the memories of the war, and to keep in the eye of the Nation the price of its liberties. After reducing to the smallest number this class, to be kept in the hands of the State, how best to deal with it is the chief problem connected with this topic ; and the principal » sources of light are, first, general principles, and next, the ex¬ perience of other nations — for we have had next to none in our own country.

Of the general principles, a few occur to me at once :

1. Justice and policy both demand that these Institutions should be National, and not State Institutions. A war against State pretensions should not end without strengthening in every way Federal influence. This war is a struggle for National existence. We have found a National heart, and life, and body. Now, let us cherish it. I know that desperate efforts will be made to build up State asylums for these invalids. Let us judiciously discourage the idea from the start.

8

9. The Institutions should honor both military and civil life. They should be military in their organization, control, dress, drill, and maintain the antecedents of the war from which they spring. The care of the trophies, arms, cannon, &c., might be assigned to them. They should be made nurseries of our mili¬ tary glory, and should, in some way, be skillfully co-ordinated with the popular heart, so as to feel, and to animate, the national sentiment. At the same time they should be indus¬ trial — encouraging and allowing such an amount and variety of labor as would discourage listlessness and monotony, and prevent the feeling of utter dependence.

How these institutions are to grow up, is doubtful ; whether l>y degrees, as ci necessity , or by bold legislation from the start.

We have thought, as a Commission, of asking the Govern¬ ment for the control and care of disabled soldiers from the time they leave the Hospital as patients, and begin their convales¬ cence, to the period when they are finally discnarged ; say four months on the average ; then to create special Hospitals (with Government funds) for these convalescents, of a temporary char¬ acter ; to find out the homes, and favor the establishment in their own local communities of all able to be thus provided tor; having an eye, through our village affiliated associations, to their well-being and future career, and aiding in every way the success of the just principles laid down in the earlier part of this letter.

Then, retaining, partly at our own expense, (that is, out of t^e spontaneous bestowments of the people,) all those disabled men wrho are the proper subjects for permanent asylums, finally to inaugurate a great asylum, with branches, partly under our own control and management, partly under that of the Government, which by degrees should embrace and embody every wise, humane, and patriotic idea suited to the case. Our dependence for success in such a scheme very crude as

9

jet— would be the possession of more and earlier thought, better and fuller information, a profounder and wiser plan- such a plan as would recommend itself— and which on state- ment would so engage the consent and affections of the people, as to secure its adoption by Congress.

If this matter be left to politicians, or be hurried through Congress bj busy men, it will want all profound merits. It will be sure to violate our American principles, to wound poli¬ tical economy, and to botch the whole idea. If, on the other hand, we can slowly mature a wise, ripe plan, it may become a germ of the utmost beneficence to the soldiers and to the nation.

We are very anxious to have a careful report on the subject of the foreign institutions for the care of invalid soldiers, before the next meeting of Congress. And at the meeting of the Ex¬ ecutive Committee of the Sanitary Commission recently held at my house, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Olmsted, and passed:

Resolved , That S. G. Perkins, Esq., ho requested to study the- military pension and invalid system of the principal Euro- pean nations, visiting the more important establishments in which invalid soldiers are maintained, and to report his obser¬ vations to the Commission, with the conclusions of his judgment in regard to an invalid and pension system for the disabled soldiers of the present war.

I hope you will consent to do this work for us. I know no man so well fitted, and i really think it can 'be laid upon you as a clear call of Divine Providence. Nothing was said on the subject of remuneration. We are all volunteers in this good ^oik. Lut I think there is no doubt that any necessary expen¬ ses, incurred in this service, extra to your natural expenses, would be cheerfully reimbursed by this Commission ; and, if

10

this is a point of interest or importance, I will have action taken upon it at the earliest moment.

I have not felt at liberty to with old this communication, although, since the resolution was passed, instructing me to make it, so serious a calamity has fallen upon you. If the sympathy of numerous friends can alleviate your great trial, you will not want much consolation in so profound a sorrow.

I am, dear sir, very respectfully and cordially,

Yours,

HENRY W, BELLOWS, President of the Sanitary Commission .

't.

11

REPORT,

Florence, May 22, 1863.

Bev. Henry W. Bellows,

President of the XL S. Sanitary Commission :

Hear Sir,— —In accordance with a resolution passed by your Board, and communicated to me on the 15th of August last, requesting me “ to study the military pension and invalid “ systems of the principal European nations, visiting the more a important establishments in which invalid soldiers are main- <c tained, and to report 6 my ’ observations to the Commission, “with the conclusions of c my ’ judgment in regard to an in- “ valid and pension system for the disabled soldiers of the ct present war,” I beg leave now to report :

That immediately upon my arrival in France, in September last, I began to make the inquiries indicated, by personal ap¬ plication in Paris, and by opening a correspondence in the various capitals of Europe. After about seven weeks’ delay in Paris, I proceeded to Berlin, whence I intended going to St. Petersburgh, but finding the season too far advanced, I was forced to depend entirely upon correspondence there, and went from Berlin to Vienna, and thence came to Italy. I have already forwarded to you from France and Germany, and from this place, a number of documents, printed and manuscript, containing the various pension laws and tariffs, and a number of details relating to the invalid hospitals, especially of France and Italy, all which, so far as they elucidate the subject, please to consider as attached to this report.

I proposed to myself in beginning the inquiry, to obtain answers as far as possible, to the following queries :

12

1. The nature of the service, or the injuries which entitle a soldier to receive a pension.

2. The minimum and maximum rates of pension for the common soldiers and principal officers.

3. The rates allowed to widows and orphans.

4. The whole number of military pensions, distinguishing those of officers, soldiers, and widows.

5. The whole amount of pensions paid in 1861, distinguishing the amounts paid to officers, soldiers, and their widows.

6. The nature of service or injury giving a right to enter in¬ valid hospitals or societies.

7. The terms on which such entry is accorded, especially as relating to the continued receipt or the abandonment of the pensions.

8. The number of invalid hospitals, and of their inmates, their situation, &c.

9. Total cost of maintaining the hospitals, including every¬ thing excepting rent.

10. The occupation of the inmates, and such further details as might seem useful.

11. What other provision (out of hospital and besides pension) is made for invalids.

The annexed table shows, briefly stated, the answers to these queries, as far as I have obtained them, and so arranged that a comparison can be made between the different nations enumer¬ ated. It will be seen that in France and Italy, the provision for the common soldier, as w~ell in regard to the terms on which

13

the pension and the right of admission to hospital are accorded, as to rates of pension allowed, and to the care of their widows and children, is far more just and humane than that existing in Germany. Indeed, in Prussia and Austria, the minimum pen¬ sion of the common soldier is a mere pittance, which can go but very little way towards supporting him, and only those most severely injured gain admission to the hospitals. In France, the pensions have been raised several times, and the minimum now for the common soldier, is one franc a day. In Italy, it is about fifty-five centimes; in Prussia, twelve thalers a year ; and in Austria, five kreutzers (say two cents) a day.

The average of all the pensions of subalterns and soldiers in Austria, appears to be only twenty-eight florins per annum, or say between three and four cents a day.

Another striking contrast is shown by the table, in the treat¬ ment of officers and soldiers. In France, about one-fifth of the pensions is paid to officers, and the amount so paid is about fifteen thirty-thirds of the whole payment, whereas in Prussia, only one-sixth of the pensions belongs to officers, hut it absorbs twenty-eight thirty-thirds of the payment, while in Austria, the pensions of the officers and their widows are one-fourth of the whole number, and absorb about twenty-eight thirty thirds of the whole payment. In contrasting France and Italy, we find that although the rates of pensions are about the same (allowing for the cost of living), and the terms of admission both into the ranks of the pensioners and into the invalid establishments are very similar, the practice of the pensioners is quite different. While in France, the number in hospital is constantly diminish¬ ing, and the inmates and admissions consist almost entirely of men over sixty years of age, and the whole number of in¬ valids is only about two thousand, with a pension list of over fitty -seven thousand, in Italy there are over ten thousand men in the hospitals, with a pension list of about thirty thousand. It

14

is true, that a certain number of these are men left in hospital by the government lately expelled from Naples, but the con¬ trast is Highly honorable to the French character. The returns from all these countries agree in one particular, and a very im¬ portant one for our consideration, viz., that, in consequence of the laws establishing pensions and hospitals having been made at different times, and without due regard to each other, there is no just proportion between the cost of maintenance of the in¬ valids in hospital and the rates of pension allowed, even where the latter are the most liberal. Either the former is too high, or the latter is too low. Probably, the cost in hospital is everywhere much too high.

Dr. Faure, Medical Director of the Invalides, states that in the year 1861 there was an average number of 2,302 invalids in the Hotel deslnvalides in Paris, and that the cost of maintain¬ ing them, including all salaries, and the charges for repairs of the Hotel, but no rent, was frs. 2,313,744.41, equal to frs. 1,005.10 per head.

On the 25tli of October, 1862, there remained in the estab¬

lishment 2,099 invalids, viz. :

1 chef de bataillon,

15 capitaines,

23 lieutenants,

23 sous-lieutenants,

33 chefs et adjts. de division, 12 adjts. sous-officiers,

58 caporaux sous-officiers, 33 sergent-majors,

351 sergents,

281 caporaux,

1,250 soldats,

16 tambours.

1,992

107

2,099 invalids.

The amount of pensions which would have been paid to these persons, had they not entered the hospital, would have been, as

/'i

15

nearly as can be ascertained, frs. 1,150,890, or, say, frs. 548.30 average, per man. They cost the State, therefore, nearly twice as much in hospital, as the amount of their pensions One reason of this is, that the Hotel is fitted to accommodate about double the present number of inmates, but there is, also, a great deal of useless expense.

A similar result is found in Italy, where the hospitals are crowded. I have not at hand the data for calculating the pensions to which the invalids would be entitled, but the general figures show the result. Thus, 10,759 persons in hospital cost frs. 6,388,593 per annum, while the amount of 30,229 pensions, in¬ cluding officers, is only frs. 15,748,328. The contrast is still greater in Germany. The 480 invalids in hospital in Prussia cost more in proportion to the average of pension than the French invalids do ; and in Austria, where the average of all the pensions of subalterns and soldiers is only florins 28 per annum, the average cost of 200 officers, and 201 soldiers and subalterns, in the six hospitals and Filialien, is florins 162 per head per annum. The general conclusion is, that all laws es¬ tablishing pensions and invalid hospitals should be made with reference to each other.

Although there may he no features in the European systems above lefeired to, which are to be recommended as models to be copied, still I think we may gain from the examination of them, not only knowledge of what we ought to avoid, hut also some ideas which we may apply in framing our law. The great point to be avoided, and yet one which seems to have been almost everywhere overlooked, is the failure to provide regular civil occupation for the invalids. For want of this, it has been found impossible at the Hotel des Invalides, in Paris, to prevent drunkenness. Dr. Faure, the head physician of that establish¬ ment, told me that it was common for the invalids to sell their rations of meat and bread, in order to obtain the means to buy

16

brandy, and that nearly all tlie punishments which they were forced to inflict, arose from drunkenness. Other officers of that establishment corroborated his statement, and all said, if you establish an invalid hospital system, let regular occupation for

invalids be the corner-stone of it.

As regards the features which may be imitated with adaptations to our peculiar condition, there are, perhaps, two. First, the Prussian civibversorgung-scheins, of which there is a particular account in the documents I sent you from Berlin ; and, secondly , the Prussian and Italian plan of dividing all the invalids into two classes— one still fit for stationary military duty, and one unfit for any military duty, from the former of which the garri¬ sons, in certain proportions, are recruited. By extending this to all pensions, and allowing those fitted for service to volun¬ teer for garrison duty, perhaps a considerable number of pen¬ sioners might be saved, as it is presumable that the United States Government will be obliged to maintain numerous gar¬ risons for many years after the present war shall have come to an end. Probably, likewise, a number of men might volunteer, especially among our naturalized citizens, for the sake of ex¬ changing their pensions for the full pay of a soldier, and with

light duties in garrison service.

As regards the civibversorgung-scheins, they may he de¬ scribed as warrants issued to military pensioners by govern¬ ment, securing them appointments to the first places vacant in certain subordinate branches of civil service (such as the rail¬ roads, post-offices, custom-houses, &c.), for which they may be found fit, to the exclusion of competitors from civil life. There are said to be about fifteen hundred of these issued annually , and and as fast as they are provided with places in the civil service, they are stricken' off the pension list. This system is very econ¬ omical for the government, but in Prussia it works a great evil, by building up a military caste among the lower orders of

it

society, analogous to the one which exists among the upper classes. In the United States, I think we should have little tl fear on tins score, and as onr Government is obliged to main am a mnlthude °f subordinate officers in the custom-houses, he post-offices, &c„ it might be no disadvantage to have half ie number cons, st of men entitled to hold their places during good behavior, and so removed from the corrupting influences of political changes. The war must leave us a very large num¬ ber of young invalids to provide for, and it is very important therefore, for economical and other reasons, that a variety of occupations should be offered to them, so that the different tas es and habits of the men may be suited, as far as possible and the number of idle pensioners in the republic reduced to the u most ; and no invalid ought to be left in the position to com¬ plain, taat with a pension less than sufficient to support him, he

18 °1Ced t0 COmPete in the °Pen labor market with able-bodied

n the following schedule of a pension and hospital law, which mve concluded to submit to the consideration of the Board ave endeavored to combine this variety with such features as’ appear to me to be important :

Proposed Schedule of Pension and Hospital Laws.

1- That every officer and soldier permanently disabled by wounds or sickness during the present war, shall be entitled to a pension from the United States Government.

That theie shall be three rates of pensions, viz: A max-

" rate’ Sufflcient t0 suPP01't the pensioner according to his lank with due economy, to be accorded to those who have suf- ered injuries equal to the loss of two limbs; a medium rate, to be accorded to those who have received injuries equal to the

o one limb ; and a minimum rate for all minor injuries

2

18

3. That the widows and orphans of those who have died from wounds, or disease, be allowed one- half the maximum rate , pay¬ able to the widows during life, if they remain unmarried ; to the boys, until they reach 21 years of age; and to the girls, until that age, or their previous marriage.

4. That all the pensioners be divided into two classes— one, fit for garrison, or other stationary military service, and one, unfit for such service, and that the garrisons be recruited to the extent of one-half their number, from volunteers of the former class, who shall receive full pay and rations, but aban¬ don their pensions while in service. On being honorably dis¬ charged, they shall have the right to resume their pensions.

5. That all pensioners shall have the right to be appointed to certain subordinate employments in the civil service of the United States, within the States to which they respectively belong (Custom-ITouses, Post-Offices, &c.) in preference to other competitors, on making proper application, and showing fitness for the office asked for. That such persons, on getting their appointment, shall abandon their pensions, without any rffiht to resume them, but be entitled to hold their appointments during good behavior.

6. That the U. S. Government shall establish in every State, in some central and healthy situation, an invalid industrial vil¬ lage, to consist of buildings intended as boarding-houses for unmanned men, to contain not over one hundred boarders in any one house, and of small cottages, to be let to married in¬ valids, or such as prefer to keep house for themselves.

7. That these establishments shall be under strict military

o-overnment, and each be the residence of a pension agent for & 7

19

the State in which it is situated, actiDg under the central agency in Washington.

That occupations of various kinds, agricultural and manu¬ facturing, and suited, as far as possible, to the capabilities of men disabled in various ways, be established in these villages, and all invalids able to work, who may inhabit them, be obliged to work, and he paid wages according to the value of their labor.

Said wages to be fixed by an officer or board appointed for the purpose*

8. That all pensioners shall have the right of admission into these hospitals (each within his own State), with an option be¬ tween two arrangements, viz. : either (a) to retain his pension and pay all his own expenses, including board if he live in a large house, or house-hire and his own provisions, if he prefer to keep house, or, (b) to abandon his pension and be fed and lodged by Government, merely clothing himself from his wages ; with the right, however, to resume his pension and pay his own expenses after he has attained skill in the new work he may have to learn — say after one year’s apprenticeship.

9. That any pensioner in hospital shall have the right to leave the hospital and resume his pension, if he had abandoned it, after one year’s stay, and by giving three months’ notice, but that in this case he shall not be entitled to return to it.

10. That the products shall belong to the United States, and be applied, as far as possible, to the use of the invalid estab¬ lishments.

I remain, dear Sir,

Very respectfully,

Your obt. Servt.,

STEPHEN H. PERKINS.

IN D I . Y.	FI erent COUNTRIES.
kussia.	Remarks.
L r ranee.	1	"1 he details as to time of service character of injuries, (fee , differ in each country. See detailed laws.
kuin. . j?5(]		tariffs— 'taMes' Pe"8i°nS' 666 detailed
rr
when pensioner One-quarter of ier cause.		Unsuccessful attempts have been made to increase the officers’ and widows pensions in France.
.ions, 30,229.	1	The number in Prussia seems verv vie?6’ Wheie S° “any S° infco civil ser- . _
M PENSIONS. ••• 15,748,328 | 1
	The proportion paid to officers in | Germany is excessive.
prmanent kind, | age.		Jfn Germany only a portion of those totally disabled can find room in hos¬ pital.
he way of pay is I P PaJ their own j
	The terms in Austria are very favor¬ able to the severely wounded. See de¬ tailed report for the Italian particulars.
>,579 invalids. j		Another large hospital is to be opened in Florence, to relieve the one in Naples.
8,593.	- - -
	Including cost of the schools in Italy.
drafted into , (fee. tnar schools.	I	See detailed reports from France and taly.
	n t	Details of the Prussian civil employ - lent system given in report from lerlin.

A COMPARATIVE VIEW OF THE PENSION AND INVALID SYSTEMS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

	FRANCE.	PRUSSIA.	AUSTRIA.	IT AL	Y.	RUSSIA.	REMARKS.
The nature of the Service or Injuries which entitle a Soldier to a Pension .	Length of service, and injuries and diseases of a permanent, kind.	Same as France.	Injuries precluding the possibility of further military service.	Same as F	ranee.		The details as to time of service, character of injuries, Ac., differ in each country. See detailed laws.
The maximum and minimum rates of Pen¬ sions for the Common Soldier .	PER ANNUM. Francs . 465 “ . 536	PER ANNUM. Thalers . 84 “ . 12	PER DIEM. Kreutzers . 25 . . 5 *	PER ANNUM. Francs . 350 “ . 200		For officers’ pensions, see detailed tariffs — tables.
Pensions of Widows and Orphans .	One quarter of the maximum, when the soldier dies from injuries.	Nothing to widows of common soldiers.	Nothing to widows of common soldiers.	One-half maximum when pensioner dies from wounds. One-quarter of pension if from other cause.		Unsuccessful attempts have been made to increase the officers’ and widows’ pensions in France.
Whole number of Invalid Pensions .	PEN9IONS OF Officers . 10,764 Soldiers and Subalterns . 46,602 57,36fi	PENSIONS OF Officers . 4,000 Soldiers and Subalterns . 21,000 25,000	PENSION OF OFFICERS, <tC. Non-combatants . 11,165 Officers’ Widows . 6,475 Soldiers and->Subalterns. . . 52,010 69^650"	All military pensions, 30,229.		The number in Prussia seems very large, where so many go into civil ser¬ vice.
Amount of Pensions paid per Annum .	1861. officers’ pensions. Francs . 14,863,646 Soldiers and Subalterns.. 18,532,265 Francs . 33,395,911	1861. officers' pensions. Thalers . 2,788,611 Soldiers and Subalterns . . 570,125 Thalers . 3,368,736	1861. Florins. Officers, Ac . 7,851,165 Widows of . 933,870 8,785,036 Soldiers and Subalterns.. 1,465,000 Florins . 10,250,036	1861. TOTAL OF MILITARY PENSIONS. Amount, Francs . 15,748,328		The proportion paid to officers in Germany is excessive.
The nature of Service, or of Injury, giving a right to enter Invalid Establishments . .	Sixty years of age and the receipt of pension, or injuries equal to the loss of one limb.	The severest kinds of injury, blind¬ ness, and insanity.	Same as in Prussia.	All injuries of a permanent kind, and old age.		In Germany, only a portion of those totally disabled can find room in hos¬ pital.
Terms of Entry, as regards Relinquishment of Pensions .	Pensions cease on entering, but may be reclaimed on leaving Hospital.	Pensions cease.	Pensions continue, and the invalids are supported beside.	Special provision in t made, and invalid expenses.	be way of pay is s pay their own		The terms in Austria are very favor¬ able to tbe severely wounded. See de¬ tailed report for the Italian particulars.
Number of the Invalid Establishments and of Invalids .	One Hospital in Paris. 299 invalids.	Two hospitals, 480 inmates, seven invalid companies, 651 members	Three hospitals, three “ Filialien,” 2,401 invalids.	Two hospitals ; 10,579 invalids.		Another large hospital is to be opened in Florence, to relieve the one in R aples.
Total Annual Cost of Maintenance, exclu¬ sive of Rent .	1861. Frs., 2,313,744 41.		1861. Florins, 389,245.	1861, Frs., 6,388,593.		Including cost of the schools in Italy.
Occupation of Inmates .	Some small offices in the Hotel.	“ Half Invalids ” are drafted for gar¬ rison duty. No employment in the Hospital.	None.	Able-bodied men drafted into garrisons, Ac. Music and Grammar schools.		See detailed reports from France and Italy.
Other provision for Invalids out of Hospital and beside Pension .	None.	The seven invalided companies above named, are quartered on the inhab¬ itants, in different parts of the king¬ dom, at government expense. The , civil versongungschein system.	Three “Filialien,” similar to the Prussian invalid companies.	Non.			Details of the Prussian civil employ¬ ment system given in report from Berlin.

APPENDIX.

.

'

■

23

FRANCE.

Summary of the Pension and Hospital System of France for the Relief of Permanent Military Invalids .

1st. Pensions. — The laws relating to military pensions, are numerous and detailed.

2d. The progress has been towards raising the rates of the various tariffs, applicable to pensioners for long service, for wounds, widows, &c.

3d. The last law (of June, 1861) fixes the pension of the com¬

mon soldier, at minimum rate . frs. 365

Maximum , (excepting under an extraordinary com¬ bination of claims,) . . . 465

And, under certain possible circumstances, rarely

occurring, it can reach . 725

(all per annum.)

A General of Divisions has — minimum . 5,200

“ “ “ maximum . 7,800

Possible under certain combinations. . . 11,232

There is a great variety of rates for officers of inferior rank. A Marshal of France may receive as much as frs. 20,000 pen¬ sion at the pleasure of the Emperor.

\

4th. Widows and orphans receive one quarter of the maxi- m um.

5th. The number of new pensions granted in 1860, was, for

long service . 1,778

For injuries . 1,702

Under the “ Reforme” law . 12

To widows and orphans . 614

4,113

24

6th. The whole number of pensions granted from 1 January,

1855, to 1 October, 1862, was :

Long service .

For injuries . 8,669

, To widows and orphans . 6,174

Making for seven years and nine months. 14,843 pensions arising from loss by war.

7th. The whole number of military pensioners on the 1st

January, 1861, was . 57,366

Of these 10,764 received officers’ pensions.

46,602 “ soldiers’ or subalterns’.

57,366

8th. The whole amount of military pensions 1st January,

1861, was . frs. 33,395,911

Of which belonged to officers . “ 14,863,646

“ soldiers and subalterns “ 18,532,265

frs. 33,395,911

9th. Whole amount of the new pensions granted

the year 1860 . frs. 2,200,000

Average for 5 years , to 1st January, 1861, per

annum . “ 2,639,999

Average for 30 years to do. do . . . . “ 1,975,265

Hem arks.

1st. It appears from the above that the average rate of all persons, is about frs. 550 per annum, including officers, soldiers, and widows.

2d. The sum of frs. 33,000,000 does not include naval pen¬ sions, nor civil pensions. The latter, I suppose, amount to a large sum.

25

3d. The number of military pensions has rapidly decreased as the men of the first Empire have died off. In 1821 there were 122,141 pensioners receiving frs. 46,784,628, as stated by Cardinal Mathieu, who has made a study of the subject.

4th. The widow’s pension of £ the maximum, seems too small. It is true that going to the orphan it is slowly extinguished. Cardinal Mathieu calculates that it requires over 60 years to extinguish such a list.

Invalid Hospitals.

1st. The French Government have been gradually diminish¬ ing the number of Hospitals. There were formerly several in the Provinces, now there remains only the Hotel des Iuvalides in Paris.

2d. The number of inmates in this hospital is gradually piminishing. The deaths exceed in number the admissions In 1854, there were 3,027 inmates; in October, 1862, only 2,099. ’ J

3d. The admissions consist of soldiers in receipt of a pen¬ sion, who have either attained the age of sixty years, or sus¬ tained an injury equal to the loss of one limb.

4th. On entering the hospital, the invalid must resign his pension ; but he can leave the hospital, and resume it again, if he choose. In such case, he cannot return.

5th. The* admissions consist chiefly of men over 60 years of age, and the average age of the inmates is now about 70 years. Since the }Tear 1855, only 283 men under 51 years of age have entered, and only 527 men under 61 years of age.

6th. The cost, in 1861, of feeding, clothing, and governing an average of 2,302 invalids, including all salaries and wages, and the cost of repairs of the Hotel (exclusive of rent), was frs. 2,313,744.41, equal to frs. 2.75 per head per diem !

26

7th. The amount of pensions surrendered by these invalids is about frs. 1,150,890— equal to frs. 1.50 per head per day!

8th. Government provides no employment for the invalids. They are allowed to find work for themselvse in the city, and some do so ; a considerable number are, however, idlers and drunkards.

Remarks.

1st. The number of invalids in hospital will probably diminish for some years to come, as the young men who are entitled to enter generally prefer to remain at home; and the increase of frs. 165 per annum, made in 1861, to the soldiers’ pension, will tend to confirm this habit. Therefore, the cost per head of main¬ taining the inmates will increase. As shown above, it now ex¬ ceeds the pensions to the amount of over a franc a head a day. This shows the importance of having the pension and hospital laws and arrangements such as not to throw a loss upon the gov¬ ernment ly giving an option to the pensioner,

2d. The fact that so few young men enter is highly creditable to the French character, and shows, I think, that with a rate of pensions considerably short of the cost of living, few young men, with ns, would go to the hospital with a prospect ot a bare maintenance.

3d. It is, therefore, desirable to leave them their pensions, and their own charges, and find them work, giving them cer- tain options, which shall leave the cost to the State as nearly as possible the same, whichever choice the invalid may make.

27

Comparison of the Maximum Pensions , ( where two limbs are lost after 12 years active service ,) and the present cost of keeping the same men and officers at the “ Invalides.”

	At the Invalides, October, 1862.	Maximum Pension.		Total Cost.
1	Chief of Battalion, (Major) Frs.	3,730	each. Frs.	3,730
15	Captains, “ Lieutenants, “	3,053	it tt	45,795
23	2,419	a tt	55,637
23	Second Lieutenants, “	2,016	ti it	46,368
33	Chiefs and Adjutants of Division “	2,000	it it	66,000
58	Corporals, (acting lieutenants) “	788	it a	45,704
12	Adjutants, second officers, “	1,193	a tt	14,316
33	Sergeant Majors, “	1,037	tt a	34,221
354	Sergeants, “	881	a a	311,874
281	Corporals, “	788	it tt	221,428
1,250	Soldiers, “	725	it a	906,250
16	Drummers, “	725	a tt	11,600
2,099	Number of Men and officers.	( Cost in ( highest	francs of ) pensions f	1,762,923

This gives, say, frs. 840 per head per annum or frs. 2.30 •per head per day .

N. B. — Dr. Fauee’s statement shows a total expense for 1861, including repairs of the Hotel des Invalides of frs. 2,313,744.41.

If you divide this sum by 2,302 (the average number in the hotel in 1861), you have : Frs. 1,005.10, as the cost per head per annum = to, say, frs. 2.75 per head per diem , deducting cost of repairs.

It gives frs. 951 per an. = frs. 2.60 per head per diem.

The expense in hospital is, therefore, from 30 to 45 centimes more than the1 maximum pensions, and seems to be quite high. This shows the disadvantage of a large establishment , not capable of being suited to changing numbers. As the number of invalids has diminished, the cost per head has been increasing.

The real difference between the pensions and the cost in hos¬ pital is more likely to be 75 centimes, or over, than less; because only a limited number of the inmates would draw a maximum pension if they remained outside.

The present rate of pensions (being for a General of Division from frs. 5,200 to 11,200, according to circumstances, and for a

28

soldier from frs. 365 to 725), induces nearly all the younger in¬ valids to live at home, and get what work they can. The ad¬ missions to the “Invalides” since the war of the Crimea have consisted mostly of men of 60 years of age and over — a consider¬ able number over 80 years old, and some over 90, have come in. The qualification for admission is an injury equal to the loss of one limb, or 25 years of active service ; in fact, the pre¬ requisite condition, in all cases, is the enjoyment of a pension, which pension the applicant must resign if lie enter hospital. If he leave the hospital he can claim his pension again, but he cannot return to the hospital. Most of the present admissions consist of old soldiers, who have got along on the old (lower) rate of pensions until their strength or their friends failed, and then came in, one after the other, never to go out again alive. Under these circumstances the numbers in hospital necessarily diminish, and must continue to do so rapidly for some years. In 1851, there were 3,165 inmates, and in 1861, 2,430 only. The deaths exceed the admissions, and as there may not be any increase in the number of the admissions until the invalids of the late wars grow old, Dr. Faure thinks the number may diminish to 1,000, perhaps, which may cause some change in the establishment. In 1851, at the time M. Bilco undertook the administration, it was first put under the control of the Min¬ ister of War, and an economical reform took place; but it is still fitted to lodge 4,000 invalids. Before 1851 it had an inde¬ pendent government, as originally planned by Louis XIV. The great difficulty at the “ Invalides ” is, that there is no regular employment for the men. They are allowed to find work and wages for themselves, out of the house if they can, merely an¬ swering at morning and evening roll-call, and they can even get permission to remain out by showing good cause; some do this, but most of them, though able to work, either cannot find it or prefer idleness. They sell their allowance of bread (three loaves a day), and even of meat sometimes, and become loungers and drunkards, to a considerable extent. All the officers whom I have seen have said to me, at once, u If you have invalid hos¬ pitals, give the men employment.” This must be the funda¬ mental principle. Although the young French invalids show a very creditable spirit of independence in getting along on their

'

TARIFF OF PENSIONS FOR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYES OF ASSIMILATED RANK, IN THE FRENCH ARMY.

		Retiring Pension for length of service. (Art. 9tb, Act of April 11th, 1831.)	retiring PENSIONS, On account of Wounds, or serious or incurable Infirmities. (a 17 of the Act of April 11, 1831.)	r tides 12, 13, 14;	> 15, 16,	Minimum and Maxi¬	Maximum	Pensions "Widows.
	Rank.		Increase for		Amputation of	Amputation of	Wounds, or serious diseases, oc¬ casioning absolute loss of use of a limb, or something equiva¬ lent to it.	Wounds, oi vent a pi until he 1 1 obtain a	f a less serious character, which pre¬ p-son from remaining in the service has fulfilled the 30 years required to retiring pension.	mum increased by one-fifth.	in case of complete blindness, or the am¬ putation of	Annual relief to , Orphans.
		Minimum at §0 years’ service.			two limbs, or I	one limb, or total								(with one- fifth ad¬ ded.)
		service after •SO years, and for each year resulting from computation of campaigns.	at 50 years of service, campaigns included.	totalloss of sight, loss of use of two Definite pension, [limbs, whatever whatever the du-lthe length of ser¬ ration of the ser- vice, vice.	Minimum.	Increase for each year of service, cam¬ paigns includ¬ ed.	Maximum at 20 years’ service, campaigns included.	Minimum.	Increase for each year of service be¬ yond 30, when cam¬ paigns added to ser¬ vices amount to 30 years.	Maximum after 50 years’ service, campaigns in¬ cluded.	Minimum.	Maximum.	One quarter of the maximum of the retiring pension.
		Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.	Fr.
		5,200	130	7,800	9,360	7,800	5,200	130	7,800	5,200	130	7,800	6,240	9,360	11,232	1,950
		.3,900 1	65	5,200	6,240	5,200	3,900	65	5,200	3,900	65	5,200	4,680	6,240	7,488	1,30Q
		3,120 i	39	3,900	4,680	•3,900	3,120	39	3,900	3,120	39	3,900	I 3,744	4,680	5,616	975
		2,340 1,950 1,560 1,120	39	3,120	3,744	3,120	2,340	39	3,120	2,340	39.	3,120	2,808	3,744	4,493	780
		32	2,590	3,108	2,590	1,950	32	2,590	1,950	32	2,590	I 2,340	3,108	3,730	648
		28	2,120	2,544	2,120	1,660	28	2,1?0	1,560	28	2,120	1,872	2,544	■3,053	580
		28	1,680	2,016	1,680	1,120	28	1,680	1,120	28	1,680	1,344	2,016	2,419	420
	2d “ .	■ '840	2S	1,400	1,680	1,400	840	28	1,400	840	28	1,400	1,008	1,680	2,016	350
		5,200	130	7,800	9,360	7,800	5,200	130	7,800	5,200	130	7,800	6,240	9,360	11,232 7,488	1,950 1,300
		3^900 3,120	65	5,200	6,240	5,200	3,900	65	5,200	3,900	65	5,200	4,680	6,240
		39	3,900	4,680	3,900	3,120	39	3,900	3,120	39	3<900	3,744	4,680 3,744	5,616	975
		2,340 1,950 1,560 3,900	39	3,120	3,744	3,120	2,340	39	3,120	2,340	39	3,120	2,808	4,493	780
	Adjunct Sub-Intendant, Military, 1st class.. . . “ “ “ 2d “ .... f Inspector. . . . .	32 28 65	2,590 j 2,120 5,200	3,108 2,544 6,210	2,590 2,120 5,200	1,950 1,500 3,900	32 28 65	2,590 2,120 5,200	1,950 1,560 3,900	32 28 65	2,590 2,120 5,200	2,340 1,872 4,680	3,108 2,544 6,240	3,730 3,053 7,488	648 530 1,300
	Chief Inspector of 1st class .	3.120 2,340 1,950 1,560 1.120	39	3,900 j	4,680	3,900	3,120	39	3,900	3,120	39	3,900	3,744	4,680	5,616	975
Medical Corps — (Surgeons and -j Apothecaries.)	“ “2d “ .	39	3.120 2,590 i 2.120 1,680 i 1,400 i 1,400 3,120 2,300 2,100 1,660 1,200 1,760	3,744	3,120	2,340	39	8,120	2,340	39	3,120	2,808	3,744	4,493	780
i Major “ “ 1st “ .	32	3,108	2,590	1,950	32	2,590	1,950	32	2,590	2,340 1,872	3,108	3,730	648
“ “ “2d ‘ .	28	2,544 2,016	2,120	1,560	28	2,120	1,560	28	2,120	2,544	3,053	530
Aide-Major 1st “ . .	28	1,680	1,120	28	1,680	1,120	28	1,680	1,344	2,016	2,419	420
	“ 2d “ .	840	28	1,680 1,680 3,744 2,760 2,520 1,992 1,440 2,112 1,800 1,440 1,800 1,440 1,800 1,440 3,744 3,336 2,760 2,112	1,400	840	28	1,400	840	28	1,400	1,008	1,680	2,016	350
	Asst. Aid .	840	28	1,400 3,120	840	28	1,400	840	28	1,400	1,008	1,680	2,016	■ 350
Pay Department, and	f Chief Officer of Administration .	2,340 1,700	39	2,340	39	3,120	2,340	39	3,120	2,808	3,744	4,493	780
Pav-Master, 1st class .	30	2,300	1,700 1,500 1,200 800	30	2,300	1,700	30	2,300	2,040	2,760	3,312	575
other assimilated services connected j	“ 2d “ .	1,500 1,200 800	30	2,100 1,660 1,200	30	2,100	1,500	30	2,100	1,800	2,520	3,024	525
I Chief Adjutant .	23	23	1,660	1,200	23	1,660	1,440	1,992	2,390	416
4 with it.	1 Assistant “ . . . . .... .	20	20	1,200	800	20	1,200 1,760	960	R440	1,728	300
|	f Chief Guard and Director .	1,300 1,100 800 | 1,100	23	1,760 1,600 1,201) 1,500 1,200 1,500	1,300 1,100 800 1,100	23	1,760	1 1,300	23	1,560	2,112	2,534	440
Military Employees of the Artillery, | Engineers, and-{ Transport atiou	Guard, 1st Class ; and Director, 1st Class .... “ 2d “ “ 2d “ _ , Chief State Mechanic .	20 20 20	1,500 1,200 1,500 1,200 1 600	20 20 20	1,500 1,200 1,500 1,200 1,500 1,200 3,120	1,100 | 800 1,100	20 20 20	1,500 1,200 1,500	1,320 960 1,320	1,800 1,440 1,800	2,160 1,728 2,160	375 300 375
Assistant “ .	800	20	*800 1,100 800	20	800	20	1,200	960	1,440	1,728	300
Trains.	1 Master-Mechanic . . .	1,100 800 2,340 2,000 1,700 1,300 1,100 800 |	20	20	i 1,100	20	1,500	1,320	1,800	2,160	375
	L Master- Workman .	20 39	1 200	1*200 3,120 2,780 2,300 1,760 1 600	20 39 39 .30 23 20 20	800	20	1,200	960	1,440	1,728	300
	f Chief Interpreter . |	3^120 2,780 2,300 1,760 1 ,500	2,340 2,000 1,700 1 300	2,340	39	3,120	2,808	3,744	4,493	1 780
	Interpreter of 1st class . 1	39	2^780 2,300 1,760	2,000*	39	2,780	2,400	3,336	4,003	! 695
Corps of Interpret- ^	“ “2d “ . 1	30	1,700	30	2,300	2,040	2,760	3,312	575
ers.	“ “ 3d “ .	23	1,300	23	1,760	1,560	2,112	2,534	440
	Assistant Interpreter, 1st class .	20		R500 1,200	1,100	20	1,500	1,320	1,800	2,160	375
	2d “ .	20	E200 1 3 120	1 ,OUu 1,440	R200 3,120 2,300 1,900	**800	800	20	1,200	960	1,440	1,728	300
	Chief Veterinary Surgeon .	2-, 340 1,700 ^ 1,400 1,300 1 800 1,120	39 ■ 30 25 j 23		3*120 2,300 1,900 1,760	2,340	39	3,120	2,808	3,744	4,493	780
	1st “ “ . 2d “ “ . Aid to “ “ .	2*300 J ,900 j 1 760 '	2/760 2,280 i 9 119	2 340 1*700 1,400	30 25 oq	1*700 1,400 1,300	30 25 23	2,300 1,900 1,760	2,040 1,680 1,560	2,760 2,280 2,112	3,312 2,736 2,634	575 475 440
	Cadet-Aid “ “ .	20 28	1 200	I 1 u	j 1’onrt		AiO 20	1*200	800	20	1,200 1,680	960	1,440	1,728	300
Band-Master .	After 10 vears’ sp.rvir.A .			1 ,200	oOO	1 680	1,120	28	1,344 1,008	2,016 1,680	2,419 2,016	420
“ . Before “ “	l'400	2,01 6	1,680	1,120	28	1*400	840	28	1,400	350 1
		i 28 i		1,680	j 1,400	840	| 28

29

pensions, as well as they can, and the numbers in hospital are diminishing, I think it would be a mistake to suppose that the “ Invalides ” can be ever dispensed with. There is always a

certain number quite unable to get on elsewhere _ men badly

injured and without friends to help them. Then, again, those who undertake to keep themselves know that when friends and wages fail they can always resort, at last, to the “Invalides and they exert themselves more cheerfully, and come into hos¬ pital gradually, as they grow old or weak. With us there are several important reasons, not existing here, for the establish ment of invalid hospitals, where work can be always found and" fairly remunerated ; but even here a hospital of some kind will be always needed, and one without work is better than none.

PENSIONS ANNUALLY GRANTED, UNDER THE ACT OF APRIL 11, 1831.

~~ —	retiring pensions.	widows’ pensions AND ANNUAL RELIEF
	For Length of Service.	For Wounds and Infirmities.	FOR ORPHANS.
Number.	Amount.	Number.	Amount.	Number.	Amount.
1831 . 1832 . 1833 . 1834 . 1835 . 1836 . 1837 . 1838 . 1839 . 1840 . 1841 . 1842 . 1843 . 1844 . 1845 . 1846 . 1847 . ' 1848 . 1849 . 1850 _ ... 1851 . 1852 . 1853 . 1854 . 1855 . 1856 . 1857 . 1858 . 1859 . 1860 .	1,290 1,241 1,895 3,014 2,195 1,532 1,561 1,303 1,543 1,403 1,192 809 1,201 1,310 1,364 1,458 1,367 1.689 3,516 1,261 1,411 1,978 1,518 1,849 1,126 1,587 3,619 2,991 2,272 1,778	1,397,679 1,715,139 2,143,024 2,837,182 2,318,605 1,734,768 1,734,830 1,448,470 1,579,581 1,387,258 1,211,615 788,415 1,205,731 1,215,893 1,364,005 1,259,817 1,193,383 2.708,663 1,221,788 1,237,957 1,188,640 1.700,954 1,230,362 1,540,129 1,178,255 1,412,778 2,413,493 2,123,891 1,702.251 1,250,245	32 531 361 300 238 113 154 194 177 196 318 270 293 290 234 234 301 247 265 329 296 288 314 264 670 3,069 1,380 597 378 1,699	19,725 299,016 136,594 110,900 77,418 47,417 58,967 77,632 69,449 78,431 100,989 100,681 93,459 102,622 78,952 83,458 113,636 86,046 90,503 101,694 101,082 108,619 123,958 103,919 273,791 1,365,227 606,175 289,428 192,584 757,119	783 1,165 1,165 909 769 826 604 582 760 845 846 558 743 665 772 604 694 770 691 610 837 915 578 918 733 965 794 800 732 614	276.825 422.225 346.850 274,450 227,050 223.900 165.775 166,365' 235.225 246,875 252.650 168.775 206,800 192,375 232.900 176.775 201,275 239.825 208,400 185,600 235,750 289,950 170.650 267.850 256,581 341,910 210,633 227,189 219,933 192,579
Total . Average for each of the 30 years,	50,283 | 1,761	47,384,901 1,579,392	13,931 464	5,849,313 193,643	22,229 741	7,063,450 235,448

Extract from Moniteur of 25th June, 1861.

Whole amount of Pensions 1st Jan’y, . .

“ number of pensioners . 57,36C

Of these officers . 10,764, receiving pensions . frs.

“ soldiers and subalterns, 46,602, “ .

Average of pensions, 1860 . . . . . . . ^

“ amount of pensions granted for five years, per annum. . .

33,395,911

14,863,646

18,532,265

539

2,639,999

31

The first remark I make in reviewing the French laws and establishment, is •the necessity of having the Pension and In¬ valid Hospital laws arranged in their details with reference to each other.

Secondly, The importance of fixing such a scale of pensions that the pensioners cannot live on them in idleness unless as¬ sisted by friends.

Thirdly, The advantage of giving invalids a choice , under certain restrictions, between pension and hospital assistance ; and,

Fourthly, The importance of having the pension laws and regulations as simple as possible, consistently with exactness. With us invalid hospitals for the mere purpose of finding work, and taking the men out of the streets and bar-rooms, will be needed. Let all those who can support themselves by labor at home do so— the sooner the better— but let no man be sup¬ ported in idleness outside, and none inside the hospital who can work; and further, let no man be able to say, “I cannot live on my pension, and I cannot find work.”

32

PRUSSIA,

The result of the inquiry here is that Prussia has a volumin¬ ous and complicated system of pensions, but they are made almost entirely in the interest of the officer or noble class, dhe common soldier is turned aside with a very small pittance, or provided for by putting him into civil service, to the exclusion of civilians, by means of the system of “ Versorgungs-Scheins.” The case contrasts very poorly with that of France.

Invalids are disposed of in five ways —

1st. They receive their pension and live at home.

2d. “ go into invalid hospitals.

3d. “ join invalid companies.

4th. “ are drafted into the reserve battalion.

5th. “ receive civil-versorgungs-scheins — that is, papers authorizing them to claim vacant places, within their ability, in post-offices, railroads, and other Government employments. Of these some 1,500 are stated to be issued annually, and as fast as the holders find places equal to their pensions, they are struct off the list of pensioners, and so relieve Government, at the expense of other candidates for the places. This must reduce the list fast, and yet it seems quite large in proportion to the army and the circumstances of the country.

The whole number of pensioners is 25,000 ; of these, 4,000 officers.

Whole amount spent yearly on pensions, thalers 3,35S,736,

of which officers receive . thalers 2,788,611

“ “ soldiers “ “ 570,125

A very striking contrast with France, where the officers con¬ stitute one-fith of the pensioners, and receive only °** tlie fund.

33

The soldiers’ pension here is indeed nominal, viz., minimum

per annum . 12 thalers.

Mamimum (when blind or without arms) . 84 “

A thaler being, say 72 cents, in ordinary times. As Mr. Fay explains the complications of the system, I will refer to his letter for particulars.

The invalid hospitals are but two, and contain only 480 in¬ mates. Their cost is even greater here than in Paris, in pro¬ portion to the rate of pensions and of living.

The invalid companies appear to be intended to take the place of hospitals. There are seven of them distributed about the kingdom, containing 651 members who have resigned their pensions, and are quartered on the inhabitants ; of these, 51 are officers.

The reserved battalion consists of such men as are but little injured, and are drafted for garrison service, and receive wages. They come from the class of “half invalids.”

H. B. — Perhaps we might do something in this way ; of course, leaving it voluntary. For we shall have need of large garrisons for many years.

The civil-versorgungs-scheins constitute the peculiar fea¬ ture, however, of the Prussian system. They tend here to estab¬ lish a permanent military caste among the lower orders, just as already exists among the upper, and are, I suppose, favored by the latter for that reason.

The effect must, however, be very unfavorable for the numerous poor applicants for places in the subordinate branches of the civil service.

Extract from Letter of lion. Theodore S. Fay.

And first the system of military pensions :

Prussia maintains at this moment 200,000 effective men, at the cost of 40 million thalers.

Until 1825, no law existed respecting pensions to officers. 3

34:

Pensions were granted as a matter of favor. Even after the wars of Napoleon the expenditure amounted only to half a mil¬ lion tor officers and soldiers. No officer received any pension without first giving his word that he had no other sufficient means of livelihood.

On the 4th June, 1851, the law, at present in force, regu¬ lating pensions of common soldiers and under officers, was published by the late king, with the consent of the Chambers. It is entitled, “Law concerning the support of military invalids from the Oberfeuerwerker (chief gunner), Eeld- webel (sergeant), and Wachtmeister (sergeant in the cav¬ alry) down.” (Thus, not including superior officers.) It com¬ prehends persons who have become invalid in active service oi in consequence of it. The same principle applies to all without distinction of kind of weapons or of troops. The pensioners are divided into half invalid and wholly invalid. By half invalid is understood those entirely disabled for military service in the field, although not for home military duty in garrison, towns, fortresses, &c. The wholly invalid are disabled absolutely toi every kind of military duty, both in the field and at home.

They are subdivided into four classes :

1. Those entirely disabled for every kind of work.

2. Those for the most part disabled.

3. Those partly disabled.

4. Those slightly disabled, but always in such a way as to wholly disqualify him for military service. A man may be in perfect health, and able to perform Work of various kinds, and yet wholly disqualified for military service, by the loss of his little finger.

Pensions are divided into four classes, and persons entitled to pensions are divided into four grades.

Bemark. — I have, for the sake of clearness, used the word grade to designate the four classes of persons entitled to pen¬ sions, and the word class to designate the four different amounts of pensions. The law uses the word class for both.

The amount of the pensions is monthly :

35

	1. Class.	2. Class.	3. Class.	4. Class.
Thlrs.	Sqr.	Thlrs.	Sqr.	Thlrs.	Sqr.	Thlrs. Sqr.
Grade 1. For Oberfeuerwerker							|~
Feldwebel & Wachtmeister. . .	8		6		5		3
Grade 2. For Vicefeldwebel &
Sergeanten . ...	6		5		4		2 15
Grade 3. For Teuerwerker and
Unterofficiere .	5		4		3		2 |
Grade 4. For the other soldiers.	3	15	2	25	2		1

Each of these four grades, as is seen, thus receives a different pension according as he is —

1. Entirely disabled for every kind of work.

2. For the most part disabled for every kind of work.

3. Partly disabled for every kind of work.

4. Slightly disabled for every kind of work, but always in such a way as to wholly disqualify him for military service.

Pensions are given, however, not only to persons who have been wounded, or become invalid in, or in consequence of, mili¬ tary duty, but to such as have become weakened and disquali¬ fied by the mere length of their service, without any absolute malady.

A. Half Invalid.

The half invalid has a right to a pension after —

a. A service of twelve years, or

b. A possessor of a military order won in war, or

c. Wounded on the battle-field, or

d. Injury received in actual service, or

e. Attack of a contagious eye malady during active military service.

These have the choice either to receive a wholly invalid pen¬ sion of the fourth grade, or to be placed, according to their rank, in a garrison, or fortress, &c.

The term “ contagious eye malady” requires an explanation. The French soldiers brought back from Egypt a strange affec¬ tion, the eyelids becoming inflamed and turning inside out. The inflammation is increased by dusty marches, and loss of sight often followed. The Prussian authorities declare it contagious. It is probably unknown among us.

36

B. Wholly Invalid.

The wholly invalid has a right to the first-class pension.

a. After having served at least 21 years, or

b. Who have in time of war won a Prussian military order, or

c. Who have been wounded on the battle-field, or

d. Who have been injured in direct military service (exclud¬ ing all but direct service), or

e . Who have become entirely blind from contagious malady in the eyes, during active military service.

Second-class pensions are given to wholly invalid persons in a great degree unable to support themselves, after 15 years’ ser¬ vice, on the same conditions as preceding section.

Third-class pensions are given to the wholly invalid

a. After 12 years’ service, or

b. Possessing an order as before, or

c. Who have become partly unable to support themselves, in consequence of certain causes designated in section 10 of the

law.

Fourth-class pensions as designated section II.

Mutilated, or quite blind, invalids are in every case counted as entirely unable to support themselves.

Invalids receiving first-class pensions when mutilated or quite blind, without distinction of grade, receive an additional pen¬ sion in the following cases and decrees :

Loss of two arms, thlr. 3.15 sgr. monthly.

“ u the right arm, thlrs. 2. — • “

“ “ the left arm, u 1. 15 sgr. “

“ “ two feet, “ 1- — “

Complete blindness of both eye3, thlrs. 2.15 sgur. monthly.

The 14th section of the law supposes the case of a person who may claim one of the higher classes of pension by this length of service, but who, notwithstanding, is not really disabled from gaining his support, a lower pension will be accorded to such a person according to the actual degree of his disablement. For instance, the loss of a finger classes a man with the wholly in. valid, and after a service of 21 years entitles him to the invalid pension of the first class ; but if, in other respects, his health is

37

good enough to permit him to work at his profession, a lower pension is substituted.

Oberfeuerwerker ( Feldwebel, ( ),

Wachtmeister, ( ), entitled to pensions of the first

class receive instead of the same, higher pensions, after

30 years’ service, 10 thlrs. monthly.

40 “ “ 12 “ “

50 “ “ 15 “

In the invalid houses,* and invalid companies, f the- wholly invalid, who have claim to the first-class pensions, are received by preference before the others ; the mutilated by the loss of an arm or a foot, before such as are not mutilated ; and, of course, those having lost two arms or two feet, or the entirely blind, before the rest. Of those accepted, only a fourth part must be married persons, and must not bring with them children over fourteen years.

The claim of a soldier must be properly presented for examin¬ ation before released from the service.

Soldiers becoming invalid after quitting the service receive pensions of the fourth class, when they have won an order in war as above, or when their invalid state results from the causes

stipulated in the other sections.

Persons not military, but in military service, have, under cer¬ tain modifications and regulations, the same claim to pensions as military persons; for instance, arsenal gunsmiths, &c. ^

I have given above a resume of the pension law of 1851, foi common soldiers. The principle upon which it is founded, perhaps cannot be understood, except by one acquainted with the country itself. When I asked what regulated the amount of the pension, the reply was: “The knowledge of the means

* There are two invalid houses in Prussia— one in Berlin with 400 inmates, and one iu Stolpe with 80. Most injuries entitle invalids to admission, but on entering they relinquish their pensions, which, however, on again coming out they resume. In these houses they are supplied with everything gratuitously, but board an drink. For this they pay out of their pension 1£ groschen per day.

\ Invalid companies are designed to take the place of the hospitals. There me seven of them, containing 51 officers and 600 men. On entering them the mVc . loses his pension, and is quartered on private families.

38

of subsistence.” It aims at supplying the disabled soldier, who has conducted himself well, and, at the same time, performed his military service, with 'his daily bread. The pensioner wholly disabled from gaining his own livelihood, can live easily and comfortably upon the sum allotted to him. Take, for example, a common soldier, disabled by the loss of two arms, thus totally unable even to turn a hand organ ; he receives 3 thlrs. 15 sgr. pension, and 3 thl. 15 sgr. additional for the loss of his arms, in all 88 thlrs. per annum, which may be applied as follows : A comfortable room for 10 thlrs., if unfurnished, a a high estimate, leaving 74 thlrs. for clothing, food and fuel, &c. I am assured, that all the necessaries of life thus lie within reach of this sum, of course, not in cities, and, taking for granted the absence of bad habits, and of every kind of super¬ fluity, except a little tobacco, and an occasional glass of beer.

To your question, as to what system of employment is estab¬ lished for the purpose of relieving the government from the support of persons able to support themselves, I answer : Prussia has such a system in her criminal prisons, but not in her military hospitals, as the soldier would consider himself lowered by being put to this kind of forced labor. But the government accomplishes the same purpose in another way. Those who are able to labor receive, what is called, u civil- versor- gungs schein.” This is a certificate which entitles the possessor to claim any vacant place in the public service for which he is qualified. The government is thus not only relieved from the charge of the principal part of disabled pensioners, able to work, but secures the services of a large number of tried servants, accustomed to obedience, and bound to it by ties of interest and gratitude. About 1,500 of these certificates are given annually, although the places are not always immediately obtainable. Half invalid persons may choose between three advantages :

1. Pension of the fourth class.

2. Place in a garrison or fortress.

3. Civil-versorgungs schein.

Kemark. — This certificate is never given to an epileptic, nor

39

to any one who has not been distinguished by a good conduct. The old or invalid soldier is thus preferred for every possible place. He is the porter of the public department and offices, the keeper or overseer of the royal palaces and gardens, the conductor and the watchman of the railroad, such as are government property, and with such as are not, it is stipulated on granting the concession that they receive this kind ot employe. They compose the numerous personnel of the post- office. They are the letter-carriers and the postillions, and places are found for them in the administration of theatres, operas, &c. The gendarme, the custom-house officer, the constable, the police officer, all these are relieving the govern¬ ment of the weight of the pension system. Even the aged pauper, who receives permission to turn the hand-organ in public promenades, is an old soldier, who pays for his license. I presume, it may be taken for granted, that no pensioner able to work is long without an employment by which the govern¬ ment is relieved.

It is, however, of course, obvious that this great advantage to the military class is at the expense of the civil population, and that many deserving persons, not in the army or in the civil employment of the government find the uniform often before them in the principal paths of preferment, and are thus placed on the footing of an inferior caste. This would not probably be the case in our country, at least for one or two generations, and as good conduct is, and ought to be, a sine qua non , the innumerable places disposed of by our government might well be committed to ^the faithful employe qualified to perform his duties, instead, as has been often hitherto the case, of being bestowed, without regard to charac¬ ter and qualification, as a reward for party political services.

But might not such a system be used as a party instrument by unscrupulous politicians? Certainly, and the law should, as far as possible, guard against such a danger. It is clear, how¬ ever, that the danger of rewarding unworthy party servants with public places would not be increased by such a system,

* About one thousand 'pensions are thus provided for per annum They lose their pensions only as they obtain places with the Scheins equal to the pension.

40

but rather narrowed in its operations, and it would be for the wisdom of the legislative power to provide means of counteract¬ ing it as far as possible.

While the common soldier and subordinate officer are thus secured from want, the family, after his death, has no legal claim, but private benevolence, under the patronage of the government, has done much for this class in the form of orphan schools and asylum.

The number of pensioned soldiers in 1852 was 29,000, at about the expense of 790,000 thalers. The number has dimin¬ ished in ten years to 21,000 ; the expenses to 570,000 thalers.

The law of 1851 does not refer to superior officers. These are of course, in a higher degree, objects of public favor, and the agffregate costs amount to about two millions of thalers. 30 years’ service entitles to a pension of half-pay. The highest pension is the whole pay.

********

It may be added that an annual appropriation of 100,000 thalers is given for the relief of families of deceased officers. Such items are accorded as 30 thalers a year for a boy’s school- money, and 24 for a girl’s. The number of pensioned officers amounts to 4,000, and the aggregate cost 2J million thalers.*

4S-- 4 f * * *

It might be added that the government is quite satisfied with

* Number of pensioned soldiers in 1862, 21,0Q0; aggregate amount of annual pensions, Th. 570,125 ; average pension of soldier per annum, Tk. 27 (about $ ).

Number of pensioned officers in 1862,4,000; aggregate amount of pensions, Th. 2,788,611 ; average pension of officers per annum, Tk. 697 (about $ ).

But the disparity in favor of rank will more fully appear by comparison with France, where officers forming one-fifth of the pension list receive only 15-33 of the pension fund, while in Prussia officers forming less than one-sixth of the pension list, receive 25-30 of the fund, or seventy-five per cent. more.

Recapitulation.

Cost. Average Thalers per man.

No. of pensioned soldiers, 1862, 21,000 I Th. 570,125 I 27

“ “ officers, “ 4,000 | 2,788,611 | 697

Th. 3,358,736

41

the pension system, but the Chambers have attacked it as too expensive.

Accompanied by Capt. Yon Boehn, I personally visited the Prussian military invalid hospital in Berlin. We were very courteously received by Lieutenant Yon Gersdorf, one of the chief employes of the administration of this establishment, which is under the care of Gen. MalizewskL Every informa¬ tion we required was carefully given. There are no printed reports. The building is a spacious edifice, surrounded by an extensive park; the whole founded and presented by Frederick the Great, and possessing from him a rent of 150,000 thalers, often increased by legacies, &c. There are 400 occupants, who suffer no other control than the rule to be in every evening at 9 o’clock. The building and land to-day would probably cost 100,000 thalers. Another hospital for 400 sick, cost the build¬ ing alone 180,000 thalers. Special accounts could be obtained, if required. The yearly expenses for food and salary are 42,000 thalers ; for keeping up the establishment, warming, lighting, etc., 12,000 thalers ; for clothing, 3,000 thalers. Or¬ ganized as follows :

1 commandant.

8 chefs de compagnies.

8 first-lieutenants.

9 second-lieutenants.

400 men, of vdiom a hundred may be married. The pen¬ sioners receive gratuitously lodging, washing, cloth, light, fuel, everything except board and drink. They pay for food out of their pension one groschen and a quarter a day. They may drink what, and as much as they like, of course paying tor it themselves. The whole expense of the establishment for food, salary, clothing, lighting, warming, etc., amounts to 57,000 Prussian thalers a year, exclusive of rent. Fete days, Christmas, king’s birthday, etc., wine and other additions to the fare are made.

* * * * * * *

I am, sir, with the greatest respect,

Your obedient servant,

Theo. S. Fat.

Berlin, November 21, 1862.

Stephen IT. Perkins, Esq.

42

Extract from second letter of Me. Fay, replying to certain

inquiries.

Hospitals.

1. There are but two in Prussia — one in Berlin, with 400 in¬ valids, one in Stolpe, with 80. Both organized in the same way.

2. On entering, invalids lose their pensions. If they wish to leave, they can receive their pensions again, but then they can return no mere.

3. The estimate per head, of 16TJ thalers, for the 400 men, is incorrect, as the 57,000 thalers, and 180,000 thalers for the building, are not devoted to those 400 men alone. There are, besides them, gratuitously lodged in the building, twenty-six officers, four physicians, and the commandant, a general.. These have lodging, fire, service. The officers, often married men, have from three to seven of the best rooms apiece, so that a very considerable deduction must be made.

4. The right to a pension of first class, is by preference ac¬ corded to the greatest cripples.

Of Invalid Companies.

5. The same institution as the invalid houses , except the ten¬ ants have somewhat more freedom. There are seven invalid companies in Prussia, distributed through the provinces. It Prussia had more invalid houses, these companies would not exist. It is neither particularly advantageous nor disadvan¬ tageous to be stationed there. The men are quartered upon private families, and make themselves useful, if they wish to do so, and thus earn something. The pension of the first class entitles them to entrance. Nothing is gained, nothing lost, by entering, except they resign their pensions.

43

6. Without officers and physicians, 600 — with officers and physicians, 651.

7. The members lose their pensions, as before stated, and they are not counted among the 25,000 pensioners. The 25,000 comprise 4,000 officers and 21,000 soldiers. Among the offi¬ cers are counted pensioned physicians and administrative officers.

Of the Reserved Battalion.

8. These questions are answered in my previous letter. The members are soldiers disqualified for field service, but yet qual¬ ified for military service at home. They do not belong to the 25,000 pensioners, and receive no pension. They are stationed in fortresses, large cities, etc. They are paid as other soldiers. Their advantage is a lighter service. Each of the eight prov¬ inces has one reserved battalion, and each battalion about 500 men ; so the aggregate of 4,000 men.*

•

Of Invalids Provided with the Versorgungs-schein.

0. To your question Ho. 9, touching the versorgungs-schein, you say that the number of French pensioners is 57,000, of which 46,603 soldiers, and that the French army is twice as large as that of Prussia, and constantly at war. You find, therefore, a great disproportion in 25,000 Prussian pensioners, of whom 21,000 soldiers, when you annually add 1,500 new applicants, provided with versorgungs-schein.

Answer : This disproportion would really exist, if 1,590 ver¬ sorgungs-schein entitling to places were annually given to new cases, continually added by the small Prussian army in time of peace; which would raise, in ten years, the number of pension¬ ers from 25,000 to 40,000. But this is not the case. The whole number of Prussian pensioners, officers and soldiers, are, with one exception, included in the 25,000. The versorgungs-schein is given to the oldest and most pressing cases among the 25,000 pensioners, and only to such as are entitled to the pension of the first class. Any increase beyond the natural diminution in tho number of pensioners, is therefore not to be interred trom the annual issue of so many versorgungs-schein.

44

The pension is not abandoned on receiving the versorgungs- schein, unless they receive a place equal in value to the pension. In that case, as they receive no further pension, they aie not any more counted among the 2o,000 pensioners. JCheie must he, of course, a continual succession of individuals among the class of pensioners. There will, as it is composed of the aged and the invalid, be naturally more deaths tnan in other classes, and the military service, often very severe even in time of peace, will also constantly furnish new contributions. The whole number has decreased.

Remark. — The versorgungs-schein is not a place— it is only a promise of a place, when a vacancy shall occur. The 1,500 new cases must not annually be added, but undoubtedly to the number of 25,000, as constituting the persons entitled to pen¬ sion, must be added such possessors of versorgungs-schein as have received places, and thus abandon their pensions. The question then arises: how many these are? The average is about two-thirds.

*

10. The king advances whom he likes, without schein, up to captains. The pensions of the higher officers are so high as to render any ordinary office out of the question. The actual sum paid annually by the Prussian government for pensions, is 3,358,136 thalers, of which 2,788,611 thalers for officers, and the rest for common soldiers.

With regard to your closing query, pointing out how much more equitable the government favor appears apportioned be¬ tween the officers and soldiers in France than in Prussia, it is stated that the principal support extended to higher officers in France, is drawn from the war budget, and not from the pen¬ sion fund. This, however, seems to me erroneous.

I am, my dear Mr. Perkins,

"Very sincerely yours.

Theo. S. Fay.

45

AUSTRIA.

1st. In the Austrian service pensions are not granted for length of service, or of age, but only to those who, during ser¬ vice, have become by wounds, or otherwise, “ unfit for further service”

fid. The pension to officers is one-tenth of full pay, if they are pensioned during the first 5 or 10 years service (according to rank) and increases to full pay, as the number of years of ac¬ tive service increases. Officers in hospital (i. e., those who have lost a limb or are blind or epileptic) receive full pay.

3d. Common soldiers not entitled to enter hospital (constitut¬ ing the vast mass of invalids), receive five new lereutzers pen¬ sion per day, and must take care of themselves. If they have lost a limb they get 10 new kreutzers additional / if they have lost two limbs, or are quite blind, they receive an addition of 20 kreutzers a-day, in lieu of ten.

4th. Officers or soldiers are admitted into the Invalid hos¬ pitals and u Filialien” only when they have lost a limb, or the use of one ; or have received such other wounds as entirely incapacitate them to help themselves, and have no other re¬ source ; or when exceedingly old ; or blind, or deaf, or insane, or epileptic.

5th. When they are admitted into hospital they retain their pensions, and are fed and clpthed beside.

FT.B. — It follows from the above that the minimum of the soldiers’ pension is 5 kreutzers per diem (say 2J cents), and liberty to find work ; the maximum , 25 kreutzers per diem (11 cents), plus his board and and lodging. The subaltern receive 6 to 20 kreutzers minimum.

46

6th. The present number of Austrian 69,650, amounting last year

to the sum of. ,

military pensions is

. Florins 10,250,025

viz. :

	8,690
	2,375
Widows & orphans (officers’)	6,475
Soldiers .	49,809
	67,249
Officers . 200
Soldiers . 2,201
In hospital or “ filialien”. . . .	2,401

Total number of pensions 69,650

Amount for officers and non-

combatants . 7,851,165

Widows and orphans . 933,8 <0

8,785,035

Amount for soldiers in and

out of hospital . 1,465,000

Pensions, . Florins 10,250,035

Cost of three hospitals and three filialien . 389,245

Total cost of Invalids . 10,639,280

£T,B. _ An Austrian florin or guilder, contains one hundred

new kreutzers, and is equal to, say 45 cents.

7th. There are three invalid hospitals — one at Yienna, one at Prague, one at Tyrnau, and three “filialien,”* one at Neuler- chenfeldt, one at Ciridale, one atSkality — the whole containing 200 officers and 2,201 soldiers, and costing, including salaries of 78 administrative officers: Florins, 389,245 = 162 florins per head.

It appears from this statement that the great part of the pen¬ sion fund is received here, as in Prussia, by the class of officeis, and indeed the common soldier, unless his injuries are of a kind to secure him a place in hospital, is worse off here than in Prussia. The number of pensioned officers is large, being, with the non-combatants and widows, one quarter of the whole number of pensions. The average of officers and non-combat¬ ants set ms small, viz., about 700 florins a year, that of widows about 144 florins, and that of alt the soldiers and subalterns , in and out of hospital, 28 florins per annum or 7f kreutzers, a little over three cents a day.

* The filialien I suppose to be companies analogous to the “ Invalid Companies of Prussia.

■'j

47

In France the minimum is 1 franc a day, say 20 cts. per day. “ Russia “ “ • “ 12 thlrs. per an., say 2i cts. “

“ Austria “ “ “ 5 krtzrs. per day, say 2J cts. “

In France j of pensions, being officers, receive if 0f funcp “ Prussia £ “ “ “ “ « ll «

“ Austria * “ “ including widows u «

The demociatic piinciple has been applied to the subject in France for some years, but has not yet reached Germany.

On the whole I do not see that we can find much to imitate in the Austrian pension or hospital laws.

RUSSIA.

Pension System of Russia.*

The fundamental idea of this system, is, that, every one in the employment of the State who lias served during a certain length of time, (25 years in public schools, 30 years in the medical staff, and 35 years in the military service, and other branches of the Government,) retires with a pension equal to the compensation of his last office.

After death, one-half ot this pension passes to his widow, who enjoys it during life, or until her second marriage, the other half is divided among his children during their minority. There are cases in which a right to a pension arises before quitting the service, which is equivalent to a double compensation.

Should the person retire from service after from 15 to 25 years, he receives a pension equal to one-half of the pay of his last office. At his death one-half goes to his widow, the other to his children. But if, during his term of service, the person is attacked by any disease, however indirectly it may have been produced by the labors or duties of his office, or if he has met with an accident, occurring during such service, he has a right to be retired with a pension of from 5 to 10 years in advance of

Extract from a letter of Baron Larrey to Mr. Perkins.

48

bis Wd u™. Tta* » >• pS

duties of the service, or occuir 1 geyeri by 5 or 10

diminishes, according to the cgr a pension,

years, the legal time required by ^ in advance of

Wounds, in soldiers, a so 8"e a ° there are three classes: thc required term of service • <* ^ght of retiring with a

1st. Such as, at any moment, »

» —.a. .to Ugd •!">• "j “ r“™' “a

With the exception of these general . » f<mnded

in Russia a subordinate pension un the name of

by .to Emperor "..ante Id. ™ ” |>[ge „

'i- I”“-

S'°Diiring .to year 1862, .to .»»«». of pe»»»

inlaid, i. hospital varies from

35 to 75 copeks.

49

ITALY.

Pensions.

1st. The Italian Government grants military pensions “ de re - traites ” (</) for length of servico, of thirty years to commissioned officers, and of twenty-five years to subalterns and soldiers, ip) for injuries and disease incurred in service.

^d. All those who receive pensions are stricken off the army list, and re-enter civil life.

3d. Those pensioned for length of service receive the mini¬ mum rate ; but if they have served longer than the required time, the rate rises with the excess of service till it reaches the maximum.

4th. Those pensioned for injuries receive the pension what¬ ever the time of servico ; when they have become blind, or lost two limbs, they receive the maximum increased 50 per cent. If the injury is •equal to the loss of one limb, they re¬ ceive the maximum. For any lesser injury, the minimum.

5th. Widows and orphans left by thoso dying from injuries, receive half the maximum. If the death occur while in receipt of a pension, but not from injuries received in war, the widow, Ac., gets one-quarter of the pension.

6th. The tariff allows- —

Max. Min.

For a General of Division . 8,000 6,000

“ Colonel . 3,600 2,700

Captain . 1,900 1,400

Soldier . 350 200

franca or liyrea per annum.

7th. j Total number of “militairea retrains” . 30,229

1863 I Total amount of pensions . Frs. 15,748,328

Proportion of officers and their pensions not given.

4

50

Hospitals for Veterans and Invalids.

1st. There are now two in Italy called Case Reale.

One at Asti containing inmates .

“ “ Naples .

10,579

each' under command of a major-general with a regular staff.

2d. Cost of both estimated for 1833, francs 6,388,593.

3d. They contain two distinct corps (a) veterans , viz., those unfit for active but capable of garrison service, Ac., ( b ) Invalids who are unfit for any service.

4th. Although only the first are armed, they are both classed as soldiers, and as such do not receive pensions , but have special allowances in money and rations, from which they pa#y their own expenses. The Government, however, furnishes the subalterns and soldiers with food, clothes, bed, and fire, to cover which, certain sums are retained from the pay, as detailed in the report, and the balance is paid them in cash. After being so provided for, there seems to bo about three francs per month paid to the common soldier — equal to about one week’s wages for a common laborer.

*

5th. In these houses there are two kinds of schools with paid teachers, viz., [a) one for boys learning music to join the army bands, (b) one for children of the soldiers of both sexes, where reading, writing, arithmetic, Ac., are taught. Special appro¬ priations are made for the expense of these schools, for the arms of the veterans, hospital expenses, Ac., all being comprised in the above aggregate.

6th. The veterans are drafted off into three kinds of service, (a) into garrisons in the proportion of one-fifth of garrison, (b) into the guards of the royal palaces, ( c ) into the gendarmerie in the proportion of one-fourth of latter. The gendarme re¬ cruits are from subalterns. They are also employed as scribes, porters, and servants.

7th. The allowance to veterans and invalids is higher to the officers than the maximum, and higher to the soldier than the minimum pensions, viz. :

51

To a colonel it is frs. 6,600, to a captain frs. 2,200, and to a soldier 80 centimes per diem, say 292 frs. per annum.

8th. Total number of pensioners, invalids, and

veterans . 40,808

Total cost of military pensions and hospitals for

invalids and veterans . frs. 22,136,921

9th. Average per head per annum, together.. “ 542J

Do. “ u “ “ pensions _ u 521

Do. “ “ “ “ invalids, &c. “ 603

N. B. — The Government is about to establish a first class invalid hospital in the Poggio Imperiale, near the Roman gate of Florence.

I regret that the government did not furnish a statement of the proportion of the pension money paid to officers and widows. As regards the invalid hospitals, they appear to have been established on an extravagant basis, as compared with the pen¬ sions.

This is so everywhere, for one reason or another, but nowhere so much as in Italy. There seems to have been good feeling shown in the construction of those laws, and there are some great improvements on the French practice, such as the intro¬ duction of schools, the employment of those capable of labor (the veterans), &c., but, on the other hand, there is great want of judgment shown in making the condition of the common soldier in hospital too attractive, and so stimulating the national fault of lack of independence and energy. The consequence is, that the number of those in hospital is one-third as large as the whole number of pensioners, and the cost of maintaining them, including the schools, over two-fiths of the pensions. In France, where the right to enter the hospital is very much the same, the number of pensioners is 57,366, and the number in hospital only 2,099, which shows a difference very honorable to French character. The cost per head, in hospital in France, is so high because the hotel is fitted and officered for double the number it contains, but here the hospitals are crowded (that of Naples must be a monster establishment), and the great cost per head is owing to an excessive allowance to the officers and soldiers

52

in hospital. This I consider one of the greatest faults which can be made in establishing a hospital system, though its effect in America or France would probably not be so apparent as in Italy. The Italians will, however, probably rather increase than diminish the faults in new establishments.

j

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. OS.

PRELIMINARY REPORT

OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE SANITARY COMMISSION WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, DURING THE CAMPAIGN OF JUNE AND JULY, 1863.

Washington, July 23d, 1863.

To tiie Executive Committee

of the Sanitary Commission :

Gentlemen — In accordance with your request, a statement of recent operations in the Department of the Potomac, is herewith presented. No general reports having been received from the Inspectors in the field, and the Secretary of the De¬ partment being still absent at Gettysburg, it will necessarily be incomplete, but will suffice to show that the organization of the Commission has accomplished its design in the premises, notwithstanding misfortunes for which it was not to be expected that provision should be made.

The Army of the Potomac broke camp on the Rappahannock on the 12th of June, the effective forces moving northward by forced marches, and the sick and wounded being removed by rail to Aquia Creek, and thence by steamboats to Washington. A small part of the Commission’s Potomac Relief Corps was sent with the marching columns ; the stores and furniture of the relief stations and depots at Falmouth, Potomac Creek, and Brook’s Station were hastily but safely removed to Aquia Creek, whence, as soon as the inmates of the hospitals had been embarked, they were all shipped on a steamboat which had been held there for that purpose.

The number of hospital patients to be removed was nearly ten thousand. They were taken from Aquia Creek on such boats as the Quartermaster’s Department was able to obtain

2

for the emergency at Washington. No provision having been made on board of them for such service, and being crowded, there was necessarily much hardship. The patients were landed immediately on the arrival of the boats at the govern¬ ment wharf at Washington, where, owing to the necessarily limited number of vehicles which could be commanded, they accumulated in large numbers. The agents of the Commis¬ sion, with a considerable volunteer force engaged for the occasion, labored night and day to provide for their wants, and this with as much good judgment as zeal. A kitchen having been previously established on the wharf, cauldrons of hot beef soup and coffee, with bread by the wagon-load, were kept constantly ready, and served to all as soon as they arrived, and as often as needed while they remained. More than eight thousand were fed in two days, and most of the patients thus received the only nourishment they obtained from the time they left the camps on the Eappahannock till they reached their destination in the fixed hospitals. Those going northward from Washington were a second time pro¬ vided for in a similar manner, at the railway station in Washington. Many of the agents of the Commission labored at this time two and three days and nights without rest. The ordinary “ special relief ” business of the Commission at Washington was at the same time much increased. Twenty stragglers and discharged men died at its Home within the fortnight.

The wagons of the Commission attending the army on its march were frequently replenished with supplies sent out from the depot at Washington, and daily rendered valuable assistance to the surgeons having the care of the men wounded in the skirmishes, in the cavalry engagements at the gaps of the mountains, and those falling ill under the fatigues and privations of the several forced marches, undertaken in the heat of midsummer, in a dry and desolated region.

Immediately upon the retreat of General Milroy’s forces from Winchester, it was ascertained that the supply of hos¬ pital stores at Harper's Ferry was very limited, and a relief agent was sent in charge of a wagon-load of such stores, from

•A

o

O

the Commission’s depot at Frederick, as would supply the more important deficiencies. This was got safely through, but the wagon, on its return, with the teamster and horses, was captured by Stuart’s cavalry. The relief agent, having remained with the wounded at Harper’s Ferry, escaped. The teamster is still missing.

The Commission’s stores at Frederick were safely concealed during its occupation by the enemy, hut as soon as the Army of the Potomac reached there, the depot was again opened and the stock increased. The wagons moving with the army have since received their supplies from this point.

When the enemy was known to have crossed the Potomac in force, responsible and experienced officers of the Commission were stationed at Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Frederick, and a systematic daily communication was estab¬ lished between them and the agents moving with the different columns of the army. Supplies were accumulated and held ready for movement at different points on the circumference of the seat of war, and care was taken to have ample reserves at the Branch offices ready for shipment. With the first news of the battle of Gettysburg, Westminster, the nearest point of railroad communication to the battle-field, was fixed upon as the point of approach, and authority to run a car daily with the government trains to that station was obtained.

Two wagon-loads of battle-field supplies had been distributed to meet deficiencies in the stores of the surgeons, shortly before the battle commenced. These wagons returned to Frederick for loads, and two others, fully loaded, arrived from Frederick at the moment of the assault of Longstreet upon the left wing of the loyal army, and were pushed forward, under fire, to reach the collections of wounded in its rear. As one of them came to a point where several hundred sufferers had been taken from the ambulances and laid upon the ground behind a barn and in an orchard, less than five hundred yards in the rear of our line of battle, on the left wing, then fiercely engaged, a surgeon was seen to throw up his arms, exclaim¬ ing, u Thank God! here comes the Sanitary Commission. Now we shall be able to do something.” He had exhausted

4

nearly all of his supplies ; and the brandy, beet soup, sponges, chloroform, lint, and bandages, which were at once furnished him, were undoubtedly the means of saving many lives. The empty wagons which had gone back to Frederick, were reloaded and ready to leave there on the 4th. Dr. McDonald, who was acting Chief Inspector in the field, having arranged for the further movement of supplies by Westminster, under¬ took to conduct one of the wagons to Gettysburg by Ernmits- burg, the nearest route; the other was sent by the way of Westminster. The latter got safely through to the hospitals in the rear of the Army; the former, with Dr. McDonald and the Eev. Mr. Scandlin, a relief agent, and the teamster, fell into the hands of the enemy’s cavalry, and have since been heard of, marching as prisoners with the rebels in their retreat. Dr. McDonald having been charged with the chief responsibility of the operations of the Commission upon the battle-field, and especially with that of arranging communi¬ cations and methods of supply, his absence, the cause of which was not for some days understood, caused some embarrass¬ ment. Supplies having, however, been sent to Westminster, before the close of the battle, a school-house centrally situated among the corps hospitals, was taken as a field depot, to which they were as rapidly as possible brought by the three remaining wagons then on the ground, and from which they were rapidly distributed where most needed. Eleven wagon¬ loads of special supplies were here distributed to the corps hospitals and to scattering groups of wounded found in the field, before any supplies arrived by railroad. Additional means of transportation were at length procured from the country people, of whom, also, some stores were obtained, and a station was opened in the town of Gettysburg. On the 6th, the branch railroad to Gettysburg, which had been broken up by the enemy, was so far repaired as to allow a train to approach within a mile of the town. By the first train which came over it after the battle, two car-loads of most valuable goods were sent by the Commission, and two or more went by each succeeding train for a week. The wounded now began to be brought from the field to the railroad for removal to

fixed hospitals elsewhere. As they arrived much faster than they could he taken away, they were laid on the ground exposed to the rain, or to the direct rays of the July sun, without food. This having been anticipated and provided for by the Commission’s agents in Baltimore, on the second day the Commission had a complete relief station, on a large scale, in operation, at the temporary terminus of the railroad. It consisted of several tents and awnings, with a kitchen and other conveniences. From that time to the present, from one to two thousand wounded men have been fed at this station daily, and from one to two hundred furnished with beds at night. With the completion of the road, the relief station was removed to the town ; a new and larger depot for the distribution of goods was also established in the town, and additional horses and wagons to assist in this duty were got up from Baltimore.

In the meantime, the movements of the army and the prospects of another great battle on the Potomac, demanded the attention of the Commission. Six new wagons, with horses, were procured in Baltimore and Washington, and sent to Frederick, to which point also supplies were forwarded by rail, and thence transferred by wagons to Boonsboro, where a house was taken and a depot established on the same day that it was occupied by General Meade. A house for a depot was also secured at Hagerstown as soon as the enemy retired from it. Supplies were at the same time sent by rail down the Cumberland Valley, with wagons and horses for their further carriage, procured in Philadelphia.

The above is a very imperfect outline of the general plan of measures taken to secure a prompt application of the means of relief entrusted to the Commission, at the points where it was likely to have the greatest value.

The following is an incomplete statement of the quantities of the principle articles distributed by the Commission to the wounded upon the field at Gettysburg, during the ten days following the battle. The perishable articles (amounting to over 60 tons) were taken to the ground in refrigerating cars. A considerable quantity of the same articles purchased from

6

or contributed by the farmers about Gettysburg, is not included under this statement :

Of drawers, shirts, and other hospital body-clothing, 39,884 pieces, being equal to full suits of clean bed-clothing for ten thousand wounded men.

Of beds, sheets, blankets, comforts, pillows, cushions for wounded limbs, and mosquito-nets, 11,700 pieces, being equivalent to a complete bed equipment for eighteen hundred

men, severely wounded.

Of Bed utensils . 728

“ Towels and napkins . 10,000

“ Sponges . 2,300

“ Combs . 1,500

u Buckets . 200

“ Soap, Castile . 250 pounds.

“ Oil silk . 300 yards.

“ Tin basins, cups, etc . 7,000

“ Old linen, bandages, etc . 110 barrels.

“ Water tanks . . . 7

“ Water coolers . 46

u Bay rum and Cologne water . 100 bottles.

“ Fans . 3,500

e< Chloride of lime . 11 barrels.

“ Shoes and slippers . 4,000 pairs.

“ Crutches . 1,200 pairs.

“ Lanterns . 180

“ Candles . 350 pounds.

“ Canvas . 300 sq. yds.

Of Articles of Sustenance , viz :

Fresh poultry and mutton .

u Butter...., .

“ Eggs, (chiefly collected for the occa¬ sion at farm-houses in Pennsylvania

and New Jersey) .

££ Garden vegetables .

££ Berries .

4 ‘ Bread .

11,000 pounds. 6,100 “

8,500 dozens. 675 bushels. 48 u 10,300 loaves.

<1

I°e . 20,000 pounds.

Concentrated beef soup . 3,800 “

“ milk . 12,500 “

Prepared farinaceous food . 7,000 u

Dried fruit . 3,500 “

Jellies and conserves . 2,000 jars.

Tamarinds . 750 gallons.

Lemons . 116 boxes.

Oranges . 46 u

Coffee . . 850 pounds.

Tea . 426 “

White sugar . 6,800 “

Syrups, (lemon, etc.) . 785 bottles.

Brandy . 1,250 “

Whiskey . 1,168 “

Wine . 1,148 “

Ale . 600 gallons.

Biscuit, crackers, and rusk . 134 barrels.

Preserved meats . 500 pounds.

Preserved fish . 3,600 “

Pickles . 400 gallons.

Tobacco . 100 pounds.

Tobacco pipes . 1,000

The service of the Commission has never been more honor¬ able to those engaged in it than in this campaign. The fact that four agents of the Commission are now prisoners of war, taken while endeavoring to push forward supplies ; that in performing assigned duties several of them have placed their lives in imminent jeopardy, while others have labored contin¬ uously during successive days and nights ; and that while there have been many critical points in the arrangements of the service, nothing of consequence has failed to be found at the time and place demanded, testify to the courage, zeal, and industry, no less than to the patience and good discipline which has been exercised. More than double the usual number of persons have been employed ; nearly all those added to the force have been formerly in the service of the Commission, however, and volunteered their aid for the

8

emergency; This accounts for the large amount of work which has been clone on certain occasions with a comparatively small display of force. The general superintendence has been a very light and grateful duty.

Respectfully,

FRED. LAW OLMSTED,

General Secretary .

o^~i~ •

u. s. Sanitary commission.

3XTo. GS3>„

STATEMENT

the object and methods

OF TUB

SANITARY COMMISSION,

Appointed by the Government of the United States, June 18, 1861.

PUBLISHED BY ITS DIRECTION.

NEW YORK :

Wm. C. Bryant & Co., Printers, 41 Nassau Street, corner of Liberty.

18 63.

At the last session of the Sanitary Commission, at Washington, a resolution was adopted “That the subject of an appeal to the public “ for funds be referred to a Committee consisting of the Standing Com- “ mittee and the members of the Commission residing at Philadelphia and tt Boston.” This Committee submits the following statement.

823 Broadway , New York , Bee. 7, 1863.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

I Njr<o>„ 69.

The Sanitary Commission was created by Government in June, 1861.

Like every other organ of our National energies it has been steadily gaining strength ever since that time. The resources that have been put at its disposal, and the work it has been enabled to do, far exceed the most sanguine hopes of its founders. Its atotoi e^aie receipts (including the money value of supplies sent to its depots) are believed to exceed the income of any other benevolent organization, American or Foreign, during the same period.

The objects of this paper are, first, to state what has been done with these great public benefactions; and, secondly, to enable the People to determine whether it will or will not pro¬ mote the National cause, by enabling the Commission to continue and extend its efforts.

A large portion of its resources has been expended on measures for the prevention of disease. Their result is necessarily nega¬ tive and cannot be stated with certainty. The low rate of mortality from disease in our Armies has unquestionably been due in some degree to the warnings and labors of the Commis¬ sion. But it is impossible to say how much other causes have contributed to it, or to distinguish their effects from those due to the work of the Commission.

It is certain that, in the summer of 1861, experienced Army officers predicted that malaria, camp fever and dysentery would within six months destroy fifty per cent, of the Volunteer Army

4

then assembling. What the Commission did to avert this calamity, will be stated hereafter, and must have contributed — under Divine favor — to save our Armies from the ravages of pestilence.

But it has done much work beside— with positive results that can be definitely stated. The value of this work is recognized by the Medical staff of the Army, and in Orders published by prominent General officers, East and West* Its direct and tan-

* Department of the South, Headquarters in the Field, )

Morris Island, S. C., Sept. 9, 1863. )

General Orders, No. 78.— Tha Brigadier-General commanding desires to make this public acknowledgment of the benefits for which his command has been in¬ debted to the United States Sanitary Commission, and to express his thanks to the gentlemen whose humane efforts in procuring and distributing much-needed articles ci comfort have so materially alleviated the sufferings of the soldier.

Especial gratitude is due to Dr. M. M. Ma.su, Medical Inspector of the Com¬ mission, through whose efficiency, energy and zeal, the wants of the troops have been promptly ascertained, and the resources of the Commission made available for every portion of the army. By order of

Brigadier-General Q. A. Gillmore.

Ed W. Smith, Asst. Adjutant-General.

Official: Israel S. Sealy, Capt. Forty-seventh N. V. Volunteers, Acting Aset] Adjutant-General.

Headquarters Department of the Cumberland, ) Murfreesboro, Feb. 2, 1863. f

The General commanding presents his warmest acknowledgments to the friends of the soldiers of this army, whose generous sympathy with the suffering of the eiek and wounded, has induced them to send for their comfort numerous sanitary supplies which are continually arriving by the hands of individuals and charitable societies. While he highly appreciates and does not undervalue the chanties ^vhich have been lavished on this army, experience has demonstrated the importance of system and impartiality, as well as judgment and economy, m the forwarding mid distribution of these supplies. In all these respects the United States Sanitary Commission stands unrivaled. Its organization, experience, and large facilities for the work, are such that the General does not hesitate to recommend, in the most urgent manner, all those who desire to send sanitary supplies to confide them to the care of this Commission.

They will thus insure the supplies reaching their destination without wastage or expense of agents or transportation, and their being distributed in a judicious

5

gible results are many thousand lives saved, an incalculable amount of suffering relieved or mitigated, smallpox and scurvy checked in camps and hospitals by cargoes of vegetables, and by timely supplies of vaccine — and succor, comfort and relief freely given to hundreds of thousands when they could be obtained from no other source. "What the People have thus done for their soldiers will long be held in honorable remembrance as a magni¬ ficent National act, not only of humanity and charity, but of Patriotism also, for by preventing disease and speeding conva. lescence, it has materially strengthened the National forces, contributed to the success of the National cause, and added a certain number of thousand bayonets to the available strength of the Army during every month of the past two years.

This is the great object for which the Commission exists. Its work is, in the highest degree, humane and charitable, for it visits and relieves the sick, destitute, and miserable. But its ultimate end is neither humanity nor charity. It is to economise for the National service the life and strength of the National soldier. The Commission works in a spirit and on a system as practical as that of the War Department, and it submits the value of its system and its work to the practical common sense with which the People decide on whatever concerns the public interest.

It asks the confidence and support of patriotic and far-sighted men on two special grounds. One is the nationality and catho¬ licity of its work as compared with that of State and local or-

manner, without disorder or interference with the regulations and usages of the army.

This Commission acts in full concert with the Medical Department of the Army, and enjoys its confidence. It is thus enabled with a few agents to do a large amount of good at the proper time. Ever since the Battle of Stones’ River, it has distributed a surprisingly large amount of clothing, lint, bandages and bedding, as well as milk, concentrated beef, fruit, and other sanitary stores, essential to the recovery of the sick and wounded.

W. S. Rosecrans, Major-General Commanding Department.

6

ganizations. Not a word of censure or of disrespect should L© spoken of these agencies. Many of them do great good within their own sphere. But their sphere is provincial, not National, and their object is the relief of some single class of National sol¬ diers, to the exclusion of all others. They assist men, not be¬ cause they now belong to the National army, but because they formerly belonged to some particular State, county, or neighbor¬ hood. This distinction between their avowed object and that of the United States Sanitary Commission should be clearly under¬ stood.

The Commission studiously ignores sections and State lines, and knows soldiers from Missouri or from Massachusetts only as in the National Service. It declines all contributions for the exclusive benefit of a single class, and impartially applies its resources, received from East or West, to the aid and relief of the National Army East and West, asking only where they are most sorely needed. It is thus daily teaching thousands a prac¬ tical lesson on the blessings of National Unity, which will not be forgotten when they return to the duties of civil life. The Maryland or Illinois volunteer who has been rescued from mis¬ ery and the prospect of death, by clothing, food, stimulants and chloroform, that came to him on the field or in some ill-pro¬ vided hospital, through the Commission, from some remote cor¬ ner of New England or Pennsylvania, is likely for the rest of his days to think of himself less as a Marylander or as a W estern man, and more as a citizen of the United States ; and though he will not value his State less, he will love his country more. Even rebel prisoners, helped through their sickness and destitu¬ tion by the stores of the Sanitary Commission, carry back to their Southern homes new and enlarged views as to the resources and the generosity of the People against which they have fought under coercion, or misled by systematic falsehood.

The Commission seeks to direct the overflowing sympathy of

7

the People with the Army into a National channel. It calls on the women of New England to clothe soldiers at Alexandria and Chattanooga, and on the West to aid the Army at New Orleans or Port Eoyal, wherever supplies are most wanted or can he most economically carried. Its influence on its contributors is no less National than on its beneficiaries. That of local or State agencies tends to foster, in contributor, agent and bene¬ ficiary alike, the very spirit of sectionalism and “ State-ish-ness ” to which we owe all our troubles.

The Commission is, moreover, the only organization for Army relief, local or general, that works on a system carefully con¬ formed and subordinated to that of the Army, and through agents specially trained and permanently employed. The ob¬ jection that has been made to its employing permanent salaried officers, instead of unpaid volunteers, giving a fortnight or a month each, to the work of Army relief, is untenable and short sighted. It has to distribute millions of dollars worth of bulky stores over an area of many thousand square miles. This is, in a merely business point of view, a work of seri¬ ous magnitude. It is, moreover, a work of special delicacy and difficulty, because it must be so done as not to inter¬ fere wTith the machinery of the Army, or weaken the reliance of the men upon their officers. Without a corps of agents who un¬ derstand their work, give their whole time to it, and are bound to perform definite service during a definite period, loss, waste, and misapplication of supplies are inevitable. This branch of the Commission’s work may fairly be compared with that of our largest railroads and express companies, and is at least as worthy of being well and economically done. But how long would any railroad corporation keep out of the hands of a Receiver, if it confided its freight business to volunteers over whom it could exercise no real control, and who felt themselves at full liberty to leave its service whenever they tired of it, or when-

8

ever they thought themselves overworked or unfairly criticised, instead of employing superintendents, clerks, and porters, en¬ gaged in the usual way and on the usual terms ? The poetry of the Relief Agent’s work may be spoiled if he. receive a salary, but in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, its practical value to the Army is doubled. It would be easy to name splendid ex¬ ceptions to this rule, but they are only exceptions.

The work of Army relief, like every other practical and seri¬ ous business, requires skill which can be got only by expe¬ rience, and men cannot, as a general rule, be secured for service long enough to acquire experience and skill, unless they receive moderate pay. But the difference between a skilled and an un¬ skilled agent is equal to a difference of at least fifty per cent, in the amount of practical good each can do the soldier with the stores entrusted to him, and it costs the Commission less- than two per cent, on the estimated value of its supplies to distribute them through skilled salaried agents, instead of unskilled volun¬ teers. This is not all. The volunteer is necessarily unacquaint¬ ed with the complex regulations under which Government sup¬ plies the wants of the Army, for thorough familiarity with their practical working can be acquired only by months of actual con¬ tact and experience. He cannot tell, therefore, when called upon to relieve a Regiment or a Hospital, whether its officers have done or have neglected their duty, and whether they can or cannot promptly obtain what is needed through regular offi¬ cial channels. His impulses prompt him of course instantly to relieve the suffering he sees before him. He distributes his sup¬ plies at once, asking no questions, and goes home thankful that he has been enabled to relieve so much destitution and dis¬ tress. But he has too often been merely covering up the short-comings of some inefficient Officer paid by Government to do precisely the same thing, and has thus shielded him from

9

exposure and dismissal, and done tlie Army in tlie long rim more harm than good.

The Commission avoids this danger. It reserves its sup¬ plies for the cases of accidental failure, which must from time to time occur in the working of every military system, and especially of one newly organized on so vast a scale as ours, and seeks rather to strengthen the official agencies through which Government provides for the army, than to set itself up as a rival source of supply, and thus weaken the confidence of the men in their military superiors.

Finances of the Commission.

The Treasurer of the Commission has received in cash from his appointment, in June, 1861, up to and including December 7th, 1863 :

From Maine . $17,720 33

u New Hampshire . 1,701 44

“ Vermont . 2,035 15

“ Massachusetts . 48,548 86

“ Connecticut . 5,181 35

“ Rhode Island . 8,068 30

“ FTew England (States not discriminated) . 6,683 75

“ New York . 160,042 58

“ New Jersey . 3,170 88

“ Pennsylvania . 11,699 18

“ Delaware . 765 00

“ Maryland . 1,733 00

“ Washington, D. C . 2,333 08

“ Ohio . 2,700 00

“ Michigan . 578 00

“ Illinois . 546 25

“ Kentucky . 6,166 45

10

From Indiana . 500 00

“ Minnesota . 45 00

“ Nevada Territory . 54,144 75

“ California . 526,909 61

“ Oregon . 26,450 78

“ Washington Territory . 7,258 97

“ Idaho . 2,110 46

“ Yancouvers and San Juan Islands . 2,552 68

“ Honolulu . 4,085 00

“ Santiago de Chili . 3,688 84

“ Peru . 2,002 00

“ Newfoundland . 150 00

“ Canada . 439 48

“ England and Scotland . 1,150 00

“ France . 2,750 00

“ Turkey . 50 00

“ China . 2,303 93

“ Cuba . 23 00

“ Unknown sources . 3,192 88

Making in the whole the sum of . $919,580 98

Large amounts have been raised by the Branches of the Commission beside their contributions to its Central Treasury, included in the foregoing statement. The money receipts of the Philadelphia branch for instance, over and above what it has contributed to the general Treasury, up to December 4th, 1863, have been $117,097 75.

These local receipts have been expended chiefly in the pur¬ chase of supplies forwarded to the depots of the Commission at Washington, Louisville, Morris Island, New Orleans, &c., or to its relief agents in the field, and in the local work of Special Belief.

11

To the large amounts thus raised at our principal cities, must be added the aggregate of the smaller sums which innumerable societies, “sewing circles,” snd other patriotic organizations affiliated with the Commission or its various branches have spent in the purchase of material to be converted into Hospi¬ tal clothing, and for other like purposes. This aggregate may never be precisely ascertained, but it doubtless far exceeds what has been received by the Branches and the Central Treasury together.

There must also be taken into account the value of the trans¬ portation given the Commission for its bulky stores, either freely or at greatly reduced rates, by Railroad and Express Companies, and of the free use it enjoys of many of our Telegraph lines. These are equivalent to so much money saved its treasury for the benefit of the Army, through public confidence in its effi¬ ciency and Rational scope. This amount can only be estimated at present, but it is immense. On two Western Railroads alone, it is understood to exceed two hundred thousand dollars.

The money value of the material supplies dispensed by the Commission will be considered hereafter. Leaving them out of view, it is evident that the public bounty it has organized and directed in aid of the Rational Army must bo estimated in terms of millions.

But it enjoys the confidence also of the Military authorities. Having been ever on its guard against the danger (inherent in all attempts to aid the Army through outside unofficial agencies,) of weakening the sense of responsibility among officers, and in¬ terfering with discipline among the rank and file, it is known to Military and Medical officers as an auxiliary on which they can call with entire safety. It has, therefore, as a general rule, the benefit of their cordial co-operation. The economical value of their assistance, especially in all field operations, is inestimable. It often makes all the difference between life-saving success and

12

utter waste and failure. Quartermasters feel authorized to help forward supplies entrusted to the recognized agents or the Com¬ mission when they decline giving facilities to unknown and irresponsible relief agents. After a great battle such transpor¬ tation cannot be bought with money, though the lives of thou¬ sands may depend upon it, and the lives of many thousands have been saved because help v/as sent them through the Sani¬ tary Commission, and because the system of the Commission is known to harmonize with that of the Army.

The confidence thus reposed in the Commission economizes its resources in many other ways, and enables it to use them with special advantage and effect. For instance, Government supplies ordinary rations to the hundreds of thousands of men who are relieved in the a Homes ” of the Commission. It often furnishes transportation, guards for depots and for wagon trains, and details of men for special service in aid of the Commission. Without this help the “ Special Relief” system, which has done what no Government system could undertake, and what we could not have endured to see left undone, would have cost four¬ fold what it has. The special advantages thus secured to the Commission through the confidence reposed in it by the 1 ublic

* Head-Quari-hrs Departmenv of the Cumberland, £ Stevenson, Ala., August 19th, 1868, \

Sir, — The General commanding authorizes the use of half a car daily for the shipment of sanitary stores by the United States Sanitary Commission, from Nash¬ ville to such points South as may be desired. This letter, if exhibited to the Quarter-Master at Nashville, will procure you the transportation at all times, unless the exigencies of the service should make it necessary temporarily to suspend the permission. General directions to ship nothing but government stores, will not affect this permit. Should it be necessary to suspend it, special direction will be given.

I am, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

0. Goddard,

Lieut . Col. and A. A. G.

Dr. A. N. Reed,

U. S. Sanitary Commission .

13

and by the Army, make every dollar contributed to its Treasury do the work of two.

Though the resources controlled by the Commission have been very large, its work has demanded them all. It has repeatedly been obliged to purchase supplies, after its depots were ex¬ hausted, for tens of thousands of wounded men. This includes rebel prisoners in our hands, for it has been found practically impossible to pass by on the other side when any citizen of the United States was suffering from the casualties of war.

The disbursements of the Central Treasury for the eight months ending December 1st, 1863, have been as follows : —

April . .	. $29,142	57
May .	. . 36,315	09
June .	. 54,623	21
July .	. 92,020	86
August .		07
September .	. 28,470	35
October .	. 30,191	81
November .	. 49,845	87
	$361,116	83

or' on an average a little over forty-five thousand dollars a month.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION.

The Commission meets at Washington quarterly, and holds special sessions whenever they are required. During the inter¬ vals between its sessions its affairs are administered by its chief executive officer, the General Secretary, and by a standing com¬ mittee of five of its members, which meets daily in Hew York.

Two “ Associate Secretaries ” are stationed one at Louisville and a second at Washington. The former is charged with the work of the Commission west of the Alleghanies, the latter east

14

. — including our positions on the Rebel Seaboard, and the city of Re w Orleans. These Associate Secretaries have the supervision of all Sanitary Inspectors, Relief Agents, &c., within their re¬ spective departments, receive constant reports from them, and direct their labors wherever comparison of these reports indicates that they are most wanted. Each is in communication also with the Branches of the Commission, and through them with the local Societies that send their stores to the branch and central depots and makes requisitions for these stores from time to time as they are needed. In case of pressing emergency he pur¬ chases supplies or calls by telegraph for their purchase at the point from which they can be most speedily forwarded.

Each Associate Secretary is thus kept informed of the relative wants, of every regiment within his department, and as to the particular depots from wdiich supplies of any particular class can be most promptly and economically forwarded. Ro State Agent can thus view the whole national field. He may do great service, but he can never be quite sure that he would not have done the whole army and the whole country much more service if he had worked somewhere else.

The subordinate agents of the Commission are employed on duties which can mostly be classed under the heads of Sanitary Inspection, Army Relief, and Special Relief. They all report to one or the other of the two Associate Secretaries already men¬ tioned, except the Inspectors. These report to a third Associate Secretary, who is also Chief of Sanitary Inspection.

There are several hundred “ Associate members ” of the Com¬ mission, selected as prominent and loyal citizens, or as experts in Sanitary science. Many of them have attended its sittings, and aided it with their counsel. Under their auspices the numerous Branches of the Commission have been established in our prin¬ cipal cities. These admirable and efficient organizations pro¬ vide for the local work of Army relief, and raise funds and

15

secure supplies for the general objects of tlie Commission. Each has its own Treasurer.*

The object of this paper is to state the work and the wants of the Commission itself, but it is impossible to pass over, without mention, the services rendered by its Branches. The final his¬ tory of the Commission, and of the great popular movement of munificence and humanity that distinguishes this war from all others, will show how much these organizations at Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, blew York,f Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Cincinnati, Boston, and elsewhere, have done in addition to the work of the Central Commission. "Without them the Commis¬ sion would have been a comparative failure. The work of the Commission and of its branches cannot be so analyzed as to show exactly how much of the aggregate result should be cred¬ ited to either. To attempt such analysis would overload this statement with details. But its readers must bear in mind, that the results it sets forth as accomplished “by the Commission,” are in many cases largely due to the energy of its branches, the Commission itself acting merely as a balance-wheel to secure the harmony and the impartial Nationality of their work.

The financial centre of the Commission is at New York. Its Treasurer acts under the supervision of the Standing Committee, and makes no payments without its authority.

SANITAHY INSPECTION OF CAMPS, POSTS, AND HOSPITALS.

This was the chief object contemplated by the Commission when it was created by Government. As has already been stated, our Armies were during the summer of 1861, in serious danger of destruction by epidemic disease. Modern Sanitary science wras

* See Appendix B.

f The "Women’s Central Association of Relief, New York.

16

liardly recognized in the ancient regulations of the Medical Bu¬ reau. Its officers could not he expected to go beyond the strict line of official duty when that duty was more than quadrupled. The first business of the Commission therefore was to awaken general attention to the Sanitary interests of the Army, and to do what it could to improve the Sanitary condition of camps, quarters, hospitals, and men.

It sent out Medical Inspectors forthwith to warn inexperi¬ enced officers of the peril to which filth, bad ventilation and bad food exposed their men and themselves. It brought to bear upon Government the influence of the medical profes¬ sion throughout the country, effected the extension and invigo- ration of the Medical Bureau, and secured the express recogni¬ tion of the prevention of disease, no less than its cure, as among the functions of the Medical Staff. Government now employs its own Sanitary Inspectors and does a certain portion of the preventive work which the Commission did during the first year of its existence. But the Commission still keeps up an Inspec¬ torial Corps auxiliary to that of Government, for the latter is numerically unequal to its great work, and there are special causes beside that have thus far interfered with its efficiency. .

Each Inspector on visiting a Camp or Post puts himself, m the first place, in communication with its Military authorities and asks their co-operation in his work. This being secured, he proceeds to investigate the condition of the men in every particular that bears on their liability to disease, and the suffi¬ ciency of the remedial agencies within their reach. He inquires into the quality of their water-supply, food, cooking and clothing —the ventilation and the cleanliness of their camp or quarters the position of their latrines — the provision for the removal and destruction of refuse and offal— the equipment of their field or post hospital— their ambulance service— the competency of their medical officers — the salubrity or insalubrity of their

camp-site or post — the sufficiency of their bedding and blankets, the character of the diseases that have prevailed among them, and the precautions thus indicated. On these points he advises the medical and military authorities of the Corps as a Sanitary expert. His inspection generally discloses something that can be done to promote the health of the command. He finds, for instance, that there are tendencies to malarious disease that call for quinine as a prophylactic, or tendencies to scurvy, that require supplies of fresh vegetables, or that there is a deficiency of stimulants, bedding, articles of hospital diet, or disinfecting material. If the want, whatever it is, can be promptly supplied through the regular official channels, he sees that this is done — but if it cannot, or if (as is often the case) something is required which Government does not undertake to supply, he calls on the Relief Department of the Commission which supplies it according to its ability. If the officer who should obtain it be inexperienced in requisitions and supply- tables, the Inspector is able to assist him. If the defect arise from corruption or incapacity, he reports the fact. It sometimes happens that the health of a Camp is endangered by want, not of supplies, but of some work for which authority cannot at once be obtained. In this case money is appropriated by the Standing Committee, or in case of emergency by the Associate Secretary on the Inspector’s report. The Commission has done much work of this class. It has improved the ventilation of hospitals, dug wells to improve the water-supply of camps, built temporary hospitals and quarters, to replace unwholesome and dangerous buildings, furnished and fitted up Hospital Transports and converted ordinary Railroad cars into Railroad Ambu¬ lances, with cooking apparatus and store rooms, and litters hung on springs, in which thousands of men with fractured limbs have travelled thousands of miles without suffering or injury.

The results of every Inspection are noted on blanks provided 2

18

for the purpose, and are severally reported. Each report covers about two hundred distinct points affecting the sanitary condi¬ tion and wants of the force inspected. More than 1800 of these reports have been accumulated. They are digested and tabu¬ lated, as received, by a competent actuary. It is believed that the body of military and medical statistics thus collected is among the largest and most valuable in existence. It can hardly fail to furnish conclusions of the utmost importance to sanitary science.

The Commission employs other agencies also for the preven¬ tion of disease. It urges measures of sanitary reform on the attention of Government. It furnished material for the vaccina¬ tion of thousands of men at a time, now happily past, when the Medical Bureau was unable to supply the tenth part of what was needed, and issued what it had only after a fortnight’s delay. It has thus stayed the ravages of smallpox in regiments crowded on board transports, after that disease had actually begun to spread among their men.

It has done much beside to protect our soldiers against this peril. During the first year of the war, for instance, all cases of « eruptive disease ” in one of our most important military depart¬ ments were consigned indiscriminately to a single Hospital, from which men were “ discharged cured ” of mumps or measles, and rejoined their regiments to sicken and die of smallpox con¬ tracted in this “hospital,” so called, and to infect and kill their comrades. It was through the persevering remonstrance and protest of the Commission that this murderous abuse was at last corrected.*

The Commission has also circulated throughout the Army, and especially among the Medical Staff, many hundred thousand copies of its medical documents. This series now numbers

* It is hardly necessary to say that all this occurred before the appointment of the present able and efficient Surgeon General, Dr. William A. Hammond.

19

eighteen publications, each devoted to some special point of prevention or cure. Some of them are addressed to the indi¬ vidual soldier, hut the great majority are for the use of the Medical Staff, and relate to the prevention or treatment of the diseases to which camps are specially exposed, and to sundry operations of Military Surgery with which it cannot be expected that Sur¬ geons recently appointed from civil life should be generally familiar. These monographs have been prepared at the request of the Commission, by some of the most eminent Physicians and Surgeons of the country. Embodying, in a condensed form, the latest results of science, they have been of great use to our Army Surgeons, who often encounter cases for which their pre¬ vious practice has not specially prepared them, and who have neither medical libraries nor opportunities for consultation.

The Commission institutes special Inspections also from time to time, outside of its general Inspectorial system. It employs medical agents to look into the condition of such Camps or Hos¬ pitals as seem to require special attention, and to ascertain and report the wants of our armies during or immediately after a trying campaign. Within the past year it has made a thorough inspection of all General Military Hospitals, East and West, employing for this purpose Medical practitioners of the highest professional standing. Their recommendations of improvement in our Hospital system and its administration have been sub¬ mitted to the proper authorities.

The Relief Agents of the Commission are not expressly charged with the office of Sanitary inspection, but their reports and jour¬ nals, sent in at short intervals, help to keep the Commission in¬ formed of the condition of the Army, and of the measures required to maintain it in health, at every point from Annapolis to Hew Orleans.

As has been already stated, it is from the nature of the case impossible accurately to estimate how many men have been saved

20

from death or disease, and how much efficiency has been econo¬ mized for the country by this preventive service, for though the results of the treatment of disease can be more or less accurately recorded, the result of measures for its prevention cannot he stated with any kind of certainty. The only attainable data are the percentage of disease among men to whom such preventive measures have been applied, and among those to whom they have not. Though inferences from a comparison of the two are not absolutely to be relied on, (because we can never be quite sure that the conditions of any two cases have been precisely the same), a comparison of the mortality rates of our Army with those of the British Armies in the Crimea and during the Pe¬ ninsular War will nevertheless throw some light on the ques- tion.

The average annual loss of the whole British Army during the Peninsular War was one hundred and sixty-five men out of every thousand. Of these one hundred and thirteen died by disease or accident.

From 1803 to 1812 the average annual death-rate of the whole British Army “ abroad” was 80 per 1,000—71 by disease and accident, and 9 by wounds in action.

In July, August and September, 1854, the British Army in the Crimea lost at the rate of two hundred and ninety-three men out of every thousand per annum. Ninety-six per cent, of this loss was from disease. During the next three months, October, November and December, 1854, their loss was at the annual rate of five hun¬ dred and eleven out of every thousand, seven-eighths of which loss was by disease. In January, 1855, it was at the rate of 1174 per 1,000 per annum , 97 per cent, of this loss being due to dis¬ ease. During the first three months of that year it was at the annual rate of 912 per 1,000, and ninety-eight per cent, of the loss was due to disease.

Up to May 18, 1862, our armies had lost at the rate of fifty-

21

three per thousand per annum, and only forty-four per cent, of that loss was by disease and accident.*

In estimating the value of these figures, it must he remembered that the conditions under which our soldiers serve have been gen¬ erally unfavorable. Their field of operations includes large districts quite as insalubrious as any part of Spain, Portugal or the Crimea. There has at all times (and especially during the first year of the War) been among them a large proportion of half-disciplined recruits and of inexperienced officers, while the soldiers of Great Britain in the Peninsula and the Crimea were regulars under high discipline, and commanded by professional officers. The Commissariat and the Medical Department of the British Army were parts of a system long established and matured. In May, 1862, ours were newly organized (for the purposes of this War), and not yet in perfect working order. The Peninsular and Crimean Armies had therefore material advantages over our own. Yet we have lost far fewer men by disease. Even on Morris Island and in the pestilential swamps of the lower Mississippi our loss by disease has been smaller than that of any Army about which we have authentic information. For this great fact — equivalent to the addition of hundreds of millions to our National resources — the Nation can never be sufficiently thankful. No human agency could have ensured it. Though the average intelligence and culture of our common soldiers are beyond those of any army ever yet put into the field, and though the Medical Staff and the Sanitary Commission have worked diligently in their respective spheres, a blessing so great, exceptional and unhoped for can be attributed to none but the Highest cause. f

* See Preliminary Report on the Mortality and Sickness of the Volunteer Forces, by E. B. Elliott, Actuary.

f The last report of the Secretary of War, as just published in the daily papers, states the number of patients in General Hospital, June 30, 1863, as 9.1 per cent., and in Field Hospital 4.4 per cent, of the whole national forces — and that of this

22

DEPARTMENT OF ARMY RELIEF.

This work was not at first contemplated by the Commission. But the need of some central agency, to prevent the most dis¬ tressing waste of supplies, and the most mischievous interference with Army discipline by irresponsible volunteer agents, was soon apparent. Boxes and bales of life-saving stores were rotting and perishing in railroad depots because wrongly directed, or because the Regiment for which they were intended had changed its po¬ sition. Regiments were throwing .away superfluous delicacies, while others were suffering for want of necessaries. The bounty of the People was manifestly losing half its practical value be¬ cause unsystematically distributed, and system could be secured only through some central and National organization.

The Commission therefore allied itself with Army Relief As¬ sociations and Societies already existing, promoted their forma¬ tion where they did not exist, and undertook the great work of systematizing and economizing the public effort to aid the Army. This was then and still is a work of the first necessity. For, though no Government has ever provided for its Army so liberally as ours, and no People has ever given so liberally to supplement what Government does, both People and Government are still unable to do all that should be done, and men are still dying every day who could be saved from death at the cost of a few dollars. System and economy in the application of the pub¬ lic bounty, munificent as it is, are therefore indispensable. It must be applied so as not only to do good, but to do the greatest good to the greatest number, and the Commission endeavors so to apply it through its Army Relief Department.

The branches of the Commission daily receive supplies of

aggregate of 13-5 Per cent-» 11 were cases sickness and 2.5 of wounds or other casualties. This is a most gratifying statement ; especially when contrasted with the sickness-rates of foreign armies in the field and of our own during the Mexican

war.

23

almost every kind from the sewing societies, Soldiers’ Aid Socie¬ ties, and other patriotic organizations that exist under various titles in almost every town and village of the North. The num¬ ber of these organizations is exceedingly great. During August last more than one hundred and twenty contributed to the Chicago branch alone. More than twelve hundred have sent supplies to the New York branch. From the depots of these branches the Commission draws the supplies that are distributed through its relief agents.

The issues of these depots are not confined to goods received from auxiliary societies. The branches also purchase supplies on a large scale, especially in cases of emergency, as after a great battle. They have thus expended several hundred thousand dollars, the proceeds of which have gone directly to the relief of the army. The cargoes of ice, for example, sent to the hospitals of Morris Island and Hilton Head, by the Boston branch, at the expense of the Central Treasury, have been of inestimable value, not merely to the individual soldier, whose suffering they have alleviated, but to the country in expediting his convalescence and return to duty.

The general fund is used for like purposes. Up to De¬ ember 1, 1863, the central Treasury at New York has expended more than a quarter of a million in the purchase of hospital clothing, chloroform, medicines, stimulants,, beef stock, farinaceous food, and other material for army relief. This is over and above what it has spent in sending surgeons, medical dressers, and skilled nurses to the field.

The methods adopted for the systematic distribution of these stores have been carefully considered. They work well and economically, and are cordially approved by the military and medical authorities of the army.* Losses by miscarriage and by

* Surgeon-General’s Office, Washington City, D. C., February 13th, 1863.

Sir, — In reply to your communication of the 11th inst., I am directed to inform

24

the casualties ot war (the capture of wTagons by the enemy, for instance,) have been exceedingly small. Their estimated amount, all told, is less than ten thousand dollars.

For each great division of the army the Commission provides a chief sanitary inspector and a superintendent of field lelief. If the force be stationary (as at Aquia Creek during the winter of 1862-3, at Vicksburg, and now on Morris Island,) a permanent lodge is established near its headquarters as a relief agency 01 semi-governmental hospital, and depot of supplies. If the force be in motion, supplies are issued from wagon trains or from steam¬ boats, of which the commission has three, one in the Eastern Department and two in the Western. Transportation is some¬ times paid for by the Commission, and sometimes put at its disposal by the Quartermaster’s Department. There are now (November, 1863,) five relief agents attached to the Army of the Potomac, one for each army corps, each at the front m charge of a wagon train moving with its own corps, and kept constantly supplied from the Washington depot. Each is cer¬ tainly saving one man’s life every day, and probably more.

Lodges and depots are also established at every important hospital centre and convalescent camp to do such works of mercy as are not provided for by regulation, and cannot, therefore, be officially done at all. Each of these lodges and depots is, m fact, the office of a volunteer surgeon, quartermaster, and commissary,

you that the Sanitary Commission is believed to be the best repository, and distributor of the people’s bounty; giving the greatest certainty of good to t e soldier, with the least interference with the surgeons of the hospitals.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

By order of the Surgeon-General,

C. C. Bynnes,

Assistant-Surgeon,

U. S. Army.

Mr. W. 13. Hadley,

W ashiDgton, D. C.

25

sent there by the people, to provide for accidental failures in the work of its government officials.

Pursuant to the settled policy of the Commission, its relief agents are instructed to dispense supplies to camps and hospitals through the regular military channels of supply whenever they can possibly do so. If they have shirts and blankets for a ragged regiment they distribute them, as a general rule, through its officers, and thus make the supplies effective, not only to relieve the soldier, but to maintain his confidence in his military superiors.

It has been said that surgeons and other officers misappropriate the stores thus put within their reach. Every great army must include a certain per centage, larger or smaller, of dishonesty and baseness, but such cases, if there have been any at all, are most exceptional in ours. The Commission has diligently followed up every rumor of the kind that has reached it, often employing special detective agents for the purpose, but in no one case has the report been confirmed. In most it has been conclusively dis¬ proved. Such stories originate in many ways. A soldier, for instance, sells or loses a blanket issued by the Commission, and marked with its stamp. The blanket finds its way to some second¬ hand shop in Washington or Cincinnati, and somebody who sees it there sets afloat an “ authentic” report that goods sent the Com¬ mission for army relief are sold either by the Commission itself or by army officers. Or a surgeon uses the hospital stores of the Commission for his own relief when ill, thereby practically, though indirectly, applying them to the benefit of his patients, and thus creates a rumor that army surgeons generally live on beef tea and brandy meant for hospital use. There is no proof that a dollar’s worth of the people’s bounty has been thus per¬ verted. If any portion has been, it is less than the hundiedth part of one per cent, on the value of the supplies sent the aimy through the Commission. But if fifty dollars’ worth out of every

26

hundred were proven to be intercepted by official corruption, it would not excuse our abandoning the work. It should rather inspire us to provide more actively for this additional source of deprivation and danger. What should we think of a farmer who declined to make provision for his stock because he suspected his servants of stealing part ot their feed?

There are, undoubtedly, intelligent people who take a different view of the case, unconsciously influenced, perhaps, by that readiness to believe anything to the disadvantage of anybody holding publip office which seemsf one of our national weak¬ nesses. Some of them object on this ground to any organization that works in concert with surgeons or hospital stewards, and prefer the agency of volunteers who make unlawful inroads into camps and hospitals, and help the individual soldier at the ex¬ pense of the system which must always be his main dependence. The inevitable mischief this practice mnst produce has been already pointed out. If one or two surgeons out of thousands have appropriated a few hundred dollars’ worth of army stores out of millions, the loss is insignificant when compared with the slightest risk of impairing the morale and discipline of the army, on which, under God, we depend for our national existence.

The service directly rendered to the^ Army by the Supply De¬ partment, through the Commission and its branches, has been inestimable. A full statement of its results would require pages of detail, setting forth the operations of Belief Agents and their Assistants after every battle, in every general hospital, and in the camps and quarters of every Corps. Steamboats chartered by the Cincinnati Branch reached Fort Donelson laden with medicines and supplies of every kind in time to supplement the deficient stores of the Medical Staff, and save hundreds of men. At Antietam there were literally no Government Medical stores. The surgeons had used up their stock during General Pope’s Campaign, in Virginia. Supplies sent them from AVashington

27

had been captured at Manassas. The Quartermaster’s Depart¬ ment, taxed to its utmost to forward ordinance and Commissary stores, ammunition and food, had been obliged to leave all medi¬ cal supplies behind, miles away from the field. But the officem of the Commission, at Washington, advised by authority of this unfortunate deficiency, and of the impending battle, sent off by independent routes, and in good season, wagon trains laden with medical and surgical appliances, which reached the field before the battle was over, and for forty-eight hours after that hardly-won victory thousands of wounded men got all them opiates, stimulants, chloroform, medicines, appropriate diet, and hospital clothing and bedding, mainly from Agents of the Sanitary Commission. So at Gettysburgh, the headquarters and supply depots of the Commission were established and at work while the battle was hottest. At Vicksburgli, Murfreesboro, Chan- cellorsville, Chattanooga, Cliicamauga, Fredericksburg, its relief agents dispensed many thousand dollars’ worth of life-saving supplies. During our Peninsular Campaign, it did the Army most signal service. The history of its work on the Peninsula —at White House, Savage’s Station, and Harrison’s Landing— is yet to be written. Its Eelief Depots and Hospital Transport Service did more to relieve misery and save life than any other voluntary organization has ever done within the same period.

After the second battle of Bull’s Bun the wagon trains of the Commission moving from Washington, met our retreating forces at Centreville, exhausted by hard fighting, and wholly without restoratives or medicines. Their medical supplies had fallen into Eebel hands. At this point, as at many others, the Com¬ mission’s proper work of supplementing accidental deficiencies in the Army system saved hundreds from perishing by pros¬ tration and enabled them to return to their ranks and their duty. “

* Within ten clays after Chattanooga, four thousand packages of Sanitary stores had gone to the field from Nashville, and two thousand more were on the way

28

This Department of the Commission’s work has cost, not money alone, but health and life. Many of its Agents have already died in the service, or have been obliged to leave it broken down by overwork and exposure or poisoned by malaria. Another name has just been added to its roll of martyrs to our national cause — that of Dev. James Richardson, a gentleman of education and high social position, who died at his post Novem¬ ber 10th, 1863, of disease contracted in the service of the Com¬ mission. Two of its Agents were captured near Gettysburgh, while carrying supplies to the front. They have undergone months of starvation and ill-treatment at Richmond, from the effects of which it is probable they will never fully recover.

In our General Hospitals the Relief Department of the Com¬ mission is now a recognized institution, on which surgeons rely for certain extra-governmental supplies, as fully as they depend on Government for ordinary rations. Accidental failure of Government supplies sometimes obliges them to rely on it for everything. This work of the Commission is not confined to Hospitals at or near the front. During the summer of 1862, for example, a medical officer of the Commission learning that a transport from the Peninsula had just landed several hundred invalids on one of the Islands of an Atlantic harbor, thought proper to make a personal inspection of their condition. He found them mostly bad cases of malarious typhoid fever, recjuir- ing vigilant nursing and stimulation from hour to hour, but with¬ out proper food or stimulants, or any attendance, save that of one or two enlisted men detailed as nurses. The Post Surgeon had gone to bed in a condition that forbade his doing more for

down the Mississippi. Up to 17th November last, 5,000 packages and boxes had been forwarded for the relief of the wounded men at Chickamauga. The means of classifying these supplies are not yet at hand. But a detailed statement is appended of the supplies issued to the army of the Potomac after Gettysburgh. (See Ap pendix A.)

29

his patients than to utter a cordial but semi-articulate consent that the Sanitary Commission should take care of them. The representative of the Commission forthwith sent a boat to the city, which returned laden with beef, milk, and brandy bought at the Hotels,* for it was late and all the shops were closed. He extemporized a kitchen, and spent the whole night administering beef tea and milk punch to these neglected men, most of whom would have been dead or past recovery before morning but for his intervention. Many of them were saved, and an unworthy employe of the Medical Department was summarily dismissed within forty-eight hours, upon report of the facts.

This is an extreme case. Instances of such misconduct are most rare, for since the re-organization of the Medical Bureau, our army surgeons have almost universally labored with a degree of fidelity, energy, and self-devotion beyond all praise. But the Commission has relieved many Hospitals suffering like destitu¬ tion, for which their officers were not to blame. As already stated, the Medical Bureau has no independent transportation. Military necessity sometimes requires that guns, ammunition and provisions be forwarded with all possible despatch to the entire exclusion of everything else. Supplies actually issued and con¬ signed to surgeons and urgently needed by them may thus often be unavoidably detained on the road for days or weeks.

The machinery of the War Department is necessarily rigid and wooden. A flexible organization like the Sanitary Com¬ mission, governed by principle rather than by rule, and, above all, able to exercise discvetionctry jpowevs necessarily forbidden to the officials of Government, can obviously render great service in filling the gaps that must occur in its working, especially on a field so vast as that of the present War.

* (And paid for at Hotel prices — an exceptional incident in the experience of the Commission.)

30

The value of this Belief system is well understood by the whole Army.* A circular letter was lately addressed to a laro-e number of medical officers in charge of general hos- pitals inquiring through what Agency, National, local or individual, supplies sent their patients did most good. The answer was almost unanimous, — u Through the Sanitary Com¬ mission, because it ministers impartially to all Nhtional soldiers, East and West, and because it understands the paramount im¬ portance of subordination to Military system in all efforts for Army relief.”f

* Headquarters Department of Tennessee.

Special Order , Wo. 86.

1. The Quartermaster’s Department will provide and furnish a suitable steam¬ boat, to be called the “ United States Sanitary Store Boat,” and put the same in charge of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, to be used by it exclusively for the conveyance of goods calculated to prevent disease, and supplemental to the Gov¬ ernment supply of stores for the relief of the sick and wounded.

2. No person will be allowed to travel on said boat except sick officers of the army and navy, (and they only on permits from their proper commanding offi¬ cers,) discharged soldiers and employees of said Sanitary Commission, and no goods whatever for trading or commercial purposes will be carried on said boat,) and no goods will be taken for individnals or with any conditions which will pre¬ vent them being delivered to those most needing them in the army or navy.

8. The accounts of all packages to be shipped on said U. S. Sanitary Store Boat will be inspected before shipment, unless an invoice of their contents has been received, the correctness of which is assured by the signature of some per¬ son of known loyalty and integrity. A statement, showing what goods have been placed on board at each trip will be sent to the Medical Director of the Depart¬ ment at these Headquarters.

4. A weekly statement will be made by the Sanitary Commission to the Depart¬ ment of the Medical Director, showing what Sanitary supplies have been issued by said Commission, and to whom issued.

6. All orders authorizing the free transportation of Sanitary Stores from Cairo south on boats other than the one herein provided for are hereby rescinded.

By order Major General U. S. Grant.

John A. Rawlings, Asst. Adt. General.

■J- This circular and all the letters in reply to it were published by the Women’s Central Association of New York in a pamphlet entitled “ How can we best help our Camps and Hospitals ?” New York : 1863.

31

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL RELIEF.

The necessity of this work became apparent as soon as onr volunteer forces began to assemble. It was first undertaken at Washington, in August, 1861, and its results there soon led to the establishment of agencies for the same purpose at other points. It is now in operation throughout the country.

The General Relief System, of which some account has just been given, assists the soldier when in camp or in hospital, by strengthening and supplementing the military system with which he is then in close connexion, and on which it is his right and his duty mainly to depend. The Department of Special Relief deals mainly with the waifs and estrays of the Army, and relieves the individual soldier when temporarily out of connexion with the Military system. It gives him shelter, food, medical treatment and transportation when it is impossible for him to obtain them from Government. At points like Washing¬ ton or Nashville, for example, there may be daily found scores or hundreds of men separated from their regiments and anxious to rejoin them, but unable to obtain transportation, and without legal title meanwhile to quarters or rations, or any kind of recognition or aid from any Government officer within reach. Some are returning after a furlough, but find that their regiment has moved. Their little stock of money has given out, and they must beg through the streets for aught that any official has the power to do for them. Others are sick, but no Hospital can admit them without a breach of regula¬ tions. Others are waiting to get their back pay, but there is some technical defect in their papers for which they are not re¬ sponsible, and they must wait a week for a letter to reach their regiment and be answered, before they can draw a dollar from the Paymaster, and subsist as they can meanwhile.

These seem at first to be serious abuses, but they are, in fact, merely inevitable incidents of the rigorous system of detail

31

that is essential to every army, and especially to armies so large as ours. It is only through technical regulations, un¬ sparingly enforced, that the most mischievous irregularities can he prevented, and the army as a whole kept in working condition.

But any such system, however necessary on the whole, must produce cases of hardship, and in great armies such cases must be numerous. When the subject matter of these regulations is the provision of food, shelter, clothing and hospital treatment, whatever hardship their inflexibility produces, must cost health, efficiency and life. The Army has thus but the choice of two evils. It must suffer as a whole, because regulations are not rigidly enforced, or individuals must suffer because they are. There can of course be no question which of these two evils is the greater. However great may be the amount of suffering thus caused, only a blind and reckless philanthropy would seek to remedy it at the expense of discipline. A large portion of the suffering in question arises, in fact, not so much from the rigor of the system as from the want of accuracy on the part of those who administer it, and seems due to a deficiency rather than an excess of “ red tape.”

For this inevitable evil, the Commission seeks to provide through its Special Belief Department. To the extent of its means it keeps everywhere within the soldier’s reach establish¬ ments to supply him with food, shelter and medical care, when he can get them nowhere else, and to supplement the inflexible machinery of the Commissary Department, the Quartermaster’s Department, the Paymaster’s Office, and the Medical Bureau.

This Department does much work also that can hardly be dis¬ tinguished from that of General Belief, except in this, that while the latter provides for men in camp, in hospital, or on the march, the former gives them especial attention and care while passing from the condition of recruits to that of National soldiers, and while still unfamiliar with the system through which they must obtain subsistence, quarters and medical treatment.

33

For example, a newly-raised regiment reaches Louisville or Washington late at night, after a weary, depressing day, spent without food in cattle cars without seats. The men are exhaust¬ ed, and a dozen or twenty of them are ill. Sick and well, they are deposited at the railroad terminus. The Kegimental Sur¬ geon’s medical stores are buried in the baggage cars, and cannot be got out till morning. He is in a strange place, and does not know where to go to get his patients into hospital. The Com¬ pany officers are equally inexperienced. It may take them half the next day to ascertain how to get rations and quarters for their men. Meanwhile, the men must stand in the street and get on as best they may, without food, shelter, or medical at¬ tendance, the healthy sickening and the sick growing worse from hour to hour.

This is a very moderate statement of what has occurred over and over again. Many have died of fatigue and exposure under these circumstances in the street or on the floor of a depot, be¬ fore their connection with the Government machinery could be so established as to become available for their relief. A little suitable food or stimulus, and a few hours rest, would probably have saved most of them. But their officers cannot, under the circumstances, be severely censured for the loss.

The Commission provides for cases of this class. Its agents are kept informed by telegraph of the movements of newly-raised regiments, and are prepared to receive them, with coffee and soup for the well men, and with ambulances for the sick, who are at once conveyed to a “ Home” of the Commission, where they receive food, shelter, nursing, and medical care, till they are able to join their regiment, or are duly transferred to Gen¬ eral Hospital. Many thousand men “ slightly ailing” have been saved from illness that would have made them unserviceable for weeks or months, and perhaps forever, by the few days or hours of repose, comfort and medical care thus afforded them.

34:

The Homes of the Commission provide in like manner lor the large class already mentioned of men separated from their regi¬ ments, unable to get transportation, and without money or friends, and to whom no officer within their reach can supply quarters or rations without personal liability and violation of Army rules. Every such case is carefully scrutinized. II it be genuine, the man receives subsistence and quarters at the “ Home” until the position of his regiment is ascertained, and he is furnished transportation to rejoin it.

A regiment carrying its sick with it in ambulances is often detained in passing through a city. As the length of this deten¬ tion is uncertain, and the regiment may have to move at a mo¬ ment’s notice, these sick men cannot well be transferred to a General Hospital. Their admission and their discharge would each require too much time. But if a “ Home” of the Com¬ mission be within reach it provides for them during their deten¬ tion.

The work of the Special Belief Department is too various for complete classification. Every day brings out some new case for its intervention, differing from all that have preceded it. But its chief objects are as follows :*

First. — To supply the sick of newly arrived regiments such medicines, food, and care as their officers are, under the circum¬ stances, unable to give them. The men thus aided are chiefly those not sick enough to have a claim on a general hospital, but who nevertheless need immediate care to prevent serious illness.

Second.— To furnish suitable food, lodging, care, and assist¬ ance to men who are honorably discharged as unfit for further service, but who are often obliged to wait for several days be-

See printed reports of Mr. F. N. Knapp, Superintendent of Special Relief.

35

fore they obtain their papers and pay, or to sell their claims to speculators at a sacrifice.

Third . — To communicate with distant regiments in behalf of men whose certificates of disability or descriptive lists on which to draw their pay prove to be defective — the invalid soldiers meantime being cared for, and not exposed to the fatigue and risk of going in person to their regiments to have their papers corrected.

Fourth. — To act as the unpaid agent or attorney of soldiers who are too feeble or too utterly disabled to present their own claim at the Paymaster’s office.

Fifth. — To look into the condition of discharged and fur¬ loughed men who seem without means to pay the expense of going to their homes, and to furnish the necessary means where the man is found to he true and the need real.

Sixth. — To secure to soldiers going home on sick leave rail¬ road tickets at reduced rates, and through an agent at the rail¬ road station to see that they are not robbed or imposed upon.

Seventh. — To see that all men who are discharged and paid off do at once leave the city at which they receive their dis¬ charge, for their homes, or in cases where they have been induced by evil companions to remain behind, to endeavor to rescue them, and see them started homeward with through tickets.

Eighth. — To make men going home discharged, or on sick leave, reasonably clean and comfortable before their departure.

Ninth. — To be prepared to meet, at once, wdth food or other aid, such immediate necessities as arise when sick men arrive in large numbers from battle fields or distant hospitals.

36

Tenth. — To keep a watchful eye upon all soldiers who are out of hospitals, yet not in service ; and give information to the proper authorities of such soldiers as seem endeavoring to avoid duty or to desert from the ranks.

In all these arrangements the Commission and its branches receive practical support and aid Irom the Quartermaster s Department, which makes its beneficial work tenfold more ef¬ fective.

It must be understood, that the “ Homes 75 are administered in no spirit of indiscriminate philantlirophy. Malingerers and de¬ serters who have found refuge within them under false pretences, are promptly turned over to military authority, and no soldier is permitted to enjoy their privileges for a single day after he is pronounced fit for duty.

These Relief Stations are established at most of our Military Centres. The “ Home” at Washington is a large three-story brick building on North Capitol street, with temporary wooden build¬ ings around it, and with auxiliary “ lodges ” established near the Paymaster’s office, and other centres around which soldiers are obliged to congregate. Each has its provision of beds, and of food, its housekeeper, nurses, and attending Physician, and its staff of experts in Army relief. Before they were established men actually died of weariness and exhaustion while waiting their turn in the dense crowd and blazing sunshine around the Paymaster’s Office. Soldiers physically unequal to this ordeal are now provided with shelter and rations till they have secured their pay.

The following extract from Mr. Knapp’s last report on the “ Home” at Washington indicates the nature and value of the Commission’s Special Relief work at that point :

“ ‘ The Home,’ 374 North Capitol street. — Increased accommo¬ dations for securing room and comfort have been obtained ; and

37

“ now, instead of 140 beds, we have at the Home 320, besides a “ large baggage-room, a convenient wash-room, a batli-honse, &c. “ Two of the additional buildings, one 16 feet by 60, the other 28 “ feet by 90, were put up by the Quartermaster’s Department. “ The third building 30 feet by 50 (with an L 20 by 35) for a “ ‘ Hospital,’ (this was at the expense of the Commission,) at a cost “ of about $800. The necessity for this building, devoted exclu- “ sively to Hospital purposes, is found in the fact, that although u the men who came under the care of the Commission are “ mostly on their way to their homes, and might therefore be “ supposed to be not so very feeble as to need specially “ Hos- “ pital ” treatment, yet, as a matter of fact many of them are “ weakened to such a degree by disease, that by the time they “ reach Washington, or the railway station from the front, or u from the various hospitals, their strength is nearly exhausted, “and they are only restored, if at all, by such care as hospital “ treatment affords ; and frequently they are too far gone to “ make that available, as is indicated by the record which shows “ that from February 23d to October 1st, there were received at “ the Home 665 men, very sick, who were placed in the new “ Hospital, of which number thirty-eight died there. This was “ from February 23d, when this new building was opened, but “ dating back to December 15th, there has been under the “ charge of the Commission, including those just named, some “ 900 men who were very sick and feeble, of which number a “ total of sixty-one (61) have died at the Home. These were “ nearly all men having their discharge papers with them, and “ they had consequently given up their claim upon the General “ or Regimental Hospitals, and had taken the first stage of their “ journey towards their homes. If they had not found the care “ which the Commission thus offered to them, these same men “ must have died in the cars along the way, or at some stopping “ point on their journey. Of the remaining 840 of these very

38

u feeble men we have reason to believe that many, except for tbe u care and rest secured to them by tbe provision of tbe Commis- “ sion, could not liave lived through their journeys.

*******

“ At this office and lodge No. 4, from January 1st to October “ 1st, 1863, the number of discharged soldiers whose accounts “ against the Government have been settled through our assist- <£ ance, men who were too feeble to attend to settling their own “ accounts, or who were unable to obtain their pay because of u some charge against them on the pay-rolls, or some enors in “ their papers, amount to 2,130.”

“ Information and directions have been given relative to set- “ tling pay accounts, collecting arrears of pay, extra duty pay, u and commutation money to about 9,000 men.

u The aggregate value of the 2130 cases amounted to “ $130,159 01. This amount was collected and paid to the “ soldiers through this office.

“ But for the gratuitous aid thus afforded, these soldiers dis- “ charged from the service, disabled by wounds, or worn down “ by long marches and exposure in the field, or enfeebled by “ disease, anxious to get home, would have applied to c Claim “ Agents ’ for aid in obtaining speedily their dues from Gov- “ ernment, submitting willingly to pay a commission ranging “ from 10 to 40 per cent. These Agents, with some rare and “ admirable exceptions, in four cases out of every five, impede “ the settlement of accounts instead of facilitating them.

“ Taking 10 per cent, as an average, which is the lowest com- u mission usually charged by Claim Agents, the amount saved “ to the soldiers in adjusting the 2130 cases of which a xecord “ has been kept, is shewn to be $13,015 90. Add to this 10 per “ cent, of the probable aggregate value of the 9000 cases in “ which information and directions have been given, (for in most “ of these cases the soldiers would otherwise have gone to Claim

39

“ Agents) and the amount saved to the soldiers through the “ Commission by this office, is shown to be at least $70,000 “ during nine months ending September 30th.”

“ The number of letters written in adjusting the above cases “ of sufficient importance to make a copy necessary, 2,224.

“ Many of the cases have been very difficult to adjust, requir- “ ing several weeks to complete them.

“ The £ Home 5 or 4 Lodge for Special Belief’ at Alexandria “ is almost equally important with those at W ashington. Alexan- “ dria is the gateway toward home for the sick and wounded of “ the Potomac Army. During the first week after this Agency “ was established, it provided meals for 1761 sick or wounded “ men who could have got them nowhere else.

“ In January, 1863, a ‘ Nurse’s Home’ was opened at Washing- “ ton. It has proved a source of immense relief to nurses arriving “ in the city, and to those worn down by service at the hospitals, “ and needing a few days of quiet and rest, and also to the wives, “ mothers and daughters of soldiers who have come on seeking “ their husbands, sons or fathers in hospital. During the past two “ months many of this latter class have been cared for who, utterly “ ignorant of the cost of their journey, and of obtaining board “ and lodging, even for a day or two, in the city, were utterly 66 destitute and helpless. Hundreds of weary and almost broken “ hearted women have been received as at a home. Many re- “ fugees also — mothers and little children — have been received “ here and warmed and clothed. This has proved in its working “ one of the 'kindest charities of the Commission.”

Since the “Nurses’ Home” wTas opened in January, the total

number of nights’ lodging given has been . 1583

Meals furnished . 3040

Number of women sheltered and admitted . H90

Total cost to Commission, about . $2,300

40

The Homes of the Special Relief Department at Washington, Louisville, Alexandria, Annapolis, and Hew Orleans, are sup¬ ported by the Central Treasury of the Commission ; at other points mainly by its Branches.

Their work up to October 1st, 1863, has been as follows : —

“THE HOME,” WASHINGTON, D. C.

Humber of individuals received . 7,287

“ “ nights lodging furnished . 26,533

“ “ meals given . 65,621

LODGES NOS. 2, 3, 4 AND 5, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Humber of nights lodgings furnished . 23,590

“ “ meals given . 184,995

“home” IN CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Humber of nights lodgings furnished . 2,569

“ “ meals given . 12,227

LODGE AT MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

Humber of nights lodgings furnished . 2,850

“ “ meals given . 14,780

LODGE AT NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

Humber of nights lodgings furnished .

“ “ meals given .

“home” AT LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

Humber of nights lodgings furnished. . 17,785

“ “ meals given at the Home . 52,080

“ “ “ “ at Station House . 49,933

4,821

11,909

41

“ HOME ” AT CAIRO, ILLINOIS.

Number of nights lodgings furnished . 79,550

“ “ meals given . 170,150

“home” AT CINCINNATI, OHIO.

Number of nights lodgings furnished . 40,017

“ “ meals given (about) . 10,000

LODGE AT ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.

Number of nights lodgings furnished . 604

“ “ meals given . 5,980

“ HOME ” AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Number of nights lodgings furnished . 1,407

“ “ meals given . 4,129

“ HOME ” EOR NURSES AND FOR SOLDIERS WIVES AND MOTHERS AT WASHINGTON, D. C.

Number of nights lodgings furnished . 1,583

“ “ meals given . 3,640

“ HOME ” FOR NURSES AT ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND.

Number of nights lodgings furnished . 569

“ “ meals given . 2,847

“home” AT CHICAGO.

Number of nights lodgings furnished . 3,109

“ “ meals given . 11,325

The aggregate of nights’ lodgings furnished by the Special Relief Department up to the 1st October last, is therefore . . • • • 206,570

And of meals provided . 602,656

42

The total cost of the Special Relief Department at Wash¬ ington, Annapolis and Alexandria, from August, 1861, to 1st October, 1863, has been $24,582 00.*

Among the modes in which this Department does its work of relief are several that have not been mentioned.

For example, it corresponds on behalf of soldiers with their friends. In special cases it sends Agents with officers and sol¬ diers suffering under severe disease to take care of them on their journey home.f It attends to the claims of soldiers whose pay is unjustly withheld through mistake or otherwise. It looks into cases of punishment or disgrace alleged to be unjust, and if they be found so on investigation, lays the evidence before the proper military authorities.^; Such errors must occur in the working of a military system so extensive as ours, and the Com¬ mission has thus saved many good and faithful soldiers from undeserved punishment and disgrace. It employs detectives to ferret out and bring to justice sharpers and gamblers who live by preying on the soldiers. It looks out for men who set off for hospital on foot, but break down by the way, and supplies them with conveyances.

* The “Home” recently established at New Orleans has lodged and fed 2,162 men from October 16th to 22d November, 1863. From November 22d to 27th, its daily average of cases relieved was more than 250.

f The expense of this service has been defrayed from a special fund raised for the purpose. 1 hough a most humane and life saving office, it seems to involve too large an outlay on individual cases, to be paid for out of the general Treasury of the Commission.

\ Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1, 1863, thirty-four applications were made to the Special Relief Agency at Washington alone, by men claiming to have been unjust¬ ly disgraced and deprived of their arrears of pay as “ deserters” or “ absent with¬ out leave.” The investigation of some of these claims required twenty letters to Hospital Directors and Regimental officers, for it was necessary to ascertain and to prove where the applicant had been during every day of the period of his alleged absence from duty. Twenty-eight of these thirty-four claims were proved to be valid, and were recognized as valid by the military authorities. The men had not known how to state them, or how to obtain the necessary evidence.

43

In short, there is hardly a service within the whole range of charity that has not been rendered onr soldiers by this agency.

And they must surely endure longer and fight better for knowing that they are thus watched over and aided by the Peo¬ ple whose cause they maintain.

HOSPITAL DIRECTORY.

This branch of the Special Relief Department is of compara¬ tively recent date. Its offices are at Washington, Philadelphia, Louisville and Hew York. Its necessity arises from the prac¬ tical difficulty of obtaining information about men in hospital from official sources. It keeps a record of the name, regiment and company of every man admitted into General Hospital, and of the nature of his disease or injury, and also of every man dying or discharged, and if discharged, whether it was to re¬ join his regiment, or as permanently disabled. These records are corrected daily. Priends and relatives can thus readily ascertain by letter whether any given man is in general hospital, and it so, all particulars about him.

The names entered on the Hospital Directory books from

June 9th to Oct, 1st, 1863, were—

At the Washington office . 64,635

“ “ Hew York “ . 18,771

u a Philadelphia “ . . 12,213

u 66 Louisville a from May 9th . 96,433

Total . 192,052

Add number of names on record June 9th . 215,221

Total . 407,273

Recorded as follows :

Washington office to Oct. 1st, 1863 . 169,007

New York “ “ “ “ “ 27>320

Philadelphia “ “ “ “ “ 24>513

Louisville “ “ “ “ “ 186>433

44

The number of inquiries and of answers, from the organiza¬ tion of the Directory to Oct. 1, 1863, have been as follows. The surplus of inquiries over answers is the number of cases in which the subject of inquiry had not been in G-eneral Hospital since the Directory System went into operation.

'Washington office,	inquiries .	... 6,712	Answers.. . .	....4,524
Hew York “	u u	.. 656	u u	. ... 474
Philadelphia “	u u	.. 547	(( u	. ... 348
Louisville “	u «	.. 5,852	a u	....4,016
Inquiries .		..13,767	Answers. . . .	. ...9,362

It may at first seem that this undertaking, however humane, has no connection with the Sanitary interests of the Army, and is therefore no legitimate work for the Sanitary Commission. But it practically multiplies to a great extent the facilities for correspondence and communication between men in hospital and their friends at home, and such communications are often worth more than any medicine to the sick and convalescent. They promote health, bodily and mental, keep up the sick man’s morale, and expedite his recovery and his return to duty.

OTHER WORK OF THE COMMISSION.

The Commission does much work beside that comes strictly under none of the preceding heads. During and after a battle, its medical officers act as volunteer aids to those of the Army, while its Belief Agents add to their proper office of dispensing medicines and supplies the functions of nurses, hospi¬ tal stewards, and ambulance drivers. Honorable instances are recorded of the courage and devotion with which they have brought off wounded men under fire.* The Commission retains

* We find the following in the Port Royal Free South of the 25th instant :

“The officers of the United States Sanitary Commission have won for them¬ selves a splendid reputation in this department. They have by their discretion and

45

no one in its service who shrinks from any work, hazardous, menial, or mechanical, that comes in the course of his duty.

It has organized a system by which extra supplies are fur¬ nished our general hospitals at prime cost, thus effecting a very large daily saving to their “ hospital funds.” Up to 1st Novem¬ ber last it had thus expended more than $70,000 on hospitals around Washington, and in South Carolina.

It endeavors to keep the people, and especially the loyal wo¬ men of the North, informed of the wants of the Army, and stimulates the production and forwarding of Army supplies.

It calls the attention of Government to the defects and abuses that appear from time to time in the various branches of the service and directly or indirectly affect the health of the Army, and recommends to Government such improvements in the Medical and Sanitary administration of the Army as seem enti¬ tled to its attention.

It relieves our men in rebel prisons wherever it is permitted to do so, and is now sending to Richmond (at a cost of nearly a thousand dollars a day) large consignments of food and other supplies, appropriate for men broken down by confinement and starvation.* *

zeal saved many valuable lives. Under the guns of Wagner, in the hottest of the fire, their trained corps picked up and carried off the wounded almost as they fell. As many of our men were struck while ascending the parapet and then rolled into the moat, which at high tide contains six feet of water, they must inevitably have perished bacl they been suffered to remain. But the men who were detailed for the service with Dr. Marsh went about the work with intrepidity and coolness worthy of all praise. The skill and experience of the members of the Commission has, since the battle, been unremittingly employed to render comfortable the sick and wounded. — W. Y. Evening Post , July 30, 1863.

* It has established on every flag-of-truce boat from Fortress Monroe for the re¬ ception of exchanged prisoners a depot of such medicines and restoratives as are most suitable for men in the distressing condition in which they are generally found when discharged from confinement at Richmond. From Nov. 17 to Dec. 3 it has sent $28,000 worth of supplies beside to Richmond. There is every reason to believe that these supplies are not intercepted or misappropriated, and that the Rebel authorities do in good faith protect them from attack, and convey them to their destination. [Dec. 10, 1863.]

46

Above all, it loses no opportunity of advocating every measure calculated to increase the efficiency of the Military system itself in all its relations with the sanitary interests of the Army ; and it has in this way probably done the Army as much substantial service as by all its other agencies together. More than two years of experience and observation have shown it that the main dependence of the soldier, sick or well, must be on the Military system, and not on outside help. The reformation of the Medi¬ cal Bureau, and the appointment of an honest, energetic, ac¬ complished and fearless officer as Surgeon-General,* is mainly due to the influence the Commission brought to bear on Gov¬ ernment. It has thus done more for the health of the Army than could have been done for it in any other way whatever.

The Commission hopes to effect further reforms, still sorely needed, and thus by still farther increasing the efficiency of the Medical Bureau, to make its own existence less and less a neces¬ sity to the Army.

OBJECTIONS TO THE COMMISSION.

The Commission has from the first enjoyed a degree of public favor and confidence greater than it had any right to expect. Certain objections, however, are made to its system and methods which require a brief notice, though they have for the most part been already anticipated.

One is that the Commission employs paid agents, and that its organization is expensive. It has already been shown that paid and permanent Agents are in the long run cheaper than unpaid volunteers, because the superiority of skilled labor over un¬ skilled, is much more than equivalent to the amount thus paid to secure it.

The more general charge that the Commission’s system is a

* Dr. Wna. A. Hammond.

47

costly one, is believed to be wholly unfounded. Its salaries are on a most moderate scale.* Thanks to the co-operation of Go¬ vernment ai\d the liberality of Railroad, Telegraph and Express Companies, and other private agencies, its expenses for transpor¬ tation and telegraphing are not one-tenth of what they would otherwise be. A reference to the statistics given above of the cost of its special relief system at Washington, Alexandria and Annapolis, show how much work it has done at comparatively trifling expense. The value of the supplies it has actually issued to the Army from its numerous depots, East and West, can only be estimated, and these estimates vary largely, the lowest estimate being about four millions of dollars, and the highest exceeding seven.

These supplies have been carried all over the country, from Maine to Texas, and from Washington to Vicksburg, in charge of special agents, and deposited in Relief Stations where store¬ keepers are necessarily engaged to protect them, and Relief Agents to distribute them ; yet this great mass of bulky stores has been moved, stored at the depots, moved to the front, stored again in temporary depots, and then distributed, at a total expense to the Central Treasury of less than one and seven- eighths per cent, on their lowest valuation.

Another objection to the Commission is generally expressed somewhat as follows : —

“ It is a very benevolent organization, no doubt, and relieves

* It mav be proper here distinctly to state, that no member of the Commission receives, or ever has received a dollar from its treasury, or from any other quarter, in the shape of salary, or compensation for his services as Commissioner. Four of its members hold office, viz. : its President, Vice-President, and Treasurer, and its Associate Secretary at Louisville. Of these, the first three have been able to do their official work without absolutely sacrificing all their other duties, and they have done it without dreaming of “ pay” from any quarter. The Associate Secre¬ tary, who has removed his home from Cleveland to Louisville, abandoned his pro¬ fession, and devoted his whole time and energies to his official work, receives a moderate salary.

48

“ a great deal of suffering. But it does harm in the long run, “ because officers are tempted to lean upon it and neglect their “ official duty of providing for their men. Without the Com- “ mission there might have been more suffering at first ; but “ this evil would have cured itself by this time. Officers would “ have been obliged to become more active and vigilant, and “ the Army would now be in perfect condition and need no help “ from without.”

The principle on which this criticism rests underlies all the policy of the Commission. It has already been shown that its system is so framed and guarded, that no Army officer can take advantage of it to escape duty or to cover up inefficiency. But in the application of this principle by those who use it as an ob¬ jection to the Commission, there is a peculiar fallacy which it is worth while to point out.

So far from endangering the military system by relief from without, the Commission has from the first been the chief pro¬ tection of the Army against this very danger, and the only organi¬ zation, official or private, that has openly aided and encouraged our Military authorities in their endeavor to avert it. Though wholly dependent on popular sympathy for support, it has uni¬ formly maintained this position, though well aware that it is peculiarly distasteful to many whose patriotism and human¬ ity are stronger than their judgment.

The Commission did not create the unprecedented popular effort to furnish supplies for the sick and wounded, which will distinguish the history of this War from that of all others, That movement began before the Commission was in existence, when the first Regiment of National Volunteers was mustered into the National service. It was equally spontaneous and irre¬ sistible. Neither the Commission nor Government could have checked it had .they felt disposed to try. It still continues, and it will continue so long as a single regiment remains in the field.

49

The Commission when first appointed found the stream in full flow, but guided by zeal rather than discretion. One regiment out of every two, East and West, was waited on and followed up by Agents and Relief Committees from its own town or county, begging surgeons and quartermasters to take a few packages of hospital stores off their hands, and surreptitiously administering delicacies and medicaments wherever they could secure a re¬ cipient. Other regiments were suffering for want of necessary subsistence, because recruited in some neighborhood less wealthy or less liberal. Officers seemed as much disturbed by the de¬ moralizing interference of friends in the rear as by the demon¬ strations of the enemy in their front.

The Commission recognized the depth of the National imc pulses that were at work, the immense mischief they might do if allowed to run wild, and the good they might do if organized and regulated, and it undertook the work of so guiding .these efforts as to make them more effective and less dangerous to discipline. It found the Army inundated by a flood of public bounty, wasting itself where it was not wanted, and threatening to undermine the foundations of official respon¬ sibility. Its endeavor has been and is to direct this stream into measured channels, carrying it to the points at which it will do most good, and applying its power to strengthen the working of the military system.

It has thus to a great extent saved the Army from the mischief this torrent of outside relief might have done it. If it has not fully done so, it is because so many agencies and societies for Army relief continue to work independently of the Commission and by methods which it does not approve and cannot control.

The objection that “ Government ought to do the work the Commission is doing” has no longer the foundation it had before the Reform of the Medical Bureau. Government might un¬ doubtedly still farther invigorate that Bureau and thus still

4

50

farther diminish the necessity for the Commission. Let ns hope that it soon will. But to refuse aid to the Army on this ground would be mere inhumanity. ISTo Government, moreover, has yet been able through its own proper machinery to do for its soldiers what the Government and the Commission together do for ours, and the objection above quoted, though undeniable as an abstract proposition concerning the functions of an ideal Government, is not applicable to our Government, or to any other that exists, or has ever existed. The provision Govern¬ ment makes for the physical wants of the soldier in sickness and in health is profuse when compared with that made by France or England, or by any other power. But it cannot permanently maintain a medical and surgical staff large enough to provide with promptness (or rather without such delay as would seem shocking and criminal if it occurred in connection with some casualty of civil life) for the casualties of battle even on the smallest scale.

A regiment, for instance, of a thousand strong, after a day’s fighting, leaves, say one hundred men wounded on the field, and scattered over an area of one or two square miles. To hunt them up and provide for them there are one surgeon and one assistant, with a small detail of enlisted men. The next day the regiment moves twenty miles farther, fights again, and leaves as many more wounded men on this second battle ground. The surgeon and his assistant cannot possibly give thorough attention to every case in these two widely separated field hospitals. Twenty surgeons would be hardly enough to care for both during the first few days, as patients are cared for in private practice. Public sympathy with our wounded men demands that each receive the full benefit of all that vigilance and science can do for each of them. But government cannot provide this measure of relief. There are not in the country thoroughly educated surgeons enough to permanently supply every regiment with

51

even five competent medical officers instead of two. But twenty to each would be too few to give full attention and care to all the sufferers after a great battle.

Government may be theoretically bound to supply this de¬ ficiency, but it is practically beyond the resources of govern¬ ment. The gap has been filled up during the last two years, in some degree at least, by the creative energies of the people exerted through the Sanitary Commission. The people thus maintains a supplementary Medical Bureau of its own for the purpose, among others, of sending forward civil surgeons of the first professional rank to reinforce the army medical staff in emergency. When a battle is in progress, or at hand, the relief agents of the Commission on the spot telegraph to Louisville, Cincinnati, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, or some other point, and its agency there engages the best medical talent within reach for temporary service during the next week or fortnight.

It has already been shown that our military system is, and must be, founded on a rigorous system of regulations and official responsibility, and that any such system must sometimes break down by unavoidable accident or otherwise. Public opinion makes too little allowance for this. It condemns the Medical Bureau because its stores arrive too late at one point, and gives it no credit for the energy and prevision that carried them in good season to ninety-nine others.

Government must depend for its transportation on railroads and steamboats. Its trains and transports are just as liable as any others to accident and detention, and often much more so. Such accidents and detentions often cause suffering and death, for which neither the Medical Bureau nor any official is justly accountable. In every such case our camps and hospitals have the relief agencies of the Commission to fall back upon, and though in supplying their wants the Commission is literally “doing what Government ought to do,” it nevertheless does

52

wliat Government cannot do at that particular time and place, and what the people w'ould not willingly see left undone.

The Commission was at one time accused of desiring to usurp the functions of the Medical Bureau, and of putting itself forward as a rival of the Medical staff, hut it must he evident from what has been already stated, that all the policy and efforts of the Commission have tended, from the first, in a precisely opposite direction. It has labored untiringly, and not without re¬ sults, to uphold the Medical Bureau, and to obtain it addi¬ tional powers. Just so far as these efforts have succeeded, have they diminished the prominence and importance of the Commission. Its members have good reason to desire that Gov¬ ernment should assume all that part of its work which Govern¬ ment can do, for their duties have proved far more onerous than was anticipated when they were undertaken ; they often require the sacrifice of professional and private interests, and at any time less critical than the present they would much exceed the amount of voluntary public service that can reasonably be ex¬ pected of private citizens.

Other criticisms on the work of the Commission, relating mostly to points of detail, do not require special notice. They are generally founded on some mistake about facts. We all know what swarms of “ authentic statements,” " reliable reports,” and pieces of “ direct information” arc daily engendered concern¬ ing the army, and everybody and everything connected with it, and how utterly untrustworthy they are apt to be. The Commission is the permanent subject of a due proportion of these legends, both commendatory and disparaging.

In estimating the value of the latter, it should be remem¬ bered that the work of the Commission necessarily makes it enemies. Medical and other officers who know that their inca-

53

pacity or indolence lias been detected and noted by a relief agent or inspector, naturally think it a meddlesome and mischie¬ vous organization, and are always ready to report, and sometimes to embellish and magnify, every case of failure in its work. Officers of the Medical Staff who stood high on the list, and were expecting speedy promotion and additional rank and emoluments, when Government was prevailed on to fill the liigher offices of the Medical Bureau according to ability and not, as before, according to seniority (or, in other words, by selecting the best man instead of the oldest), cannot be expected to admire the Sanitary Commission. Some of them think (very naturally) that it has “ ruined the service,” and are not disin¬ clined to believe and to endorse any story that tells against it. Many of our most thoughtful and far-sighted people, misin¬ formed as to its aim and policy, suppose it to seek merely the immediate relief of the sick or wounded soldier, at any cost to military self-reliance and discipline, and distrust it accord¬ ingly. Thousands of warm-hearted and energetic men and women, diligently laboring for portions of the army through State agencies and local societies, find the Sanitary Commis¬ sion throwing cold water on their work, because it is not con¬ formed to the system which the Commission holds to be the most economical, the most National, and altogether the best. They cannot help becoming more or less prejudiced against the Commission, which seems thus to discourage and discredit what they rightly feel to be the most unselfish and the most important work of their lives, and they are thus unconsciously predisposed to believe anything they may hear against it.

For a year past the Commission has been under no necessity of appealing to the public for support. It has been sustained during that period mainly by the splendid and spontaneous con¬ tributions it received from beyond the Kocky Mountains. These

54

enabled it to breathe freely, to lay out large and liberal plans, to work for tbe future as well as for the present, and to expand its system both of prevention and of relief to dimensions com¬ mensurate with tbe wants of tbe whole Army.

But these great contributions are now nearly exhausted. The Commission receives no money from Government, and has no income from any quarter on which it can rely. The con¬ tinuance of voluntary public contributions is necessarily too uncertain to justify it in forming or continuing permanent engagements or in undertaking any work that requires con¬ siderable time for its execution* It’s ordinary expenditure is nearly fifty thousand dollars a month. During last July it was more than ninety thousand. It’s operations cannot be main¬ tained on their present scale without a reserve fund of at least one hundred thousand. The balance in its treasury has now fallen much below that point, and unless it he speedily and

* Our daily papers are full of paragraphs and advertisements about subscrip¬ tions and undertakings in aid of the “ Sanitary Commission,” which often do not id fact aid the Commission at all. The proceeds of the Fairs, Lectures, and other entertainments announced as “ for the benefit of tbe Sanitary Commission, are seldom received by its treasurer. They generally go to the treasury of some one of its branches, and are applied to local expenses, to local “ special relief/’ and to the purchase of supplies and material. They thus relieve the general treasury of the Commission, to some extent, from the necessity of purchasing supplies, but they contribute nothing to any other department of its work. For instance, the great “Sanitary Commission Fair" recently got up with such unprecedented and admirable talent and energy by tbe loyal people of Chicago, has produced not less than sixty -nine thousand dollars. But it is not expected that any portion of this amount will be received by the central treasury of the Commission. The pro¬ posed “Metropolitan Fair,” in New York, will be for the benefit of the Com¬ mission itself, but months must elapse before its proceeds are received, and the Commission require large sums to sustain it in operation meanwhile.

The distinction between a “ Commission ” and a “ Committee ” seems not gene¬ rally recognised. Committees of patriotic and humane citizens, anxious to do something to promote the sanitary condition of the army, style themselves the

“Sanitary Commission of - ” and report their receipts as contributed to

“the Sanitary Commission.” People are thus led to over-estimate the receipts and under estimate the wants of the U. S. Sanitary Commission— the only or¬ ganization for army relief commissioned by Government and entitled to that name.

55

abundantly replenished, it must at once begin winding up its affairs, closing its “ homes” and depots, dismissing its agents, and preparing to retire from the field. dSTo reduction of its work to a smaller and less expensive scale is practicable. It must continue to do all it now does, or cease attempting to do anything. For should it be obliged to abandon any part of the ground it now covers, the diminution of its efficiency would be at once per¬ ceived, and the public support at once farther diminished. Each successive contraction of its work would produce corresponding contraction of its means, and it would rapidly dwarf and dwindle, inch by inch, till it ceased to be worth sustaining at all. It would be unseemly that a work so noble and so new in history as that which the people has done through the Commission should ter¬ minate in lingering decay, and pass through successive stages of weakness to insignificance and extinction. It should rather stop short while still in full vigor, for its existence in decrepitude and with failing energies would bring discredit on the people, and do little to help the Army.

The Commission now asks the country to decide, and that promptly, whether it shall or shall not continue its work. It makes no appeal to public humanity and sympathy, for they are already enlisted in its favor. It declines to stimulate those feel¬ ings as it might, most effectively, by dwelling on the pathetic and touching incidents of its work, on the cases of heroic suffer¬ ing it has relieved, and the brave men who have thanked it for saving them to do further service to the country. It addresses itself not to the sentiment, but to the practical good sense of the -community, and asks no support except from those who are satisfied that the country receives a full return in money value for all the country gives to support it. It submits to every man the question whether it has or has not saved the country ten times its cost by what it has done to economize the life, health, and efficiency of the army — whether the continuance of this

56

work will or will not tend appreciably to diminish the cost and the duration of the war • and whether he will or will not promote his own material interests by doing what he can to sustain it.

In considering these questions, it must be remembered that in all campaigns three or four men die of preventive disease for every one destroyed by the enemy ; and also that the death of every soldier is a considerable pecuniary loss to the country, and to each and every one of its citizens.

The amount of this loss is made up of many items— the cost of his enlistment, his pay and his rations, while he wTas an in¬ efficient recruit, the bounties that must be paid to replace him, and the pension which his death or disability charges on the public ; and to these must be added his worth to the nation as a producer, had he survived the war, and returned to the indus¬ trial pursuits of civil life. The average money value to the people of each soldier in the service is certainly not less than one thousand dollars.

Men are not among the commodities we buy and sell ; but they are bought and sold elsewhere, or have been ; and an able- bodied male adult has never been held worth much less than that sum to his owner. A Northern mechanic or farmer is cer¬ tainly worth as much to the country. The loss of a single soldier by death or disability adds at least that amount to the expenses of the war, and to the burthen it necessarily imposes on every member of the community.

Rigorous economy of the life and health of our soldiers is practically most important, therefore, to every tax-payer, and to every holder of Government Securities. Whether the Sanitary Commission does enough toward this great object to make it worth the people’s while to sustain it (at the cost of nearly fifty thousand dollars a month), is the question the people is now asked to consider and decide.

Leaving out of view all its other work, the Commission cer-

57

tainly saved not less than one thousand lives within forty-eight hours after Antietam. If each of these was worth as much to the country as the average South Carolina field hand to his owner, then the Commission, by its wrork at this one point, returned to the country more than an equivalent, in money value, for the nine, hundred thousand dollars the country has given its Central Treasury during the last two years. But this is only a single incident of one branch of the work it has been doing ever since the wrar began.

In view of facts like this, the Commission submits the case, without misgiving, to the intelligence of the People. The value of all property throughout the country depends on the success of the National cause, and every property-holder has a personal interest in whatever promotes it. In no way can it he more surely promoted than by retrenchment of the cost of war ; and the Commission claims that its efforts to this end have thus far saved the People at least two dollars for every dollar it has been enabled to expend.

It will make no attempt to raise the sum required to keep it in operation through the instrumentalities usually employed for like purposes. If means he freely supplied, as heretofore, the work of the Commission will he kept up, but, if not, it will he abandoned ; and, to keep it up, not less than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars must he raised before the 1st of February, 1864.

For the purpose of ascertaining what the People is disposed to give, it is recommended that the several branches of the Com- mission proceed at once to ascertain, by public meetings, or otherwise, what sum their respective cities will contribute for the general purposes of the Commission, and report the result to its General Secretary Dr. J. Foster Jenkins, No. 823 Broad¬ way, New York.

Those who are satisfied that the work of the Commission is

58

one not only of mercy and humanity, but of substantial service to the country, and who are able and willing to aid it, will send their contributions to its Treasurer, Geo. T. Strong, Ho. 68 Wall Street, or 823 Broadway, Hew York.

By order of the Commission.

ITeney W. Bellows, v

¥m. IT. Yan Buren, j

Wolcott Gibbs, I

C. B. Agnew, f

Saml. G. Howe, \ Committee.

Horace Binney, Jr., 1

J. Huntington Wolcott, I

Fairman Bogers, j

Geo. T. Strong, J

%

59

appendix a.

SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTED DURING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BATTLES AT GETTYSBURG,

JUI/iT 1st, 2(1 and 3d, 1863.

Of Articles of Clothing , etc., viz. :

Of Drawers, (woolen) 5,310 pairs . 50

“ « (cotton) 1,833 pairs . 1>883 00

“ Shirts, (woolen) 7,158 . ’ . 14’316 00

“ “ (cotton) 3,266 . 3’266 00

“ Pillows, 2,114 . 1’268 40

“ Pillow Cases, 264 . 105

“ Bed Sacks, 1,630 . 3’463 75

« Blankets, . . 3’021 00

“ Sheets, . . 274 00

“ Wrappers, 508 . - 1’498 60

“ Handkerchiefs, 2,659 . 319 08

“ Stockings, (woolen) 3,560 pairs . 1>780 00

“ “ (cotton) 2,258 pairs . 451 60

“ Bed Utensils, 728 . 182 00

“ Towels and Napkins, 10,000.. . . . 00

“ Sponges, 2,300 . 230 00

“ Combs, 1,500 . 75 00

“ Buckets, 200 . 60 00

“ Soap, (Castile) 250 pounds . 50 00

“ Oil Silk, 300 yards . 225 00

“ Tin Basins, Cups, etc., 7,000 . *700 00

“ Old Linen, Bandages, etc., 110 barrels . 1,100 00

“ Water Tanks, . . 70 00

“ Water Coolers, 46 . ^238

“ Bay Rum and Cologne Water, 225 bottles. . ^42

Carried forward

$45,624 03

60

Brought forward . 845,624 03

Of Fans, 3,500 . 145 00

“ Chloride of Lime, 11 barrels . 99 00

11 Shoes and Slippers, 4,000 pairs . *2,400 00

“ Crutches, 1,200 . 480 00

“ Lanthorns, 180 . 90 00

“ Candles, 350 pounds . 70 00

u Canvas, 300 square yards . 360 00

“ Musquito Netting, 648 pieces . 810 00

“ Paper, 237 quires . - . 23 70

“ Pants, Coats, Hats, 189 pieces . *96 75

“ Plaster, 16 rolls . - . 4 90

Of Articles of Sustenance , viz. :

Of Fresh Poultry and Mutton, 11,000 pounds . 1,540 00

“ “ Butter, 6,430 pounds . 1,286 00

u u Eggs, (chiefly collected for the occasion at farm¬

houses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey,) 8,500

dozens . 1,700 00

u u Garden Vegetables, 675 bushels . 337 50

“ “ Berries, 48 bushels . 72 00

M u Bread, 12,900 loaves . 945 00

“ Ice, 20,000 pounds . 190 00

“ Concentrated Beef Soup, 3,800 pounds . 3,800 00

** “ Milk, 12,500 pounds . 3,125 00

“ Prepared Farinaceous Food, 7,000 pounds . 700 00

“ Dried Fruit, 3,500 pounds . 350 00

“ Jellies and Conserves, 2,000 jars . 1,000 00

“ Tamarinds, 750 gallons . 990 00

u Lemons, 116 boxes . 580 00

“ Oranges, 46 boxes . 230 00

u Coffee, 850 pounds . 272 00

u Chocolate, 831 pounds . 249 30

44 Tea, 426 pounds . 383 40

u White Sugar, 6,800 pounds . 1,156 00

44 Syrups, (Lemon, etc.) 785 bottles . - . 596 25

u Brandy, 1,250 bottles . 1,250 00

44 Whiskey, 1,168 bottles . 700 80

u Wine, 1,148 bottles . 861 00

Carried forward . $71,736 73

CL

Brought forward . $7 1,736 73

Of Ale, 600 gallons . 180 00

“ Biscuit, Crackers, and Rusk, 134 barrels . *070 00

“ Preserved Meats, 500 pounds . 125 00

“ Preserved Fish, 3,600 pounds . 720 00

“ Pickles, 400 gallons . 120 00

“ Tobacco, 1( 0 pounds . 70 00

“ Tobacco Pipes, 1,000 . 5 60

“ Indian Meal, 1,021 pounds . 40 50

“ Starch, 1,074 pounds . . . Id

“ Codfish, 3,848 pounds . 269 36

“ Canned Fruit, 582 cans . 436 50

“ “ Oysters, 72 cans . . . 36 00

“ Brandy Peaches, 303 jars . 303 00

“ Catsup, 43 jars . 11 60

« Vinegar, 24 bottles..,. . 3 00

“ Jamaica Ginger, 43 jars . . . 37 25

Total . $74,838 52

* Estimated value.

s

62

APPENDIX B.

While this paper is passing through the press, information is received that a Branch of the U. S. Sanitary Commission has just been organized at Paris, and is entering with energy on its legitimate work of col¬ lecting money and supplies from loyal Americans abroad, and fiom all others who sympathize with us in our National struggle.

The following is an abstract of the official report of its proceedings up to 4th December, instant, transmitted to the Standing Committee in New York ;

A meeting of American gentlemen was held at the American Consulate, Paris, November 30th, 1863, for the purpose of organizing a Paris Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission.

The Rev. John McClintock, D.D., was duly appointed President, and Mr. James \Y. Brooks, Vice-Consul of the United States, Secretary pro tern.

An Executive Committee was appointed, consisting of the following named gentlemen :

Rev. John McClintock, D.D., (Pastor of the American Chapel, Paris.)

Mr. John Bigelow, U. S. Consul.

Mr. Chas. S. P. Bowles, Boston.

Mr. Edward Brooks, do.

Dr. T. W. Evans, Paris.

Mr. Robt. M. Mason, Boston.

Mr. Geo. T. Richards, Paris.

Mr. J. Phalen, New York.

Mr. Wm. H. Thomson, New York.

Mr. Henry Wood, Boston.

Such Committee to have general supervision of the action of the Paris Branch, subject to the approval of the Central Board of the Commission, with power to fill its own vacancies.

63

Mr. Geo. T. Richards was appointed Treasurer, and Mr. Win. B. Bowles Secretary, such appointments to be subject to the approval of the Central Board.

The Secretary was instructed to provide boohs of subscription, prefaced with a statement of the character and objects of the organization.

The meeting then adjourned.

A meeting of the Executive Committee was held at the office of Messrs. J, Munroe & Co., No. Rue de la Paix, Palis.

Present— Rev. John McClintock, D.D., and Messrs. Robt. M. Mason, Wm. S. Thompson, Edward Brooks, Geo. S. Richards. Henry Woods, Charles S. P. Bowles and WTm. Bowles, General Secretary of the Paris Branch of the TJ. S. Sanitary Commission.

Dr. McClintock was, on motion, duly elected Chairman of the Com¬ mittee, and Mr. Wm. B. Bowles Secretary.

The minutes of the preliminary meeting was read and approved.

A list of names of gentlemen on whom it was thought best to wait for subscriptions, was submitted and approved.

It was resolved that the Secretary open a correspondence with American Consuls, and with prominent American citizens residing in Europe, with a view to the extension and increased efficiency of this Branch of the Com¬ mission.

Resolved— That the title of the Branch be “The European Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission.”

Mr. Wm. S. Thompson offered his name as one of ten to subscribe five thousand francs each for the objects of the European Branch.

Adjourned to meet at the same place 6th December instant, at 3 P. M.

The European Branch appears to have established its permanent head¬ quarters at No. 2 Rue Martel, Paris, and to have already raised a con¬ siderable amount which it holds subject to the orders of the Commission, and which can be used abroad to very great advantage in the purchase of certain articles of hospital supply.

This creation of a Branch of the Commission among loyal Americans on the other side of the Atlantic is especially gratifying, because it has been wholly spontaneous. It shows that this new work, invented by the American People, and by them practically applied for the first time m

64

history, through the Sanitary Commission — of supplying an army with an additional staff of Volunteer Commissaries, Quartermasters and Sur¬ geons, working in harmony with its military authorities, and vested with discretionary powers that enable them to do whatever the necessary in¬ flexibility of military regulations obliges Government officials to leave un¬ does— commends itself to the heads and to the hearts of loyal Americans

wherever they may be. ...

This extension of the influence and agencies of the Commission into Europe suggests the mention of another fact of like interest, which may be due to the example the Commission has set, and may prove a material step in the progress of mankind toward the mitigation of the evils incident to war. An “International Conference” of representatives of the several European States met at Geneva last October, and has published a voluminous report of its deliberations and transactions. Its object is to establish a Sanitary Commission for the army of every European Power. It proposes that, in case of war, each army— French, Austrian, Russian, or as the case may be— shall have its staff of Sanitary and Relief Agents, representing an International organiza¬ tion, whose duty it shall be impartially to succor and relieve all the sick and wounded among friends and enemies alike, and whose office shall make their persons sacred and inviolable, and secure them against cap¬ ture, injury, or interference.

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION.

Supplement to No, 69,

To

Your attention is respectfully invited to Document No. 69 ot the U. S. Sanitary Commission, of which a copy is sent you herewith.

Its object is to give an outline of the work the Commission nas done, and to call on the People at large for a speedy deci¬ sion whether it will enable the Commission to continue its operations.

Since that paper went to press, the demands on the central Treasury have been unexpectedly great, and the balance at its disposal has been largely and alarmingly reduced. It has been obliged within a week, in addition to current expenses, to ex¬ pend ten thousand dollars on the work of its Western centre at Louisville, growing out of the battles of Chattanooga and Knoxville, and a like sum at the East, to meet imperative de¬ mands for Hospital supplies. Nearly five thousand dollars has, during the same period, been applied to the relief of the torces at New Orleans, and under General Banks. This includes the freight (about $2,500) on a cargo of fresh vegetables just sent them from Maine as a protection against scurvy, which threatens to make its appearance at certain points.

These and other absolutely necessary expenditures have within the past few days reduced the already depleted treasury of the Commission to a point of danger and distress.

Hence, it is thought desirable to issue this paper in connec¬ tion with, and as supplementary to, Document No. 69, for the purpose of asking all who may receive the latter to read and consider its statements at their earliest convenience, and to decide what they will do towards sustaining the Sanitary Commission.

The receipts of the Central Treasury have for some time past been unusually small. This is due to a fact referred to in the foot-note of Document G9, which ought (from the urgency of the case) to be more conspicuously stated here. For the last two months the papers have been full of paragraphs about cer¬ tain noble systematic efforts to raise funds for army relief, by “ Fairs” and subscriptions, and the magnificent money results of these undertakings have all been reported and wondered at as so much contributed to “ the Sanitary Commission.” People have most naturally doubted whether they need send the San¬ itary Commission any money, after reading in the newspapers that Chicago had raised §69,000, and that Boston had raised §120,000, and that Cincinnati was in the act of raising §250,000, by Fairs in its aid.

But the fact is, that the great sums thus raised for Army Relief do not come into the Treasury of the Sanitary Commis¬ sion . The proceeds of the Chicago fair, the Boston fair, and the Cincinnati fair, have gone, or will, doubtless, go into the Treasuries of the Chicago, Boston, and Cincinnati branches of the Commission. For a definition of the relations of these branches to the Commission itself, appointed by Government, and watching the whole army, readers are referred to the accompany¬ ing Document, Ho. 69. These sums will be used by these sev¬ eral branches in the local work of “Special Belief,” and mainly in the purchase of material that will be worked up into Hos¬ pital clothing and bedding by tens of thousands of busy warm¬ hearted loyal women East and AYest, and sent to the depots of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, or held subject to the requisi¬ tion of its Secretaries and Belief Agents. But the money thus collected at Chicago, Cincinnati, and Boston helps the U. S. Sanitary Commission, only in that it may furnish stores on which the Belief Agents of the Commission can draw, and thus relieve the Central Treasury partially from the neces¬ sity of buying. But it contributes nothing to the general work

3

of the Commission. It does nothing to support Sanitary In¬ spection, Hospital directories, systematic economical distribu¬ tion of supplies, the maintenance on the field of several Corps of medical and other experts in Army Relief, distribution of medical monographs among Army Surgeons, Hospital Inspec¬ tion, or “ Special Relief5’ at Washington, Alexandria, Annapo¬ lis, Louisville, and Hew Orleans. It contributes nothing toward keeping up tire organized force that dragged wounded men out of the wet ditch of Fort Wagner last July, and organized Relief Depots under fire at Gettysburg!!, Antietam, and Chat¬ tanooga. These great Fairs have not, strictly speaking, been conducted in the interest of the Sanitary Commission of the United States , though they have contributed on an unprece¬ dented scale to sustain its branches in their legitimate functions of collecting supplies to be distributed throughout the whole Army, by the agents or the Commission, and in that of Special Relief.

You are earnestly requested, at your earliest convenience, to examine the statement herewith submitted to you, and to decide whether the work done by the Commission is such as to make its continuance desirable, and whether you feel called upon to contribute to its support.

Should you feel uncertain as to any point connected with its management, full information in regard to it will be given you on application to Mr. B. Collins, the Assistant Secretary for How York, at Ho. 823 Broadway, Hew York.

828 Broadway , New York ,

December 28th, 1863.

Henry W. Bellows, William II. Yan Bueen, Wolcott Gibbs,

C. R. Agnew,

Geo. T. Strong,

Standing Committee .

SANITARY COMMISSION.

isr<o. vOi

OF TEE

OPERATIONS OF THE SANITARY COMMISSION

IN CONNECTION WITH THE

Engagement in the Harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, July to 20 th, 1863.

To meet inquiries, the following statement has been com¬ piled from hastily -written letters and memoranda received from Dr. M. M. Marsh, the Chief Inspector of the Sanitary Commis¬ sion in South Carolina, who accompanied the attacking force in the recent movement upon Morris Island, and from Mrs. Marsh, who is acting as his Secretary at Beaufort, at which point the fixed depot of the Commission is established. The Commission has a good-sized brig employed as a floating depot, with the fleet in the harbor of Charleston. From this such supplies as are found to be wanted in the medical and sanitary care of the troops on shore, are daily sent for distribution.

Mrs. Marsh writes on the 15th: The brig sailed from here on the 8th, with stores which would gladden the hearts of those who have friends exposed. The effect of these home offerings brings tears to the eyes and encouragement to the hearts of

4

test of the fire, their trained corps picked up and carried off the wounded almost as they fell. As many of our men were struck while ascending the parapet and then rolled into the moat, which at high tide contains six feet of water, they must in¬ evitably have perished had they been suffered to remain. But the men who were detailed for service with Dr. Marsh went about their work with intrepidity and coolness worthy of all praise. The skill and experience of the members of the Com¬ mission has, since the battle, been unremittingly employed to render comfortable the sick and wounded.”

The following is a statement of the supplies sent to the depot of the Sanitary Commission in South Carolinay for the summer campaign , 1863 :

Articles of hospital body clothing .

Towels and napkins . . . . .

Bedding and cushions for wounded limbs. . .

Lint, bandages, and old linen .

Fans .

Cologne water .

Bay rum . . .

Concentrated beef soup .

“ milk .

Brandy .

Whiskey . . .

Wine .

Egg FTogg, concentrated .

Farinaceous food . - .

Tea . . .

Defined sugar .

Eggs .

Butter .

Lemons .

Lemonade, concentrated .

Dried fruit .

Fresh vegetables .

Boston crackers .

Apple butter. . * .

10,000

8,000

6,753

100 barrels. 2,100

2 gallons.

60 bottles. 1,000 1 lb. cans- 1,000 “

216 bottles.

336

384 “

24 cans.

1,000 lbs.

156 “

300 “

79 doz.

181 lbs.

2 boxes.

322 “

35 bbls.

26 “

20 “

120 cans.

with a quantity of quick-lime, chloride of lime, soap, sponges, combs, hospital utensils, cooking utensils, chloroform, morphine, alcohol, salt, mustard, pepper, surgical instruments, etc., etc.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 71.

R E I3 O R T

0|)cnttions af fk Sitnitarn (fommisMit

DURING AND

AFTER THE BATTLES AT GETTYSBURG.

July 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1863.

F. Law Olmsted, Esq.,

General Secretary, Sanitary Commission:

Sir — When the Army of the Potomac broke camp at Falmouth, to commence the campaign which terminated in the battle of Gettysburg, the operations of the Commission in connection with this army again assumed a most active and laborious character. The evacuation of Aquia, necessitated the withdrawal of its large stock of stores, accumulated at that place and at Falmouth; and the instantaneous removal of the thousands of sick and wounded from the Corps Hospital at Potomac Creek, called for an unusual amount of labor from its Relief Corps.

I have already reported, in a communication to the Executive Committee, dated June 17, that all our stores had been safely removed to this city from Aquia, by means of our transport, the steamer Elizabeth, and that we had furnished substantial food to over 8,000 sick and wounded soldiers, at Lodge No. 5 of the Commission, situated at Sixth Street Wharf, where all of the transports brought the inmates of the Corps Hospitals on their way to the General Hospitals of this District. This work of transportation began Saturday, June 13, and continued unceasingly until Monday night, the 15th. Coffee, bread, hot beef soup, lemonade, were provided in quantities to meet the demands of all, and on the arrival of the boats, each invalid was questioned as to his wants, and his wishes complied with. The continuous labor of these two days severely taxed the strength of those engaged in it.

9,

While a portion of our force was thus occupied in removing the stores, and another portion in dispensing refreshments to the arriving thousands, a third party was engaged in following the marching columns, leady to lend assistance whenever it might he needed.

The short halt made by the army in the vicinity of Fairfax Court- House permitted us to accumulate stores at that point. When the march was again resumed, our wagons, with a replenished stock, continued to follow in the rear of the column.

Dr. Alex. McDonald, who was temporarily in charge of our station at Aquia, as soon as he had reported the removal of our stores from that point, rejoined the corps in the field. I quote from his report a resume of our operations with the army, until it crossed the Potomac at Edward s Ferry :

“ On Monday, the 22dinst., (June,) two wagons loaded with hospital stores, in care of Messrs. Bush and Scandlin, and accompanied by Mr. Bellows, were sent to Fairfax Court-House; on Tuesday another load, accompaied by Messrs. Hoag, Paige, Holbrook, and myself, proceeded to the same point, arriving at 4 r. m., and on Wednesday, a mule train with forage was sent in charge of Mr. Clampitt.

“Our intention was to leave one wagon with relief agent and storekeeper at Fairfax, to send a similar force to Centreville and Thor¬ oughfare Gap, and another to Gum Springs and Aldie; but on arriving at Fairfax we were advised by General Sedgwick to remain where we then were, as the roads were not safe without an escort. Acting on this advice, we remained at Fairfax, issuing stores to the hospitals of the Sixth and Cavalry Corps, which were much in need of such supplies as we then had.

“Found the Cavalry Hospital located on a slightly elevated hill, well shaded, with good water, though not in large quantity, well drained, clean, raised beds, and the men in a very comfortable condition ; but few severe cases ; camp was well policed and neatly laid out ; surgeons active and efficient ; good nurses ; clean, well ventilated tents ; everything in good order, but in want of supplies.

‘ ‘ The hospital of the Sixth Corps was established on a new plan — the men being kept in the ambulances, ready for immediate transportation. This plan was still an experiment, and had not been fully tested, but so far as one could judge from observation and the experience and statements of sugeons in charge, should deem it a good one and well worthy a more extended trial. Ambulances were well parked on a gently sloping piece of ground, kept in good order, and the men seemed to be very com¬ fortably situated, except that they needed more blankets.

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“We supplied each of these and some of the regimental hospitals from our stock, and at a time when there were no other means of their obtaining the much needed articles. The issues at Fairfax were to such an extent as to enable us to pack nearly all the remaining stock in two wagons and send one nearly empty with the mule train to Washington to be reloaded.

“Thursday morning visited Headquarters, and was there advised to send empty wagons and mules to Washington, to start with loaded wagons and follow in the train of the Reserve Artillery. * * *

Moved with train and camped at night on top of a hill this side of Edwards’ Ferry, placed a guard over our stores and horses, and laid down to rest, most of us having been on the road thirty-one hours without food or sleep, except such as we could catch during the halts.

“ Saturday, moved on to Poolesville, where we arrived at 10 A. M. This point having been designated as a good one for an issue-station, a room was engaged, and before the wagons were unloaded two requisitions came in, the surgeons being very glad to get something for their men. All stores in the town were closed by order of the General Commanding, and the Commission was the only source from which they could obtain anything.”

For the purpose of keeping our stock up, another wagon load was sent up from Washington Friday afternoon, to intercept our train at Poolesville, Dr. McDonald having informed us from Fairfax that he should make that point. This wagon succeeded in getting through safely, although the road was very insecure, a long Government train being seized a few hours after our wagon had passed a certain point in the road by a body of Stuart’s cavalry. It reached Poolesville, accom¬ panied by Major Bush and Mr. Clampitt, Saturday afternoon. One wagon was then returned to Washington for repairs. Sunday morning, the army and trains moving on rapidly, our stores were again packed, and the wagons proceeded together to Frederick, arriving there the same evening.

It will be remembered that just previous to this time, before our forces had crossed the Potomac, the enemy had attacked and routed General Milroy’s command at Winchester, and the forces at Harper’s Ferry and vicinity had been withdrawn into the entrenchments on Maryland Heights, where they were in some respects beleagured.

“On the 18th of June,” writes Dr. L. H. Steiner, our Chief Inspector with the Army of the Potomac, “I received a telegram from Dr. C. F. H. Campbell, Surgeon U. S. Vols., Medical Director, Gen. Kelly’s command, stating that he needed ‘ lint, stimulants, and band-

4

ages.’ This telegram was sent in answer to an inquiry made by me, whether I could aid him. Securing the use of a wagon and mule team from Alfred F. Brengle, of Frederick, I dispatched, June 19, quite a large quantity of brandy, sherry, whiskey, chocolate, condensed milk, tea, lint, and bandages, to Maryland Heights. James Gall, Jr., relief agent, accompanied the stores, and Mr. Brengle drove the team, iliey reached their destination safely. Mr. Gall remained on the Heights with his stores. Mr. Brengle was seized by some of the enemy’s cavalry on his return, his team and wagons were confiscated, and himself seized as a prisoner, and sent to Richmond. He still remains a prisoner.

The menacing attitude of the enemy, pointing toward another invasion of Maryland, and possibly of Pennsylvania, necessitated a rapid concen¬ tration of an opposing force in its front. The President called for 100,000 militia for this purpose. The first troops under this call left New York on the 17th June. In anticipation of the accumulation of a large body of troops in the neighborhood of Harrisburg, I dispatched, on the 17th, Dr. Win. F. Swalm, Inspector of the Sanitary Commission, with Mr. Isaac Harris, Belief Agent, to that point. They arrived at Harrisburg before any troops, and made diligent preparation to lend such assistance as might be required. They remained on the ground till the enemy had recrossed the Potomac into Virginia, and the militia had been recalled to their several States. They advanced with our advancing columns to Carlisle, Shippensburg, Chambersburg, and Boonsborough, visiting camps and hospitals, and pushing forward such extra Government supplies as were found wanting. The accompanying reports exhibit the activity, and the relief afforded by Dr. Swalm and Mr. Harris to the hurriedly constructed hospital organizations of the militia forces.

The main body of the enemy having crossed the Potomac near Williamsport, about the 27th of the month, the design and direction of the movement began to be apparent. Our own army was at this time in the vicinity of Frederick city, Md., and was moving northward, as rapidly as possible, to meet the equally rapid advance of the opposing forces.

Our Chief Inspector, Dr. Lewis H. Steiner, was at Frederick. Dr. Alexander McDonald had joined him. The wagons of the Commission, which had followed in the train of the army, had reached Frederick and reported to Dr. Steiner. It was still doubtful where the collision between the opposing forces would take place. We were prepared to do our work in the front and in the rear, but the emergency might arise in an unexpected point, and we wished to be prepared.

A demonstration of the enemy upon the Northern Central Railroad, (Baltimore and Harrisburg,) determined me to send out a relief agent in that direction. Accordingly, Mr. James Gall, who had returned from Maryland Heights, was, on the 27th June, ordered to proceed along the line of that road, to push forward in whatever direction he should learn that a conflict was impending, to acquaint himself with the position of affairs, and to keep the Central Office informed of the necessity of forwarding supplies and agents.

Mr. Gall was enabled to proceed only to Parkton by rail, from thence he walked to York, a distance of twenty-eight miles. Upon entering the town, he found it, to his surprise, in possession of the enemy. The following observations, made by Mr. Gall, upon the condition and appearance of the soldiers composing the division of the rebel troops occupying York, I quote from his report:

“Believing that a battle would take place at or near York, I determinened — as there was no other means of getting there — to push forward on foot. I started from Parkton at nine o’clock on Sunday morning, and reached York at four o’clock in the afternoon, and found, to my surprise and regret, that the city was already in the possession of rebel troops. The force occupying York was Gen. Early’s division of Ewell’s corps, consisting of five brigades of infantry, three batteries of artillery, and part of two regiments of cavalry — in all about 9,000 men and 18 pieces of artillery. Gordon’s brigade, accompanied by a battery of artillery, and part of a regiment of cavalry, passed through the city, and pushed on in the direction of Wrightsville. Post’s brigade, com¬ posed chiefly of North Carolina men, was quartered near the barracks, and did guard duty near the city. Two batteries of artillery were parked in a field called the ‘Fair Grounds.’ The other three brigades were camped outside the city, and commanding the various roads leading to it. * * * * * *

“ On entering the town General Early made a levy upon the citizens, promising in the event of its being complied with promptly, to spare all private property in the city; otherwise he would allow his men to take such things as they needed, and would not be responsible for the conduct of his men while they remained in the city. The beef, flour, and other articles, and $28,000 in money were speedily collected, and handed over to the rebels. The General expressed himself satisfied with what he had received, and scrupulously kept his word in regard to the safety of private property. Nothing belonging to any citizen was touched, no one was molested in the streets ; all was as quiet and orderly as if there were no soldiers there. I am satisfied that the behavior of North

6

Carolina troops who did guard duty in York during the rebel occupation was better than that of the majority of our own troops when quartered in our own cities.

“ On Monday the rebels were busy in carting off the levied articles. About 4 P. M., Gordon’s brigade returned from Wrightsville, bringing with them some horses and cattle which they had picked up on the way. They had about eight supply and ammunition wagons, and twelve ambulances with them. Many of the latter were marked U. S. The ambulances were all filled with men, who had apparently given out on the way. Physically, the men looked about equal to the generality of our own troops, and there were fewer boys among them. Their dress was a wretched mixture of all cuts and colors. There was not the slightest attempt at uniformity in this respect. Every man seemed to have put on whatever he could get hold of, without regard to shape or color. I noticed a pretty large sprinkling of blue pants among them, some of those, doubtless, that were left by Milroy at Winchester. Their shoes, as a general thing, were poor ; some of the men were entirely barefooted. Their equipments were light as compared with those of our men. They consisted of a thin woollen blanket, coiled up and slung from the shoulder in the form of a sash, a haversack slung from the opposite shoulder, and a cartridge box. The whole cannot weigh more than twelve or fourteen pounds. Is it strange, then, that with such light loads they should be able to make longer and more rapid marches than our men? The marching of the men was irregular and careless; their arms were rusty and ill-kept. Their whole appearance was greatly inferior to that of our soldiers.

“During Monday I visited the ‘Fair Grounds,’ as also the camp of a Louisiana Brigade, situated about a mile from the city. The supply wagons were drawn up in a sort of straggling hollow square, in the centre of which the men stacked their arms in company lines, and in this way formed their camp. There were no tents for the men, and but very few for the officers. The men were busy cooking their dinner, which consisted of fresh beef, (part of the York levy,) wheat griddle cakes raised with soda, and cold water. No coffee or sugar had been issued to the men for a long time. The meat was mostly prepared by frying, and was generally very plentifully salted. The cooking is generally done in squads, or messes of five or six, and on the march the labor of carrying the cooking utensils is equally divided among them. The men expressed themselves perfectly satisfied with this kind of food, and said they greatly preferred the bread prepared in the way they do it, to the crackers issued to the Union soldier. I question if their

bread is as healthy and nourishing as the army biscuit. I asked one of the men how he got along without a shelter tent. His answer was,

‘ first rate.’ ‘ In the first place,’ said he, ‘ I wouldn’t tote one, and in the second place, I feel just as well, if not better, without it.’ ‘But how do you manage when it rains?’ I inquired. ‘Wall,’ said he,

‘ me and this other man has a gum blanket atween us; when it rains we spread one of our woollen blankets on the ground to lie on, then we spread the other woollen blanket over us, and the gum blanket over that, and the rain can’t tech us.’ And this is the way the rebel army (with the exception of a few of the most important officers) sleeps. Every¬ thing that will trammel or impede the movement of the army is discarded, no matter what the consequences may be to the men. In conversation with one of the officers, I mentioned about the want of tents in his army, and asked whether any bad effects were apparent from it. He said he thought not. On the contrary, he considered the army in better condition now than ever before. Granting the truth of what the officer said about the condition of the rebel army, I very much doubt the correctness of his conclusions. The present good condition of the rebel army is more likely to be due to the following circumstances : First, the army has been lying still all winter, under good shelter ; has been tolerably well fed and clothed, and in this way has had a chance to recuperate after the fatiguing campaigns off last summer. Second, most of the weakly men, who could not stand a day’s march without being sent to the rear, have been either discharged or have died, thus leaving a smaller portion of those remaining liable to disease. Third, since that portion of the rebel army (Ewell’s corps) moved from behind Fredericksburg, on the 4th of June last, it has been favored with remarkably fine weather; has been stimulated with almost uninterrupted success in its movements ; has been marching through a rich and fertile country, and, by levying on the inhabitants of which, the soldiers have been able to procure an abundance of good wholesome food, better, perhaps, than they had for many months. These, and not the want of tents, are probably the causes which give to the rebel army its present healthy tone. Under ordinary circumstances, I have no doubt the want of shelter would prove rather a detriment to the army than otherwise.

“In further conversation with the Louisiana officer, I ascertained that this was the corps which moved down through the Shenandoah Valley, surprised Milroy at Winchester, and was the first to cross the Potomac at Shepardstown into Maryland. He informed me that his own and the North Carolina brigade were armed entirely with Enfield

8

rifles taken at Winchester after Milroy’s retreat. In speaking of our soldiers, the same officer remarked : 4 They are too well fed, too well clothed, and have far too much to carry.’ That our men are too well fed I do not believe, neither that they are too well clothed ; that they have too much to carry I can very well believe, after witnessing the march of the Army of the Potomac to Chancellorsville. Each man had eight days rations to carry, besides sixty rounds of ammunition, musket, woollen blanket, rubber blanket, overcoat, extra shirt, drawers, socks, and shelter tent, amounting in all to about sixty pounds. Think of men (and boys too) staggering along under such a load, at the rate of fifteen to twenty miles a day.

44 About nine o’clock Monday night, the guards were withdrawn from the hotels and liquor shops, and the whole of the North Carolina brigade shortly after left the city in the same direction as Gordon’s brigade. On Tuesday morning, about four o’clock, the last remaining brigade passed through the city with flags flying and band playing, and took the road to Carlisle. The other two brigades, it was supposed, had gone off in the direction of Gettysburg.

u The city was now clear of rebels, except some stragglers who purposely staid behind, or were too drunk to go with their commands.

“While General Early scrupulously kept his agreement with the citizens of York, as to the protection of private property in the city, he did not prevent his troopers from visiting the farms outside the city, and taking such horses and mules as they required. The rebel cavalry, as a general thing, are splendidly mounted, better, I think, than the Union cavalry, and their free and easy manner of procuring fresh horses explains it.”

Mr. Gall not being able to communicate with us by telegraph, except from Baltimore, reported in person, and was immediately ordered to join Dr. Steiner at Frederick.

The anticipated battle was now near at hand. Supplies were accumu¬ lated at New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington. Mr. Knapp was at Philadelphia, and Mr. 0. C. Bullard at Baltimore, both with efficient assistants ready to respond to all demands.

The supply train following the army had reached Frederick city, and was under the orders of Dr. Steiner. Its subsequent operations during the battle week I give in the words of Dr. Steiner from his report already referred to.

“ June 28. — The supply train, with stores from Washington, reported to me during the day, being in charge of Messrs. Bush, Hoag, and

j

9

Clampitt. Desiring to retain Clampitt to assist me in my work in Frederick, I detached him from the train, which then started off, accom¬ panied by Messrs. Hoag and Bush. The benefits afforded by these supplies to the wounded, to whom they were distributed under fire, during the battles of Gettysburg, July 2d and 3d, by Mr. Hoag, cannot be expressed in words, and the receipted requisitions of the surgeons who employed these stores on that occasion, are sufficient evidence of the utility of being prepared for such emergencies.

“ On Saturday, July 4, two wagons reported to me from Washington, being accompanied by Dr. Alex. McDonald, (sanitary inspector,) and Mr. James Gall, Jr., and Rev. Mr. Scandlin, (relief agents.) Having been informed that a car load of supplies had been forwarded to Westminster, Md., I ordered one wagon, under the direction of Mr. Gall, to that place, with the view of having it then filled with supplies and thence to proceed to Gettysburg. The second wagon was loaded from the Frederick storehouse, and dispatched under the charge of Dr. McDonald, via Emmittsburg, to Gettysburg. Dr. McDonald was provided with instructions to take charge of our operations in the field, and was supplied with discretionary powers. Rev. Mr. Scandlin accompanied the second wagon. The first wagon safely reached Gettysburg, the second was seized by a party of the enemy’s cavalry, in or near Emmittsburg, its stores and the horses of the party confiscated, and Dr. McDonald, Mr. Scandlin, Leonard Brink, (the teamster,) with a colored boy, Moses Gardner, were taken to Richmond, where they are held as prisoners.”

The report of the first pitched engagement of the contending forces, on the 1st of July, reached us the following morning. A freight car (No. 816) was immediately loaded and dispatched to Westminster, leaving Washington in the night, in charge of Mr. S. Bacon. Mr. Hovey followed the next morning in passenger train, and reached Westminster about noon July 3d. Owing to a delay at Baltimore of the Government freight train, the car was thirty hours en route.

On Sunday, the 5th July, another car, (No. 1499,) loaded with assorted supplies, was sent to Westminster, in charge of Mr. George G. Edgerly, and a third car load to Frederick, to the care of Dr. Steiner.

These were the supplies which reached the army immediately subse¬ quent to the battle, before the railway leading direct to Gettysburg was put in repair, and before any communication was open, except through the long and tedious process of hauling by wagons.

10

What was done by our force in the field, during and immediately after the battle, up to the time when I arrived at Gettysburg, I shall give in the words of those who performed the labor

Mr. Hoag, who was in charge of the wagons sent out by Hr. Steiner from Frederick, gives the following account:

“I left Frederick city in charge of two wagons, well loaded, June 29. We fell in with the 12th army corps supply train, but owing to its moving slowly, did not get more than six miles before we were obliged to put up for the night.

“Tuesday we moved more rapidly, passed through Taneytown, and out on the road to Emmittsburg, overtook the 3d corps in camp, on the banks of the Monocacy. Next morning, Wednesday, I obtained permission to bring my wagons in just behind the headquarters’ teams f and kept with them to or near Gettysburg, where we arrived about nine o’clock P. M. All was quiet until four o’clock P. M., Thursday, when a heavy firing commenced on our left, where the ‘rebs’ were trying a flank movement. As soon as the wounded began to come in, I started out with the wagons to distribute the stores. We reached five different hospitals, which were all we were able to find that night, and early in the morning three others, which exhausted our stores. We were just in time to do the most good possible, as the Government wagons had been sent back ten miles, and many of the hospitals were not supplied with material sufficient for immediate use. (The hospitals supplied were division hospitals of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th, 11th, and 12th corps.)

“ On telling the surgeons that I was on hand with sanitary stores, I was almost invariably greeted with expressions like the following : ‘ You could never have come at a better time,’ and once on mentioning sanitary stores, I received two hearty welcome slaps on the shoulder, one from the medical director of the corps, and the other the surgeon of the division.”

Major Bush, who accompanied Mr. Hoag, gives his account in the following words :

“Monday morning, June 29, Mr. Hoag and myself left Frederick with two wagon loads, in connection with the train of the 12th corps, by order of General Williams to Hr. Steiner. Beached Taneytown, Md., Tuesday P. M., June 30.

“Wednesday morning, July 1, and first day of the battle, I was informed, while at General Meade’s headquarters, by an orderly just arrived from this place, (Gettysburg,) that an attack and a battle was expected here that day, as the cavalry with the 1st and 11th corps had already reached this place. I left Mr. Hoag and our wagons in the train of headquarters, (to which they had been transferred from that of

11

the 12th army corps,) and rode to Littlestown, Pa., thence to this place, arriving at ‘Cemetery Hill,’ where a portion of our batteries were situated, about 11 P. M., just as the rebel prisoners who were captured by our cavalry and the 11th corps, in the first engagement of that day, were approaching said hill. The battle soon commenced between the first corps and General Hill’s (rebel) southwest of the Seminary, which was fought steadily and bravely by the first corps, until it finally retreated with severe loss betweeu two and three P. M. Its commander, General Reynolds, was among the killed.

“The rebels then rallied in the rear of the Seminary and College Hill, during which time the 11th corps formed aline between the college and the town, making the fences their line of defence. The rebel forces advanced over this hill in mass about four P. M. , formed in line of battle, when they marched firmly towards the eleventh corps, which retired into the town without making any formidable resistance, and the rebel troops took possession of Gettysburg, when the fighting of the first day ceased. I now made search for our wagons, but in the vast concourse I was unable to find them that night. (Most of the wounded of this day’s fight were carried into the churches and public buildings of the town, under the organization of the first and cavalry corps, and were prisoners at the close of the day.)

“The 3d and 12th corps arrived during the afternoon, but too late to enter into battle.

“Thursday, July 2d, and second day of the battle. The 2d corps arrived by the Taneytown road, below Cemetery Hill, at daybreak. The 5th corps arrived two miles from town, on the Baltimore pike, about ten A. M. One division of the 6th corps, on the same pike, from Westminster, at two P. M.

“The battle opened about 4 P. M. Found our wagons early in the afternoon. As soon as the surgeons had decided upon the different points where the Corps Hospitals were to be formed, Mr. Hoag moved the wagons to them at once, and commenced to issue our stores, which consisted chiefly of concentrated beef soup, stimulants, crackers, condensed milk, concentrated coffee, corn starch, farina, shirts, drawers, stockings, towels, blankets, quilts, bandages, and lint. We hastened from one hospital to another, as rapidly as possible, issuing to each a proportion of our stores, until the supply was nearly exhausted, when, upon consultation with Mr. Hoag, it was decided that I should start for the nearest point from which a telegram could be sent to Washington, ordering up more supplies. Frederick was spoken of, but upon inquiry at different points, it was considered unsafe to go there, as the rebel

12

cavalry were in possession of the roads in that direction. I then decided to go to Westminster, learning that several of the New York newspaper reporters were about starting for the same place, and learning that the telegraph was in operation from that place to Baltimore. I left the battle-field late in the evening, arrived in Westminster early in the morning of Friday, and soon learned, to our disappointment, that no telegraph was there, and the first train did not leave for Baltimore till 12 M. Arrived in Baltimore just in time to take the express train to Washington. Found that a car had already been loaded with stores and started for Westminster, under the direction of Messrs. Hovey and Bacon.

“This car arrived at Westminster, Saturday, July 4, when Mr. Hovey procured three Government wagons, and that evening started with three full loads of stores, arriving early next morning (Sunday) at the 1st, 2d, and 3d Corps Hospitals. By your orders, I left Wash¬ ington by the 11 A. M. train, July 4, arriving at Relay in time for the 2 P. M. train for Westminster. Owing to a misunderstanding between the two conductors on the road, the trains waited for each other at either end of the road, so that we did not get started from the Relay until 8 o’clock Sunday morning, arriving at Westminster at 10 A. M., where I found Mr. Bacon in charge of the remainder of the car load of stores. About noon our four-mule team came in from Frederick, in charge of Mr. Gall. It was immediately loaded, and early in the morning I left with it, in company of Mr. Gall, Mr. Bacon still remaining in charge at Westminster.

“A school-house was taken on the Baltimore pike, near the different Corps Hospitals, and about three miles out from Gettysburg, and from it our stores were thereafter issued, until the opening of the railroad permitted our reaching the field by that route, when, on Tuesday morning, July 7, a storehouse was taken in town, and the school-house closed.”

In the meantime, Mr. Hoag had been to Frederick with the two wagons, and had returned with full loads to the school-house, where the stores brought by him were issued.

Mr. Hovey, after delivering his loads to the three Corps Hospitals, returned to Westminster and took three more loads, and Mr. Gall made a second trip with the four-mule team, which took the remainder of the first car load sent from Washington.

Twelve wagon loads of extra governmental supplies were therefore taken on to the battle-field, previous to the opening of the railroad to Gettysburg, and before they could reach the wounded from any other

IB

direction. Of these, eight wagon loads were taken from Westminster, and four from Frederick, including the two which were on the field during the battle, and the supplies from which were issued under fire, and to the hospitals the nearest to the line of battle. The last of these stores were given to a hospital to the left of our line, just in the rear of Weed’s Hill, where General Weed fell.

The second car load sent up in care of Mr. Edgerly, was by him transferred to Mr. Bacon, who, after unloading it, had it re-loaded, and by the advice of Major Painter, Post Quartermaster, sent around by rail to Gettysburg.

On Monday, July 6, 1 left Washington for Baltimore to meet yourself and Mr. Knapp. Upon consultation, it was deemed advisable that I should proceed at once to Gettysburg. In company, therefore, with Mr. Bullard, Mr. Murray, Mr. Barton, and two Germans, sent to our aid by Mr. Hitz, of Washington, I left Baltimore on Monday evening, upon a freight train, containing two loaded cars for the Commission.

Heavy trains, heavy grades, delays of all kinds, prevented us from reaching Gettysburg before late Tuesday afternoon. The temporary terminus of the railway was then over a mile from the town, and to this terminus crowds of slightly wounded men came., limping, dragging themselves along, silent, weary, worn. The moment the cars stopped, the crowd of weary and wounded soldiers accumulated there indicated that point as a place for a Belief Lodge. I immediately had two of our largest tents, together capable of sheltering seventy-five men, pitched, stoves erected, and a lodge established. The wise foresight of Mr. Knapp had included these articles among the first invoice. The two Germans, whose names I have unfortunately lost, volunteered as cooks. That night our tents were full, and we had the great satisfaction of not only affording shelter and attention to the wounded, but also supplying good nutritious food to those within our tents, and those who had taken refuge on the cars.

While our tents were being raised, Mr. E. B. Fairchild rode down from the village to ascertain if there had been any arrivals by the train, and found us in the midst of our preparations. He reported the arrival of Hr. Bellows and Dr. Agnew from Harrisburg, the position of our field station at the school-house, and the presence of Messrs. Johnson, Biddle, Edgerly, Hoag, Gall, Paige, and Hovey (relief agents) at our storehouse in the town. The lodge established, I left it in charge of Mr. 0. C. Bullard, who was assisted by Mr. Murray and Mr. Barton, and the Germans from Washington, and reported to Dr. Bellows.

14

The next day our storehouse was given up to the Provost Marshal, and another room on Baltimore street was by his permission taken. The latter place — the store of Messrs. Fahnestock & Co., the largest in the town — became the centre of the busiest scene which I have ever witnessed in connection with the Commission. Car load after car load of supplies were brought to this place, till shelves and counter and floor up to the ceiling were filled, till there was barely a passage-way between the piles of boxes and barrels, till the sidewalk was monopolized and even the street encroached upon. These supplies were the outpourings of a grateful people. This abundant overflow of the generous remem¬ brance of those at home to those in the army was distributed in the same generous manner as it was contributed. Each morning the supply wagons of the division and corps hospitals were before the door, and each day they went away laden with such articles as were desired to meet their wants. If the articles needed one day were not in our possession at the time, they were immediately telegraphed for, and by the next train of cars thereafter they were ready to be delivered. Thus, tons of ice, mutton, poultry, fish, vegetables, soft bread, eggs, butter, and a variety of other articles of substantial and delicate food were provided for the wounded, with thousands of suits of clothing of all kinds and hospital furniture in quantity to meet the emergency. It was a grand sight to see this exhibition of the tender care of the people for the people’s braves. It was a bit of home feeling, of home bounty, brought to the tent, put into the hand of the wounded soldier. I feel grateful that I was permitted to participate in this work.

Mr. H. P. Dechert was placed in charge of this storehouse, and was assisted permanently by Messrs. Edgerly, Bacon, Murray and Bowers, with a detail of four soldiers. To this force at first were added Messrs. Johnson, Biddle, Gall and Paige. These latter gentlemen were after¬ wards hospital visitors, for a few days, when they left to join the Army of the Potomac in its advance as relief agents.

The accompanying tabulated statement of the issues to the different hospitals, as prepared by Mr. Dechert, will exhibit the amount and character of the articles supplied.

The lodge, which was established at the temporary terminus of the railway on Tuesday, was continued there until Friday, when the burned bridge which had prevented the cars from running into town was replaced by a new structure, and the cars resumed their regular runnings to the station. On Thursday I had a tent and fly erected near the depot in preparation for the change in the terminus of the road, and on Saturday the lodge out of town was discontinued and the tents used there

15

added to those near the depot. This second lodge was in successful opera¬ tion on Friday, though it was not generally made use of till Saturday.

Between Tuesday and Saturday noon we provided at our first lodge, good beef soup, coffee, and fresh bread, for over 3,000 slightly wounded soldiers whose injuries did not prevent them from walking to this point, while we sheltered each night about fifty more serious cases, which had been brought down by ambulance, and whose wounds required the attention of a surgeon. We were furtunate in having during these days the volunteer aid of Dr. Hooper, from Boston, who devoted himself to this latter work. Mr. Clark, from New Hampshire, Mr. Hawkins, from Media, Pa., and Mr. Shippen, from Pittsburg, also lent their assistance, and all these gentlemen materially aided us at this and at the second lodge until it was fully organized.

With the transfer of our material to town, the irregular organization was changed to a permanent working basis. Dr. W. F. Cheney, who arrived on the 10th, was placed in charge of the camp. He brought with him seven assistants, Messrs. Latz, Cooley, McGuinness, Chesebro, Blakeley, Sherwin, Freshoner, from Canandaigua, N. Y. To these were added Messrs, lleisinger and Hall, from Baltimore, and four detailed soldiers. Cooks had arrived, a large shed for a kitchen had been erected, and full preparations were made for feeding any number. Every facility was granted us by the medical officers of the post and by the commissary. Additional tents were erected, drains made, straw procured, and shelter prepared for 150 men. A store tent was placed near the hospital tents, and given into the charge of two New York ladies, whose long experience on the Commission’s transports during the Peninsular campaign of last summer, had made them familiar with all of the requirements of this camp. The cars stopped immediately in front of our camp, and distant but a few feet from it.

During the ten days subsequent to the establishment of this lodge, over 5,000 soldiers (Union and rebel) received food either in our tents or on the cars, and an average of over 100 remained in our tents each night and had their wounds dressed and more or less clothing distributed to them.

This lodge was continued until all the wounded capable of being removed were transferred from the Corps Hospitals to the General Hospitals of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Harrisburg, and York.

When the General Field Hospital was decided upon for the reception of all those whose serious wounds prevented them from being removed, I asked for a place to be assigned us in the plan, and before leaving Gettysburg saw two of our tents erected in the camp, one for our stores, the other for the ladies who would be in charge. This design has been effectually carried out.

16

Our plan of operation and our labors were in Gettysburg as they have been elsewhere, divided into those of inquiry and relief. The latter, from our experience, was subdivided into general and special relief. The first of these was to be extended by issues from our store¬ house directly to Corps Hospitals, in bulk, according to the ascertained necessities, and the latter took the direction of attending to those of the wounded — by far the greater number — who, capable of being transported from the field of battle, were daily removed, until only the more serious cases remained. I have already given the history of the store-house and lodge. The tabulated statement of the issues from the former, and the number assisted and relieved at the latter, will tell how well the organization worked. Few left the region of Gettysburg without receiving some material aid from us, either in food or clothing.

Our trained permanent corps rendered this work easy and immediate. This would not have been possible, in the same time, with a body of men unaccustomed to and ignorant of the work. The large number of volunteers who came to our assistance, under the direction of those already familiar with the work, fell readily into the line of duty, and soon became efficient co-workers.

The labor of inquiry required the daily visitation of the hospitals, consultation with the medical officers as to the most efficient manner in which we could aid them, the character and quantity of the supplies most needed, the daily movement in the population of the hospitals under their command, with the character and severity of the injuries, and all such information in relation to the disposition of the wounded as would assist us in making our preparations.

Beside the visits of inquiry to the hospitals, a list of the names and wounds of all the inmates of each hospital was taken and forwarded to the office of the Hospital Directory in Washington, and we held ourselves in readiness to attend to messages of inquiry sent to us from any direction, in regard to any wounded man in these hospitals. This work was performed by Mr. Dooley, from the Directory Office. Messrs. Stille, Struthers, Ilazlehurst, Dullus, Beitler, and Tracey, from Phila¬ delphia, and Messrs. Hosford, Myers, and Braman, from New York, assisted in this labor as well as at the lodge, and in attending to special cases.

The duty of visiting the Confederate Hospitals was assigned to Dr. Gordon Winslow, who reported to me soon after I arrived. The following communication, addressed by him to me, will give briefly the result of his inquiries :

17

“ Gettysburg, July 22, 1863.

“ Sir — Agreeably to your instructions, I have inspected the several Confederate Hospitals in the vicinity of Gettysburg, and have indicated, on the accompanying map, the locality, division, general who was in command, surgeon in charge, and number of wounded.

“ It appears that the aggregate of wounded, at the time of my visits, was 5,452, occupying some twenty-four (24) separate camps, over an area of some twelve miles. The wounds, in a large proportion of cases, are severe.

“ Amputations and resections are frequent. The corps of Confederate Surgeons are, as a body, intelligent and attentive. The hospitals are generally in barns, outhouses, and dilapidated tents. Some few cases are in dwellings. I cannot speak favorably of their camp police. Often there is a deplorable want of cleanliness. Especially in barns and outhouses, vermin and putrid matter are disgustingly offensive. As fast as means of transportation can be had, those who are capable of being removed will be placed in more comfortable quarters. Some hundreds are being removed daily. Every provision is made by the Sanitary Commission for their comfort during their stay at the Depot Lodge, and those who are placed directly in the cars are furnished wholesome food. I am pleased to report that the surgeons have in every instance spoken in the highest terms of praise of the efforts made for their relief and comfort.”*

In this connection, I may state that subsequent to these visits, Dr. Winslow procured the signature of every Confederate Surgeon to a petition to Gen. Lee for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. McDonald, Mr. Scandlin, Mr. Brengle, Leonard Brink, and Moses

* The hospitals visited by Dr. Winslow were situated as below, and contained the number of wounded as indicated in the following table:

Location.	Division.	Surgeon.	No.
Cashtown .	, Gen’l Parine’s .		. m
On Chambersburg Road.,	. 11 Porcher’s .
On Mummasburg “	“ Rhode’s .		. 800
In Penn. College .	“ Heath’s .		o o ■t-
Ilunterstown Road . .	, “ Johnson’s .		. 311
Fairfield .			. 50
Fairfield Road . Part of Gen’l Johnson’s .
U U	“ Early’s? .	. Dr. Potts .
U (C	11 Anderson’s? .	. Dr. Mines . .	. Ill
ti l (	11 MeJ jaw’s .	. Dr. Patterson .
<< ((	. “ Hood’s .

Total,

5,452

Doc. 71.

18

Gardner, who had been taken prisoners while acting in their humane office, as non-combatants, and ready to extend assistance to all wounded alike. This petition has been forwarded through the proper authorities, with the advice and consent of our own officers for the exchange of prisoners. A month has elapsed, but so far no notice has been taken by the Confederate officers of the wishes of their surgeons in our hands.

The hospitals containing our own wounded were visited by Messrs. J ohn- son, Biddle, Murray, Paige, Gall, Fairchild, and myself. Some of them were also visited by yourself and Mr. Knapp, who separately came to Gettysburg, and accompanied me in my rounds.

The hospital organizations were mostly in tents, taking some farmer’s house and barn as a nucleus.* For several days immediately succeeding the battle, there was a great deficiency in tents, and a sad want of most of the necessities of a hospital both in food and furniture. This latter we attempted to fill so far as our limited resources would go. The want was incident to the campaign, and not the result of neglect. Another difficulty, inseparable from the campaign, was the small number of medical officers left upon the ground to take charge of the large number of wounded. The battle ended, and the enemy on the retreat, the

* The First Corps Hospital was divided. A portion was in the town, occupying several churches and the court-house. These buildings contained the wounded of the battle of July 1. The number estimated, including those in private houses, was 400 to 450. The second portion was about 2\ miles from the town on the Baltimore pike. The First Division was in and about the White Church and Lightner’s house ; the Second Division in and about Peter Conover’s house ; and the Third Division had Jonathan Young’s house for its centre. There were in these divisions 2,319 wounded, of whom 260 were confederates. Dr. Ward was the Surgeon in charge.

The Second Corps Hospital was situated on the banks of Rock Creek, in tents, about 80 rods north of the house indicated on the map as that of Isaac Schriever, It contained about 4,500 wounded, of whom 1,000 were rebels. Dr. Justin Dwindle was the Surgeon in charge. There were three divisions consolidated.

The Third Corps Hospital was on high ground south of Schwartz’s house, about 100 rods above the junction of White’s Creek with Rock Creek, on Schwietzel’s farm. It contained 2,550 wounded ; of these 259 were rebels. Dr. Hildreth was Surgeon in charge. There were two divisious only, under separate organization, but remote from each other only by a narrow ravine.

The Fifth Corps Hospital was in three divisions. The First Division was on Mr. Little’s farm, north of the house, and south of White’s Creek, and about 100 rods east of Third Corps. The Second Division was south of Mrs. Jesse Clap- saddle’s house, across Lousy Run, about 100 rods south of White’s Creek. The Third Division was about half a mile west of Two Taverns, on Jesse Werley’s farm. This Division Hospital was the most remote of all the Union hospitals from the town of Gettysburg. They contained together 1,400 wounded, including 15 rebels. Dr. Clark, Surgeon in charge.

19

advance of our forces required the presence of a large proportion of the medical officers to meet the demands of another battle which seemed imminent. Those left behind had to divide their attention among our own wounded and those of the enemy who had fallen into our hands, the number of Confederate surgeons left behind being inadequate to their care. In previous battles there has always been a full quota, if not the entire medical corps of the army, to attend to the wounded.

The labor, the anxiety, the responsibility imposed upon the surgeons after the battle of Gettysburg were, from the position of affairs, greater than after any other battle of the war. The devotion, the solicitude, the unceasing efforts to remedy the defects of the situation, the untiring attentions to the wounded upon their part, were so marked as to be apparent to all who visited the hospitals. It must be remembered that these same officers had endured the privations and fatigues of the long forced marches with the rest of the army; that they had shared its dangers, for one medical officer from each regiment follows it into battle, and is liable to the accidents of war, as has been repeatedly and fatally the case ; that its field hospitals are often from the changes of the line of battle, brought under the fire of the enemy, and that while in this

The three divisions of the Sixth Corps Hospital were, the First, about the house of John Frastle, near Peach Orchard, and the Second and Third Divisions in tents near by. There were 300 inmates. Dr. Chamberlain, Surgeon in charge.

The Eleventh Corps Hospital occupied the house and farm of George Spangler. The divisions were consolidated under the charge of Dr. Armstrong. It contained 1,900 wounded, of whom 100 were said to be confederates.

The Twclth Corps Hospital was under the charge of Dr. Ernest Goodman. Its three divisions, under separate organizations, were together around the house of Geo. Bushman. It contained 1,131 wounded, including 125 rebels.

The Cavalry Corps Hospital was in town, and occupied the Presbyterian Church, on Baltimore street, and the two school-houses in the immediate vicinity. It was under the charge of Dr. Rulison, and the three buildings contained 300 of our wounded.

These figures are approximative only, as that was all we sought for at the time. The number of wounded whose wants — beyond those that a beneficent Government cared for — we were anxious to supply, can be stated briefly as follows :

First Corps, (2 portions,) 2,519 Union, 260 Confederates . 2,'7,79

Second “ 3,500 “ 1,000 “ 4,500

Third “ 2,300 “ 250 “ 2,550

Fifth “ 1,325 “ 75 “ 1,400

Sixth “ 300 “ . 300

Eleventh “ 1,800 “ 100 “ 1,900

Twelfth “ 1,006 “ 125 “ 1,131

Cavalry “ 300 “ . 300

Total . 13,050 “ 1,810 “ . 14,860

20

situation, these surgeons are called upon to exercise the calmest judg¬ ment, to perform the most critical and serious operations, and this quickly and continuously. The battle ceasing, their labors continue. W hilc other officers are sleeping, renewing their strength for further efforts, the medical are still toiling. They have to improvise hospitals from the rudest materials, are obliged to make “bricks without straw, to surmount seeming impossibilities. The work is unending, both by day and night, the anxiety is constant, the strain upon both the physical and mental faculties, unceasing. Thus, after this battle, operators had to be held up while performing the operations, and fainted from exhaustion, the operation finished. One completed his labors to be seized with partial paralysis, the penalty of Ins over-exertion.

While his duties are as arduous, his exposure as great, and the mortality from disease and injury as large as among staff officers of similar rank, the surgeon has no prospect of promotion, of a brevet, or an honorable mention, to stimulate him. His duties are performed quietly, unos¬ tentatiously. He does his duty for his country’s sake, for the sake of humanity. The consciousness of having nobly performed this great duty is well nigh his only, as it must ever be his highest reward. The Medical Corps of the Army is well deserving of this slight tribute.

Respectfully,

J. H. DOUGLAS, Associate Secretary San. Com.

Washington, D. C., Aug. 15, 186b.

21

TABULATED STATEMENT OF ISSUES.

The following is a statement of the quantities of the principal articles distributed by the Commission to the wounded upon the field at Gettysburg, subsequent to the battle. The perishable articles (amounting to over 60 tons) were taken to the ground in refrigerating cars :

Of Articles of Clothing, etc., viz.:

Of Drawers, (woollen) .

“ (cotton) .

Shirts, (woollen) .

“ (cotton) .

Pillows . .

Pillow Cases .

Bed Sacks . .

Blankets .

Sheets .

Wrappers .

Handkerchiefs .

Stockings, (woollen) .

“ (cotton) .

Bed Utensils .

Towels and Napkins .

Sponges .

Combs .

Buckets .

Soap, (Castile) .

Oil Silk . . .

Tin Basins, Cups, etc .

Old Linen, Bandages, etc .

Water Tanks .

Water Coolers .

Bay Rum and Cologne Water.... .

Fans . .

Chloride of Lime . .

Shoes and Slippers .

Crutches . ”**

Lanterns . .

Candles .

Canvas .

Mosquito Netting .

Paper .

Pants, Coats, Hats .

Plaster .

5,310 pairs. 1,833 “

*7,158 3,266 2,114 264 1,630 1,00*7 2*74 508

2,659

3,560 pairs. 2,258 “

728 10,000 2,300 1,500 , 200

250 pounds. 300 yards.

, 7,000

, 110 barrels.

7 46

225 bottles.

, 3,500

. 11 barrels.

. 4,000 pairs . 1,200 . 180

. 350 pounds.

. 300 sq. yds.

648 pieces.

. 237 quires.

189 pieces. 16 rolls.

22

Of Articles of Sustenance, viz.:

Of Fresh Poultry and Mutton . 11,000 pounds.

“ Butter . 6,430 “

“ Eggs, (chiefly collected for the occasion at farm-houses

in Pennsylvania and New Jersey) . 8,500 dozen.

“ Garden Vegetables . 615 bushels.

“ Berries . 48 “

“ Bread . 12,900 loaves.

Ice . 20,000 pounds.

Concentrated Beef Soup . 3,800 “

“ Milk . 12,500 “

Prepared Farinaceous Food . 1,000 “

Dried Fruit . 3,500 “

Jellies and Conserves. . 2,000 jars.

Tamarinds . 150 gallons.

Lemons . 116 boxes.

Oranges . 46 “

Coffee . . 850 pounds.

Chocolate . 831 “

Tea . 426 “

White Sugar . 6,800 “

Syrups, (Lemon, etc.) . 185 bottles.

Brandy . . 1,250 “

Whiskey . ’. . 1,168 “

Wine . 1,148 “

Ale . 600 gallons.

Biscuit, Crackers, and Rusk . 134 barrels.

Preserved Meats . 500 pounds.

Preserved Fish . 3,600 “

Pickles . 400 gallons

Tobacco . 100 pounds.

Tobacco Pipes . 1,000

Indian Meal . 1,621 pounds.

Starch . 1,014 “

Codfish . 3,848 “

Canned Fruit . . . 582 cans.

Canned Oysters . 12 “

Brandy Peaches . 303 jars.

Catsup . 43 “

Vinegar . 24 bottles.

Jamaica Ginger . 43 jars.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 7a.

ACCOUNT OF THE FIELD RELIEF CORPS

OF THE

UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION

IN THE

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

By LEWIS H. STEINER, M. D.} Chief Inspector.

Washington, September 19, 1863.

To the Executive Committee, Sanitary Commission :

Gentlemen — Thinking that the present organization of the Field Relief Corps of the Army of the Potomac would be a subject of special interest to your Board, I propose to make a short report on the subject. The outlines of the plan were prepared by Mr. Olmsted, July IT, 1863, and an effort was made to organize the corps immediately. The army was then resting at or near Berlin, Maryland, and it was thought that our corps could be put in such form as to move with it on its entrance into Virginia. Mr. Johnson, of Philadelphia, consented to act as Field Superintendent, and labored most assiduously in perfecting arrange¬ ments. After considerable trouble, we succeeded in starting off from Boonsborough, on Sunday, July 18th, four wagons under charge of as many relief agents — Mr. Johnson himself accompanying the train. On Monday, they crossed the Potomac, and proceeded to join the army. Since that time, many alterations have been made in the original plan, the spring wagons originally employed have been removed, and substantial four-horse army wagons introduced. Indeed, the plan of this corps has shaped itself from circumstances, until it has acquired its present form.

There is a Field Superintendent and an Assistant. These offices are filled by Mr. J. Warner Johnson, of Philadelphia, and Captain Isaac Harris, of Brooklyn. These gentlemen have had much experience in this kind of work, and bring with them an honesty of purpose, a quiet enthusiasm and maturity of judgment which make me feel confident of the best possible results under their management of the corps.

In each of six corps of the army, we have a substantial army wagon,

9,

which is kept filled with an assortment of such supplies as are likely to be needed by the sick or wounded in the field, This wagon is in charge of a Relief Agent, who has his tent, and lives in the corps to which he is attached. For convenience, his headquarters and stores are usually with the Ambulance Corps. The agent makes himself acquainted with the wants of the different division, brigade, and regimental hospitals, and endeavors to supply their wants from the contents of his wagon. He becomes one of the family, and makes common cause with its interests. It was believed, that, in this way, an agent would become more interested in his work. Sharing the toils and the perils (to a certain extent also) of his corps, he would find himself thoroughly identified with it. Thus there would he superadded to his general desire to aid the army at large, the anxious feeling to aid those who had become his friends through a community of feelings and daily intercourse. This idea has been fully sustained by the results of nearly two months’ active operations.

The agents at present on duty, are W. A. Hovey, (of Boston) 1st Corps; N. Murray, (of Elizabethtown, N. J.,) 2nd Corps; Colonel Clemens Soest, (formerly 29th N. Y. Vols.,) 3d Corps; E. M. Barton, (Worcester, Mass.,) 5th Corps; David S. Pope, (Baltimore, Md.,) 6th Corps ; and Rev. Jno. A. Anderson, (California,) 12th Corps. They are educated gentlemen, who have accepted their respective positions with full reference to the responsibility resting upon them, and are animated with an anxious spirit to aid the medical officers of the army as far as may be in their power.

Now, as to the mode of distributing stores, some may say, why not give at once to patients, instead of issuing through the medical officers? To this I answer, that of the two modes of distribution, the latter is preferable, because it prevents interference with hospital discipline ; and the danger of private appropriation on the part of medical officers, is, by no means, so great as is supposed by the public. The constant supervision really exercised over hospital officers, by medical directors and the public, would make the matter of misappropriation of stores, a source of constant disgrace, and would peril their own reputation and position in the army. That such misappropriation has taken place in some cases I would not dare deny ; but let not these be put in the balance against the multitude of cases where honest patriotism and professional pride have stimulated the officers to use all means to advance the interests of the sufferers, and to hasten their convalescence. One of our field relief corps speaks on this point as follows: “In every instance of my dealing with the surgeons of this corps I have found them gentlemen, and must reiterate my belief, that ninety-nine one-

3

hundredths of all the supplies drawn from my wagon have been honorably used by them. I have talked to patients in twTo hospitals, and they told me they had received both the brandy and wine that I had sent to these hospitals. In Dr. Ohlenschlager’s Art. Brig. Hospital, one of the patients who was just recovering from an attack of intermittent fever and required stimulants, told me that he had had every drop of the wine sent over, and that ‘ it did him a power of good!’” Another agent writing of his visit to a hospital, says, that “the Doctor was loud in his praises of the Commission, and the men, who had evidently been informed of the source from which many of the delicacies had been received, seemed very grateful.” I might multiply quotations of this kind, since every agent has felt it his duty to look into the subject of the alleged misappropriation. I have reason to conclude, therefore, that such cases are rare, and I come to this conclusion, although a letter has reached us this morning, containing the statement that a wounded officer of a Massachusetts regiment, has declared that “the surgeons and officers were bountifully supplied with delicacies” from our stores, that “ the surgeon of his regiment, or one in his brigade, boarded the entire winter from sanitary stores,” and that “ the officers were well supplied” last winter “ with patchwork bed quilts bearing the Sanitary Commission stamp.” If this statement be correct in the individual case of this regiment, whose shame is thus proclaimed by one of its officers, (I say its shame , because the finger of scorn will find out the men who may have done this, and will superadd to the reproaches of conscience the denunciations of a people, liberal and zealous for good, but with no sympathy for those who pluck succor, when extended by the hand of benevolence to the sick, and use it for their own luxurious comfort,) if this report be correct as to this one regiment, thank God! we have thousands of cases where honest men are not guilty of such conduct, and tens of thousands of gallant sufferers are willing so to testify. I introduce this statement although it refers in the main to a period in the history of the campaign, when the Army of the Potomac was not under my charge, and although the report has beeen fully met and refuted by the facts of the case.

The depot of stores for renewing the supplies was established at Bealton, Va., by Charles S. Clampitt, under orders from the Chief Inspector, and has since been transferred to the charge of Sanford Hoag. It is kept supplied from the Washington receiving storehouse, the goods being forwarded tri-weekly in charge of reliable messengers. Major J. C. Bush has been assigned to duty at this storehouse, acting in conjunction with Mr. Hoag in issuing thence to the cavalry hospitals, and those regiments on duty as railway-guard .

4

In its present form, our work proves to be of decided acceptability to the medical officers. Our agents are received kindly, courteously, gladly, wherever they may go ; and are now acknowledged to be real helpers to the medical department of the army. One agent writes, on his entrance into a corps, “The morning after my arrival, I introduced myself to the Medical Director of the Corps, and to the Division, Brigade, and Regimental Surgeons I was everywhere received in the kindest manner, and all the surgeons were glad to learn that a permanent agent of the Sanitary Commission had been assigned to the corps; expressing themselves, at the same time, in the highest terms about the assistance of the Sanitary Commission to the sick and wounded during the Pennsylvania campaign.” A Division General in speaking to another agent, said “the Sanitary Commission had done great good; that every facility in his power should be given, and that if at any time an obstacle was met with he would remove it if possible.”

Others have borne like testimony to the good works which the Commission is doing throughout the army. From the very inception of this work, it has asked only to be allowed the privilege of working along with the medical officers, supplementing their work and bringing such succor to the needy of our great army as a liberal public is desirous should be extended. The field is great, but with trained laborers an earnest effort is made to cover the whole !

The Field Relief Corps has distributed during August, shirts, drawers, handkerchiefs, bed sacks, pillows, pillow cases, blankets, quilts, sheets, socks, brandy, whiskey, wine, crackers, chocolate, tin-cups, lemons, tamarinds, pickles, condensed milk, beef stock, farinaceous food, &c., &c.*

* When the Field Relief Corps started from Boonsborough, their wagons, four in number, were well filled with the usual assortment of sanitary stores. Of these no record was kept ; they have, however, all been issued, and, in addition, the following articles, up to date of this report, (September 19):

881 quilts and blankets,

887 sheets,

702 pillows,

1,088 pillow cases and ticks, 800 bed sacks,

2,445 shirts,

1,834 pairs drawers,

1,456 pairs socks,

341 pairs slippers,

2,186 towels,

2,374 lbs. condensed milk, 350 jars jelty,

100 lbs. tea,

Ik, 100 gallons tamarinds,

754 bottles whiskey and brandy,

776 bottles foreign and domestic wine, 2,509 lbs. farinaceous food,

1,640 lbs. beef stock,

43 lbs. crackers,

50 lbs. chloroform,

480 bottles extract ginger,

804 tin cups,

568 lbs. chocolate,

250 gallons pickles,

144 cans tomatoes, &c., &c., &c.

500 lbs. sugar,

13^ bbls. dried fruit.

The service in the field is becoming popular, and numerous applications are being made for admission as relief agents. On the whole I regard the Field Relief Corps of the Army of the Potomac a perfect success, and find no cause to regret the amount of labor which has been expended on it, or the expense incurred in bringing it to perfection.

Through its agency we will be able quietly to execute our charitable mission with agents, carried to the field, not by any sudden spasmodic fit of patriotic sentimentalism, but urged on by strong abiding impulses to do whatever their hands may find to do, laboring through sunshine and shade, fair weather and foul, to aid the poor soldier who has shouldered his musket at his country’s call. Not glory, not notoriety, but patriotic benevolence, is the motto of the Field Relief Corps.

Very truly,

Your obedient servant,

LEWIS H. STEINER.

Chief Inspector San. Commission, Army of Potomac.

LETTER FROM CHAPLAIN QUINT.

( From the Congregationalist.)

The following letter from Chaplain Quint, 2d Mass. Vols., is appended as the testimony of one who has had abundant opportunities for judging of the work of the Commission since the beginning of the war, having been attached to a gallant regiment, with which he has labored professionally, from its first organization :

City Hall Park, Xew York, Sept. 5, 1863.

A few days ago one of our men (a faithful man, too, one who is detailed for special duty, but always takes his gun, and shares the dangers of his comrades when there is a fight) was told that his wife and child were just outside of the guard, and went to bring them in. As soon as he was in sight, his little boy, who had not seen his father since the war opened, rushed past the guard and over the tent ropes, and climbed up to his father’s neck and hung there, while his father could not help the tears of delight. Wasn't it soldierly? Well, some of the guard themselves put on a very soldierly air — but they wiped their eyes. They are no worse soldiers for the memory of the little boys and girls at home, and much better men for it.

6

Camp-life has, indeed, been a good deal variegated (in the city) by the presence of wives and children. It is astonishing how much the dull mess-room, which has been made a kind of general parlor, has been brightened up by family groups. While I write, two active youngsters are daring to play marbles in the sacre precincts of camp; but the bayonet glistens still on the sentry posts.

The great feature which seems to distinguish this war from all others, is the great system of home help to the army. What other army ever had such benevolence poured out? What one, even, ever had such a mail system as ours so wise as it is in its effects on the men ? What other ever had the sick, the wounded, and the dying so ministered unto? The Government has done wonderfully in this direction, itself. But such outside helps were never before witnessed. They are o-ood They do the army good. Every child that helps sew, on a garment for a soldier, is doing what our Lord approves. Every stitch is a work of love. The old man who, poor, learned to knit so as to do something, in his chimney corner,

for the soldiers, was a hero. .

The chief among the links to home as an agency for relief is the bamtary Commission. The more I see and hear of this institution, I am amazed at its wonderful efficiency. I regard it as chief, not as exclusive. But chief it is, I lately saw and heard more of its doings. Perhaps your readers do not know its plan beyond Washington, and you will allow me to outline it as it is in our army — -merely for furnishing supplies.

The central agency is, of course, at Washington. Here supplies are accumulated, and large deposits are necessary for any emergency.

In the army, each corps is supplied with a Relief Agent, who lives in the corps. He moves with it. He has a four-horse wagon, supplied with sanitary stores— articles additional to those furnished by Government. These wagons are generally with the ambulance train, and the Relief Agent has discretionary power to dispose of his articles. He issues them to Field Hospitals on requisitions from the medical officers there. New supplies are constantly sent, so as to have plenty on hand.

The whole arrangement is under the care (I have asked for the names) of J. Warner Johnson, (firm of T. & J. W. Johnson & Co., Law Book Publishers, Phila.,) and Captain Isaac Harris of New York. The Relief Agents are— 1st Corps,7 W. A. Hovey of Boston; 2d, N. Murray of New Jersey ; 3d, Col. Clemens Soest, ’ formerly commander of 29th New York ; 5th, E. M. Barton of Worcester, Mass.— a son, I think, of Judge Barton; 6th, D. S. Pope of Baltimore; 12th, Rev. J. A. Anderson of California. Dr. W. S. Swalm acts as Inspector in the Field, while Dr. Steiner of Frederick, Md., has general charge at Washington for this army— a man of ripe experience and qualities for the post. These names are guaranty for efficiency. These men work for little or no pay, but they are ' permanent agents.

That this system ensures success there can be no doubt. I think I wrote you that at Chancellorsville the hospitals were well supplied with even luxuries, by the Commission, while the battle was still in progress. I am now told, on most reliable authority, (that of the surgeons,) that on the Thursday and Friday, the great days of the Gettysburg battles, the Sanitary Commission were distributing their stores under fire. In two corps (one is ours) that this was done, clear evidence also exists in the receipts given by the surgeons at the battle ground. I was somewhat astonished at this, as, while at home, I had read statements that some other agency was three days in advance of all others with supplies at Gettys-

7

burg. But as the Sanitary Commission was there while the battle was still in progress, this latter statement is evidently a mistake.

One great reason why the Sanitary Commission works so well is, that it works in and by means of the regular authorities. It does not set itself up as independent of the medical officers. It distributes through the surgeons. The wisdom of this plan is evident at a glance. The surgeons know what is needed, and how to use it. An indiscriminate administering of relief by independent helps, is subversive of all order. A case just in point happened — no matter wffiere, but I know. A soldier had turned the critical point of disease, and was doing well. A benevolent individual, distributing supplies out of a basket, gave this soldier some pickles — and I know not what else — -which he ate. The surgeon discovered it, and informed the philanthropist that the charity had probably ensured the death of the patient. In fact, it did — within forty-eight hours.

The independent method is bad. The medical authorities are the only ones who ought to be, in general, entrusted with supplies. It sounds pretty to say, “We place the article in the hands of the soldier himself5 ' — very pretty, but very ridiculous. While this course could do good occasionally, as a system it would be bad. The surgeon knows what the sick man should eat, and what he should wear. And an institution which furnishes things at the time needed is invaluable.

The independent system showed itself in hospital at Gettysburg. In one corps hospital (I have the best authority for this) some five or six men were discovered drunk. Inquiry was made, and it was found that certain individuals who had corneas volunteer laborers, or what that excellent book Hospital Transports calls “an indiscriminate holiday scramble of general philantrophy,” (I quote from memory, ) had been giving away liquor at random to whomsoever wanted it, with the result here mentioned. Difficulties also ensued from the great trouble with which needed articles could be obtained from these agents. And when certain other irregularities occurred, (which I do not wish to mention,) the whole band was ordered out of the lines, — the second occasion on which the same agency had met that fate in the same corps. The whole trouble arose from the impossibility of harmonizing an independent, outside management, with the methods which government has established. The Sanitary Commission avoids all such compli¬ cations. Another agency or agent has just written, (as I read,) “ The Chaplains, what few there are, work with us.” It would be equally cool for the Sanitary Commission to say, “ The surgeons work with us,” instead of taking the sensible ground which they do, that they work with the surgeons.

While the Commission was thus harmoniously acting with the authorities in relieving the suffering, several Chaplains were, as I have learned from others, working night and day in corps hospitals at Gettysburg. I am informed that they were invaluable. They ministered to the wounded and dying like brothers. I know how it was, for I know these men. Such men are not praised in news¬ papers. Other agencies turn up their eyes in sanctimonious mourning over them. But while disgusting puffs employ mail and telegraph over holiday laborers, these men do the steady, every-day, heavy work. When others at Chancellorsville ran away- — -being asked again and again, “Chaplain, is this a safe place?” these men risked shot and shell, and some found captivity in doing their duty. No letter-writer tells about somebody “bending over a dying man in prayer,’ as being a nobler sight than a “mitered archbishop” doing something or other, because it is the regular business of those men.

8

The Sanitary Commission has shown true wisdom, also, in its plan ot employing reoular and permanent agents. Sudden spasms of work do little. 1 he Commission knows that. It takes time for men to learn their business. When taught, one man is worth twenty temporary volunteers. The work which the Tract- are doing in the army is effective becanse they employ permanent managers and

work in harmony with the recognized religious workers of the army Mi. >

for example, (I refer to him because I know his work,) accomplished tenders because he used all existing facilities. Finding a Chaplain, or (m case > there were nonel some other religious man in each of (say) a hundred regiments, he had hundred permanent agents all his owl, for Christ’ s sake. Gathering them together, and thus exciting new fervor, holding meetings for prayer o ^se hundred laborers, each of whom had his own field, in which none could do the work that laborer could, a life was sent through the whole, when outside workers could only have made a slight impression on the circumference. . „

The Sanitary Commission works through the proper channels. There is therefore no outside work which in the matter of supplies can rival the Commission in cheapness, directness, or usefulness. It does a work which fathers and mothe s and wives at home ought to be thankful for. It ministers to the helpless, succors where suffering and death would often be the result of absence of succor.

Letter to the President of the United States —

Removal of the Surgeon General.

4 pp.

Standing Committee.

U S. SANITARY COMMISSION,

2XTo. 74.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

OF TS E

U. s. SANITARY COMMISSION.

March lothj 1864.

Samuel L. Abbot, M. D., Rev. W. Adams, D. D., •Jolm T. Agnew.,

A. MeL. Agnew,

D. II. Agnew, M. D., Jacob Alburger,

Bradford R. Alden,

Prof. J. H. Alexander, Prof. Stephen Alexander, George F. Allen,*

Hon. Joseph Allison, Francis Allyn,

P. Ambos,

Charles Ames,

Lars Anderson,

Hon. John A. Andrew, Rev. J. L. Andrews, H. D., Col. E. B. Andrews,

J. W. Andrews,

Geo. C. Anthon,

Hon. Henry B. Anthony, Daniel Applegate,

Boston, Mass.

Hew York.

Hew York Hew York. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Hew York.

Baltimore, Md. Princeton, Hew Jersey. Hew York. Philadelphia, Penn. Hew London, Conn. Columbus, Ohio. Washington, D. C„ Cincinnati, Ohio. Boston, Mass.

Marietta, Ohio. Marietta, Ohio. Columbus, Ohio.

Hew York.

Providence, R. I. Zanesville, Ohio.

* Deceased.

2

Hon. Isaac FT. Arnold,

Lewis E. Ashhurst,

Vm. H. Ashhurst,

William II. Aspinwall,

John J. Astor, Jr.,

Walter F. Atlee,

Abraliam Anb,

W. M. Awl, M. D.,

E. F. Babcock,

Samuel D. Babcock,

John Bacon, M. D.,

Micajah Bailey,

B. F. Baker,

Dr. Baker,

William Baker,

Thos. Bakewell,

Thos. Balcli,

Eli C. Baldwin,

Matthew W. Baldwin,

Major Gen. FT. P. Banks,

C. B. Barclay,

Eev. Charles Barnard,

Jas. M. Barnard,

Prof. F. A. P. Barnard, L.L.D. Eev. Albert Barnes, D.D., Hiram Barney,

John Barstow,

Eev. C. A. Bartol, D.D.,

Gen. J. H. Bates,

Joshua Bates,

H. M. Beckwith,

James M. Beebe,

Hon. James W. Beekman,

Chicago, Ill. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Flew York.

Flew York. Philadelphia, Penn. Cincinnati, Ohio. Columbus, Ohio. Liverpool, Eng.

Hew York.

Boston, Mass. Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio. Horwalk, Ohio. Toledo, Ohio. Pittfcburg, Penn. Paris, France. Cincinnati, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn. TJ. S. A.

Philadelphia, Penn. Boston, Mass. Boston, Mass. Washington, D. C. Philadelphia, Penn. Hew York. Providence, E. I. Boston, Mass. Cincinnati, Ohio. London, Eng.

Paris, France. Boston, Mass.

Flew York.

3

W. B. Belknap,

John Bell, M.D.,

T. S. Bell, M.D.,

Hon. Henry A. Bellows,

W. Dwight Bell,

L. B. Benchley,

E. L. S. Benzon,

Cyrus Bentley,

Ed. Beylard, M.D.,

Henry J. Bigelow, M.D., Jacob Bigelow, M.D.,

John Bigelow,

¥m. Bingham,

Horace Binney, Jr.,

William Binney,

Hon. Francis P. Blair, Jr.,

D. J. B. Black,

Jas. Blake,

J. Y. Z. Blaney, M. D„ U. S.

E. W. Blatchford,

John S. Blatchford,

Atherton Blight,

Rev. H. A. Boardman, D. D, Rev. Dr. Boardman,

John Bonner,

William A. Booth,

Adolph E. Borie,

John Helson Borland, M. D. Henry I. Bowditch, M. D., Jesse D. Bowen, M. D.,

Tully Bowen,

Samuel Bowles,

C. S. P. Bowles,

Louisville, Ivy. Philadelphia, Penn. Louisville, Ky. Concord, H. H. Philadelphia, Penn. San Francisco, Cal. London, Eng.

Chicago, Ill.

Paris, France.

Boston, Mass.

Boston, Mass.

Paris, France. Cleveland, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn. Providence, R. I.

St. Louis, Mo.

London, Eng. Indianapolis, Ind.

A., Chicago, Ill.

Chicago, Ill.

Boston, Mass. Philadelphia, Penn.

, Philadelphia, Penn. Rochester, Hew York. Hew York.

Hew York. Philadelphia, Penn. Boston, Mass.

Boston, Mass.

Iowa City, Iowa. Providence, R. I. Springfield, Mass. Paris, France.

4

W. B. Bowles,

Charles L. Brace,

William Y. Brady,

David Brainerd, M. D.,

Kev. Thomas Brainerd, D. D.,

J. Carson Brevoort,

Kev. D. K. Brewer,

James Brewster,

T. C. Brinsmade, M. D.,

S. J. Broadwell,

Theodore B. Bronson,

M. D. Brooke,

E. S. Brooks,

James Brooks,

Ed. Brooks,

Hon. Jno. Brongh,

Alexander Brown,

John A. Brown,

B. F. Brown,

Stewart Brown,

Stewart Brown, Jr.,

S. C. Brown,

A. C. Brownell,

H. Tudor Brownell,

F. Brnnot,

Daniel Brash,

Henry Bryant, M. D., TJ. S. A., William Cullen Bryant,

Gurdon Buck, M. D.,

J. P. Buckley,

Freeman J. Bumstead, M. D., Hon. Walter S. Burgess,

K. W. Burnett,

Paris, France.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Chicago, Illinois. Philadelphia, Penn. Bedford, Hew York. Yonkers, Hew York.

Hew Haven, Conn.

Troy, Hew York. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hew York.

Washington, D. C. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hew Albany, Ind.

Paris, France.

Cleveland, Ohio. Philade',phia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. London, Eng.

Hew York.

Liverpool, Eng.

Paris, France.

Peru, Indiana.

Hartford, Conn. Pittsburgh, Penn. Zanesville, Ohio.

Boston, Mass.

Hew York.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Hew York.

Providence, K. I. Cincinnati, Ohio.

5

A. G. Burt,

S. H. Burton,

Bev. Horace Buslmell, D. D., Maj.-Gen. B. F. Butler, Charles Butler,

Charles E. Butler,

John A. Butler,

Samuel Cabot, Jr., M. D.,

C. C. Calvert,

Wm. Camack, M. D.,

Henry C. Carey,

Joseph Carson, M. D., Artemas Carter,

Francis Carter, M. H., William F. Cary,

Eugene Casserly,

Prof. Alexis Caswell,

Geo. R. Cathcart,

W. S. Charnley,

Henry Chauncey, Jr.,

W. S. Chipley, M. E>.,

John J. Cisco,

Clias. E. Cist,

L. A. Civill,

Everett Clapp,

Alonzo Clark, M. D.,

Dr. Charles Clark,

Henry G. Clark, M. D.,

J. G. Clark,

Hehemiah Cleveland,

Cyrus Cleveland,

J. C. Coates,

Arthur G. Coffin,

Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio. Hartford, Connecticut.

U. S. Y.

Franklin, Warren Co., O. Stockbridge, Mass. Hartford, Conn.

Boston, Mass. Washington, D. C. Philadelphia, Pa. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Chicago, Ill.

Columbus, Ohio.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Providence, R. I.

London, Eng.

Hew Haven, Conn.

Hew York.

Lexington, Ky.

Hew York.

Cincinnati, Ohio. Louisville, Ky.

Yonkers, H. Y.

Hew York.

Fairfield, Iowa.

Boston, Mass.

San Francisco, California. Westport, Conn.

Yonkers, H. Y.

London, Eng. Philadelphia, Penn.

6

Mason F. Cogswell, M. B., Robert L. Collier,

Rev. E. T. Collins,

Francis Collins,

Joseph B. Collins,

Rev. Robt. Collyer,

Stephen Colwell,

George M. Connaroe,

Charles M. Connolly,

G. Cook,

H. P. Coon,

Peter Cooper,

Caleb Cope,

Janies M. Corse, M. D.,

Rev. A. C. Coxe, B. B., Benjamin F. Craig, M. B.,

R. Crawford,

Brig.-Gen. S. W. Crawford, John C. Cresson,

Rev. J eremiahW. Cummings, 13 Geo. W. Curtis,

Josiah Curtis, M. B.,

J. B. B. Curtis,

Wm. E. Curtis,

E. Cushing, M. B.,

John M. Cuyler, M. D., TJ. S. Rev. O. E. Bagget, B. B.,

W. J. Bale, M. B.,

John C. Balton, M. B., XT. S. i lion. Charles P. Baly,

Charles A. Bana,

Hugh Bavids,

Horace Bavis,

Albany, H. Y.

Iowa City, Iowa. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Columbus, Ohio.

Hew York.

Chicago, Ill.

Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn.

Hew York.

Chicago, Ill.

San Francisco, California. Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn.

Hew York.

"Washington, B. C.

Hew Albany, Ind.

H. S. Y.

Philadelphia, Penn.

.B., Hew York.

Hew York.

TJ. S. A.

Paris, France.

Hew York.

Cleveland, Ohio.

A., Fortress Monroe, Ya. Canandaigua, H. Y. Boston, Mass.

V., Hew York.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn.

San Francisco, California.

7

John Davis, M. D.,

Win. Henry Davis,

Mordecai L. Dawson,

W. Wheeler De Forest,

Col. Delafield, U. S. A.,

Joseph C. Delano,

E. Hasket Derby,

Charles F. Dennet,

Hasket Derby, M. D.,

Col. Jno. H. Devereux, Major-Gen. John A. Dix, U. S. A II. L. Dodge,

Wm. E. Dodge,

William E. Dodge, jr.,

Peter Donahue,

J. H. Douglas, M. D.,

John W. Draper, M. D.,

Rev. II. W. Ducachet, D. D., Right Rev. James Duggan, D. I Alexander Duncan,

Jas. Dundas,

lion. William Dwight,

W. H. Dwinelle, M. D.,

J. O. Earl,

Maj. A. B. Eaton, H. S. A.,

Mr. Ehrimger,

John B. Elbert, M. D.,

Samuel Eliot, Trinity College, Rev. W. G. Eliot, D. D.,

Geo. Elliot,

Calvin Ellis, M. D.,

Wm. S. Ely, M. D.,

W. C. Emmett,

George Engelman, M. D.,

Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn.

Hew York.

Albany, Hew York.

Hew Bedford, Mass. Boston, Mass.

London, Eng.

Boston, Mass.

U. S. A.

,, Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Hew York.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Hew York.

Hew York Philadelphia, Penn. Chicago.

London, Eng.

Paris, France.

Boston, Mass.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Hew York.

London, Eng.

Keokuk, Iowa.

Hartford, Conn.

St. Louis, Mo.

London, Eng.

Boston, Mass.

Rochester, Hew York. Paris, France.

St. Louis, Missouri,

8

Thos. W. Evans, M. D., Hon. Tlios. Ewing,

Thomas H. Faile,

Thomas H. Faile, jr.,

Hon. F. B. Fay,

Hon. Henry P. Fessenden, Benjamin H. Field,

Cyras W. Field,

Osgood Field,

E. E. Fillmore,

Dr. Finley,

Hon. Hamilton Fishy E. C. Fisher,

Bev. M. Fitzgeraldi,

Calvin Fletcher,

Bev. M. Fletcher,

Austin Flint, M. DJ.,

E. S. Flint,

J. B. Flint, M. D.,

John M.Forhesy S. 0. Ford,

C. B. Fosdick,

J. P. Girand Foster,

Col. J. W. Foster,

Hon. Lafayette S. Foster;

P. H. Fowler, D. D.,. Frederick Fraley,

Prof. J. F. Frazer,

Hon. A. C. Fuller,

Horace Howard Furness, Bev. W. H. Furness, D. D:, Jno. L. Gardner,

Brig. Gen. J. A. Garfield,

Paris, France., Lancaster, Ohio*.

Hew York.

He w York.

Chelsea, Mass. Portland, Maine;

Hew York.

Hew York.

London, Eng. Zanesville, Ohicv Dubuque, Iowa.

Hew York.

London, Eng.. Columbus, Ohio-. Indianapolis, Inch Hew Albany, Indl Hew York.

Cleveland, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.

Boston, Mass. Philadelphia, Penn.. Cincinnati, Ohio;

Hew York.

Chicago, Ill.

Horwich, Connecticut^ Utica, H. Y. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Springfield, Ill. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Paris, France.

U. & A.

9

G. H. Gray, M. D.,

George Geddes,

B. Gerhard,

R. P. Getty,

George Gibbs,

George W. Gibbs,

S. D. Gilbert,

Brig.-Gen. Q. A. Gillmore,

C. B. Goddard,

Thos. P. I. Goddard,

Hr. Goddard,

A. A. Gould, M. D., Lieut-Gen. TJ. S. Grant,

J. P. Gray, H. D.,

C. S. Greeley,

Hon. Horace Greeley, John C. Greene,

Francis C. Griggs,

J. G. Griggs,

Cornelius Grinnell,

George Griswold,

John H. Griscom, M. L>., Samuel D. Gross, M. D.,

S. B. Guion,

Rev. Edward E. Hale, Andrew T. Hall, Benjamin II. Hall,

George Hall,

J. C. Hall, M. E>.,

Levi W. Hall,

W. C. Hall,

Boston, Hass.

Fairmount, Hew York. Philadelphia, Penn. Yonkers, H. Y.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Philadelphia, Penn.

IJ. S. Y.

Zanesville, Ohio. Providence, R. I. Birmingham, Eng. Boston, Hass.

H. S. A.

Utica, H. Y.

St. Louis, Ho.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Walnut Hills, Ohio. Center Rutland, Yt. London, Eng.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn. Liverpool, Eng.

Boston, Hass.

Boston, Hass.

Troy, Hew York. Brooklyn, Hew York. Washington, D. C. Syracuse, H. Y.

Hew York.

Hewark, H. J.

Col. H. C. Halstead,

Frank II. Hamilton, H.D., U.S.A.,Hew York.

10

W. A. Iiammond, M.D., U.S.A. T. P. Handy,

W. Harding,*

J. R. Ilowdenbergh,

Hon. J. I. Clark Hare,

Robert M. Hartley,

Jacob Plarsen, M. D.,*

Charles Hartsliorne,

Edward Hartsliorne, M. D., Franklin Haven,

Henry W. Havens,

Isaac Hays, M. H.,

George Hayward, M. P>., Major-Gen. Heintzelman,

Uriah Hendricks,

Hon. Alexander Henry,

Prof. Joseph Henry,

Rev. M. Henisticker,

R. C. Hewett, M. D.,

Rev. D. P. Henderson,

Rev. James II. Hey wood,

Rev. Grosvenor Hickok, H. H., Laur. P. Hickok, H.D., Union Col. Rev. Tlios. Hill, D. H.,

Hon. George S. Hillard,

Prof. Edward Hitchcock,

Prof. R. D. Hitchcock, D. D., David Hoadley,

Hon. Geo. Hoadley,

R. M. Hoe,

II. Lenox Hodge, M. D.,

Maryland.

Cleveland, Ohio.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Philadelphia, Penn.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Boston, Mass.

Hewr London, Conn. Philadelphia, Penn. Boston, Mass.

U. S. A.

Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn. Washington, D. C. Columbus, Ohio. Louisville, Ky.

Louisville, Ky.

Louisville, Ky.

Buffalo, Hew York.

, Schenectady, H. Y. Cambridge, Mass.

Boston, Mass.

Amherst Coll., Mass. Hew York.

Hew York.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

Paris, France. Philadelphia, Penn.

* Deceased.

11

E. M. Hodges, M. D., Wickham Hoffman,

Amory Holbrook, Esq.,

J. G. Holland, M. D.,

II. A. Holman,

Oliver Wendell Holmes, M. D. Worthington Hooker, M. H., Hon. Samuel Hooper,

Thomas Hornbrooke,

Hon. Y. B. Horton,

Prof. E. H. Ilorsford,

Eobert Hosea,

Eev. Dr. Hosmer,

John Hough,

Meredith Howland,

Edwin Hoyt,

Most Eev. John Hughes, D. D Eev. Y. M. Hulbert,

Thomas Hun, M. D.,

Sandford B. Hunt, M. D.,

J. D. Hunter,

Eobert Hunting,

Ed. Huntington,

Eev. E. Hutter,

Hiram Hutchinson,

Eev. Geo. Irvine,

Ealph H. Isliam, M. D.,

John B. S. Jackson, M. D., Adrien Iselin,

Prof. J. W. Jackson, Union C Mr. James,

Boston, Mass.

Hew York.

Portland, Oregon. Springfield, Ohio.

San Francisco, California, Boston, Mass.

Hew Haven, Conn. Boston, Mass.

Wheeling, Y a.

Pomeroy, Ohio.

East Providence, E. I. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Buffalo, H. Y.

Port Wayne, Ind.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Yonkers, Hew York. Albany, H. Y.

Buffalo, Hew York. Pittsburg, Penn.

London, Eng.

Borne, H. Y. Philadelphia, Penn. Paris, France.

Fort Wayne, Ind. Chicago, Ill.

Boston, Mass.

Hew York.

, Schenectady, H. Y. Liverpool, Eng.

* Deceased.

12

Edward Jarvis, M. D.,

John Jay,

Rev. John Jenkins,

C. C. Jennings,

Leonard W. Jerome,

Wilson Jewell, M. D.,

Hon. A. S. Johnson,*

Prof. C. A. Joy, Columbia Coll., H. A. Johnson, M. D.,

J. B. Johnson, M. D.,

James M. Johnston,

J. Warner Johnson,

John D. Jones,

David Judkins, M. D.,

Hon. Wm. D. Kelley,

Robert Lenox Kennedy,

Most Rev. F. P. Kenrick, D. D.,* Morris Ketchum,

Gen. E. D. Keyes,

Thomas Kimber, Jr.,

Edward King,

Charles King,

Rev. T. Starr King,*

Chas. P. Kirkland,

J. G. Kittle,

Shepherd Knapp,

J. M. Knox,

Ernest Krackowitzer, M. D.,

C. M. Lampson,

E. S. Lane, M. D.,

Russell M. Larned,

Dorchester, Mass.

New York.

Philadelphia, Penn.

San Francisco, California. New York.

Philadelphia, Penn.

New York.

New York.

Chicago, Ill.

St. Louis, Mo.

Cincinnati, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn.

New York.

Cincinnati, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn. Albany, New York. Baltimore, Md.

New York.

U. S. A.

Philadelphia, Penn. Newport, R. I.

New York.

San Francisco, California. New York.

San Francisco, California. New York.

Yonkers, New York.

New York.

London, Eng.

Sandusky, Ohio. Providence, R. I.

* Deceased.

13

C. L. ‘Latimer,

Joseph Lawrence,

John L. LeConte, M. L).,

W. Lee,

Joseph Leidy, M. D.,

James Lenox,

W. M. Lent,

Robert M. Lewis,

F. W. Lewis, M. D.,

Samnel Lewis, M. D.,

Sami. L’Hommedieu, M. D. Prof. H. W. Longfellow, Starling Loving, M. D.,

A. A. Low,

Geo. T. Lyman, M. D., U. S. A. Alex. G. Mable,

Rev. Chas. Machin,

Prof. Alden March,

Charles H. Marshall,

J. Sella Martin,

Rev. Chas. Mason, D. D.,

Robt. M. Mason,

C. W. May,

Rev. S. F. May,

Edward Matthews,

Sam. Maxwell,

Alleyn Maynard, M. D.,

John McCall, M. D.,

Benj. W. McCready, M. D., Rev. Dr. McClintock,

Norwalk, Ohio.

New York.

Philadelphia, Penn. London, Eng. Philadelphia, Penn.

New York.

San Francisco, California. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Cincinnati, Ohio. Cambridge, Mass. Columbus, Ohio.

New York.

Boston, Mass.

Cambridge, Mass.

New York.

Boston, Mass.

San Francisco, California. Riga, Monroe Co., N. Y. Albany, N. Y.

New York.

London, Eng.

Boston, Mass.

Paris, France.

Paris, France.

Syracuse, N. Y. Zanesville, Ohio. Indianapolis, Ind. Cleveland, Ohio.

Utica, N. Y.

New York.

Paris, France.

lion. Francis C. Lowell,

Prof. Jas. Russell Lowell, L. L. D., Nicholas Ludlum,

14

J. H. B. McClellan, M. D., J. R. McCormick,

¥ra. McCrary,

Robert H. McCurdy,

John McDonald,

Gen. Irvin McDowell,

Maj. Malcolm McDowell, James McHenry,

Right Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine, Morton McMichael,

Maj. Gen. Meade,

Rev. C. Mees,

J. Forsyth Meigs, M. D.,

R. E. Menesse,

John C. Merriam,

Geo. B. Merrill,

S. Y. Merrick,

John T. Metcalfe, M. D., Albert Miller,

E. Spencer Miller,

Francis Minot, M. D., Robert B. Minturn,

Hon. E. D. Morgan,

J. S. Morgan,

Mr. Morgan,

Prof. James Monroe,

Thos. Moodie,

Caspar Morris, M. D.,

Rev. J. G. Morris,

Hon. A. II. Morrison,

Rev. H. J. Morton, D. D., Sketchly Morton,

Gratz Moses, M. D.

Philadelphia, Penn. London, Eng.

Pittsburg, Penn.

Hew York.

Hew Albany, Ind.

U. S. A.

U. S. A.

London, Eng.

D.D., Cincinnati, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn.

U. S. Y.

Columbus, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn. Louisville, Ky. Logansport, Ind.

San Francisco, California. Philadelphia, Penn.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Philadelphia, Penn. Boston, Mass.

Hew York.

Washington, D. C. London, Eng.

London, Eng.

Oberlin, Ohio.

Columbus, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn. Baltimore, Maryland.

St. J oseph, Mich. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn.

St. Louis, Mo.

15

Valentine Mott, M. D.,

Rev. ¥m, A. Muhlenberg, D. 1 Rev. M. Mulford,

John Mnnroe,

Robert Murray, M. D., U. S. A., W. II. Mussey, M. D.,

Robert Neil,

Rev. II. A. Nelson, D. D.,

G. W. Norris, M. D.,

Chas. Eliot Norton,

Rt. Rev. W. II. Odenheimer, D.l Thomas G. Odiorne,

John Olmstead,

George Opdyke,

Prof. John Ordronaux,

J. R. Osborn,

William H. Osborn,

Rev. Samuel Osgood, D. D., James Otis,

John II. Packard, M. D., William P. Palmer,

J. T. Pancoast,

E. H. Parker, M. D.,

H. T. Parker,

Willard Parker, M. D.,

George D. Parrish,

Joseph Parrish, M. D.,

George Partridge,

William Paton,

Brig. Gen. M. D. Patrick,

Rev. W. W. Patton,

Geo. Peabody,

Henry Pearce,

New York.

,, New York.

Orange, N. J.

Paris, France.

Kentucky.

Cincinnati, Ohio. Columbus, Ohio.

St. Louis, Mo. Philadelphia, Penn. Boston, Mass.

,, Burlington, N. J. Cincinnati, Ohio. Hartford, Conn.,

New York.

New York.

Toledo, Ohio.

Chicago, Ill.

New York.

San Francisco, California. Philadelphia, Penn.

New York.

Baltimore, Md. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. London, Eng.

New York.

Philadelphia. Penn. Philadelphia, Penn.

St. Louis, Mo.

New York.

H. S. V.

Chicago, Ill,

London, Eng.

Cincinnati, Ohio,

16

Edmund E. Peaslee, M. D.,

Prof. H. E. Peck,

Prof. B. Pierce,

Duncan C. Pell,

George S. Pepper,

Dr. G. Perin,

Judge Perley,

J. Newton Perkins,

Joseph Perkins,

Arthur Peter,

John C. Peters, M. D.,

Jas. Phalen,

Eoyal Phelps,

Eichard W. Phillips,

Hon. Willard Phillips,

Henry E. Pierrepont,

Hon. Edwards Pierrepont,

Wm. S. Pierson,

Zina Pitcher, M. D.,

S. Poliak, M. D.,

Alfred C. Post, M. D.,

Eev. G. H. Post, M.D., U. S. A., W. E. Post,

Et. Eev. Alonzo Potter, D. D., Et. Eev. Horatio Potter, D. D., Howard Potter,

C. W. Potwin,

Samuel Powel,

Geo. D. Prentice,

John Y. L. Pruyn,

Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr.,

W. C. Ealston,

C. S. Eandall,

New York.

Oberlin, Ohio.

Cambridge, Mass.

Newport, E. I. Philadelphia, Penn.

U. S. A.

Concord, N. H.

Oberlin, Ohio.

Cleveland, Ohio.

Louisville, Ky.

New York.

Paris, France.

New York.

Dayton, Ohio.

Boston, Mass.

Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn, New York. Sandusky, Ohio.

Detroit, Mich.

St. Louis, Mo.

New York.

New York.

Paris, France. Philadelphia, Penn.

New York.

New York.

Zanesville, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn. Louisville, Ky.

Albany, New York. Boston, Mass.

San Francisco, California. New Bedford, Mass.

IT

Philip P. Randolph,

J ames M. Raj,

J. H. Redington,*

Mark E. Reeves,

William L. Rehn,

D. B. Reid, M. D.,

J. H. Reilj,

• Wm. B. Reynolds,

Hon. Alexander H. Rice,

J erome Rice,

A. C. Richards,

Geo. T. Richards,

Rev. H. A. Ried,

J. H. Risdon,

E. Y. Robbins,

Christopher R. Robert,

Jas. B. Roberts,

Hon. Lucins Robinson,

David Robinson, Jr.,

M. M. Rockwell,

Lewis Rodman, M. D.,

Evans Rogers,

Fairman Rogers,

Hon. Henry B. Rogers,

Prof. Henry Rogers,

Rev. Eber M. Rollo,

Prof. Ogden A Rood, Col. Coll, Theodore Roosevelt,

Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans,

Benjamin Rouse,

Col. D. H. Rucker,

Samuel B. Ruggles,

Le Baron Russell, M. D.,

Philadelphia, Penn. Indianapolis, Ind.

San Francisco, California. Cincinnati, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn. Madison, Wisconsin. Columbus, Ohio.

Boston, Mass.

Boston, Mass.

San Francisco, California. Hew York.

Paris, France.

Madison, Wis.

San Francisco, California. Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Albany, H. Y.

Wooster, Ohio.

San Francisco, California. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Boston, Mass.

Glasgow, Scotland.

Oneida, H. Y.

Hew York.

Hew York.

U. S. Y.

Cleveland, Ohio.

IT. S. A,

Hew York.

Boston, Mass.

18

Lewis M. Rutherford,

Joseph Sampson,

R. S. Satterlee, M. D., U. S, A. W. W. Scarborough,

C. R. Schaller,

Maj.-Gen. Schenck,

W. W. Seaton,

H. E. Seelye,

J. M. Seligman,

F. C. Sessions,

Rev. 33. M. Seward, 33. 33., Col. Geo. II. Sharp,

New York.

New York.

New York.

Cincinnati, Ohio,

London, Eng.

U. S. Y.

Washington, D. C. Chicago, Ill.

San Francisco, California, Columbus, Ohio.

Yonkers, N. Y.

U. S. Y.

George C. Shattuck, M. 33., Benjamin S. Shaw, M. 33., Joseph E. Sheffield,

Hon. John Sherman,

Wm. Sherman,

Thomas C. Shipley,

G. IL Shoenberger,

Prof. Benjamin Silliman, jr.,

J. Sime,

D. D. Slade, M. 33.,

A. Marshall Slocum, M. 33., F. Gurney Smith, Jr., M. 13., Joseph M. Smith, M. 33., Rev. J. Cotton Smith, D. D., Stephen Smith, M. D.,

S. M. Smith, M. 13.,

R. G. Sneath,

Rev. W. A. Snively,

E. M. Snow, M. 13.,

H. G. Somerby,

James R. Spaulding,

Boston, Mass.

Boston, Mass.

New Haven, Conn. Mansfield, Ohio.

San Francisco, California. Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio.

;.D.,New Haven, Conn.

San Francisco, California. Boston, Mass.

Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn.

New York.

New York.

New York.

Columbus, Ohio.

San Francisco, California. Cincinnati, Ohio. Providence, R. I.

London, Eng.

New York.

19

J. F. Speed,

Hon. Francis E. Spinner, Hon. William Sprague,

Hon. J. B. Stallo,

Henry Starr,

Alexander H. Stevens, M. D. B. F. Stevens,

Edwin A. Stevens,

Henry Stevens,

J ohn Austin Stevens,

John Steward,

Alexander T. Stewart,

Alfred Stille, M. D.,

Charles J. Stille,

Mr. Stoddard,

A. G. B. Stokes,

A. Stone, Jr.,

Hon. Bellamy Storer,

Bev. Dr. Storrs,

Bev. M. E. Strieby,

Charles E. Strong:,

Hon. William Strong,

George H. Stuart,

Bobert L. Stuart,

Jonathan Sturges,

H. Sturg is,

Bussell Sturgis,

George H. Suckley, M. D.,

E. L. Sullivan,

Joseph Sullivant,

Wilson C. Swann, M. D.,

B. B. Swain,

Henry W, Tappan, D. D.,

Louisville, Ky. Washington, D. C. Bhode Island, Cincinnati, Ohio. London, Eng.

Hew York.

London, Eng.

Hoboken, H. J.

London, Eng.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. Glasgow, Scotland. Liverpool, Eng. Cleveland, Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio. Brooklyn, Hew York. Syracuse, Hew York. Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn.

Hew York.

Hew York.

Zanesville, Ohio.

London, Eng.

XL S. A.

San Francisco, California, Columbus, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn.

San Francisco, California. Ann Arbor, Mich.

20

Thomas T. Tasker,

Moses Taylor,

Hon. M. Russell Thayer,

Jas. B. Thomas,

J. B. Thomson, M. D.,

Rev. M. L. B. Thompson, D. D. John Edgar Thompson,

W. S. Thompson,

A. G. Throop,

Rev. O. H. Tiffany, D. D., Thomas Tileston,

William M. Tilghman,

E. G. Tinker,

E. S. Tobey,

Hon. David Tod,

John Torrey, M. D.,

John IT. Towne,

J. M. Townsend,

Solomon D. Towmsend, M. D.,

B. T. Tredick,

Rev. Dr. Trimble,

George T. Trimble,

A. L. Tnbbs,

C. S. Tripler, M. D.,

George Trott,

Genery Twichell,

J. B. Upham, M. D.,

G. P. Upham, M. D.,

S. Oakley Yanderpool, M. D., Mr. Yan Wort,

Hon. Gulian C. Yerplanck, Rev. Alexander Rev. Francis Yinton, D. D.,

Philadelphia, Penn.

Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn.

San Francisco, California. Columbus, Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn.

Paris, France.

Chicago, Ills.

Chicago, Ills.

Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn. London, Eng.

Boston, Mass.

Columbus, Ohio.

Hew York.

Philadelphia, Penn. Indianapolis, Ind.

Boston, Mass. Philadelphia, Penn. Columbus, Ohio.

Hew York.

San Francisco, California, U. S. A.

Philadelphia, Penn. Boston, Mass.

Boston, Mass.

Yonkers, H. Y.

Albany, Hew York. Birmingham, Eng.

Hew York. H. Yinton, D. D., Hew York.

Hew York.

.'j

21

Gen. Jas S. Wadsworth, U.S. Wm. R. Wadsworth,

Joseph Walker,

R. J. Walker,

Wm. Wallace,

Hon. Samuel H. Walley, Lewis Wain,*

James Ward,

Charles E. Ware, M. D.,

John Ware, M. D.,

Rev. J. F. W. Ware,

George W. Warren,

J. Mason Warren, M. D., Samuel M. Warren,

Prof. Emory Washburne,

John Watson, M. D.,

David A. Wells,

John Welsh,

William Welsh,

R. W. Weston,

Rev. Sullivan H. Weston, D. Seth H. Wetherber,

E. A. Wetinore,

Prosper M. Wetmore,

M. D. Wheeler,

Edwin P. Whipple,

Richard Grant White,

Rt. Rev. W. R.Whittingham, D A. Y. Williams, M. D.,

Rev. Francis W. Williams, Hon. James Williams,

L,* Hew York.

Paris, France.

Hew York.

London, Eng. Indianapolis, Ind.

Boston, Mass. Philadelphia, Penn. Chicago, Ill.

Boston, Mass.

Boston, Mass. Cambridgeport, Mass. Liverpool, Eng.

Boston, Mass.

London, Eng.

Cambridge, Mass.

Hew York.

Troy, Hew York. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn. London, Eng.

D., Hew York.

San Francisco, California. Utica, Hew York.

Hew York.

Zanesville, Ohio.

Boston, Mass.

Hew York.

.D., Baltimore, Md.

Hew York.

Brattleboro’, Yt. Springfield, Ill.

* Deceased.

22

John E. Williams,

William Williams, Jr.,

Hon. Henry Wilson,

Chas. F. Wilstacli,

Hey. Gordon Winslow, H. D., Frederick S. Winston,

Jndge Winter,

Benjamin B. Wintlirop, Stillman Witt,

Caspar Wistar, M. D.,

Wm. Botch Wister,

B. A. Witthaus,

E. B. Wolcott, M. D.,

J. Huntington Wolcott,

John David Wolfe,

Bev. Augustus Woodbury, Henry Woods,

B. B. Woodward,

San. L. Wool worth, LL. D., Prof. T. G. Wormley,

Morrill Wyman, M. D.,

Ellis Yarn all,

Jas. E. Yeatman,

M. C. Younglove,

Hew York.

Horwich, Conn.

’ 0

Hatick, Mass.

Cincinnati, Ohio.

Staten Island, Hew York. Hew York.

London, Eng.

Hew York.

Cleveland, Ohio. Philadelphia, Penn. Philadelphia, Penn.

Hew York.

Milwaukee, Wis.

Boston, Mass.

Hew York.

Providence, B. I.

Paris, France.

San Francisco, California. Albany, Hew York. Columbus, Ohio. Cambridge, Mass. Philadelphia, Penn.

St. Louis, Mo.

Cleveland, Ohio.

•V

NO.

APPENDIX TO DOCUMENT 74.

Embracing additional List of Associate Members, and List of Corre¬ sponding Members. May 15, 1866.

A.

ASSOCIATE M E M B E R S.

G. L. Andrew, M. D . La Porte, Ind.

Prof. Henry James Anderson, LL. D . New York.

Aleert Bierstadt, Esq . «

I rof. Francis Bacon, M. D . New Haven, Conn.

Pi of. S. F. Baird . Washington, D. C.

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher . . Brooklyn, N. Y.

Wm. T. Blodgett, Esq . New York.

Charles Bradford, Esq . Roxbury. Mass.

Major-General Ambrose E. Burnside, U. S. V . Providence, R. I.

Rev. Leonard Bacon, Jr . Orange, N. J

Rev. Phillips Brooks . Philadelphia, Penn.

Rev. W. J. Buddington, D. D . Brooklyn, N. Y.

Rev. James Freeman Clarke . Boston, Mass.

Major-General G. A. Custer, U. S. Y

Rev. Wm. H. Channing . Washington, D. C.

E. A. Crane, M. D . Providence, R. I.

Judge Jos. Y. Campbell . Detroit, Mich.

Joseph M. Choate, Esq . . New York.

H. M. Chapin, Esq . Cleveland. Ohio.

Cyrus Curtis, Esq . New York.

Benj. Collins, Esq . «

Hon. Schuyler Colfax, M. C . .South Bend. Ind.

Rev. Morgan Dix, D. D . . New York.

Edward Delafield, M. I)

1'. E. Demill, Esq . Detroit, Mich.

Prof. Theodore W. Dwight, LL. D . New York.

Hon. Sidney Edgerton . Idaho.

Prof Thomas Egleston. Jr . . New York.

Hon. Edward Everett . Boston, Mass.

Col. Oliver Edwards, U. S. Y . Springfield, Mass.

E. B. Elliott, Esq . Washington, D. C.

B. F. French, Rsq . Washington, D. C.

Major-General John G. Foster, U. S. V . New Hampshire.

Rev. J M. Finnatti . Brookline. Mass.

2

Rev. George Putnam, D. D .

John Pierce, Surveyor-General

J. J. Phelps, M. D .

Hon. A. Frank, M. C .

S. M. Felton, Esq .

B. A. Gould, P1l D .

Rev. Daniel R. Goodwin, D. D .

John H. Gourlie, Esq .

Rev. Horatio B. Backett, D. D .

Rev. Sam'l H. Gridley, D. D .

H. Hubby, Esq . . .

D. Huntingdon, Esq .

Rev. Frederick Hedge, D. D .

Wm. J. Hoppin, Esq .

Col. Joseph Howland, U. S. V .

D. W. Hand, M. D., Surgeon U. S. V .

Judge Ogden Hoffman .

Hon. Murray Hoffman . . .

Col. T. Wentworth Higginson, U. S. V . .

Philetus H. Holt, Esq .

Rev. Mark Hopkins, D. D .

Major-General Joseph Hooker, U. S. V. . .

Charles E. Habicht, Esq .

J. E. Hilgard, Esq .

George W. Hunter, Esq .

Richard M. Hunt, Esq .

Rev. Thomas S. Hastings .

Rev. J. P. T. Ingraham .

Dwight Johnson, Esq .

Prof. J. P. Kirtland .

His Excellency Governor Low .

His Excellency Caleb Lyon .

Francis Lieber, LL. D .

S. Weir Mitchell, M. D .

Hon. Horace Maynard .

Hon. George P. Marsh .

Prof. Dennis Mahan .

Rev. A. T. McGill, D. D .

John May, Esq . .

Henry Nicoll, Esq. .

Judge North .

Prof. Edward North .

John Owen, Esq. . . .

Prof. A. P. Peabody .

Capt. P. P. Pitkin, Q. M., U. S. A .

Walton H. Peckham, M. D

.Roxbury, Mass. .Denver City, Colorado. .Brattleboro, Vt. .Warsaw, N. Y.

. Philadelphia, Penn. .Cambridge, Mass. .Philadelphia, Penn.

. New York.

. Newton Centre, Mass.

. Waterloo, N. Y. .Cleveland, Ohio.

.New York. .Cambridge, Mass.

.New York.

San Francisco, Cal. New Yrork. Worcester, Mass. New York.

. Williamstown, Mass.

New l"ork. Washington, 1). C. Philadelphia, Penn. New York.

.Indianapolis, Ind. .Brooklyn, N. Y. .Cleveland, Ohio. .California.

. Lewistown, Idaho.

.New York. .Philadelphia, Penn. .Tennessee^

. Vermont.

.West Point, N. Y.

. Princeton, N. J. .Boston, Mass.

.New York.

, .Washoe City, Nevada. .Ham’n Col., Clintou, N. . Detroit, Mich. .Cambridge, Mass.

. .New York.

Y.

3

Edward Philbrick, Esq . Boston, Mass.

Almarin B. Paul. Esq . Gold Hill, Nevada.

A. D. F. Randolph, Esq . New York.

Rev. T. L. Starkey . Cleveland, Ohio.

F. W. Sargent, M. D .

Major-General Philip H. Sheridan, U. S. V .

Hon. Henry G. Stebbins . New York.

Hon. - Stanford . California.

Otis D. Swan, Esq . New York.

Rev. Matthew Simpson, 1). D . Philadelphia, Penn.

Major-General W. T. Sherman, U. S. Y .

Rev. W. H. Shailer . Portland, Me.

George L. Schuyler, Esq . New York.

Lewis H. Steiner, M. D . Frederick City, Md.

Prof. Wm. F. Tyler . Amherst, Mass.

Rev. J. P. Thompson, D. D . New York.

IS. P. Ihayer, Esq . Boston, Mass.

Col. Benj. C. Tilgman . Philadelphia, Penn.

N. S. Xownsend, Medical Inspector, U. S. A .

Rev. Augustus Thompson, D. D . Roxbury, Mass.

Major-General George II. Thomas, II. S. Y .

Major-General E. Upton, U. S. Y .

B. A. Yan Der Kieft, Surgeon U. S. Y . Annapolis, Md.

Benj. Yernor, Esq . Detroit, Mich.

Rev. Samuel Walcott, D. D . Cleveland, Ohio.

LI. A. Warriner, M. D . Louisville, Ky.

Peter B. Wight, Esq . New York.

Rev. John Weiss . Watertown, Mass.

Rev. Theo. D. W oolsey . New Haven, Conn.

Gouverneur M. Wilkins, Esq . New York.

Ellkrslie Wallace, M. D . Philadelphia.

Rev. Treadwell Walden . Philadelphia.

Lion. George Walker . Springfield, Mass.

Rev. Wm. Whitney .

Gouv. M. Wilkins, Esq . New York.

4

B.

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.

John Bright, M. . . London-

F. A. Brockhaus, Esq . Leipsig,

Edwin Chadwick, C. B . London.

Richard Cordex, M. . . England.

Right Hon. Sir John T. Coleridge . England.

General Dufour, Commander-in-Chief of Swiss Army

Doctor E. Engel . Berlin.

Wm. Farr, M. D., F. R. S . London.

M. Comte de Gasparin . Paris;

Nicasio Lander, M. P., Surgeon-in-Chief Spanish Army . .Madrid.

M. Edward Laboulaye . PariS-

John Stuart Mill . London.

Lieut-General Milutan . St. Petersburg.

Baron Robert Osten Sacken, Consul . New 1 ork.

A. Pirogoff, Surgeon-in-Chief Russian Army . St. Petersburgh.

Robert Rawlinson, C. E . England.

M. Elisee Reclus . Pans-

Prof. Goldwin Smith . Oxford.

T. Mason Jones . LondoD*

Rev. Newman Hall, LL. B . London.

Gustave Moynier, M. D . Geneva.

William Evans, M. D . . . Paris.

H. S. H. Henry XIII., Prince de Reuss .

Dr. F. P. Abbott . f erll°'

Jno. H. Estcourt . Manchester, England.

Count F. de Rohan .

Theodore Vernes .

Theodore Maunoir, M. D

Dr. Appia .

J. Henry Dunant .

Geneva.

Geneva.

. Geneva.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 75.

u

REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS

OF THE

S. SANITARY COMMISSION

IN THE

VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

Made September 1st, 1863,

BY

DR. -J. S. NEWBERRY,

Sec’y Western Department.

F. L. Olmsted, Esq.,

Louisville, Ky., September 1, 1863.

Genl. Secretary Sanitary Commission.

Dear Sir : — I herewith inclose our usual monthly financial report and roster of the Department ; also, reports of receipts- and disbursements of stores from the various receiving and distributing depots for the month of August, as well as a tab¬ ulated statement of our entire transactions in the Supply De¬ partment for the two years ending September 1st, during which time I have had the supervision of the operations of the Sanitary Commission at the West. I also inclose a report of the Hospital Directory at this office. In addition to all these, I now propose what I have frequently before attempted of late, but from the pressure of duties have not achieved, a brief re¬ sume of the present condition of our operations in all parts of the Western Department.

Having recently returned from a visit to all the important.

foci of our work in the Home Field, I can give you fresh and interesting information, from my own observation, of the zeal and success of the thousands of our co-workers who, through¬ out the Northwestern States, are devoting themselves to the preparation of supplies for the sick and wounded of our army. From the different military departments I am in receipt of so Tecent and full reports from our agents, that I can also give you a fair representation of our late operations in the army. In order that this may be the more readily comprehended, per¬ mit me to take up the different departments in succession.

DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE.

A general quiet has prevailed on the Mississippi since the •capture of Vicksburg, and we have of late been compelled to do nothing for wounded men. Yet our means have been fully and steadily employed in supplying the wants of the large and constantly increasing number of sick, multiplied by the advance of the season, in all the corps of Gen. Grant’s -army- From this cause the demand upon our efforts and re¬ sources has been no less than at any previous time ; and, in¬ deed, I may say that our operations in that Department have been, by an irresistible influence, gradually but constantly expanding. The many and great privileges accorded us by -the General commanding and by others in authority have opened new and wide doors of usefulness, and by accepting the responsibilities thus laid upon us, our duties have neces¬ sarily been increased. All the facilities accorded us by Gen. Grant at your solicitation have been continued to the present ’time, and such additional favors as we have since felt compell¬ ed to ask have been cheerfully granted. By reference to the schedule of disbursements in that Department, it will be seen that our expenditures there are now much greater than ever before. The ability of our agents to meet so fully the de¬ mands upon them is owing, in a great measure, to the vastly increased efficiency of the Chicago Branch, to which I shall have occasion to call your attention again.

Dr. Warriner still continues at the head of our force on the

3

Mississippi, ably seconded by Dr.Fithian, Mr. Way, Mr. Tone &c., and I need scarcely say that every day’s experience has given me a higher appreciation of the value of his services. I regret to state that all our employees in that district have sooner or later been prostrated by disease, and have been fur¬ loughed home for a longer or shorter time to recuperate. There is no one of them who is not now performing his duty at the peril of life and health, braving the dangers of his posi¬ tion with a degree of devotion for which be should be duly honored.

After the opening of the Mississippi, one of our agents was despatched to Port Hudson to respond to any demand that might be made upon us at that point. But, from the assu¬ rance that a large amount of supplies were to be sent up by the agents of the Commission at Hew Orleans, no effort has yet been made to carry stores below Hatchez, where there are many sick not likely to be supplied from other sources, and where we have, in consequence, established a depot.

The sickness among the troops at Vicksburg has been, as I have said, increasing of late, both in the number and severity of the cases ; the prevailing forms of disease being malarious levers and dysentery. Cases of the former have occurred so malignant in character that they have been considered yellow fever, even by some of the surgeons. Yet I think the testi¬ mony is conclusive that no true yellow fever has occurred there.

To meet this wide-spread and severe malarious disease, the supply of quinine being inadequate, I have sent down with other stores over 200 ounces in 500 gallons of whisky, all bottled and properly labeled, to be distributed and used both as a curative and prophylactic. Ice is another article so much needed at "V ickshurg that the resources of the Commission have been freely used to supplement liberally the supply de¬ rived from Governmental sources. Aside from the ten tons taken, each trip, in the ice-box of theDunleith, one barge car- rying one hundred tons has been sent down, and another will be dispatched as soon as the barge can be procured.

4

In addition to the demands for the supply of our troops at Vicksburg, urgent appeals have been made for the reliet ot the five thousand rebel sick left in our hands ; appeals which we have not felt at liberty wholly to disregard, as you will have learned from documents already in your hands.

At Helena we have maintained a depot of greater or less importance, as the troops stationed there have varied m num¬ bers. Thishas been generally under the charge of Dr. Fithian, whose reports have from time to time been sent you.

At Memphis we have, at present, no Inspector, Di. Esta brook having been compelled by illness to return to his home in Iowa. Mr. Christy is there in charge of the Lodge and the Relief Department, Mr. Tone of the Department of Supplies, and everything is going on smoothly under their supervision. The Rev. J. P. T. Ingraham, of Milwaukie, Wisconsin, has been appointed to act as Hospital Visitor at this place, and

will soon enter upon his duties.

At Cairo, one of the most important points in the West, from a variety of causes, as you are well aware, our work has never been quite satisfactorily done. I am happy to say, however, that the evils from which we have suffered are in a fair way to be remedied. Mr. C. H. Shipman, of Chicago, an exceedingly competent and excellent man, has been engaged to superintend all sanitary work at this point, has entered upon his duties, and has already effected marked changes and im¬ provements. The old Home was always crowded with soldiers undeserving of its charities, thrust into it by the military au¬ thorities, who soon converted it into barracks, having all the dis¬ agreeable features common to institutions of that kind. The new Home, partly from the same cause, and partly from faults in its situation and construction, failed to accomplish all we had hoped from it. Hedged about by difficulties otherwise insurmountable, I applied to Gen. Grant for assistance in the matter, and by him orders were issued, which, with the expen¬ diture of a moderate sum on our part, will enable us to place both the Relief and Supply Department in a condition highly satisfactory.

5

DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND.

Our work in this Department is now, as it has long been, under the immediate supervision of Dr. A. N. Read our veteran Inspector, wTho has continued to exhibit in its man¬ agement the same energy and wisdom which have character¬ ized his efiorts in our behalf for months and years past. He has been ably seconded by Drs. Castleman and Parker as In¬ spectors, M. 0. Read and L. Crane in the Relief Department, and Mr. Robinson, Mr. Butler, Mr. Crary, and others, in the Department of Supplies. I think I am justified in saying that there is no part of the whole army where our work is more systematically, thoroughly, and well done. The credit of this desirable result is not, however, due wholly to the corps of agents who have represented us so faithfully there, but should be equally shared by the military and medical authorities, all of whom have been at all times most cordially co-operative; not only granting cheerfully every reasonable request we have made, but even anticipating our wants ; often spontaneously proffering the aid we were about to need. The catalogue of the officers of this army, who have manifested towards "the Sanitary Commission cordial and appreciative co-operation, is so long that I have not room to give it, but I may say, in gen¬ eral, that our relations are of the pleasantest character with every one. The evidences of hearty sympathy with us in our work, given by Gen. Roseerans, Gen. Garfield, his chief of staff, Dr. Perm, the Medical Director, and Dr. Hamilton, Med¬ ical Inspector, have been frequently exhibited in the docu¬ ments forwarded to you. All of the regiments comprising this aimy, I believe, without exception, have received careful special inspections; the inspection returns having been for¬ warded from time to time to the Central Office. I am happy to be able to say, that their Sanitary condition is now and has long been remarkably good. The percentage of sick is as low, if not lower, than in any other army, and protective measures, such as the policing of camps, &c., are so thorough¬ ly observed that little is left to desire in that respect.

6

By reference to the accompanying schedule of disburse¬ ments, it will he seen that the amount of supplies furnished to the Army of the Cumberland has been very large, (over 20,000 bushels of vegetables alone since January 1st), yet since the battle of Stone River no great and unusual emergency has called for extra efforts on our part.

HOSPITAL GARDENS.

The Hospital Gardens established in this Department have more than justified all our anticipations. That at Murfrees¬ boro had, up to August 80th, furnished to the hospitals 248 barrels of assorted vegetables, and the gardener estimates that it will produce during the balance of the season 800 bushels of tomatoes, 1,200 of Irish potatoes, 1,200 of sweet potatoes, 25,000 heads of cabbage, besides large quantities of beans, melons, turnips, &c.

HOSPITAL CARS.

From time to time reports have been made to you of the value of the service rendered by the Hospital Cars on the Chat¬ tanooga and Louisville & Nashville Railroads. Time has only served to increase our estimate of their importance, and as the army has advanced farther and farther from its base ot supplies, they have been made more and more useful, until they are now recognized as an indispensable institution. By one and another casualty, the cars forming the first hospital train having been destroyed, the Government authorized the purchase of three new ones to take their places. These are now being fitted up at Columbus, Ohio, on the plan of the Rail¬ road ambulances constructed by the Sanitary Commission in the East, and will be equally complete with those. It is sup¬ posed that they will be ready for use about the 15th of Septem¬ ber. The Hospital Cars have been constantly under the su¬ pervision of Dr. Barnum as surgeon, and Mr. Mallory as stew¬ ard.

The Home at Nashville, under the wise management of Mr. Crane, has been a complete success, and has proved of mesti-

7

mable value to several thousands of the poor fellows for whose benefit it was established. The number of inmates of the Home, the services rendered them, the amount of money col¬ lected for them, &c., are given in the detailed report of this institution which accompanies this. Rev. Mr. Hoblit still con¬ tinues his labors as Hospital Visitor at Nashville, Mr. Robin¬ son in charge of the Department of supplies ; the ’latter assist¬ ed by Mrs. Hopkins, widow of Dr. R. C. Hopkins, who died while acting as Inspector for the Commission. I regret to say that our corps of agents in attendance upon Gen. Rosecrans’ army have suffered greatly from sickness, every one of them having passed through serious attacks of chill-fever or chronic- diarrhea, by which they have been for a longer or shorter time unfitted for duty. All are, however, or soon will be, at their posts again, with the exception of Mr. Atwater, whose health is, I fear, permanently impaired.

DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO.

Such portion of General Burnside’s forces as have been sta¬ tioned in Eastern Kentucky have been carefully inspected by Dr. W. M. Prentice, and their wants supplied from our depot at Lexington in charge of Mr. Butler. Important changes have, however, lately taken place in that Department: Dr. Prentice having resigned to take a position in the army, and Mr. Butler having been transferred to Murfreesboro, where his services were more urgently demanded. To supply the places of these gentlemen, Mr. S. II. Prentice has been appointed Storekeeper and Mr. R. N. Strong Relief Agent, to follow the advancing column.

From General Burnside we have received, as might have been expected, every required facility. He has issued special orders in our behalf, similar in import to those of Gen. Rose¬ crans and Gen. Grant.

WEST VIRGINIA.

The number of troops in this Department has, of late, been so small, their duties so light, and their casualties so few, that

tliere has been comparatively little to clo in a sanitary way among them; so little, indeed, that three months since I trans¬ ferred Dr. Parker to the Army of the Cumberland, leaving Mr. Fracker, Storekeeper at Wheeling, now well known to all the surgeons and officers in the Department, to supply any want that might arise there, and I have reason to believe that his duty has been well and faithfully done. During the month of August, Dr. Theodore Sterling, temporarily employed for that duty, made a complete round of inspection among the troops stationed in West Virginia, giving me the result ot his observation in a report which has already been furnished you.

KANSAS.

The troops stationed at Leavenworth, Fort Scott, and other places in Kansas and the Indian Territory, though they have never been very numerous, have been so situated as to he beyond the reach of many of the governmental supplies, liber¬ ally furnished to those more favorably located. As a conse- cpience, appeals so earnest and urgent have been made to us in their behalf that I have felt compelled to make somewhat liberal appropriations for their relief. Mr. Brown is now, as he has been for several months, acting as our agent, and has been indefatigable in his efforts to reach even the most distant frontier post with his stores. He is now assisted in his labors by Dr. C. C. Slocum, and liberal shipments have recently been made him from Chicago and Cleveland. Mr. Brown’s letters have from time to time been sent you.

WESTERN CENTRAL OFFICE.

Since the time of your visit, the work of our office has greatly expanded, and has been brought to a degree of system which I think would meet with your approbation. Our office corps consists of the following gentlemen, in addition to my¬ self, all of whom, by their faithfulness in the discharge of their duties, and by their earnestness and unity of purpose, have not only won my personal esteem, but merit all honor and respect from the Commission and its friends.

9

R. T. Thorne, Assistant Secretary.

Dr. George L. Andrew, Medical Inspector and Editor of Tiie Reporter.

H. S. Holbrook, Superintendent of Hospital Directory.

Dr. H. E. Soule, Chief Clerk.

C. S. Sill, Accountant.

W. S. Hanford, Superintendent of Transportation.

Rev. F. II. Bushnell, Hospital Visitor and Relief Agent.

We have also in service a carefully selected and well trained corps of clerical assistants, whose names are enumerated in the roster which accompanies this.

By an examination of the special reports of the different departments of our work, which I now send or have hereto¬ fore forwarded, you will be able to judge something of the merits, as to efficiency and accuracy, of those who have them under their immediate supervision.

I he Hospital Directory has grown greatly in importance since the time of your visit. The number of names of sick and wounded on our books is at this date 186,433, represent¬ ing T37 regiments. The number of inquiries that have been made is 5,852; in answer to which the information required has been given in 4,016 cases. The number of hos¬ pitals now reporting regularly to us is 102 ; number which have reported, 184.

The Sanitary Reporter, which has reached its eighth num¬ ber, is accomplishing far more for the cause than I had hoped in its establishment. Its issue has been increased to 6,000, and it is not yet sufficient to meet the urgent demands that are made upon us for it. Though in no sense the official organ of the Commission, and created to supply what was felt to be a pressing want in this Department, we have aimed to make it • as catholic and national as possible, and have published all the information in regard to the general operations of the Com¬ mission that we have been able to procure. The testimonials wdiich it has elicited Trom our friends and co-laborers, both East and West, are numerous and most flattering.

10

HOME FIELD.

As I have before remarked, I have recently visited nearly all parts of the Home Field in this Department, and have had the pleasure of personal interviews with the noble hand of loyal and humane men and women who are devoting themselves to the great work in which we are engaged. I cannot express to you the gratification that this round of visits has afforded me, nor my admiration of the devotion and efficiency which characterizes the great corps of our fellow-laborers to whom I have alluded.

You are already, in general, familiar with the thorough system that pervades most of our branch societies in the North-west, and know with what energy and success they have canvassed their respective fields of labor, and have united in perfect concert of action the Soldier s Aid Societies which have sprung up spontaneously, or as the result of their efforts, in every town and hamlet throughout the land. And ^oualso know something of the admirable forms now generally adopt¬ ed for recording and reporting their business. I can assure you, however, that great progress has been made within a few months past, and that whatever you may have found to approve in the workings of the Supply Department of the West at the time of your visit, its present condition would still further merit your approbation. Transportation of stores is everywhere gratuitous * messages relating to our business are sent over the telegraph lines free, and the whole work of collecting and foi- warding supplies, while it has all the soul and enthusiasm of a labor of love, is as thoroughly disciplined and systematized as any of the great enterprizes of purely mercenary business.

As comparisons are confessedly invidious, and it is necessa¬ ry that some examples should be given, I shall take the liberty of referring to the work of each of our branches in succession.

CHICAGO.

Since the first of January, the work of the Chicago Branch has been completely revolutionized, and so greatly expanded

11

that it has become the first in importance in the list of our auxiliaries at the "West. -Always loyal and earnest in spirit, and working with a degree of energy and success highly cred¬ itable to the small number who took an active part in its ope¬ rations, yet its efficiency has been many times multiplied during the present year. This you will perceive at a glance, when I tell you that on the 1st of January the whole number of packages of stores forwarded to the army was 4,500, while the present number is 16,315. This splendid result is due, in a great degree, to the intelligence and industry of the two ad¬ mirable ladies, Mrs. Livermore and Mrs. Iloge, who have insti¬ tuted a system of correspondence and canvassing, by which the interest of the whole North-west has been greatly stimu¬ lated, as well as drawn to this one focus. Contributions are now made to Chicago from all Northern Illinois, from parts of Iowa, all of Wisconsin, Western Michigan, and Northern In¬ diana. So that the work of this Society contains the embodi¬ ment of the interest in our cause of an immense area. The shipments from Chicago have been, for many reasons, mainly directed down the Mississippi, and have constituted two-thirds of all our contributions to the army of General Grant. The Chicago Branch, like that of Cincinnati, now publishes regu¬ larly a Monthly Bulletin of its operations, for distribution among its auxiliaries.

In Central and Southern Illinois, the contributions of sani¬ tary stores mainly pass through the hands of the Illinois State Sanitary Bureau, but are almost all forwarded to our agents for distribution. With this Bureau our relations have always been cordial and pleasant, and a spirit of co-operation has been manifested by its officers which has contributed to the success of their efforts and ours.

IOWA.

The patriotism and benevolence of the people of Iowa flow toward the army in two channels : the one represented by the Bev. A. J. Kynett, and the other associate members of our Commission who are working in unity with us, and con¬ stitute a branch of our organization; and the other repre-

son ted by Mrs. "Witteniney or, liolding an independent position, or in alliance with the Western Sanitary Commission at St. Louis. The contributions made by those who are working with and for us in Iowa, are forwarded to Chicago for shipment to the army.

WISCONSIN.

A wide-spread and active interest in our work has been for a long time exhibited in this State, and there are scattered over all parts of it Aid Societies, whose contributions, forming a laree asrsregate, pass through Chicago. In tact, all these socie- ties are united in a State organization, of which, liowmver, the extent and the efiorts are bounded by no State lines. It is but just that I should also mention that the State officers ot Wis¬ consin, especially the Governor and Surgeon General, have from the first worked in harmony with us and have manifest¬ ed a broad and generous spirit, in striking contrast with that which has actuated the officers of some other Western States. Among those to whom we are indebted for the important part that Wisconsin has taken in our enterprize, I should not fail to mention the name of Mrs. II. L. Colt, Corresponding Sec¬ retary of the Milwaukee Society, a lady who has been herself repeatedly to the army to look after the wants of our soldiers, and by her untiring efforts in the home-field in their behalf has most richly deserved their gratitude. Our co -laborers in the North' -west are planning a grand Fair, to he held in Chi¬ cago in October, for the benefit of our cause. N o efforts will be spared to make it what it can hardly fail to be, a complete success.

MICHIGAN.

The people of Michigan, as you are aware, have not been behind the inhabitants of other portions of the North-west in their interest or activity in the present war, and they have con¬ tributed largely in the aggregate to our resources. But from the want of a general effort to excite interest and concentrate action, many parts of the State have, until recently, done com¬ paratively little for the cause in which w7e are engaged. The Western and Southern portions, however, have been forward-

mg supplies to Chicago for a year or more, and the South¬ eastern portion has sent something like a thousand boxes to the Soldier’s Aid Society of Detroit since the period of its or¬ ganization, November 1st, 1861. Feeling the importance of a more thorough exploitation of the State of Michigan, about the 1st of August I visited Detroit in company with Professor Andrews, of Marietta College, for two years Colonel of the 36th Ohio, who was engaged to act during his vacation as can¬ vassing agent for the Commission. On consultation with the managers of the Aid Society, among whom Miss Valeria Campbell deserves special mention for her unwearied efforts in behalf of the sick soldier, a thorough re-organization of this Society was effected, by which it became formally auxiliary to the Sanitary Commission, and instituted measures for inter¬ esting all parts of the State in its work. Since that time it has greatly increased in efficiency, and is now sending us large quantities of the most desirable varieties of stores. Of the Detroit Society, Mrs. Bela Hubbard is President, and Miss Va¬ leria Campbell, Secretary.

INDIANA.

The contributions of the people of Indiana to the sick and wounded in the army, have mainly passed through the hands of the Governor and a State Sanitary Bureau, acting under his directions. Yet several hundred packages of stores have been forwarded to Chicago from the Northern portion of of the State, and perhaps an equal number from the Southern portion to the Commission of our auxiliaries organized at New Albany. This latter Society, during the first year of the war, nobly sustained the responsibility thrown upon them in the care of the sick in the hospitals of their own city.

The accompanying report of the material aid which they extended to these hospitals, will give you some idea of their activity in our cause, but n either here nor in any other human history is record made of the zeal and sympathy with suffer¬ ing which led them to sacrifice months of their time in inces¬ sant efforts for the welfare of the great number of sick and wounded who were crowded in upon them.

14

OHIO.

As you are aware, tlie State of Ohio occupies a conspicuous and enviable position among the noble sisterhood who have given so freely of their treasures and their blood to save our country from ruin, and to maintain, in purity and permanence, all our free institutions. Among the forms in which her patri¬ otism has exhibited itself, not the least worthy of mention is her general and earnest support of our philanthropic organi¬ zation. As I have before stated, aside from all that has been done by individuals, other organizations, or the State Govern¬ ment, Ohio has now furnished to the army, through the agen¬ cies of the Sanitary Commission, over thirty thousand packa¬ ges of supplies; in other words, half of all that has been con¬ tributed to the Sanitary Commission in the Missippi Valley. This great efficiency which Ohio has manifested in our work is unquestionably due, for the most part, to the early organi¬ zation of three Branch Commissions within her limits, each of which has been most earnest and untiring ; and two, that of Cincinnati and Cleveland, managed with wonderful energy and skill, have been pre-eminently successful and useful. That of Columbus, though accomplishing less than the others named, has done a noble work, which will compare favorably with that of any other similarly situated in the land. With the working of the branches at Cincinnati and Cleveland you are already considerably familiar, as you have visited them, have witness¬ ed the perfection of their methods, aud have seen abundant evidence of the great good which they have accomplished.

CINCINNATI.

The Branch Commission at Cincinnati has now distributed over twelve thousand packages of stores, and is still as active and prosperous as at any former period of its history. In addition to the contribution of materials to which I have referred, the Cin¬ cinnati Commission has expended large sums of money and a vast amount of labor, of thought, of sympathy, and kindness in the care of the sick in the hospitals of that city ; in the equipment and management of hospital steamers ; in the care

15

of1 troops passing through or quartered in the city ; and in sustaining its admirable “Home,” which has now accommo¬ dated forty thousand soldiers. So great and varied are the charities which it has dispensed, that I can do no more here than allude, in a general way, to that which it would take vol¬ umes to describe, that which has served to make the Cincinnati Branch of the Sanitary Commission known and blessed in every department and division of our Western armies.

COLUMBUS.

Prom the inland position of this city, and her remoteness from the seat of war, the inhabitants of Columbus have not felt, to so great a degree, the varied and pressing demands to which Cincinnati has so nobly responded ; but our representa¬ tives there have not been regardless of the responsibilities which have fallen to their lot. They have answered promptly and efficiently all appeals which I have made, and have forwarded an aggregate of supplies in the highest degree creditable to them. The territory tributary to Columbus never being thoroughly canvassed, I have authorized the employment of an excellent man to act, for a limited period, as canvassing Agent in this district. In addition to its other work, the Columbus Branch has built, from its own funds, a very com¬ plete and tasteful “ Home ” for the accommodation of the sick and discharged soldiers passing through that city, and need¬ ing, as they have done sadly, the aid that has been there ren¬ dered them.

CLEVELAND.

Of the work of our branch at Cleveland I shall say little, as it is already well known to you, and a free expression of my admiration for its methods and successes might seem to you not altogether in good taste. The merest justice, however, to the Soldiers Aid Society of Northern Ohio, requires that I should at least allude to the energy which has already furnished us, from a limited district, 10,000 packages of stores ; to a skill and wisdom which, with simple, though nicely adjusted, machinery, has accomplished so quietly and peacefully this great result ;

16

and to a loyalty to us and our national platform, pure and un¬ qualified from the first. In addition to tlie work which. Cleve¬ land has done in the Supply Department, she has also per¬ formed her part in the work of special relief. She has, foi many months past, kept up a Home and Hospital for sick and discharged soldiers passing through, at which have been lodged over 2,000; and 10,000 have been fed.

PITTSBURGH.

Owing to a series of unfortunate circumstances, which it is not necessary that I should now enumerate, among which, however, is not to be reckoned any want of patriotism or benevolence on the part of the citizens of Pittsburgh, this large and wealthy city has only lately become actively inter¬ ested in our work. Up to the spring of the present year the Sanitary Commission had there no resident representa¬ tive. Much had been done, however, by the inhabitants of Pittsburgh in behalf of the sick and wounded in the army, .or they had sent delegations to the scenes of several of our earlier battles, had chartered and freighted two steamers for the relief of the wounded at Shiloh, and had brought home and carefully nursed in their midst a large numbei ot those who, at that time, could be but imperfectly accommo¬ dated in the military hospitals at the West. In addition to this, a “ Subsistence Committee ” had been organized for the purpose of supplying food to the troops passing through the city, and at the date which I have given, they had ministered to the wants of nearly 100,000 men. After the battle of Stone Hiver, Mr. Sliippen, who had been sent West by Gov. Curtin to look after the wants of Pennsylvania soldiers, and who, m the prosecution of his mission, had become intimately ac¬ quainted with, and very much interested in, our national method, was engaged to canvass Western Pennsylvania in our behalf. At Pittsburgh, he was received most cordially, and, in response to his appeals, a local Commission was organ¬ ized, consisting of some of the best known and most estimable

17

men and women of the city. From that time to the present our Pittsburgh associates have exhibited a devotion to the cause m which they are interested which has elicited my warmest admiration, and has been the means of contributing largely to our resources. Nowhere, indeed, so far as I know, sfnce the war commenced, has any similar society accomplished so much in so short a time after its organization. It has already expended several thousand dollars in the purchase of sanitary stores, and has forwarded to us some three thousand packages, including a large proportion of the choicest and most valuable articles which we distribute, all prepared with care and skill, which reflects the highest credit on those who have its busi- ness in charge.

Of the Pittsburgh Branch, Mr. Thomas Bakewell is Presi¬ dent, and Mr. J. P. Hunter, Secretary of the Gentlemen’s Committee; Miss Pachel McFadden, President, and Miss Mary Bissell, Secretary of the Committee of Ladies.

BUFFALO.

Although in defining the limits of my department, Buffalo was excluded from it and attached to that of the East, the logic of events has proved stronger than our classification, and whatever may have been her theoretical relations, Buffalo has become practically a most important auxiliary in our ef¬ forts in behalf of the armies of the West. It is true that most oi the troops from the State of New York have been in service m some of the Eastern or Southern Departments, yet with a noble generosity and catholic spirit, the Army Aid Society of Buffalo has overlooked all selfish considerations, and has ever manifested a desire to extend her aid to such soldiers of our National Army, as most needed help and could be most readily reached.

Acting on this plan, she has sent to us over three thousand packages of stores, which have been distributed in the Depart¬ ments of the Cumberland and the Tennessee, and I have learned to rely with confidence upon receiving a prompt and vigorous response to any appeal which I might be led by any

18

present emergency to make. When 1 consider how small a territory is tributary to the Buffalo Society, I cannot refrain from awarding high praise to those who have drawn from it so much to comfort and bless those for whom we are laboring.

KENTUCKY BRANCH.

During the first year of the war, Louisville was at or so near the front, that the earnest and able men who compose the Branch Commission at this point, were occupied and engross¬ ed in the work of distributing stores, and in various ways meeting the wants of the sick and wounded in their own midst, and in the hospitals scattered at various points through Kentucky and Tennessee. At this time all stores intended for the army of the Cumberland were forwarded through their agency, and their depository here had the double character of a contributing and distributing depot. I look back with a kind of horror to those dark days in the history of this rebel¬ lion, when the theatre of war was at the very doors of the citizens of Louisville ; when camps were in her suburbs and troops thronged her streets ; when the hastily improvized hos¬ pitals, including all the public school edifices, were crowded with sick, so imperfectly supplied with care and comforts that every loyal family felt impelled to contribute the tithe of its domestic treasures and send its delicately reared ladies to min¬ ister, by their own personal efforts, to the suffering and des¬ titute in the hospitals of the wards in which they lived. No similar scenes had been witnessed in our previous history, un¬ less in the epidemics of yellow fever at Norfolk and Phila¬ delphia, in which the same paralyzing gloom pervaded these cities, on which dark back-ground were illuminated similar bright examples of Christian charity. In the works ot love and mercy of those days, our Louisville associates bore a con¬ spicuous part; and from that period to the present they have never ceased to devote a large part of their time and thought to the care of the great number of objects of pity and charity which merciless war has thrown upon their hands. When the armies were further removed, and the central office was

«

transferred to this point, all the general business of the Sani¬ tary Commission was relinquished to this office, while the members of the Kentucky Branch, by a division of labor, assumed the responsibility of all the local work, the care of the city hospitals, twenty-two in number, and address¬ ed themselves to devise new measures of relief for soldiers Passing through the city, who were the proper objects of our charity. The “Home,” with all its cares, was entrusted to their management; was largely extended, at an expense of several thousand dollars, paid from the local treasury, and was made capable of accommodating one thousand men at a time* It is now the most extensive and complete establishment of the kind which exists in the country. Since January 1st, the “ Home ” has lodged seventeen thousand of those for whom it was especially designed, while a much larger number of pas¬ sing troops have been fed at the “ Soldier’s Best” attached to it.

Since the State of Kentucky has felt, in all its severity, the iron hand of war, its power to contribute to any benevolent fund has been almost entirely destroyed ; so that while we have ample evidence of a deep and wide-spread spirit of loyalty among its people, they have not been able to express their interest in our work by the liberal donations received in former months. The amount of stores sent to the Kentucky Branch from the interior of the State is now very small; but as you will see by the accompanying tables, since its organization, it has issued over six thousand packages*

Before leaving this subject, I cannot refrain from expressing to you my conviction that one of the most important results attained by the Sanitary Commission is to be found in the home field; but one in all our reports to the present time en¬ tirely over-looked. I allude to its influence in inspiring the people in every farm-house and cottage, wherever a good grand-mother is knitting a pair of socks, or a child making a

20

pin-cushion, with a wider, deeper, higher, and purer patriot¬ ism*

I need not dwell upon this topic, for I am convinced its truth will be universally acknowledged. And yet it is due that this truth he recognized and put on record. From all parts of the country we have the testimony of our contributors that they are driven by the spirit which pervades their work, to open and desperate antagonism with disloyalty in every form ; and that unwittingly they are everywhere doing missionary work for the national cause. While our Government has one great armv in the field, of those who are pouring out their life-blood in its defense, the Sanitary Commission has in the home field another great army, composed of the mothers and sisters, wives and sweethearts of our brave soldiers, working scarcely less earnestly and efficiently for the same great end.

Very respectfully,

J. S. NEWBERRY,

Secy West Dept. U. S. San. Com'

APPENDIX.

ABSTRACT OF FINANCIAL REPORT.

The amount of money expended in the Western Department from the gen¬ eral fund of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, to Sept. 1st, 1863, is $114,187 67, the entire cash expenditure of the Sanitary Commission for the same period being $700,114 85. Of this fund the Western States have contributed in

cash, as follows:

Ohio, . . . , . . $2,200

Michigan, . 592

Illinois, . 545

Indiana, . 555

Minnesota, . 45

Kentucky, . 500

The remainder has been donated by the Middle and Eastern States, For^ sign Countries, and our Pacific States and Territories, which last have given as follows :

California, . .$501,101 90

Nevada,... . . . . . . . . 53,683 95

Oregon, . 26,33 18

Washington, . 6,308 97

During the same period the differen Western Branches of the U. S. Sani¬ tary Commission have expended $160,000 in cash, mostly in the purchase of materials and supplies.

SOLDIER’S HOMES.

From the Organization of these Institutions to September 1st, 1863, there have been admitted into six of the principal ones in the West 167,090 sol¬ diers. The Home at Cincinnati has furnished food, rest, and other needed assistance to 42,673; that at Cleveland, to 11,704; that at Cairo, to 51,170; that at Louisville to 50,325; that at Nashville, during five months, to 2,542; and the Lodge at Memphis, during two months, to 3,067 soldiers who were not otherwise provided for. These figures do not include those passing in companies, regiments, and brigades, whose names were not entered on the books. The data are incomplete in most of the Homes during the earlier months of their existence, so that we can only give approximative numbers; but we can safely say that these Institutions have furnished, since their organization, over 500,000 meals and over 250,000 lodgings, besides all the other services rendered in the correction of pay and discharge papers; procuring half fare tickets on railroads; collecting pay, and, above all, shielding them from swind¬ lers of every name and degree.

gtfPRURS DISTRIBUTED BY THE tt. S. SANITARY COMMISSION IN THE WESTERN DEPARTMENT TO SEPT. 1st, 1863.

BEDDING AND CLOTHING.

Blankets, 13,402

Bedticks, 25,377

Boots and Shoes, pairs, 682

Comforts and Quilts, 40,159

Coats, Pants, and Vests, 9,382

Drawers, pairs, 113,329

Dressing-gowns, 12,610

Havelocks, 1,864

Hats and Caps, 591

Mattresses, 716

Mittens, pairs, 9,764

Mosquito Bars, 1,410

Neck Ties, 554

Night Caps, 4,817

Pillows, 84,106

Pillow Cases, 161,072

Sheets, 92,067

Shirts, 201,603

Slippers, pairs, 16,172

Socks, “ 90,528

Straw, bales, 131

Towels and Handkerchiefs, 297,960

HOSPITAL FURNITURE AND SURGEONS* SUPPLIES.

Adhesive Plaster, yards, 1,298

Arm Rests, 1,249

Bags, 1863

Bathing Tubs, 11

Band’gs and Comp. Lint, lbs., 229,948

Bedsteads, 835

Beds, Feather, 9

Bed Pans, 389

Books and Pamphlets, 233,000

Brooms, 355

Buckets, 539

Candles, lbs, 2,306

Candlesticks, 170

Carpeting, yards, 246

Chairs, 429

Clocks, 6

Combs and Brushes, 2,683

Cooking Stoves and furn. 10

Ranges, 2

Coffins, 73

CoffeePots, 118

Cots, 442

Chambers, 765

Cups and Saucers, 791

Cushions and Pads, 53,142

Crutches, prs, 3,321

Desks, 25

Dippers, 81

Drinking Tubes, 108

Envelopes, 76,000

Eye Shades, 3,360

Fans, 12,500

Furnaces, 9

Hatchets, 41

Lamps, 48

Lanterns, 309

Lamp Oils, gals, 130

Lumber, feet, ' 118,000

Kettles, # 20

Knives and Forks, pairs, 1,833

Matches, gross, 18

Matts, Door, 43

Matting Cocoa, yds, 190

Mops, 153

Oakum, bales, 6

Paper, reams, 360

Pens, 5,000

Pincushions, 27,851

Pitchers, 119

Spittoons, 641

Spit Cups, 1,825

Sauce Pans, 100

Scissors 48

Soap, lbs, 4,602

Splints, 120

Spoons, 2,504

Sponges, lbs, 230

Stoves, 8

Tables,	53
Table Cloths,	822
Tin Cups,	6,352
Tin Plates,	4,016
Tumblers,	862

Urinals,

Wash Basins,

Wash Tubs,

Wash Boards, Washing Machines,

313

1,100

10

12

9

ARTICLES OF

Ale and Cider, gals, 11,584

Apples, bush, 1,386

Apple Butter, gals, 2,160

Arrowroot, lbs, 3,551

Barley, lbs, 10,204

Beef, Dried, lbs, 18,710

Beef, Concentrated, lbs, 33,873

Beans, bush., 21J

Bread, lbs, 10,304

Broma, lbs, 200

Butter, lbs, 41,197

Crackers, lbs, 102,014

Cocoa, lbs, 455

Chocolate, lbs, 98

Chickens, 4,114

Chicken, cans, 905

Coffee, lbs, 2,009

Coffee, Concentrated, lbs, 105

Corn Meal, lbs, 23,119

Cheese, lbs, 12,113

Corn Starch, lbs, 3,253

Corn Dried, lbs, 644-

Cakes and Cookies, lbs, 4,204

Cranberries, bush, 5J

Catsup, bot, 1,339

Codfish, lbs, 52,862

Eggs, doz, 37,638

Farina, lbs, 8,344

Flour, bbls, 37

Fruit, Preserved, cans, 103,330

Fruit, Dried, lbs, 497,365

Groceries, miscellaneous, lbs, 51,614 Grapes, lbs, 1,650

Hops, lbs, 395

Herbs, lbs. 1,502

Herring, bxs, 25

Halibut, bxs, 40

Honey, lbs, 532

MISCELl

Bromine, oz, 200

Quinine, oz, 290

Twine, balls, 58

Cabbage Plants, 25,000

Tomato Plants, 25,000

Chloroform, lbs, 110

Flaxseed, lbs, 329

AND DELICACIES.

Hominy, lbs, 640

Horse Kaddish, bot, 574

Hams, lbs, 9,314

Ice, tons, 270

Lemons, bxs, 337

Lemon Syrup, bot, 2698

Milk, concentrated, lbs, 46,807

Mustard, lbs, 1,866

Macaroni, lbs, 100

Mackerel, lbs, 50

Oat Meal, lbs, 1.878

Oranges, bxs, *98^

Oysters, cans, 1,094

Onions, bush, 3,835

Pepper, Ground, lbs, 768

Pepper Sauce, bot, 2,076

Pie Plant, bxs, 61

Porter, bot, 1,008

Potatoes, bush, 49,141

Pickles, galls, 28,573

Rice, lbs, 3,872

Sago, lbs, 2,608

Salt, lbs, 1,170

Sardines, boxes, 44

Sausages, lbs, 427

Sour-krout, gals, 3,780

Shoulders, lbs, 4,160

Spice, lbs, 568

Strawberries, qts, 896

Sugar, lbs, , 26,066

Syrup and Molasses, galls, 688

Tapioca, lbs, ] ,409

Tea, lbs, 8,007

Toast, bxs, 76

Tobacco, lbs, 1,304

Tongues, lbs, 238

Vinegar, gals, 1,514

Wines and Spirits, bot, 36,399

Charcoal, ground, lbs, 227

Lime, bbls, 10

Chlor. Lime, bbls, 39

Disinfecting Powder, bbls, 10

Copperas, lbs, 300

Tin-ware, asst, bxs, 26

Graters, 323

24

The foregoing list does not by any means comprise all the stores distrib¬ uted by the agents of the Sanitary Commission, but only the leading articles of such as are recorded on our books. Many thousand miscellaneous have not been enumerated, as they would swell the list to an inconvenient length ; and the records of our work for the first six months of the war are necessarily very imperfect; much having been done, and great quantities of supplies given from the abundance of the enthusiastic people, of which no human his¬ tory exists.

A careful estimate of the cash value of the stores known to have been dis¬ tributed by our agents in the Western Department during the past two years, fixes it at TWO MILLION TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. The expenses attending their distribution have been thirty- five thousand dollars, or one and one-half per cent, upon their valuation.

IT. S. SANITARY COMMISSION

3XTo. 76.

PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMMISSION DURING THE PRES¬ ENT CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

New York, Tuesday , May 24, 1864. Dr. J. Foster Jenkins,

General Secretary , U. S. Sanitary Commission:

My Dear Sir, — Pursuant to tlie request of the Standing Com¬ mittee, I beg leave to present the following informal report, (necessarily imperfect, from the haste with which it has been prepared,) of the organization and operations of the relief sys¬ tem of the Commission in Northeastern Virginia since the open¬ ing of the present campaign :

I left New York on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 10, for the purpose of making a personal examination of the working of the Commission for the aid and relief of the wounded by the battles of the 'Wilderness and Spottsylvania. At Washington, I learned that the wounded had collected in immense numbers at Fredericksburgh, and wrere already being transported to Belle Plain, on their way, by hospital transports, to Washington and Alexandria. Up to Monday, the 9th, it was expected that the wounded would be sent to the rear, via Rappahannock Station, and the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and to this end great

preparations had been made by the Quartermaster’s Department, under advice from the Medical Bureau. Immense trains of cars, with a full corps of Surgeons, were sent out to the Rappahannock Station on Sunday, 8th inst.

There they waited until the next day, when, it having been ascertained that the wounded wTere already in very large num¬ bers at Fredericksburgh, the trains were ordered back to Alex¬ andria.

I make this introductory statement wTith some precision, since it furnishes a key to the difficulties which attended the care of the wounded at Fredericksburgh, during the period from May 8 to Thursday, May 12.

Fredericksburgh is about ten miles from Belle Plain, and as the railroad from Acquia Creek had been thoroughly destroyed, the most direct and available access to the thousands of wounded already gathered at the former place, was via Potomac Creek and Belle Plain Landing. The rebels had destroyed the wharves at Belle Plain, but during the 8tli and 9th of May, most vigorous efforts were made by the Quartermaster’s Department to prepare a temporary landing. To this landing, on Monday and Tuesday, (9th and 10th of May,) came a fleet of transports conveying ordnance stores, fighting rations, hospital appliances, and means of shelter for the incoming wounded. The dock, a most creditable structure, considering the time within which it was built, but perhaps hardly large enough for the demands made upon its capacity, presented a fearful scene when I arrived at Belle Plain on Wednesday afternoon.

I found one of our supply barges, the Kennedy , at the dock, and Dr. Steiner directing the operations of the Commission. Down the right-hand side of the TJ-shaped dock, slowly moved a single file of army wagons filled with wounded men ; at the end or corner of the dock, by the gangway of a large Govern¬ ment transport, stood that most efficient and admirable offi¬ cer, Dr. Cuyler, Acting Medical Inspector-General, U. S. A.,

3

receiving tlie wounded and superintending their removal from the wagons to the deck of the transport, preparatory to their trans¬ fer to the hospital steamboats that lay in the offing. After each wagon had deposited its living freight, it passed around the end of the dock to the left-hand side, and there took in ammunition or fighting rations, the orders being imperative to return to the Front only with full loads of these indispensable supplies. Crowding along the narrow margin of the dock, were continuous lines of men carrying litters and stretchers on which wore such of the more severely wounded as had been removed from the wagons at the hospital tents, on the hillside above the plain. Hour after hour, for several days, was this fearful procession kept up. It would .not be proper for me to state how many thousands thus passed under Dr. Cutler’s inspection, but I can¬ not forbear mentioning the most distinguished zeal, energy and self-devotion with which his arduous duties were performed. His administrative skill, his cpiick and ready humanity, his almost ubiquitous presence, his self-denying exposure to the pelting ram, while laboring to secure prompt shelter to the wounded, his night work and day work, his personal attentions to the pressing wants and minor discomforts of each individual sufferer, were the subjects of universal admiration. Dr. Brinton, (Medical Purveyor ot the Army of the Potomac,) was also there, working with efficiency in the difficult undertaking of forward¬ ing medical supplies promptly to Fredericksburgh and to the Front.

By the end of the pier lay the barge Kennedy, the storeboat and headquarters of the Commission. Here, as elsewhere, every¬ thing was astir. Gen. Abercrombie, Commandant of the post, was making it his temporary headquarters. Out in the stream, amid a promiscuous collection of transports, lay the steamboat Hapley , loaded with stores from the Washington storehouses of the Commission. Hear her, lay the barge Washington, with a load of army wagons and horses for the Commission’s service.

4

After great difficulty, and tlie exercise of no little ingenuity, the stores from the Rapley were put ashore, half a mile up the creek in small boats, and the wagons loaded and sent to Fred- erickshurgh. Capt. J. W. Clarke, of the Quartermaster's De¬ partment, and Capt. Lubey, Fifteenth Eegiment New York Engineer Corps, gave us most cheerful and essential aid in this work. Indeed, from all the officers at the post the Com¬ mission received nothing hut kind services and expressions of the heartiest good-will. Capts. Pitkins and Lacey, of the Quartermaster’s Department, provided every facility in tlieir power, and from Gen. Abercrombie and Col. Ccyi.ee down, everybody seemed to take pleasure in aiding us. 1 1 om Mon day the 9tli, until this time, incessant exertions have been made by the officers of the Medical, Quartermaster’s, Commissary’s and Ordnance Departments, to remove the wounded from the rear of the army, and replenish the trains for forward movements. Ko one at home can form any idea of the labors of the officers in these departments, day after day, and night after night, often¬ times living, meanwhile, on the scantiest subsistence, such as coffee and crackers, and these hurriedly taken. We arc often¬ times loud in our praises of military commanders, for achieving victory, but seldom give due credit for the result to the Quarter¬ masters, who work with almost superhuman energy at some base of supplies, and on whose talent, energy, and fertility in resources, the very existence of the army depends. The agents of the L. S. Sanitary Commission formed no mean feature in the scene ot enero-y and successful labor. Up to May 21, the Commission sent”by its own wagons, nearly 200 tons of sanitary stores, in¬ cluding stimulants, farinaceous food, beef stock, condensed milk, bandages, &c.,from Belle Plain to Fredericksburgli. It will be interesting to note the fact here, that the relief service of the Commission has involved, since Gen. Grant crossed the Eapidan, and Gen. Butler went up the James Diver, the use of four steamboats, three barges, and two schooners, for the transporta-

5

tion of its stores from Washington to Belle Plain, and from Balti¬ more to Norfolk, the latter being the Commission’s base of sup- plies for Butleb’s army.

At Belle Plain, in addition to a relief station on the barge by the wharf, the Commission has had a corps of relief agents at a feeding station near the hospital depot, providing food for thousands of weary and hungry men who arrive there in ambulances and wagons, and another at White Oak Church, half way from Belle Plain to Fredericksburgli, where hot coffee, soft crackers, and beef soup, have been issued to wounded and disabled men on their way to hospital, many of whom have not tasted food or received attention for forty-eight hours. Did space permit, I would make mention of every person engaged in this most exhaustive and beneficent labor.

The operations of the Commission at Belle Plain, including the movements of trains of supply wagons, have been conducted by Mr. F. H. Knapp, whose experience in every branch of relief service has made his name the synonym for energy and benefi¬ cence wherever the Commission is known.

At Fredericksburgli, the Commission’s work, under the able direction of Dr. Douglas, Chief Inspector, is three fold. First, there is a large storehouse on Commercial street, under the care of Mr. Johnson, from which, since the 9tli of May, about 200 tons of Sanitary stores have been issued to hospitals upon the requisitions of surgeons. Secondly, a corps of relief agents, numbering from 160 to 225, under the leadership of Mr. Fat, divided into squads, and assigned to the various division hospitals. These relief agents report the wants of the hospitals to Mr. Fay, perform the duties of nurses, and seize every opportunity to min¬ ister to the complicated and various wants of the wounded, as indicated by the advice or orders of the surgeons in charge. Thirdly, special diet kitchens, under the administration of Miss Woolsey, Mrs. Gen. Bablow, and Miss Gilson, while Mrs. Gibbons and daughter, and Mrs. Husband, lend their ex-

pert services to the hospitals. The special diet kitchens are tents, with ample cooking arrangements, pitched on the roads from the front to Fredericksburgh or Belle Plain. From these, soup, coffee, stimulants, soft bread, and other food, are issued to thousands of passing wounded. With the army, seven four- horse wagons carrying food, stimulants, under-clothing, and sur¬ gical dressings constantly move under the direction of Dr. Steiner, the Commission Inspector for the Army of the Poto¬ mac, and Mr. Johnson, whose services at Gettysburgh, and now at Fredericksburgh, form a bright page in the special relief work of the Commission. I should say here that these wagons moved with the army from Brandy Station, dispensing stores during the battles of the Wilderness, and then, passing with the wounded to Fredericksburgh, went on to Belle Plain to re¬ load.

The Commission has now forty odd four-horse wagons of its own, carrying sanitary stores from Belle Plain to Fredericks¬ burgh. On Monday, May 23d, thirty-one of these wagons, car¬ rying nearly forty thousand pounds of sanitary stores, went in one train from Belle Plain to Fredericksburgh. On the same day, our steamboat the Rapley , in charge of Mr. Anderson, with the barge Kennedy in tow, cleared from Belle Plain and went up the Rappahannock to Fredericksburgh, to add still more largely to our supplies. Our work, then, for the sick and wounded of the army of General Meade may be summed up briefly as follows : Two steamboats and two barges for convey¬ ing sanitary stores from W ashington to Belle Plain ; forty-four four-horse wagons for conveying sanitary stores from Belle Plain to Fredericksburgh and the Front— over two hundred tons of sanitary stores sent to Belle Plain and Fredericksburgh ; more than 200 expert relief agents working at Belle Plain, White Oak Church, and Fredericksburgh; and more than 25,000 weary or wounded men fed in hospital or by the way. The outlay for the month of May, so far, has been over two

• T

hundred thousand dollars for the Army of the Potomac alone. You will remember that all these operations are in addition to what is being done, by the Commission at Washington, for General Sherman’s army, at New Orleans, on the Red River, and elsewhere.

I should say that at Fredericksburgh, the medical affairs were under the able management of Dr. Dalton, Medical Director, while large numbers of medical men from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and elsewhere, served day and night in the lios* pitals, aiding those devoted men, the army surgeons, in their exhaustive and most serious and self denying duties. Who can sum up the value of the services of the army surgeons ? Who can describe, in becoming phrases, a tithe of what they do for the thousands of suffering men thrown upon their care and skill by the fearful casualties of an active campaign % I never witness their conduct without a sense of the profoundest admir¬ ation, and a renewed conviction that the best work of our Com¬ mission is that by which we endeavor, even in a humble way, to strengthen their hands by supplementary assistance.

Sincerely, yours,

C. R. AGNEW.

APPENDIX A.

Central Office, 244 F Street,

fan , *^0, j ^yltne

Dr J. Foster Jenkins,

General Secretary TJ. S. Sanitary Commission :

Sir, — The following statement shows the issues made by the IT. S. Sanitary Commission to the armies of Virginia, in the field, during the month of May, 1SG4.

Air Cushions . 130

Air Beds . 10

Bed Ticks . 3,541

Bed Pans . . . 265

Blankets . 2,932

Chambers . 271

Candlesticks . 312

Combs, coarse . 2,508

Combs, fine . 1,720

Cushions . 5,817

Ilead-rests . 110

Lanterns . 376

Medicine cups . 315

Medicine tubes . 288

Netting, mosquito, pcs . 268

Oil Silk, rolls . 162

Pillows . 3,394

Pillow cases . 1,424

Pillow ticks . 3,300

Quilts . 1,203

Ring Cushions. ......

Sheets .

Spittoons .

Spit cups .

Towels .

Tin cups .

Tin wash-basins .

Tin plates .

Urinals .

Mattrasses . .

Knives and forks .

Spoons .

Stretchers .

Dippers .

Cotton Drawers, pairs . . Woolen “ “ ..

Handkerchiefs .

Forage (oats), bushels.

Hay, lbs .

Salt beef, bbls . . .

654 . 1,416 . 265

494 , 7,798 7,406 1,235 1,893 262 . 144

1,114 2,905 45

. 100 3,427 12,304 14,991 2,950 15,000 6

9

Dessicated veg., cases . 6

Hams, lbs . 1,857

Shaving Brushes . 12

Razors . 12

Lard, lbs . 127

Pants, cotton, prs . 67

Shirts, cotton . 6.403

Wool Shirts . 19,507

Shoes . 472

Slippers . 2,909

Socks, cotton . . . 3,208

“ wool . 9,451

Wrappers . 648

Pails . 695

Canes . 67

Pocket flasks . 6

Cots . . . . 30

Ales (see Porter), bbls . 39

Ale, bots . 144

Dried Apples, bbls . 181

Arrow Root, lbs . 100

Beef stock, lbs . 8,165

Brandy, bots . 2,514

Canned Meat, lbs . 4,532

Canned Fruit, lbs . 2,254

Canned Vegetables, lbs. . . . 4,252

Cherry Rum, bots . 312

Cocoa, lbs . 326

Chocolate, sweet, lbs . 8,584

Coffee Ext. (see Coffee), lbs. 1,266

Dried Beef, lbs . 949

Hammers . 22

Axes . . 40

Handsaws . 18

Hatchets . . . . 44

Nails, lbs . 405

Shovels . 38

Spades . 9

Coffee, ground, lbs . 3,106

Condensed Milk, lbs . 18,912

Crackers, bbls . 353

Corn Starch, lbs . 3,582

Corn Meal, bbls . 13

Dried Peaches, bbls . 2

Ext. Ginger, bots . . 2,628

Farina, lbs . 6,480

Gelatine, pcks . 24

Gin, bots . 48

Jellies and Preserves, bot. . . 62

Lemons, boxes . 408

2

Lemon Syrup, bot . 600

Maizena, lbs . 1,854

Mustard, lbs . 350

Nutmegs, lbs . 20

Oat meal, lbs . 2,344

Pickles, gals . 942

Porter, bbls . 70

Potatoes, bbls . 60

Rice, lbs . 400

New England Rum, bot. ... 12

Jamaica “ “ .... 1,068

Sugar, lbs . 1 1,868

Spices, lbs . 119

Tamarinds, gals . 5 1 1 -J-

Tea, black, lbs . 1,488

Tea, green, lbs . 1,200

Tobacco, lbs . 3,306

Vinegar, gals . 258

Vinegar, Raspberry, bots. . . 24

Wine, foreign, bots . 3,960

Coffee Pots . 119

Flour, bbls . 2

Wrapping paper, reams. ... 13

Molasses, gals . 182

Kerosene Oil, gals . 17-2-

Chisel . 1

Screwdriver . 1

Gimblets . 12

Domestic Wine, bot . 975

Whiskey, bot . 3,520

“ gals . 23

Alcohol, bot . 280

Bandages, bbls . 38

Bay Rum, bots . 699

Body Bands . 1,047

Books, boxes . 5

Cologne, bots . 620

Crutches . 2,843

Fans . 7,750

Games . 51

Lint, bbls . 21

Old Linen, bbls . 129

Slings . 2,266

Soap, lbs . 953

Sponges, lbs . 3091-

Candles, lbs . 1,9-15

Butter, lbs .... . . 3,858

Cheese, lbs . 1,645

Eggs, doz . 2,619

Bread, loaves . 5,387

10

Pins, papers . 735

Envelopes . 21,325

Ink, bots . . 320

Paper, writing, rm (1,392 qr) 58

Pencils . 5,328

Penholders . 1,288

Pens . 1,288

Oakum, lbs . 1,300

Pipes . 4,000

Chloroform, lbs . 540

Spirits Camphor, bots . 45

Cook Stoves and fixtures. ... 12

Wall Tents, &c . 17

Sand Paper, quire . 1

Can Openers. . . 9

Twine, lbs . 49|-

Corkscrews . 40

Scissors, prs . 242

Pepper Boxes . 6

Saleratus, lbs . 10

Pepper, lbs . 70

Tin Pans, for washing dishes. 22

Salt, lbs . 1,483

Oranges, boxes . 54

Camp Kettles . 100

Frying Pans . 17

Adhesive Plaster, rolls . 44

Nutmeg Graters . 4

Camp Stools . 30

Baskets . 12

Lumber, ft . G,000

Straw, lbs . 10,000

China Plates . 24

Oil Cloth, yds . 20

Cathartic Pills . 200

Opium “ . 6,000

“ and Camp. Pills _ 2,000

Smoked tongues . 00

Rubber Blankets . 221

Open Links . 252

Feed Troughs . 14

Splints, boxes . 9

Matches, gross . 30

Rubber Cloth, yds . 082

Morphine, oz . 17

White Flannel, yds . 20

Chloride of Lime, lbs. .		1,870
Ligature Silk, lbs .		Si-
Haversacks .		150
Blouses .		84
Hospital Car Loops . . .		100
Water Coolers .		8
Bromine, lbs .		2
Patent Lint, lbs .		50
Dressing Forceps .		24
Tacks, papers .		16
Wire, yds .		100
Door Mats .		6
Needles, gross .		1
Mutton Tallow, lbs. . . .		55
Sheeting, piece .		1
Refrigerator .		1
Stove Boilers .		2
Chlorinium, boxes. . . .		20
Clothing, boxes .		6
Rocking Chairs .		6
Cider, bots .		57
Faucets .		12
k Augurs .		2
Pump .		1
Canteens .		224
Blacking, boxes .		72
Sardines, “ .		362
Paper Bags .		300
Washing Machines...		3
Blank Books .		12
Ice, tons .		97T
Copperas, bots .		12
Chloride Soda, bots...		3
Medicine Chests .		2
Stove Brushes .		0
Salt Pork, bbl .		1
Stew Pans .		12
Broilers .		12
Frying Pans .		12
Fresh Beef, lbs .		2,200
“Four-horse Wagons, harness, whips, extra fletree, &c., complete	with wliif-	30
“ Two horso Wagons,”	do.	2
Horses .		150

11

The following named stores were sent from New York, and stored in Baltimore. About one-third of these were loaded on board the Ridley , and taken to Norfolk, in tow of the Kent.

4,291 galls. Pickled Tomatoes.

51,812 lbs. Canned Tomatoes.

1,106 galls. Curried Cabbage.

671 bbls. Dried Apples.

15,168 galls. Sour Kraut.

4,162 “ Pickles.

3,580 “ Pickled Onions.

12,060 lbs. Apple Pulp.

2,400 boxes Portable Lemonade.

1 tub Apple Butter.

1 doz. Ginger Wine.

Yery respectfully,

Your ob’t servant,

Wm. A. IIovey,

Assistant to Associate Secretary,

Eastern Department.

VI

APPENDIX B.

Statement of Disbursements , during the month of May , 1864, for the national forces in Virginia.

Supplies — Amount paid for purchases —

At New York...., . $57,942 38

At Washington . 28,758 58

At Baltimore . 43,404 64

- _ $130,105 60

Distribution — Expenses of, including subsistence, trans¬ portation, and compensation of over two hundred relief agents, forage for horses, materials necessary for the work of

agents .

Horses, Wagons, and Harness— Amount paid for... Transportation — Amount paid for charter —

Steamer “Kent,” 20 days,

to June 1st . $4,500 00

Steamer “ J. B. Thompson,”

27 days, to June 1st. . . 3,375 00

Steamer “ Mary Rapley,”

24 days, to June 1st. . . 2,400 00

Steamer “ Phoenix,” 7f

days, to June 1st . 690 00

Steamer “ Gov. Curtin,” 8

days, to June 1st . 800 00

Schooner “Ridley ,” 15 days,

to June 1st . 300 00

Barge “ Washington,” do. 420 00

“ “ Hoboken,” 10 days,

to June 1st . 275 00

Coal, labor, &c . 2,373 21

Special Relief — Amount during the month .

Estimated value of additional supplies contributed to the Commission and issued to the army in Southern Virginia.

17,150 17 31,755 43

15,133 21 4,206 80

130,000 00

■v

$328,351 21

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 77,

FIFTH REPORT

CONCERNING THE

anb Comfort gibnt Bg % Stanifarg Commission

TO

SICK AND INVALID SOLDIERS.

By FREDERICK N. KNAPP,

SPECIAL BELIEF AGENT.

Central Office, U. S. Sanitary Com’n,

Washington, D. C., Oct 1, 1863.

Dr. J. Foster Jenkins,

General Secretary :

Sir: My last report upon Special Relief was dated Decem¬ ber 15th, 1862. The present report furnishes the statistics of the work from that time to the present date, October 1st, 1863, a period of nine and a half months.

The main purpose kept in view in this work of Special Relief has been the same as for the pa&t two years, viz. this — as indicated by previous reports : —

First. To supply to the sick men of the newly arrived regiments such medicines, food, and care, as it is impossible for them to receive in the midst of the confusion, and with the unavoidable lack of facilities, from their own officers. The men to be thus aided are those who are not so sick as to have a claim upon a general hospital, and yet need im- - mediate care to guard them against serious sickness.

Second. To furnish suitable food, lodging, care, and assistance, to men who are honorably discharged from scr-

2

vice, sent from general hospitals, or from their regiments ; hut who are often delayed a day or more in the city— sometimes many days-hefore they obtain their papers

Third. To communicate with distant regiments in belia of discharged men whose certificates of disability or descrip¬ tive lists on which to draw their pay, prove to be defective ; the invalid soldiers meantime being cared for, and not ex¬ posed to the fatigue and risk of going in person to then- regiments to have their papers corrected.

Fourth. To act as the unpaid agent or attorney of dis¬ charged soldiers who are too feeble, or to utterly disabled to present their own claim at the paymaster’s office.

Fifth. To look into the condition of discharged men who assume to be without means to pay the expense of going to their homes ; and to furnish the necessary means where we find the mail is true, and the need real.

Sixth. To secure to disabled soldiers railroad tickets at reduced rates, and, through an agent at the railroad station, see that these men are not robbed or imposed upon by

sharpers. _

Seventh. To see that all men who are discharged and

paid off do at once leave the city for their homes ; or, in cases where they have been induced by evil companions to remain behind, to endeavor to rescue them, and see them started with through-tickets to their own towns.

Eighth. To make reasonably clean and comfortable befoie they have the city, such discharged men as are deficient in * cleanliness and clothes.

hTiuth. To be prepared to meet at once with food or other aid, such immediate necessities as arise when sick men arrive in the city in large numbers from battle fields or distant

hospitals.

3

Tenth. To keep a watchful eye upon all soldiers who are out of hospitals, yet not in service ; and give information to the proper authorities of such soldiers as seem endeavoring to avoid duty, or to desert from the ranks.

On this basis of objects aimed at, I report concerning the work during the past nine months in general terms :

1. Most of these old methods of relief have been com tinued with satisfactory success.

2. Some new methods of relief have been resorted to, which, in their practical working, have justified their intro¬ duction.

3. The class of men rightfully claiming this Special Re¬ lief assistance of the Commission has enlarged, embracing with those to whom help was previously given, others whose newly developed or increasing needs naturally brought them under our care.

4. The arrangements which are made by the Commission

in this direction (Special Relief) has evidently become still more generally known, and applied for, and appreciated throughout the Army. *

5. The co-operation of the Medical Department of the Army, as also of the Quartermaster’s, Commissary’s, and Paymaster’s Departments, has been still more ready and cor¬ dial even than before.

6. The cost of maintaining this branch of the Commis¬ sion’s work during the past nine (9) months has somewhat diminished relatively to the number of men who have been assisted, and the amount of assistance rendered to them; although the total amount is about one half larger than in an equal term of time before.

7. While nine (9) months ago the direct call upon the Commission for help from disabled discharged soldiers, after

4

they had returned to their homes, was but infrequent, it has now so largely increased (through applications made to the Special Relief Office) as to justify me in presenting to you in detail, appended to this report, some of the facts of the case, as also some statistics which I have collected bearing upon the subject ; and to call your attention to the urgent necessity which evidently exists for having, from some source as early as possible, a comprehensive and practical system matured and instituted, which will provide for this class of men ; unless we would have throughout the community a host of mendicants who, pointing to their honorable wounds and disabled bodies, will have established their necessity and right to live upon the charity of the people.

Having: made these general statements I will now report,

. in detail, but briefly as may be, upon the several branches of Relief ; and first at Washington :

1st. “ The Home, ”*374 ■. North Capitol Street. Increased accommodations for securing room and comfort at the Home, referred to in my last report, have been obtained ; and now, instead of 140 beds, we have at the Home 820, be¬ sides a large baggage room, a covenient washroom, a bath¬ house, &c. Two of the additional buildings, one 16 feet by 60, the other 28 feet by 90, were put up by the Quartermas¬ ter’s Department. The third building, 80 feet by 50, (with an L 20 by 35) for a “ Hospital,” was at the expense of the Commission, at a cost of about $800.

The necessity for this building, devoted exclusively to Hos¬ pital purposes, is found in the fact, that although the men who come under the care of the Commission arc mostly on their way to their homes, and might therefore be supposed to be not, so very feeble as to need specially “Hospital” treatment, yet, as a matter of fact, many of them are weakened to such a de-

* See ground plan of “The Home at end of Report.

5

gree by disease, that by the time they reach Washington, or the railway station from the front, or from the various liospi. tals, their strength is nearly exhausted, and they are only re. stored, if at all, by such care as hospital treatment affords ; and frequently they are too far gone to make even that avail¬ able, as is indicated by the record, which shows that from Feb¬ ruary 23d to October 1st, there were received at the Home 665 men, very sick, who were placed in the new Hospital, of which number thirty-eight died there. This was from February 23d, when this new building was opened ; but dating back to De¬ cember 15th, there has been under the charge of the Commis¬ sion, including those just named, some 900 men who were very sick and feeble, of which number a total of sixty-one (61) have died at the Home. These were nearly all men having their dis¬ charge papers with them, and they had, consequently, given up their claim upon the General or Regimental Hospitals, and had taken the first stage of their journey towards their homes. It they had not found the care which the Commission thus offered to them, many of these same men must have died in the cars along the way, or at some stopping point on their journey. Of the remaining 840 of these very feeble men, we have reason to believe that many, except for the care and rest secured to them by the provision of the Commission, could not have lived through their journeys.

This unusually large proportion of very sick or dying men who came into our hands, is accounted for by the fact, that at the time of the advance movement of the army in the spring, and the breaking up of the corps hospitals near Aquia Creek, discharge papers were granted to many soldiers who, in their earnest desire once more to reach their homes, counted upon more strength than was left to them, and so they came to us, and waited there till, with straining eyes,

6

and one hand reached out towards the friends they had hoped and longed to see, they died. And allow me here to record this fact, that although these men died thus waiting, hoping, watching to catch the light which almost fell upon them from their firesides at home, yet from the lips of no one of those sixt}7 dying men has a murmur or complaint been heard; tender messages did they leave to be sent on, but not one word of repining at their fate ; no syllable of regret that they had joined the ranks — discharged from the service they were, but soldiers still — they died in their coun¬ try’s cause.

In charge of this “Home Hospital ” is an experienced and kindly nurse as matron, Miss Charlotte Bradford, who served faithfully last summer upon the-**4 Hospital Transports;” — there are day and night watchers, and all facilities for giving cheerfulness and comfort to these men detained by the uay.

The surgeon now in charge of the Home is Dr. T. B. Smith, whose report accompanies this-; his labors are suc¬ cessful. Dr. Smith is also Medical Examiner for Pensions, for the Commission. The former surgeon in charge, Dr Grymes, who for nearly a year and a half had given his whole soul and strength to the work, died in January last. He was at his post almost till the hour of his death, though too feeble to walk without support. He had a loyal and a loving heart, and the Commission as well as the soldiers certainly have cause to remember him with the deepest, ten- derest gratitude.

In order to show more in detail the work of the “Home,” I make the following extracts from the Report of Dr. Smith, included in the report of Mr. J. B. Clark, the Superinten¬ dent :

« On many occasions, either during my visits to the sick.

■■■?

t

or just previous to their departure for home or their regi¬ ments, have soldiers spontaneously, and with emotions of gratitude, exclaimed, ‘Doctor, this is very unexpected kind¬ ness, ‘ X have seen no such care and comfort since leaving my home.’ One recently said to me, while sitting in the Hospital and looking upon the completion of arrangements for his departure, ‘Doctor, I have been so kindly treated lieie, and been helped so much more than at any time be¬ fore, since my sickness, that I am almost afraid to go beyond that door.’ These are a few of many grateful expressions which the comfort they have enjoyed has called forth from the soldiers under treatment in this Hospital ; and not from these only ; for we keep at the Home constantly a supply of beds, stretchers, and comforts of all kinds, to be placed on board the cars when needed there— articles which are daily sent for from the railroad station, where notice is given that all these aids are ready, near by, for any sick soldier who needs them on his journey.”

“That the community at large are only partially informed of the character and amount of good work done in this in¬ stitution, I am w7ell satisfied, judging from the expressions ot favorable surprise made by citizens, visitors and relatives of soldiers who come in from abroad, and thus see and judge for themselves. The procuring of pay, pensions, and trans¬ portation for the men while they lie comfortably in the hos¬ pital under treatment, would alone be accomplishing much, the omission of which wrould cause indescribable suffering, and loss and anxiety to the disabled soldier.”

“Many within the past four months have reached the ‘ Home ’ in a dying condition. Such have invariably, I be¬ lieve, been carefully watched, their own names, and parents’ or friends’ names and residences obtained and recorded ;

8

their effects secured, labeled, and stowed away safely. When thought wise, on account of time requisite to reach this city, their friends have been informed of all these circumstances by telegraph. The dead are in all instances afforded a proper burial in the Government grounds, and each grave properly designated ; or, if so requested by friends, the bodies are forwarded.”

“ In June last many of the two years’ regiments went home, and on their way through this city, their wounded and sick who were too feeble to go forward with the regi¬ ments, entered our little Hospital. Over 120 have in this way either stopped, to be subsequently properly disposed of in General Hospitals, or simply to have their wounds dressed and eat a meal, to invigorate them for the tiresome railroad journey before them.” * * * * *

The doors of the Glome’ are open night and day; yet vigilant watch is kept, not to harbor any man who ought to be with his regiment, or reporting to some medical officer. Otherwise, the ‘ Horae ’ would quickly become what of course there is, as we are ready to acknowledge, apparent and real danger of its becoming, unless wisely managed, viz., a philanthropic interference with Army discipline , plead¬ ing its humanity as an excuse for its intrusion. To unite tender kindness and cordial welcome with the exercise of a discriminating judgment, and often stern authority, is not easy ; but I believe that in our Special Relief work the presence of the one does not exclude the working of the other, and that not the soldier only, but the army, is the stronger because of the ‘ Home.’ The name of every man who enters there is recorded, his papers examined, and how he came there, found out. Whenever there is a doubt about the man, a thorough investigation of his case is at

■■j

9

once made, which sometimes results in turning over to the military authorities deserters, and men who think that within the walls of a charitable institution they can find a ready shelter for a mean shirking of duty.

I enter this record because it is needed to answer the honest objection which, on the ground of its “tendency to weaken military discipline,” might he made to the funda¬ mental principle on which the Special Eelief work of the Sanitary Commission is based, and on which the “Homes” and Lodges, scattered now all over the East and West, are founded. The authority and importance of military disci¬ pline are not set aside or lost sight of; on the contrary, they are always rigidly insisted upon. In this work the Sanitary Commission, as the representative of the people at home, seeks to do precisely what it believes would gladly be done — were it right or possible to enter into this kind of work — by the military and medical authorities themselves, under the administration which the people all so cordially desire to support.

To turn again to the records of the Home:

Humber of different individuals received there from

December 15, 1862, to October 1, 1863 _ 7,187

Humber of nights’ lodging furnished _ 26,523

Humber of meals furnished _ _ 65,621

Almost all the men received here have been men dis¬ charged from the service on account of disability — wounds, or continued sickness. Of these, one-half at least were de¬ layed in the city on account of imperfections in some of their discharge papers, the final statements, on which to chaw their pay, requiring’ often a number of days for their correction.

o

10

735

21,325

242

6

10

70

22

Pins, papers .

Envelopes .

Ink, bots . 320

Paper, writing, rm (1,392 qr) 58

Pencils . 5,328

Penholders . 1,288

Pens . B288

Oakum, lbs . 1,300

Pipes . 4,000

Chloroform, lbs . 540

Spirits Camphor, bots . 45

Cook Stoves and fixtures .... 12

Wall Tents, &c . 17

Sand Paper, quire . 1

Can Openers . 9

Twine, lbs . 492

Corkscrews . 40

Scissors, prs .

Pepper Boxes .

Saleratus, lbs .

Pepper, lbs .

Tin Pans, for washing dishes.

Salt, lbs . ]>48^

Oranges, boxes .

Camp Kettles . ^

Frying Pans .

Adhesive Plaster, rolls . 44

Nutmeg Graters . 4

Camp Stools .

Baskets .

Lumber, ft .

Straw, lbs . 16>°°°

China Plates . f *

Oil Cloth, yds . f“

Cathartic Pills . 20C

°prandcamP:piii;:::::Soo

Smoked tongues .

Eubber Blankets . 22 *

Open Links . 2'^

Feed Troughs .

Splints, boxes . jj

Matches, gross .

Eubber Cloth, yds . bb2

Morphine, . .

White Flannel, yds .

Chloride of Lime, lbs . L

Ligature Silk, lbs .

Haversacks .

Blouses .

Hospital Car Loops .

Water Coolers .

Bromine, lbs .

Patent Lint, lbs .

Dressing Forceps .

Tacks, papers .

Wire, yds .

Door Mats .

Needles, gross .

Mutton Tallow, lbs .

Sheeting, piece .

Eefrigerator .

Stove Boilers .

Chlorinium, boxes .

Clothing, boxes .

Locking Chairs .

Cider, bots .

Faucets .

1 Augurs .

Pump .

Canteens .

Blacking, boxes .

Sardines, “ .

Paper Bags .

Washing Machines .

Blank Books .

Ice, tons .

Copperas, bots . .

Chloride Soda, bots .

Medicine Chests .

Siove Brushes .

Salt Pork, bbl .

Stew Pans .

Broilers .

Frying Pans. . .

Fresh Beef, lbs .

“Four- horse Wagons, with harness, whips, extra wliif-

fletree, &c., complete .

“ Two horse Wagons,” do. Horses . . .

870

150

84

100

8

2

50

24

16

100

6

1

55

1

1

2

20

6

6

57

12

2

1

224

72

362

300

3

12 9 i\ 12 3 2 6 1

12

12

12

2,200

36

2

156

11

The following named stores were sent from New York, and stored in Baltimore. About one-third of these were loaded on board the Ridley , and taken to Norfolk, in tow of the Kent.

4,291 galls. Pickled Tomatoes.

51,812 lbs. Canned Tomatoes.

1,106 galls. Curried Cabbage.

671 bbls. Dried Apples.

15,168 galls. Sour Kraut.

4,162 “ Pickles.

3,580 “ Pickled Onions.

12,060 lbs. Apple Pulp.

2,400 boxes Portable Lemonade.

1 tub Apple Butter.

1 doz. Ginger Wine.

Yery respectfully,

Your ob’t servant,

Wm. A. PIoyey,

Assistant to Associate Secretary,

Eastern Department.

12

buildings, and giving such army rations at this Lodge as we can use for these men advantageously with our other sup¬ plies.

The object of the whole thing at this Lodge is this, viz : so to supply to the discharged soldier close at his hand and without a cent of cost, all that he needs food, lodging, assistance in correcting his papers, aid in looking up his claims, help in obtaining his pension and his bounty such that there can be no excuse or opportunity for the soldier to put himself or be put into the hands of claim agents and sharpers, or to go out and expose himself to the temptations of the city.

To secure this end, every man who comes to the pay¬ master with his discharge, at once receives a ticket insuring him care and a helping hand ; and by an arrangement with the paymaster, whenever a man appears there with defective papers, he is at once referred to the Relief Office for assist¬ ance or advice. The work at this offi.ce occupies tlnee pei- sons constantly, besides those who go with cases that have to be looked up personally at the hospitals or with the regi¬ mental officers in the field, and cannot be arranged by cor¬ respondence.

To indicate something of the kind of work done here, I make the following extract from the report of Mr. J. B. Abbott, who has served most faithfully and efficiently as Assistant Special Relief Agent, with his office at Lodge Ro. 4. and upon whom almost the entire responsibility in this department for the past year has rested :

“ At this office, from January 1st to October 1st, 1863, the number of discharged soldiers whose accounts against the Government have been settled through our assistance, men who were too feeble to attend to settling their own ac-

13

counts, or who were unable to obtain their pay, because of some charge against them on the pay-rolls, or some errors in their papers, 2,130.”

Information and directions have been given relative to settling pay accounts, collecting arrears of pay, extra duty pay, commutation money to about 9,000 men.

The aggregate , value of the 2,130 cases amounted to $130,159.01. This amount was collected and paid to the soldiers through this office.

But for the gratuitous aid thus afforded these soldiers dis¬ charged from the service, disabled by wounds or worn down by long marches and exposure in the field, or enfeebled by disease, anxious to get home, would have applied to “ Claim Agents” for aid in obtaining speedily their dues from the Government, submitting willingly to pay a commission ranging from ten to forty per cent. These agents, with some rare and admirable exceptions, in four cases out of every five, impede the settlement of accounts instead of facilitating them.

Taking ten per cent, as an average, which is the lowest commission usually charged by Claim Agents, the amount saved to the soldiers in adjusting the 2,130 cases of which a record has been kept, is shown to be $13,015.90. Add to this ten per cent, of the probable aggregate value of the 9,000 cases in which information and directions have been given, (for in most of these cases the soldiers would other¬ wise have gone to Claim Agents,) and the amount saved to the soldiers through the Commission by this office is shown to be at least $70,000 during nine months ending Septem¬ ber 30th.

The number of letters written in adjusting the above

14

cases of sufficient importance to make a copy necessary,

9 904

Many of tlie cases have been very difficult to adjust, re- quiring several weeks to complete them. Below X add extracts of two or tliree cases from a clay’s record of the Journal, which will show in detail the character of the cases we adjust, and the difficulties met with in completing them.

“ Sergeant Edward W. M. Passage, Company F, 16 th Reg’t Mich. Vols. Enrolled at Plymouth, Mich., m July, lfebl, to serve three years or during the war. ‘ Discharged by reason of a Surgeon’s Certificate of disability, given at Convalescent Camp, April 80th, 1863.’ The Commander of the Post being unable to obtain from his Company Commander his descriptive list, the date of last payment could not be given 111 Ins 1 final statements, nor his clothing account, except the amount ($3.60) of extra clothing drawn at Convalescent Camp. Left ins reg- iment in June, ’62, just previous to the battles before Richmond, bavin" fallen a victim to the malarial fever ; was put into one of the corps hospitals for a few days, and then sent to Fortress Monroe, where he remained a short time. He was then tians- ferred to General Hospital in Philadelphia. In this Hospital he received a furlough for thirty clays, and went home to De¬ troit Michigan. At the expiration of his furlough, being unable to report back to Philadelphia, he imported, as soon as lie was able, to the nearest military post, bt. Mary s General Hospital, Detroit, Michigan ; but not aware of the proper form, did not notify the surgeon in charge of the Hospital m i hiladtl- phia, where he received his furlough ; consequently he was marked ‘ deserter’ and so reported to his Company Commander, who has borne him as a ‘deserter’ upon the suosequent pay-

“ While in St. Mary’s Hospital, having partially recovered his health, he received papers from Michigan authorizing him to recruit men for the service, at the same time receiving a furlough for twenty days, which was twice extended twenty days ° At the expiration of his furlough extensions he reported to the commander of the Military Barracks at Detroit, who reported him for duty and forwarded him to Washington. From Washington he was sent to Convalescent Camp, and there pronounced unfit for military duty and discharged horn the service.”

15

“ This man was not aware that he was marked a * deserter ’ till he applied to the Paymaster General to get indorsed upon his final statements the date of his last payment. Then lie was informed that he was entitled to no pay, being borne ‘a deserter ’ upon the pay-roll. He denied the charge, and was referred by the Chief Clerk to this office for assistance in get¬ ting the eharge removed.

“ We obtained a certificate from the surgeon or physician who attended him after the expiration of his" furlough until lie reported to St. Mary’s Hospital, stating that during this time he was unable to report because of disability. This certificate was given under oath before a Notary Public. Certificates were also obtained, one by one, from the several military posts where he had been, covering his time from the date he was marked a deserter to the date of his discharge. Upon these certificates we got the charge removed and secured his pay.”

“Wm. Benty, private, Company F, 16th Regiment U. S. In¬ fantry, enlisted at Clayton, Iowa, November 6th, 1861. ‘Dis¬ charged on a surgeon’s certificate of disability,’ given at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md., April 7th, 1868, ‘because of a gun-shot wound, the ball never having been extracted.’ The wound has not healed, and it troubles him very much ; he is anxious to get home ; says he ‘ cares' very little about his pay, if he can only get home.’ He was wounded at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, sent to Hospital, Newport, Kentucky, where he remained nearly three months. The surgeon considered him unfit for military duty, and was willing to give him a discharge, but could not, as he could not obtain his descriptive list. At his own request, the commander of the post gave him a pass to go to his regi¬ ment, then in Northern Alabama, to get his descriptive list. On his way back he was taken prisoner by guerrillas, (this was about the 22d of August, 1862,) his money and effects taken from him, and his papers destroyed. He was sent to Chatta¬ nooga, thence to Macon, Georgia, and after nearly two months’ confinement, was sent to Richmond and paroled on the 18th of October, 1862. At the expiration of his pass, given by the commander of the post at Newport, Kentucky, he had been marked a ‘ deserter,’ (as nothing had been heard of him,) and so reported to his commanning officer, who marked him a ‘ desert¬ er ’ upon the regimental pay-rolls.

“We obtained a certificate from the Commissary General of paroled prisoners, giving the date of his capture and parole, gathered up one by one all the important facts of the case, and forwarded them to his company commander, so that at length we obtained a certificate certifying that the man had been

18

wrongly marked a ‘ deserter.’ Upon tins evidence, the charge ,vas removed, and his pay secured, amounting to nearly one

hundred and fifty dollars. . » Af

“ This man we furnished transportation home, from money of the ‘ Ware Fund/ and when his account was settled, we tor- warded him a draft for his money.’

“ George Poole, Company K, 3d Maryland Yols., enrolled in Company C, Baltimore Light Infantry, in Dec., 1861 ; he was subsequently transferred to Company L. In June, 186^, the Baltimore Light Infantry was consolidated with the 3d Indiana Yols Ho was put into Company K, a new company formed at the time of consolidation. Discharged on a surgeon s. certifi¬ cate of disability, given at Convalescent Camp ; claims pay from the 28th of Feb., 1862, to the date of his discharge, ex¬ cept for the months of January, February March and April 1863 for which months he was paid, except from the -9th ot January to the 19th of February ; for this period his pay was deducted, he being marked a ‘ deserter. I obtained an official certificate showing that he was not a deserter for this penod, and got the charge removed, which entitles him to the amount deducted from liis pay. To secure his back pay or get it en¬ dorsed upon his final statements, we were obliged to get state¬ ments from rolls in the 2d Comptrollers office, 2d Auditor s office and offices of two regimental paymasters, besides exam¬ ining several rolls in different accounts on hie at the Paymaster- General’s office, to verify his statement, or to obtain evidence that lie was really entitled to the pay which he claimed.

<< Having shown satisfactory evidence to the Pay Department that lie was entitled to the pay which he claimed, it was en- dorsed upon Ids final statement, and liis money secured, amount-

ing to $186.85.”

“ IVc are daily adjusting sucli cases as the above, and some more complicated, which, except for the aid afforded by the Commission, would have been placed in the hands of claim ao-ents before referred to, tv-bo usually charge m such cases from 050 • or the soldiers would have disposed of tlieu claims to some sharper for a passage home, as many of these men are vorv willing to do, after having been confined in hospitals loi months, and anxious to reach their friends ; and in such, cases the man leaves with the word 1 deserter affixed to him.

r. vJq arc o-rcatly indebted to tlic uniform kindness, consider¬ ation, and co-operation that lias invariably been extended to >is bv the officers and clerks of the various Government offices

IT

with whom wc have had business to perform. T desire espe¬ cially to mention the names of E. Id. Brooks, Esq., Chief Clerk Paymastei Ccneial s office, and Major D. Taylor, Paymaster of discharged soldiers.”

/’In submitting this. report, I desire to bear testimony to the faithfulness of my assistants, and their constant interest in the work.” * * * # * * * * *

Lodcje iVo. 5, near Gth St. Wharf. This was a small build¬ ing, but it has rendered valuable service, giving food and shel¬ ter to sick and wounded men arriving on the boats from Aquia Creek, and furnishing food to be carried into such boats as, loaded with wounded, had no adequate provision for feeding the men on board.

An ambulance was stationed at this Lodge to take men to the Home, or to Hospitals : the Superintendent of the Lodge visited every boat immediately on its arrival at the wharf, und rendered all assistance and gave all needed information to the sick or wounded, taking those unable to walk in ambulances, and guiding the others to the horse cars, and furnishing them with tickets to go to the Paymaster’s Office, or to the Home, or elsewhere, as the case might be.

There was one week, at the time of the breaking up of the Corps Hospitals near Aquia Creek, when we gave coffee and food to over five thousand (5,000) men on board the boats which arrived at the wharf.

The boats came up in such rapid succession, that with all the efficiency of the Medical Director, (and surely no man in the whole Medical Department — I am safe in saying — docs or can more fully and admirably unite wise and energetic efficiency with kind and generous humanity, than does Dr. Abbott, the Medical Director at Washington,) with all his promptness in having his entire train of ambulances at the wharf waiting nigh t and day, it was simply impossible but that many of these men, numbered by thousands, should be detained often some

y

18

hours before their turn would come to be removed. Mean¬ time they needed just the care we were ready to give to

them.

This necessity existed, as is seen, from no oversight in hav¬ ing all reasonable Government provisions made.

And in this connection I may fitly refer, both for the sake of •justice to the Medical Department, and as an apology foi oui own existence, to the frequent inquiry uttered, often in a tone of censure, how it is possible, if the Medical Officers do their duty, that there can be any opportunity even for this supplementary work of relief.

The question shows utter ignorance of the terrific weight of work of the most complicated and delicate character, which the officers of the Medical Department have upon their hands, and of their constant liability to be called upon at any moment to meet great and unexpected emergencies. The fact is simply this : that while the Medical Department has made a larger and wiser provision for the comfort of the sick and the wounded than the world ever before saw, there is not, and can¬ not be, a minuteness of detail and a waiting at every corner to give to a fainting soldier a cup of water, such as friends at home in their anxious love ask for. Yet this work needs to be done, and therefore we, who are simply the hands to the peo¬ ple’s heart and bounty, do the work. But if the Medical De¬ partment were to attempt it in all its minutiae of detail, their power for their own hundred-fold greater work would be weak- ened in a way that would find no justification.

But to return from this digression : this Lodge, No. 5, was removed a month since to Maryland Avenue, near the R. R. Station, where it is doing the same work for the sick or wounded arriving by cars from the army, which was formerly done on the wharf, for those arriving by boats.

'

19

s

The H1l0h,n,Tber<-0fnif'ltS’ lodging furnished at

Meals b ldlng’ from Jan- lst t0 Oct. 1st . l620

Closely connected with the work at the Relief Station in Maryland Avenue, is the Lodge at Alexandria, located within the stockade, near the railway track and junction, where all the cars to and from the army stop. Here there is a Lodo-o 10 feet by 90, with an L 24x32, furnished with all conveniences of gas and water, and admirably arranged and conducted by Mr. James Richardson, Special Relief Agent. Alexandria is now the “ Gateway of the Army of the Potomac,” and whenever a train of sick or wounded is coming in, a telegram is sent in advance from the front, and when the train arrives at this point, food is ready for them and distributed among them while the train is waiting. Here, too, are often gathered at night sick men who arrive too late to go on to Washington, or who are unexpectedly delayed. A sign upon the office of Col. Devereux reads, “ All sick, wounded, and invalid soldiers are requested to report to the Sanitary Commission Lodge.”

The necessity for the existence of this Relief Station is indi¬ cated by the fact that during the first week after it was opened. ir761 meals were given here.

In January last “The Nurses’ Home” was opened, under the

care of Mrs. Dr. Caldwell, in Washington, near the Special Relief Office.

The Nurses’ Home has proved a source of immense relief to nurses arriving in the city, and to those worn down by service at the hospitals and needing a few days of quiet and rest, and also to the wives and mothers, and sometimes daughters, of soldiers, who have come on seeking their husbands, or sons, or fathers, in the various hospitals. Wc have had a very large num¬ ber, during the past two months, of this latter class to care for, who utterly ignorant of the cost of the journey, and of obtain-

20

ing board and lodging, even for a day or two, in tlie city, were utterly destitute and helpless. A number who were weary and almost broken-hearted have been received here at a home. A number of refugees, also— mothers and little children— have been received here and warmed and clothed. This has pro\ ed in its working one of the kindest charities of the Commission.

Since the “ Nurses’ Home” was opened, in January, the total number of nights’ lodging given here has been .

Meals furnished . . •••••••• . lion

Number of different women sheltered . to "no

Total cost to Commission . }j’oUU

In regard to the Tree Pension Agency, I make the following extract from the Report of Mr. Bascom, the Director :

“The Pension Agency of the Sanitary Commission com¬ menced its work on the 10th of February, 1868, and up to this date (Oct 1st) 985 applications for invalid pensions have been made from this office, and the necessary papers filed in the Government Pension Bureau.’'*

The Agency has proved a beneficent one to the soldiers m many ways.

1 “ It has saved to them already an aggregate expense of more than six thousand dollars, ($6,000,) and at the same rate will save in a year over ten thousand ($10,000.)

2. “It has rescued them from imposition, annoyance, and a great amount of trouble, in ascertaining in what way to procure

their pensions. on. , 1 , •

3 “ It has aided a considerable number of soldiers to obtain

complete testimony to sustain their claims after their regularly appointed and paid attorneys have refused, unless with addi¬ tional fees, to procure essential evidence.

4. “ It lias also come to the relief of several who had em¬ ployed and paid attorneys whom the Pension Office has refused, on account of some misconduct, to recognize as attorneys in

it Finally, the Agency has been of no small service^ to the Government, in procuring and forwarding all the testimoney bearin'*’ upon the claim— that which makes against a case, as well as that which makes for it. In this way it will undoubt-

.'J

'

21

edly save many hundreds of dollars to the Government in a moderate length of time.”

Agency for getting Back Pay for Soldiers in Hospitals. —It was found that very many soldiers in hospitals had various amounts of back pay due them, which their families sorely needed, but which was so tied up, that it could not be collected without an amount of investigation and labor which the pay¬ masters had no right to bestow upon undividuals.

An agent of the Commission, authorized by the Paymaster General’s Chief Clerk, has entered upon the work of obtaining the necessary information in each case, so as to enable the Chief Clerk to furnish to the man a certificate of the pay due to him, that he may draw his money upon it.

The report of Mr. Neal, the agent of the Commission, shows that in Stanton Hospital alone, during the first week of his work, the back pay of fifty-six men was thus collected. Some of it had been due six or eight months, and the men had been mustered and paid for intermediate months, leaving this which was due in the position of an old debt. The total amount of money thus put into the hands of these fifty-six men (almost every dollar of which, as I learned, was sent to their homes by the chaplain,) was over $3,000. The detail of this work in¬ volves much painstaking labor, but its results amply repay for the time, expense, and care.

Another agency connected with the Special Relief Office has been the work of seeking to guard the discharged soldiers while scattered through the city from being robbed or foully dealt with. For this purpose during the past six months we have employed, besides a relief agent, a “ detective,” who visits the railroad station and all the places of resort, and whose duty it has been to watch for and bring to justice all persons who were imposing upon the soldiers, detaining them, leading them astray, or committing fraud upon them ; and the city is

22

fall of men wlio are thus lying in wait for the soldier. This detective, by means which need not be specified, has rendered great service — and his work is not ended.

The Relief Station and branch of the “ Home77 at “ Conva¬ lescent Camp,77 Alexandria, near Fort Albany, is still under the care of Miss Amy M. Bradley, formerly matron of the “ Home.77

The whole work is managed efficiently and with great suc¬ cess. She has the confidence and co-operation of all the offi¬ cers in charge of the camp, and daily she comes with ambu¬ lances into Washington, to the Paymaster's Office, and to the “ Home77 and railway station, bringing the sick and discharged men who have been receiving her care.

Miss Bradley 7s report of the past nine months7 labor in this camp of some five thousand men, shows what an amount of work can be done, relief afforded, influence exerted, by one individual thoroughly in earnest, and with resources at

hand.

Tickets directing the bearer to call at the Sanitary Commis- sion Lo dge, for such articles as the surgeon may specify, are put into the hands of all the surgeons and officers m the camp, and as occasion calls these tickets are filled out and given to the invalids who need supplies. In this way, since June 1st, (four months,) Miss Bradley has distributed from the stock kept constantly on hand, some four thousand of shirts, drawers, socks, &c., besides some 10,000 smaller articles, such as towels, liankerchiefs, slippers, and the like. Previous to April, at which time regular hospitals were first established here, Miss Bradley, in hospital tents attached to the Lodge, attended to the very ill, receiving there during that time one hundred and twenty-five sick men.

She accompanied to Washington to the Paymaster’s Office during four months, and assisted many of the more feeble in

23

getting their pay, discharged soldiers whose united pay amounted to over $100,000.

In the camp she visits and writes letters for the sick, and in all ways practicable ministers “ special relief.”

It has been a good work, and I may fitly mention, that under the wise executive management of Lieut. Col. McKclvev, the name “ Convalescent Camp” no longeris associated with suffer¬ ing, but is synonymous with care, comfort, and kind and liberal provision for all that the convalescent soldier needs.

The cost to the Commission of maintaining Special Relief work in Washington and vicinity, from Dec. 25th, 1862, to Oct. 1st, 1863, has been about $24,585. This does not in¬ clude nine hundred and eighty dollars used from the “ Ware Fund,” so called, money placed in my hands for purposes which do not so legitimately come within the original work of the Commission, but which yet have an earnest claim. Thus with that money we have sent to their homes discharged soldiers who were destitute, or almost entirely destitute, of means : — many fathers, mothers, and wives of soldiers ; — some families of refugees who come to us in the saddest condition of want, and army nurses from the front, sick or worked down by de¬ voted labor.

Could I give a simple picture — in one group, as they pass before me — of all the porsons who have been helped by the few hundred dollars, entering with their anxious faces, their camp- worn or travel-worn garments, some in mourning, some very aged and bowed down, and some as little children, it would be a picture that with warm breath would breathe a blessing, which could be felt by the very heart of all those who have furnished the means for these additional charities.

Leaving Washington, we come next to Annapolis; here, in July last, a “Ilorne for nurses, mothers, wives, and rela¬ tives of sick soldiers” was established, similar in its objects

24

and methods to the “Nurses’ Home” in Washington. It has met an evident need, and given to many wives and mothers, who came among strangers seeking their sick husbands and sons, the shelter and welcome of a home. During the past two months the number of meals furnished there has been 2,847 ; the number of nights’ lodging 569. There have been as many as twenty-five women who found their rest here in a single night. The “Home” is conve¬ niently located, with an experienced matron in charge, and is performing a kind mission.

At Baltimore there has been a Special Relief Agent, who has taken in hand the defective papers of discharged men, aided in collecting their pay, obtained transportation for those without means, and in general given “aid and com¬ fort” to those needing it. His assistant, with great faith¬ fulness, has visited every boat which has arrived from Fortress Monroe since the 1st of June last, and every train of cars from Washington or from the West, looking after, protecting, directing any soldiers who seem to need assist¬ ance. Ilis record book shows that he has thus given aid, more or less, to 4,627 from June 1 to October 1, of whom he has taken over 2,000 to the “ Union Relief Rooms” of Baltimore, where they have received meals and lodgings with kindly care.

In Philadelphia there has been much done by the “Wo¬ man’s Pennsylvania Branch U. S. Sanitary Commission” in the way of Special Relief, although the admirable local organizations of the city left comparatively a small amount to be done in that direction, excepting the work of helping the families of soldiers. The “Free Pension Agency” of the Philadelphia Branch cf the U. S. Sanitary Commission, under the efficient management of Mr. Ashman, has been

25

doing a most valuable service. Up to the present date Mr. Ashman has made out the pension papers for over one thousand applicants, and with painstaking care investigated and successfully followed out many peculiarly complicated cases. lie also, without cost, collects all “ claims” for dis¬ charged soldiers. Hotices of this office and its aid aro posted in the hospitals in that vicinity, and endeavors are made to secure its benefits to all discharged soldiers need¬ ing such assistance as it renders.

In Hew York whatever Special Relief work has fallen upon the Commission has been attended to by the “ Wo¬ man s Central Association of Relief.” With occasional ex¬ ceptions, this work has consisted in judiciously assigning the applicant for aid to such existing Relief Association in the city as his case pointed to ; or if more immediate as¬ sistance was needed, as clothes and transportation, such have been furnished. The local provisions in Hew York for assisting disabled soldiers are large, embracing the “ Hew England Rooms,” and the State Institution — “ The Hew York Relief Association.”

The following report from Boston will show the methods adopted there, and the results which have followed.

It is to be considered that this Relief work in Boston was not started until March last, its need until then hardly being acknowledged, yet the absolute necessity for its ex¬ istence has been asserted by its results every day since. 1 make mention of this fact and insert the report in full, in order to set an example and give the suggestion to the va¬ rious large cities throughout the land, and I would ask whether the associate members of the Sanitary Commission in such cities and large sea-coast or inland towns might not wisely and humanely establish uIIomes” on a smaller or 4

26

broader scale, as the case may be. At least they should, 1 am sure, carefully inform themselves of the nature of the needs in their midst, and the methods in detail by which those needs are to be met.

F. 1ST. Ivnafp, Special Relief Agent

U. S. Sanitary Commission , Washington, D. C. :

My Dear Sir: I submit herewith a brief Deport relating to the Special Kelief service of the Sanitary Commission in Boston.

This service was organized in the month of March, 1863, under the direction of an executive committee, appointed for the purpose by the resident associate members. The establishment, which is located at No. 76 Kingston street, is in charge of a superintendent and assistants, and has been administered with the following results :

From the date of its organization to October 1, 1863, a period of about six months, aid has been rendered to 3,050 soldiers, classified as follows :

Furnished with transportation at Government rates-- 1,091 « “ “ paid by Commission-- 142

“ “ by Quartermaster - 450

“ carriage within the city - 875

u special attendance to their homes - 71

“ lodging - — - 1,407

“ meals — (No. of meals, 4,129) - 1,938

44 clothing — (No. of garments, 489) - 260

“ aid in arranging papers - 96

“ “ obtaining pay - 91

Ci medical advice - 322

Wounds dressed - - - - - 155

Procured commutation of rations - - - 73

Loaned money— (amount, $10 02) - - - 19

Gave money — (amount, $9 08) - - - 28

Sent to Hospital - - - 60

Deferred to local Delief Association - 25

Ft i listed -

Obtained Pension Procured Coffins -

27

14

1

3

Total - - - - 3;050

The recipients are thus classified in the order of States : Massachusetts, 1,480; Maine, 926; New Hampshire, 210; Vermont, 31; New York, 54; Pennsylvania, 12 ; Ohio, 41; Bhode Island, 9; Maryland, 2; District Columbia, 7; Lou¬ isiana, 2; Illinois, 5; Iowa, 4; Minnesota, 5; California, 1 ; Connecticut, 6; U. S. Army, 70; U. S. Navy, 26; Invalid Corps, 45; Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, Dela¬ ware, Alabama, and Bobel army, 1 each.

The following articles, drawn from the Supply Depart¬ ment of the N. E. Woman’s Auxiliary Association, have been used in furnishing the rooms and for distribution:

Bedquilts, 13 ; blankets, 13 ; sheets, 124 ; pillows, 56 , pillow-cases, 63 ; bed-sacks, 12 ; flannel shirts, 70 ; cotton shirts, 48 ; socks, 218 prs. ; towels, 78 ; slippers, 62 prs. ; old shirts, 51; cotton drawers, 106; dressing-gowns, 1; flannel drawers, 42; handkerchiefs, 60; slings, 16; flannel shirts, 24; one lot bandages and old pants; six tin cups and 2 water-pails.

I am unable to furnish you at present with an exact state¬ ment of the cost of the service for the last three months, ending October 1, but hand you herewith a full statement of expense account for the three months ending July 1, 1863, which period includes the first outlay for furnishing rooms, &c.

For the three months ending July 1, 1863, the total ex¬ penditure, covering the whole cost of the service, was

$1,962 17, classified as follows :

For furnishing Rooms - $464 51

“ Hospital - - - - 254 82

28

For Rent and Taxes -

u Salaries - -

“ Advertising - • - - -

a Printing -

“ Stationery - -

Traveling Expenses -

Postage -

Superintendent’s Current Expense Account -

Miscellaneous - - - -

118 50 863 59 185 00 49 00 70 71 45 00 8 00 820 03 83 01

Total _ $1,902 17

Eor this period of three months the number of soldicis who received the aid of the Commission was 837.

Deducting from the total expenditure the first necessary outlay for furnishing rooms, $719 33, as shown in above statement of account, and as distinguished from the ordi¬ nary current expenses, the cost per soldier is shown to be as 837 to 1,342.84, or about $1 45 each.

Permit me to add that abundant evidence has been afforded that this service of the Commission, as already administered in Boston, has been attended with the most beneficent and gratifying results.

I am, my dear sir,

Very sincerely yours,

JOHN S. BLATCIIFORD, gec'y of Boston Ex. Com. Sanitary Com. Boston, October 1, 1863.

I pass now from the North to the West. The Special Relief work at the West, at three or four points, was estab¬ lished a year and more ago by the Branches of the Sanitary Commission; while at other points this work had not until vffthin six or eight months its special place assigned to it,

29

but it came in connection with the General Relief work of the Commission. I have not the reports in full which would enable me to give the details of all these Lodges and Homes at the West I will speak of their methods and their work in general terms, giving the gross results of their labors, with such extracts as are at hand.

In general terms, then, the same Special Relief work is done at the West by the Commission and its Branches which has been described in detail at Washington; modified, of course, at each point, by the circumstances of the case. Thus, at one point there is no occasion for the correction of papers, but the largest occasion for shelter and care; at one station there is no call for clothing and nursing, but the loudest call for nutritious food; at one section a Home or Lodge has no place, in another section its open doors are like open arms to those ready to perish.

And thus, according to the needs which were to be met, have been the methods and amount of Special Relief throughout the entire West. And while I cannot furnish the full detail of this work, I can with great confidence assert, that throughout the region an immense amount of relief has thus been given to thousands and thousands of soldiers; and at all the several points of relief after Lodges have been established the aid has been given promptly, wisely, and abundantly. Could the records of these several Lodges and Homes have been copied, they would, I am sure, make a living history, telling how much soldiers have to bear, and yet what kindly helps are at hand to aid in making their burdens light; how much, with all alleviations, soldiers have to suffer, yet how nobly and patiently the suffering is borne ; of weak limbs bound in with strong hearts; of eyes looking towards home, yet with feet firmly set towards the camp or battle-field.

30

I can, however, give in figures the numbers cared for at these Homes, as indicated by the number of lodgings and of meals furnished there to October 1st. Part of these Homes, as I said, have been opened only seven or eight months— others from nearly the beginning of the war.

The following are some of the figures furnished by Dr. Newberry, Associate Secretary in charge of the Western Department of the U. S. Sanitary Commission at Cleveland, Ohio :

Nights’ lodging furnished Meals given - - -

2,569

12,227

Home at Chicago, Ill., (opened in July last.)

Nights’ lodging furnished - - -

Meals given - - - -

Heme in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Nights’ lodging (about) - - - - -

Meals given -

Home at Louisville, Ky.

Nights’ lodging - - - - -

Meals given (at the Home) - - -

“ " “ (at the Station House) - - -

3,109

11,325

10,000

40,017

17,765

52,080

49,933

Lodge at Nashville, Tcnn.

Nights’ lodging -

Meals given -

4,821

11,909

Home at Cairo, Ill.

Nights’ lodging - - —

Meals given- - -

Lodge at Memphis, Tenn.

Nights’ lodging -

Meals given - -

. 79,550 190,150

2,850

14,780

■-j

31

This note should be here made : that at Cinci nnati, Loin isville, and C.dro, many besides invalid soldiers are included in the numbers of those fed and cared for. At these points the Home of the Commission drawing rations from Govern¬ ment for the purpose, has at times provided for detached companies, or parts of regiments, or even whole regiments; thus meeting the needs which in Wasliigton and elsewhere are provided for at the “ Soldiers’ Rests,” which are under the exclusive care of Government. This fact, in part, ac¬ counts for tlie numbers attached to the record of the Homes at those places, which might seem unaccountably large, if limited strictly to invalid soldiers receiving care.

The following extracts of reports bearing various dates will give an idea of the methods and spirit of the work in the “ Homes ” at the West :

Cleveland, August 15, 1863.

“ At the close of a busy and wearisome day, I have time for only a word before the mail closes. We have had our hearts and our hands full in the last tw'enty-four hours, and many of our ladies have had their first sight of the dreadful effects of war.

“ Yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock, the long expected regi¬ ment (4th Massachusetts) arrived. There were nearly a hundred sick, and all in a very worn condition. The preparations so long made proved ample, and after two hours’ merciful work among the hospital cars, and a full feast set out for the well, the ladies had the satisfaction of sending the brave boys on their way in a much better condition than that in which they came to us.

“ Another regiment was telegraphed to be herein two hours from the departure of the first, and so, at 8 o’clock, when the 28th Maine came in, there was an abundant meal

32

spread for tliom, and a fully organized committee of ladie.s to attend the sick. The hospital cars, five in number, were crowded with bad cases. All our ladies were down there and worked like heroines.

“At 10 o’clock at night we left the depot, only to go home to make fresh arrangements to meet a third regiment at o o’clock this morning.

“This last regiment, the 47th Massachusetts, has occupied us all the morning of this beautiful Sabbath, and our hearts have been sorely tried by the state in which the men were found. We had very good provision for their reception, and the well men were abundantly fed. Meantime, the ladies car¬ ried hand basins and towels into the hospital cars. Each sick man was refreshed by having his face and hands bathed, and then the tea, coffee, warm gruel, bread and jelly, dried beef, sponge cake, egg and wine, and stimulants, were dispensed with lavish hand. One very badly wounded man and the surgeon, who was veryTll indeed, were carried at once into our little hospital and carefully tended. Four sick men wer sent into Camp Cleveland hospital, four also of the Maine regiment last night.

“ A sad scene, indeed, was the death of one poor fellow this morning in our little hospital. He was sinking l’ast when the train came in. Everything was done for him that kindness or experience could suggest, but he was too far gone with the exhaustion following a lung fever, and died almost within sight of his home and family.

“Poor fellow! how hard he tried to speak and to send some word home. He was a splendid soldier they said, and when the men of his company filed sadly in to look at his dead face, and some even kissed his forehead and dropped their tears upon it, we knew that they felt it hard to leave

their comrade, and harder yet it seemed to frame the sad story into words that his waiting friends at home might hear. We have taken every care of the body, and it is to he for¬ warded to-morrow by express.

“I that you would be quite satisfied with the part

our Soldiers’ Aid Society has- taken in the care of the regi¬ ments, and surely it has been a blessed work. It would be well for the Union cause in Cleveland if we had such calls made upon our sympathies and our benevolence every week. You have no idea how nobly our ladies came out to this duty, nor how richly they were rewarded by the bright faces of those Yew England boys, as they left the depot, cheered and refreshed by the care they had received. This last regi¬ ment was peculiarly needy. It had passed every important point in the night till now, and this half day in Cleveland was such a blessing to the poor fellows. They numbered about 700, with 100 at least seriously sick, and nearly all, indeed, ailing somewhat, and just from the trenches at Port Hudson. ********

“Yext day the 49th Massachusetts came in, tired, dusty, and 50 hungry, but there was enough for all, and the sick were attended in the cars as before.

“ The surgeon was exceedingly careful of his men; knew at once who was to stay, and we had beds carried out of our little room to the side of the car. Seven men were thus brought into the home. The ladies supplied them with stimulants, and at 8 o’clock they were ready to go over to the hospital. One poor fellow fainted before the omnibus left. He was very sick. They brought him back appar¬ ently dying, but thanks to the motherly care that he re¬ ceived, animation was restored. The Dr. was called, and pronounced it a bad case — partial paralysis of the throat,

5

84

caused by great exhaustion. This morning we found him well enough to he carried over to the hospital. Our ^u*'ieS with this regiment were not over till near midnight.

Soldier’s Home, Supt.’s Office,

Cincinnati, Sept. 21, lobo.

“ Dr. J. S. Newberry,

Sec'y West’n Dep’t U. S. Sanitary Commission , Louisville : Dear Sir : Agreeably to your request, I send you a brief report of wliat you denominate “ the workings” of the institu¬ tion from its opening May 15, 18(52, to September 1st, 1803.

The number of arrivals have been 40,017, comprising sol¬ diers from every loyal State, varying from one to a regiment at a time. Some have eaten a single meal and taken then- departure; others have staid a day, two days, a week; and of late, whole companies on special duty in this city for

even months.

In addition to the food and shelter here furnished to 1 10 soldier, articles of clothing are given him, from a pair of shoes to a whole suit. He gets his stationery here, his letter franked 'when he finds himself without stamps; he gets various kinds of military information, which saves him many steps and much inconvenience and vexation.

Discharged soldiers have been greatly benefited and be¬ friended in many ways. Erroneous papers have been re¬ turned to be corrected for them; and when Paymasters were without funds, their final statements have been cashed to the full amount and they sent on their way home to their

needy families. . ,

The sick soldier lias been taken here, and Ins immediate

35

wants and necessities provided for, till he could be better attended in hospital.

The Committee of the Commission to whom has been entrusted the management of the Home, have been unceasing in their efforts to have it come promptly up to every reasonable expectation ; and there will be no labor done, no sacrifice made of time and money and personal comfort that will be looked back upon with more honest pride and satisfaction than that which has been bestowed on the Soldiers’ Home of the Cincinnati Branch of the Bnited States Sanitary Commission.

Very respectfully yours,

G. W. D. ANDREWS, Supt.”

The following extracts from reports of Mr. Morton will snow the character of work in the Home at Louisville :*

* “Louisville, June 11, 1863.

Dr. J. S. Newberry,

Sec’y West’n Dep’t U. S. Sanitary Commission :

11 Sir : Since the 1st of February, 1863, the number of men received and cared for at the Home has

been . 10,189

Average number weekly . 599

do do daily . 85

Since the 24th of March I have given attention to the

claims of . . . . . o . . 310

Collected for discharged soldiers in the aggregate. ,$25,064.93 A weekly average of 31 men, and amount of . $2,506.49

‘ I have had frequently to return defective papers for correc¬ tion, and take pleasure in stating that the officers to whom they

* See ground plan of “ The Home,” at end of Report.

36

have been sent have been 'obliging and prompt in perfecting and returning them, that the soldier might receive his pay and

resume liis journey homeward.

“When it has been necessary, in the case of defective papers or otherwise, that the soldier should go on without detention, I have made advances to facilitate them, and remitted balances after collections for their account.

“Whole number of deaths since the 1st of February, 12.

“On the arrival of very sick men, friends abroad are notified promptly, and every attention is given to make them comfort¬ able. Dr. Burch, of Hospital No. 1, has been very kind and prompt in giving attention to the sick at the Home. In case of death, all the effects and money of deceased soldiers are pre¬ served and delivered to the properly authorized party or par¬ ties. The dead are decently buried in Cave Hill Cemetery, -where many of our noble dead sleep side by side. 1 he graves are numbered, so that friends can find their remains.

“The Home now receives passing troops going to the field, by brigades, regiments, companies, or parts of companies. We are making additional improvements, which will be completed in a few days. The new building is 300 feet long and 25 feet wide, and when completed, the capacity of the Home will be sufficient to accommodate a thousand men daily.” *

Soldieh’s Home, Louisville, ) September , 1863. [

“ The Home is now complete in buildings and all arrange- ments necessary to provide for and take care of all discharged and furloughed soldiers arriving in the city, who may desire or require a resting place, attention, or assistance in any way.

“In the Home proper, we have capacity, with bedding and

37

furniture, to accommodate two hundred, and the station house attached, furnishes comfortable lodging room for eight hundred m0re _ and is frequently occupied by regiments and detach¬

ments passing through the city.

For July the whole number of meals given was . 24,907

For August . . . . * • • • f ® . . . 14,319

\Vhole No. of lodgings furnished at the Home, for July, 1,2G0 For August ........ . . . 1,395

“ No record of those lodging in the station house has been kept.

“ our collections for feeble and disabled soldiers have amounted to $3,396.73.

“For the comfort and convenience of discharged soldiers arri¬ ving at the Home, and those from other places in the city who are feeble and require rest while waiting for their pay, rooms have been prepared in one of its buildings, as an office for a Paymaster and the accommodation of his clerks, which are oc¬ cupied by Major Camp, Paymaster U. S. A., who is prompt and obliging in his attention to those having business with .him.”

« This arrangement has diminished the calls upon us to make collections for discharged soldiers generally, it being necessary only to collect for such as are absent, or too feeble to call directly on the Paymaster and receive payment in person.

a We continue to give attention to defective discharge pa¬ pers, and have daily calls for assistance in the way of advice. I am grateful to state that all the employees at the Home are attentive and prompt in the discharge of their duties, and so far as I know, universal satisfaction has been given to those who have enjoyed its hospitalities. *

“From its geographical position, the Home at Louisville

38

is one of the most important in the United States. Mr. Morton has furnished us the following report of its work for the month of October, from which it will be seen that its sphere is greatly and rapidly enlarging :

Soldiers’ Home,

Louisville, Ky.

Dr. J. S. Newberry, Sec’y Wcst’n Deft U. S. Sanitary Com¬ mission, Louisville :

Dear Sir: I give you below the number of Lodgings and Meals furnished at the “ Home ” for one month.

Whole number of lodgings -

Meals given at Home -

Meals given at Station House - - - —

Total number of meals given at Home and Station House - -

4,142

11,926

24,114

86,040

“No account was kept of lodgings in the Station House, which was filled several nights during the month.”

« Special Eelief Agency, U. S. Sanitary Commission,

Nashville, July 1, 1863,

Dr. J. S. Newrerry,

Serfy West’n Deft U. S. Sanitary Commission , Louisville : “ Dear Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this agency, for the quarter ending June 30th.

“ About the middle of March last I was assigned to the charge of this work. In connection with Dr. Ecad, I at once set about making arrangements to establish a Soldiers’ Home at this point. Our effort were kindly seconded by Major General Eosecrans, who fully apprehended and appreciated all that the good people of the loyal States, through the agency of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, are doing to mitigate the privations

39

and sufferings of the brave men who are carrying their coun¬ try’s flag into the very heart of the bogus Confederacy.

“ Through the kindness of the General, we succeeded' in having assigned to us a splendid suite of large, airy, well- ventilated rooms over the passenger depot of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, and here, on the 26th of March, 1863, we formally opened the “Home.” The objects kept in view at this agency are the same as those which have accomplished so much in the Special Relief agencies at Washington, Cincinnati, Louisville, &c., viz : to furnish to discharged, sick and furloughed soldiers a resting place and food ; also, all needed assistance in correcting defective papers, obtaining pay and pensions, and to see them all safely on their way to their homes, without charge. In short, to do all for this class of men that their parents and brothers could do were they here in person, with abundance of means and thoroughly acquainted with the work of the various offices. Thus with a small force, aided by a thorough system, the Commission is enabled to do for these men what a great multitude of their personal friends would be utterly unable to accomplish, were they7 to put themselves to the expense of a journey and sojourn here.

“By request of General Rosecrans, we have admitted to the Home only discharged and furloughed soldiers. All others passing through Nashville, and not under charge of an officer, are ordered to report to Exchange Barracks, where they are provided with rations and comfortable lodg¬ ings, and furnished with transportation to their respective commands. But, although we have not formally admitted to the Home these detached parties of soldiers, and their names do not appear upon our books, yet, on arriving at the depot after a long ride, tired and hungry, we have fre-

40

quently furnished them with refreshments and a temporary resting place, and then directed them to the barracks.

“ The following statement exhibits such part of the work of the agency at this point as can be expressed in tabular form :

“ There have been admitted to the Home during the

quarter —

Discharged soldiers - 1,050

Furloughed “ - - --.486

Total _ 1,534

“ Distributed among the States as follows : Ohio, 352 ; Indiana, 388; Illinois, 421; Michigan, 91; Wisconsin, 74; Tennessee, 31; Kentucky, 109; Pennsylvania, 30; Missouri,, 14; Minnesota, 6; New York, 4; regular army, 3; Ehode Island, 4; Massachusetts, 1.

Largest number cared for any one day - 127

Average number cared for per day - 46

Number of deaths - 8

Whole number of meals furnished - - 7,457

Whole number of lodgings furnished - 3,064

Defective papers corrected - 79

Number too feeble to go to pay office for whom

I have drawn pay - 211

Amount of money received and paid over -- $12,867 62 Entire cost to the Commision in furniture, fix¬ tures, and current expenses up to July 1--—. $407 72

“We have guides to visit the depots on the arrival of trains to conduct the men to the Home, where their baggage is checked, and their names, number of company and regi¬ ment, condition, destination, &c., properly recorded. After which their papers are carefully examined, and such as are defective retained for correction. I lose no time in writing out the necessary corrections to be made and forwarding them to our agents at Murfreesboro or other points, who

41

receive them on the arrival of the mail, and at once set out to the regiments and companies to have the corrections made. Sets of papers are frequently returned to me from Murfreesboro corrected on the day they are sent out from here.

After a soldier has been a long time sick in hospital, and is at last informed that he is discharged, and his papers are made out, and he actually starts for home, hut few can ap¬ preciate his sufferings of mind if, through the carelessness of his captain, or from some other cause, he is compelled to wait while his papers are sent back to be corrected. Every¬ thing in him is absorbed in the one idea of home. No pains or labor have, therefore, been spared to enable those arriving here from the front to go on with as little delay as possible. In manjr cases of defective papers, when the necessity was peculiarly urgent, I have made advances of money to facilitate their homeward passage, and remitted balances after collecting their accounts. For these favors I have reaped a rich harvest of reward in witnessing the evident happiness it afforded the soldiers, and in their grati¬ tude expressed on leaving the Home, and in letters ac¬ knowledging the receipt of amounts forwarded. I enclose herewith a copy of one such letter just received from a dis¬ charged soldier from Indiana. * * *

Many applications are made for assistance by soldiers and their friends who are able to attend to their own business, hut are strangers in the city, and do not know where to commence or how to go to work.

Many letters of inquiries are received and answered, and much time is spent in various other ways in the legitimate labors of the agency, a record of which is not kept, and which cannot be exhibited in a report of this kind.

6

42

The question has often occurred to me, 44 What would these men have done had it not been for the care taken of them at the Soldiers’ Home?” It would have cost those who had defective papers as much to get them corrected a3 the corrections would have amounted to on the aveiage when made, and then their board while waiting would, in many instances, have absorbed the balance due them on their papers.

I believe this agency have saved these men more than four times as much money in this way as the entire cost to the Commission in establishing the Home and its current expenses during the quarter. And then who can compute in dollars and cents the amount of anxiety and suffering that we have thus been instrumental in saving.

* * * * * *

Those who have died at the Home have been buried at the expense of the Government in the Cemetery heie, where so many of our noble dead who have laid down their lives in their country’s service sleep side by side, and their money and effects are sent to the heirs as soon as we can fret into communication with them.

The thanks of the Commission are due to all the officcis of the Government through whom this agency has had business to transact in this city for the cordial good will with which they have aided us in carrying on the good

work.

Very respectfully,

L. CRANE,

K^pr-inl Volirf Anent, . 77. S. San. CovrCn .

“ The establishment of the Soldiers’ Home at Nashville has thrown upon us a new branch of work. Almost every day dis¬ charged soldiers reach the Home from this point with papers so defective that they cannot draw their pay upon them ; some with papers which would enable them to draw a part only of that which is justly their due. When this occurs the soldier remains at the Home and his papers are returned for correction here. I make it a point, upon the arrival of the train, to have my horse ready saddled, and my other business so arranged that I can ride promptly to the regiment or regiments and se¬ cure the correction of the papers in time to return them, if pos¬ sible, by the afternoon train — always by the next day. In doing this I cannot cease to think of the loss, anxiety, and delay the soldier discharged from the service must have experi¬ enced at Nashville before this work was assumed and system¬ atized by the Commission, of the sickness of heart which would well nigh crush out the little life remaining in the sick and crippled soldier, without money and among strangers, anxious to reach his home, with the thought, perhaps, that it was only to die there, when he found his papers were worthless and he had no one to go to for help. The importance of this work could never have been fully known, except through the experi¬ ence of doing it.”

11 The answer of letters and telegrams of inquiry from the Hospital Directory at Louisville, and from friends at home who communicate directly with this office, has become an important part of the work here — a work always interesting, often sad in the information to be communicated. If the hospital records and the long list of casualties at the battle of Stone River and subsequent skirmishes afford no positive data for answering the inquiry or finding the soldier, recourse is had to the officers of the regiment. At first, reliance was placed upon letters to

44

the regiments, but the results were far from satisfactory ; and now, if the regiment is accessible, personal inquiry of the officers of the company, and an inspection of the company rolls, is always resorted to if the man cannot otherwise be found. This work and the correction of discharge papers is doing much to endear the Commission to the hearts of the soldiery. Here¬ tofore, dealing almost exclusively with the sick and wounded, the able-bodied soldiery in the field, who really mould the public sentiment of the army and communicate it to the people at home, knew but little of the work of the Commission, and the receipt of one box of stale pound cake and mouldy ginger¬ bread for the well men of the regiment, although calculated to fill. the hospitals rather than relieve the sick, would occasion more cordial letters of thanks to the donors than the receipt of car-loads of purely hospital stores. But now as you visit the regiments to get the discharge papers corrected, and point out to the soldier how he ci his comrades can secure all needed assistance on his way home if discharged, or call around you the comrades of a missing soldier to gather up all the information possible and secure any clue which will determine Ins fate, the constant expression you hear is decided and heart-felt : “ Thank God that somebody is doing this work for the soldier.”

a A few incidents will illustrate the difficulties and the interesting character of this part of the work.

“ Eli Gleason, Co. C, 21st Michigan V.I., is inquired for. ITo satisfactory information being attain a ole here, the iegi- ment is visited. It is found that he is accounted for on the muster rolls of his company up to the 31st of December, from which time his name is dropped and no explanation given ; but on inquiry among his comrades it is ascertained that he was wounded in the battle of Stone Diver, taken to a hospital which was subsequently captured by the rebels, when he was taken four miles to the rebel rear by a comrade

45

who was also a prisoner, and is now at Camp Chase, paroled. There all positive information ends. His wound ought not to have been fatal, for, although shot in the hip, another comrade saw him walk without help some twenty rods to the rear, indicating that it was merely a flesh wound. It is also stated in the regiment that after the occupation of Mur¬ freesboro by our forces, the name of the soldier, company, and regiment, was found cut in the wall of a building, but where they know not. His comrades promise to find its location, if possible, and report here, when that clue will be followed up till it fails or leads to a definite knowledge of the soldier’s fate. Should that simple record, traced by his own hand, but point to the location of his grave, the friends at home could hardly refrain from making a pilgrimagp to the spot. Should it lead to his discovery, yet alive, who shall give expression to their gratitude ?”

“ An inquiry is made for Henry Hass, Company C, 5th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. It is ascertained that Henry IIoos of that company wTas killed in. the battle of Stone River, and his body left upon the field occupied by the reb¬ els — that Henry Hess of the same company is with his regi¬ ment, well, and that no Henry Hass was ever a member of the company. This information is communicated with such descriptions as will insure identification, carrying joy or sorrow to the mother who makes the inquiry, according as it shall be found to have been her son or another’s son, probably equally beloved, who has fallen.”

46

Soldiers’ Lodge, Memphis, Tenn.,

'* August 4, 1863.

* * * * “ During the month of July, the

arrivals at the Lodge have been 617. Of these 234 were discharged, and 218 furloughed soldiers ; number of meals furnished, 2,011.

« The arrival of a matron about the middle of July has enabled us to add greatly to the comforts of all, and espe¬ cially of the sick and convalescent. We have also con¬ structed during the month 24 additional bunks, giving us 42 iu all.

“ I am constrained to mention again the amazing ignor¬ ance and carelessness shown in making out the final state¬ ments of discharged soldiers.

The plea that the soldier can return his papers if wrong, and have them corrected, is often of little practical value. In this depart ment discharged men are paid at this place. On his arrival here the soldier learns that his papers are wrong. If he is able to travel and has money enough to get home, where ho can wait patiently and safely the return of his pa¬ pers for correction, he suffers only from the annoyance- of going home with unsettled papers, and possibly from a feeling of resistance in finding himself under such ignorance and carelessness that even pecuniary justice is not done him. But the cases of discharged men with any money in their pockets are exceptional ones; as a rule the men being both penniless and sick, or so debiliated that a return to Vicks¬ burg, or the delay here necessary for the return and correc¬ tion of their papers, is at the serious risk [of life. Already a number have died while waiting for corrected papers— men, too, who, without doubt, would be living now had their papers been correct.

47

“Here are notes of one day’s experience with discharged soldiers :

“Three men discharged from - ; papers of one wrong;

of two others so made out as to subject them to a loss of $25 advance bounty, and two months and three days’ clothing allowance ; but three dollars among them, and regiment left Vicksburg a number of days ago in the expe¬ dition (supposed) against Mobile ; so no chance of getting papers corrected for weeks ; got Government transportation for them to St. Louis endorsed on discharge papers.

“ Two other discharged men, same regiment, without a cent ; papers so made out that they lose $22 advance bounty, and about one and one half months’ clothing allowance. Poor fellows, both sick and debilitated, took what was coming to them and started home. One discharged man from — — certificate of discharge not dated and state¬ ments altered. I sent papers back and he remains here till their, return. Found three other discharged men at pay office ; no money, and papers all wrong. Two discharged men of the - , from Corinth; one just gone with con¬

sumption, going home to die ; the other sick. Both in charge of a man from same regiment, furloughed expressly to go home with them, and under written instructions from their surgeon to get them home as soon as possible. Both sets of discharge papers wrong, and not a cent in the party. Had paid out their last eighty-five cents for food, coming in from Corinth.

Got Government transportation for all, and gave them a little money to go home.

“In all, eleven discharged men ; papers wrong, three dol¬ lars in the party, and not one able to carry his knapsack to the boat, about twenty-five rods.

48

“I may be pardoned for enumerating some points in which papers prove wrong.

“ 1. The omission of date of enlistment or enrollment, which should appear in Final Statements, as well as in cer¬ tificate of discharge.

“2. Omitting to say that the disease or disability for which the man is discharged was incurred since enlistment, if such be the fact; or the contrary, if the contrary be the fact.

“ 3. Neglect to state whether or not the clothing account was ever settled.

“ 4. Alteration or erasure of dates, day and month, and of amounts of money.

“ 5. Omitting to state time of discharge, to date certificate of discharge and Final Statements. ”

O

* * * * Ht

Soldier’s Lodge, Memphis, Tenn.,

“ Report for one week:

No. of furloughed men admitted this week - 39ts

discharged men admitted this week - i

convalescents going to regiments - 62

recruits going to regiments - 11

paroled men going to regiments - -- - 39

all other classes going to regiments - 42

Total - * - - 559

“ From the States as follows: Illinois, 234; Indiana, 86; Ohio, 66; Iowa, 55; Wisconsin, 33: Missouri, 29; Michi¬ gan, 15; Kentucky, 18; Minnesota, 6; Regular Army, 4; Musicians, 3; Kansas, 2; Marine Brigade, 2; Alabama,

\

49

Tennessee, Virginia, Signal Corps and Pioneer Corps 1

.Number going from regiments, 39 ; going to regiments,

433; number on detached service, 30; to join Invalid Corps, 5.

No. of meals furnished during the week _ 3 OQr

lodgings furnished during the week- *4S2

-Largest number cared for in one day _ ” oaq

Average number cared for per day _ 100

No. of deaths _ _ _

sent to the hospital _ r

we procured transportation for _ ~~~ ^

of defective papers we corrected _ 4

aided in drawing pay _ 0

Very respectfully, yours,

C. W. CHRISTY,

Superintendent and Belief Agent

*********

CAIRO.

Reports of a portion of the relief afforded by the Home at Cairo to 15,345 soldiers of the Union, represent the States as follows: Illinois, 5,907; Wisconsin, 1,090; Min¬ nesota, 109; Iowa, 1,183; Kansas, 61; Nebraska, 5; Mis¬ souri, 793; Michigan, 835; Indiana, 1,919; Ohio, 2,300- Pennsylvania, 12; Maine, 2; Kentucky, 315; Tennessee’ 58 ; U. S. Regulars, 71 ; not known, 595.

*********

In Dr. Andrew’s report concerning the operations of the Sanitary Commission, in connection with the battles of Chickamauga on the 19th and 20th of September, we find reference to the establishment of the “Mountain Lodge,” where thousands of sick, aud hundreds of almost dying men,

50

have since been refreshed in their wearisome way over those

rough mountain roads. He says :

“ On the 28tli ult. I laid the plan for the establishment of a resting and feeding place on the ambulance route, for the benefit of the wounded in transitu midway between Chatta- noooga and Stevenson, before Surgeon Perin, Medical Di¬ rector of the Department. It at once received his hearty approbation and the promise of every necessary aid. I readily procured the consent of Rev. O. Kennedy, Chaplain of the 101st Ohio, an excellent man, with a head, a heart, and a hand always ready for any good work, to take charge of the Lodge, and have taken the liberty to appoint him an agent of the Commission for that purpose. After much delay and many disappointments lie started with the tents, stores, and furniture, and we can say with as much certainty as of any future event, that it will be in complete running order in time for the next train of wounded men. The de- % privations and sufferings of those on thb two trains which have already come over that dreaded passage, have convinced every one of the necessity of the “ Lodge,” and there is no room for fear for the future in this regard. It is expected that each ambulance train will so arrange its movements as to stop at that point, (where there is an abundance of wood and water, and where there will be abundance of wholesome, palatable food, and of kind attention,) for a good night’s rest.”

Again, in the Sanitary Reporter is the following :

Yrom the “ Mountain Lodge,” near Chattanooga, we have

as yet received no detailed report, and in lieu thereof append the following from the Cincinnati Gazette :

“ Cincinnati.

“Eds. Gazette: It is not unfrequently stated that the

51

contributions made by on benevolent citizens to the United States Commission seldom roach those for whom the dona tions were really intended. Such statements have a ten' dency to diminish public confidence, and retard the opera tions of the Commission. I desire in a public manner to tcs ,ty to one act of the Sanitary Commission, done at a time mid place to fully testify to the indispensible benefits that institution has done to our suffering men.

On the 24th inst. I came over the cheerless and horribly muddy road leading down the valley of Sequatchie, from Chattanooga to Stevenson. Major Welsh of the 18th was with me, and in an ambulance we had Lieut. D B Carlin a brave aud valuable officer of the 18th, who was slowly re- covenng from a severe wound received at Chiekamauga. lhis officer was yet totally helpless, and bad been sent out from the field hospital with less than a day’s rations to ac¬ complish a march of four days. The country on this route affords nothing for the subsistence of either man or beast In this emergency I knew not what to do. The officer as well as the driver of the ambulance and the officer’s attend- aut, were likely to suffer severely.

^ At a point just eight miles above Jasper we espied, on the river bank, three or four hospital tents, and near by a few smaller tents ; and riding up to one of these, we discovered a small placard, with the words “ Soldiers’ Home” on it, and we rejoiced to discover the jolly countenance of the kind-hearted chaplain of the 101st Ohio Volunteers, now doing detached duty as agent of the Sanitary Commission in this isolated spot lor the benefit of the sick and wounded soldiers being: sent to the rear. °

We stated our case, and were liberally supplied with fruit crackers, tea, &c., with agood bottle of the best of ale, (Walker’s best,) and were kindly urged to remain and partake of a warm supper, lias invitation we were reluctantly compelled to de¬ cline, on account of the lateness of the hour, and the necessity existing to reach Jasper. This is only one of a thousand sim¬ ilar instances occurring daily everywhere along this line, i lie fact that this aid, so much needed, reached us when so un¬ expected, made an impression on my mind.

* * ^

Yours,

C. H. GROSVENOR, Lieut. Col. 18th 0. V. L

5*2

SPECIAL BELIEF WOEK ON THE ATLANTIC COAST.

Ui'til recently, this has not been made there a distinct branch the work, but has been carried on in connection with the General Eelief work of the agencies of the Sanitary Commis¬ sion, established at various points on the coast. At Newburn, Dr. Pagi\ at Port Eoyal and Folly Island, Dr. Marsh, at New Orleans, Dr. Blake and Dr. Crane have thus had charge of this service. Eeccntly arrangements have been made for establish¬ ing “ Homes” at all the important points on the coast, including St. Augustine, to which the sick are now carried in large num¬ bers. Special Eelief agents have gone out, taking with them all the furniture and material which may be needed ; and in connection with these “Homes” will be free agencies for obtaining pay and correcting papers wherever such agencies can be of service.

The following incident is from the journal of Special Eelief; it has been printed in a little tract entitled “ The Lord will Provide,” out is inserted here to illustrate the work we do and the men whom we sometimes meet with :

Philadelphia, July 1st , 1863.

(Wednesday night. 10 o’clock.)

I want to note down before I forget it, the case of a man whom I have just been helping on his way home.

I was in the Commission’s Eooms here in Philadelphia, this afternoon, on my way from Washington, when a soldier came in with an intelligent but very anxious face, saying that he was

53

m trouble, and had come to see if he could get advice or assist¬ ance. His case was simply this : Ho was an inmate of a Gen¬ eral Hospital, Washington, (wounded in foot, still very lame,) had obtained from the surgeon a furlough for thirty days, to visit his home in Maine, in order to see his wife who, according to a telegram which he had received, was sick, lying very low°. With his furlough and transportation paper (an order from the Government to the railroads along the way from city to city, to furnish him transportation at expense of Government, but to be charged in final settlement to the man,) he had left Wash¬ ington and nearly reached Philadelphia, when he discovered that both his furlough and transportation papers were gone— probably stolen from his pocket. He had nothing to show in proof that he was not a deserter, and no means of continuing on his way to his home. He said the adjutant general at Philadel¬ phia had listened to his case kindly, and had telegraphed to Washington to get assurance that a furlough had been granted him. I also telegraphed to our Relief Office to have a messen¬ ger sent out to the hospital, and get assurance that the man had received a leave of absence, so that the military authorities here could be authorized in furnishing him with a paper which would protect him against arrest.

I told the man to come to see me this evening, at the hotel here, to see if an answer was received to my telegram. He came in a little while ago, (with a young man who helped him along), bringing the needed military pass from the authorities here— based on the answer which had just been received by the adjutant general to his telegram. (I also, at the same timo, received an answer at our office, attesting to his furlough.)

As the man was entirely without money, and could not get another order for transportation, I relieved his anxiety by tell¬ ing him that I would arrange some way for him to get home, so that he could go by the first train in the morning ; so I

54

Landed liim ten dollars, and gave to him one of our tickets, which would show to the railroads and steamboats that he was entitled to travel at reduced rates of fare, also cards and di¬ rections to the Relief Station in New York, and to the “ Home” of the Commission, in Boston, where he would be taken care of kindly on his way without cost. He wished to give me an or¬ der upon his paymaster, at Washington, so that the ten dollars might be returned, and insisted resolutely upon my receiving his note of hand for the amount.

After talking a while with him, I found that he was a fellow of fine, manly spirit, a hard-working man, with no means of support but his labor, and just now his wife sick, and an aged mother dependent upon him, and some little children to be cared for, so I said to him, “ No, I shan’t let you pay that back again, you have got to receive that as a present from the Sani¬ tary Commission — it is out of some money entrusted to me as a discretionary fund, so that I can give a helping hand to those who need a lift on the way home.”

He was much moved by the kindness, and with a look of real thought and feeling, and with a slow, deep tone of voice, after some hesitation, looking me full in the eye, he said : “ Now I will tell you something! and I will tell you just how I take this. When we got out of the cars last night, after I had lost my papers, and was so exercised about it, and was almost bro¬ ken down with the idea that I had got to turn back again to the hospital, at Washington, with no chance of getting to see my wife at home,— when we got out of the cars, I picked up a wrapper, which had in it the furlough and transpoi tation pa* pers of another man ; and, come to look at them, they belonged to a man whom I knew by sight, as he had been in the sami hospital with me. I didn’t exactly, at first, know what to d > with them. I saw that I could use them just as well as not t > carry me straight home, and no one would be the wiser for i I ;

55

as they didn’t know my name along the railroads ; and two acquaintances who were along with me advised mo to do so, and said that I would bo a fool if I didn’t do it, that. I had found them, and might never see the owner of them even if I were to hunt all night after him, and that it was the only chance ' in t,ie world for me to get home for one year at any rate, and the probabilities were, that unless I went now, my wife might be gone before ever I reached there.

‘ ^ was a hard trial to me, the toughest time I ever had in my life, and at first I didn’t know what to do ; but when I thought about seeing my wife, if I should find her alive, and having to feel, when I looked at her, that I hadn’t come home in exactly an honest way, I felt as if she would somehow know it all, and would tell me she wished I hadn’t come! For one of the last things she said to me was this: she said, “ You may go!— I am willing you should go, if you only won’t lose your princi¬ ples! Let me hear that you are killed, or that you have died in any way, only don’t let me hear that you have ever done what was wrong !” That’s what my wife said, and my mother said just the same, and she is a praying woman, and I know that they both pray for me every day, and have done so every single day since I went out to the war, ’most two years ago.

“When I thought of that I couldn't keep and use that man’s furlough and transportation any more than I could * have died ! and I went and hunted till I found the man, and gave them to him ; and then I had a feeling somehow come right over me, that the Lord had got some way ready that he would provide for me to get home and see my wife ; and that s just the way that I take this help that you’ve been giving me; I take it of the Lord’s providing; not but what I m just as grateful to you, you know, as if I didn’t take it this way, for I am; but I can’t but look upon it so. You

56

don't know, yoa never can know what a kindness you have done me. And now when I come to see my wife, I can feel that I have a right to have her glad to see me again, for I’m going to carry back to her, in me, all the principle I had before I left to go to the war, for honestly I tell you, if I do say it, who ought not to say it, that I have held on to my principles just as I would have hung on to my musket if one of the rebels had undertaken to twist it out of my hands ; that’s just the way I have hung on to my principles, more times than one, too, for I’ve had some pretty sharp temptations come along across my track, first and last, in these two years. I don’t say I did this always so much for the sake of doing right, and because I was so dead-set against doing anything wrong (though I have some ideas of my own about that), but because, somehow, the sight of my wife and my children and my mother would always keep coming up before me, and I couldn’t bear the idea of dis¬ appointing them, and wronging them, and breaking their hearts, for I know as well as I want to that it would do just that if I were to go home broken down in my principles, and with the mean kind of look and way that men always have when they’ve been doing wrong, and been acting out of sight of home as they wouldn’t have done if their wfife and folks had been round.

“I guess I have talked about enough, but now that I’m on it, I am just going to tell you one thing more, seeing that you are willing to listen to me so, and that is that what my wife said to me there when I left home actually made me dream twice of getting a furlough and going home ; and the first time they were all as glad as could be to see me, and my wife was as proud of me as could be, though, as it seemed in my dream, I had lost one of my legs and

57

had to go on crutches, and had my face awfully scarred, so that I had been afraid the children wouldn’t want to come to me ; but they did, and hung around me all day long, and the neighbors, too, all came in. But the other time when I dreamed about getting home, and I thought this time that the war was all through, I found that my wife and the children and all looked somehow sad and disap¬ pointed, and though they were very kind to me, and looked as if they pitied me, it didn’t seem as if they cared as much for me one half as they used to, or cared to have me with them, and my wife didn’t seem to want to walk out with me, though I had got to be a captain, and knew that I looked like a real soldier; and finally1', when I asked my wife why this was so, she looked me right in the face, but didn’t say a word, when it came all over me, how for a while, the last four months in the army, I had gone off on a wrong track with some men who hadn’t much principle, and hadn’t written home as much, or cared as much about my wife as I used to. And while she was looking at me this way, and I was trying to hide my face, I all of a sudden waked up, and I guess that time, after I found it all was a dream, I guess I was happier than I ever expect to be again in this world, unless it be next day after to-morrow, if I get home and find that my wife is still alive. ISTow I hope you won’t think strange of me for talking so about myself, ’tisn’t my usual way, but somehow you were so kind to me, and asked so about my wife, that I kept talking on. I’m not going to thank you again, only I hope sometime or other to meet you again. I should like so much, when I get back, to tell you how I found things at home.”

8

58

EXTRACT OF ONE DAY’S RECORD FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE “NURSES’ HOME,” AT WASH¬ INGTON.

Seven women and ten children received to-day. First, a mother of a soldier; next, a soldier’s wife; three hospital nurses ; then two wives of refugees, with their children.

The soldier’s mother showed me this telegram to explain to me who she was, and why she was in the city ; it was from her son: “Mitchel’s Station, Ya. — lam to be shot on Friday next — can you do anything for me ?” With this telegram in her hand she had hastened on from her distant home by the first train to Washington, to appeal to the President to save her son. She gathered up and brought with her such testimonials as she could obtain ; also evi¬ dence of the circumstances connected with her son’s enlist¬ ment. She was a poor woman, but neatly clad, and with an honest and earnest face, about fifty years old. Her hus¬ band, it seems, was so much shocked by the telegram that he could not act, so she had to come on. As she came to the Nurses’ Home, almost utterly exhausted, she looked like one who had been through a terrible night of darkness, watching by what seemed a death-bed, but had suddenly caught sight of a bright gleam of light, for she had already laid her case before the President, with such testimony as palliated the act of “desertion” on the part of her boy, and the sentence of death had been revoked. It seems that some months ago her son had run away from home to enlist, (he was but 17 or 18 years old, and his parents had gained no intelligence of him until a letter came in his handwriting

59

announcing to his mother that he was in the army and was to be tried as a “deserter,” hut that there was no danger but what he should get off. His mother had then written, asking him to tell her all the circumstances of his enlist¬ ment. The letter which he sent in return his mother brought on to Washington with her, and as she allowed me to copy it, I insert it here :

“Dear Father and Mother. — I now take the oppor¬ tunity of writing you a few lines, hoping to find you in good health. I had got your letter and I read it ; then I gave it to the Colonel, and I do not know what he will do with it, but I hope he will not go hard on me. He is a very severe man when he gets angry, and a very good one when he ain’t angry. I have been very sick with fever and a<rue, and I am out in the rain here ever since I have been caught, without even a tent. All the house we have is a few limbs of trees. I have the shakes every other day. Where we are in camp, is a very sickly place, and very lousy. The lice is taking away our clothes. It ain’t safe to put down our crackers without we put a stone on them, as the lice would run away with it. I am now getting along first-rate. I just now got your letter from home. While I was writing this letter I received your letter, dear mother, and read it. And now I will tell you how and where I enlisted. The day that I left home I was made acquainted with a fellow named, as he called himself, Captain Cody, and he agreed to take me to Pennsylvania and get me three hundred dol¬ lars, and I asked him how, and he told me when I got there I would see. When I got there lie took mo to some house in South 2d street, as he called it, in Philadelphia, and we stayed there that night, and in the morning we got our breakfast ; then he gave me some liquor to drink, and I did

60

not know where I was till I found myself in Morristown, Pennsylvania, in the Marshal’s office, talking to the doctor. I was asleep. When I awoke the doctor told me that I was an enlisted man, and I said I was not, and he showed me some papers that I signed when I was drunk; hut I do not believe I ever signed a paper ; then I asked him where was the money, and he told me that the boarding-master took two hundred dollars, and said I owed him twenty-five more. The boarding-master was Captain Cody. He swore that I owed him the money, and that is all I know about it. And there was a lieutenant who said he would get me clear for twenty-five dollars, and I gave it to him ; but I did not see him any more. The place I enlisted was Morristown, Pa. That is all at present.

“ I send my best love and respects to you all. Good bye.

“If you have got one of John Peterson’s pictures, send it in the letter. That is all.

“ Direct to - - ,

Such was the letter which was followed by the brief mes¬ sage sent to his mother, “I am to be shot next Friday; can you do something for me?” As she handed me the tele¬ gram, although her son was now safe, her whole frame shook. She had two other sons, she said; one a little fellow of ten, and the third at home, disabled from wounds received in the battle at Chancellorville. Her journey and expenses had used all the money she had been able to bring from home with her, and it was a real joy to us to be able to give her a resting place and kind care ; and then to-morrow we shall furnish her with a ticket to her home.

2d. The soldier’s wife — very young and frail — she has

61

journeyed aione over 500 miles in the last two days, to see, if possible, her husband alive.

She found him in the hospital nearby; has been with him all day, and has now come into t the “nurses’ home” full of hope that he will recover, and delighted to find the admirable and kind care which is bestowed by the general hospitals upon those who are sick, and of which she had heard such terrible reports of neglect. She is grateful, very, for the shelter and the hand of sympathy which the Home offers to her.

3d. The Wives or the Refugees.- — One of these, with the four children, was brought to the office of the Sanitary Commission, by the provost guard, early this morning. She was miserably poor and destitute, and with her children sadly in need of warm garments. According to the papers which she carried with her, and her own story, she had come on all the way from Tennessee in order to find in Alexandria some relatives of her husband who were said to live there. Her husband had been shot by guerrillas near his own house, where he had gone on a six days’ furlough from the army, not very distant. As she had nothing to live on, and feared for her own life, she had fled and came on here. In Alexandria she had searched in vain for her husband’s relatives. She brought all her goods with her ; namely, a bed, blankets, and some clothes, in four dirty bundles. She now wants to get back as far as Kentucky. She says she can’t feel at home “way north;” that she had rather starve “down south” than stay up here. She and her children will be made comfortable, and then sent on their way. She is not entirely satisfied with her treatment at the Home. She thinks that she is not “ waited upon” as a soldier’s wife from so far off ought to be, and that she has

62

received very little attention ; and that, if this house pre¬ tends to be a kind of hotel — only where they don’t take any pay — they ought to look a little more after the folks they entertain ; that at any rate a black girl might be sent to take care of her children ; and that surely it is a great place where a body has to help to sew upon the garments which are going to be a present to her ! But still, upon the whole, she is glad of the shelter and the garments, though her pride is a little wounded; and most certainly the poor little chil¬ dren are warmer for the flannels and shoes. It is strange how these “poor whites,” who havn’t energy enough appa¬ rently to harvest the crop which is to keep them alive, can overcome all the difficulties of such a journey as this, with baggage and children, travelling a thousand miles.

The other woman, wife of a refugee — she came from Cul¬ pepper with her six children, her husband is with her. They were simply “ starved out.” At one time the place was in the hands of the rebels and they couldn’t get away ; at another time in the hands of the Federate, and they hoped not to be obliged to go away — and so for two years they had lived on — until at last, as the husband told me, they had but “ half a gallon” of meal left. So they had to give up their home ; they succeeded in escaping the guerrillas, and after a long and terribly wearisome journey on foot with these six children they reached a place of protection. They had been at the Sanitary Lodge in Alexandria, resting for a day ot two before they came on to Washington. They were Meth¬ odists, and persons with deep religious faith. Under all their labor and sorrow (for they buried a little child shortly before they left their home in Virginia) they were quiet and cheerful, apparently having perfect confidence that God would yet give them a home and all the happiness which

63

was best for them. The children, too, in their gentleness and expression of face, bore mark of the daily prayer which bad never failed, as the mother told me, to be offered at the poor man’s altar. This family had seen better days, but there was no complaint at their lot. They are grateful for the kindness we are able to show to them, though they are somewhat closely packed together in two rooms. Arrange* ments are made to ticket the whole family through to their old home in Western Pennsylvania.

4th. The Hospital Nurses. — Two of these are from the General Hospital, one worn down by excessive labor, need-* ing a few day’s rest; the other has just returned from a visit to her home, and is unable to go over to Alexandria to-night. The third is from a Regimental Hospital, where she has served devotedly for nearly two years — and she is ordered in by the Surgeon of the regiment, whether she will or no, to rest for at least one week ; but it seems as if rest¬ ing were to her the hardest form of labor. She will soon bo really sick if she cannot go to work.

These extracts from records, give some idea, though neces¬ sarily imperfect, of one part of the Special Relief work of the Commission.

(The statistics concerning disabled discharged soldiers, with reference to the provision to be made for them in coming years, will be hereafter added.)

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRED. N. KNAPP,

Special Relief Agent .

.

THE “ HOME ” AT LOUISVILLE, KY.

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Sanitary Commission.

No. 77.

SANITARY" COMMISSION.

^N o. 78.

-v IV ANS W E R

TO THE QUESTION,

“WHY HOES THE SANITARY COMMISSION NEED SO MUCH MONEY?”

-A. RECORD AYl^ID AY 1ST APPEAL

If the people furnish supplies liberally without cost, and if the store¬ houses and treasuries of the various Branches of supply are full, how is it that the Central Treasury of the Sanitary Commission calls for and disposes of so much money? This is a plain question, honestly asked ; and there is a plain and honest answer. It is this : a large amount of money is needed because the present machinery of the commission which is supported by the Central Treasury cannot be kept in motion without a very large cash expenditure; and the judgment of sagacious, humane, and carefully calculating men, to whom the whole matter has been sub¬ mitted, decides, without qualification, that all this machinery must be kept a-going, that large as its cost is, the results for good which depend upon it are so much larger, that the Commission, as the trustees of the people’s bounty, the representatives of their benevolence, and the execu¬ tors of their will, could not find a justification in allowing the expen¬ siveness of the system to cause its discontinuance until a fair statement of their intention to discontinue it, and the reason why they intended to do so, should have been laid before the people, and the question put — shall the Sanitary Commission or shall they not go on with this work in all its breadth, involving this annual expenditure? — Shall they drop all other branches of their work, and limit themselves to the charge of merely “distributing the supplies” which are sent to them, or shall they keep up their entire system, embracing, with this distribution of supplies,

2

Sanitary Inspection by medical men, of camps and of field hospitals ; San¬ itary Inspection by medical men, of general hospitals; Special Relief, with all its agencies, and in all its various departments ; the Hospital Directory, with its register and its 500,000 names.

The fact of the case is this, that the work of distributing supplies to the sick and wounded, while of course it involves much expense, is but one of five directions in which the Sanitary Commission are laboring to ward off disease and death from the soldier, to ensure speedy recovery, to relieve the anxiety of relatives at home, and to make the dear bought experience of regiments already long in the war available to regiments just entering the field. Part of this work suggested itself and grew up as the Commission went on, while part of it entered into the original plan of the Commission, which was based upon the idea that what the army needed from outside itself was not merely additional clothes, and food, and care in times of emergency, but a better understanding of the con¬ ditions for securing health, and more urgent inducements with more con¬ stant constraints and influences to lead to an obedience to every possible law which would guard against or check disease. Hence the whole de¬ partment of “ Sanitary Inspection” was established in field and hospital, involving large expense, and to the casual observer producing no very important results— in the whole of its work making less show of relief or aid to the soldier than would be made by the distribution of one wagon load of supplies to wounded or dying men — yet in its actual effects probably saving more lives to the army and to friends at home than has ever been done by the distribution of any five hundred wagon loads of these same supplies.

The “ Special Relief” department, also involving now in its constant enlargement a heavy and increasing outlay, is one of the branches of the Commission’s work which has very little to do with supply distribution, and was not, indeed, embraced in the original plan of organization. Yet this same Special Relief work, with its “Lodges” and “Homes” all along the Atlantic coast, on the shores of the Mississippi, and inland, wherever an army is found, could not be given up to-day without to¬ morrow and each following day exposing to manifold evils at least three thousand men who noware protected.

So of the “ Hospital Directory,” with its agencies for giving prompt and accurate information to those at home concerning the sick and wounded throughout the army. This involves large expense ; so much so that a few months since those who hold themselves responsible for the right use of the money put into their hands by the people, almost decided

3

that they had no right to continue this branch of the Commission’s work, which after all was not for the aid of the soldiers so much as for the relief of the anxious solicitude of friends ; but when the proposal to give it up was discussed, it was found that there was an immense pres¬ sure from £‘ the people,” demanding the continuance of this servant, and friend, and comforter of theirs. This too had grown up, not as part of the original plan of the commission, and surely in no wise connected with the distribution of needed supplies, but it had come out of an ur¬ gent call of the people that those who in their name were helping the soldiers in the field, should now also help them at home — the fathers wives, and mothers — by answering their inquiries about the sick and wounded. Thus it was that this Hospital Directory, with all its aids for securing and transmitting information, had sprung up out of the demands of the people, and the people have asked to be and are called upon to defray the expense of its continuance.

Such is the history, brought down to the present time, of those four departments of the Commission’s labor additional to the work of “Supply Distribution.” The cost of maintaining these four departments with the largeness which the interests of half a million enlisted men and half a million homes ask for, and with the thoroughness which wise economy unites with medical science in demanding, cannot be less than thirty thousand dollars each month. And it is with the express understanding that to such use this much of the money will be appropriated that funds are solicited and contributed to carry on “ the work of the Commission,” The detail of these expenditures in each one of these departments is open for examination, and the result of such examination by careful business men, who have themselves contributed largely to the very money thus used, and who measure also the results accomplished, is this — those men say, the Sanitary Commission would be false to duties assumed, and to duties providentially laid upon them ; false also to the people, whose work this really is; false likewise to the age which gives the opportunity for this special duty of filling up generously a great page of a nation’s history, an opportunity given just at this time, the one year out of a century — false to all this, they say, would the Commission be if it did not persevere and carry on all these agencies for good, confidently and unhesitatingly asking the people for whatever money is really needed, with fit economy, for the work.

Thus it is that the “ Central Treasury,” from which all these depart¬ ments of the Commission draw their support, needs constant renewal, although the Branches of supply (lately so amply furnished by the

4

proceeds of the “ Sanitary Fairs” held in various sections of the country) may be stored to overflowing with goods and money.

But the whole ground is not covered by this statement. All persons employed by the Commission in every part of the vast field draw their pay from the Central Treasury. Moreover it has become the settled policy of the commission to employjxmZ agents. A large experience with a jealous regard to a right and economical use of funds entrusted to their care, has convinced the Commission beyond question that in a work continuing thus for years, the only wise method is to employ the best men that can be obtained, with compensating pay; that thus only can be secured continued and experienced labor, (one of the most im¬ portant of all things in this work,) systematic effort, a sense of responsi¬ bility to those in authority, entire surrender of time and strength to the service, and a right on the part of the officers of the Commission at once to remove any person who may prove to be incompetent or ill suited to the work. Under the volunteer system of agency, which may perhaps answer well where a comparatively narrow field is covered, and for a work which is limited to weeks or months, none of these absolutely essential ends can be secured. And although this work of the Sanitary Commission is a benevolent work, and its benefits are gratuitous to those who receive them, yet it has to be conducted in its large labors with thorough business method. This, too, is to be borne in mind, that the system of paid agents does not exclude the advantage of haviug in the work disinterestedness and religious earnestness. On the contrary, many men of just those characteristics, and who because of the spirit which was in them entered into the work, are now retained among the paid agents: they were men who could give, without compensation, a few months to the cause, but were not justified in giving years. And in selecting persons additional to be employed, the aim of the Commis¬ sion is always to get men whose hearts are there before their hands are called to take hold.

But once more, the Central Treasury is drawn upon, not only for maintaining the various departments already named, and for the pay of all these persons employed by the Commission, east and west — some two hundred men, including its corps of Medical Inspectors — but also for the purchase of such supplies as are needed in emergencies where there is no time to send to distant Branches and storehouses. Thus after a single battle, sometimes fifteen, sometimes twenty thousand dollars have been used, every single dollar of which probably met some real want or helped to save a life. From the Central Treasury also comes the money which maintains in the field with each Army Corps independent means

of transportation for carryin; there, sanitary supplies. rJ

ig with the army as it moves, and distributing This is the system now adopted by the Com¬

mission. There is also the expense incurred in purchasing horses and wagons with which to transport supplies from the nearest depots to battle fields. This expense is often very large, but it has more than once proved of incalculable benefit, enabling us to reach the wounded with our stores on the field, much in advance of the Government stores. For, as is well known, according to existing laws, the Medical Department can draw supplies, but is utterly powerless as to ordering them forward t° tlie there being no independent transportation at the control of that Department. The Medical officer is obliged to make over his sup¬ plies to the Quartermaster’s Department for transportation, where, with the immense burden which is heaped up there, there is often an unavoidable delay which is death to the wounded who are waiting upon the field. So long as this law continues, by which the hands of the Medical Department are thus tied, “ so long,”— as one of the Medical Bureau recently said, a member of the Regular Army, — “is there an absolute necessity that the Sanitary Commission stand ready with its independent transportation to carry forward at the earliest moment supplies to the battle-field.”

^ Such is an enumeration of some of the principal demands which the Central Treasury of the Sanitary Commission must always be prepared to meet. In their aggregate, these demands call for a monthly deposit in the Treasury of forty thousand dollars.

Such is the record, and the record is the appeal. It asks whether the people wish this agency in behalf of the soldiers in tent and in hospital, and on the battle-field — at the east, and at the west, and at the south — - to cease ; or whether it is their will to have it continue in its largeness of plan, its scientific exactness, its thoroughness of detail, its prompt¬ ness in meeting emergencies, its ability to do all that the friends at home would themselves desire to do for our soldiers. If the people say, it must still go on with its work, then must they contribute liberally not only to the Branches,” and to the local sources of supply, but also to the Central Treasury” of the Commission ; and as long as the war con¬ tinues shall a full record be furnished to them.

By order of the Standing Committee :

Central Office U. S. Sanitary Commission, Washington. T). C., Jan. 1, 1864.

■->

^ d^0ntnttssi0n*

3NTo. 78,

DEPARTMENT OF THE

SPECIAL INSPECTION

OF THE

GENERAL HOSPITALS,

U. S. A.,

THIRD (PRELIMINARY)

REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE,

MAT, 1863.

BY HENRY G. CLARK, M. D.,

I38PBCT0R-IX-CHIKF.

NEW YORK:

Wit 0. BRYANT A CO., PRINTERS, 41 NASSAU STREET, CORNER OF LIBERTY.

1804

'

.

.

'

V

INDEX.

PAGE

Report . 5

Appendix . . . 15

A. — Schedule of the Districts of Inspection, and the Locations of

the General Hospitals . 17

B. — List of the Special Inspectors . 18

O. — Notes on Spotted Fever, &c. . . . . . . . . 20

D. — Prof. Post’s Report on Bromine . 23

E. — Letter to the Military Governor on the Sanitary condition of

Washington City. .......... . ♦ . . 39

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\ : •• s / e :i < ; i i •

• • • . • •

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL INSPECTION OF THE GENERAL HOSPITALS OF THE ARMY.

Washington, May, 1863.

To Wm. H. Yan Buken, M. D.,

C. B. Agnew, M. D.,

Wolcott Gibbs, M. D.,

Medical Committee ,

U. S. Sanitary Commission •

The undersigned respectfully reports :

That since January 1st, 1863, the following gentlemen have served the Commission as Inspectors in this Department, in the Districts* severally set against their names, as follows :

Dr. Charles Y. Bemis, District of Columbia.

Prof. J. B. S. Jackson, “ “

Prof. Geo. Mendenhall, “ (C

Dr. John Bell, “ Baltimore.

Dr. D. D. Slade, “ “

Prof. Abram Sager, u “

Dr. S. L. Abbott, Prof. Chas. A. Lee, Prof. H. A. Johnson,

Frederick. Fortress Monroe. Port Royal.

Drs. Cabot and Gould, Districts of Port Royal and Newbern.

Dr. John Homans, Dr. E. M. Snow,

Dr. H. W. Williams, Prof. Theod. S. Bell, Dr. C. G. Comegys, Dr. David Judkins,

District of Philadelphia.

u

Harrisburg. New York.

* For a Schedule of the Districts, and the distribution of the Hospitals in them, see Appendix A.

e

Dr. ‘William Hunt,

Dr. David B. Beid,

Dr. Thos. Hun,

Dr. M. F. Cogswell, Dr. C. A. Walker,

Dr. Edwd. Jarvis,

Dr. T. C. Brinsmade, Dr. F. B. Leonard, Prof. Alfred C. Post, Prof MoSes Gunn, Prof T. F. Rochester, Prof James P. White, Prof Geo. C. Shattuck,

t£

Louisville.

a

Hashville.

u

Louisville, Hashville, Murfreesboro’, Ac.

Cairo.

u

Hew Orleans.

District of Hew England. “ St. Louis, Ac.

C£ U

. a a « u u u u u

District of Columbia,

<c

Baltimore,

The following reports have been received, viz. : On the Hos¬ pitals in the —

by Dr. S. O. Yanderpool. by Dr. C. Y. Bemis. by Prof J. B. S. J ackson. by Prof. G. Mendenhall, by Dr. D. D. Slade.

“ “ by Dr. John Bell.

“ “ by Prof Abram Sager.

“ Frederick, Ac., by Dr. S. L. Abbott.

“ u byProf.J.W. Draper.

“ Fortress Monroe, by Prof. C. A. Lee.

“ Hewbern, by Dr. C. A. Terry.

District of Hewbern and

Port Royal, by Drs. Cabot and Gould.

District of Port Royal, by Prof. H. A. Johnson.

by Dr. J ohn Homans, by Dr. S. W. Mitchell, by Dr. G. R. Morehouse, by Dr. H. W. Williams, by Prof. Alden March, by Drs. Comegys & Judkins, by Dr. S. Poliak, by Drs. Hun and Cogswell.

Philadelphia,

Harrisburg,

Hew York,

u

St. Louis,

7

District of Nashville, by Drs. Brinsmade and Leonard.

“ “ &c., &c., by Profs. Post and Gnnn.

“ Cairo, by Profs. Armor and Pitcher.

“ “ by Profs. Rochester and White.

“ New Orleans, by Prof. G. C. Shattuck.

Partial reports from Drs. Krackowizer and Jacobi have been received. Drs. Walker, T. S. Bell, Jarvis, and Snow have not yet reported.*

In addition to the ordinary routine of examination, several of the inspectors have been requested to investigate special sub¬ jects, as follows:

Dr. Reid — Ventilation — St. Louis, Louisville, and Nashville.

Dr. Slade — Hospital Gangrene— at Annapolis.

Prof. Jackson — Morbid Anatomy, &c. — Washington.

Prof. Post — Bromine as a prophylactic, &c. — Tennessee, &c.

Prof. Gunn — The Surgery of the Hospitals — Department of Tennessee, &c.

Dr. Cabot — The Surgery of the Hospitals — Port Royal and Newbern.

Dr. Gould — Medical Diseases — Port Royal and Newbern.

Dr. J. Bell — Hygiene of the Hospitals — Baltimore.

Dr. Snow — Statistics u “ at Philadelphia.

Dr. Jarvis — Hygiene “ “ at Louisville.

Prof. Shattuck — The Sanitary Condition of New Orleans.

I have also brief accounts, by letter, from two distinguished gentlemen of Philadelphia, on the subject of the so-called “ spotted fever,” for which I have to express to them my thanks, and especially as they were not in the service of the Commis¬ sion. The letters accompany this report.

Some apprehensions in regard to this disease having been ex¬ cited in the minds of many persons who were interested in the military hospitals, or in the people living in their vicinity, at the suggestion of your General Secretary, I addressed several

* For a complete list of the Inspectors, see Appendix B.

8

notes of inquiry on the subject, and obtained in reply the ac¬ counts referred to. Although informally written, they give a very clear and comprehensive description of the nature and his¬ tory of the disease, and are quite sufficient to allay any public anxiety in regard to its having been originated by the presence of the hospitals, or that their inmates have been in any way en¬ dangered by its prevalence in their neighborhood.*

Five or six cases occurred in Eleventh street, in this city, at about the same period, answering precisely to the descriptions of Drs. Gross and Jewell. The family was subjected to un¬ favorable hygienic and sanitary conditions ; its members being badly fed, and living in an overcrowded, small, underground, wooden tenement. Only one case recovered. Two cases of the same disease, so far as I can judge from a non-professional account, and both terminating fatally, were reported to me from Concord, New Hampshire, the following week. Numerous cases are al¬ ready, and others will be, I understand, reported from the army hospitals at and about Newbern and the Peninsula.

Upon the whole, the outbreak of this curious disease at so many distinct and distant points, having no possible connection with each other, indicates clearly enough the mysterious presence of what the older writers used to call the “ epidemic constitu¬ tion” of the atmosphere — a condition which is yet wholly beyond the comprehension of finite science; and the very names of “ spotted fever,” “ cerebro-spinal meningitis,” which have been applied to the disease, seem to be misnomers, except so far as they prove that certain internal or external congestions usually take place during its progress, while at the same time they do not advance us one step toward a knowledge of its essence.

On the 27th of February, Dr. C. A. Walker addressed me, from Louisville, in the following terms : * * * *

“I desire to call your attention to the use of Bromine as a prophylactic and remedial agent in erysipelas, hospital gangrene, pyemia, diptheria, and all diseases consequent upon animal poison. I have seen such remarkable results here, and hear such reports of its efficacy in the above diseases from men of established professional reputation, who do not state facts loosely,

* See Appendix C.

9

that in my judgment the matter demands the most careful and thorough scientific investigation for the sake of the army, and the advancement of medical science everywhere.”

“ is through the influence of Dr. M. Goldsmith, acting medical director, that the experiments have been made in the face of determined opposition.”

The attention of the Surgeon-General was early called to the Subject, and subsequently Surgeon Brinton, U. S. Y., was sent to investigate it. At the suggestion of the committee, Professors Post, of New York, and Gunn, of Detroit, visited the district of the Tennessee together. Dr. Post has made a very full report, all the parts of which relating to this subject, I have had copied and append herewith.* Dr. Gunn, who was requested to inves¬ tigate another matter, gives his opinion of its value as follows :

“ Without discussing the merits of his (Dr. Goldsmith’s) theory , and certainly without being prepared to endorse it, I propose to simply state my observations of the treatment adopted in that one of the conditions which falls usually within the range of a strictly surgical report. As a remedy in hos¬ pital gangrene, the testimony in its favor, in the hospitals of Louisville, is quite unanimous. In Nashville and in Murfrees¬ boro’ it is conflicting. It also appeared evident, that wdien a want of confidence in the potency of the agent was felt its ap¬ plication was not thorough. I witnessed its application in several instances, in three of which, for three successive days, we watched the impression made by the agent. Judging from these cases alone, in which, by the treatment, the disease was completely arrested, I should accord to it all that has been claimed. In other instances, however, for reasons that seemed obvious, and which do not detract from the merit of the agent, its effect was less satisfactory. As the report of Prof. Post will minutely detail all these observations, I propose to give evidence simply to four points :

“ 1. Without being highly escharotic in its effect on the living

* Appendix D.

10

tissue, when applied to the gangrenous mass, and made to com¬ pletely saturate it, a thoroughly disinfectant effect is at once produced ; and whenever it penetrates through the mass, and comes in contact with living tissue, it produces intense pain, the severity of which is not, however, of long duration,

“ 2. The gangrenous mass, when thus thoroughly disinfected, ceases to exert its deadly influence upon the adjacent and sub¬ jacent living tissues, and in these tissues there commences at once the ulcerative process by which the dead mass is thrown off.

“ 3. When the gangrenous condition is once arrested, the con¬ stitutional symptoms disappear with wonderful rapidity.

“ 4. When the atmosphere of the ward is disinfected by the vapor of bromine, the tendency of the disease to spread is, at least, greatly lessened, if not wholly overcome.”

To these judicious observations of Professor Gunn upon the bromine treatment, I must add the “ closing judgment ” of his report : “ Viewing the surgical history of the army of the Cum¬ berland, during the late campaign as a whole and with critical intention, I am constrained to say that, considering the season of the year, the exposure of the wounded men, the scanty sup¬ plies at the time of the battle, the great number of the wounded, and the constitutional condition of the men previous to the injuries received, the surgeons have fully sustained the character of American surgery. If, at the battle of Murfreesboro’, and in a few other instances, i conservative surgery J has not exerted its full influence, it is but justice to say that none are more keenly sensible of the fact than the surgeons who there gained experi¬ ence, and who now officiate in the army of the Cumberland. Should another general engagement occur, I predict that the record these gentlemen will make will be alike honorable to themselves, and conservative of life and limb.”*

I have now on file a large mass of valuable manuscript mate¬ rial— the reports of our special inspectors already received cover-

* MSS. Reports, fol. XXX., Prof. Moses Gunn.

11

ing more than 2,500 folio pages, and this to be further increased by reports not yet received. They contain full, accurate and intelligent descriptions of all the general hospitals of the army, and are replete with the evidence of the acute observations, the sound opinions, and the practical suggestions we should have expected from such a corps of inspectors as ours, nearly all of them being active members of a profession which they all honor and adorn. I have endeavored always so to assign them as to con¬ sult their convenience, and, at the same time, by detailing some of them to special duty out of the ordinary inspection routine, to secure to the Commission the advantages of their peculiar talents as experts, in the various departments to which they were known to have especially devoted themselves.

With this end in view, I had requested the distinguished ven¬ tilator, the late Dr. D. B. Keid, of Scotland, who had made this country his home, to visit, examine and report upon, the army hospitals of the Western Department of the Army, in regard to their systems of ventilation.

This work, in part accomplished, was suddenly interrupted by his untimely death.

He had labored with great zeal and interest up to the last hour of his life, although suffering extremely, at times, from the heart affection, of which he died. He had, in compliance with my request, given much useful advice, and made many valuable suggestions, to the surgeons of the hospitals at the West, most of which he had visited, while there ; and although he was never able to write out his notes, yet I hope to avail myself of some of the manuscript material which his son has placed in my hands.

As a lecturer, Dr. Beid united, to the most thorough knowl¬ edge of any man living of the science of ventilation, a manner which was dignified, instructive and pleasing ; and, with the regrets which so properly follow his death, it is a satisfaction to feel that his last labors were given to that great cause which had his earnest sympathies, and that he was able in so congenial a way to return, with almost youthful enthusiasm, to studies, from the pursuit of which he had been, by various “ adverse fates,” so long separated.

It was originally proposed by the medical committee to con-

12

tinue their special inspection of the general hospitals of the army until the first of May.

It has been actively thus continued, with the aid of the able corps of inspectors whose services have been at our disposal, in a most thorough manner ; and, so far as I can judge, it has accomplished perhaps all that could have reasonably been ex¬ pected of it. The inspection has given to the Commission, to the inspectors themselves, and, through both, to the friends of the numerous inmates of the hospitals, the materials for a complete knowledge of this department of the army, with the assurance, to them and to us, as far as this knowledge extends, of entire confidence in its general good conduct.

I hope at another time, and after I shall have made myself, by personal inspection, familiar with the hospitals them¬ selves, to embody, in a more formal and general report to you, with my own observations, the substance of those contained in the extensive reports of the special inspectors. I am afraid that even then, save by an entire reproduction of very large portions of them, I shall fail to do them more than partial justice.

There are important subjects connected with the hospitals, which will need for their sati^ictory determination still further investigation, such as : 1. The expediency of delaying or hasten¬ ing the removal u en masse ” of large numbers of sick and wounded men from the field to the general hospitals, and es¬ pecially what are the circumstances of season or situation which are favorable or otherwise to such detention or removal.

2. The best modes of administering or “ running ” general hospitals, whether by the combination, or otherwise, of military and medical authority.

3. The best mode of constructing general hospitals, and a general discussion of all matters connected with the form, size, materials, and organization, of temporary or permanent structures.

I am now engaged in making a collection, as I can obtain

j

13

them of the plans and elevations of the army hospitals, and have the prospect, with the aid of Mr. Richards, my clerk who is an excellent draughtsman, and by the politeness of thorn who have the originals in charge, of making it sufficiently com¬ plete to give the data for the plans , of one or more which Shan unite their known good qualities with an avoidance of their known defects. So many of the principles which enter into the construction of hospitals are now definitely settled that if the desired result is difficult of attainment, its accom¬ plishment may be, nevertheless, hopefully essayed.

During my residence^ in Washington, the subject of its sanitary condition, especially in connection with its large hos¬ pital population, was in many ways forced upon my attention; and on this account I was glad of the opportunity offered me, in February last, to bring it distinctly to the attention of the authorities, in a note addressed to the military governor.*

I am happy to say that some interest has been taken in the subject by the War Department, and that initiatory steps have been taken, under the direction of a competent medical officer, to improve the sanitary condition of this city, and that there is’ therefore, a fair prospect that the discreditable and dangerous neglect m which it has so long suffered, will now be changed to an intelligent activity in the right direction.

I now propose, with the approbation of the committee, as I understand it to be their desire, to continue the inspection in a way which, while it can be carried on with a small staff of inspectors, and without implying the constant residence of the Inspector-m-Chief at Washington, will keep the Commission well advised of the general status of the hospitals, and of the changes that will follow thfem in the ebbings and flowings of the tide of war ; of the difficulties they may continue to encounter ; of the improvements with which they are favored ; and in fact of all matters which concern their condition, that of t :eir inmate*, and of the advancement of medical science as connected with them.

In adding my sincere regrets that I have not been able, in the conduct of this inspection so far, to have attained to the

* See Appendix E.

requirements of the standard I had proposed to myself, you will allow me to express my most grateful thanks for the confidence so cordially reposed in me, and for the uniform support of the members and officers of the Commission, during these past months of pleasant labor.

Very respectfully,

Henry G. Clark, Inspector-in-Chief.

	.

-

'

<

17

(A.)

Inspection Districts , with the Location of the Hospitals .

Districts.

I. Columbia . . . t . .Washington, Georgetown, Alexandria.

V

II. Baltimore . Baltimore, Annapolis, A. Junction.

III. Frederick . Frederick City, Harper’s Ferry, Antietam.

IV. Fortress Montroe . Yorktown, Norfolk, Suffolk.

V. Newbern . . .Newbern, Beaufort, Portsmouth.

VI. Port Royal . Hilton Head, Beaufort.

VII. Philadelphia . Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, Chester,

Wilmington.

VIII. Harrisburg . Cumberland, Harrisburg, York, Reading,

Clarysville.

IX. New York . New York City and Islands, Newark, Albany.

X. New England - New Haven, Newport, Boston, Burlington,

Brattleboro’.

XI. St. Louis . Quincy, Springfield, Keokuk, Chicago.

XII. Louisville . . . ...Cincinnati, Covington, New Albany.

XIII. Nashville . Lexington, Bowling Green, Danville.

XIV. Cairo . Evansville, Paducah, Mound City, Memphis.

XV. New Orleans . Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Carrolton.

XVI. California . . . Hurabolt, San Francisco.

2

18

(B.)

LIST OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTORS

OF THB

GENERAL HOSPITALS OE THE ARMY,

From September 1, 1862, to May 1, 1863.

Henry G. Clark, M.D., Surgeon of Mass. Gen. Hospital, Boston, Inspector-in-Chief.

Abbott, Samuel L., Armor S. G.,

Ayer, James,

Bell, John,

Bell, Theod. S., Bemiss, Charles Y., Bowditch, Henry I, Brinsmade, T. C., Buck, Gurdon, Buckingham, C. E., Cabot, Samuel, Jr., Coale, Wjr. Edw., Cogswell, M. F., Comegys, C. G., Draper, John W., Ellis, Calvin,

Flint, Joshua B., Foster, S. Conant, Fowler, Edmond, Gay, George H., Gould, Aug. A., Gunn, Moses, Hodges, Rich’d M., Homans, John,

Hun, Thomas,

Hunt, William, Jackson, J. B S., Jacobi, A.,

Jarvis, Edward, Johnson, H. A.,

M.D., Mass. General Hospital . Boston.

« prof. Univ. Michigan . Ann Arbor.

« Boston.

" Philadelphia.

« Prof. Theor. and Pract. Univ . Louisville .

« . * . . Medford , Mass.

“ Physician Mass. Gen’l Hospital . Boston.

« . Troy, N. Y.

" Surgeon N. Y. Hospital . . . . New York.

" Cons. Physician City of Boston . Boston.

“ Surgeon Mass. Gen’l Hospital . Boston.

« Boston.

« Albany.

« . \ . Cincinnati.

“ Prof. Chemistry, Univ. N. Y. . . . . New York.

“ Pathologist, <fec., Mass. Gen’l Hospital . Boston.

“ Prof. Clin. Surgery, University . Louisville.

11 . . . . . New York.

“ . . . . . . Montgomery, Ala.

“ Surgeon Mass. Gen’l Hospital . Boston.

“ Physician Mass. Gen’l Hospital . Boston.

“ Prof. Surgery, Univ., Michigan . . . .Detroit.

** Surgeon Mass. Gen’l Hospital . Boston.

“ Ex-President Mass. Medical Society . Boston.

“ Albany.

“ Philadelphia.

Prof. Morbid Anat., Mass. Med. College, &c. . Boston . Prof. Infantile Pathology, <fcc. Med. Col.. .New York . Member of American Statistical Society. . . . Boston. Prof. Physiology and Histology, Univ. Lind. Chicago.

V

19

Judkins, David, Krackowizer, E., Lee, Charles A., Leonard, F. B.,

Lewis Winslow, March, Alden, Mendenhall, G., Minot, Francis, Mitchell, S. Weir, Morehouse, G. R., Morland, Wm. W., Pitcher, Z.,

Pollak, S.,

Post, Alfred C., Reid, David B., Rochester, T. F., Sager, Abram,

Shaw, Benj. S , Siiattuck, G. C., Slade, Daniel D., Smith, Stephen, Snow, Edwin M., Terry, Charles A., Vanderpool, S. 0.,

W alker, Clement, A., Ware, Charles E., White, James P., Williams, H. W.,

W yman, Morrill,

M.D.,

it

ii

ii

ii

a

u

a

ii

it

it

ii

ii

it

a

a

a

tt

tt

a

a

a

a

a

ii

it

ii

. Cincinnati.

. . . New York.

Prof. Mat. Med., Med. School of Maine. . . .PeekskiU

. * . Lansingburg.

Consulting Surgeon Mass. Gen’l Hospital _ Boston.

Prof. Surgery Medical College . Albany;

* . Cincinnati .

Physician Mass. General Hospital . Boston.

. i.... . Philadelphia.

. . Philadelphia.

. Boston.

Emer. Prof. University, Mich . Beeroit.

Surgeon Eye and Ear Infirmary . St. Louis.

Prof. Surg. Univ., N. Y., Ac., Ac . New York.

. . . . St. Paul’s.

Prof. Clin. Medicine, University . Buffalo.

Prof. Obstetrics, Univ., Michigan . Ann Arbor,.

Supt. Mass. Gen’l Hospital . Boston.

Prof. Theor. and Prac. Med. College, Ac . Boston.

. Boston.

Prof. Surg. and Surg., Bellevue Hospital, New York.

Health Officer, Ac . Providence , R . I.

. Cleveland.

Late Surgeon-General, 1ST. Y . Albany.

Supt. Lunatic Asylum . Boston.

Physician Mass. Gen’l Hospital . Boston.

Prof. Obstet., University of . Buffalo.

. * . Boston.

. . . Cambridge.

20

(C.)

NOTES ON SPOTTED FEYER.

Notes from Prof. S. D. Gross and Dr. Wilson Jewell, of Philadelphia, on the subject of the so-called “ spotted fever,” or “ cerebrospinal meningitis .”

Philadelphia, April 28fh, 1863.

Dear Sir, — I regret it is not in ray power to give you any¬ thing like a satisfactory account of the singular disease which has prevailed for some time past at Manayunk, Norristown, and Prankford. The first cases, so far as I have been able to learn, broke out at the former place a little upwards of a month ago, and most of them rapidly proved fatal. Since then a number of other cases lia\e parched* At Norristown it appeared nearly at the same time, and has also been quite fatal. The cases at Prankford appeared at a somewhat later period. Some cases have also been noticed in this city, but their number has been comparatively fewer than at the other places. Of the entire number of cases that have occurred at these different points, I am unable to give you any information.

What the nature of this malady is, has not been ascertained. In many respects, if not in all, it strongly resembles the a spotted fever,” of Vermont, and other New England States, so- well described by Gallup, and other writers of the early part of the present century. The seizure is usually very sudden, and without any decided premonition, the victims being apparently perfectly well in the morning, and fatally ill in the afternoon or evening. Death, in some of the cases, has occurred as early as the twelfth hour, and few survive beyond the second or third day.

The most prominent symptoms of the disease are, excessive prostration, livid spot& upon the body, intense distress in the head and extremities, great jactitation, violent thirst and delirium, speedily followed by coma. Gastric irritability has also k$en noticed, as a prominent phenomenon in quite a num-

21

ber of cases. The bowels in general are costive, or but slightly affected. The hands and feet are constantly cold from the beginning of the attack.

No very satisfactory post-mortem examinations have been made. In general, the most prominent phenomena have been those simply of profound congestion of the principal viscera with evidences of a dissolved state of the blood. In a case, the particulars of which were briefly communicated to the Philadel¬ phia County Medical Society, at its last meeting, by Dr. Lamb, of Frankford, there was not only great congestion of the brain, but more or less deposit of serum and lymph.

The subjects of this disease have hitherto, for the most part, been persons in the lower walks of life, of both sexes, and of different ages. I do not learn that the disease manifests any special tendency to spread. In most of the cases hitherto wit¬ nessed, it has occurred in several members of the same family.

With kind regards, I am, very truly, your friend,

S. D. Gross.

Dr. IIeney G. Clark,

Sanitary Commission.

420 Horth Sixth street, )

Philadelphia, April 29th, 1863. j Henry G. Clark, M. D. :

My Dear Doctor, — T' our note of the 27th was received in due course of mail.

I wish it was in my power to furnish you information, satis¬ factory to myself, as to the true character of the anomalous fever which has been prevailing in several neighborhoods of our city and vicinity, during the last and present months.

The cases have been numerous and fatal, equal to fifty per cent., speaking within bounds. The deaths have been certified to under various names ; as, malignant typhus, malignant scar¬ let, ^spotted and congestive fevers ; while the most frequent tittle given it has been congestion of the brain. This arises from the fact that all the cases are accompanied with cerebral symptoms, and all the autopsies that have been made, present intense con¬ gestion of the brain.

22

Drs. LaRoche, Gerhard, Stewardson, Packard and myself, have seen and carefully examined many of these cases, in differ¬ ent stages of the disease, without being able to identify it with any of the known forms of idiopathic or exanthematous fevers. It bears some resemblance to several, but cannot be classified with either, in form, grade, or type. It may be said, however, to be asthenic or adynamic in character, and presents a malig¬ nant type. None of us believe it to be contagious, and I have heard no physician call it “ plague.”

It has appeared in several neighborhoods remote from each other, and in rural and healthy districts of our city. At first it attracted notice at the falls of Schuylkill ; then at Morristown, 8 or 9 miles north of it, in Montgomery county ; next, it was found at Frankford, 4 miles east of the falls ; then we hear of it at Manayunk, between the falls and Norristown ; next at Rich¬ mond, on the Delaware, and now in an adjoining district, called Kensington. All these points are north of our city centre, while here and there to the south of the centre, we hear of a few cases and deaths occasionally.

Nearly all the cases are accompanied with an eruption, from a few isolated patches in some, to a more diffused redness in others. They are not petechia, nor vibices, nor the rash of scarlatina or rubeola, or the eruption of variola.

The eruption resembles more the appearance presented by measles when it first comes out, but soon loses the florid color and inclines to a purplish hue. After death, I have seen in some of them the eruption looking like blood-bruises, while in others it is scarcely perceptible.

The deaths that have occurred have all been within four days from the first attack, while many have died within 16, 24 and 48 hours from the commencement of the disease. It spares neither sex nor age.

Our college transactions will contain some account of it, and if I can spare a few hours I will give you a more particular ac¬ count of the symptoms and appearances, pathological, that have been observed in the post-mortems, if you desire it.

Excuse the haste of this letter, pardoning all inaccuracies, and believe me,

Yours truly,

Wilson Jewell.

EXTRACTS FROM PROF. POST’S REPORT

ON THE

f)08|)ita(s of ITottisfoille, ft Htiu*frees(ioro',

CONTAINING HIS NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE

Note. — Prof. Alfred C. Post having been detailed to visit the General Hos¬ pitals of the army, and some of the hospitals in the field, in the towns of Louisville, Nashville and Murfreesboro’, made a full report of his inspection at those places. From this report are extracted the notes and observations which follow upon the use of Bromine, and its compounds, in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, of which Hospital Gangrene is the chief. It is the most complete resume of the facts we have yet had, and his judgment thereon is most clearly and candidly stated.

H. G. 0.

.

• V;:; • :':'r0 :■

... : ' a ; . .. ..

. ’ • : i . I, i - • .< , • i „ •, ■

'

'

'

25

(DO

SPECIAL REPORT ON BROMINE.

By Prof. Alfred C. Post, M. D., of New York.*

At Louisville, Hospital No. 19,

Under tlie charge of Dr. Keifer, Surgeon 50th Eegt. Ohio Yols.

It is situated in the open country, about two miles S. E. of Louisville, on a hill which is elevated about a hundred feet above the surface of the Ohio Piver.

This Hospital is devoted exclusively to the treatment of ery¬ sipelas, cases- of that disease being sent to it from different hos¬ pitals in and around Louisville.

There wTere twenty-nine patients under treatment at the time of our visit. Most of the ca§es were idiopathic, not being connected with any wounds in the vicinity of the affected parts. The greater part of the cases were examples of simple erysipe¬ las of the head and face. No fatal case has occurred within two months. All the cases of erysipelas in this hospital had been treated by the topical application of the compound solu¬ tion of bromine, lint moistened with the solution being placed over the surface, and then covered with oil-silk. The internal treatment was tonic and stimulating, except during the stage of active excitement. The tincture of the muriate of iron, and sulphate of quinine, were chiefly employed, together with whis¬ key and porter, in moderate doses. Bromine is the only deodorizing agent employed within the building, the nurse of each ward holding an open bottle of pure bromine in his hand, and walking around the ward twice a day, occupying about five minutes in each fumigation.

* MSS. Report*, Fol. XXXIX.

26

Louisville, Hospital Ho. 20.

Hospital Ho. 20, under charge of Dr. Helson E. Morris, U. S.

Contracting Surgeon.

The present number of patients is 23.

This Hospital, like Ho. 19, is designed exclusively for the treatment of erysipelas. Most of the cases are idiopathic, the disease occurring chiefly about the scalps and face ; about one- quarter of the cases are traumatic, occurring chiefly in the limbs. All the cases now under treatment are convalescent. All the cases of erysipelas in this hospital, as in Ho. 19, are treated by the local application of compound solution of bromine.

Mode of application, same as in Ho. 19. Internal treatment —quinine and iron, brandy, whiskey, and wine— diet, milk, eggs, chocolate,, fresh beef, Ac. Ho use made of beef-tea. The erysipelatous inflammation has ceased to spread, on an average, within twenty -four hours. Dr. M. says that in no case has it continued to spread beyond thirty-six hours. From the first of March to the ninth of April, there were six deaths in this hospi¬ tal. Some of the fatal were nearly moribund when received and all of them were in a state of great exhaustion.

There was one ease of alleged hospital gangrene, but the diagnosis was to me entirely unsatisfactory. It appeared to me to be a ease of phlegmonous erysipelas, with sloughing of the areola tissue. It appeared to Dr. M. to be more benefitted by the use of liquor soda chlorinata than by that of bromine. The whole number of patients under treatment during the month of March, was 32. Four were discharged cured during the month.

Louisville, Hospital Ho. 7.

This is a large establishment, in charge of Dr. W. W. Gold¬ smith.

There have been treated in this hospital about 30 cases of hospital gangrene, in all of which there have been topical appli¬ cations of bromine, and none of which have been followed by a fatal result. There have been treated at this hospital 20 cases

■ •J

27

of hospital gangrene, in all of which bromine has been em¬ ployed. I saw several of the 'cases : among these was a recent one, situated upon the posterior part of the thorax, a little to the right of the medium line. The sore was of a circular form, about four inches in diameter, and covered with a very thick mass of soft slough. The integument around the sore was of a livid red color, and the edges were undermined to the extent of one- third of an inch. Bromine was first applied to this sore the day before my visit. The effect seems to have been salutary. At the time of my visit, there was very little foetor, and the slough seemed to be loosening. # Dr. Goldsmith then took hold of the slough with forceps, and dissected it out with scissors, leaving the surface nearly clean. He applied pure bromine beneath the undermined edges, by means of a very small syringe, and then filled up the cavity with lint, moistened with a weak solution of bromine.

My first visit to this patient was on the 11th of April. I saw him again on the 21st April, when I made the following note : “ The sore has doubled in size, and the mortification is still spreading.” After my return to Hew York, I received a letter from Dr. Goldsmith, informing me that on the 22 d, the day succeeding my last visit, every part of the sore was covered with healthy granulations.

Among the twenty cases of hospital gangrene treated in this institution, two have died. One was a case of gunshot wound of the knee joint, in which there was disorganizing inflamma¬ tion of the joint. The other was a case of gunshot wound of the thigh, followed by the formation of an enormous abscess. Doctors Irish and Octerlong say that they have had under treatment a considerable number of cases of erysipelas of the head and face, all of which have been treated by the topical ap¬ plication of bromine, and none of which have been followed by a fatal result. They also say that recovery has been more rapid on an average than under other treatment. They also speak of large abscesses with fetid discharge, where benefit has been de¬ rived from injections of a solution of bromine.

28

Hospital Ho. 11.

The building was crowded, and badly ventilated. Two or three hundred cases of erysipelas have occurred — and many of them were fatal. After the bromine treatment was introduced, the disease soon ceased to prevail, and no fatal cases occurred.

Dr. Strew has had under treatment in this hospital four cases of hospital gangrene. Of this number, three have recov¬ ered. The fourth is now in the house. The sore is situated upon the upper third of the right leg. The sloughs came away two weeks since. The surface is now covered with exburant granulations. It is about four inches in diameter. The cases have all been treated by the use of bromine. Hr. Strew is well satisfied that, in all the cases, the bromine had a happy effect. IJe has used chiefly the compound solution. Hr. Strew also bears testimony to the benefit resulting from bromine in the treatment of erysipelas.

Hr. W. W. Goldsmith informed me that he had charge of the hospital for eruptive diseases more than a year ago, when erysip¬ elas broke out among the men to a considerable extent. After about fifty cases had occurred, bromine vapor was used in the wards as a prophylactic, and no new cases occurred after that time. It is proper to remark that the floors were cleansed, and the ceilings whitewashed at the same time.

I made a cursory visit to Hospital Ho. 12, where I saw four cases hospital gangrene, one of them affecting the stump of a leg, one, the stump of a thigh, and two, the dorsum of the foot. All had been treated with bromine. That on the stump of the thigh, and one of those on the dorsum of the foot, were advanced towards recovery. In the one affecting the stump of the leg, the prog¬ ress of the disease had been nearly arrested, but the patient seemed likely to die from exhaustion, an immense suppurating surface being exposed. The other case on the dorsum of the foot was still extending by phagedemic ulceration at the margin, and the result seemed very doubtful.

On my return to Louisville from Murfreesboro’ and Hasli- ville, I visited this hospital again. The sore on the stump of the leg was granulating throughout, and the condition of the

29

patient appeared quite hopeful. In the case of gangrene upon the dorsum of the foot, I found that the disease had spread con¬ siderably beyond its former hounds, and a new gangrenous spot had broken out upon the leg. I regarded the prognosis as decidedly unfavorable.

Doctor Stamford, the surgeon-in -charge of this hospital, has treated cases of hospital gangrene with bromine, and with the exception of the foot case above alluded to, the disease has in all of them been promptly arrested. He attributes his- bad success in this case to the want of pure bromine, which he could not obtain for several days.

I also made a cursory visit to Hospital Ho. 1, where I saw a case of hospital gangrene on the leg, where bromine had been imperfectly applied by an unskillful assistant, by means of a wooden spatula. Directions were given to make a more thorough and efficient application. On the 21st of April, I saw this case again, and found that the sore was free from sloughs, and in full granulation, except at a point about as large as a thumb nail, at the lower part, where the slough was not yet detached. Dr. Worthington, the surgeon-in-charge, has treated 12 cases of hospital gangrene with bromine, and has been suc¬ cessful in all of them. He ipakes the application twice a day to such cases as require it.

There are no -wounds more recent than those which were inflicted at the battle of Stone’s river, on 31st December, 1862. There have been five cases of hospital gangrene, of which none have died. All have been treated by the use of bromine ap¬ plied to the part. The compound solution, pure or diluted, has been ejected under the skin, and the sore filled with picked lint moistened with the bromine solution.

hen the solution was weak, it did not seem to produce much effect. When the compound solution was of full strength, the effect was prompt and marked.

Several cases of pyaemia, some of them with thoracic wounds, the bromine solution was ejected, it corrected the factor, and was followed by some improvement in the general symptoms. These cases died. The inference which Dr. Goldsmith drew from .these cases was, that the bromine exerted a controlling influence over the proper pyaemia or septaemia symptoms, and

30

that it would have been followed by recovery, but for the thrombi, and the . metastatic abscesses which had already formed. He did not, however, furnish any evidence on this point which was satisfactory to me.

About fifteen cases of hospital gangrene have been treated in this hospital. Several of them are still under treatment. The sores are all granulating, and some of them nearly cicatrized. From the reports and appearances, I suppose that they have been genuine cases. Bromine has been used in all the cases. Only one has died, and his death was attributed to chronic diarrhoea. In all cases, in which the application reaches throughout the sloughy parts, the foetor ceases at once. In some cases, several days elapse, before the spread of the gan¬ grene is arrested. In most cases, the gangrene ceases to spread very soon after the application is made, and within three or four days, the sloughs are usually thrown off. The constitutional treatment is supporting ; ale being the stimulant chiefly used. The diet is generally solid, consisting of beef, chickens, eggs, &c. During the spreading stage of the gangrene, some of the patients suffered considerable pain ; others, not. Opium was given in moderate doses for the relief of pain ; e. g., half a grain of sulph. morphine at bed-time.

Park Barracks,

How used as a convalescent hospital, having about 170 beds. Before Dr. Keefer went there, erysipelas was very prevalent, and very fatal. He commenced the use of bromine solution as a disinfectant, and from that time no cases occurred, except in one room where the disinfectant was not employed.

Dr. Cummings, Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Kentucky School of Medicine, in the early part of March had a patient, thirty years of age, a blacksmith, who was affected with dip- tlieria. There was a thick deposit on the velum, tonsils, and posterior wall of the pharynx, complicated with inflammatory swelling of the tongue. He could not swallow, and his respira¬ tion was difficult. Dr. Cummings dissolved forty drops of bromine in an ounce of alcohol, and put it into a quinine bottle ; he inserted a bent tube into the cork, and caused the patient to

81

inhale the vapor frequently, for an hour or two at a time. There was a marked improvement at once; the patient was able to swallow within twelve hours, and he rapidly recov- ered.

Dr. Branders, a German practitioner, in Louisville, informed me that he had treated two very severe cases of scarlatina ma¬ ligna by the vapor of bromine diffused through the room. He dropped pure bromine on the floor, a number of times in the course of the day. Great improvement was observed within twelve hours, and speedy recovery followed. Dr. Branders also informed me, that he had treated four cases of diptheria in patients of the age of four, nine, eleven, and fifteen years ; they were all bad cases. Twenty drops of the compound solution of bromine was diluted with an ounce of water, and the liquid applied by means of swabs three times a day. There was well marked and immediate improvement in all the cases, followed by rapid recovery.

On the 21st of April, I visited the Hospital Prison, Ho. 2, at Louisville. I saw there a confederate soldier, who was wounded on the 31st December, 1862, at Stone’s Biver. Pri¬ mary amputation of the right leg was performed on the battle¬ field. He was admitted in the hospital on the 14th March, at which time his stump was nearly healed. Hospital gangrene attacked the stump on the 12th April. Hemorrhage occurred . on the 16th, and Dr. Weeks tied the posterior tibial artery which was exposed at the bottom of the sloughy surface. Bro¬ mine wras applied immediately afterwards, and since that time the application has been repeated three times a day. Pure bromine was applied during the first two days, and after that time, the compound solution. The sloughing is arrested throughout nearly the whole surface; it continues at one of two points. The ligature came away on the 20th April, and there has been no hemorrhage since it was applied.

Dr. Goldsmith informed me, that this was the fourth case in which arteries had been tied, in the midst of parts affected with gangrene, and in which bromine had subsequently been ap¬ plied. He stated that complete success had followed the application in all these cases.

Dr. Kyle, one of the assistant surgeons who accompanied me

32

in my visit to the wards of this hospital, showed me a very formidable case of what had been hospital gangrene, involving the anterior part of the shoulder and chest, where he had used bromine during the sloughing stage, and the sloughs had been thrown off very speedily. He had applied lint wet with the compound solution of bromine. lie also showed another case, on the leg, which he had treated successfully by means of nitric acid. Dr. Kyle is not prepared to express an opinion as to the relative merits of bromine and nitric acid. He thinks that the inhalation of bromine vapor is very irritating to the lungs ; he has found it so in his own case, and Dr. Seymour was very unpleasantly affected by it.

I saw in this hospital four cases of hospital gangrene. The first case was in connection with a gunshot fracture of the thigh. The gangrene began to show itself day before yesterday. Bro¬ mine has been applied three times a day. The swelling has began to subside ; a line of demarcation is forming ; the fcetor is corrected, and evidently a favorable change is taking place. The second case is one involving the stump of the right thigh ; am¬ putation was performed oh the 3d March, and the patient was doing well until the 2d April, when the stump was attacked with hospital gangrene, and was opened throughout nearly its whole extent. Under the application of bromine, the slough was speedily separated, and the sore began rapidly to granulate. The third case involved the stump of the left thigh. Amputa¬ tion was performed on the 21st March, and the stump was attacked by hospital gangrene, five days afterward. Bromine was applied, and the gangrenous process was at once arrested. The fourth case was on the site of a gunshot wound of the neck. Secondary hemorrhage occurred, and was arrested by ttlie appli¬ cation of persulphate of iron ; two weeks afterwards, hospital gaiigrene occurred, and was promptly arrested by bromine. There is now a granulating surface, about three inches in diam¬ eter, over the lower part of the neck, the upper part of the sternum and the inner part of the left clavicle.

Dr. Bacon, one of the assistant surgeons, has been in the hospital two months, and has treated fifteen cases of hospital gangrene ; he considers bromine as the remedy par excellence.

There have been in this hospital ten cases of hospital gangrene, some of them of great severity ; they have all been treated with

33

bromine. Dr. Bill and bis assistants have regarded bromine as preferable to all other applications. I saw one of the cases, pre¬ senting a very large chasm, exposing four or five inches of the tibia, whose surface was in a state of necrosis. In that case, the patient was convalescent from pneumonia, and had had no wound of the leg, but a small vesicle formed on the surface, and gan¬ grene rapidly made its appearance, although, at the time, there were no cases of gangrene in the ward. The bromine was ap¬ plied as soon as it could be obtained, viz., after the lapse of three or four days, and it promptly arrested the extension of the gan¬ grene. Dr. B. has had no experience in the treatment of erysipelas with bromine.

The surgeon has had, in all, six or eight cases of hospital gan¬ grene, of which three have been treated with bromine, and the remainder with nitric acid. He thinks that nitric acid has been more efficacious than bromine. Dr. W. has had twelve or fifteen cases of erysipelas, of which none have been treated with bro¬ mine.

There have been but three cases of hospital gangrene, and one of pyaemia.

I saw, also, at my visit to the hospital, a case in which there had been hospital gangrene ; the sore is now in a state of granula¬ tion. It is situated on the inner side of the left thigh, below its middle. On the first January, the patient received a flesh wound, and, about the 10th February, a gangrenous spot ap¬ peared, and was treated with bromine until the 20th March, the disease not being fully arrested during all that time. The pa¬ tient was then put under the influence of chloroform ; the leg was covered with adhesive plaster, except immediately over the sore, a quantity of simple cerate was placed around the edges of the sore, the edge thoroughly scarified, and concentrated nitric acid applied to the surface of the sore, and injected with a glass syringe under its margin in all directions. A solution of bicar¬ bonate of soda was then poured upon the sore, and an alkaline poultice applied for twenty-four hours. In three days, the whole of the diseased part sloughed out, and from that time there has been no recurrence of sloughing, and steady progress has been made towards recovery.

Dr. Gunn and myself were both of the opinion that the appli¬ cation of bromine had not been made with as much care and 3

Si

thoroughness as that of the nitric acid. We stated that opinion to the surgeon, and he acknowledged that it was as we rep¬ resented it. There have been two other cases of hospital gan¬ grene treated in this hospital ; in both of these, the bromine treatment was ineffectual, and in both, amputation was resorted to, and was followed by a fatal result. Within three months there have been forty-three cases of erysipelas, of which one case proved fatal. Many of the cases were treated with bromine, and many without it, and with equal success. Whether bromine was used or not, the muriated tincture of iron was given inter¬ nally, and great importance was attached to it as a remedy. Chlorine was chiefly used as a disinfectant. Bromine was em¬ ployed, to some extent, for the same purpose.

Since my return from New York, I have received a letter from Dr. Ewing, dated April 26th, informing me that he had been led to review the unfavorable opinion which he had formed as to the efficiency of bromine in the case of hospital gangrene. He had, within the preceding week, employed the remedy in a bad case, applying it carefully, by means of a syringe, to every part of the diseased surface, and renewing the application morn¬ ing and evening. Within two days, healthy granulations ap¬ peared, and then he made the application only to those parts which were not granulating. He concludes his account of this case by saying, “ the sore— a very extensive one — is rapidly fill¬ ing up, and I have no doubt of a speedy recovery.” Dr. Ewing mentions that he had seen and heard of other cases, during the week, treated successfully with bromine.

There had been, in this hospital, six well-marked cases of hospital gangrene. In two cases the patients have recovered, two died, and in the remaining two cases, amputation was per¬ formed. Bromine has been applied in all the cases, but no benefit seems to have been derived from its use. There have been a number of cases of erysipelas. Idiopathic and traumatic cases have been about equally numerous. The bromine solution has been applied in some cases, but it has not been regarded as of any special utility. There have been no cases of pyaemia.

The surgeon-in-charge has seen bromine used in the treat¬ ment of hospital gangrene and erysipelas. As a local applica¬ tion in hospital gangrene, he thinks that it has been beneficial,

35

but less so than Maunsell’s solution of persulpliatic of iron, which has removed all the sloughs by three applications. lie is of the opinion that bromine is of no service in erysipelas, lie is satisfied that it does not prevent the spread of erysipelas in the wards, and that it overtakes the bronchial mucous mem¬ brane. The surgeon has had but one case of hospital gangrene ; it was successfully treated by the local application of nitric acid, and by the internal use of tonics and stimulants. He has had no experience of the bromine treatment.

There have been three cases of erysipelas, of which two were idiopathic and one traumatic. They all did well, being treated with tonics and stimulants. He attaches no importance to local applications.

Dr. Woodward, the surgeon, has been in charge since March 7th. At that time, there were thirteen cases of hospital gangrene, in most of which the sloughs had begun to separate. There have since been introduced eight cases which were in an active state, viz. : 1 on March 20th, 1 March 24th, 3 April 1st, and 3 April 12th. The three which were admitted on the 12th April I saw to-day (April 15th).

One of them presented two large gangrenous sores near the upper part of the thigh, viz., one on the anterior surface, and the other on the outer and posterior surface, with a bridge of skin from two to three inches wide between them. The gan¬ grene, in this case, had attacked the orifices of a gun-shot wound, penetrating the fleshy part of the thigh.

In the second case there were two gangrenous sores near the upper part of the leg, in connection with compound fracture of the tibia, occasioned by a bullet passing through the limb. The two gangrenous sores were connected with each other by a deep sinus passing through the fractured bone.

The third case was one of gangrene, involving the outer part of the stump, in a case of amputation below the knee.

These were all well marked and severe cases of hospital gan¬ grene. When I saw these cases on Wednesday, the base of the Sore in each case was nearly free from, slough, but the edges were undermined, and presented a sloughy and undermined appear¬ ance. They had all been treated by the surgeon with the bromine solution since their admission on the preceding Sunday.

36

On Wednesday I saw his manner of dressing them. He first cleansed the sores by allowing water from a sponge to trickle over them. He then injected water beneath the margin, so as to wash away all the offensive fluids from the surface of the sore. Then he filled a small glass syringe with the compound solution of bromine, and carefully injected it beneath the margin in all directions, and into all the sinuses communicating with the sores. The patients complained of a severe burning pain, which, after a few minutes, diminished ; but they informed me that, on former occasions, they had suffered more or less all night. The surgeon states that in all cases which he has treated with bromine, the sloughing process has been checked within two or three days, and that, within a week, in every instance, the sore has been in full granulation. After the application, he uses a poul¬ tice of flaxseed, mixed with tartaric acid and bicarbonate of soda, so as to secure the evolution of carbonic acid ; he also adds yeast when it can be obtained. Dr. W. also gives bromine internally, until the constitutional symptons begin to amend. He gives one to one and a half drops of pure bromine with a drachm of gly¬ cerine, once 4, 5, or 6, hours. He also attends to the details of the treatment himself, and does not trust to assistants. He has compared the bromine treatment with that by nitric acid and other means, and is satisfied that the bromine treatment is by far the most effectual. On Thursday, April 16tli, I saw again the three cases hospital gangrene. There was an improvement in all of them since the previous day. But in the second case, the one connected with compound fracture of the tibia, .there was an of¬ fensive odor, evidently proceeding from the sinus passing through the fractured bone. Dr. Gunn passed an eye probe through this sinus, and then Dr. Woodward drew through the sinus a narrow strip of bandage, whose extremity had been dipped in the bromine solution.

On Friday I saw these three cases for the last time. In the second case, the offensive odor which had been observed on the previous day, had entirely ceased, and this, as well as the case, appeared entirely free from gangrenous and phagedenic action. There was then applied to their margins a mixture of one part of compound solution of bromine with parts of glycerine. The first case was also greatly improved, but some parts of the margin

37

were still somewhat undermined and sloughy. There seemed to me to be a good prospect that the disease would rapidly yield to the treatment.

The surgeon of this hospital has used bromine as an applica¬ tion in erysipelas, both in its pure state and in the form of com¬ pound solution. He is well satisfied that it stays the progress of the disease, hastens its cure, and diminishes its mortality ; also, that it arrests the progress of the disease in the wards of a hos¬ pital. lie has treated six cases of diptheria in an aggravated form by the use of bromine, and with entire success. One of these cases was attended with extreme dyspsena, and with absolute inability to swallow, the patient being threatened with instant death. In that case he thrust into the throat a whale¬ bone probang, the sponge of which was moistened with pure bromine. The immediate effect was to produce terrible spas¬ modic coughing, speedily followed by separation of the deposit, and great relief of the symptoms. Within half an hour he was in a pleasant sleep, and he was soon convalescent. He inhaled the vapor of bromine, and took the remedy internally for two or three days. The other five cases were treated by the inhalation of bromine vapor, and swabbing the throat with the compound solution. I regret to hear that the surgeon of this hospital has been removed from the charge of the hospital, and ordered back to his regiment, as there are scarcely any of the surgeons in charge of our military hospitals who understand the use of bromine as well as he does/and who take as much interest in investigating its effects.

I have recently received a letter from him, dated April 30th, in which he informs me that there had been no return of the sloughing process, in either of the three cases of hospital gan¬ grene which I have above alluded to, and that the two worst cases, viz., that involving a flesh wound of the thigh, and the one connected with a compound fracture of the tibia, were both rapidly healing. The other cases, involving a stump of limbs ampu¬ tated below the knee, had become complicated with hemorrhage, by which the patient’s strength had been much reduced.

Before closing this report, I beg leave to present a brief sum¬ mary of the facts and opinions which I was able to collect with regard to the efficacy of bromine and its compounds as a pro-

38

phylactic therapeutic agent, in the treatment of hospital gan¬ grene, erysipelas, and pyaemia. As far as my personal observa¬ tion went, hospital gangrene was the only one of these diseases, in which I was able to subject the alleged virtues of this reme¬ dial agent to the scrutiny of my own senses. I had ample op¬ portunity of satisfying myself that the disease denominated hospital gangrene in the hospitals which I inspected, was fully entitled to that appellation, possessing all the leading characters which are everywhere recognized as belonging to that disease. I had also abundant evidence from my own observations, that bromine exerted a prompt and well-marked curative influence. As far as the testimony of others on this subject is concerned, I found a remarkable discrepancy of opinion. But I was satisfied, from the investigations which I made, that those surgeons who were most skeptical as to the curative power of bromine, had had a very limited experience in its use, or had not properly learned the mode of employing it. I am not prepared to say with absolute confidence, that bromine will more promptly, more safely, and more certainly arrest mthe progress of hospital gan¬ grene, than any other remedy. But I do express the confident opinion, that it is an agent of great power ; and if I were suffering myself from hospital gangrene, my present impression of the virtues of bromine is such, that I would prefer the employment of bromine to that of any other application with which I am acquainted.

With regard to the use of bromine in erysipelas, I have had scarcely any opportunity of observing for myself its prophylac¬ tic or curative power. But the weight of testimony which I have collected is decidedly in its favor.

The power of bromine as a deodorizer is very obvious. I am inclined to think that it exceeds that of any other known agent.

I have had no opportunity of observing the effects of bromine in the treatment of pyaemia and of diptheria. The testimony of others on this point, which I have been able to collect, is also very limited. There are, however, a few facts stated in the report, which lead me to believe that the remedy is worthy of further trial.”

A. 0. R

39

(E.)

LETTER TO THE MILITARY GOVERNOR

ON THE

SANITARY CONDITION OF WASHINGTON.

SANITARY COMMISSION,

Department of Special Inspection of the General Hospitals of the Army .

Washington, February 16, 1863. Brigadier-General Jno. II. Maktindale, U. S. Army, Governor of the Military District of Washington.

General,— By request of your Adjutant-General, Oapt. Ed¬ ward G. Parker, I respectfully submit to you some suggestions in regard to the sanitary condition of this district, and of the danger that the approaching season may develope to the detri- ment'of the very large civil, military, and hospital population now accumulated in it, not only the diseases incident to the climate and season, but also those which ordinarily follow a ne¬ glect of the well known laws of health. The principal sources of danger are the folio wine; :

1st. The accumulation of large numbers of men and animals in confined locations.

2d. The accumulations of filth, such as vegetable and animal offal, consequent on the above.

3d. The entire neglect of cleansing operations in the yards, lanes, and streets ot the city, especially the very deficient drainage.

4tff The nuisance of a shallow, and neglected, and filthy canal in the heart of the city, a receptacle of the sewers, and a place of deposit for dead horses, &c.

40

5tli. Tlie marshy and stagnant water in many vacant lots, some of them— as in North Capitol street— near large hospitals, the want of drainage of which have rendered many parts of the city, as that near the President’s house, malarious spots, pro¬ ducing intermittent, remittent fevers, and jaundice.

6th. The accumulation of the sick in large numbers is a very powerful means, unless proper sanitary measures are taken, of intensifying all 'the ordinary and extraordinary causes of disease.

As most, if not all of these sources of disease may be either removed, or their power of mischief materially curtailed, by efficient sanitary measures intelligently and persistently en¬ forced, I respectfully suggest the adoption to that end of any or all of the following, viz. :

1st. To establish, lay out, and construct, by competent en¬ gineers, a complete and thorough system of underground drain¬ age, capable of being flushed by the water of the aqueduct or by the rains ; beginning with every house and terminating only in the deep water of the Potomac.

2d. That the yards, lanes, courts and streets of the city should be effectively cleansed, and the debris carted away ; this operation to be repeated often enough to keep all its parts clean.

3d. The canal should be no longer used as a great drain or cesspool, and should be discontinued, and filled up so far as is not necessary to the uses of commerce ; the rest should be deeply dredged, fitted up with tide gates, and kept as a full basin.

4th. The unpaved streets and swampy lots should be filled up to a proper drainage level by some dry material, such as sand, ashes, or gravel ; and the streets, when practicable, should be paved with stone.

5th. The vicinage of the great hospitals should be well « policed,” the drains especially cared for, and no accumulation of filth allowed upon the neighboring grounds..

6th. The knackers yards, stables and barracks, common lodg¬ ing houses and hotels, should be frequently inspected, and no accumulations of offal or overcrowding permitted in them.

•v

41

7th. The civil and military patrolmen, or police, should be made responsible for the cleanly condition of their respective precincts.

8th. These regulations should be enforced by a competent health officer, who should also have power to abate, summarily, any nuisance j and to call upon the appropriate departments to aid him in the execution of the same.

Yery respectfully,

Henry G. Clark.

'

	'
•

♦ *

XT. S. SANITARY COMMISSION, No. 80.

LETTERS

FROM THE

ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,

WRITTEN DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, 1864,

TO SEVERAL OF THE

SUPPLY CORRESPONDENTS

OF THE

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION,

ALFEED JY BLOOE,

ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

WASHINGTON, D. C. :

McGILL L WITHEROW, PRINTERS AND STEREOTYPERS.

1864.

4

ferent campaigns of the war. A couple of rudely constructed wharves, a mile or so apart, jut out into the placid waters of the broad creek, and lying against these, four or five deep, are steamers and barges of all kinds and sizes, loading and unloading so busily that you might imagine yourself on the docks of Boston, .ISTew York, or Philadelphia. Boxes, barrels, and bales pass from the holds and decks of the ves¬ sels, on the shoulders of long strings of contrabands, or on trucks, along the crazy wharf to the beach, and are there transferred to army wagons, which, after being filled, join the procession of similar vehicles, each drawn by four stout horses that, with few gaps in the long road up the ascent and along its crest, wind slowly and toilsomely, as far as the eye can reach, towards Fredericksburg, and the interja¬ cent camps. So far as the vessels and wharf are concerned, the scene resembles the unloading of vessels in a seaport town ; but in a seaport town, one does not — in peace times, at least — see hosts of uniformed and armed men tramp from the decks along the wharves to join the hosts preceding them; nor does one see regiments of troopers tugging at the reins of unmanageable horses, that plunge fiercely among the swaying masses of humanity and the unflinching masses of merchandise that line their way. But what can there be to load vessels with in an out-of-the-way creek, running up into a country from the hill of which one may look all round to the horizon without one’s eyes resting on a human habitation ? — a permanent habitation, I should say, for every strip of land in sight that is not covered with trees is dotted with tents and bivouacs and army wagons, beneath the canvas and boughs of which are sheltered, as much as may be in the fast-falling rain, such multitudes of weary men as, if collected into houses and streets, would fill many villages, and turn the wilderness into a “ populous Yo.” Thank goodness, when the spectator next watches the load¬ ing of a vessel in a commercial town, he will see nothing of what he now sees at this warfaring port of Belle Plain. All day long, and the day before, and several days before that,

J

S

5

the ascending procession of wagons filled with rations and of infantry and cavalry that have gone to reinforce Grant has been met by a parallel line, a little way off— for the im¬ promptu roads are too narrow to admit of vehicles passing each other — of ambulances filled with wounded men; and it is with these men, carried on stretchers from the’ ambu¬ lances, that the “ outward bound” vessels are loaded.

It is indeed a sad sight ; but there is a great satisfaction in reflecting that one is standing in the midst of all kinds of comforts and delicacies, to reinforce the stock which has already been provided for these very men, and in recog¬ nizing within hailing distance a handsome flag, inscribed with the words “IT. S. Sanitary Commission,” streaming from its staff, on the deck of a portly barge, comfortably lined with numberless good things for wear and diet, at that very moment— we can imagine with a strength equal to conviction, for not even “with the aid of a powerful glass” can our point of sight enable us to discern behind the inter¬ vening boxes and barrels — -under process of distribution to the poor fellows, as they are carried past to the boats that are about to convey them to Washington.

It is now dark. The rain has somewhat abated, but even if it poured as much as ever, it would not be possible to restiain the ladies from entering at once on their self- imposed duties. So I help them into a boat, and we are rowed to the dock, and are soon on board our barge, or stoi e-boat as it is called. But the procession of wounded men is over for the night, and those that have come before are on their way to Washington, while those in transitu from the battle-field are resting in wayside stations, or in the ambulances conveying them — a poor way for wounded and soie men to pass the night, but such as the cruel necessities of war render unavoidable. Dr. Steiner tells us that the nearest of the Commission’s feeding lodges is some half mile up the hill, and that its capacity will not admit of any more attendance than that with which it is already supplied. As the ladies come to render aid where it is needed, not to

i

supplant that which is previously provided, they think it advisable not to wade up to the lodge knee-deep in Vir¬ ginia mud, nor do they consider that the cause of humanity demands the waking up of some poor fellows who are wait¬ ing the next boat, and the administering to them of pound¬ cake, pics, and surreptitious draughts of bad whisky ; so we presently get into the row-boat again, and the ladies are before long occupying the pilot house — thepoliteand ejected captain seeking other quarters — while the men dispose them¬ selves for the night upon the decks, those that have rubber coats or blankets to keep off the rain, now descending faster than ever, feeling their great advantage over those who, rubberless, vainly seek dry spots whereover there are no leaking places in the ceiled roof.

The next morning — very early indeed, the sleeping accom¬ modations offering few inducements to people of sybaritic tendencies — the Relief Agents fire almost all started forFred- ericksburg, and our small party enter the lists as Relief Agents on the spot. The scene of yesterday is renewed in all its details, and as the wounded men are borne in, hour after hour, in one long string, the pale and often blood¬ stained occupant of every stretcher is furnished, according to his needs, by one or other of the party, with crackers, beef-tea, coffee, wine, water, or lemonade. The wine and lemonade are given only on the advice of a medical man, and sometimes the one is intensified into brandy, and the other into the unmixed juice of the lemon. But for men exhausted with lying on the battle-field for many hours, sometimes for a day or two, without food or drink, thence passed to the operating table, and thence to the ambulance, the other things may be given, in most instances, in such quantities as they crave. Poor fellows, they clutch at them— but always with a “ thank you as if they thought they could swallow the basket or bottles along with the con¬ tents, but a few mouthfuls is generally all they have strength to manngo. It is best for each one of such a relief party to coniine oneself to the distribution of a single article— the

T

cracker man never trenching on the lady’s coffee pail, and the coffee lady leaving the beef-tea religiously to another. Infinitely more may be done by systematically pursuing this plan of speciality. If, when the beef-tea is bein^ carried round, some poor fellow shakes his head, and im¬ ploringly asks for water or stimulant, one must not set down the beef-tea to be kicked over before one gets back, and rush off to spend half an hour in searching for water or stimulant, so depriving a hundred men of beef-tea, for the sake of trying to get one man something which will probably be furnished him by the allotted water or whisky bearer in three minutes after. One must humanely harden one’s heart, and say with stern tenderness, “Yes, my boy, all right, a lady will be along with some delicious iced water in a minute or two and he will probably smile and say, “ Thank you, sir, all right, I can wait. Say, mister, there’s a fellow right acrost there — that one with his leg off and his head bound up, he belongs to my company — he ain’t had nothing to eat since the day before yesterday. I guess he’d like some o’ that ’ere stuff. Won’t you please give him some ?”

But the giving of sustenance is not all the work. One man complains of his head being too low, and his overcoat has to be rolled up — or, failing that, the straw around him has to be gathered up — so as to form a pillow for him. (The pallets and bedding have given out, though the first boat loads sent off* were as comfortably provided for as if in the wards of a general hospital, and the men we are tending are lying on the docks on straw; but this they count luxury after the battle-field and ambulance.) Another wants a handkerchief, and another a pair of socks. This man’s shirt is all torn and bloody, and must be replaced by another. One man complains of the intolerable heat, and some of his clothing must be removed ; another is shivering with cold, and more clothing, or an extra blanket, must be provided for him. Here is one who feels the hand of death upon him, and the head of that one of our party who is tending

8

liim is bent down to catch from his white lips his last mes'^ sage to his friends. Five minutes after, the blanket drawn smoothly over the face, arid the quiet of the lately restless limbs, show that the weary soldier has fought his last battle and entered into his rest.

Continually through the day our party has met others en¬ gaged in a like work, but all too busy and preoccupied to notice each other, unless to render some necessary act of joint assistance to a sufferer, till one is met who labored with some of the party at Gettysburg, and perhaps else¬ where. He joins us in our rounds, and when at night I ask him if he knows what has been done with the bodies of those I have seen die through the day on the boats and on the wharf, he tells me that he has helped that day to bury, and has read the funeral service over— die is, or is going to be, a clergyman — the bodies of over sixty soldiers.

We k&ve, thus administering to the poor fellows’ needs, traversed the decks $nd cabins and every foot of superfices available for the outstretched or partially recumbent form of a man, of four vessels \ and now, f°r some cause, there is a lull in the arrivals and the turmoil. ThiS gives us time to look at our watches, and to our amsz epaept, we it is five o’clock instead of eleven or twelve, as we fancied* Thereupon we apprehend that it is no wonder we are faint* considering we have been working so hard all day on our six o’clock breakfast of crackers and ham. A sumptuous repast of crackers — not indeed the magnificent Boston edi¬ ble, but a softer and inferior sort — and coffee is forth¬ with disposed of, and during the repast we discover that there is a suspension of ambulances and stretchers to allow the passage of some thousands of rebel prisoners from Dixie to the land of the free in Fort Delaware and elsewhere, the freedom of such strongholds being the kind they seem most to appreciate. Pretty soon there marched along, under guard, three men dressed in rebel gray, and unarmed. Except for the black feather, cavalier fashion, across the front of the hat, and for the three stars on the upturned collar of one of

9

them, they might have been taken, so far as dress was con¬ cerned, for privates; but these insignia showed the rank of a brigadier general in the Confederate service. This was General Stuart, a handsome fellow, some thirty-five years old, I should judge; and who endeavored to conceal his feelings beneath a jaunty and somewhat defiant manner. His older companion, wrapped up in a gray overcoat, with¬ out any insignia of rank visible, and whose grizzly hair showed through sundry rents the most “ shocking bad hat” I ever saw, is Major General Johnson; and the third pris¬ oner is his adjutant general. Being brought to a halt they sit down on some boxes, and Johnson draws from his pocket a copy of the Washington “ Morning Chronicle,” and, picking out the war news, reads something in a low tone to Stuart, who answers by a nervous laugh. hTot placing im¬ plicit confidence myself in the war news of most of our newspapers, I fancy they may have discovered some slight mistake, and therefore feel no inclination to resent their raillery, but the crowd around are not so lenient, probably thinking strongly on the subject of Belle Isle and Fort Pil¬ low', and the murmurs increase until there is, for a minute, danger of violence being offered to the prisoners ; but a few7 stern words from the captain of the guard and the ringing of the bayonets of the latter soon restore order, and the generals and adjutant are marched quietly off to the boat that is to convey them to Fort Delaware, or wherever else. In a little w7hile they are followed by a multitude of rebel pfficers----four hundred in number it id said— of every rank from colonel to second lieutenant, but none with any marks of rank detectable^ except in the few cases w7here the coat collar w7as turned up, or where one or two, more dandyfied than the rest, had decorated the lapels of their coats with their insignia. At first I thought they were privates, for even apart from their dress, they presented,, in the mass, little evidence of superiority to the rank and file of oi?r men, but I was told that the large body of their fellow-prisoners pf the rank and file who followed them — they came shortly

10

after, but I was too busy to look at them— were decidedly inferior to them in all respects. One of them, almost a boy, entered into a political argument with one of his guards, an old sergeant from New York, who stood by me, embra¬ cing the questions of slavery, the constitutional right of secession, &c., and which, notwithstanding my suggestion that if verbal argument had proved of any avail to settle the differences between the North and South they who were now disputing would not have been called upon to fight each other, finally grew general and warm, and was only finished by the party being marched off to their quarters.

The arrival of the prisoners had brought a new set of claimants on the stores of the Commission, not wounded nor sick, but very hungry men, who had been guarding the prisoners since the evening before, and many of whom had had nothing to eat during that time. Considering that the mission of the Commission, like that of quinine, is not only cuiative, but rather and mainly prophylactic, I dispensed to them of crackers, according to their needs, but they made no demands, of course, on the delicacies.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party had renewed on another boat, which was preparing to leave, and was fast being filled up with fresh arrivals of wounded, their labors of the forepart of the day. It was in my programme to start for Freder¬ icksburg the next morning, but Dr. Agnew, one of the Doard of the Commission, who had been at Belle Plain since our first boat got there, thought it best that I should get back at once to Washington to show Mr. Knapp, of large experience in the relief work of the Commission du¬ ring the Peninsular campaign, the abundant reasons for his immediately leaving the ofiice for this field ; and so I re¬ turned hither with a boat load of wounded, leaving Belle Plain between ten and eleven, p. m., and getting to Wash¬ ington in the early morning.

When I left it was quite dark, and after helping my last case on board, (a handsome boy who told me he would be “seventeen come next birthday,”) and changing the shirt

11

he had not changed for three weeks — after washing away from a wound in his side the blood that soiled the skin look¬ ing so fair and white beneath the sun-burnt face and neck _

I watched for a few minutes the scene spread out before me as the vessel receded from the dock. All over the water twinkled the lights from the many vessels, some stationary and some steaming to and fro, while far up the hill-sides gleamed the lights through the canvas of the tents, giving the appearance of a large city illuminated for some festival, the effect being heightened by the broad blaze and high flickering flames of innumerable camp fires, like so many feux dejoie. So we steamed up the quiet river, passing, by and by, the house of the great man, who sotoilfully won for his national children the rich heritage some of them would now rend asunder ; — the moon — struggling every now and then through the clouds which still sailed across the sky — looking down on the white faces and ghastly wounds of those whom their brothers had stricken down. The night watch was but a repetition of the work of the day, and during its weary hours the same wonderful fortitude amid their wounds and sufferings was observable — hardly a groan or a sigh to be heard, except from two or three who were de¬ lirious ; and even as I sat by the driver on the ambulance which conveyed some of them from the Washington wharf to the hospital to which they were assigned, I heard only a low moan now and then, as the horses struggled through the pitfalls of the city of magnificent distances.

My next letter will be written to you, I think, from Fred¬ ericksburg, and I will finish this very hastily written one by calling your attention to the care with which I have kept my promise of not asking for “more.” Nevertheless, after premising that the medico-military authorities caution us not to be too profuse at the beginning, for that the real fight¬ ing has not yet begun, I cannot do less than point my story with a moral — but what the moral is I will leave to your own application.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

ALFRED J. BLOOR.

.

*

.

No. II.

U. S. Sanitary Commission,

Store Barge uW. Kennedy,” Belle Plain,

Wednesday , 5J A. fff., May 18, 1864.

Dear Miss - : Yesterday morning I left Washington in

company with the Bev. Mr. C * * * and another gentleman, and after many hours’ delay, occasioned by taking on a load of Government cavalry horses at Geeseborough Point, (de¬ riving its name, I apprehend, from its having been in old times a borough infested by people who made a point of showing what geese they were in respect to the constitu¬ tional right of secession, slavery, &c.,) I got here this afternoon, finding Mr. Knapp in charge, and things going on just as I described in the letter of which I sent you a copy while I was in Washington.

Mrs. G * * * and Mrs. E * * * of New York, joined us at the Point ; and on reaching Belle Plain (waiting a long time outside the dock to allow the taking on board of some hundreds of rebel prisoners, almost all, I noticed, sufficiently well shod and clothed, notwithstanding what I have heard to the contrary) wTe immediately relieved some of the Com¬ mission’s regular Belief Agents, and set to work in their places.

The scene presented on the arrival of the wounded at the Belle Plain dock after their twenty miles ride from the battle-field over the corduroy roads and pitfalls of mud in Virginia is heartrending, and appears under present circum¬ stances to be unavoidable. If the railroad from Fredericks¬ burg were in operation the major part of this suffering in

14

transitu might be saved, for not only could the patients he carried then to Belle Plain in as many minutes as it now takes half hours, but by having the base of supplies within an hour’s reach, as it would be if the railroad worked, the inconvenience and suffering arising from the long delays caused by occasional oversights in sending articles neces¬ sary for the restoration of wounded men in critical condition would be avoided, and they would commence the journey better prepared for fatigue.

Fredericksburg, P. M.

Whilst I was writing, the order came to move to this place, and our party set out, one alongside each driver of as many ambulances, the same— empty— that brought the wounded yesterday from the held. The reason for this partitioning of our party was to save the poor horses, worn out with their hard labor of the last fortnight; but, besides us, they had to carry a couple bags of grain for forage for the army. So we passed through the usual melee of wounded men on litters— rebel prisoners outward bound, reinforcements inland bound — army wagons, horses, boxes, bales, contrabands, &c., and through the two ranges of hos¬ pital tents “on the hill,” where the night before I had helped at the dressing of the wounds of so many poor fellows, and had had the satisfaction of leaving most of them some hour or so after midnight comfortably sleeping; for the surgeons had done everything that was possible, and the kitchen and feeding lodge of the Commission were conveniently located at one end of them.

This ambulance journey of ten miles gave us some faint conception of the horrors that accumulate with every rod to the unfortunates, who, with nerves that shrink from a feather s touch, are jolted, hour after weary hour, over the alternate corduroy and quagmires of these horrible tracks; for they cannot be called roads. In frequent danger of being upset, we jolted along, getting bruised at every step; and I could not help being gratified in reflecting that the proces-

15

sion of maimed and wounded men we met winding up and down the slopes — for the whole country is a succession of hills from which the trees have been cleared for army pur¬ poses, leaving, however, the stumps for the practice of the teamsters in ambulance navigation — I could but feel gratified in the reflection that the poor fellows, who, with white con¬ tracted brows and quivering fingers, held up their bloody stumps, often undressed for several days, and crawling with corruption, to avoid the concussions caused by the jolting of their vehicles during the locomotary Pandemonium, were at least sure, on reaching the dock at Belle Plain, of nourish¬ ing beef soup, or stimulating wines and liquors and coffee, or cooling lemonade and iced water, to drink, or of fresh water, at least, to cool their wounds, in failure of time and opportunity to dress them before reaching'Washington, and, I was going to say, of kind words and tender treatment from our people, but that they have had all through their suffer¬ ings. For here let me say, in opposition I believe to the general theory at home, that all who deal with them, the roughest men whose every second word is an oath without their knowing it, and who between their battles with the en¬ emy, knock each other down in play to keep their hands in, all are as kind and tender with the wounded men as they are with their little two-years-old girls at home, in the few days’ furlough they get through the war. The stretcher- bearers speak soothingly as they dislocate their own arms in lifting them up from the battle-field, and break their own backs in trying to hoist them gently up into the ambu¬ lances, or down from them into the surgeons’ tents,— (I am finishing this on the 19th, at Spottsylvania, and have just come in with the ambulance people from the hospitals and from the field on which perhaps some five hundred of our men fell to-day) — the surgeons worn down with overwork, and the responsibilities resting on the conscientious man, in whose hands, under Providence, are the issues of life and death, use only so much firmness with their kind words as is necessary to make them submit to take chloroform, which

16

some of them seem to dread, before being operated on ; the ambulance drivers, worn down with sleepless nights, return only the gentlest words and most conciliatory (and false) as¬ surances of a short journey and a “ bully ” road round the next corner, to all their reproaches for carelessness in driv¬ ing ; the contrabands, who carry them along the dock, are as amiable and unctuous as it is possible for negroes to be, which is saying much, and when they are stretched out on the decks like a flock of sheep, the detailed nurses — some of them a little sick or slightly wounded themselves — step among them as gingerly as if they were treading on eggs.

Time, tide, and the mail bag wait for no man. I close therefore in haste.

Yours in the good work,

ALFRED J. BLOOR.

No. Ill,

U. S. Sanitary Commission,

Camp near Spottsyl vania, Va., Friday, May 20, 1864.

Dear Mrs. - : You have, I suppose, by this time re¬

ceived the duplicate of a letter I wrote some days ago to one of the Commission’s supply correspondents, giving an account of a trip I had just made to Belle Plain with refer¬ ence to the relief work of the Commission in the field.

I left Washington again on Tuesday morning, and get¬ ting to Belle Plain in company with Mrs. Gr * * *, of army hospital fame, and of Kev. Mr. C * * *, of Washington, and others and there, in their company, feeding and min¬ istering to the ghastly crowds that were lifted out of the constantly-arriving ambulance trains into the boats assigned to convey them to the hospitals in Washington — I passed to the hospital tents “on the hill,” a little way from the dock, two long parallel rows of them, commencing on one side with the kitchen and feeding lodge of the Commission, whence they were without trouble constantly supplied with hot coffee and beef-tea, iced water and lemonade, milk punch, wines, and stimulants, farina, and whatever else in the way of prepared sustenance was needed. Bedding, clothing, sponges, toweling, bandages, lint, utensils of all kinds, ^ and whatever else is required in a sick tent were bountifully dispensed by Mr. Knapp, of long experience in the Peninsular campaign and elsewhere in similar work, and his assistants, from the store barge a few yards off, alongside the dock, which barge is continually replenished

18

by steamers from Washington to the amount of some fifty tons a day. The steamer on which our people principally relied during the Peninsular campaign — the Elizabeth — has become a household word among sanitarians, and I may therefore mention that (true to all the experience of the Commission, whether as regards the intelligent collectors and forwarders or the inanimate vehicles of supplies, that the feminine element is their main support) the name of our new boat is the “Mary F. liapley.”

It was an hour or two after midnight before I had gone the rounds of the hospitals, and then I had the satisfaction of leaving most of them comfortably sleeping, after the re¬ freshment of having their hunger and thirst assuaged, their wounds dressed, and above all, perhaps, the cessation from their horrible journey over the rutty hills and interlying quagmires between the battle-fields and their present place of rest. By six o’clock the next morning (after a night mainly occupied, so far as I was concerned, in strenuous efforts to go to sleep in the midst of the hubbub, and in in¬ voluntary listening to the extraordinary remarks of the contrabands, who kept up a constant stream of boxes, bar¬ rels, conversation, and guffaws past the place where I lay on deck) we began the journey to Fredericksburg ourselves in empty returning ambulances, and as the hours and our bruises increased, we had an opportunity of testing the probable feelings of wounded men undergoing such an ordeal. But the fault is in the roads, not the vehicles. I think the four-wheeled ambulances as good a compromise as possible between the conditions desirable for wounded men, and the impossibility of using lighter springed wagons over army roads.

Arriving at Fredericksburg in the middle of the day we found it one vast hospital. Its principal street is some mile or more in length, with several parallel and a number of cross streets, and nine out of ten of the houses and shops, and all the churches and public buildings that are not de¬ molished by shell or riddled by bullets, are filled with

■>

wounded men. Even the store occupied by the “ cmbalmers of the dead,” has many living subjects among the dead ones; though accustomed, as they are, to death on every side, the Patients do not perhaps consider the proximity in such an unfavorable light as civilians would. A few doors from the house in which Washington’s early days were passed, (and the garden of which was, I presume, the scene of the cut¬ ting of the fruit tree by his juvenile hatchet,) Dr. Douglas, chief of inspection of the Commission, and the volunteer ladies and gentlemen who so zealously assist in the good work, have their quarters, and thither, on the day i°was there, a number of patients requiring the constant super¬ vision of some of them had been removed. Through the open windows of the rear rooms float the odors of the flow¬ ers of early summer to the patients within, and those whose cool pallets are in the wide hall, with its old-fashioned pan¬ elling of wood meeting the wooden block cornice of the ceiling, look out through the open back-door upon a wilder¬ ness of roses, a large basket full of which has just been dis¬ tributed to the poor fellow’s throughout the town — most of them grasping at them more eagerly than at the milk punch— by one of the kind-hearted gentlemen of our party. If their time were not so much more valuable by the side of the im¬ promptu cooking affairs and couches they have evoked from chaos, the roses should of course have been presented by the ladies; but at all events they came originally from a lady, not one of “our” women, but the owner of the house, a widowed gentlewoman who sighs that such evil days should have fallen on the close of her eighty years’ pilgrimage, and, like Washington’s mother, thinks that it may perhaps be a grand thing to be a great general, but that for her part she thinks that Lee and Grant had both much better be at home attending to their farms than engaged in such dreadful do¬ ings. The Xorth and South have lived in peace all these years, and why can’t they continue to do so ? What dreadful things she could tell me of the division of families caused by this wucked war. So and so has two sons in the Confed-

20

erate army, and two in the Federal. Such a happy family they were once, and now trying to take each other’s life ; and for her part she has been stripped of almost everything the houses and stores in the town from which she derived her income, have been destroyed or are appropriated to their own uses, without payment, now by one army and now by the other. I heard similar talk in Culpepper while our army held it, and one hears it everywhere throughout the border States ; and it is only here that the full horrors of this “cruel war” can be appreciated. It is impossible— as I think it would be unnatural— for the majority of the old peo¬ ple either South or Forth to take the partizan view which is necessarily, for the purposes of Providence, taken by the young and middle-aged in the two contending sections.

Found the corner from the poor old lady’s house is the storehouse of the Commission, besieged every day on the arrival of our wagon loads of supplies — generally some twenty — from the base, with such crowds as compel an officer of the Commission to enter by the back way, if he wants to get in without waiting for an hour or two. Next door to this is a large store used as a hospital by one of our volun¬ teer ladies, and at the back of both, conveniently accessible to both supplies and patients, is the tent she uses as a cook house. A door or two off is a shop used as an office by the relief force, of which there are at present distributed throughout the army of the Potomac some two hundred members, under the superintendence of Mr. Fay, of Massa¬ chusetts, a volunteer throughout the war in such work. Several other ladies and a number of physicians from civil life have charge of hospitals in different parts of the town, under the auspices of the Commission, and the relief agents zealously assist them in their labors, which are Herculean, as each fresh train of ambulances arrives from the field ; and in those hospitals where the Government supply of surgeons is generally equal to the demand on their skill, they — the relief agents — still continue such ministrations as may be carried on without medical co-operation— and these are many.

21

We are in one of the church hospitals, we will suppose. The pews are set two together, and the hacks taken off when necessary, to form couches for the patients. The ves¬ try is turned into an operating room. In one corner of the church is a good woman who has not quitted the half-deli¬ rious patient, whose brow she is bathing with bay-water, for one hour in the last twenty. The altar is put to one side, and in its place two pews cradle a young boy who does not seem to be over fifteen years old. He was brought in, it was supposed, in a dying condition ; but the good Samaritan, who is just directing to the Far West a letter he has written to the boy’s mother at his dictation, has, with his good things and better words, brought such a light into the boy’s eyes that he expresses the utmost confidence that he will be able to write to his mother himself the next day, and tell her that he is safe from the effects of this wound, and ask her to pray that he may be spared in future battles, and rejoin her and his sisters and brothers in their happy Wisconsin home “when his time is out.”

Further down the town, and not far from the unfinished tomb of Washington’s mother, standing ostensibly as a monument to her worth, but practically as a monument to the genius of the universal Yankee nation for chipping and whittling, is a large, old-fashioned mansion, rich in paneled wainscoting, carved wooden chimneys, plaster arabesqued ceilings and tablets, and landscaped wall-paper, and in one of its rooms lies a gray-haired man, looking dreamily out through the open window, by which his pallet is set, on a beautiful lawn, thickly shaded with fine old trees, that slope down to the swampy meadow and heights beyond, which drank up so much precious blood in the terrible charge of December, 1862. Perhaps the fair scene before him is like that on which he has so often looked from the porch of his quiet home, on his far-off little Vermont farm. But he will never look on it again, at least with his earthly e}Tes. He will never again look at the rising of the sun, which is now with its setting beams gilding the tree tops,

22

and falling through them, checkered with waving shadows, on the lawn beneath. The wound from which most of his life-blood has flowed has left him white and weak, but it does not pain him; so he looks quietly round, thanking one for having written his last letter to his “folks,” another for shading his eyes from the sun with the fan which, until complaining of the cold creeping over him, has been used to cool him; and another for offering the further assistance which he does not need. He is only a sergeant, but “ had just as lief be a private in such a cause.” He was a deacon in hi& town, and “done the biggest part in getting up a comp’ny ” from it, the captaincy of which was offered him; but he thought he hadn't “ edication ” enough to do the “writin* part of the business,” and declined. But, thank God, he had “ edicated ” his sons, and one of them, who had entered the company with himself, had been promoted, grade after grade, from the corporalship to the captaincy. His wife had dissuaded him from “j’ining” the army at that time, but after the Peninsular campaign “he couldn’t stand it no longer,” had helped to get up another regiment in his township, and now here he was. Well, he was satis¬ fied ; he was in the Lord’s hands, and he would die in the faith that the Lord would stand by the Union and the stars and stripes to the end. He “hadn’t a speck o’ doubt about it.” He’d like to know if his son, the captain, whose regi¬ ment had been in the fight with his own, was still alive, but he couldn’t find out ; and he would give all he was worth to see his wife and daughter once more. But he had always told them to prepare for this, and hoped the Lord would give them strength to bear the news.

I had intended to tell you of many other incidents which would interest you, but time fails. A mail carrier is about to take his chance of rebel scouts and guerrillas and this will go with him. If you get it, I will ask you to return me a copy, when I let you know that I have got back to Washington.

I left Fredericksburg yesterday morning by day-break,

• j

23

and am now seated a few rods from the headquarters of Grant and Meade, in front of the tent of a hospitable young officer from your city. At this time yesterday the woods around reverberated with the cannonading and musketry of the fight on the right of our line between General Tyler’s division and the enemy, and to-day the surgeons have been busy with several hundred wounded men. Another letter either to yourself or in copy, when I get back to Washing¬ ton will tell you something more of what I have seen.

Very truly and respectfully, yours,

ALFRED J. BLOOR.

Mo. IV.

Camp near Spottsylvania Court House, Va.,

5tii Corps, Army of the Potomac, May 20, 1864.

Dear Miss - : You have no doubt by this time

received the copy of a letter I wrote to one of my corres¬ pondents, as the first of a series which I design to send them from the field, in a short campaign I propose to make with the Army of the Potomac en route for Richmond ; having made up my mind that I can in no other w7ay so well collect the information in regard to the operations of the Medical Department and its satellite, the Sanitary Com¬ mission, in the field, for which I have been and am — notwithstanding Reporter and Bulletin — so constantly asked by those to whom the Commission is so largely indebted for its continued existence; and which, in the informal and individualistic shape that alone is satisfactory to most un¬ professional persons — and especially to women — has so long been a desideratum. Whether I am in the least competent to supply this desideratum is very questionable, hut at all events I have set out with the intention of “ doing my endeavors.”

A letter I began this morning, a copy of which I will send you, along with any others I v7rite on the w7ay, wThen I get back to Washington, will give you an idea of what I saw in Fredericksburg.

What I see at this moment, as I look up from the box-lid on w7hich I am writing — the empty box itself forming my

26

seat — is an undulating field, skirted on one side by a forest, through the branches of the front trees of which gleams the tent occupied as headquarters by Generals Grant and Meade, while those of lesser dignitaries are scattered around them. A cluster of tents, the yellow flags floating over which indicate that they are used for hospital purposes, stands near them ; and around that by which I am sitting are ranged a hundred or more of ambulances and army wagons, the horses and mules attached to which are tethered to the poles or to the wheels. The dignity of a separate stake driven into the ground, and of a greater length of rope than usual, is assigned to one of the mares; and the favoritism is accounted for by the presence of a young colt frisking around her, which is the pet and plaything of all the soldiers and teamsters in the neighborhood. In the absence of the little sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters they have left at home, they are much addicted to pets. One sees them pass on a march with pet dogs follow¬ ing them, or with pet squirrels and rabbits, and even kittens on their shoulders, or peeping out from under their jackets. A little squirrel picked up in the Wilderness, where it was cowering on the battle-field, terrified at the sound of the artillery, belongs to one of the officers with whom I mess, and divides attention with the colt.

A mile or two off towards the west, a large house, sur¬ rounded by a fine plantation, is burning slowly away. It has been burning most of the day; but except that the dome of fire formed by the flames meeting round and lap¬ ping over the cupola has been occasionally admired, the destruction of the home of some once happy family has ex¬ cited no remark. It is only one of the daily bonfires with which an army lights its way wherever it moves. A couple of miles southward, on a lower and flatter plateau of land than that on which is our encampment, stands a city of tents, from which, last evening, as the sun sunk in the west and the full moon rose in the east, both red and large and dim, amid the smoke that circles the horizon like a rising

27

cloud when the evening camp-fires are lighted, emerged a host of armed men, some on horse but most on foot, and swept in two living lines, perhaps a mile long, past us, a few hundred yards off, pushing along the level places and the slopes to the northward-lying strip of wood, above which rose the thick smoke of our artillery planted on this side of it. And right past our tent, touching his hat in return to our salute, rode General Hancock, the leader of these men, with his staff* doubtless leaving the direct line taken by his command, to stop at army headquarters on his way to the field. In retaliation of an attempt made the night before, by our people, to turn the enemy’s flank at one end of the line, they were making a desperate attempt to turn ours at the other end, hut were repulsed, with the loss of several hundred men on both sides. It had been my de¬ sire to go on the field with the ambulances sent thither to fetch away the wounded, intending to aid them in such small ways as I might ; but, owing to some wrong informa¬ tion given me, I had no opportunity to go till after the first load of wounded had arrived and been deposited in the hos¬ pitals. Then, jumping up by the side of one of the ambu¬ lance drivers — a youth of eighteen, and yet a “ veteran,” like one of his comrades — now detailed as a stretcher-bearer — who informed me that he had enlisted in the West, when he was fifteen years old, in a two years’ regiment — had served his time in Texas, and enlisted again, getting a bounty of six hundred dollars, which, with the money he had saved from his pay, enabled him to buy a house and lot and put something away in bank; — jumping up alongside of these specimens of military Young America, I was carried along past camp-fires around which stood or sat the sleepless guard, in every possible attitude of unconscious picturesqueness — however hot the day, the nights are always cold in the fields of Virginia ; — among sleeping men, stretched in their blan¬ kets on the ground, with or without the little strips of shel¬ ter tents over them ; over fields, ploughed or unploughed ; across bridged or unbridged streams; through the under-

28

brush and tree-stumps of so-called roads in the woods, till we came to an upland field, where the white rays of the full moon fell on the greensward, reddened here and there with the stains that told where the sandy soil beneath had sucked up the blood of the brave ; and on clumps of bushes — parti¬ cularly where they grew in little dips and depressions of the soil, ottering some security from missiles — among which the mortally wounded had crawled to die, and where they now lay, the death-clamps mingling with the dews of the evening on the livid features — some placid and serene, with the eyes closed as if in quiet sleep, and some distorted, as if in agony — one clutching, with stiff*, immovable fingers, at his beard, and staring with wide-distehded, glassy eyes at the moon, as if in mute appeal to Heaven against the horrors which had left him there to die. But the wounded had all been carried away before we got there — some two dozen ambu¬ lances, I suppose, accompanied us — and so we started to return, the rough teamsters stepping softly past the dead, and now and then quietly straightening some distorted limb or covering their faces with their hats — one, however, sub¬ stituting his own worse for the dead man’s better — but ran¬ sacking the knapsacks and overcoats, &c., which lay scat¬ tered among the bullets and pieces of shell. On our way back we overtook numbers of the wounded who were able to walk, as we had also met them on our way out. To-day, in company with an officer who was in the engagement, I have ridden over its whole line, what I saw last night being but a small portion. The fight took place just outside our breastworks, in strengthening which I saw hundreds of our men busy. During the night, and early this morning, the dead were buried. In one field I counted thirty-two graves in a row, with three separate ones ; and in the next field I counted a row of twenty-seven. Carefully shaped, smooth-spaded mounds they all were, with a head-board legibly inscribed with name, company, and regiment to each. On the slope of a hill near by, from which the enemy’s tents could be plainly seen through a glass, were

29

fourteen graves, side by side, as neatly made as the others, but without head- boards, for they were those of rebels, and our men who had buried them did not know the names of the strangers. So we left those who had taken each other’s lives lying quietly within a few paces of each other.

To-day I have seen some of the wounded of last night in the hospital tents, as well as others who were wounded a week ago or more in the Wilderness. Stretched on the yield¬ ing, sweet-scented pine boughs which the delightful grove, in which the hospitals are situated, yields in abundance, I found a couple of young brothers lying side by side, one wounded in the arm ten or twelve days ago in one of the fights in the Wilderness, and the other, the elder one, pros¬ trate with fever, brought on, I verily believe, from anxiety about his younger brother. They had enlisted together in the same company, with their widowed mother’s consent, they said, and the senior by two years had been charged by her to watch over his younger brother; “for, you see he’s always been kind o’ delicate, and him and me’s always been fond of each other, and she knowedl was strong and hearty, and so she gin me charge of him like; and I promised to take him back safe to her if we was both spared; and when he was wounded I tell you I felt bad, for we had to be sep¬ arated — he was took to the hospital, and I had to stay in the fight— and what with more fighting and marching, and one thing and another, I did not see him again for three days, and I did’nt durst to write to mother, for I did’nt know as he was going to live, and couldn’t git no certain news of him, and when I did see him he looked so awful bad and was fretting so much because he could not git word to me, that I come very near crying. Well, then I had to leave him and wrote to mother the best way I could — for she’d made us promise to write her always the bad news as well as the good. Well, I worried and fretted, and at last I was took with a fever, but I’m glad I was, for I got the doctor to let me be in the same place with my brother, and he says we’re gitting along right smart, and he’ll let us out at the

30

same time. So I wrote to mother, and I guess she’ll be easy now in her mind.” I asked them if they knew where the clean shirts they had on came from. “0 yes!” and they pointed to the stamp— “it was printed on them; they come from the Sanitary.” They got some “bully” things from the Sanitary, and thought it must be a “ big thing.” They, the Sanitary, always had houses, and tents, and wag¬ ons and stores wherever they, my interlocutors, had been with the army in Virgin ny. Could’nt I tell them something about it ? Which I did.

In another of the tents was a man belonging to one of the Union Maryland regiments. He was wounded in an en¬ gagement with a rebel Maryland regiment, in which were two of his cousins, “ the same as brothers to him — they had all gone to school together, and lived on the next farm to each other all their lives, till the war broke out.” I asked him if it would not have been very disagreeable to him if he had learnt that either of them had been shot by a bullet from him. “Ho,” he answered savagely, “he was on the look out for them all the time, so that he might aim at them. He was hoping and praying all the time that his shot might by chance reach them. He would ask for nothing better than to shoot them, or to stick them with his bayonet- curse the traitors.” This is but one of many instances I have seen. When thrown together on picket or in hospital, the Yankee boys from Massachusetts or Ohio, and the Johnnys from Alabama and Mississippi are the best of friends ; but the loyal Virginian scowls darkly on the rebel Virginian, and the rebel Tennesseean has only a curse for the loyal Tennesseean, and so of all the border States.

When you will get this depends upon the army mail-bag, the guerrillas, the movements of Generals Grant and Lee, and on Providence. Perhaps I may write you again before I ojet “out of the Wilderness.”

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

ALFRED J. BLOOR.

Ho. V.

United States Sanitary Commission,

On the march from Spottsylyania towards the North Anna River, Va.,

Sunday, May 22, 1864.

Dear Miss - : I have been bewailing the loss of a

saddle horse I bad expected to ride, on this march ; but (besides the honor of occupying the same seat as that from which Mrs. Lincoln saw Hooker’s grand review) a staff wagon presents advantages for purposes of correspondence quite above those to be derived from the back of a restive animal ; and a halt, which promises to be a long one, being ordered by the officer in command of the ambulance train, the fortunes of which 1 am now sharing, bringing my vehicle to a little eminence, under the thick shade of a large tree, through the branches of which sweeps a delicious breeze unknown to the torrid temperature a dozen feet off, each side of me, I improve the opportunity to give you a word or two from the field, presuming that you have received a copy of a letter I wrote from Washington, before starting a second time for Fredericksburg.

Most of the wounded of Thursday’s fight had been carried to Fredericksburg, to go thence to Belle Plain, and thence to Washington, when, yesterday morning, on rising with the sun, I found the city of tents on the left of the army had disappeared, and shortly afterwards orders were received by the officers whose mess I am sharing, to be ready to march

32

in an hour and a half. The interval allowed I employed in visiting the hospital tents a few rods off. They were set in a charming grove of trees, opening on an open space, cov¬ ered with grass and herbs, across which, and through the open leaves of the larg-e airy tents, floated every breath of air. Under the canvas, upon pliant beds of fragrant pine boughs, \&y stretched the victims of the late fights in the Wilderness. The surgeon in charge, followed by steward and nurses, was going his rounds, speaking cheerfully to the men, most of whom looked comfortable enough in their cool, clean shirts and drawers, marked with the omnipresent words, “U. S. Sanitary Commission,” and generally the name of the contributing branch or society in addition. By the way, one of the surgeons — worn, haggard, and dirty the night before, after the labors of the day, eighteen hours long, upon the poor fellows who had been mangled in the fight of Thursday evening, but now looking refreshed and strong again, after a few hours’ sleep and a good bath — laughingly showed me the mark on his own shirt, and asked if I would report him for misappropriating our stores. His only shirt was being washed of the filth and blood of ten days’ marching and operating, and he had borrowed a “San. Com.” one till it should be dried. What better use could be made of it than this temporary “ misappropriation ?” Would any woman, if she reflects that, during the alternate marching and fighting of a campaign, during which every ounce of transportation, even for clothing, food, or medical stores — for anything except for what deals death — is grudged, even to a general; during which men and officers alike are frequently reduced to the condition of gypsies or wandering Arabs — -would any such woman grudge the shirt she has made for a wounded soldier, to the temporary use of the man who is to save that wounded soldier’s life, if his own be secured to him ? A clean shirt on the surgeon’s back, in place of one stiffened with blood, filth, and vermin, may go far towards saving the life of both doctor and patient.

In one of the wards is a young boy seventeen years old,

83

he says, supported against a pillow of pine boughs, with his overcoat for a pillow-case, holding in his single hand, browned and freckled with the sun, but small and finely- formed, a small photograph hanging by a piece of string— the ribbon that first held it has “ played out,” he says, and he has not succeeded in getting another piece — from his neck. As I speak to him he lifts up a very handsome face,

and as I pass my hand over his smooth white brow _ for the

vizor of his cap has saved it from the sun, that has burnt the rest of his face— and through his soft curly hair, his white lips quiver, and tears fill his blue suffering eyes. It is not his sweetheart’s likeness, he says sadly, he was not old enough to “ keep company ” when he left home — it is his mother’s. He would not care if it were only his left hand ; and as he lifts up the stump of his young delicate arm I notice, alas ! that it is his right one. He has sent “ most all” his pay to his mother and “ reckoned on” supporting her when he should get back from the war, for his mother is a widow, and he is the oldest of the family. She is not fit for work — “ she had everything comfortable while father lived,” and now — — . He is nearly breaking down, but conquers himself as he looks down on the others around him, and goes on nervously. He can’t even write to his mother now to tell her what has happened, and he has always written to her twice a week, and she will think he is dead, and — and — -. He nearly breaks down again. I tell him I will write his first letter for him, and that he will find plenty of kind wo¬ men and men in the comfortable hospital to which he will be assigned as soon as he can bear removal, who will be only too glad to write as often as he likes to his mother, and that Hncle Sam, and San. Com., and other kind friends will take good care of him, and that people soon learn to use their left hands when their right ones are gone, and their feet when both are gone — that I have seen a man without arms, write, and cut watch papers, and sew, and do many other things with his feet — and that the good people in the Pennsylvania town where he came from will 3 L

84

find something for the left hand of a good son of a good mother to do, &c., &c. So I leave him quite happy, and dis¬ posed to consider a duality of hands, and particularly the right side of the duality, as rather an anomoly and incum¬ brance than otherwise.

It is a little after nine when “our division” of the 5th corps begins to move, but according to military usage, we only move a few rods and then rest for an hour, for no cause perceptible to the outsider, but doubtless well considered in the sacred precincts of headquarters. While we wait, Gen¬ erals Grant and Meade ride past with their staffs, accompa¬ nied by “ Headquarters” Guard, partly cavalry (or “calvary,” as with unconscious irreverance it is called in the rank and file,) and partly infantry, the latter a detachment of Zouaves in redtrowsers and fez caps, and otherwise very showy and picturesque uniform; and very fine it all is, with flags and guidons streaming, and music sounding. We begin fairly to move at last, and slowly we move along for several hours,

I do not know in how long a procession, but certainly as far as my eye can reach both before and behind. Our road is on the skirt of woods most of the way, and sometimes through them rough clearings have been made in advance by an engineering party, to save long distances by the turn¬ pike ; and for the same reason, or because the bridges have been burned by the enemy, there are temporary bridges of logs over runs and streams. Corduroy roads also abound. The country is not so hilly as that I have heretofore passed over in Virginia, and in some places w7here the arm}7 has not yet been, the well-fenced fields ripening with corn and grain of all kinds remind one of the thrifty farms of the northern States. But one is soon recalled in looking at them, from one’s visions of peace, by the booming of can¬ non every now and then, w7here some distant portion of our force is contesting the ground with the enemy, or by the smoke and flame ascending from some burning farm-house, or by the rattle of musketry where the skirmishing lines of ourselves and the enemy have met. There are frequent

35

halts of five, ten, or fifteen minutes in the long train of wag¬ ons and ambulances, to allow time, I suppose, for some re¬ arrangement in front, or for the passage of a regiment or brigade across our line, and in these pauses I watch the pro¬ cession of equestrians and pedestrians on each side of me. How bravely the poor fellows, with their knapsacks on their backs and their muskets slung across their shoulders, com¬ mence the march, and how they droop and wilt in an’ hour or two beneath their heavy burdens, in the fierce sun-rays, when they cannot get into the shelter of the woods. How often the canteen of water is applied to the mouth, and how invariably, when they come to any sort of aqueous manifes¬ tation, no matter how muddy, they stoop down to see if the water is drinkable, and cooler than that they already have in their canteens. If so, they go at once through the process of emptying and re-filling. Here comes an oflicer on horse¬ back, holding the reins loosely with one hand, and wiping the perspiration from his forehead with the other. Behind him is his orderly, a young porker confiscated at the last past farm-house squeaking on one side of his saddle, and two or three confiscated chickens cackling on the other. A confiscated bunch of Virginia tobacco is under his arm, a confiscated peacock feather waves from his hat, and a huge bunch of confiscated roses adorns his button-hole. Here comes a couple of young soldiers — brothers evidently, for they look so much alike, that is in features. Otherwise they differ very much. The elder is strongly built and ro¬ bust; the younger looks weak and delicate. I have passed them, or they have passed me a dozen times during the march, and every time they have been together, and the elder has been carrying the knapsack, and sometimes the musket of his younger brother. There they are at this mo¬ ment , the younger one is lying down by the fence under the shade of the large tree on the rubber blanket which his brother has spread for him, and is waiting for the draught of fiesh spring water with which his brother is filling his canteen at the foot of yonder little hillock. Here conies a

36

donkey led by a soldier, and laden with the box, the sack, the frying-pan, the kettle, and the etceteras which comprise the establishment of the officers’ mess, to which he is cook ; and here is a small drummer boy, his red-covered lagged little legs bestriding at right angles to its broad back the huge ox which is to be converted into beef for his regiment, and which he guides with admirable dexterity by a rope fastened to each of its horns, and a switch he carries in his hand. Now there gallops by in hot haste, with some mes¬ sage from headquarters, a young staff officer, followed by his orderly, proudly conscious that all have to stand aside to let him pass. Close behind him follows a dilapidated steed, evidently under the impression that its broken- winded shamble is nothing less than the stately gallop of its former days, and as his accoutrements— amid the wrecks of chickens, leeks, and tobacco leaves— rebound from the pommel and back of his riderless saddle against his flanks, I fancy I recognize among them the coffee-pot and frying-pan, on which my gastronomic destiny has lately hung. Sure enough, I soon recognize a well-known voice behind me— “ Stop dat boss— lorra-gorry ! stop dat dar boss.” A glance round the corner of the wagon now reveals the unsaddled rider, despair on his sable countenance, and his grizzly wool upright with terror. But the frantic charger is caught, and the bow-legged rider limps up, obsequious explanations of the accident addressed to the military pub¬ lic at large, mingling with objurgatory remarks to the horse, and tugging at the rope bridle ; and amid the accla¬ mations, ironical or otherwise, of his fellow-contrabands, is with much labor hoisted up to his former place in the sad¬ dle. And so we move on again, between two rows of skirmishers — soldiers in single file, five or six feet between each man — in the wToods or fields at our side ; and under the shade of every tree or bush, in every angle of the snake fence, or out of it, almost in the middle of the road, lie groups of weary men, their heads pillowed on their knap¬ sacks or their muskets, many of them asleep, and all resting

37

for a little while before recommencing the tramp of their exhausting march.

Our march yesterday continued till the afternoon, and then we halted for several hours in a beautiful open grassy space opposite Massaponax Church, running into the woods like a bay into the land. And then the stretch¬ ing out beneath the trees and wagons, the cooking of coffee and munching of hard tack, the search for spring water in the forest, the musket shots startling us at first, as we thought them a surprise of the enemy, and turning out to be but the death-stroke to certain pigs and goslings in a grotesque chase after them for fresh food, the hurried burial of the blanket- ceremented and uncoffined body of the soldier who had died on the way in one of the ambulances ; what was all this in our little camp-world in the wilderness but a repetition of the game of life in the great world ? Starting again be¬ tween four and five, p. m., we journeyed on between our skirmish lines and the noise of cannon seldom out of our ears for fifteen minutes at a time, till one o’clock in the morning brought us to a halt, with orders to move again at four, a. m. Many preferred sleep to food, and flung themselves down on the ground in their blankets, among the hoofs of the horses and mules. But for those who preferred food first a hun¬ dred camp fires, made of the rails from around the ploughed field in which we were packed, sent up their flames in the twinkling of an eye ; and the mules welcomed with dis¬ cordant melancholy cry, their half rations of grain. The next morning at day-break all was ready for the march, but there we waited, no one knew why, the fierce rays of the sun reflected from the sandy field and almost blinding us, till past one, p. m. And now here we are, not many miles from the North Anna river, where it is expected the enemy will make a determined stand against the further progress of the 5th corps. In the wide field to our left, so near that I can almost see their features, a large body of our men, a division I suppose, is drawn up in line of battle, and what the day may bring forth God only knows.

38

This will be in readiness for any courier that may leave for the rear, but perhaps I may be in Washington (or Rich¬ mond) long before you get it, and perhaps you will not get it at all.

Very truly and respectfully, yours,

ALFRED J. BLOOR.

3STo. VI.

United States Sanitary Commission,

In Bivouac near Jericho Ford, North Anna Fiver, Va.,

Tuesday , May 24, 1864.

Dear Miss - : Leaving, yesterday morning, our pleas¬

ant bivouac in the pine grove near St. Margaret’s Church, a quaint, hundred-year-old building, with a wing jutting out for the use of the negroes while worshipping — our weary march, under the burning sun and over the dusty roads of Virginia, had brought us to the close of the third day, when, last evening, about five o’clock, we halted in a ploughed field, (“as usual,” the drivers angrily remarked,) and I had just made myself as comfortable as possible on the seat of the staff-wagon I had been riding, and had begun a letter to you, when I observed that the intermittent cannonading: which had accompanied us throughout our march was suc¬ ceeded by a steady booming, accompanied by an unceasing fire of musketry, and on looking up 1 perceived an unusual stir and excitement around me. Speedily discovering what was the state of the case, I made my way through a strip of woods into a field beyond, where I found a large body of reserve troops waiting the word of command to advance towards the scene of action. This was presently given ; and as they filed off to the right, I joined them, and found myself in the road from which my wagon had a short time before turned aside. The fields on the right side of this road were filled with large bodies of troops, screened from the enemy

40

by two intervening hills. As the fight progressed, this reserve was led off to the field by regiments, as they were needed. Ascending the slope, I found myself on the crest of a hill which I afterwards discovered to be the best position for observing the conflict ; but, anxious to get as near to it as possible, I went on, keeping on the field side of the fence so as to be out of the wTay of the hurly-burly in the road. In my descent I met many wounded men, those who were unable to assist themselves being carried in stretchers on the shoulders of six men, and those who were able to do so walking by themselves or by the assistance of each other. Some of the cavalrymen were still able to bestride their horses. Pointing out to them where to find a surgeon on the top of the hill, and occasionally refreshing those who were ready to faint with water from a borrowed canteen, I pushed on, stopping every now and then to watch the quick fire flashing and the thick smoke rolling up from the bat¬ teries on the hill before me across the river, or to wonder what thoughts were passing through the brains of those who, with compressed lips and fixed onward gaze, tramped forward with heavy, steady tread to their doom. By their side I reached the foot of the hill, and after wading through a lane of mud, turned suddenly to the right, along the course of the river, and so, through a covered way by the side of an old mill, gained the pontoon-bridge — planks laid on canvas, stretched over wooden frames shaped like boats — with which, in their crude condition on a couple of frame carts, the march had rendered me repeatedly familiar. Scrambling over the bridge, another steep lane of mud presented itself, and this achieved, found us on the top of a sort of bluff, stretching back on the level to where the woods skirted it, some distance off. Between the top of the eminence and the woods was planted the battery — perhaps there was more than one — of cannons, the operations of which I had watched from the hill across the river ; a considerable way off within the woods themselves the rebels glanced and dodged among the trees like so many gray squirrels ; and a short distance within them — as

41

nearly in line of battle, I suppose, as the trees would permit — were our men, loading and firing so quickly that, though many dropped dead or wounded to the ground — several I saw leaping high up into the air before reaching it — the rattling of musketry broke sharply on the air, not in a series of concussions, but in one prolonged roll that mingled with the far heavier booming of the cannon, almost as incessant, and with the less frequent, rocket-like whiz of the shells that burst in the air with a flash and small thick cloud of smoke that slowly diffused itself in space, or fell to the ground and exploded, with an outbreak of flame and smoke and fragments and earth, first ploughing up the ground and tossing up the soil to each side as if they were huge moles. But, beneath all these sounds and the “Ha! ha! of the war- horses as they smelt the battle and pawed in the valley, swal¬ lowing the ground with fierceness and rage, and rejoiced in their strength and in the glory of their nostrils, which was terrible” — and beneath the dull measured tramp of the de¬ tachment I had accompanied, as it filed oft' into the woods, the impression left on my mind was not one of noise and tumult, but rather of intense stillness. The soldiers, as they marched past, held their breath; the few orders of the officers were given in undertones, but they sounded, never¬ theless, as clear and distinct as if uttered at the top of the voice — the few groups of officers scattered about (I saw no one in civilian’s clothes but myself) spoke in whispers if at all — the gunners worked as noiselessly as swiftly at their posts — the wounded men who emerged from the wood and straggled off, limping and holding their hands, when their use was left to them, against their wounds, in broken irregu¬ lar file, towards the shed, where, as I afterwards found, the first surgical operations were performed, spoke no word and uttered no sound — even the many birds that stunned by the reverberations among the woods and along the hill, and driven downward by the thick smoke above, swept in long circles close to the ground, did so without chirp or twitter, only their wide opened eyes expressing their terror.

42

Neither did the sense of danger impress me, except when there was really none— when I started for the field. The nearer I advanced the less I thought of it, except to reflect now and then that as long as I kept out of the range of the enemy’s musketry I was tolerably safe from musket shot, and that the chances were many to one against my being hit by a cannon ball or shell. But others did not seem to think so, for while I was still intent on observation a staff officer stepped out from a group surrounding a gen¬ eral, and premising that, perhaps, as a civilian and unaccus¬ tomed to “ this sort of thing,” I was not aware of the great risk I was running, advised me to get back at least as far as a certain range he indicated and trust to a glass to see the rest of the affair. Thanking him for the caution, but de¬ termined, now that my curiosity was satisfied, not to lose sight, which in the excitement I had done, of my principal object, viz. : to test how far, without foolhardiness, I could, in a small way, carry the succors of the Commission into an engagement— I retreated, but presently struck off a little to one side, and crossing a fence, found myself in a pretty safe position, in a depression, almost a ditch, behind it. Here, after startling away several rabbits and squirrels which had sought the same shelter, the first thing that struck my eyes was a figure lying face downwards near a clump of bushes, among which it had evidently intended to crawl. Going forward to it and turning the face up I found it to be that of a young soldier, dead. A small orifice in the forehead, with scarcely a trace of blood around it, was all the wound visible. The letters on his hat lying beside him indicated that he belonged to a Wisconsin regiment, but I searched him in vain for any clue as to his further identity ; and, unless afterwards recognized by some of his living com¬ rades, he doubtless lies buried in the same trench with the other “ unnamed demigods,” (as Kossuth called the rank and file of the Hungarian patriots with whom he fought,) who gave their lives for their country on this battle field by the North Anna river. Giving up the fruitless search I stretched his arms by his side and covered his upturned face

j

43

with his hat, weighting it with a stone; and had just risen from my stooping posture beside him when I caught the eye of a man, who sitting against the stump of a tree, had been watching me, and patiently waiting till I had got through with the dead. Going up to him I found he had tied, with the help of a comrade whom he had left in the ranks, a piece of his overcoat and a very dirty rag which he called his handkerchief, round the fleshy part of his arm, and he showed me a minie ball which he said had passed through it. He complained of being “kinder faint,” and wished to pull the stauncher off* his arm “it hurt him so bad” — but I dis¬ suaded him from doing this, although sorely tempted to replace the abominable rag by one of your clean handkerchiefs, a small stock of which I had in my pocket; and a little color re¬ placed the lividness of his cheeks and lips after I had emptied into them some precious drops from a small flask which I had secretly borne in the bottom of a capacious pocket throughout my campaign, in anticipation of just such a use as this. Another pocket contained soft crackers, and a few mouthfuls of this and some sweet chocolate-cake as a relish, together with a draught of water, so completely “ set him up,” as he termed it, that with my assistance, in giving him one shoulder to lean upon and carrying his knapsack on my other, I speedily got him into the file of rearward- straggling wounded, and consigned him to the sympathy — if not to the efficient care, the other being nearly as badly wounded — of a comrade, by whose side he had been fighting, and whom he hailed with infinite and mutual delight ; but not before his comrade had shared in the strength of my pockets, and in my promise to hunt them up in the hospitals that night or next morning, which I did, and found one with his right arm off, and the other with his left, but both very jolly at finding their lives were not in danger and at being permitted to stay together. Before they left me, and almost before I had finished “setting up ” the last one, they were both, as they expressed it, completely “taken down” by the gift of one of your handkerchiefs between them; for, knowing

44

what great demands there would be on my small stock, I could afford them only one, and they marched off to the hospital, or operating shed I should call it — the locality of which I had by this time found — with many one-handed flourishes of the clean handkerchief, the like of which they had probably not seen since their last furlough, and numer¬ ous applications of it to their foreheads and noses.

I had by this time given up my intention of going quite up to the line of battle, for I found that my work was really where I was, and I desired, moreover, to leave myself time to get back to bivouac before it should be quite dark, lest in my citizen’s clothes I should have trouble with the guards and sentries. Accordingly I made the best of my way back across the pontoon bridge, helping the wounded along with cheerful words and the contents of my flask and pockets; and partly by bribery and partly by assuming the exercise of a military authority to which I had no right, I impressed a number of idlers, (it is astonishing how many idlers collect around any scene of excitement, even a far-away battle field,) chiefly negroes, belonging to the country round or the ser¬ vants of otficers, into the service of the exhausted men, by getting them to carry the knapsacks and muskets — though most of the muskets had been thrown away — and lend the aid of their arms and shoulders to the clinging grasp of the poor fellows. I thought of a similar experience I had had two years ago, when the trains brought in the wounded from Fair Oaks to White House ; but I must do the negroes and what few whites there were the justice to say that in both instances there were large numbers, perhaps most, who required neither money nor threats, but only a little direc¬ tion, to give their help heartily to the wounded men.

Getting back to the top of the eminence from which I had first witnessed the fight, I found it occupied by a number of general and staff officers, with field-glasses in their hands and cigars in their mouths; their horses, held by a crowd of orderlies, tossing their manes and pawing the ground as they smelt the battle afar off, and trembled with the excite-

45

ment produced by tlie reverberations of the artillery, which sounded even more terrific than when I was close to the cannons, while the sulphurous smoke rolled across the val¬ ley and floated up, growing thinner and thinner, till it met and mingled with the dense, compact little clouds emitted from the bursting shells. Across the fields was stretched a line of mounted men, with drawn sabres, to turn back run¬ aways and stragglers from the infantry, and on talking to several of them I found that the duty assigned to them was exceedingly distasteful to them. Large detachments of men continued to pour forth along the road, from the reserve stationed behind the hill on its right side, but the shades of evening were now beginning to close in and they were probably too late to share in the engagement that night. On the crest of the hill on the right side of the wood, and but a few yards from it, was an old house, so broken down and full of holes that any amount of shells, if they had reached it, could certainly have made but little difference in its appearance. On its broken door-step sat an old woman — rejoicing, I found, in a name so picturesque that I am greatly tempted to intrude on her privacy by repeat! ng it— who rocked herself to and fro as she bemoaned the probable loss of her tenement by shell and fire. She was a widow, she told me, and had not seen her son for “ four years a’most — did not know where he was ” — which in the Confederate vernacular, means that all the men of the family are in the rebel army. I had discovered a little in the rear of the house, under a tree by the fence, the surgeon who, in himself, formed the half way hospital between that on the field and the tent hos¬ pitals that, as I learned, were being established in a field some half mile to the rear, and had replenished the ex¬ hausted supply of old linen in his saddle bags with the single roll of bandage I had left, and which Iliad brought with me all the way from Belle Plain. But seeing the look of disappoint¬ ment that overspread his face — notwithstanding the cheerful, kind, and encouraging words with which he always spoke to

46

his patients of their wounds— at their invariable negative answer to his question as to whether they had any water left in their canteen for him to sponge and dress their wounds, I deter-

mined to see whether this want could not be supplied. So a ter

setting a couple of negroes to the work of pointing out the surgeon’s nook to the wounded men, I ingratiated myse with the old woman, and entered into business relations so satisfactory to her that she not only showed me the spring a few paces off, where she drew her water, and placed her water pail and gourd in the hands of the two boys whom I engaged to supply the doctor, as well as the wounded men s canteens for their refreshment, but offered me the hospita 1- ties of her home and furniture on similar terms. 1 ie whole of the latter consisted of one ncketty table with some tin pans and broken crockery on it, the bench on which stood her water pail, the inevitable spinning wheel, a bed with the inevitable check coverlid, and two or three broken chairs. On the chairs I installed as many men, who said they could not walk to the rear hospitals without resting first, and they sank to sleep with their heads leaning against the wall, in a moment. On the bed we laid a ; young sergeant from a Pennsylvania regiment, who said he had not had any sleep for thirty-six hours, and his head did not touch the pillow before he was sleeping profoundly, but still mechanically holding up the finger and thumb which the surgeon had just dressed. Having got things into this satisfactory train, I accepted the old lady’s invitation to go up to the top of the house to “see the fight,” and ascending a ricketty staircase and ladder, and threading several rooms containing only cobwebs and the corn-cobs with which I observed her making a fire on the hearth of the big chimney below, I passed through an upper floor into a cock¬ loft, from the unglazed window in the gable end of which I watched through my glass the last of the engagement for in a little while, after a prolonged cheering, or rather yelling, which I took to be that of the Confederates, but (as I

47

am told that the Yankee boys have lately got into the habit of mocking the peculiar cry of the rebels) may have been uttered by our men, or perhaps by both, just as the last shadows of twilight melted into night, the artillery and musketry fire suddenly ceased— that is the prolonged fire for occasionally the roll of a cannon or a discharge of mus¬ ketry continued to be heard. So I turned my face towards my quarters, intending first to see the tent hospitals that, I heard, were being put up— but what with being stopped by wounded soldiers for various purposes, and guiding ambulance drivers with loads of wounded through a pieee of woods, the rough cleared path across which, having gone over it ’when I started for the field, I knew better than they did who had been over it only in the dark, and trying to find surgeons for several who seemed to be dying, and pur- suading soldiers to rise from their sleep in the dust or mud— both at once are common in Virginia roads — to put their shoulders to the wheels of ambulances stuck in pitfalls, and finally with finding my quarters, which had been moved back a mile since I left them ; what with all this, it was too near midnight, and I was too much worn and sleepy to get to the hospitals — so, after a supper of hard-tack and unlactified coffee, and exchanging notes with the messmates who for so many perilous hours had been “ all scattered in fight,” I laid my blanket down in a spot where my head at least would be safe from the hoofs of the horses and mules, and wonder¬ ing how many such scenes of carnage, on the same field, the stars that twinkled down on me had looked upon in the past ages, when the red man and his predecessors occupied the soil, I fell asleep.

I have made the round of the hospitals this morning, and witnessed many interesting incidents; but I must reserve them for another letter, not only because I am afraid I have already bored you with this long one, but because I can no longer have the use of the single bottle of ink; and after the enjoyment of such a dignity I cannot immediately descend to pencil. It would perhaps be wiser for me to keep

48

it in my pocket till I get to Washington, but I think I will risk it in the Army mail-hag; and if you do not get it for five or six weeks, I hope you will at least have the satisfac¬ tion of finding it post-marked “Richmond, 4th of July.”

Very truly and respectfully, yours,

ALFRED J. RLOOR.

Ho. VII.

In Bivouac near The North Anna River, Va.5

May 24, 1864.

Dear Mrs. - - : My last letter (a copy of which I wul

send you, along with the others I have written from the field to my several correspondents, when I return to Wash- ton) gave an account of the way in which I “assisted,” as the French would say, at the fight between the forces of General Warren of the 5th corps with the help of part of the 6th, and the rebel General Hill, on the evening of yesterday, the 23d inst. After our day-break breakfast this morning I made my way to the hospitals, which had been established while the engagement was going on, in an open grassy space interspersed with bushes and young trees, and skirting the road which crossed the North Anna River about a mile and a quarter (I should think) ahead. They consisted of a number of good sized tents spread with pine boughs, and scattered about the grounds were the oper¬ ating tables, portable dispensaries, &c. I met a number of the wounded men I had helped along the night before, and was glad to hear many of them express their appreciation of the kindness and care with which they had been attended to by the surgeons. These latter had been up all night, but there was as yet no relaxation to their labors, for the ambu¬ lances were still coming in with the wounded. I do not know that I shall have a better opportunity than the pres¬ ent, and I desire therefore to record here my conviction — in opposition, I think, to the general impression in the 4 L

50

community, and particularly the female portion of it that there is nowhere to be found a body of men who, as a class, are more untiring, devoted, and self-sacrificing in the dis¬ charge of their duties — the most responsible, exacting, and exhausting— than army surgeons. There are exceptions, too many of which I have encountered in an official intercourse with them of three years’ standing ; but during that time my estimate of them as a body has steadily increased, and this my last experience with them in the field has con¬ firmed and heightened all my previous good impressions. I take pleasure, as a non-medical man, in expressing emphat¬ ically mv opinion as to the high standard of mental and moral qualities they apply to their professional duties, (without being competent to judge of their professional qualities pure and simple,) the more so because my official correspondence has shown me how much they have been suspected and undervalued by the home-staying commu¬ nity ; while in general culture they compare most favorably with any class of officers in the army.

Thanks to the untiring zeal of the surgeons and their as¬ sistants, and to their being well stocked in the field with Governmental medical supplies, those of the patients who had been already operated upon were lying on the fresh, soft, fragrant, pine boughs, with which the tents were thickly strewn, in a condition of tolerable comfort, those at least whose wounds admit of any comfort, and fortunately where well cared for, these are the majority. 'Well washed and dressed in clean shirt and drawers— every one marked with the “TJ. S. Sanitary Commission” stamp, for the lack of these was one of the gaps we had bridged over — and many of them enjoying their pipes or cigars, and chatting over their experience in the “ eminent deadly breach” of the evening before, the scene of the whole, however terrible, was not altogether unrelieved in parts. It is amusing to see the affection they bear for their pipes. One man I saw grievously wounded in most of his limbs, lifted out of one of the ambulances that had just arrived. His first thought

a

51

was for his pipe, but he had no hand in which to carry it, so he desired it to be put in his mouth ; and, carrying it between his lips, was himself borne to the operating table.

One young lad I found reading a hymn-book, which he said had probably saved his life the night before. It was in his waistcoat pocket during the engagement, and a minie ball, which would otherwise have gone into his breast, had glanced against its cover and fallen to the bottom of his pocket. He showed me the ball with much satisfaction, and told me he hoped he should live to get back to Wiscon¬ sin and show it to his mother, who had given him the hymn- book. He had, however, a few minutes afterwards been shot in the leg. A man lying, with one of his arms off, next the narrator, was very anxious that I should provide him also with a hymn-book; but whether he was influenced most by piety or by prudence I shall not pretend to say. There was one young fellow from your section of country, though I cannot recall the name of the town or village he mentioned — he was severely but not painfully wounded — who, seeing some clean linen rag which one of the doctors had left on the ground a little distance off, asked me to tear him off a piece that would serve him as a pocket handkerchief. Thinking the surgeon might have set apart the linen for some special purpose, and preferring in any case to give him a bona fide handkerchief if I had one left, I felt in my pocket, and there at its bottom was the last of my small store. It was rather a nice affair ; the cambric not of the finest, but with quite a stylish border round its edge, and he pronounced it “bully” as I handed it to him. The outside fold had, as usual, the Commission’s stamp, but it soon appeared that there was still another mark on it, for he had scarcely unfolded it and held it out for an admiring inspection, before he uttered quite a shriek of delight, and asked me if I knew his folks at home, and if they had given me the handkerchief to hand to him. It appeared that besides our mark there was worked in thread the name of the relief society in his native place, and he gave sundry reasons for his positive assertion that the

52

marking must liave been done by none other than bis little sister Lizzie. Without, perhaps, fully appreciating his arguments, I saw no good reason for disturbing his impres¬ sion, and left him quite happy in its indulgence.

Passing from one tent to another, I found a chaplain standing by two stretchers, the occupant of each lying with stiff out-stretched limbs, and the quiet, upturned face cov¬ ered witff the blanket which was now to serve as a winding sheet. Another chaplain appeared in a moment, with two men bearing another stretcher, the corpse covered with the old gray overcoat which had shielded its wearer from so many storms and served him so often for blanket or pillow. The bearers pick up the stretcher, and they, the two chaplains and myself are all that follow the warriors to their grave. A few paces off in a little space between two clumps of bushes and saplings, the wide grave is being dug— there is but one for the three comrades in battle and death — by three men who take their turn in digging and resting beneath the burning rays of the unclouded overpowering sun. It is evidently a matter of pride and conscience with them to dig deep, and make, as one terms it, “ a handsome grave.” Their oaths and rough talk are silenced. The youngest of them, rather a smart young sergeant, is obviously bent on making a good impression on the chaplains, and talks somewhat learnedly and sentimentally on the way in which they must have received their wounds, and on our all having to come to this, on the field or in our beds, he does not see that it makes much difference ; but he talks quietly and soon stops, working steadily with the others, who have nothing to say except to interchange some undertoned remark as to the earth being loose in this spot, or a stone being in the way there. Just as they are giving the finishing strokes, some one hurries up, claims one of the bodies to be sent home to friends, and the two men with him carry it off. The diggers agree to leave a third of the space unfilled with soil, for some other body -“there will be a many graves wanted through the day” — they leap up from the grave and tell the chaplains

■j

53

it is ready, then lean on their spades and uncover their heads. We also uncover, and one of the chaplains reads aloud from his little pocket Bible, “ low is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept —for since by man came death, by man came also the res¬ urrection of the dead,” and the rest of the chapter. He is followed by the other chaplain in a short address, followed by a prayer ; then the uncoffined forms are lowered, the fresh earth covers them more closely (and more kindly it seems to me) than a wooden box would — the empty space left by their side for whoever shall come next — wooden boards inscribed with their names, companies, and regiments, are placed at their heads, and there we leave them to their long rest, one wrapped in his blanket, while the other—

- lay like a warrior taking his rest,

With his martial cloak around him.”

Coming out of the enclosure, I stopped to talk to several of a crowd, some three hundred, of rebel prisoners, who stood or sat in two groups under guard, some of them in great trepidation lest the shells sent by their own people should reach them. (The shelling and musketry, but more especially the cannonading, goes on more or less all the time.) One of them was a South Carolina Colonel — named Brown, I am told — who sat on the ground whittling a piece of stick with his penknife, which induced a fat officer who stood over him, and probably resented the cutting down from its maximum proportions of even a piece of wood, to inform him that he would certainly be taken for a Yankee it he persisted in whittling. The Colonel only grinned, however, and went on paring; perhaps beginning to enter¬ tain the idea that worse things might befall him than to be taken for a Yankee. One of them, an innocent-looking, mild-eyed young lad — as many of them are — is the son of the woman who lives in the log cabin by the side of which I am now writing, and is now therefore a prisoner within a

54

few yards of his mother’s house. The poor woman has been to see him, and declares, with many tears, that he was led away by his neighbors against her entreaties. Her trouble is shared by the boy’s grandfather and by several young sis¬ ters, very pretty and delicate looking, notwithstanding that they have no shoes, and wear such uncrinolined gowns of striped home-made stuff as a biddy would scorn to use for a scrubbing cloth in the North, and live in a cabin of two rooms, loo’-ceiled, and log-walled inside as well as outside, and with hardly anything in it but an old wardrobe, a ricketty table, a couple of beds with the inevitable counterpane of check¬ ered stuff, and the equally inevitable spinning-wheel.

An ambulance train, loaded with wounded, leaves here probably this afternoon for Fredericksburg or Port Royal, whichever way is most free from guerrillas, and by this, if it goes, I shall seek an outlet from the field ; but I shall trust this to headquarters’ mail bag rather than carry it myself to Washington, for I think it likely it will thus pass through there on its way to you sooner than I shall reach the place.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

ALFRED J. BLOOR.

4

Mo. VIII,

United States Sanitary Commission,

Central Office, 244 F Street, Washington, D. C., 31ay 30, 1864.

Dear Mrs. - : The hills and woods along the North

Anna river, some distance to the left of the place where the engagement of the previous evening took place, every now and then gave back the echoes of the cannonading that indicated how General Hancock was fighting his way to¬ wards Richmond, when early in the afternoon of Tuesday, the 24th of May, in company with an officer who, in charge of some men that represented a regiment twelve hundred strong three years before, and now reduced to little over a hundred, was on his way to Washington to be mus¬ tered out, and thence North to return to civil life, I started from the front for the base, with a train of some thirty ambulances and some wagons filled with the wounded from yesterday’s field, in charge of one of the officers with whose mess I had been on the march. The fiercest rays of the sun mingled with the hot breath that floated across the fields from a burning mansion some little distance off, as we slowly moved oft*, under the escort of a body of cavalry, to our unknown destination, for it depended upon the move¬ ments of the enemy, and upon the conditions of the respec¬ tive routes as to guerrillas, whether we should journey to the old base of Fredericksburg or the proposed new one of Port Royal, the latter place some thirty miles lower down the Rappahannock river than the former. We moved on

56

therefore, only so far as our road led to both points, and then waited for further orders. Then came a short military delay of only a couple of hours or so, during which my companion and myself, desiring to leave as much accommo¬ dation as possible for the wounded men, shifted our quarters from the seats of an ambulance to the hay and bags of grain of an army wagon, to the manifest delight of the little squir¬ rel, heretofore mentioned as picked up from the field during one of the engagements in the Wilderness, which he was carrying to Philadelphia as a gift and pet from its owner to some young fair one, and which evidently considered the wide and moreover edible range of the wagon’s hay and grain a great improvement over the narrow, barren, and in¬ hospitable, however dignified and shining, black leather of the ambulance. Finally the word came for an advance to Port Royal, and we recommenced our slow progress., extend¬ ing the hospitalities of our vehicle shortly afterwards to a gentleman belonging to the Christian Commission and to a soldier — not wounded, but not well — -who would otherwise have been obliged to join the pedestrian throng of stragglers of all kinds who, as usual, were taking advantage of an escort to traverse the dangerous roads. So we went slowly on, the scorching day in an hour or two yielding to the cooler shadows of the evening, and those to night, when we took such snatches of sleep as we could for the jolting and nouncing (with occasionally around among the ambulances, to see if the inmates were properly supplied with water to drink and pour over their wounds by the men detailed to fill their canteens from the springs and streams on our way) until the stoppage of our wagon, after some uneasier lurches than usual, the scraping of wheels, the cracking of whips, the strong language of teamsters and drivers, the stamping of hoofs, the shaking and jingling of harness, and above all, “ the quartermaster’s call,” — that is, the many-keyed, gro- tesquely-sad cries emitted by the mules when the end of a journey and the beginning of their feed-troughs are reached — all these Babel-like sounds, and many other indescribable

57

ones, startled us from our troubled slumbers, and proclaimed that we had come to a halt. It seemed to me that, as I was waking up, I beard the voice of a driver, in answer to a re¬ quest for tobacco, say, “ I don’t use tobaccy, Ned, in no shape. Didn’t you know that ?” but, reasoning with myself, with as much self-severity as a due indulgence towards my semi-somnolent state would allow, I decided that such an anomaty as that of a man in the army, guiltless of tobacco in any shape, could not by possibilty exist; and when, through the day, I occasionally recurred to ni}^ impression, I rejected it as the hallucination of an un waked, wagon- jarred brain. The next night, however, as I sat with my party round our camp-fire at Port Royal, I gave loud ex¬ pression to my astonishment at discovering that no less than three persons round it repudiated tobacco in any form, when from a group of teamsters about the next fire came the voice of my supposed dream, crying, “Here’s another man that don’t use tobaccy iu no shape.” If ten righteous men sufficed to save a city full of wicked ones, shall not four es- chewers of tobacco in the 5th corps of the Army of the Potomac avail to save the chewers from reproach ?

When the sun rose we found our train parked on a large field skirted on one side by the road and sloping down on the other to a ravine from a brackish spring at one end of which tolerable drinking entertainment was procurable for man and beast, while several very fair sized houses stood not far oft* and scattered among them were the tents of the remnants of several homeward-bound regiments whose time was out.

One of the wounded men had died through the night, and there in a corner of the field where it began to slope towards the little valley, before the first rays of the rising sun had had time to dry up the heavy dew-drops that lay thickly on the sod as the delvers marked it out with their spades, the grave of the soldier was dug, while the young officer in command of the party sat on a log by its side, and carved his name, regiment &c., with penknife, on a piece of

58

plank. Some officers from the neighboring tents stood un¬ covered among the group of men from our train while fitting services were said by our Christian Commission friend — a clergyman ; — then, wrapped in his blanket, the soldier was covered with fresh cut branches of pine and various bushes, the earth was thrown over them, the head-board put in place, and we turned from the dead that knew no more pain in the body, to the living that lay in every form of corporeal anguish around us.

Crackers and coffee, I was told by some of the detailed attendants, had already been carried round to the wounded men ; but the round I made revealed the fact that there had been an insufficiency of the first, and that the latter had not been fit to drink — “ dirty water,” one man told me, “with some grounds at the bottom.” An examination and tasting of the rejected remains >of the coffee showed that this definition was hardly an exaggerated one.

There was some grumbling when the blame of this neg¬ lect was impliedly brought home to those who deserved it, and a half drunken stream of invective was noisily poured out on the wounded men — several of whom were dying. They were discontented and exacting, it was said, and so conceited that they were not satisfied with what pleased their betters — just as if a well general might not, when hungry, eat or drink, without repugnance, what the deli¬ cate, morbid stomach of a sick private would reject. But I let these criticisms go for what they were worth, knowing that charges of discontent are generally brought without reference to its manifestation or retention, against those who are known to have abundant cause for it, and that they are always repeated with most virulence, by the very ones who feel most guilty in giving cause for its just indulgence ; and knowing too that accusations of egotism are, quite as often as otherwise, mere attempts to cover the counter

egotism and superadded jealousy of the accuser. “ By - ,

it’s enough to make a fellow turn disloyal,” was one of the remarks I overheard, “ to see how they fool with these

j

59

wounded men, and don’t care a curse whether we go starv¬ ing or not. I guess I’ll stick myself, and come in for a share of the petting.”

Without heeding anything of this, however, we proceeded in the work of feeding — that is, our friend of the Christian Commission, the attendants who preferred working for the sick to idling and grumbling at them (who were very grate¬ ful for our aid) and myself. While he made coffee after his own recipe, and the attendants cut up some meat, I went round with the cracker-pail and promises of the approaching other things. As a delicacy, some soup made of beef-stock was prepared for the very sick, who refused the other nour¬ ishment ; but either they were too sick to relish anything, or there was some fault in its components, for it was not generally acceptable. With many of the men I had become acquainted in the hospital’tents, and with some I had still stronger ties, dating from the battle-field, and these latter ■were especially glad to see me whenever I made my appear¬ ance by their ambulances. One of them, a poor fellow shot through the windpipe, was evidently dying; and when in the course of the evening he died, I was glad that I had been instrumental in acceding to his wishes at this time. Seeming to be pretty strong and comfortable when he left the hospital, he had been placed in one of tire wagons, and had now written on a slip of paper, which was handed to me, these words: “ I can neither eat nor talk. The jolting of the wagon makes me feel very bad. Please move me to one of the ambulances,” signed with his name and, as al¬ ways with soldiers, his regiment and company. So I made the necessary arrangements with the surgeon who was in medical charge of the train, and, with the aid of a stretcher, had him moved to an ambulance driven by an old Irish¬ man, whose favor I had propitiated during a ten mile drive with him the first day of my entrance into the army.

It takes a long time to attend to a mass of wounded men, but at last all had been fed, and the surgeon had ceased his visitations ; so we renewed our journey about 9, a. m., our

60

train swelled by the addition of several wagon loads of con¬ trabands, who sought freedom with an eye on onr cavalry escort, and took into their sable protection, before we had gone many miles on our journey, two more— -a small boy of seven, with a little stick and a bundle of the smallest dimen¬ sions, and a youth of fifteen, his “ guide, philosopher, and friend,” a mentor of highly senior-fraternal air, but who in¬ formed me that the small boy, of inky features, white¬ rolling eyes, and snowy, grinning teeth, was not his brother, “ wasn’t of no account to him as a relation, but that he had known him ebber since he was done born, and that they come from the same plantation.”

The turnpike we traveled on all day, with but one short corduroy exception, was a very good one, for which, on be¬ half of the occupants of the ambulances, I blessed Provi¬ dence. It was lined on each side by good fences, enclosing rich fields of grain, now trampled down where the hoofs of the horses of our escort made a narrow track on each side, or the equestrians, not on guard, shot across the intervening space to the flocks of sheep, the herds of swine, and the poultry-yards, that tempted their powers of appropriation. About 1 o’clock we passed through Bowling Green, between two files of female unsympathizers, and as it was beginning to get dark, we entered Port Royal. The enemy had evac¬ uated the place, I was told, in the middle of the day, and an hour or two after there steamed up to the wharf the little fleet of the Sanitary Commission, consisting of two steamers and several barges and tugs, loaded with supplies of every kind, in charge of Mr. Anderson, with some seventy or eighty Relief Agents to prepare and distribute them to the wounded men as fast as they should arrive. Our train was the first to get there, and the ambulances and wagons were scarcely parked before the agents were swarming about them with pails full of soft crackers, coffee, farina, milk- punch, beef-tea, &c. With the help of a lady, these things were being prepared in an old house at the other end of the field where the train was parked. The clapboards from the

61

whole of one side of the building had been torn down to light the fire that blazed on its wide hearth, and its ruddy gleam fell on the kind woman’s face that bent over the kettles that hung over it, and on the agents that assisted her or bustled about from barrel to box as they filled their pails, and on way-worn or wounded soldiers, who sat with their backs braced against the wall, and their legs — some¬ times only one to a man — stretched out on the floor, while with heads thrown back they slept the blissful, unjoggled sleep of those who slumber not in wagons on the move ; or eyed the preparations for supper with the happy conscious¬ ness that their turn for the good things would come in due time, and their patience be rewarded. All this showed like a picture through the wide-spread joists, stripped of inside and outside covering ; and through them the light from the hearth flickered out into the damp night, and fell on the motley scene outside, and where a little apart lay the three heaped- up blankets, whose dim rough lines suggested, rather than shaped themselves to, the still, stiff forms of those who had died on the way since the morning.

The next morning I rose from the ground and thankfully “ assisted” at a breakfast of chicken, confiscated and cack¬ ling the day before, and therefore fresh, if tough and still feathery ; and of fresh milk — not the condensed article, but genuine cow-milk not ten minutes old, and honestly pur¬ chased of a friendly negro whose cottage stood by the field where we were posted. I “ assisted ” the more thankfully because under the fond delusion — derived from information received the night before — that I should find a boat for Washington at an early hour; so, after going the round of the ambulances and finding that our people had been up all night with the wounded, including those brought by other traius which had arrived during the night, I made my way to the provost marshal, who had established himself in a tumble-down, once-nice house, (like most of the houses in the place,) standing, with others, well separated, at each side of it, on a beautiful natural terrace of the greenest sward,

62

overlooking the river and sentinelled at its edge with a long row of the decayed trunks of what had once been poplar trees. Like my convoys, the Christian Commissioner and the military man, I got a pass for Washington easily enough; but the possession was like having a saddle with never a horse to put it on, for the early boat turned out to be the merest myth, and there was not the faintest prospect of one before the middle of the day. Neither could I, for some hours, get aboard the “ Mary F. Lapley,” our headquarters’ boat, which lay out in the stream. The interval I employed in “taking a look” at the town or village, whichever it calls itself; — the larger houses, deserted of all save the negroes, telling of ancient opulence, or at least great comfort, and of present decay, like most in the small towns and villages of eastern Virginia. Lut a tremendous fall of rain put a stop to my antiquarian investigations, and I sought the provost mar¬ shal’s again, where I watched and talked with some seven or eight score of contrabands, who had followed the various fragments of the army, from different points, that now tilled the town. Some of the rooms in the house had been allotted to the women and children, but numbers of both sexes and all ages had collected under a large shed a little way off. There were many staid-looking matrons, wTith the decorous colored handkerchief wrapped round their heads ; but the girls and younger women — without exception, I think — had topped their often shoeless feet and their tight- fitting ragged dresses of dirty, striped homespun (though here and there one wore silk and lace- throughout) with the most elegant bonnets and round hats of silk, and velvet, and straw, streaming with ribbons, laces, and feathers. Seeing an old man habited in an overcoat that descended to his heels and remained demurely buttoned up after the sun shone out again with renewed and intensified fierceness, solemnly relieved at the neck by a white cravat and sur¬ mounted by the only stove-pipe hat I had seen since leaving "Washington, supporting himself on the huge umbrella — also unique in the Army of the Potomac, and which had been

63

kept carefully closed, so that it should not be spoilt by use, I presume, during the heavy rain — and gazing gravely from beneath the spectacles perched on his sable nose, which gave the finishing touch of dignity to a deportment sugges¬ tive of decorum in every fibre of the body, and to a visage unctuous in every line, with such a perfection of respecta¬ bility as no white man could by possibility attain to — seeing him gaze gravely at these bonneted young women, I asked him if he approved of such vanities ? He answered with asperity that “sich frolickin’s and cuttin’s-up ” were highly obnoxious to him ; and he was particularly severe on two girls who had come from the same plantation as himself, pathetically lamenting the “ unconvenience” to which his two late young ladies wrould be subjected for want of the bonnets the former wTere sporting. He furthermore informed me that though his late “mas’r” was a “tol’ble easy man — not a Christ’ n — did’nt go to church scursly never — though sometimes he listened to his (the speaker’s) preachin’- — he felt a call to preach sometimes to the colored brethren and sis¬ ters — though mas’r was tol’ble easy, he nevertheless thought it no more nor right to come away when he had a chance ter; the Scripters told us to be cunning as a sarpent as well as harmless as a dove, but he should keep on prayin’, mornin’ an’ night, that his mas’r might be brought to be a Christ’n, an’ he should continny, as long as he was with ’em, his spirit’al ministrations to the foolish chil’en who had took their young missus’s hats,” and he wiped his oily forehead with a cambric handkerchief which had evidently belonged to his master, and concluded by offering to sell me some more of the Confederate money which he had seen me pur¬ chasing from the other contrabands. When he had taken himself off, which he soon after did, with others who were carried down to a Government boat, and with a very pretty yellow girl — with not only a silk bonnet but a silk dress pen¬ dant from it — leaning confidentially on the arm he extended to her, with an air of mingled sanctimoniousness and gal¬ lantry, I was quite prepared to find that he had “sold” me,

64

in a double sense, as regarded tlie Confederate currency I liad taken from him.

Afraid to lose sight of the shipping, lest my opportunity for returning to Washington should slip through my lingers ; (in the army a movement is as likely to be made three hours before the time anticipated as three days after,) I could not go back to the place where the ambulance trains were con¬ tinuing, as I heard, to arrive, to help our people with the wounded; and in the exhaustion of my writing paper, was reduced to studying the likenesses of public buildings in the city of Hew York, with which the whole house was im¬ partially wall-papered — not cuttings from “ illustrated week¬ lies,” but bona fide paper-hanger’s repetitions, as gorgeously colored as the subjects would admit of — Trinity, St. Paul’s, and Grace church, the Exchange, Custom House, City Hall and Stewart’s marble palace, the latter painfully suggestive of Delmonico’s opposite, for it . was now high noon, and our five o’clock breakfast had been tough, hurried and meagre. But now, as kind fortune would have it, an opportunity pre¬ sented itself for gaining the Mary F. Rapley, and hurrying down to the wharf and into a row boat, we — my traveling com¬ panions and myself — were soon on board, and at the board of the welcoming commander, in company with officers, sol¬ diers, newspaper reporters and other hangers-on of the army. And were they fed luxuriously on crackers, tough beef, ham and coffee from the stores of the Commission, furnished by the liberality of the public ? Certainly. Would the public have them starve ? Ho, but had they not money in their pockets? — could they not buy? In the village? Ho, be¬ cause it is a deserted one; there are neither sellers nor goods in it, and one’s money is of as little use as if one were in an uninhabited island. From the Commission’s agents? Ho, because the Commission has nothing to sell ; it has only to give. Besides, in the army, and especially in the van of the army, before the supplies have come up, the law of meum and tuum is necessarily almost abrogated, by common con¬ sent, otherwise those who have not food with them would

65

starve, and those who give to-day know that their turn for asking may come to-morrow. The agents of the Commission away from their stores, are as often obliged to live on others, as others are on them when with their stores. Before leaving this subject, I will revert to two other points of a like nature, both affording examples of the ease with which stories are got about affecting the reputation of the Commission’s agents for honesty, sobriety, and rectitude of appropriation. r 1 1 Wl11 first Premise that we succeeded, in the middle of Thursday, May 26, in getting on board a Government steamer, loaded with some four hundred wounded men from Fredericks- buig ; that Dr. Harris, one of the Sanitary Commission, stored it well with supplies, which, however, owing to the want of sufficient stove accommodation on board, were cooked— those that required cooking— slowly and with much extra trouble ; that instead of hurrying on to Washington, as the condition of the wounded demanded, we lay in the stream, owing to some conflict of authority between the captain and the medical officials on shore, all that day and the following night, when it rained heavily ; that after sending ashore to be buried, under charge of a chaplain, the bodies of five men from our own vessel and from another one alongside, we steamed off abouteight o’clock on the morning of Friday, in consort with the other ves¬ sel, passing several fine houses and estates, especially one with a large and elegant modern structure on a fine lawn and two or three dozen comfortable two-story houses — negro quarters, I presume — ranged along the river’s bank; steamed through Ches¬ apeake Bay in the twilight; passed the bar in the Potomac about nine o’clock, (during which I had to put out the lights carried by the attendants, to prevent their constant collision with the irascible captain, whose eyes were dazzled by the shifting glare from the lanterns as he was sounding, and who rightly, tf petu¬ lantly, opined that it was better the patients should be clumsily waited on in the dark for half an hour than that they should be subjected to the risk of going to the bottom,) and finally reached Washington about two o’clock in the morning of Sat¬ urday, the 28th, where I found our people on the dock in leadiness to receive the wounded, and supplement the excel- 5 L

66

lent arrangements as to feeding and carrying provided for by Government, and where I bade good bye to the German sur¬ geon in charge — a civilian and volunteer — with the highest respect for the untiring and sleepless devotion with which he had fulfilled his terrible duties, and in which with one excep¬ tion, (but that one enough perhaps to give a bad impression of all to a casual or careless observer,) his assistants had borne a most creditable part — duties involving immense mental, moral, and physical labor, with little reward in thanks or reputation, “and are as water spilt upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again.”

What I was going to say is this : One of our lady agents, after living on crackers and dirty lukewarm river water for a couple of sleepless, hard-working days and nights among the wounded on board this boat, owing to her conscientious scru¬ ples against appropriating to her own use anything that might be acceptable to the sick, came to me and confided the fact that she had become so weak and faint for want of nourish¬ ment that she at last felt it to be her duty to take a hearty meal of substantial food. I recommended her to continue the practice every few hours, and I could but think that it would have been much better, both for herself and those she waited on, if she had arrived at this sense of duty before allowing herself to become exhausted, and perhaps lay the foundation of illness which might prevent her pursuing her self-imposed duties in the future. There Was also on board a gentleman connected with a benevolent organization for the behoof of the army, who was for the greater part of the trip very indig¬ nant that the nurses were allowed to partake of the stock of the Commission, and expressed his determination to report to the public the misappropriation, as he termed it, of their stores, but his zeal abated, and his charity (towards himself at least) increased as the hours waxed and his haversack became depleted, and before we reached the end of our voyage he sat meekly among the “pampered ” agents of the Commission,* and was fain to eat in silence, and 1 hope in gratitude, the soup and beef and crackers with which they broke their long half-fast. Mayhap he eyed wistfully the farina, and milk punch,

67

and canned peaches which he saw prepared — but if he did he was disappointed, for they were only for the sick.

One other kindred instance. I had been down stairs, while we were steaming down the Rappahannock, initiating the prep¬ aration of sundry gallons of tea for the sick, when, on reas- scending to the upper deck, I found several of the men drink¬ ing the beverage out of their tin cups. Wondering where they had got it, I made inquiries, and found they had bought their portions for ten cents from the hands of the cook-house on board the boat. I therefore explained to them that every¬ thing distributed by the Sanitary Commission was absolutely free, but that its agents had no more power to prevent the boat hands from selling of their own stock than they had to prevent the soldiers from buying. Yet I do not doubt that the careless, the gossiping, and the malicious, among those men, have circulated the report that the Sanitary Commission sells its tea to sick and wounded soldiers at ten cents a cup.

Taking into consideration the acknowledgments I have al¬ ready received of the previous letters of this series, T am certainly not without encouragement to commence future ones from other portions of the field, worked by the Commis¬ sion, and perhaps opportunities may serve for my doing so.

Meanwhile, I am, as always, very truly and respectfully, yours,

ALFRED J. BLOOR.

TJ. S.

Sanitary Commission.

No. 80.

APPENDIX

The following statement, extracted from the sixteenth num¬ ber of the Sanitary Commission Bulletin for June 15,1864, shows the issues made by the United States Sanitary Commis¬ sion to the armies operating before Richmond during the month

of May, 1864, the same in which the foregoing letters were written :

130 air cushions

1 0 air beds

3,541 bed ticks

265 bed pans

2,932 blankets

271 chambers

312 candlesticks

2,508 combs, coarse

1,720 “ fine

5,817 cushions

110 head rests

376 lanterns

315 medicine cups

288 “ tubes

268 pcs. mosquito netting

162 rolls oil silk

3,394 pillows

1,424 pillow cases

3,300 pillow ticks

1,203 quilts

654 ring cushions

1,416 sheets

265 spittoons

494 spit cups

7,798 towels i

7,406 tin cups

1,225 tin wash basins

1,893 tin plates

262 urinals

144 mattresses

1,114 knives and forks j

2,905 spittoons

45 stretchers

100 dippers

3,427 prs. cotton drawers 12,304 pairs woolen drawers.

14,991 handkerchiefs 2,950 forage, (oats) bush¬ els

15,000 lbs. hay 6 bbls. salt beef 6 cases dessicated veg. 1,857 lbs. ham

j 12 shaving brushes { 1 2 razors j 127 lbs. lard I 07 prs. cotton pants j 6,403 cotton shirts 19,507 woolen shirts 472 shoes J 2,909 slippers j 3,208 cotton socks 9,451 woolen socks 648 wrappers 695 pails 67 canes 6 pocket flasks 30 cots

39 bbls. ale [See por¬ ter]

144 bottles ale 181 bbls. dried apples ! 100 lbs. arrow root 8,165 lbs. beef stock 2,514 bottles brandy 4,532 lbs. canned meat | 2,254 lbs. canned fruit | 4,252 lbs. canned vegeta¬ bles

I 312 bottles cherry rum I j 326 lbs. cocoa 8,584 lbs. sweet choco- ; late

1,266 lbs. extract coffee !

[See Coffee.]

949 lbs. dried beef 22 hammers 40 axes 18 hand saws 44 hatchets 405 lbs. nails 38 shovels

9 spades j

3, 106 lbs. ground coffee j 18,912 lbs. condensed! milk

353 bbls. crackers

j 3,582 lbs. corn starch

1 13 bbls corn meal

2 bbls. dried peaches | 2,628 bottles ext. ginger j 6,480 lbs. farina ! 24 packages gelatine j 48 bottles gin ! G2 bottles jellies and pre¬ serves

408 boxes lemons j 600 bottles lemon syrup ' 1,854 lbs. maizena | 350 lbs. mustard 20 lbs. nutmegs 2,344 lbs. oat meal 942 gals, pickles J 70 bbls. porter GO “ potatoes | 400 lbs. rice I 12 bottles N. E. rum j 1,068 “ Jamaica rum ! 11,868 lbs. sugar | 119 lbs. spices i 5 11 A gals, tamarinds j 1,488 lbs. black tea ! 1,200 lbs. green tea [ 3,306 lbs. tobacco 258 gals, vinegar 24 bots. raspberrv vine¬ gar

3,960 bots. foreign wine 119 coffee pots

2 bbls. flour

13 reams wrapping paper 182 gals, molasses 17-A gals, kerosene oil 1 chisel 1 screw-driver 12 gimblets

975 bottles domestic wine 3,520 bottles whiskv 23 gals, whisky 280 bottles alcohol 38 bbls. bandages

APPENDIX.

699 bottles bay rum 1,047 body bands 5 boxes books 620 bottles cologne 2,843 crutches 7,750 fans 51 games 21 bbls. lint 29 bbls. old linen 2,266 slings 953 lbs. soap 309 & lbs. sponges 1,945 lbs. candles 3,858 lbs. butter 1,645 lbs. cheese 2,619 doz. eggs 5,387 loaves bread 735 papers pins 21,325 envelopes 320 bottles ink 58 reams writing paper 5,328 pencils 1,288 pen holders 1 ,288 pens 1,300 lbs. oakum 4,000 pipes 540 lbs. chloroform 45 bottles spirits catnpho 12 cook stoves and fix tures

17 wall tents 1 quire sand paper

9 can openers 49£ lbs. twine 40 corkscrews 242 pairs scissors 8 pepper boxes

10 lbs. saleratus

! 70 lbs. pepper ! 22 tin pans, for washing dishes

! 1,483 lbs. salt ! 54 boxes oranges 100 camp kettles 17 frying pans 44 rolls adhesive plaster 4 nutmeg graters | 30 camp stools j 12 baskets ! 6.000 feet lumber 1 16,000 lbs. straw 24 china plates 20 yards oil cloth 200 cathartic pills | 6,000 opium pills 2,000 opium and camph, pills

60 smoked tongues 221 rubber blankets 252 open links 14 feed troughs 9 boxes splints 36 gross matches 682 yards rubber cloth 17 oz. morphine 20 yards white flannel 1,870 lbs. chloride of lime

31 lbs. ligature silk 150 haversacks ; 84 blowers

100 hospital car loops j 8 water coolers 2 lbs. bromine 50 lbs. patent lint

24 dressing faucepa 16 papers tacks 100 yards wire 6 door mats 1 gross needles 55 lbs. mutton tkllow l piece sheeting

1 refrigerator

2 stove boilers

20 boxes chlorinium 6 boxes clothing 6 rocking chairs 57 bottles cider 12 faucets

2 faucet augers

1 pump

224 canteerls 72 boxes blacking 362 boxes sardines 300 paper bags

3 washing machines 12 blank books

97i> tons ice 12 bottles copperas 3 bottles chloride soda

2 medicine chests 6 stove brushes

1 bbl. salt pork 12 stew pans 12 frying pans 2,200 lbs. fresh beef 36 four-horse wagons, with harness, whips, extra whiffletrees, &c., complete

156 two-horse wagons, do.

The following anti-scorbutic stores were sent from New York and stored in Baltimore : One-third of these were loaded on board the Ridley, and taken to Norfolk in tow of the Kent.

4,291 galls, pickled tomatoes.

51,812 lbs. canned tomatoes.

1,106 galls, curried cabbage.

671 bbls. dried apples.

15,168 galls, saur kraut.

4,162 galls, pickles.

3,580 galls, pickled onions.

12,060 lbs. apple pulp.

2,400 boxes portable lemonade.

1 tub apple butter.

1 doz. ginger wine.

■

.

*

'

TT. S.

Sanitary Commission,

No. 80.

SANITARY COMMISSION,

No. 81.

At a Meeting of tlie Standing Committee of the United States Sanitary Commission, held at ]STo. 823 Broadway, on the 8th day of July, 1864:

Ordered , That Dr. Douglas cause a daily ration of quinine to be issued to each member of the Relief Corps, and to every officer, agent, and servant of the Commission on duty with the Army of the Potomac, and that he take such measures as will secure the actual use of such ration, and enable him to report that it has been actually used. And that all persons of the classes above indicated be required so to use such daily ration, unless it appear by the written certificate of a competent phy¬ sician that its use would be injurious.

II.

It being important not only to the health, but to the effi¬ ciency of every Relief Agent that his dress and his equipments be kept in perfect order, and that any defects therein be at once corrected, it shall be the duty of Dr. Douglas, to assemble the Relief Corps of the forces operating before Richmond, at least once in each week, for a minute inspection of their clothing, shoes, blankets, havresacks, &c. He shall cause such articles as are found deficient to be at once repaired or replaced.

It shall be his duty, moreover, to advise all Relief Agents of the importance of personal neatness, and to require of them such attention to their dress and equipments as may set an example of good order and military precision to those with whom their duties bring them into contact. If the outfit ot any Relief Agent be defective or wTorn out, requisition should be made for whatever may be required to supply the deficiency.

2

III.

The General Secretary shall provide books, containing printed

forms, substantially as follows : “ No. — . - is engaged

“ by the United States Sanitary Commission by the - , or

“ during the pleasure of the Commission, at the rate of -

“ dollars per - , as - , and also for such other or further

“ duties as may from time to time he assigned him. Dated

“ the — day of - - , 1S6 .” This memorandum shall he signed

hy the General Secretary, or hy one of the Associate Secretaries ; and hy the person so employed or engaged. It shall be sub¬ scribed hy every officer, agent, or servant now or hereafter en¬ gaged hy the Commission for a stated term of service.

IY.

Dr. Douglas will cause the wagon train to he daily inspected, and will require a daily report in writing of the condition of every wagon, which shall he at the base at each inspection, and of its team and harness. Blanks for such reports shall be fur¬ nished hy the General Secretary. Every wagon shall he num¬ bered. The Inspector will examine and report on the condition of the wagons, and of the horses, and will see that their harness and their shoes are in order, and that each team is provided with whip, feed box, wrench, water bucket, etc., and with forage, if necessary.

A wagon clearance book shall he kept at City Point, contain¬ ing the following entries, in columns, headed accordingly, viz. : I. Date of entry. 2. No. of wagon. 3. Name of teamster. 4. General description of load. 5. To whom, or to what corps or division consigned. 6. Date of return of wagon. 7. Pe¬ rn arks.

Y.

It being most desirable that every lodge, home, depot, or other establishment of the Commission should set an example to the Army of cleanliness, good order, and conformity to sanitary laws,, and there being reason to fear that Agents of the Commission, in their zeal to relieve our national soldiers and to promote their health and efficiency, are sometimes led to overlook the sanitary

j

3

conditions required to keep themselves in good health and fit for their work : it is further ordered that every officer of the Com¬ mission in charge of any of its posts, be responsible for the maintenance thereof in the utmost attainable degree of neatness

and purity, and for the prompt correction — so far as may be _

of whatever endangers his own health and that of members of his corps. He will see that their quarters furnish each ample airspace; that their supply of water is uncontaminated ; that they have, if possible, facilities for bathing, and are required to use them at least once in each week; that the neighborhood of each station is kept free from refuse and rubbish, and daily policed ; that water closets or sinks are daily disinfected, and that his servants, contrabands or others, are provided with cleanly and wholesome clothing and quarters. Should special difficulties prevent this being done at once, and always, they must be promptly reported to the General Secretary, with a requisition for whatever may be necessary to give agents and servants of the Commission the same aid and relief which the Commission seeks to give the Army.

VI

Ho Agent of the Commission is allowed to sell anything whatever, even though his own private property, to officers or soldiers of the National Army, or to other persons in Govern¬ ment employ. Any Agent of the Commission violating this rule, directly or indirectly, thereby terminates his relations with Hie Commission.

VII.

It is recommended by the Executive Committee, that at all belief Stations, Homes, and Lodges of the Commission, such provision be made for the observance of Sunday, as a day of rest and religious observance, as the military situation may render possible.

4

VIII.

A certified copy of these Resolutions shall be at once for¬ warded to Dr. Douglas, with printed copies for distribution among Agents of the Commission serving in the Army near Richmond, and to Mr. F. K Knapp, Associate Secretary of the Department of the East.

Copies shall likewise be sent to the Associate Secretary for the Department of the West, with instructions to conform thereto as nearly as circumstances will permit.

Each Associate Secretary, will report to the General Secretary on or before the 1st of August next, how far these orders have been carried into effect.

[Extract from the minutes.]

J. Foster Jenkins,

General Secretary .

SANITARY COMMISSION. No. 82.

RULES

FOR THE

EXECUTIVE SERVICE

OF THE

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION,

Adopted by the Commission , July 14 th, 1864.

I.

Tlie Standing Committee will meet daily, at tlie Central Office, No. 823 Broadway, New York, at half-past three, p. m., or at such other hour and place as it shall appoint. It will also hold evening sessions at least once in each week. One member of the Committee, with the General Secretary, shall be a quorum tor the transaction of ordinary business. All action by the Committee is subject to the approval of the Commission.

II.

The General Secretary shall record all action of the Com¬ mittee in its minutes ; which minutes shall be reported by him to the Commission at every meeting.

III.

The Treasurer shall make no payments without authority from the Committee.

2

IY.

At each weekly meeting of the Committee the Secretary shall report, in writing, on the current business of the past week, which report shall be entered at length in a book to be provided for that purpose. He shall also lay before the Com¬ mittee such reports and correspondence as he may consider of importance, or as calling for action, with a memorandum or abstract in writing of their substance, and shall read such por¬ tions of them as may be material.

The order of business at meetings of the Committee shall be —

(1.) The examination of bills and motions by the Treasurer;

(2.) Motions and reports by the General Secretary ;

(3.) Miscellaneous business.

V.

At each meeting of the Standing Committee the Treasurer shall submit his bank and check books ; and between the first and tenth days of each month, he shall produce a certificate from the bank or banks in which funds of the Commission are deposited, showing the balance then standing to his credit as such Treasurer.

YI.

No person in the employ of the Commission is permitted to criticise or censure the conduct, or the measures of any mili¬ tary officer, or of Government, by word or writing, except only, that if such conduct or such measures seem to him inju¬ rious to the sanitary interests of the national forces, he shall report his opinion and the facts on which it is founded, to the Commission through the General Secretary.

Every officer and agent of the Commission is expected and required to uphold and maintain the authority and the policy of Government, and of its officers, civil and military, by every means in his power, and if unable conscientiously to do so, to refrain from all comments thereon, except when his official duty makes it necessary.

3

VII.

No agent of the Commission is permitted to furnish informa¬ tion to the newspaper press, of military movements with which he may have become acquainted in the course of his official work. Chiefs of the Field Relief Department, will studiously discourage all newspaper correspondence by their subordinates.

VIII.

At each session of the Commission, the General and Asso¬ ciate Secretaries will severally report a summary of their work since the last preceding session ; such report shall, in all cases, be in writing, and in proper form for publication. Each report will be accompanied by a written abstract of the re¬ ports of Inspectors, Relief Agents, Ac., and of the other docu¬ ments submitted with it ; the material portions of such last mentioned reports and documents being previously marked as to be read, and only such portions thereof being read, unless the whole be called for.

IX.

At each session of the Commission the minutes of the Standing Committee shall be reported by the General Secre¬ tary, who shall read such portion ot them as may contain the record of any action of importance, and the whole if called for.

X.

From and after the 6th day of August next, every person in the service of the Board, above the grade of ordinary clerk, laborer, or teamster, shall make a weekly report in writ¬ ing to his immediate official superior, unless he shall present a written sxcuse which shall be satisfactory to the Commission, or to the Standing Committee when the Commission is not in session.

XI.

From and after the 6th day of August next, no pay-

4

ments shall be made on account of the salary of any person in the service of the Commission, above the rank of ordinary clerk, laborer or teamster, who shall have failed to comply with the provisions of the foregoing resolution.

XII.

All bills for services or supplies ordered by any member, officer, or agent of the Commission, shall be certified by him in writing as correct, before presentation to the Standing Com¬ mittee, which may, however, in special cases, dispense with such written certificate.

XIII.

All bills for services or supplies must be presented within five days after they are payable. It is the duty of every mem¬ ber and agent of the Commission who shall engage services, or purchase supplies on its behalf, to notify the person with whom he is dealing of this rule, and distinctly to inform him that the presentation of his bill within that space of time, is a condition of its payment. Xo open accounts with the Com¬ mission can be kept by any person in its employ, or with whom it deals.

XIY.

All vouchers for the expenditure of money shall be certified in writing before they are paid by the chief officer in charge of the office from which such expenditure is made or by some person to be designated by such officer.

Vouchers shall particularly designate for what purpose the money has been paid, and shall include a detailed statement of items and the receipt of the parties who have received the money.

XV.

Persons entering the service of the Commission as volun¬ teers, will not, under any circumstances, be allowed compen-

\

sation for such service, or for any loss they may have sustained in the performance of their duties.

XVI.

No appointment of an agent or servant, by any member, officer, or agent of the Commission, shall be valid or binding, until approved by the Commission or the Standing Committee.

XVII.

No officer or agent of the Commission is allowed to expend any portion of its funds for any purpose, however humane, charitable, or meritorious ; or for the aid, relief, or benefit of soldiers in the National service, in any way, or through any method, direct or indirect, which has not been approved and sanctioned by the Commission, or by the Standing Committee. The duties and functions assigned to the Commission, being distinct and well defined, any application of its funds to other objects, however strongly they may appeal to the sympathies of its officers, is a breach of trust.

XVIII.

Whenever there shall appear to be danger of malarious dis¬ ease at any Relief Station or other Agency of the Commission, it shall be the duty of the Chief Officer at such Station or Agency, to cause a daily ration of quinine to be issued to each member of the Relief Corps, and to every officer, agent, and servant of the Commission under his authority, and to take such measures as will secure the actual use of such ration, and enable him to report that it has been actually used. And all persons of the classes above indicated are required to use such daily ration, unless it appear by the written certificate of a competent physician that its use would be injurious.

XIX.

It being important not only to the health, but to the effi¬ ciency of every Relief Agent, that his dress and his equipments

6

be kept in perfect order, and that any defects therein be at once corrected, it shall be the duty of the Chief Officer of the Com¬ mission at every Relief Station, to assemble his Corps at least once in each week, for a minute inspection of their clothing, shoes, blankets, haversacks, &c. He shall cause such articles as are found deficient to be at once repaired or replaced.

It shall be his duty, moreover, to advise all Relief Agents of the importance of personal neatness, and to require of them such attention to their dress and equipments as may set an example of good order and military precision to those with whom their duties bring them into contact. If the outfit of any Relief Agent be defective or worn out, requisition should be made for whatever may be required to supply the deficiency.

XX.

The General Secretary shall provide books, containing printed

forms, substantially as follows : “ Ho. — . - is engaged

“ by the United States Sanitary Commission, by the - , or

u during the pleasure of the Commission, at the rate of -

“ dollars per - , as - , and also for such other or further

“ duties as may from time to time be assigned him. Dated

“ the - day of - , 186 .” This memorandum shall be signed

by the General Secretary, or by one of the Associate Secretaries ; and by the person so employed or engaged. It shall be sub¬ scribed by every officer, agent, or servant now or hereafter en- craged bv the Commission for a stated term of service.

o <D ~ 'J

XXI.

The Chief Officer of the Commission at every Relief Station or other Agency which employs a wagon train, will cause such train to be daily inspected, and will require a daily report in writing of the condition of every wagon, which shall be at the base at each inspection, and of its team and harness. Blanks for such reports shall be furnished by the General Secretary. Every wagon shall be numbered. The Inspector will examine and report on the condition of the wagons, and of the horses,

7

and will see that their harness and their shoes are in order, and that eacli team is provided with whip, feed box, wrench, water buckets, etc., and with forage if necessary.

Tie shall also keep a wagon clearance book, containing the following entries, in columns, headed accordingly, viz.: 1. Date of entry. 2. No. of wagon. 3. Name of teamster. 4. General description of load. 5. To whom, or to what corps or division consigned. 6. Date of return of wagon. 7. Re¬ marks.

XXII.

It being most desirable that every lodge, home, depot, or other establishment of the Commission should set an example to the army of cleanliness, good order, and conformity to san¬ itary laws, and there being reason to fear that agents of the Commission, in their zeal to relieve our national soldiers and to promote their health and efficiency, are sometimes led to overlook the sanitary conditions required to keep themselves in good health and tit for their work : it is further ordered that every officer of the Commission in charge of any of its posts, be responsible for the maintenance thereof in the utmost at¬ tainable degree of neatness and purity, and for the prompt cor¬ rection — so far as may be — of whatever endangers his own health and that of members of his corps. lie will see that their quarters furnish each ample air space; that their supply of water is uncontaminated; that they have, if possible, facili¬ ties for bathing, and are required to use them at least once in each week ; that the neighborhood of each station is kept free from refuse and rubbish, and daily policed ; that water-closets or sinks are daily disinfected, and that his servants, contra¬ bands or others, are provided with cleanly and wholesome clothing and quarters. Should special difficulties prevent this being done at once, and always, they must be promptly re¬ ported to the Associate Secretary, of the District, with a requisition for whatever may be necessary to give agents and servants of the Commission the same aid and relief which the Commission seeks to give the army.

8

XXIII.

Xo agent of tire Commission is allowed to sell anything whatever, even though his own private property, to officers or soldiers of the national army, or to other persons in govern¬ ment employ. Any agent of the Commission violating this rule, directly or indirectly, thereby terminates his relations with the Commission.

XXIY.

It is recommended by the Executive Committee, that at all Relief Stations, Homes, and Lodges of the Commission, such provision be made for the observance of Sunday, as a day of rest and religious observance, as the military situation may render possible.

XXV.

All letters addressed to any principal office of the Commission shall be at once referred, on their receipt, to the officer in charge of the special department having supervision of the subject.

It is the duty of each officer to whom such letters are re¬ ferred, immediately to acknowledge their receipt, and, if pos¬ sible, to transmit at once the information sought for.

TVo. 533.

Financial Report- — with Supplement. 12 pp.

Finance Committee.

(Deo. 1, 1864.)

To be included in final Financial Report.

J

SANITARY COMMISSION.

NO.

REPORT OR THE OPERATIONS

OF TEE

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION

IN THE

VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,

For the Quarter ending Oct. 1st, 1864-

BT

Dr. J. S. NEWBERRY,

Secretary Western Department.

Louisville, Ky., Oct. 22, 1864.

Dr. J. Foster Jenkins,

Gen. Sec. San. Com.:

Dear Sir

I herewith submit detailed Reports of the different departments of our work for the three months ending October 1st, which will, I trust, give full and clear information of what has been accomplished, and how it has been done, in all parts- of the field under my supervision.

These reports I will preface by a general summary, present¬ ing in a condensed view all the information derived from this and other sources, which will be of interest, and have a practical hearing on the administration of the Commission.

1 ou are so well informed from my weekly reports, and from the public journals, in regard to the progress of military events in this department, that no detailed history of them will now he necessary or proper at my hands.

Suffice it to say that our attention, as well as that of the

q

(public, has been in a great degree centered in that great move on the military chess-board, the advance of Sherman’s army into the heart of Georgia, and the succession of battles and victories culminating in the capture of Atlanta. Most of the events connected with that campaign occurred in a previous .quarter, and, so far as they had a bearing on our work, have been previously reported to you.

Although, to a greater or less degree, embarrassed by the in¬ terruption of communication with the front, and by the want of transportation, which we shared with every branch of the service, up to the time of the capture of Atlanta we were able to keep with the army so large a working force provided with so generous a supply of stores that we were at all times pre¬ pared to furnish to those needing it such an amount of mate¬ rial and manual aid as to considerably soften the hardships of an arduous campaign, and fully sustain the reputation and responsibilities of the Commission.

The number of our agents paralyzed or removed by sick¬ ness rendered it necessary to send so large reinforcements to the field, that our corps presented a more formidable array of names than ever before; compelling us to draw more largely on our privileges of passes and transportation than has ever before been necessary. In addition to this, a host of civilians, representing other benevolent organizations, or pursuing indi¬ vidual aims of a philanthropic or mercenary nature, reckoned themselves, or were reckoned by the military authorities — who, since the recall of Gen. Uosecrans, have never been careful to discriminate between the good and bad, the true and the false — in the category of “sanitary agents,” of whom, at one time, eighty per week were receiving passes and transporta¬ tion from Chattanooga to the front. Impelled by a desire to abate this clear and formidable abuse, a step rendered neces¬ sary by the difficulties surrounding the transportation of sup¬ plies to the army, Gen. Sherman issued a peremptory order pro¬ hibiting, with a few rare exceptions, the access of all civilians to the forces at the front, and limiting the number of our agents in the field. Under this order we were permitted to keep but two

j

resident agents at Atlanta— a smaller number than was desir¬ able to sustain all the departments of our work, and yet, with the detailed help and other facilities cheerfully furnished us, sufficient to prevent serious embarrassment. The interests of the Commission with Sherman’s army, and all along the line of communication with that army, are now in the hands of our most experienced and efficient agents, all important absen¬ tees having returned to duty ; and I have entire confidence that we shall enjoy in the future, as we have done for three years past, all facilities and privileges necessary for the thorough performance of our work.

Dr. Read having recovered from the serious illness which compelled him to withdraw, has returned to take the super¬ vision of the field work in Gen. Sherman’s army. We may be sure that, guided by his wisdom, it will not languish, nor be badly done.

At Chattanooga, the agency is again under the care of M. C. Read, who, with Mr. Ilosford, has recently returned from sick furlough. The absence of both these gentlemen has been seriously felt, and I congratulate myself that they are again at their posts, in the enjoyment of full physical vigor, and the exercise of the rare faculties which they possess.

The garden at Chattanooga, under the management of Mr. Wills, has more than accomplished our anticipations of its usefulness. The entire issues from it during the season to October 1st, have been 10,023 bushels of potatoes, tomatoes, beans, &c., and 1,784 dozen of corn, melons, squashes, cab¬ bage, with a large store of fall crops still remaining.

At Knoxville, we have suffered serious loss in the death of Mr. J. II. Milliken, a most estimable and efficient man, who had the superintendency of the agency after the departure of Dr. Seymour. His place has since been filled by Mr. T. Y. * Gardner, who is no less worthy of our respect and esteem. The hospital garden, in charge of Mr. Culbertson, although less extensive than that at Chattanooga, has played a no less important part in the supply of the hospitals there. During the month of September, Mr. Culbertson distributed from the garden 277 bushels of tomatoes, 264 bushels of beans, 6,347

4

dozens cucumbers (mostly pickles), 1,929 heads of cab¬ bage, etc.

The “ feeding stations” at Kingston, Dalton, Decherd, &c., have formed a most important, indeed, indispensable portion of our work, during the last quarter. Under the general supervision of Mr. Eno, and individually managed by Mr. Brundrett, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Sutliffe, and Ur. Hillman, they have supplied food, and all needed care, to nearly every sick or wounded man transported from the front to the rear, ex¬ tending their benefits to many thousands, and performing a service of incalculable value.

The agency at Nashville has continued under the supervi¬ sion of Judge Boot, and has been most wisely conducted, and highly prosperous. "With its business offices, its warehouse, its Soldiers’ Home, and agents’ quarters, each occupying a distinct building, the Sanitary Commission at Nashville is a very conspicuous and noticeable institution, yet I am sure uses to excellent purpose the wide space which it covers. Indeed, the work it is accomplishing has already outgrown its accom¬ modations.

The “Soldiers’ Home,” under the efficient management of Capt. Brayton, has become an institution so popular as to be constantly filled to overflowing, and has proved so inadequate in capacity to the demand upon it, that the military authori¬ ties have promised to give us, in exchange for the building now occupied, one of the largest hospital buildings in the city.

At Louisville no changes have occurred in our work or our corps of agents requiring special mention. Each department is moving on smoothly, and, as you will see from the accom¬ panying detailed reports, with steadily increasing importance.

The Home has never accommodated near so many as within the past three months, having been daily crowded to its utmost capacity. And such has been the throng of fur¬ loughed and discharged men passing through the city, that the necessity has been laid upon us for the establishment of a similar institution on the opposite side of the river, of which mention will be made in the notice of the department of Special

5

Relief. The warehouse has never been so much crowded with stores as of late, nor the amount of goods received and shipped daily near so large.

The condition of the Hospital Directory will be learned from the accompanying report of its Superintendent, and I will only say in regard to it that the value of its reg¬ ister, now so immense, is receiving constant and increasing illustration. Reports from all the hospitals in this depart¬ ment come in with regularity, and I have reason to believe that the great importance of this branch of our work is now fully recognized, as well by the military and medical authori¬ ties as by the people.

The demand for the Reporter has been gradually increas¬ ing, and we are now compelled to print an edition of about 7,500 copies. We have satisfactory evidence that we are far more than compensated for the expenditure by the influence it exerts, in spreading a knowledge of, and fostering an interest in, our work.

The Pension Agency, as you are aware, but recently estab¬ lished here, has been rapidly gaining in importance, and has already secured the presentation and acceptance of the claims of very many deserving persons, too ignorant or too poor to prosecute them without its assistance.

district of the MISSISSIPPI.

The work of the Commission on the Mississippi, so greatly reduced by the withdrawal of the Army of the Tennessee, has of late claimed more of our attention, from the activity of military movements in that quarter. The agencies of the Commission at Cairo, Memphis, and Vicksburg, have been constantly maintained, it is true, and the first of these has grown rather than diminished in importance, but the garrisons of the posts along the river have been comparatively small, requiring only a limited amount of assistance from us; and the army in Arkansas, mostly composed of troops from the Department of the Gulf, has been considered still within the sanitary jurisdiction of Dr. Blake, of Hew Orleans, and has

6

been followed by his representatives, who have, as a general role, looked to him for supplies.

The prevalence of a scorbutie taint in this army has, how¬ ever, created a demand for such a quantity, and such kinds of stores, as could not be readily supplied from the Atlantic States. In these circumstances, Dr. Blake appealed to me for vegetables, and other anti- scorbutics, and in answer to this, the Dunleith was fully freighted and sent down the Mississippi, delivering half her cargo at Hew Orleans, distributing the other half at way stations along the route. This shipment was most timely, and was welcomed with enthusiasm by Dr. Blake and the military authorities. As, however, it furnished but a temporary relief from the wants it was intended to meet, it has seemed to me necessary to forward further supplies by the same means, and the Dunhith has been reloaded and again despatched on the same route. It is scarcely possible that the troops on the lower Mississippi and its tributaries can receive an adequate supply of anti-scorbutics from any other source than the Western States; and should the difficulties now existing of procuring adequate transportation through the Quartermaster’s Department continue, it may be desirable to make further shipments by steamers chartered for that purpose.

The business of the agency at Cairo, as I have intimated, has of late been greater than ever, and I cannot speak too highly of the zeal and wisdom with which it L/is been man¬ aged by Mr. Shipman. The Home at this point has been, for weeks and months past, literally inundated with the tide of soldiers that has flowed through it, and there are few who see the crowds fed and sheltered there who fail to ask themselves what would be the fate of these poor fellows were no such asylum provided for them.

In compliance with the request of the Medical Director, Dr. D. W. K Dan forth, approved by Lieut. Colonel Allen, Medical Inspector, I have recently established a uHome” at Paducah, under the supervision of Mr. Edward D. Way. A commodious building, and all other needed facilities, have

7

been provided by the military authorities, and I have reason to believe that the “ Home” at this point, though not large, will be complete in its appointments, well managed, and a great blessing to those who may become inmates of it.

DISTRICT OF KANSAS.

During the past quarter, our work in Kansas has been thoroughly reorganized, and freed from some incumbrances by which it was formerly somewhat clogged. Our efficient agent there, Mr. J. B. Brown, embraced in his wide-spread sympathy every object of compassion or charity in any way consequent upon the war, so that the refugees and contrabands, as well as the sick and wounded of our soldiery, found in him a most earnest and devoted friend.

So untiring and successful was he in his efforts, that he became recognized by both the people and the military autho¬ rities as the great, if not the sole, medium through which all cases of want and suffering . were to be relieved. As a natural consequence, he found himself rapidly involved in duties and responsibilities which made drafts on his strength and re- sources he was utterly unable to meet. After strup-p-lino* bravely with accumulating difficulties, finally overburdened and discouraged, he applied to me for counsel and assis¬ tance. At my suggestion he accompanied me to Yew York, and presented the claims of the refugees to the officers of the societies formed for their care. As I hoped, his appeal was answered at once, and such provisions made for the sup¬ port of both white and black refugees, that Mr. Brown has relieved himself of all but a general supervision of their in¬ terests, and has thus been able to give a more undivided attention to our work. The present invasion of Missouri, and threatened invasion of Kansas, have given great activity to military operations in this quarter, and I have authorized Mr. Brown to employ additional assistance, if necessary, to meet the increased demand upon him.

8

WEST VIRGINIA.

The concentration of troops in the Valley of the Shenan¬ doah has withdrawn from ^Vestern Virginia the larger portion of those for whose care we have been in some degree respon¬ sible. Our work has therefore materially decreased in this district, and X have directed Mr. Tracker to break np the agency at Marietta and transfer any stores to Wlieeling, trust¬ ing to be able to meet the demands arising in this district from that one station. All parts of this field have been re¬ cently inspected by Dr. Parker, and the change I have desig¬ nated has been made in accordance with his recommendation.

SUPPLY DEPARTMENT.

A marked change has taken place in our work in this de¬ partment since the beginning of the Avar. Then everything Avas needed, of diet, clothing, or medicine, by well men or sick, that we could furnish. Now, the number and variety of cases of disease in the veteran regiments is comparativelv small. The heads of the hydra which formerly devoured at such a fearful rate our newly recruited forces, have been by various influences scotched, until but two formidable ones remain — Scurvy and Chronic Diarrhea.

The resources and methods of the Medical Department have been so far improved, and its officers are now so thoroughly trained in their duties, that comparatively little is needed from us of clothing, medicine, and delicacies, of which we form¬ erly supplied such large quantities.

Our efforts, therefore, of late, have been mainly directed to the supply of the universal and pressing demand for vegetables and other anti-scorbutics, Avhich are not, and cannot be, fur¬ nished in sufficient quantities through the regular channel.

During the year past, the quantity of potatoes, onions, and cabbages, fresh and canned tomatoes, krout, pickles, dried apples, &c., Avhich Ave have forwarded to the army, has been, as you Avill see by our tabulated reports, unprecedentedly large. To procure these, our friends all over the Northern States have

9

been actively engaged, and our agents have not only visited all our own markets, but also those of Canada.

The season for the production and distribution of these articles had, at the 1st ot October, but just commenced; but our shipments of onions, for example, had, up to that time and since the last report, exceeded twenty thousand bushels.

In addition to the supplies just enumerated, soft crackers and codfish, not furnished in any considerable quantities by the Commissary Department, have formed an important part of our shipments. Of stimulants, since they are freely supplied through the regular channel, and are, of all stores, most liable to misappropriation, we have forwarded as few as possible. Concentrated beef and concentrated milk have been in such

constant demand, and are articles so generally and decidedly useful, that we have been in the past, and shall be in the futuie, compelled to make them prominent items in our sup¬ ply table.

From the statements I have made, it will be seen that we have now relieved ourselves from the most fruitful cause of anxiety and reproach in the administration of our Supply De¬ partment ; and any one who will examine the invoices of our shipments to the army will soon discover that canned fruits, wines, and other domestic delicacies, in regard to the use of which our contributors have had so much concern, form a very insignificant part of them ; and we may hereafter effectu¬ ally silence the criticisms of those who question the purity of our work in this department, by the assertion that scarcely one per cent, ot our stores are such as are susceptible of mis¬ appropriation or unworthy use.

In the transportation of supplies, we have had no other difficulties than such as were incident to the interruption of communication with the front, and the crowded state of the road when open. On the contrary, we have enjoyed every facility which we could ask at all points, and from the officers in every branch of the service. The recent break in the road has occasioned the accumulation of twelve car-loads of onions at Chattanooga, and six at Nashville, all of which were

10

intended for Atlanta. But since there is now a large force on this side of Tunnel Hill, where the break begins, there is ample demand for all we have to issue.

On the Mississippi, the interruption of trade has so far diminished the opportunities for shipment, that it has been necessary, as I have before stated, to charter a steamer for the supply of our stations in that district. As soon as adequate transportation can he otherwise procured, this source of ex¬ penditure will, of course, he removed.

In our constituency of the Home Field a cordial and harmo¬ nious spirit of co-operation prevails. Where large funds have been collected by Sanitary Fairs, a disposition has been manifested to rest upon the unusual exertion made in connec¬ tion with them ; there has been a relaxation in the efforts to collect supplies, and, as a consequence, a diminution in the quantity received. In every field, however, the produce has been precisely proportionate to the thoroughness of the tillage, and there is scarcely a portion of the country from which we derive stores that could not be made doubly productive by a more vigorous and systematic canvass.

INSPECTORIAL DEPARTMENT.

As the work of Sanitary Inspection is in charge of another officer, he alone is capable of reporting fully upon it. I may say, however, in passing, that in this department the work has been entirely suspended, and the surgeons who were en¬ gaged in it have been withdrawn from the field, or have gone into the service of the Government.

0£ the chief Inspectors of Departments, whose duties are administrative and general, but two are now in the field — Dr. A. A. Bead, some time absent on sick leave, has just returned to the supervision of our work with the army of Gen. Sher¬ man, and Dr. Benjamin Woodward, who has lately been ap¬ pointed to the superintendency of the Mississippi district — an office formerly filled with so much credit to himself and the Commission by Dr. H. A.Warriner. Dr. M. M. Seymour, Chief Inspector of the Department of the Ohio, has been compelled

j

11

by the demands of his private affairs to withdraw from the service of the Commission, and the position which he held is now vacant, hiet as its importance has been greatly dimin¬ ished by the changes in the location of Gen. Schofield’s com¬ mand, it will not be necessary for the present that it should be filled.

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL RELIEF.

Our work in this department has so far increased as to be inferior to no other in magnitude and importance, and there scarcely seems to be a linjit to the work of mercy which may be done by the different offices and institutions which ft in¬ cludes. The number of “Soldiers’ Homes” under the super¬ intendence of the Sanitary Commission in this department was, at the date of my last report, eleven, namely, those at Nashville, Louisville, Camp Nelson, Memphis, Cairo, Cincin¬ nati, Columbus, Cleveland, Buffalo, Detroit, and New Albany. To these I have recently added one at Paducah, and another at Jeffersonville, Indiana. In the accompanying report will be found an enumeration of the lodgings and meals furnished to the inmates of these homes, during the past quarter, form¬ ing an aggregate of 93,555 lodgings, and 321,076 meals. While these large numbers will impress any one with the magnitude of the work accomplished by the “Homes,” they form but an imperfect exponent of the many and varied good offices which they perform to the objects of their charities. I must refer you t.o the detailed reports from their superintendents for anything like a fair presentation of a subject to which space will not now permit me to do anything like justice.

HOSPITAL TRAINS-.

The transportation of sick and wounded, at one time a con¬ spicuous' portion of our work and expenditure, lias now become so far self-sustaining as to require little intervention on our part. The hospital trains organized by the Sanitary Commis¬ sion, and for eighteen months manned and sustained by it, weie turned over to the medical authorities as soon as they

'

*

.

APPENDIX.

(-i)

FINANCES.

The cash expenditures in this department have been almost entirely made from funds collected in the East and in the far West The contributions made to the Sanitary Commission by the loyal States of the Mississippi Valley have equalled, both in gross amount and m proportion to the population, those derived rom any and all other portions of the Union ; but they have been, for obvious reasons, mostly made in kind, and not in cash. I he great West is still comparatively poor in money, but rich m the vast though unconverted capital of her fertile plains and exhaustless mines, and richer still in the conspicuous patriot- ism of her warm-hearted people.

That which she has had— the fruits of the field, the treas¬ ures of the earth, the products of the loom and anvil— she has given without measure.

The East, richer in capital, has given most freely of that; while the extreme West, too distant to send her less valuable products, has made her contributions in silver and gold.

Thus it happens, that the cash expended through my hands has been drawn directly from the treasury of the Commission in New York, while the contributions of the Western States, as they have reached me, have been altogether in stores ; the cash collected by cities, towns, and villages, for the Sanitary Commission, by fairs or otherwise, having been kept by each, *° be expended for such things as could be better bought at such points then elsewhere.

The money expended by the Western Secretary is deposited to his credit in New York, and drawn upon as wanted. All

16

such money is accounted for with rigid exactness. A statement of account, with vouchers, is forwarded at the close of each month, at which time the accounts of the Western Department, like all others, are balanced and closed. In addition to the careful examination of our accounts at the central office, at each quarterly meeting they are audited by such men as Prof. Bache, Horace Binney, C. J. Stille, J. Huntington Wolcott, &c., whose high character for intelligence, conscientiousness, and great business experience, are a sufficient guaranty that they have been accurately kept.

A summary of the cash account of the Western Department tor 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864, to July 1st, has already been published in the Sanitary Reporter. Bringing this down to Oct. 1st, it stands as follows —

Summary of the cash account of the Louisville Office , U. S. Salu¬ tary Commission, from Sept. 1st , 1861. to Oct. 1st , 1864:

ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT.

Office Expenses in all Agencies, viz: Stationery and Office Printing, Postage, Telegrams, Bent,

Fuel, Lights, Compensation of Officers whose

duties are general, Office Furniture, &c., - $38,049 74

INSPECTORIAL DEPARTMENT.

Salaries and Expenses of Inspectors of Camps and Hospitals, . 27,638 59

SPECIAL RELIEF DEPARTMENT.

Expenses of Homes and Lodges, Feeding Stations, money paid destitute soldiers and soldiers’ rela¬ tives, Pension and Pay Agencies, Salaries of Belief Agents, &c., ------ 58,591 73

Hospital Boats, )

“ Cars, J . - - 17,040 39 .

Hospital Directory, . 20,186 06

Carried forward, -

$156,456 51

17

Brought forward, .... $156,456 51

SUPPLY DEPARTMENT.*

Purchase of Supplies, - $139,119 38

Transportation, - 45,404 12

Canvassing, - - - 11,122 79

Distributing - 62,718 70

- 258,364 99

PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.

Sanitary Reporter, Monographs and Reports, 7,022 25

Total, - - $421,843 75

* The items here enumerated represent all the cash expenditure involved in the collection, transportation, and distribution of hospital stores of the value of $3,176,250 01 in the home market ; and of the value of over four mil¬ lions at the water bases of the armies— Louisville, Nashville, and Memphis. If there had been no Sanitary Commission, and the articles it has furnished to the armies of the West had been purchased by or for the soldiers and de¬ livered to camps and hospitals as they have been, this could not have been done through any channel of trade left open for less than twice the last men¬ tioned sum.

2

i

18

(*)

SUPPLY DEPARTMENT.

The Hospital stores, distributed by the Sanitary Commis¬ sion in the armies of the West, have been mostly contributed in kind from the several branches of the Commission in the Western Department. In addition to such contributions, purchases of stores have been made from this office to the amount of $139,119 38; and others, of the value of $23,471 55, purchased in New York, and sent to Louisville. A statement of the kinds and quantities of stores distributed in this depart¬ ment, during the quarter ending Sept. 30th, 1864, and an¬ other showing the aggregate of distributions, from Sept. 1st, 1861, to the same date, are herewith given. The value of the supplies distributed by the Sanitary Commission in this De¬ partment, to July 1st, 1864, giving each article its value in the home market, was $2,790,811 01.

During the quarter ending Sept. 30th, supplies of the value of $385,439 00 were distributed : adding these sums we have, as the value of supplies distributed in this Department to Oct. 1st, 1864, $3,176,250 01.

The expense account of the Supply Department, for this period, is as follows :

Canvassing, . $11,122 79

Freight paid on Stores, - - - 45,404 12

Distribution of Supplies, - 62,718 70

$119,245 61

To this should be added one-third of the expenses of gen¬ eral administration, viz., $11,016 58 — making the gross ex¬ pense account of the Supply Department $130,262 19, or about four per cent, on the value of supplies distributed.

It should be remembered, however, that the expense at¬ tending the employment of Lecturers and Canvassers in the

19

Home Field — an item of $11,122 79 — in the preceding account, has inured to the benefit of the Aid Societies and Branches in all their interests, and is therefore not all chargeable to the Supply Department, and no part of it to he reckoned as the expense of distributing stores.

The Freight Account, too, amounting to $45,404 12 — since it was altogether incurred in the transportation of stores to the water bases of the different armies, Louisville, Cairo, Mem¬ phis, &c., conferred at least an equivalent value on the stores transported, and should therefore he reckoned with donated transportation, as an addition to the valuation of stores as before given. The distribution of stores of the value of $3,176,250 01 in the home market has been accomplished at a cost of less than 2 per cent, upon their valuation. Adding the cost of transportation to the value of the stores, and the cost of distribution would be If per cent, of that value. Giving the stores distributed their cash value at the water bases of the ar¬ mies supplied, and the cost of distribution would be 1| per cent, of their value; and the whole expense account of the Supply Department would equal less than 3 per cent, of such valuation.

The manner in which the records of the Supply Department are kept, and the credibility of the results given above, can hardly be learned without an inspection of our books and methods ; yet I think I can safely say, that all the many ex¬ perienced men who have carefully examined our system have been satisfied that the methods pursued were economical of labor and money, and the results reported worthy of confi¬ dence.

To those who cannot in person examine the manner in which the stores they entrust to us are handled and used, I may say briefly, that the raising of supplies is especially the work of the members of our Branch and Auxiliary Societies. In the Home Field the methods pursued are theirs, and the re- sponsiblity of the entire work is theirs. I have assumed no control over it, and have taken no part in it, further than to

20

burnish by manuscript or printed reports, or by lecturers, fresh a'nd full information in regard to the condition and wants of the Western armies, the means taken to meet such wants, and such other matters as have a practical bearing on the home work.

From time to time assistance has been needed by the differ¬ ent Branch Societies, and it has been liberally afforded. Can¬ vassing agents, lecturers, messengers, and various assistants, in the work of the Supply Department, have been placed at their disposal, .and money paid them from the general fund of the Commission to the amount of more than $60,000.

As soon as stores are shipped to me or my representatives, from the various contributing depots, I become responsible for their proper use, and am vested with the control of them. The stores passing through Ohio and Illinois are transported free by the splendid liberality of the officers of the railroads ter¬ minating in Cincinnati and Cairo. On those coming through ; Indian a we are compelled to pay freight. Arriving here or at Cairo, stores are carefully checked off from cars and boats into the warehouses. All missing packages are at once looked up, and necessary repairs and cooperage done. From these points stores are forwarded as rapidly as possible, on the the- , ory that any accumulation of stores should be near the army.

With all important divisions of the army, and in every hos- ipital centre, depots are established in care of competent busi¬ ness men, by whom stores are received and issued to those needing them, on personal application, or on the requisition of agents of the Commission, or the Surgeons of hospitals and regiments ; for all of which receipts are given and record made. Weekly and monthly reports are sent to the Louisville office of all issues from all the depots, and from these reports the tabular statements, now or heretofore given, of our aggre¬ gate issues, are compiled.

21

REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS

Of the XI. S. Sanitary Commission , Western Department , from its Organiza¬ tion to October ls£, 1864.

BEDDING AND CLOTHING.

Blankets,

Bedticks,

Boots and Shoes, pairs, Buttons, shirt, gross, Comforts and Quilts,

Coats, Pants, and Vests, Drawers, cotton, j Drawers, flannel, j Pairs> Dressing-gowns, Havelocks,

Haversacks,

Hats and Caps,

Mittens, pairs,

Mosquito Bars,

Napkins,

Neck Ties,

14,305	1 Night Caps,	4,901
28,786	1 Overalls,	21
1,301	Pillows,	104,311
75	1 Pillow-cases,	205,126
50,177	Shawls,	54
15,204	Sheets,	108,947
175,157	Shirts, cotton, 1 Shirts, woolen, J	306,390
16,415	Slippers, pairs,	20,876
2,051	Socks,	121, 34S
20	Straw, bales,	175
908	Suspenders, pairs,	75
13,613	Towels and Handkerchiefs,	390,655
3,645	Rubber Blankets,	5
178 1,080	Rubber Capes,	5

HOSPITAL FURNITURE AND SURGEONS’ SUPPLIES.

Adhesive Plaster, yards, Alcohol, gallons,

Arm Rests, ,

Alum, lbs.,

Bags,

Bandages and Rags, lbs., Bath Tubs,

Baskets,

Batting, lbs.,

Beds, Feather,

Bedsteads,

Bed Pans,

Bladders,

Books and Pamphlets, Bowls,

Bread Knives,

Brooms,

Brushes, Scrub,

Brushes, Whitewash, Brushes, Blacking, Buckets,

Butcher’s Steels,

Candles, lbs.,

Candlesticks,

Canes,

Camp Chests,

Canteens,

Cauldrons, Iron,

Carpet and Matting, yards, Castors,

Chairs,

Charcoal, lbs,

Chlor. Lime, lbs., Chloroform, lbs.,

Cleavers,

Clocks,

1,328

25

6,765

103

1,863

302,097

27

109

3,000

9

1,101

459

198

304,014

4,070

6

820

61

54

24

342

12

1,832

272

144

2

27

2

647

92

557

227

24,670

125

4

12

Clothes Wringers,

Clothes Pins, gross,

Clothes Lines,

Combs and Brushes, Camphor, lbs.,

Copperas, lbs.,

Corkscrews,

Cologne and Bay Rum, bots.. Coffins,

Coffee Mills,

Coffee Pots,

Cots,

Chambers,

Cooking Ranges,

Cups and Saucers,

Cushions and Pads,

Crutches, pairs,

Desks,

Dippers,

Disinfecting Powders, bbls., Door Mats,

Drinking Tubes,

Envelopes,

E ve Shades,

Fans,

Feeders,

Faucets,

Finger Stalls,

Flat Irons,

Fly Nets,

Fffy Brushes,

Foot Warmers,

Furnaces,

Games,

Graters,

Platchets,

26

26

32

5,769

5

300

78

169

98

44

130

342

831

6

2,275

79.128

4,202

17

217

10

43

108

434,125

2,223

28,331

180

60

768

15

30

167

6

9

580

329

57

22

Coffee Mugs, 425

Fruit Cans, 1,100

Ink, bots., 480

India Rubber Cloth, yards, 25

Lamps and Chimneys, 230

Lanterns, 373

Lamp Oil, galls., 406

Lime, bbls., 14

Lint, lbs., 6

Liquorice, lbs., 26

Looking Glasses, ~ 21

Lumber, ft., 176,000

Kettles, Iron, 14

Kettles, Camp, 87

Kettles, Tea, 53

Knives and Forks, 9,055

Knives, Butcher, 6

Mattresses, 723

Matches, gross, 30

Mutton Tallow, lbs., 198

Mess Pans, 41

Mops, 267

Kails, lbs., 2,820

Needles, papers, 110

Oakum, bales, 6

Oil Silk, yards, 16

Pans, Baking, 56

Patent Medicine, bot., 509

Pens, gross, 180

Pencils, doz. 27

Pincushions and Housewives, 39,259 Pins, papers, 21

Pitchers, 97

Quinine, oz., 300

Razors and strops, 24

Saws, ' 18

Slates, 40

Spit Cups, 2,500

ARTICLES OF DIE!

Ale and Cider, galls., 29,119

Apples, bush., 2,818

Apple Butter, galls., 4,683

Arrowroot, lbs., 3,399

Barley, lbs., 24,200

Beef, Dried, lbs., 22, 1 Q2

Beef, Concent’d, lbs., 96,784

Beets, bush., 2,951

Beans, bush., 680

Brandy, galls., 84

Bread, lbs., 12,216

Broma, lbs., 201

Butter, lbs., 101,331

Cabbage, bush., 740

Crackers, lbs., 405,418

Carrots, bush., 258

Cocoa, lbs., 944

Chocolate, lbs., 788

Chickens, 6,801

Cigars, boxes, 10

Cinnamon, lbs., i 25

Citric Acid, lbs., 40

Cloves, lbs., 25

Coffee, lbs., 5,107

Coffee, Extract, lbs., 375

Spittoons, Spools Thread,	833
1,311
Stretchers,	16
Sauce Pans,	163
Scissors,	71
Sconces,	144
Stone J ugs,	612
Soap, lbs.,	7,956
Splints, doz.,	84
Spoons,	6,928
Sponges,	2,528
Stoves, Cooking,	14
Stoves, Fire,	21
Shovels,	32 1,935
Stationery, reams,
Tables,	59
Table Cloths,	907
Tea Pots,	6
Tin Cups,	10,754
Tin Pans,	150
Tin Pails,	68
Tin Plates,	8,923
Tumblers,	1,176
Twine, lbs.,	135
Urinals,	319
Wash Basins,	1,143
Wash Boilers, Copper,	2
Wash Boards,	50
Wash Machines,	28
Washstands,	100
Wash Tubs,	16
White lead, lbs.,	50
Lye Cone., lbs.,	25
Sage, lbs.,	891
Tin Ware, boxes, Water Coolers,	26
9
Glass, boxes,	1
Medicine Wafers,	5,500
1 AND DELICACIES.
Corn Meal, lbs.,	46,699
Cheese, lbs.,	16,908
Corn, Dried, lbs.,	1,236
Corn, Parched, lbs.,	639
Cakes and Cookies, lbs.,	5,296
Cranberries, bush.,	54
Catsup, bot.,	3,902
Codfish, lbs.,	119,783
Eggs, doz.,	52.635
Farina and Corn Starch, lbs.,	53,583
Figs, lbs.,	80
Flavoring Extracts, bot.,	180
Flaxseed, lbs.,	634
Flour, bbls.,	87
Fruit, Preserved, cans,	145,739
Fruit, Dried, lbs.,	881,718
Gelatine, lbs.,	41
Ginger, lbs., Ginger Extract, bot.,	467
16
Gooseberries, qts.,	369
Groceries, lbs.,	9,478
Groats, lbs.,	176
Grapes, lbs.,	3,217
Halibut, lbs.,	40
Herrings, boxes,	30

23

Hops, lbs.,	970
Herbs, lbs.,	2,661
Honey, lbs.,	785
Hominy, lbs.,	1,788
Horse Radish, bot.,	3,418
Hams, lbs.,	11,934
Ice, tons,	375
Jelly and Shrubs, qts.,	1,320
Soup, Chicken, lbs..	1,007
Hickory Nuts, bush.,	29
R. Vinegar, bot.,	1,111
Lime Juice,	1,320
Almonds, lbs..	30
Lemons, boxes,	664
Lemon Extract, bot.,	732
Lemon Syrup, bot.,	6,375
Lobsters, cans,	26
Melons,	1,834
Milk, Fresh, qts..	339
Milk, Concentrated, lbs.,	170,813
Mackerel, lbs.,	470
Mustard, lbs., •	1,769
Macaroni, lbs.,	160
Nutmegs, oz.,	27
Oatmeal, lbs.,	2,595
Oranges, boxes,	193
Oysters, cans,	4,816
Onions, bush.,	52,388
Parsnips, bush.,	548
Peaches, bush.,	im
Pepper, Black, ) Pepper, Red, j 1DS*’ Pepper Sauce, bot.,	768 2,187
Pie Plant, boxes,	65
Porter, bot.,	1,440
Potatoes, bush.,	143,832
Pickles, galls.,	139,298
Prunes, lbs.,	1,900
P.ice, lbs.,	5,024
Raisins, lbs.,	500
Sago, lbs.,	3,855
Saleratus, lbs.,	40
Salt, bbls..,	11

Ploughs,	25
Cultivators,	3
Hoes,	126
Rakes,	72
Spades,	36
Trucks, Warehouse	3

Sardines, boxes, 54

Sausages, lbs., 494

Sourkrout, galls., 78,198

Split Peas, bbls., 2

Starch, lbs., 1,822

Shoulders, lbs., 556

Spices, lbs., 641

Strawberries, qts., 464

Sugar, lbs., 64,701

Syrup and Molasses, qts., 789

Tamarinds, lbs., 336

Tapioca, lbs., 2,660

Tea, Green, lbs., 21,558

Tea, Black, 530

Toast, lbs., 5,887

Tobacco, lbs., 7,602

Tomatoes, bush., 1,396

Tongues, 238

Turkeys, 129

Vermicelli, lbs., 70

Vinegar, galls., 1,888

!b°tS-’ 96>640

White Fish, bbls., 4

Clams, Concentrated, cans, 554

Tomatoes, cans, 6,600

Dessicated Eggs, lbs., 26

Lettuce, bush., 1,417

Mustard, “ 1,645

Radishes, “ 786

Peas, “ 486

Sweet Potatoes, bush., 442

Spinach, “ 146

Radishes, Winter, “ 8

Cucumbers, doz., 2,962

Squashes, Summer, 6,078

Table Corn, ears, 118,318

Okra, doz., 1,888

Peppers, doz., 1,054

Squashes, Winter, 343

Pumpkins, 1,276

Flower Seeds, papers, 6,357

Plants, Cabbage, 35,000

Plants, Tomato, 35,000

Plants, Sweet Potato, 25,000

Ambulances, 6

Hospital Car-Loops, 450

Sundries, boxes, 4,264

24

REPORT OF DISBURSEMENTS

Of the XJ. S. Sanitary Commission , Western Department , from July 1st , 1864,

to October 1st, 1864.

BEDDING AND CLOTHING.

Blankets,

Bedticks,

Boots and Shoes, pairs, Comforts and Quilts, Coats, Pants, and Vests Drawers, cotton, pairs, Drawers, flannel, “ Dressing-gowns, Havelocks,

Haversacks,

Hats and Caps,

Mittens, pairs,

Mosquito Bars, Napkins,

19

621

42

1,039

201

13,66;'

714

187

2

11

121

1,015

178

Neck Ties,

Night Caps,

Overalls,

Pillows,

Pillow Cases,

Sheets,

Shirts, cotton, 1 Shirts, woolen, J Slippers, pairs,

Socks, pairs,

Straw, bales,

Suspenders, pairs,

Towels and Handkerchiefs,

3

30

11

5,309

7,793

2,552

26,820

712

2,338

30

5

20,167

HOSPITAL FURNITURE AND SURGEONS’ SUPPLIES.

Arm Rests, 2,928

Bandages and Rags, lbs., 30,178

Bath Tubs, 7

Baskets, 13

Batting, bales, 5

Bedsteads, 220

Bed Pans, 60

Books apd Pamphlets, boxes, 170 Bowls, 220

Bread Knives, 6

Brooms, 79

Brushes, Scrub, 13

Brushes, Whitewash, 6

Buckets, 30

Candles, lbs., # 135

Candlesticks, 2

Canteens, 3

Castors, 36

Chairs, 14

Chlor. Lime, lbs., 70

Clocks, 4

Clothes Wringers, pairs, 8

Clothes Pins, gross, 2

Clothes Lines, 14

Combs and Brushes, 390

Camphor, bots, 20

Corkscrews, 6

Cologne, bots., 33

Coflee Mills, 9

Coffee Pots., 6

Chambers, 30

Cooking Ranges, 1

Cups and Saucers, 120

Cushions and Pads, 6,285

Crutches, pairs, 396

Desks, 4

Dippers, 6

Disinfecting Powders, lbs., 7

Envelopes, 345,000

Eye Shades, 266

Fans, 4,300

Finger Stalls, 246

Flat Irons, 3

Fly Brushes, 167

Games, 230

Graters, 6

Hatchets, 6

Housewives, 67

Ink, bottles, 208

Lamp Chimneys, 60

Lamps, 20

Lanterns, 40

Lamp Oil, galls., . 50

Looking Glasses, 11

Lumber, ft., 55,000

Kettles, Iron, 8

Kettles, Camp, 6

Knives and Forks, 4,731

Knives, Butcher, 6

Mattresses, 7

Matches, gross, 6

Matting, yds., 65

Mess Pans, 13

Mops, 30

Nails, lbs., 220

Needles, papers, 110

Oil Silk, yds., 6

Pans, Baking, 6

Patent Medicine, bots., 165

Pens, gross, 30

Pencils, doz. 20

Pincushions, 800

Pins, Papers, doz., 2

Pitchers, 1

Saws, 6

Spittoons, 20

Spools Thread, 55

Sauce Pans, 3

Scissors, pairs, 15

Soap, lbs., 702

25

Spoons, 1,320

Sponges, lbs., 37

Stoves, Cooking, 4

Shovels, 6

Stationery, reams, 735

Table Cloths, 55

Tea Pots, 6

Tin Cups, 3,121

Tin Pails, 20

Tin Plates, 3,000

Tumblers, 26

Twine, lbs.,	35
Urinals,	6
Wash Basins,	26
Wash Boilers, Copper,	2
Wash Boards,	26
Wash Machines,	16
Wash Tubs,	6
Water Coolers,	9
Fruit Cans,	1,100
Glass, box,	1
Medicine Wafers,	5,500

ARTICLES OF

Ale and Cider, galls.,	2,855
Apples, bush.,	3
Apple Butter, galls.,	. 326
Btef, Dried, lbs., Beef, Concentrated, lbs.,	2,065
12,265
Beets, bush.,	1,722
Beans, bush.,	637
Bread, lbs.,	1,535
Butter, lbs., Cabbage, Heads,	2,926
11,837
Crackers, lbs.,	111,398
Chocolate, lbs.,	381
Chickens,	196
Citric Acid, lbs.,	9
Cotfee, lbs.,	1,982
Cone. Clams, cans,	554
Corn Meal, lbs.,	5,992
Cheese, lbs.,	263
Corn Starch, lbs.,	12,214
Cakes and Cookies, lbs.,	352
Catsup, bot.,	843
Codfish, lbs.,	20,243
Cucumbers, doz.,	2,962
Dessicated Eggs, cans,	26
Eggs, doz.,	1,107
Flaxseed, lbs.,	275
Fruit, Preserved, cans.,	8,790
Fruit, Dried, lbs.,	86,370
Gooseberries, qts.,	369
Groceries, lbs.,	6,063
Groats, lbs.,	176
Hops, lbs.,	62
Herbs, lbs.,	550
Horse Radish, bots.,	244
Hams, lbs.,	900
Ice, tons,	168*
Lime Juice, bots.,	1,320
Almonds, lbs.,	30
Miscellaneous articles ) not enumerated, j	3,693
Lemons, box.,	105
Flower Seeds, papers,	MISCELL 6,356 1
Mule Ambulances,	6 1

AND DELICACIES.

Lemon Extract, bot., 321

Lemon Syrup and Cordial, bot., 2,707 Lettuce, bush., 1,417

Melons, 1,837

Milk, Concentrated, lbs., 42,236

Mackerel, lbs., 220

Mustard, lbs., 275

Mustard, bush., 1,645

Nutmegs, lbs., 2

Okra, doz., 1,888

Oysters, cans, 816

Onions, bush., 22,600

Peas, bush., 486

Peppers, doz., 1,054

Pie Plant, lbs., 33

Potatoes, bush., 6,524

Pickles, galls., 26,237

Prunes, lbs., 650

Pumpkins, 4 1,267

Radishes, bush., 786

Radishes, Winter, bush., 8

Salt, lbs., 280

Sour-krout, galls., 8,763

Starch, lbs., 1,822

Spices, lbs., 573

Spinach, bush., 146

Squashes, Summer, 6,078

Squashes, Winter, 343

Sugar, lbs., 4,781

Sweet Potatoes, bush., 442

Syrup and Molasses, qts., 176

Table Corn, Ears, 118,318

Tamarinds, lbs., 36

Tapioca, lbs., 72

Tea, Green, lbs., 2,065

Tea, Black, lbs., 530

Toast, lbs., 220

Tobacco, lbs., 2,431

Tomatoes, bush., 1,396

Tomatoes, cans, 6,600

Wine, bots., 16,239

ANEOUS.

Rubber Loops, Hosp’l Cars, 451

Boxes sundries, 500

26

(0)

HOMES.

Number of Meals and Lodgings furnished at nine Homes during the months of July , August , and September.

CAIRO, ILLS.

For the month of July, . .

“ “ “ August, .

41 “ “ September, .

Total, . . .

NASHVILLE, TENN.

For the month of July, . .

“ “ “ August, .....

“ “ “ September,

Total,

MEMPHIS, TENN.

For the month of July, .

44 “ 44 August, .

44 44 44 September, .

Total, .

LOUISVILLE, KY.

For the month of July .

“ 44 “ August, . .

44 44 44 September, .

Total, .

CAMP NELSON, KY.

For the month of July, . .

“ “ “ August, .

44 “ 44 September, . .

* Total, .

NEW ALBANY, IND.

For the month of July, .

“ 44 “ August, .

44 “ “ September, .

Meals. Lodgings.
....15,284	4,374
	4,593
	7,712
	16,679
....14,552	4,540
	5,731
....25,820	9,518
....57,328	19,795
. 4,176	913
	1,214
. 4,501	1,335
. 13,864	3,462
. 15,929	8,427
	10,761
	19,188
. 37,179	13,470
. 5,173	1,385
	5,995
	20,850
	762
	1,010
	674
	2,440

Total,

27

Detroit, Michigan. Meals. Lodging s.

For the month of July . 1,914 1,149

“ “ “ August, . 3,462 1,638

Total, . . . 5,376 2,787

CINCINNATI, o.

For the month of July, . 13,894 1,573

« “ “ August, . 18,146 3,135

“ “ “ September, . 44,282 8,451

Total, . . . .76,3^2 13,159

CLEVELAND, 0.

For the month of July . 1,485 242

“ “ “ August, . 2,610 619

“ “ September, . 1,608 333

Total, . . . - . 5,703 1,194

♦

28

HOSPITAL DIRECTORY.

Summary of Report of Hospital Directory, Western Ky., October ls£, 1864.

No- °f Hospitals which have reported .

Ho. of Hospitals now reporting .

Ho. of Regiments reported .

Ho. of names on record .

Whole number of Inquiries .

Whole number of Inquiries answered .

Ho. of Personal Inquiries .

Ho. of Personal Inquiries answered .

Ho. of Inquiries by letter .

Ho. of Inquiries by letter answered .

Ho. of letters written regarding Inquiries .

Department, Louisville. ,

310

108

1,195

519,254

15,908

11,171

12,575

8,991

3,333

2,180

7,537

ITEMS.

¥o. of Regiments reported .

Ho. of Hames on Record .

Ho. of Inquiries .

Ho. of Inquiries answered .

Ho. of Personal Inquiries .

Ho. of Personal Inquiries answered

Ho. of Inquiries by letter .

Ho. of Inquiries by letter answered.. Ho. of letters written .

July 1, ’64.

1,138 ... 436,255 ... 13,037

9.050 ... 10,358

7,284 2,679 1,766 6,042

Oct. 1, ’64. 1,195 519,254 15,908 11,171 12,575 8,991 3,3,3 2,180 7,537

Increase.

57

82,999

2,871

2,121

2,217

1,707

654

414

1,495

List of States and Number of Regiments and Names on the Records of the Hospital Directory, Western Department, Louisville, Ky., Oct. 1st, 1864.

STATES. NO. REG# NO. NAMES.

Ohio .		11 K QHQ
Illinois .		llOjOUo 1 AA KK7
Indiana .		77 7Q1
Iowa .		/ / , ( cTl oa
Kentucky .		OUjOOD O A C4A
Carried over, .		351,052

29

STATES.

Brought oyer,....

Michigan .

Wisconsin .

Missouri .

Tennessee . .*. .

U. S. Regulars . .

Pennsylvania .

New York .

Kansas .

Minnesota .

New Jersey .

Massachusetts .

Virginia .

Alabama . . .

New Hampshire .

Connecticut .

Arkansas .

Colorado .

Rhode Island .

Maine, .

Nebraska .

Maryland .

Mississippi . .

Louisiana .

Vermont .

North Carolina .

Delaware .

Veteran Reserve Corps

Pioneers .

Miscellaneous .

Artillery . .

Navy . .

Rebels..... .

, REG= 554 32 40 50

19 57 68

144

18

16

28

39

16

2

15

12

5

6 9

20 1

4 1

5 3 5 l

20

5

NO. NAMES.

351,052

24,513

24,417

24,198

16,843

15,238

12,480

10,894

4,274

3,741

3,006

2,125

1,567

1,051

946

942

751

472

274

215

200

142

133

57

30

27

5

4,820

364

8,131

624

1,920

3,802

Whole No. of Regiments, Whole No. of Names .

1,195

519,254

HOSPITAL GARDENS.

Summary of Issues from the Hospital Gardens of the V. 8. Sandary Commis¬ sion, at Chattanooga , April 15 th to November 14 th, 1864.

Lettuce, bushels, Beets, bush.,

Onions, bush., Mustard, bush.,

Irish Potatoes, bush., Radishes, bush.,

Peas, bush.,

Snap Beans, bush., Lima Beans, bush., Tomatoes, bush., Swe£t Potatoes, bush., Spinach, bush.,

1,289

1,563

1,407

1,496

904|

715

442

431

148

1,269

384

133

Turnips and Winter Radishes, bus. 74

Cucumbers, dozens, 2,633

Summer Squashes, 5,526

Cabbage, heads, 10,761

Table Corn, ears, 107,562

Okra, dozens, 177

Peppers, dozens, 958

Melons, 1,668

Winter Squash, 312

Pumpkins, 1,152

Flower Seeds, papers, 5,779

Estimated value at Chattanooga, $66,375 70, The crop of winter radishes

and turnips remains to be issued.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 85.

1

J

OF

THEODORE W. DWIGHT, LL. D.,

Professor of Municipal Law in tlie Law School of Columbia College,

AS TO THE TRUSTS ON WHICH THE FUNDS OF THE U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION ARE HELD, AND THE OBJECTS TO WHICH THEY CAN PROPERLY BE APPLIED.

SANFORD, IIARROUN & CO., STEAM PRINTING HOUSE, 644 BROADWAY.

1864.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 85.

CASE

1. The U. S. Sanitary Commission is an organization, ap¬ pointed by the President and the Secretary of War, by an order dated June 13th, 1861, and is styled in the order : “ A Commission of Inquiry and Advice in respect of the Sanitary Interests of the United States Forces.” (See document marked A (being Sanitary Commission document No. 2), as to the nature and character of the organization.)

2. The work of the Sanitary Commission has been wholly sustained by the voluntary contributions of the public. It has received no pecuniary aid from Government. These volun¬ tary contributions have been large ; more than two millions and a half have been contributed in money to its central treasury, independently of very large sums received by the treasuries of its “Branches;” and the money value of the sup¬ plies and stores sent to its various depots, is estimated at eight millions of dollars and upwards.

These contributions of money and or supplies have been made in response to the calls published by the Commission

m varlous forms for funds and for material to be used in the several departments of its work.

•3. The work originally contemplated by the Commission was of “ Inquiry and Advice in respect of the Sanitary inter*

4

ests of the “ United States Forces or, in other words, that of a scientific advisory organization auxiliary to the Medical Bureau, which was not yet reorganized on a scale adequate to the de¬ mands of a great war.

The business of organizing and economizing the spontane¬ ous bounty of the people in furnishing supplementary supplies to the army, formed no part of its original design, and was not undertaken till the Commission had been in existence for some months.

(See document No. 40, Mr. Olmsted’s Report to the Secretary of War, Dec. 1861, p. 75.)

This is now, and has been for the last two years, , a most prominent department of the work of the Commission, and involves a much larger outlay than any other.. Besides pro¬ viding for the cost of storing, moving, and distributing the supplementary stores received at its depots by voluntary con¬ tribution, it purchases such stores on a very large scale. Its expenditure on such purchases during July, 1863, was about $90,000, and during May, 1864, about $263,238 10.

4. The great object of the Commission has from the first been to promote the national cause by helping to economize the life, health, and efficiency of national soldiers while in the national service ; and its published calls for support have been mainly founded on the service it has claimed thus to render the com¬ munity.

5. Boon after the war commenced (in August 1861, the want became apparent of provision for aid and relief to men in the national service, but temporarily out of connexion with the military system on which alone they could rely for quarters, rations', or (if ill) for medical treatment. (See Document No. 40, p. 82.) ’ Hence arose the “ Special Belief Department of the Commission,” first embodied in the “ Home ” at Washington, and subsequently extended to every great military centre. At these establishments men temporarily and accidentally sepa-

rated from -their regiments, find food, shelter, and medical treatment, and are furnished, if necessary, with transportation to tlieir proper place.

Insensibly, and perhaps unavoidably, the agents in charge of these “Homes” found themselves in a manner compelled to extend their privileges to men no longer in the national service, and forming no part of the national army, as, for in¬ stance, to such as had been discharged the service for disabilitv and were obliged to wait perhaps several days in Washington or elsewhere before they could draw the pay necessary to enable them to return to their homes, and were meanwhile without the means ot obtaining food or shelter.

Hence naturally grew up the practice of sending such men to their homes (sometimes at the cost of the Commission) and then collecting and remitting to them the back pay to which they were entitled, and also of taking charge of their claims to pensions and attending to such claims, in order to save the discharged soldier from detention from his home or from the risk of extortion on the part of pension agents.

From January 1st to October 1st, 1863, the number of claims of this class taken in charge, collected and paid over to the claimant at the Washington office alone, was 2,130, and the aggregate value of these claims was $130,159 01.

(See Document, No. 69, p. 88.)

It will be observed that this work did not enure to the benefit of National Soldiers actually in service, except perhaps most remotely and indirectly by way of encouragement and as an indication of public sympathy and interest in their welfare even wThen disabled and discharged.

6. I he k* Report (No. 40) was extensively circulated in pamphlet form and published at length in several of the News¬ papers of New York. It may be worth noticing that it in¬ cludes (at page 89) a statement of certain work done by the Commission in regard to interments.

Of the paper, numbered 69, an edition of about 15,000

6

copies was printed and circulated. It professes to furnish, an outline of work done by the Commission, tor the purpose ot enabling the Community to decide whether it deserved farther public support. As already stated, it distinctly sets loitli the work of the Commission in the matter of pensions, and in other measures for the aid of soldiers discharged the service

for disability.

In December, 1861, a pamphlet “letter” (pp. M) was circulated by the Commission calling for support from the public, and enumerating, among other objects to which the funds of the Commission were applied, that of “ furnishing suitable food, lodging, care and assistance to men discharged from the general Hospitals or from their regiments, but often detained for many days in the City before they can obtain

their papers and pay.” (pp. 12.)

The details of this and of other branches of the “ Special Relief Department ” of the Commission, have been also brought before the public by several Reports from the Super¬ intendent of that department, which have been largely circulated and have created as much interest and attention as any publication of the Commission.

7th. Attention has been called to the system of the Com¬ mission in regard to pensions, back pay, &c., by other publications and also by advertisements.

8. The expenses connected with the system as heretofore organized have not exceeded $6,000.

The whole expenses of the Commission for the year ending June 1st, 1864, were

The expenses of the Pension Bureau of the Commission, it enlarged as hereinafter mentioned, will be about $10,000.

9. The Commission has caused investigations to be made by skilled agents into the permanent provision made by foreign Governments for disabled officers and soldiers, by pensions.

by Hotels des Invalided and other like establishments. The results of these investigations have been printed but not generally circulated.

The Commission has never announced an intention of using any portion of its funds for the erection, establishment, or endowment of an Asylum, “ Sanitarium,” or other institution for the support of discharged and disabled soldiers, nor has it asked for funds for that purpose.

It is now proposed, in order to carry out fully the benevolent designs ot the Commission, to enlarge and systematize the work it is now doing in regard to pensions, bounty, and back pay, by establishing a special department, having its central office at W ashington, and numerous agencies throughout the country, to collect for soldiers, for those who have been discharged from the service, and for their relatives, money due from the Government for pensions, back pay, bounty, Ac. The service to be rendered gratuitously by the agents of the Commission, the agents to be paid by the Commission.

It is also proposed to establish, with the funds ot the Com¬ mission, a 16 Sanitarium,” or Asylum, for disabled soldiers who have been discharged from the service in consequence of such disability contracted therein, and to maintain and provide for such discharged disabled soldiers, who would otherwise be thrown upon public charity for support.

Ihe opinion ot counsel is requested on these three points: — 1. Has the Sanitary Commission, in view of the nature and objects of its organization, as set forth in the original order, and the practice as shown by the documents above referred to, any right or authority to establish such a pension agency as above described ?

2. If it has such legal authority, do the officers or members ot the Commission incur any pecuniary liability in case of the fraud, neglect, or embezzlement of the agents appointed and paid by them to render services gratuitously to those who may choose to employ them to collect pensions, back pay, Ac.,

8

from the Government ; and if so, by what measures can such liability be restricted or prevented?

3. Has the Commission any legal authority to employ any portion of its funds in the establishment and maintenance ot such a “ Sanitarium,” or Asylum, as above described %

New York, June 18, 1864.

GEO. T. STRONG.

0 P I N ION.

I have been asked upon a case submitted to me, on behalf of the Sanitary Commission, the following questions :

I. Has the Sanitary Commission, in view of the nature and objects of its organization, as set forth in the original order creating it, and the practice as shown in its published docu¬ ments, any right or authority to establish such a pension agency as it has created ?

II. If it has such legal authority, do the officers or mem¬ bers of the Commission incur any pecuniary liability in case of the fraud, neglect or embezzlement of the agents appointed and paid by them to render service gratuitously to those who may choose to employ them to collect pensions, back pay, etc., from the Government; and if so, by what measures can such liability be restricted or prevented ?

III. Has the Commission any legal authority to employ any portion of its funds in the establishment and maintenance of such a Sanitarium or Asylum as is described in the sub¬ mitted case ?

In answering these questions, I shall assume that the case submitted to me is incorporated in my opinion.

I.

I shall treat the first question as the principal one to be con¬ sidered. The second is in its nature subsidiary to the first, and the answer to the third will readily be derived from the con¬ siderations advanced for the solution of those which precede it.

t

10

The first question can be best apprehended by an examina¬ tion into the nature of the powers of the Commission, and an inquiry into the source whence they are derived.

It is true, as is stated in the case, that the Sanitary Com¬ mission was called into life by an order emanating from the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, dated June 13, 1861. Its office and powers, so far as the Govern¬ ment is concerned, are set forth in the order.

But, I apprehend, that the functions of the Sanitary Com¬ mission, by means of which it has acted as the almoner of the people’s bounty, are not derived from this quarter. That order has only furnished an opportunity and occasion for the exer¬ cise of powers which spring from another source. The Sani¬ tary Commission holds the funds of the public as a charitable trustee, and its power and authority must be derived from the law of Charitable Trusts. The question, in my view, amounts substantially to this : Can the public spontaneously select a number of gentlemen, in whom it has a most generous confidence, and bestow upon them funds to be employed for the purposes described in the submitted case ; and can these gentlemen hold and administer these funds under the rules of law applicable to charities? Had there been no organizing order by the Government, the question would have been the same as it is now, except that the Commission might not have had the same facilities for carrying out and executing the benevolent designs of the public.

There then appears to be three subordinate inquiries :

(1.) Does the pension agency of the Sanitary Commission come within the definition of a charity ?

(2.). Are the objects of charity pointed out with such defi¬ niteness that it is legal and capable of being enforced by the proper legal tribunal ?

(3.) If these questions are answered in the affirmative, is the law of charities, as understood in England, a part of the law of Hew York and of the courts of the United States?

(1). At the outset of this examination, it will lie well to

j

11

recur to the legal meaning of the term “ charity.” Undoubt¬ edly, in one sense, charity may be deemed to be the good affec¬ tions which men ought to bear to each other. In another sense, it signifies relief to the poor. But this is not the legal signification. The legal notion of a “ charitable use” requires that either personal or real property be devoted by its owners to some public use, in such a way that they cannot recall it ; that an authority having a permanent character shall preside over the fund, and see to its administration ; and that its beneficiaries are to be derived in succession from a class of persons who, having no claim upon the property, are selected from time to time by the trustees. There may be other chari¬ ties, but they do not come within the scope of the law of “ charitable uses.”

The question now is, Did the law of England, indepen¬ dent of all statutory regulations, recognize and enforce such charities as these ?

If we consider the question historically, it is entirely free from doubt. Charities have existed in England from the earliest period. It is an interesting fact that none are earlier than those which are established for sick and distressed soldiers and sailors. There have been almshouses in Dover in the County of Ivent from time immemorial, designed for “poor and af¬ flicted persons, soldiers, and shipwrecked seamen, who had been captured by the Dunkirkers, Jews, Dutchmen, and Spaniards, lying-in- women and melancholy persons, boys with perished hands, cripples, and all sorts of casual and afflicted poor.” It was a rule of this charity that when any recovered and were dismissed, they wTere set forward on their journey to the next parish, one mile from Dover. It thus appears to have been a charity in the oldest time of the common law to cure sick soldiers and to restore them to their homes. {Thirtieth Report of the English Commissioners of Charities , 533.) So in the year 1272 John Deverish founded the hospital of St. John at Southampton, for the relief of sick and lame soldiers. So strongly did the humane design of these and similar chari¬ ties commend itself to the people of England, that in the fa-

12

mous statute for the enforcement of charitable trusts, known as 43 Elizabeth, cap. 4, the only hospital which is mentioned is that for sick and maimed soldiers.

These early charities were not exclusively managed by cor¬ porations. It was a very common practice to select trustees who had the power of self-perpetuation, or who could fill up their number in case of resignation or death. There are foundations of this kind whose origin is lost in the obscurity of antiquity, but some still exist which are known to be from four to five hundred years old. These ancient charities were frequently brought before the Court of Chancery, and their validity re¬ cognized and established at common law, before the enactment of the statute 43 Elizabeth. ( Dwight's Charity Cases , p. 1-108.) The decrees collected in this volume show beyond the possi¬ bility of a doubt that all the essential features of charity law, as at present administered, are a part of the original equity jurisprudence of England. It is true that the English courts now commonly refer to the statute of 43 Elizabeth to deter¬ mine whether any particular charity scheme is legal, for there is in that statute an enumeration of various charities. All these charities, however, were in existence before the statute, which contains such a partial and incomplete summary, that if it had been literally construed it would have limited, rather than have enlarged, the principles of the common law.

Ho such charity as that of the Pension Agency of the Sani¬ tary Commission is mentioned in the 43 Elizabeth. This fact, however, is not material. It is sufficient, according to all the recent authorities, that a fund is bestowed for a general and public purpose. I refer upon this point to Tudor on Chari¬ table Trusts , 2nd edit., p. 15. He says : “ It is not material that the particular public or general purpose is not expressed in the statute of Elizabeth, all other legal, public or general purposes being within the equity of that statute. Thus, a gift to maintain a preaching minister, a gift to build a sessions house for a county * * * * iiave been held charitable

uses within the equity of the statute of Elizabeth. So funds derived from the gift of the crown, or the gift of the legisla-

ture, or from private gift, for paving, lighting, cleansing, or improving a town, are within the equity of the statute of Elizabeth, and are to be administered as charitable funds. So a gift to bring spring water for the inhabitants of a town ; for a life-boat ; for a botanical garden for the public benefit. So with an institution for investigating, studying, and endeavoring to cure maladies, distempers, and injuries incident to any quadrupeds or birds useful to man. The same point was de¬ cided when a gift was made to the British Museum.”

The reason on which these propositions rest, is well expounded by the late Lord Chancellor Oranworth, when pronouncing his decision in the case of the University of London v. Yarrow, 23 Beavan, 159 S. C., 1 De Gex and Jones, 72. The testator in that case bequeathed £20,000 for founding and upholding an institution for investigating and studying and relieving the maladies and distempers of birds and other animals useful to man. Lie further proceeded to provide a scheme or plan, whereby his design could be carried into effect. It was objected that such an institution was not a charity. Said the Lord Chancellor : ** I cannot say that I have any doubts about this case. The determination of what constitutes a charity has occasionally given rise to very difficult questions. * * When the testator points out what he contemplates, and that which he contemplates is something highly beneficial to the commu¬ nity at large, I do not know that any question has then been raised whether it was within the statute of Elizabeth or not.” The statute of Elizabeth enumerates several objects which it says have been those to which well-disposed persons have been in the habit of devoting property, but the objects there enume¬ rated are not to be taken as the only objects of charity, but are given as instances. If that were not so, a cursory glance at the statute has satisfied me that no general hospital would be within it, as the only charity ot this kind mentioned is the maintenance ot sick soldiers and mariners. Yohody ever doubted that this was only put as an instance of those objects to which pious and well-disposed persons had theretofore de¬ voted their property. The courts have always construed the

14

act as applying to objects of the same nature as those specified.

I cannot entertain for a moment a doubt that the establish¬ ment, of a hospital in which animals useful to mankind are treated with a view to public advantage is a charity. * * I enter¬

tain no doubt that it would be a good charity to establish an institution for investigating and removing the causes of the potato disease and of the vine disease, for it would tend to the improvement of those vegetables, and if any sound theory were to arise from its investigation, it would be a most bene¬ ficial establishment for mankind in general.”

Assuming this theory to be correct, as it cannot reasonably be disputed, there is no doubt that the Pension Agency ol the Sanitary Commission is a good charity by the law of England. The public advantage is plain and needs no argument. Many of those entitled to the pension are sick and maimed ; they struggle with poverty and obtain a slender support from periodical payments by the government. It these payments are delayed, or lost by the unfaithfulness of agents selected by themselves, their families must be supported by the public. Moreover, it is a recognized and sacred duty on the part of the people to support and protect those who have been the defence of the nation in time of war. The property ot public-spirited individuals, can be devoted to no more noble or lofty public use than this. Not only is the debt of the people thus in a measure discharged, but it is of general advantage that the soldiers in our armies should have such a recollection ot the prompt and sympathetic recognition of their services, as will lead them under a new emergency, to throw themselves un¬ reservedly upon the active good faith and energy ot the government and their fellow citizens. Such an agency as the one under consideration, managed by men in 'whom the public have an unqualified confidence, with agents selected for their known worth and fitness for the business; rendering a spontaneous and gratuitous service to our soldiers, can not fail to have an important influence upon the efficiency of our military force. There is no stronger argument in favor of the public nature of this charity, than the fact that the people at

15

large have contributed to its funds, for it is not conceivable that an entire nation should contribute to that object which is of no public use or advantage. It will be perceived from ■what has been already urged, that it is not necessary that all the recipients of the beneficent action of this agency should, through poverty or other like reasons, require its services. It is enough that some of our soldiers need them, and it would not be practicable or requisite to distinguish between the two classes. It was held many years since by Lord Chancellor Manners, that in order to constitute a charity it is not ne¬ cessary, as has been supposed, that the gift should be to the poor, for many of the objects considered charitable, were much more beneficial to the rich than to the poor, such as repairing and preserving bridges and buildings which are of indis¬ criminate benefit. (Shelf ord on Mortmavn, pp. 81.

I am for these reasons unhesitatingly of opinion that the Pension Agency of the Sanitary Commission is a charity, when tested by the rules of the English law as at present adminis¬ tered. r am also of opinion that the statute of 43 Elizabeth, e 4, is only in affirmance of the common law, and that its object was not to introduce any new principles concerning charities, but only to provide new methods of enforcing those whose existence it recognized.

(2.) It may be asked whether this agency is sufficiently de¬ finite to come within the rules which govern the validity of charities. Sir Francis Moore in his “ Heading on the Statute of Charitable Uses,” says four things are principally to be considered: “1. The ability of the donor ; 2. The capacity of the donee ; 3. The instrument or means whereby the thins; is given ; 4. The thing itself, which is or may be given to a charitable use,” to which may perhaps be added ; 5. Lawful beneficiaries sufficiently described. In the present case, no discussion can be had in respect to the first, third, and fourth, of these requirements. The donors are the people of the United States ; the instruments or means are their own willing hands ; the things given are goods directly useful to the army or the universal currency of the country. There is no nice

question concerning the validity of trusts ot land, or ot the mental capacity or free volition of the donor, or concerning the legality or formality of an intricate conveyance ; questions which obscure the validity of charitable bequests. The only points worthy of a moment’s attention, are these : is the Sanitary Commission a body capable ot holding and executing a charitable trust; and is the pension agency sufficiently definite in its character? In respect to the first question, there is no reasonable doubt. The Sanitary Commission is an ascertained body of men. Although not a corporation, its members may be sufficiently described as individuals by the name which is now imperishably associated with them. They may be regarded as trustees to hold the property which the people have given to them. The validity of such trusts is clearly recognized in the common law. Many charita¬ ble foundations have been managed in this manner for sev¬ eral centuries ; surviving trustees filling vacancies occasioned by death or by resignation, or, in the last resort, making ap¬ plications to the Court of Chancery for the continuance of the trust.

The only remaining point under this branch of the discus¬ sion, is the description of the beneficiaries. They are persons who have been enlisted as soldiers in the armies of the United States, but who have been discharged by reason of disability to serve, or on other like grounds. There is no indefiniteness in this description which renders the charity uncertain. It is no more indefinite than the case mentioned in the 43 Elizabeth,

c> 4 _ a hospital for sick and maimed soldiers. Sir Francis

Moore tells us that the word “ maimed ” in this statute means a hurt that disables a person from serving any more as a sol¬ dier or a mariner. Phis charity was therefore expi esslj foi discharged soldiers. The law of charities only requires that the class of beneficiaries should be designated. It is a part ot the office of the trustees who control and administer the funds to determine who are members of this class, and to exercise from time to time a power of selection of such persons as are beneficiaries. The fact that such persons are unascertained

17

or uncertain when the funds were contributed is of no import¬ ance ; it is sufficient if they are ascertained when the money is applied to their use. Uncertainty is an element in all or¬ ganized charities, whether they be institutions of learning or religion, hospitals for the sick or houses of refuge for the poor. It has even been said that charity— meaning organized charity — ends where certainty begins.

This question was before the Supreme Court of the United States in the recent case of Perm v. Carey, 21 Howard, U. S. Reports, pp. 465. A testator gave his property to the City of Cincinnati in trust for the building, establishing, and main¬ taining two colleges for the education of boys and girls. This was held to be a sufficient description. In the same case a “ bequest for the support of poor white male and female per¬ sons, neither of whose parents were living,' ” was upheld as sufficiently definite.

The result of this examination is that the Pension Agency ot the Sanitary Commission is embraced within approved legal definitions of the term “ Charitable Trusts.”

(3.) Under this branch of our inquiry, it only remains to examine the question whether the law of charities is in force in the jurisprudence of the United States, as well as of the several states of the Union.

The courts of a large number of the States have already passed upon this question, and have decided that the English law of charities is a part of their own common law. Ho lesral subject has been litigated with more pertinacity and ardor. How the attack has assumed a historical form, and it has been urged with great ingenuity and learning that the common law of England does not recognize charities. How it has been claimed that the colonies of this country never adopted English theories on this subject, and that charities have been rejected from American law. But the friends of charity have no less resolutely insisted that the historical argument was in their favor, and that charity has been from the beginning, and is now, a part of our American law. The Supreme Court of the United States has uniformly adopted this view ever since the

18

great and conclusive argument of Mr. Binney in the Girard College Case, Vidal v. Girard, 2 How. TJ. S. 127. The most recent decision of the Court, Perm v. Carey, 24 How. U. S. 465, fully sustains Vidal v. Girard. The only important State in which the question is open to doubt is Hew T orlc. The present condition of the law in that State justifies a more full examin¬ ation than would otherwise be necessary. The colonial law of Hew York recognized charities. One of the earliest in¬ stances was a case where money had been raised by voluntary contributions to “ rescue Christian Slaves in Barbary.” The money was placed in the hands of four persons as “ trustees of money raised on voluntary contributions towards the re¬ demption of slaves.” Ho doubt was ever made of the validity of this arrangement, and the fund was managed in accordance with the direction of the Colonial Court of Chancery, con¬ sisting of the Governor and the Privy Council. Another case is the well-known instance of Cullen’s Charity, under the title of Attorney-General v. Cullen. The decree of the Colonial Court of Chancery directed that Mr. Cullen’s legacy in favor of the poor of Hew York and Albany should be paid over to trustees named by the testator, to be by them distributed in accordance with his direction. These cases bear strongly upon the organization of the Sanitary Commission, for in one of them the charitable fund was obtained by the benevolent con¬ tributions of the community at large, and in the other the principal of the fund was distributed among the poor in suc¬ cession. It is unnecessary to say that general contributions and equally general distribution are marked characteristics of the Commission.

The question of the right to give personal property to charitable uses, established by the common law of England? and recognized by colonial practice and adjudication, came before the Hew York Court of Appeals in the year 1853. (Williams v Williams, 4 Selden 525.) This case involved the right of trustees to manage in perpetuity a fund for the education of the poor. It was a stronger case than the present, for it not only created an indefinite body of beneficiaries, but it

■>

19

provided for a distribution to them for ever, of the proceeds of the fund. It thus established a “ perpetuity ” which it is well known, is not lawful in the case of private trusts. The court however held the bequest valid, and recognized the distinguish¬ ing and peculiar features of the law of charitable trusts as a part of our law. Although this case has been at various times vehemently attacked by counsel, it has never been shaken by the court, and it is believed that it never will be — manet et manebit.

If these views be correct, the Sanitary Commission has a right to establish such a Pension Agency as is described in the case submitted for my opinion.

II.

The question whether the officers and members of the Com¬ mission incur any pecuniary liability in case of the fraud, neglect, or embezzlement of their agents, is somewhat complex. On the one hand, regard must be had to the donors of the funds which they have in charge for the purposes of the charity; and on the other, the relation of the Commission to the bene¬ ficiaries in respect to the custody and control of their property must be considered. In respect to the donors, the ordinary rules of charitable trusts, are undoubtedly applicable. The property having been impressed with a public use, no longer belongs to the donors, and any mismanagement of it could only be corrected by a proceeding on the part of the Attorney- General. The trustees of the fund having acted with ordinary discretion and with good faith, would not be held personally responsible for the misconduct of their subordinates. But in respect to the liability of the Commission to the soldiers, the question would not admit of the same solution. Its members might be deemed to be gratuitous agents. There is no in¬ consistency in this double view. It has already been mention¬ ed that the Lord Chancellor of England has decided that a hospital for curing diseased animals useful to man, at an

20

expense not exceeding tlie actual cost, is a charity. — University of London v. Yarrow. — It can hardly he denied that while the managers of such an institution, had under their care for such a purpose, animals belonging to private owners, they would be regarded as bailees. They are charitable trustees in respect to the management and expenditure of the charitable property ; in respect to the property of private individuals, on which the charity operates, they are bailees. In like manner, the mem¬ bers of the Sanitary Commission may be deemed to be agents or bailees in respect to funds or other property belonging to the soldiers. Viewed in this aspect, what are the responsibil¬ ities of agents holding the property of their principals and acting without recompense ?

Some of the authorities which hold the sternest rules regard¬ ing such agents, are Allen v. Merchants’ Bank of New York, 22 Wendell, 215, and the subsequent cases which adopt the principle of that decision. In the case referred to, it was held by the New York Court of Errors, that a Bank which received for gratuitous collection a bill of exchange drawn here upon a person residing in another state, is liable for any neglect of duty occurring in its collection from the default of its agents. It is true that the facts of that case were not like the present, but the case was decided on a principle or course of reasoning which may be applicable. It wTas laid down by Senator Verplanck, who delivered the prevailing opinion, as a general rule of the law of agency, that “ where a trust is put in one person, and he whose interest is entrusted is damnified by the neglect of such as that person employs in the discharge of that trust, he shall answer to the person damnified." Citing Lord Holt’s opinion, 12 Modern It., 490. It would make no differ¬ ence, though an undertaking of this kind be gratuitous, for the receipt and possession of the money by an agent is a sufficient consideration to give the transaction the legal characteristics of a contract. — (Dunlap’s Paley on Agency , pp. 6 and 77-8.) Other cases which hold a similar doctrine to that of Allen v. Merchants’ Bank, are Montgomery County Bank v. Albany City Bank, 3 Selden, 459 ; Commercial Bank v. Union Bank, 1 Kern an, 203.

■j

‘21

Assuming that these principles are general in their nature, and extend to all agencies, gratuitous or otherwise, there is a ■well-established qualification, which is, that the rule may be varied by an express or implied agreement or understanding between the parties. In other words, the agent is liable to the principal for the acts of subordinate agents, unless there is sufficient evidence of some agreement or custom discharging his responsibility. — (Allen v. Merchants’ Bank, supra, and the other cases before cited.)

The facts of the present case, I think, are within the exception. It seems to me that there is an implied under¬ standing that the Commission shall not be responsible for the acts of its employes. When wre consider its organization, its charitable design, its administration of the funds of the public, and the fact that its character is universally known; still further, when we contemplate the vastness of the territory over which its operations extend, and the variety and com¬ plexity of its affairs, it can scarcely be doubted that there is a tacit understanding that the members of the Commission shall incur no pecuniary responsibility other than that which exacts from them reasonable diligence in the selection of competent subordinates. It should be added that the cases which have come before the courts, are those where a motive, either of business or interest, has induced the gratuitous agent to act for the principal. Eone can be found where the administrators of a great public charity offered as a gratuitous favor to collect and transmit funds for its beneficiaries. As this is a case of the first impression, a court would reasonably hesitate to apply principles which are suited to ordinary business transactions to a subject of such public and extraordinary interest.

M hether this view be correct or not, it is entirely clear that an express contract may be made, exempting the principal from responsibility. This proposition is not only a rule of law, but the dictate of good sense, and of reason; for, when a person is about to enter upon a gratuitous service, he has no duty to perform, and may prescribe the terms upon which he w ill enter upon the undertaking, if he does not contravene the rules of public policy.

My answer to the second question is, that I do not think that the members of the Commission wTould be liable to its beneficiaries for the acts of subordinate agents ; but, for greater caution, I would recommend that proper communication be made by public notice, or otherwise, that its members will only be bound to use reasonable diligence in the selection of its employes.

III.

In respect to the third question, I am of opinion that the Sanitary Commission has, in the present condition of things, no right to appropriate its funds to the establishment and maintenance of a Sanitarium. Its expenditures should be confined to the objects stated in its circulars.

The propositions of the Commission having been set forth in various offers to the public, and having been acted upon by the bestowal of contributions must be deemed to be the law of the trust, which should be administered accordingly until the beneficiaries for which the fund was intended are exhausted. Nothing of that kind appears, nor does it appear that the funds of the Commission are more than sufficient to meet the legiti¬ mate demands upon them. If there should be a surplus, a court of chancery might entertain a proposition for an appli¬ cation of the fund to cognate purposes, under its well-known power to approximate the intention of the donors. This approximating, or so-called cy pres power can only be exercised when the intentions of the donor cannot be literally fulfilled. Says Shelford, “ The distinction now prevails that the Court will not decree the execution of the trust of a charity in a manner different from that intended except so far as it is seen that though the intention cannot be literally executed, another mode may be adopted consistent wfith the general intention by which it may be carried into effect in substance without in¬ fringing upon the rules of law. If the mode pointed out by the donor becomes by subsequent circumstances impossible, the

23

general charitable intent is not to be defeated if it can be at¬ tained.” (Shelford on Mortmain, pp. 602.)

The same idea is expressed by Mr. Tudor in his recent work upon Charitable Uses, in the following language : “ The doctrine of cy pres is applied to cases where, the terms of the gift being originally precise and complete, by lapse of time or otherwise they have become un suited under altered circum¬ stances to carry out the general intention of the founder.” —

pp. 260.

Much criticism and even ridicule has been expended by various writers and advocates upon the cy pres doctrine. In some of its aspects it cannot be defended ; especially where it is applied to a discovery of the original intention of the donor. It then often degenerates into an ingenious perversion of his real intent. The branch of it which is now under examination cannot be successfully impugned. The ground on which the doctrine rests is, that when property has once been bestowed upon a valid charity it is given to a public use ; that the donor intended to withdraw the fund from the mass of his private resources, and devote it to public purposes of a kind which he designates ; that the public purpose is of the essence of the gift, and the particular method of applying the fund is inci¬ dental ; and that when the particular method designated by the donor is no longer feasible or practicable his general intent will be carried out, and the Court, acting on the suggestion of the Attorney-General representing the public, will appropriate the fund to some public use, as nearly related as possible to the donor’s intention.

The English practice upon this point, based upon general principals of equity jurisprudence, has long been settled. Thus in the year 1631, money was raised in England by voluntary contributions, for the relief of the poor during a pestilence. A surplus having remained, after all the objects or which the contribution was made, were relieved, the University of Cambridge and others petitioned the King in council, that the unexpended residue should be applied to the erection of a work house for the poor. A decree was made to

24

that effect by the privy council, acting not under the 43 Elizabeth, for the council is not mentioned in that statute, but proceeding upon general principles of equity law. {Thirty- first Report of the Commissioners of Charities , pp. 24.)

There is little doubt that this course would be adopted in the case of the Sanitary Commission. Should there be a surplus fund, the establishment and maintenance of a Sanitar¬ ium for soldiers, would be closely allied to the object for which funds were originally contributed. It cannot, however, be ascertained until the close of the war, that any surplus will exist. It will then be necessary to submit the matter to a court having chancery powers and to ask for its direction. Consequently, it cannot be stated with positiveness that a Sanitarium would be authorized, for it might be supposed that some other object was nearer the contributor’s intent, than the one in question : still there is a reasonable probability that if the Sanitary Commission should present a plan for the ap¬ propriation of the supposed surplus, which should involve an institution like a Sanitarium, it would be approved by the court. Such a plan in the technical language of charity law is termed a scheme. The rule is well expressed by Mr. Tudor : u When difficulty arises, either from altered circumstances or otherwise, so that the intention of the founder of the charity or of any scheme cannot at the present time be literally carried out, it will become the duty of the trustees, * * * to ap¬

ply to the court of chancery for a scheme,” pp. 293-4. The theory upon which a “ scheme ” is ordered, is that the charity is to be administered under the eye of the court. It may be ordered even where there is an unlimited discretion given to trustees as to distribution, and where it serves no purpose ex¬ cept to show that the fund is applied to proper objects. — Supple v. Lawson, cited in 16 Yesey 211. These views are in substance sanctioned and enforced by a very recent decision in Pennsylvania, City of Philadelphia v, Girard’s Heirs. 45 Penn. St. Pep. (9 Wright) 28. A. D., 1863.

My reply to the third question is, that the law of Charities requires the Sanitary Commission to devote its receipts to

25

the objects advertised in its circulars. These are the law of the trust confided to the Commission by the public. If, how¬ ever, there should be a surplus at the close of the war, it may be applied to an object, in the nature of a Sanitarium, such as the proper court may sanction. It would seem judicious, if an effort is to be made to collect additional funds, that suitable publication should be made of the intention, under certain contingencies, to provide a home for disabled soldiers.

Should such a course be taken, there is every reason to believe not only that large contributions will be made, but that bequests will be given to the Commission by citizens of this and other countries. The efforts and sacrifices of our soldiers and sailors will for many years attract the sympathy and admiration of mankind, and these sentiments will doubt¬ less be evinced by liberal pecuniary contribution to all re¬ sponsible charities in their behalf. The “ Patriotic Fund ” in England, for the widows and orphans of soldiers and sailors, originated but a few years since, already amounts to more than seven millions of dollars, (£1,459,687.) This sum has been invested permanently for the benefit of the objects of the charity. A Spanish gentleman recently made a considerable bequest to this fund, which has been pronounced valid by the courts of Spain. {Report of the Commissioners of the Patriotic Fund to Parliament , 1863.) I believe that it would be wise for the Sanitary Commission, to frame and publish to the world a comprehensive plan for the support of disabled soldiers and their families, by which it may hold the same relation to the benevolent people of this country, as the Commissioners of “ The Patriotic Fund ” hold to contributors in England. The people of the United States will insist that this great institu¬ tion shall assume a permanent character, and that it shall manage their benefactions as long as there is a disabled soldier who may require their aid.

It may be proper to add, that it is still an unsettled question in the State of Uew York whether real estate can be acquired by a charitable association, in any case, without the express authorization of the Legislature. Such sanction, if asked for, 3

26

could undoubtedly be obtained. At all events, the difficulty might be avoided either by taking a lease of suitable land, or the institution might be placed in a State where no such diffi- culty, which in New York is occasioned by the doubtful con¬ struction of a local statute, exists.

It has given me great personal satisfaction, as the result of matured reflection, to reach the conclusions which have been set forth in this opinion. I should have experienced unalloyed regret had I been driven to the belief that the law of our country did not favor an institution which has soothed the horrors of war by the sweet charities of our private and domestic life, invigorating the soldier with its active sympathy, while it nursed and cured his wounds. It is a pleasure to know that the vastest and most unselfish charity of modern times is the offspring of remote antiquity, and that there has been no time for five hundred years in which the common law did not pay a tender regard to the sick and wounded soldier.

37 Lafayette Place, New York, November 4, 1864.

THEODORE W. DWIGHT.

SANITARY COMMISSION. No. se.

PLAN OF EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION

OF THE

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION,

AND

RULES

FOR ITS

EXECUTIVE SERVICE.

Adopted December 16th, 1864.

Uefo JJork:

SANFORD, HARROUN & CO., STEAM PRINTING HOUSE, 644 BROADWAY.

1864.

J

t

PLAN OF

EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION.

There shall he —

I. A Standing Committee, as at present constituted, of six members, having all the powers of the Commis¬ sion in the intervals of its. sessions.

II. A Medical Committee, as at present constituted, of three members.

III. A General Secretary, under authority of the Com¬ mission and its Committees, having his headquar¬ ters at W ashington, but free to move to any portion of the field where his general supervision is required.

IY. An Associate Secretary, charged with the work of the Commission, in such portions of the country as shall be assigned to him, with headquarters at Louisville.

p

Y. As many Sanitary Inspectors, under the direction of the two Secretaries, as the work of Inspection and Relief may require.

YI. As many Relief Agents as the necessities of the Army or Navy may call for.

YII. As many Assistant Secretaries at the Washington, Louisville, and New York Offices, as the necessities of the service may require.

YIII. A Special Relief Department.

IN. A Hospital Directory.

N. A Statistical Department.

4

OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE.

The Standing Committee will receive the instructions of the Commission, at its successive sessions, and lie charged with their execution. It will have all the powers of the Commission in the intervals of the sessions; but its action at all times will be subject to correction and rectification by the Com¬ mission. The Standing Committee will hold its meetings at least once a week, and as far as possible daily, except when the Commission is in session. Its usual seat will be the New York Office, but it may meet anywhere ; two members shall constitute a quorum for ordinary business at the New York Office. The Standing Committee will usually communicate its orders through the General Secretary. A meeting shall be called by the Chairman at the request of any two mem¬ bers.

OF THE MEDICAL COMMITTEE.

The Medical and scientific work of the Commission is in the immediate charge of the Medical Committee, which re¬ ports upon questions referred to it by the Standing Commit¬ tee or the Commission ; originates and recommends action on scientific subjects, and exercises executive functions when delegated to it by the Commission or Standing Committee.

OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY.

The General Secretary is the Chief Executive officer under the Commission, and, during the intervals of its sessions, of the Standing Committee, and the Head of the Working De¬ partments. All officers of the Commission will receive their instructions from him and present to him regular reports, and such special reports as he may call for. lie will be responsible to the Standing Committee, and finally to the Commission for the execution of the plans determined on by the Commission or Standing Committee. His orders to all officers of the Commission are to be obeyed as the or¬ ders of the Commission. The General Secretary will each week present to the Standing Committee, at its regular weekly

5

meeting, a concise report of the general movements and work of the Commission, and obtain fresh instructions upon all new questions of importance.

The General Secretary will also present to the Standing Committee, monthly, an approximate estimate of the pecu¬ niary wants of the coming month.

Once each month the General Secretary shall furnish to the Standing Committee vouchers for all money expended during the previous month.

All reports from the Heads of the various Departments will be sent to the General Secretary to be considered, acted upon and deposited in the Washington Office, the depository of the records of the Commission.

OF THE GENERAL AND ASSOCIATE SECRETARY.

The Secretaries, at Washington and Louisville, will have charge, in their respective fields, of the whole matter of collecting and distributing supplies. All Inspectors and Relief Agents will be under their direction, and will report accordingly. To them is committed the oversight of all the business of 'the Commission, in their several fields, such as official correspon¬ dence, and the cultivation of personal relations with the Military authorities, correspondence with the various branches and with the public, the study of the sources of supply, the probable wants of the army, and all the necessities of special relief. All Relief Stations, Floating Hospitals, and trans¬ portation, shall be under their direction.

The Associate Secretary, at Louisville, will make a full monthly report to the General Secretary of the work assigned to him.

OF SANITARY INSPECTORS.

To each Military Department, if large enough, a Sanitary Inspector may be assigned by the General Secretary, to direct the work of the Commission in the same. His title shall be Chief Inspector (as — of the Army of the Potomac, or — the Cumberland), and he shall be responsible for and report to his

6

official superior on the progress and condition of the work of Relief and of Inspection in his department.

OF RELIEF AGENTS.

The Relief Agents shall receive directions for their work from the Inspectors of the districts in which they serve.

OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARIES.

The Assistant Secretaries, at the offices in Washington, Hew York, and Louisville, shall perform the duties of corres¬ pondence and such other business as may he assigned to them.

OF THE SPECIAL RELIEF DEPARTMENT.

The work provided for by the Special Relief Depart¬ ment, until further order, shall be :

1st. The locating and conducting “ Homes ” and “ Lodges,” subject to the direction of the General or Associate Sec¬ retary.

2nd . The work of aiding soldiers, correcting their papers, obtaining arrears of pay, securing bounty, prize money, etc., and in all ways acting as their protector.

3rd. The collection of material upon which to base action in establishing “ Sanitaria.”

1th. Such other work as may be required by the General Secretary.

OF THE HOSPITAL DIRECTORY.

The work of the Hospital Directory will be conducted as at present ordered.

OF THE STATISTICAL DEPARTMENT.

The Statistical Department will have essentially the same work and duties as heretofore.

As the value of the information collected by this Depart¬ ment depends very much upon the promptness with which it

7

presents the conclusions derived from the data it furnishes, the Head of the Statistical Department will, on the first day of each month, report to the General Secretary the amount and character and source of the material he has received during the previous month, the disposition made of it, and the results reached. He will also state the kind and amount of information most needed, in order to enable him to complete any unfinished tables, or to settle any question under examination, pertaining to the advance¬ ment of Sanitary Science.

Also, once every three months (seven days preceding the meeting of the Commission) he shall deliver to the General Secretary a report of the total amount of work accomplished during the previous three months, and the work on hand.

RULES.

i.

The Standing Committee will meet daily, at the Central Office, No. 823 Broadway, New York, at half-past three, p. m., or at such other hour and place as it shall appoint. It will also hold evening sessions at least once in each week. Two members of the Committee shall be a quorum for the transac¬ tion of routine business. All action by the Committee is subject to the approval of the Commission.

II.

All action of the Committee shall be recorded in its minutes ; which minutes shall be reported to the Commission at every meeting.

III.

At each weekly meeting of the Committee, the Secretary shall report, in writing, on the current business of the past week, which report shall be entered at length in a book to be provided for that purpose. He shall also lay before the Com¬ mittee such reports and correspondence as he may consider of importance, or as calling for action, with a memorandum or abstract in writing of their substance.

The order of business at meetings of the Committee shall be — - (1.) The examination of bills, and motions by the Treasurer, (2.) Communications from the General Secretary.

(3.) Miscellaneous business.

2

10

IV,

At eacli session of the' Commission the minutes of the Standing Committee shall be reported by the General Secre¬ tary, who shall read such portions of them as may contain the record of any action of importance, and the whole if called for.

y.

The Treasurer shall make no payments without authority from the Committee.

VI.

Twice each month the Treasurer shall have his bank book balanced and submit it, with his check book, to the Standing Committee.

VII.

All bills for services or supplies ordered by any member, officer, or agent of the Commission, shall be certified by him in writing as correct, before presentation for payment, which requirement may, however, in special cases, be dispensed with.

VIII.

All bills for services or supplies must be presented within five days after they are payable. It is the duty of every mem¬ ber and agent of the Commission who shall engage services, or purchase supplies on its behalf, to notify the person with whom he is dealing of this rule, and distinctly to inform him that the presentation of his bill within that space of time, is a condition of its payment. Ho open accounts with the Com¬ mission can be kept by any person in its employ, or with whom it deals.

IX.

Ho money shall be paid without a proper voucher. All vouchers for the expenditure of money shall, before pay-

11

ment, be certified in writing, by the chief officer in charge of the office from which such expenditure is made, or by some person to be designated by such officer.

Vouchers shall particularly designate for what purpose the money has been paid, and shall include a detailed statement of items and the receipt of the party and to whom the payment has been made. The amount covered by defective or irregular vouchers, will be charged against the officer by whom they are certified or by whom the expenditure has been made.

X.

Persons volunteering in the service of the Commission will under no circumstances be allowed compensation for such service, or for any loss they may have sustained ill the per¬ formance of their duties.

XI.

The account of every person employed by the Commission must be settled, at least once a month, and when paid, must be credited by service, etc., so as to close it monthly.

XII.

All bills presented for payment, which, for any special reason cannot be made to conform to the above rules, will be sent to the Treasurer, with written statement of the circum¬ stances of the case.

XIII.

Xo deposit can be made in bank on account of any person employed by the Commission. If any of them wish to place money in the safe, they may be permitted to do so ; but they must be distinctly informed that the Commission is to be in no way responsible for its safe keeping, and that such deposit is at their own risk.

XIV.

If any person so employed be absent at the close of the month (or week, as the case may be), when he is entitled

12

to payment for services, and no person be duly authorized, in writing, to receive such payment for him, the officer in charge shall receipt for the amount thereof in his name, and the Cashier wfill draw such amount, enclose it in a sealed en¬ velope, directed to him and lodge it in the safe until called for. Funds, so deposited, will also be at the risk of their owmer.

XY.

No funds are in any case to be advanced to any Home, Lodge, or other office of the Commission as heretofore.

XYI.

A classified statement, with vouchers of the cash disburse¬ ments of each office, must be made and forwarded to the As¬ sistant Treasurer at Xew York, at the end of each month.

XVII.

No officer or agent of the Commission is allowed to expend any portion of its funds for any purpose, however humane, charitable, or meritorious ; or for the aid, relief, or benefit of soldiers in the National service, in any way, or through any method, direct or indirect, which has not been approved and sanctioned by the Commission, or by the Standing Committee. Any application of the funds of the Commission to other objects, however strongly they may appeal to the sympathies of its officers, is a breach of trust.

XVIII.

Commercial drafts may in no instance be resorted to, by Agents, for obtaining funds from the Treasurer. Agents should endeavor to make timely requisition for anticipated necessities, by correspondence with the General Secretary, and, in case of emergency, by telegraph.

13

XIX.

At each session of the Commission, the General and Asso¬ ciate Secretaries will severally report a summary of their work since the last preceding session ; such report shall, in all cases, be in writing, and in proper form for publication. Each report will be accompanied by a written abstract of the re¬ ports of Inspectors, Relief Agents, etc., and of the other docu¬ ments submitted with it.

XX.

Every person in the service of the Board, above the grade of ordinary clerk, laborer, or teamster, shall make a weekly report in writing to his immediate official superior, unless he shall present a written excuse which shall be satisfactory to the General Secretary.

XXI.

Xo payments shall be made on account of the salary of any person in the service of the Commission, above the rank of ordinary clerk, laborer, or teamster, who shall have failed to comply with the provisions of the foregoing resolution.

XXII.

Members of the Commission detailed for special service by the Commission or its Committees, and receiving compensation therefor, shall be subject to the orders of the General Secre¬ tary.

XXIII.

Xo person in the employ of the Commission is permitted to criticise or censure the conduct, or the policy of any mili¬ tary officer, or of Government, by word or writing, except only, that if such conduct or such policy seem to him inju¬ rious to the sanitary interests of the national forces, he shall report his opinion and the facts on which it is founded, to the Commission through the General Secretary.

14

Every officer and agent of the Commission is expected and required to uphold and maintain the authority and the policy of Government, and of its officers, civil and military, by every means in his power, and if unable conscientiously to do so, to refrain from all comments thereon, except when his official duty makes it necessary.

XXIV.

Xo agent of the Commission shall take part in any political procession, or be concerned in any partisan meetings or de¬ monstrations whatever. It is also recommended that they should abstain from exciting discussions or conversations on political topics, as the value of their services and influence in their special sphere may be thereby unfavorably affected.

XXV.

Xo agent of the Commission is permitted to furnish infor¬ mation to the newspaper press, of military movements with which he may have become acquainted in the course of his of- flcial work. Chiefs of the Field Kelief Department, will stu¬ diously discourage all newspaper correspondence by their sub¬ ordinates.

XXVI.

Xo agent of the Commission is allowed to sell anything whatever, even though his own private property, to officers or soldiers of the . national army, or to other persons in Govern¬ ment employ. Any agent of the Commission violating this rule, directly or indirectly, thereby terminates his relations with the Commission.

XXVII.

Xo person may be afforded quarters in the Homes, Lodges, or other establishments of the Commission, except those who are engaged in its service or are legitimate objects of its charity.

15

XXVIII.

Xo wines, whiskey, or other spirituous liquors shall be is¬ sued to officers or privates, except upon the requisition of a medical officer. Such supplies shall be issued to civilians and persons engaged by the Commission, only by request of competent medical advisers ; and no liquors shall be drank on premises occupied by the Commission, except when advised, as above stated.

XXIX.

Furloughs from the Commission’s service may be given by authority of the Cenernl or .Associate Secretaries. They must always be in writing and for a definite period.

♦

XXX.

Xo appointment of an agent or servant, by any member, officer, or agent of the Commission, shall be valid or binding, until approved by the Commission or the Standing Committee!

XXXI.

It being most desirable that every Lodge, Home, Depot, or other, establishment of the Commission should set an example to the army of cleanliness, good order and conformity to sani¬ tary laws, and there being reason to fear that agents of the Commission, in their zeal to relieve our national soldiers and to promote their, health and efficiency, are sometimes led to overlook the sanitary conditions required to keep themselves in good health and fit for their work : it is further ordered that every officer of the Commission in charge of any of its posts, be responsible for the maintenance th ereof in the utmost attainable degree of neatness and purity, and for the prompt correction— so far as may be— of whatever endangers his own health and that of members of his corps. He will see that their quarters furnish each ample air space ; that their supply of water is uncontaminated ; that they have, if possible, facili¬ ties for bathing, and are required to use them at least once in

each week ; that the neighborhood of each station is kept free from refuse and rubbish, and daily policed ; that water-closets or sinks are properly disinfected, and that servants, contra¬ bands or others, are provided with cleanly and wholesome clothing and quarters. Should special difficulties prevent this being done at once, and always, they must be promptly reported to the Secretary administering the District, with a requisition for whatever may be necessary to give agents and servants of the Commission the same aid and relief which the Commission seeks to give the army.

XXXII.

Whenever there shall appear to be danger of malarious dis¬ ease at any Relief Station or other Agency of the Commission, it shall be the duty of the Chief Officer at such Station or Agency, to cause a daily ration of quinine to be issued to each member of the Relief Corps, and to every officer, agent, and servant of the Commission under his authority, and to take such measures as will secure the actual use of such ration, and enable him to report that it has been actually used.

XXXIII.

It being important not only to the health, but to the effi¬ ciency of every Relief Agent, that his dress and his equipments be kept in perfect order, and that any defects therein be at once corrected, it shall be the duty of the Chief Officer of the Commission at every Relief Station, to assemble his Corps at least once in each week, for a minute inspection of their cloth¬ ing, shoes, blankets, haversacks, &c. He shall cause such articles as are found deficient to be at once repaired or replaced.

It shall be his duty, moreover, to advise all Relief Agents of the importance of personal neatness, and to require of them . such attention to their dress and equipments as may set an example of good order and military precision to those with whom their duties bring them in contact.

17

XXXIV.

The General Secretary shall provide books, containing printed forms, substantially as follows: “N<> . A. B. is en-

“gaged by the United States Sanitary Commission, by the- - ,

“durin" the pleasure of the Commission, at the rate of -

“dollars per - , as - , and also for such other or further

“duties as may from time to time be assigned to him. Dated

“ the _ day of _ , 136 .” This memorandum shall be

signed by the General Secretary, or by the Associate Secre¬ tary, and by the person so employed or engaged. It shall be subscribed by every officer, agent, or servant now or here¬ after engaged by the Commission for a stated term of service.

XXXV.

The Chief Officer of the Commission at every Belief Station or other Agency which employs a wagon train, will cause such train to be daily inspected, and will require a daily report in writing of the condition of every wagon, which shall be at the base of each inspection, and of its team and harness. Blanks for such reports shall be furnished by the General Secretary. Every wagon shall be numbered. The Inspector will examine and report on the condition of the wagons, and of the horses, and will see that their harness and their shoes are m order, and that each team is provided with whip, feed box, wrench, water buckets, etc., and with forage if necessary.

He shall also keep a wagon clearance book, containing the following entries, in columns, headed accordingly, viz.: 1. Date of entry. 2. No. of wagon. 3. Name ot teamster. 4. General description of load. 5. To whom, or to what corps or division consigned. 6. Date of return of wagon. 7. lie- marks.

XXXVI.

It is recommended by the Standing Committee, that at all Relief Stations, Homes and Lodges of the Commission, sue 1 provision be made for the observance of Sunday, as a day oi 3

18

rest and religions observance, as the military situation may render possible. J

XXXVII.

All copies of reports, correspondence and other papers re¬ lating to the business of the Commission, in the hands of any officer or agent of the Commission, and which have come to his hands in the course of his official duty, or been obtained through privileges enjoyed by him in consequence of his official position, are the projierty of the Commission, and can¬ not be retained by such agent or officer after the termination of his duties as such.

XXXVIII.

_ All letters addressed to any principal office of the Commis¬ sion shall be at once referred, on their receipt, to the officer in charge of the special department having supervision of the subject.

It is the duty of each officer to whom such letters are re¬ ferred, immediately to acknowdedge their receipt, and, if pos¬ sible, to transmit at once the information sought for.

XXXIX.

A copy of these Rules shall be furnished to every officer and agent now or hereafter in the service of the Commission, and they will be held severally strictly responsible for their ob¬ servance.

SANITARY COMMISSION.

>'o. 87.

PRELIMINARY REPORT

OF THE

©pcvations of the it. ^amtavy Commission

IN

NORTH CAROLINA, MARCH, 1865,

AND UPON

THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF EXCHANGED PRISONERS LATELY RECEIVED AT WILMINGTON, N. C.

New York, April 4th y 1865.

Dr. J. Foster Jenkins,

General Secretary United States Sanitary Commission:

DearSir — The accompanying report, marked “A,” fromJ. C. Dalton, M. D., Professor of Physiology and Microscopic Anatomy, in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, will put you in possession of the leading facts connected with our voyage from New York to Wilmington, on the Commission’s steamer Chase.

In obedience to instructions from the Standing Committee of the Commission, we left New York on Saturday, March 11th, at 9 p. m., for Beaufort, North Carolina. We arrived there on Tuesday, March 14th, at 4.30 p. m. I immediately communicated, by telegraph, with Dr. Page at New Berne, and informed him of our arrival. After waiting some hours, without reply from Dr. Page, who was absent at the front near Kinston, where Gen. Schofield was pushing the enemy vigorously, I endeavored to secure a landing for such stores

2

as we wished to send from the cargo of the Chase to New Berne. This I failed to do from the fact that the only wharf at the terminus of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad was in possession of the Construction Corps, and used entirely for the landing of locomotives and other rolling stock. Accordingly, I chartered the J. H. Maitland, a schooner, intending to use her as a store boat. The J. H. Maitland' at this time, had on hoard coal for the navy, which Captain West, in command of the fleet in Beaufort harbor, offered to remove as speedily as possible.

Two o clock, Thursday, the 16th inst., we began to transfer a portion of our cargo to the Maitland, and on Saturday, the 18th, at half-past eleven, having lightened the Chase so as to enable her to pass over Wilmington Bar, we sailed for Wilmington.

On Sunday, the 19th, at one o’clock, we reached the dock at Wilmington. I immediately requested Dr. Dalton to make a thorough visitation of the hospitals, ascertain the number of returned prisoners needing our services, and also the number of sick and wounded from Generals Sherman’s, Schofield’s, and Terry’s commands.

During his absence I waited upon Gen. J. C. Abbott, the Commandant of the Post, to inform him of our arrival, and obtain from him facilities for the discharge of our cargo. He took a lively interest in our mission, and sent me to Captain Lamb, A. Q. M., who furnished a detail of fifty men, and placed at our disposal a large covered wharf, having ready access from the main river street and ample space for the storage of our entire cargo. Having secured these facilities,

I went to the distributing rooms of the Commission in the town, and reported our arrival to Mr. Foster, the devoted and over-worked Agent of the Commission in charge of its affairs here. Mr. Foster had issued his last supplies the previous afternoon, and our arrival was, therefore, most opportune. I may mention, as an evidence of the work done by Mr. Foster, in attempting to meet the more pressing wants of the returned prisoners, previously to our arrival, that he had

3

issued, among other supplies, two hundred and forty barrels of milk punch.

Early on Monday morning, March 20th, we began dis¬ charging our cargo, and Dr. Dalton returned from his visit of inspection with the report that there were between twelve and thirteen hundred returned prisoners in the Avarehouses and hospitals of Wilmington, and about twenty-six hundred sick and wounded men from Gen. Sherman’s army and from the commands of Gens. Schofield and Terry. The corrected returns, subsequently received, shoAv that there were at that date actually twenty-four hundred and seventy-five (2,475) returned prisoners.

Dr. Dalton reported that all these men would need woollen clothing and condensed food, stimulants and esculents, and that the surgeons, including Dr. Buzzell, the ranking medi¬ cal officer, hailed the advent of the Sanitary Commission with great joy. I refer you to Dr. Dalton’s report for information as to the principles Avhich regulated us in estimating the amount of food probably necessary to secure the largest benefit to the sufferers.

The surgeons in charge of the various hospitals began to send in their requisitions at an early hour on Monday morn¬ ing, and the issues made upon their requisitions were sufficient to clothe and feed every individual in the various hospitals and warehouses, and to secure an ample reserve supply of food and clothing for two or three weeks to come.

In order to aid Mr. Foster in the performance of his duties, I instructed him to secure the services of two clerks, and I also requested Mr. Hoblit, our able Belief Agent, who had accompanied General Sherman from Atlanta to Savannah, to make a regular tour of the hospitals, and urge upon the surgeons the necessity of furnishing the patients as large a quantity of tomato soup made from beef stock, of condensed milk, of chocolate, onions, and farinaceous food, as in their judgment the condition of their patients would require.

I found the surgeons in charge of the various hospitals working to the utmost of their ability in the care of these needy men. Many of them had carried their exertions far

4

beyond the limits of prudence, forgetting themselves in their desire to do good. Many of them were sick, including Dr. Buzzell;* and Dr. Palmer, one of the ablest men in the volunteer corps, had worn himself out and died, while Dr. Jarvis and others, who still survived, were sacrificing in their professional ministrations. My experience here was in keep¬ ing with what I have heretofore seen in the conduct of the medical officers in hospitals and on the field, and I think that the people do not yet understand or appreciate what has been done, and what is now doing here and elsewhere every day, by the medical staff, to mitigate the sufferings that inevitably accompany war.

Having completed the arrangements for the discharge of the cargo of the Chase, I visited some of the warehouses and hospitals, to examine into the condition of the returned prisoners. I shall not attempt here to picture their fearful condition.

I congratulate the Commission upon the opportunity which was afforded by the presence of so distinguished a physiologist as Dr. Dalton, who could bring to bear his powers of analysis and diagnosis, in establishing the facts with reference to the causes which had reduced these men to their present lament¬ able condition. Dr. Dalton spent Sunday and Monday in visiting the hospitals containing the returned prisoners, with a view of determining whether their condition was due to disease, or the consequence of starvation and exposure, and for his calm and well-digested opinion upon this subject, I refer you to his report, heretofore alluded to, marked “A.”

I had several interviews with citizens of Wilmington, who had seen our prisoners as they were brought into the city for exchange, with a view of ascertaining what their impressions were, as to the motives which influenced the rebel officers in the management of squads in their respective commands. I found that some of the rebel officers in charge of our returned prisoners had permitted the citizens to furnish them food, while others had forbidden all access to the pens in which the men were quartered; and one, a rebel captain, having charge

* Plas since died, a martyr to the cause of humanity.

■j

of about a thousand men, had gone with his drawn sword and knocked the food from the hands of the famished men, informing the citizens who had furnished it, “that the best thing that could happen to the Yankees was to be starved, and thus expiate the crime which they had committed in invading southern territory and destroying the peace of southern homes.”

On Tuesday we sailed for Beaufort, taking as passengers, David B. Adams, M. D., late Acting Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., sick with typhoid fever, and Henry Hiscocks, Captain Battalion G, 1st Missouri Light Artillery, who was in a state of confirmed phthisis, the consequence of exposure and priva¬ tion during eight months in a Southern prison, and Col. B. S. Pardee, Connecticut State Agent.

On Wednesday we reached Beaufort harbor and discharged the balance of our freight upon the Maitland, making an issue of onions and potatoes to the fleet in the harbor, as many of the men in the fleet had been without any but the scantiest supply of vegetables for two or three months.

On Thursday we waited upon Gen. L. Y. Easton, obtained coal for the Chase, made through him an issue of pickles to the six hundred men in the Quartermaster’s squad, and started by rail for New Berne.

Dr. Page, Inspector of the Commission, on duty in North Carolina, joined us at Morehead City, and went with us to New Berne. At New Berne I examined into the working of our Relief Stations, visited Dr. Cowgill, Surgeon in charge of the Foster Hospital, Dr. Hand, the Medical Director, and Gen. Palmer, the Commandant of the Post. I found Dr. Page distributing potatoes and onions and other antiscorbutic food, with woollen clothing and other sanitary supplies, to the needy soldiers in New Berne, and to such as were sent to the rear from the command of Gen. Schofield.

Messrs. Page and Bowman were absent from New Berne, having pushed forward with Gen. Schofield in the advance to Kinston, carrying with them on the construction train two large feeding tents to meet the wants of those who were wounded and sent to the rear, in the various skirmishes and

6

fights for the possession of the line of the road between New Berne and Goldsboro’. Dr. Page will report to you in detail the operations of the relief corps in connection with General Schofield’s advance ; suffice it to say that the abundant resources of the Commission had been used in such a manner as to give material aid and comfort to some thousands of needy men.

Dr. Cowgill’s Hospital, the Foster, was a model of success¬ ful organization and administration, and I was very much struck with the quarters appropriated to the use of the rebel wounded. These quarters were hospital tents raised above the ground, upon yellow pine underpinning and floors, boun¬ tifully supplied with bedding, attendants, food and medicine, and in every way a credit to the professional skill and philanthropy of Dr. Cowgill, and the humanity of our Government. I could not avoid indulging the comparison between the condition of these men under the care of our medical officers, and that of our poor fellows who had suffered in rebel hospitals and rebel prison pens.

I found that Dr. Page was making preparations to cultivate his large hospital garden, amounting to over one hundred acres in the suburbs of Newbern, for the benefit of men in the Hospitals, and the forces operating in this vicinity, while all the details of his work in other fields of usefulness were beim*’

o

attended to with admirable zeal, fidelity, and intelligence.

Leaving New Berne on Saturday, wepassed through Pamlico, Croatan, and Albemarle Sounds, and the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal to Norfolk, where I visited Mr. Sherman, the gentleman in charge of the affairs of the Commission at this point, and examined his storehouse, and method of transacting business, with satisfaction.

I then visited the lodge of the Commission at Portsmouth, opposite Norfolk, which is in charge of Mr. Alcock. I found this lodge in admirable order. As you are familiar with its condition and usefulness through the regular reports of Mr. Alcock, I shall not enter into details.

On Monday, the 27th, I left Norfolk for New York, via Fortress Monroe and Baltimore. I cannot express too highly

7

my obligations to Dr. Dalton, for his able services, nor forget to mention those of Messrs. Cobb and W. A. Paton, who accompanied us from New York, and gave their assistance in many of the details of the work.

Extract from my Letter to you , dated Wilmington, N. C ., March 20to, 1865—11 P. M.

The returned prisoners sent into Wilmington numbered nearly 9,000. About 7,000 of the less famished have gone North. Gen. Abbott, who received our poor fellows in the exchange, has just told me that language would utterly fail to describe their condition. Filth, rags, nakedness, starva¬ tion, were personified. Many of the men were in a state of mind resembling idiocy, unable to tell their names, and lost to all sense of modesty, unconscious of their nakedness and personal condition. Some of them moved about on their hands and knees, unable to stand upon their gangrenous feet, looking up like hungry dogs, beseeching the observer for a bite of bread or a sup of water. Some of them hitched along on their hands and buttocks, pushing gangrenous feet, literally reduced to bone and shreds, before them. Others leaned upon staves, and glared from sunken eyes through the parchment-like slits of their open eyelids into space, without having the power to fix an intelligent gaze upon passing objects. Others giggled, and smirked, and hobbled, like starved idiots; while some adamantine figures walked erect, as though they meant to move the skeleton homewards so long as vitality enough remained to enable them to do so. To see the men who remain here in hospital would move a heart as hard and cold as marble. Their condition is that of men who have for months suffered chronic starvation. Their arms and legs look like coarse reeds with bulbous joints. Their faces look as though a skilful taxidermist had drawn tanned skin over the bare skull, and then placed false eyes in the orbital cavities. They defy description . It would take a pen expert in the use of every term known to the anatomist and the physician to begin to expose their fearful condition.

Very respectfully yours, C. K. AGNEW.

8

.A.

Report of J. C. Dalton, M. D., Professor of Physiology and Microscopic Anatomy, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

The steamer Chase left New York on Saturday evening, March lltli, for Beaufort Harbor and Wilmington, N. Of,' la,den with beef stock, condensed milk, onions, potatoes, pickles, and other similar articles, together with an abundance of flannel under-clothing and blankets. It was intended to discharge the cargo, in whole, or in part, at either Beaufort Harbor or Wilmington, as the necessities of the case might make it desirable. It was anticipated that the wants of the sick and wounded from Gen. Schofield’s Corps, and possibly, also from Gen. Sherman’s Army, then moving in a north¬ easterly direction on its way from Columbia, would be best relieved from the direction of Beaufort; while the necessities of our returned prisoners, recently delivered at Wilmington, would require supplies at the last-named point.

On entering Beaufort Harbor, where the steamer arrived on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 14th, a large number of transports were found waiting, partly discharged and partly still laden with supplies and material. Gen. Schofield’s Corps which had been transferred by sea from Wilmington to Beaufort, had advanced to Newbern, and thence, along the line of the railroad, toward Goldsboro’. At the time of our arrival it had reached a point within a few miles of Kinston, where it had come in contact with the enemy, and repulsed him after a somewhat severe engagement on the 10th and 11th instant. The efficient agents of the Commission were accordingly then at the front, doing all in their power to aid in relieving the wounded from this engagement ; and Dr. Agnew soon learned by communications from them that their supplies were already sufficient for that particular emergency. The railroad from Morehead City, in Beaufort Harbor, to New Berne and Kinston was then entirely in the hands of a construction corps, which was actively engaged in relaying the track and getting the road in running order to the rear

9

of Gen. Schofield’s advancing columns, and it was impossible to obtain transportation over this road even to New Berne, except for material required for the construction of the road itself, and supplies absolutely essential for the subsistence of the army. The only other mode of sending to New Berne was to go round by way of Hatteras Inlet and the Neuse Biver, but this could only be done by vessels of much ligher draft than the Chase. It was decided, therefore, to discharge a part of the cargo upon a schooner, which could remain in Beaufort Harbor as a storeship, and from which such supplies as were needed at New Berne could be sent round from time to time on lighters, by way of Hatteras Inlet. The remaining, and larger portion of the cargo was to be taken immediately to Wilmington in the Chase for the use of the returned prison¬ ers. These arrangements were completed by the evening of Friday, the 17th. By that time we learned that General Schofield had again advanced and had occupied Kinston without further opposition.

On Saturday, 18th inst., at noon, the Chase left Beaufort Harbor, and arrived off the bar, at the entrance of Cape Fear River, before daylight on Sunday, the 19th. At 11 a. m. she crossed the bar, and came to her dock at Wilmington early in the afternoon of the same day.

At Wilmington, we found 3,940 sick and wounded men, including the returned prisoners, whose condition was such that they were all to be regarded as sick men, and urgently in need of comfort and relief. Of the whole number to be cared for there were about 2,000 sick belonging to the com¬ mand of Gen. Terry (who had moved directly North after the capture of Wilmington, on the line of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad,) and about 600 from Gen. Sherman’s army, who had been sent down the north-western branch of the Cape Fear River, a few days previously, from Fayette¬ ville. The remainder consisted of our returned prisoners, 1,250 in number. Corrected returns, subsequently received, show the number of returned prisoners to have been twenty- four hundred and seventy-five (2,475) ; making the grand total about 4,900, who had been delivered by the enemy a short

10

distance above the city, at the north-eastern branch of the Cape Fear River, since our occupation of the town. Of these, Gen. Terry s sick and wounded were, of course the best pro¬ vided for, since they had occupied the town from the date of its capture, and felt, more than anything else, the want of ambulances and other means of transportation, which had been necessarily taken with the main column on its advance northward. Those arriving from Gen. Sherman’s command were, many of them, quite destitute, having been on the march through the enemy’s country for about two months, ever since the date of Gen. Sherman’s leaving Savannah. They needed clothing and food as well as rest and medicines. But the greatest and most pitiful necessities were among our returned prisoners. No description can do justice to their miserable condition, because nothing but an actual inspection of them, in considerable numbers, can show that the wretched faces and figures that present themselves everywhere are not the isolated and exceptional effects of severe illness, but the general result of a uniform and long-continued process of starvation and misery. There were degrees, of course, in which this condition was more or less marked. The better cases were walking about the streets, perhaps barefooted, or with no other clothing than a pair of white cotton drawers and an old blanket or overcoat, both equally ragged. In these, the slow, dragging gait, listless manner, and cavern¬ ous, inexpressive look of the face, together with the general emaciation, formed a peculiar aspect by which they alone attracted the attention of the passer-by, and by which they were at once distinguished from the other convalescent sol¬ diers. There was no occasion to inquire in Wilmington which were our returned prisoners ; after half a day’s experi¬ ence, any one could distinguish them at a glance. Many of them, who had strength to crawl about in this manner, were prevented from doing so by the want of clothing. Major Randlete, the Provost Marshal of Wilmington, told me that on one day forty of these men came into our lines absolutely as naked as they were bom. I inquired of a considerable number of them, whom I saw in the hospitals confined to

11

their beds — caked or with only a shirt, and covered with a hospital blanket — what had become of their clothing, and was told that they had thrown away what remained as soon as they could obtain shelter, because it was so ragged, filthy and full of vermin. One of them, on being told that the Sanitary Commission had sent them flannel shirts and drawers, caught at the word with a childish eagerness, and repeated the good news to his companions with a faint half¬ imbecile smile as long as I was within hearing. With the great majority of the feebler ones, personal cleanliness was a thing which they appeared to have entirely forgotten. They no longer retained sufficient strength either of mind or body, to appreciate or correct the degradation to which months of unavoidable uncleanliness had reduced them. In the most extreme cases the condition of the mind, as well as the ex¬ pression of the face, was absolutely fatuous , and the aspect of the patient was not that of a strong man reduced by illness, but that of an idiotic pauper, who had been such from his birth. Nevertheless, several of the surgeons informed me that the condition of the patients had visibly improved since their reception, and that I could not then form an adequate idea of what it was when the3r entered our lines. In that case it must have been lamentable beyond description.

The testimony of both men and officers was uniform as to the causes of their unnatural condition. These causes were — 1st., starvation, and 2d., exposure. Only such officers and men as could procure money, were able to obtain anything like sufficient nourishment. Some of them told me that during the entire winter they had received absolutely no meat ; a pint of corn-meal, often with the cob ground in, sometimes with and sometimes without salt, a handful of u cow peas,” and sometimes sorghum molasses, constituted their usual ration. When in hospital, they had only very thin corn-meal gruel and a little corn-bread. To the debility occasioned by this insufficient food, was added that resulting from exposure. It was a common thing for a prisoner, immediately on being taken, to be stripped of his clothing — shoes, socks, pantaloons, shirt and drawers — and to be left with only an

12

old and worn-out pair of drawers and, perhaps, an equally worn-out shirt and blanket given him in exchange This robbery of clothing was also practiced, more or less, upon o i°ers Even an assistant surgeon, who was captured within four miles of Richmond, told me that he was robbed of his flannel shirt, while standing in front of the Libby Prison and in presence of the rebel officer in charge of the squad This was immediately after his arrival in the city, and when he lad been for the three days succeeding his capture, entirely without food. With the scanty clothing thus left them, the men were kept during the winter, often without any shelter excepting such as they could contrive to provide by excavating a sort of rifle-pit in the ground, and covering' it with old blankets or canvas, as their supply of fuel was insufficient and sometimes entirely wanting ; even in the hospitals their sunering iiom cold was very great.

One of the most melancholy sights in Wilmington was that to be seen at the “Geer” Hospitals. In these hospitals were collected all those patients who had lost their feet either wholly or in part, by freezing, from their exposure

‘ Unng th® Past wmter> and this in a well wooded country, n some of them, two or three toes only, on one or both feet were gangrened, and in process of separating by ulceration ; in others, both feet had entirely separated, and the patients were awaiting the time when their general strength and the condition of the stump would warrant a final amputation.

In many cases the patients ascribed this gangrene directly to frostbites received on particular occasions ; in others to their illness from which they were suffering-generally fever com¬ bined with exposure. My own impression, derived from the result of many inquiries, was that it was generally due to a continuous depression of the vital energies from starvation and neglect, resulting gradually in a destruction of the life of those parts most exposed to the cold and the weather With all these cases awaiting relief, it was impossible that the stores brought by the “Chase” should have come at a more opportune period. From all the officers in Wilming¬ ton, of all grades and departments, there was hut one oxpres-

13

siori of gratitude and relief at hearing of our arrival, and we could not have asked more ready and cordial co-operation than was given us at once hy all upon whom we depended for information and assistance. A capacious covered dock was at once assigned for the discharge and storage of the supplies, and an abundant force of negro refugees assigned to the labor of unloading the steamer. So rapidly was this work effected that during the day, on Monday, supplies were already in process of distribution to the various hospitals, a complete list of which, with the number of patients in each, had been previously obtained. The covered dock was used as an issuing office, as well as a storehouse, and being very capacious and well lighted, it afforded admirable facilities for reaching the various articles as they were needed.

It was found that all the returned prisoners, without excep¬ tion, and all the men recently arrived from Gen. Sherman’s army, needed flannel shirts, drawers, and blankets ; that shirts and drawers were also required hy all the other sick and wounded then in hospital, and blankets hy about two- thirds of them. Tin plates, cups, knives, and forks were also much needed, all of which were at once supplied. In order to regulate the distribution of food and stimulus to the different hospitals, the following diet table was made out, to serve as the basis of calculation. It was thought that such a ration, with the interchanges between various articles which could he readily effected whenever desired, would he best suited to the greater portion of the cases :

Name of Article.

]]eef Stock .

Canned Tomatoes, Condensed Milk...

Onions .

Potatoes .

Soft Crackers .

Chocolate .

Pickles .

Whiskey .

Daily Ration.

. 2 oz.

. 8 “

. 4 “

. 4 “

. 4

. 4 “

. 1 “

. 4 “

14

The various hospitals were requested to send down requisi¬ tions according to the above diet table, in quantities corres¬ ponding with the number of patients in each hospital; they were not restricted, however, absolutely to the above quantities, but the diet table was adopted as expressing a minimum ration, which could he increased, if desirable, in particular cases, and which could he supplemented, for those patients who were able to bear it, with articles from the regular army ration.

Early on Tuesday morning a sufficient quantity of the above articles had been landed to supply the whole number of patients in Wilmington for at least fifteen days. A portion of the cargo, over and above this amount, which would he more probably required at New Berne at the next emergency, was retained for reconveyance to Beaufort Harbor. On Tues¬ day afternoon the steamer left Wilmington, and proceeded down the river to Fort Fisher, hut owing to a south-easterly gale, and consequent heavy sea on the bar, she was unable to go out until the following day, Wednesday, the 22d instant, at 2 o’clock, p. M. At that time she crossed the bar, unhurt, without difficulty, and again entered Beaufort Harbor on the morning of Thursday, the 23d. At Beaufort Harbor the re¬ mainder of her cargo was transferred to the storeship, and the steamer, after coaling, sent hack to New York.

Very respectfully yours,

J. C. DALTON.

15

B.

List of Supplies shipped by U. S. Sanitary Commission , on board Steamer Chase, March ] 1th, 1865, for Wilmington, via Morehead City, N. C.

1,755 Blankets,

211 Cotton Shirts,

200 dozen Flannel Shirts,

217 u Knit Shirts,

200 u Flannel Drawers, 217 11 Knit u

534 11 Wool Hose,

78 pair Cotton Socks,

60 ‘ 1 Shoes,

12 Haversacks,

372 dozen Towels,

56 Cushions,

2 dozen Suspenders,

122 lbs. Thread,

8 gross Fine Combs,

208 Quilts,

263 Pillow Cases,

101 Pillows,

2 bbls. Cotton Rags, lj 11 Bandages,

20 Sleeping Caps,

20f yards Flannel,

167 dozen Handkerchiefs,

474 bbls. Crackers,

92 dozen Condensed Coffee, 1,857 lbs. Coffee,

800 “ Corn Starch,

1,600 11 Maizena,

50 “ Tobacco,

28 dozen Smoking Tobacco, 166 bbls. Sour Krout,

507 “ Onions,

520 “ Potatoes,

3,300 lbs. Chocolate,

40 tierces Pickled Tomatoes, 76 “ “ Onions,

214 bbls. Pickles,

3,000 lbs. Beef Stock,

80 doz. 1 lb. can’d Mutton,

100 “ “	“ Chickens,
4 “ “	“ Mince Meat,
8 “ “	‘ ‘ Sausage Meat,
4 » “	“ Lobsters,
40 “ 11	u Spiced Oysters,
1,200 “ “	“ Cond’sdMilk,
1,100 “ “	u Tomatoes,
40 “ “	11 Peas,
40 “ u	u Blackberries,
260 “ “	‘ 1 Peaches,
80 “ “	1 ‘ Pears,
40 “ “	“ Quinces,
40 “ “	“ Apple Butter,

50 dozen Jelly, assorted,

40 1 1 Mustard,

20 -u Cumberland Sauce,

1 u Candlesticks,

100 Wash Basins,

12,000 Needles,

70 Bed Pans,

73 Urinals,

10 gross Dinner Plates,

4 Hatchets,

240 dozen Knives and Forks,

4 u Lanterns,

4 Axes,

2 dozen Coffee Pots,

83 11 Tin Cups,

2 “ Pails,

5 gallons Kerosene Oil,

110 dozen Whiskey,

8 11 Lemon Syrup.

4 boxes Candles,

1G

5 boxes Soap,

299 reams Note Paper, 52,000 Envelopes,

42 gross Steel Pens,

8 “ Pen Holders,

36 dozen Inkstands,

2 reams Wrapping Paper, 1 dozen Mucilage,

1 ream Letter Paper,

4 gross Pencils,

10,000 Labels,

10 lbs. Squibbs Chloroform, 2 oz. Morphine,

5 Head Rests,

Crutches.

Note.— April 11th.— The following additional Invoice of Supplies was shaped on board the steamer Uncas, April 7th, 1865, for distribution at New Berne and Wilmington:

1,000 pairs Infantry Pants,

500 Blouses,

2,900 Woollen Shirts,

2,003 pairs Woollen Drawers,

1,500 “ “ Socks,

20 yards Flannel,

2,172 Cotton Shirts,

2,055 pairs Cotton Drawers,

244 “ “ Socks,

1 case Winter Clothing,

1 u Summer u 808 Sheets,

300 Blankets,

200 Quilts,

127 Pillows,

934 Pillow Cases,

388 Bed Sacks,

2,052 Towels,

2,001 Handkerchiefs,

300 pairs Suspenders,

2,208 11 Slippers,

2,040 11 Brogans,

496 Cushions,

682 Arm Slings,

112 lbs. Black Tea,

800 “ Maizena,

1,008 cans Condensed Milk,

27,000 cans Tomatoes,

77 lbs. Dried Fruit,

112 galls. Apple Butter,

11 bbls. Pickles,

7 casks 1 1

25 boxes Lemons,

21 bbls. Boston Crackers,

2,208 papers Smoking Tobacco,

192 bottles Brandy,

50 “ Domestic Wine,

50 bbls. Stock Ale,

500 pairs Crutches,

2 cases Compresses,

8 bbls. Old Linen, Lint and Ban¬

dages,

40 galls. Kerosene Oil,

72 Oil Lanterns,

15 gross Pipes,

32 Tin Cups,

75 bbls. Chloride of Lime,

16 casks 11 11

350 bbls. Quick Lime,

300 Fine Combs,

36 lbs. Thread,

2,000 Needles,

All of which is respectfully submitted.

C. R. AGNEW.

J

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION, No. 88.

ADDRESS

DELIVERED BY

Mrs. Hoge, of the Northwestern Sanitary Commission

(BRANCH OF THE U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION),

At a Meeting op Ladies, held

AT PACKER INSTITUTE, BROOKLYN, L. I.,

March, 1S6S,

IN AID OF THE GREAT

NORTH WESTERN FAIR,

TO BE HELD AT

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

MAY 30th, 1865.

Ifcfcr Ifor fe :

SANFORD, HARROUN & CO., STEAM PRINTING HOUSE. 644 BROADWAY.

1865.

.

*

.

4

ADDRESS.

When the echo of the first rebel gun at Sumter fell on the nation’s ear, and stirred its patriotic heart, with one accord, men of all sections and of various shades of political feeling, seized their muskets, fell into line of battle, and resolved not to falter till rebellion should be crushed and the honor of the old flag justified. The women of the land, with swelling hearts and uplifted eyes asked, “ Lord, what wilt thou have us to do ?” The marvelous organization of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, with its various modes of heavenly activity, pointed out the way, saying, “the men must fight, the women must work — this is the way, follow me.” In accepting this call, there has been no reservation. Duty has been taken up, in whatever shape presented, nothing refused that would soothe a sorrow, staunch a wound, or heal the sickness of the humblest soldier in the ranks. Some have drifted into positions entirely new and heretofore avoided. They have gone forth from the bosom of their families to visit hospitals, camps and battle-fields ; some even, to appear as we do before you to-day, to plead for aid for our sick and wounded soldiers, suffering and dying, that we may live. The memory of their heroism is inspiring — the recollection of their patience and long suffering is over¬ whelming. They form the most striking human exemplifica¬ tion of divine meekness and submission the world has ever seen, and bring to mind continually the passage, “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.”

As I cast my eyes around to-day on the hundreds of bright young faces, eagerly bent to hear the soldier’s story, I appre-

4

ciate as I never have done before, what these brave men have won. and from what they have saved ns. But for these noble warriors, who have stood a living wTall between us and destruction, where would have been our schools, our colleges, our churches, our property, our government, our lives? Southern soil has been watered with their blood, the Missis¬ sippi fringed with their graves, measured by acres instead of numbers. The shadow of death has passed over almost every household, and left desolate hearthstones and vacant chairs. Thousands of mothers, wives and sisters at home have died and made no sign, while their loved ones have been hidden in southern hospitals, prisons and graves — the separation, thank God, is short, the union eternal. I have only a simple story of these martyred heroes to tell you. I have been privileged to visit a hundred thousand of them in hospitals ; meekly and cheerfully lying there , that you and I may be enabled to meet here , in peace and comfort to-day.

Could I, by the touch of a magician’s wand, pass before you in solemn review, this army of sufferers, you would say a tithe cannot be told.

The first great hospital I visited was Mound City, twelve miles from Cairo. It contained twelve hundred beds, fur¬ nished with dainty sheets, and pillows and shirts, from the Sanitary Commission, and ornamented with boughs of fresh apple blossoms, placed there by tender female nurses to refresh the languid frames of their mangled inmates. As I took my slow and solemn walk through this congregation of suffer¬ ing humanity, I was arrested by the bright blue eyes, and pale but dimpled cheek, of a boy of nineteen summers. I perceived he was bandaged like a mummy, and could not move a limb ; but still he smiled. The nurse who accom¬ panied me said, “¥e call this boy our miracle. Five weeks ago, he was shot down at Donelson ; both legs and arms shattered. To-day, with great care, he has been turned for the first time, and never a murmur has escaped his lips, but grateful words and pleasant looks have cheered us.” Said I to the smiling boy, some absent mother’s pride, “ how long

5

did yon lie on the field after being shot?” “From Saturday morning till Sunday evening,” he replied, “ and then I was chopped out, for I had frozen feet.” “ How did it happen that you were left so long?” “Why, you see,” said he, “ they couldn’t stop to bother with us, because they had to take the forth' “But,” said I, “did you not feel ’twas cruel to leave you to suffer so long?” “ Of course not! how could they help it ? They had to take the fort , and when they did, we forgot our sufferings, and all over the battle-field went up cheeis from the wounded, even from the dying. Men that had but one arm raised that, and voices so weak that they sounded like children’s, helped to swell the sound.” “ Did you suffer much ?” His brow contracted, as he said, “ I don’t like to think of that ; but never mind, the doctor tells me I wont lose an arm or a leg, and I’m going back to have another chance at them. There’s one thing I can’t forget though,” said he, as his sunny brow grew dark, “ Jem and I (nodding at the boy in the adjoining cot) lived on our father’s neighboring farms in Illinois ; we stood beside each other and fell together. As he knows, we saw fearful sights that day. We saw poor wounded boys stripped of their clothing. They cut our’s off, when every movement was torture. When some resisted, they were pinned to the earth with bayonets, and left writhing like worms, to die by inches. I can’t for¬ give the devils for that.” “ I fear you’ve got more than you bar¬ gained for.” “ Hot a bit of it ; we went in for better or worse and if we got worse, we must not complain.” Thus talked the beardless boy, nine months only from his mother’s wing. As I spoke, a moan, a rare sound in a hospital, fell on my ear. I turned, and saw a French boy quivering with agony and crying for help. Alas ! he had been wounded, driven several miles in an ambulance, with his feet projecting, had them frightfully frozen, and the surgeon had just decided the discolored, useless members must be amputated, and the poor boy was begging for the operation. Beside him, lay a stal¬ wart man, with fine face, the fresh blood staining his bandages, his dark, damp hair clustering round his marble forehead.

6

lie extended his hand feebly and essayed to speak, as I bent over him, but speech had failed him. He was just brought in from a gunboat, where he had been struck with a piece of shell, and was slipping silently but surely into eternity. Two days afterward I visited Jefferson Barracks Hospital. In passing through the wards, I noticed a woman seated beside the cot of a youth, apparently dying. He was insensible to all around ; she seemed no less so. Her face was bronzed and

deeply lined with care and suffering. Her eyes were bent on the ground, her arms folded, her features rigid as marble. I stood beside her, but she did not notice me. 1 laid my hand upon her shoulder, but she heeded me not. I said “ is this young man a relative of yours ?” no answer came. “ Can’t I help you ? With a sudden start that electrified me, her dry eyes almost starting from the sockets and her voice husky with agony, she said, pointing her attenuated finger at the senseless boy, “ he is the last of seven sons — six have died in the army, and the doctor says he must die to-night,” The flash of life passed from her face as suddenly as it came, her arms folded over her breast, she sank in her chair, and became,, as before, the rigid impersonation of agony. As I passed through another hospital ward, I noticed a man whose dejected figure said plainly, “ he had turned his face to the wall to die. His limb had been amputated, and he had just been told his doom. Human nature jebelled. He cried out, “I am willing to die, if I could but see my wife and children once more.” In the silence that followed this burst of agony,, the low voice of a noble woman, who gave her time and abun¬ dant means to the sick and w^ounded soldiers, was heard in prayer for him. The divine influence overcame his struggling heart, and as she concluded, he said, “ Thy will, O God, be done !” “ ’Tis a privilege, even tnus, to die for one’&

country.” Before the midnight hour he was at rest. The vacant bed told the story next morning.

At one time I spent six weeks with the army on the move,,, having in charge a large amount of hospital stores, and having the privilege of personally dispensing them to those who so*

greatly needed them. As the steamer on which we had our headquarters was tied up for the night, I was sent for by the colonel of a Wisconsin regiment, in great haste, to see a young man who was very ill on board the steamer Empress. As we entered the boat we were met by the colonel, who said, “ Ladies, I am in great distress ; I have in my regiment a young man who had graduated, studied law, and was about to form a legal partnership with his father, when my regiment was forming. He was an only child , and a young man of rare promise. He enlisted in my regiment. The day we left Wisconsin his father and mother were with us. The mother, forgetting all but her only child, threw her arms around me and said, ‘ O colonel, for God’s sake, guard my treasure, for it is my all ; and now I’m afraid he’s going to die.’ ” We threaded our way through the long cabin, on which lay rows of sick soldiers, with no pillow but a hard knapsack, no bed but the bare floor, and no clothing but that in which they had marched and picketed for many weary weeks. The young man referred to. had been placed in a state room. As we entered, he drew the soiled blanket over his once neat collar and neck-tie, that had not been removed, and said, “ Ladies, don’t come in ; I’m too filthy to be seen.” As he lay there, I thought I had seldom seen a finer face — a broad forehead, clearly cut features and dark expressive eyes, be¬ tokened intellect and refinement. W e talked with him cheer¬ fully; told him the colonel had granted him a furlough, to be removed to our boat, to be carefully nursed till we could place him in his mother’s care. He looked so bright, and spoke so cheerfully, that we cherished hopes of his early recovery. We promised to send a stretcher for him in the morning, and after making all arrangements for his comfort, and giving him a cup of tea, we left him. After leaving the room, I thought, what if he should die ? Who will receive his last words, or know his last thoughts? I turned back and said, “ we shall send for you in the morning, if we live ; but life is so uncertain, especially in the army on the move : sup¬ pose we never meet on earth again, what would you say?”

8

Looking serenely up, lle said, “ I understand you. Should I die, tell my mother, as I have lain here these weary days all her early teachings have come back, and I trust have done ieii woi \ My sabbath-school lessons, that she struggled to teach me, are now remembered and prized. Tell her I hope to meet her in that heaven, where she is sure to go ; and tell nevei regretied the step I have taken. She must not mourn tor me as without hope, for if I die ’twill be in a glori¬ ous cause, and our separation will be short.” I said, “ thank trod . I hope you may be spared long to comfort your parents and serve,' your country and your Maker.” Ife thanked me earnestly tor returning, and as I was told talked cheerfully for an hour about going home. The next morning we sent a stretcher, but the answer came back, that William had gone home, not to his mother, but to his Father’s arms Three weeks later, on my route to Vicksburg, I met a friend of the family m search of William’s body. He said the parents were longing for the precious casket of their jewel to lay it to rest under the old willow tree at the homestead. He said they bad well nigh sunk under the crushing blow but were upheld by his parting words of love, and faith and heroism which I had transmitted to them— God help them m their loneliness.

. er the first repulse of our army from Vicksburg, sad stories of sickness and suffering reached the ears of the Sani¬ tary Commission. I was entrusted by the Commission with a choice supply of stores, and, accompanied by two gentlemen started for Vicksburg. The river was high— the weather mis¬ erably rainy and depressing; guerillas constantly threatening our boat— everything portentous and gloomy. After a painful but rapid journey, we reached Young’s Point, when I was immediately transferred, with my stores, to the Silver Wave, the Sanitary boat of the U. S. Commission. For ten days I stood in the little store house of the Commission, dealing out life, and health, and happiness to our emaciated soldiers.

. . d t lat tIle croakers at home, who excuse themselves from giving, and cool the zeal of others, could have seen what I

9

have seen. All doubts would vanish, and the nerveless arms be strengthened for renewed efforts. As I stood at the rude counter, I had beside me a barrel of soft crackers, a bag of onions, a sack of potatoes, a box of herring, a box ot pepper, and a box of home-made gingerbread. Green tea, lemons, codfish and white sugar completed the assortment. The news spread quickly that a lady was on the Sanitary boat with com¬ forts for the sick. Requisitions poured in rapidly, for, alas! the need was great. The number of the hospital, the exact number of sick men, the character of supplies needed, were carefully designated, signed by the surgeon, as well as a solemn pledge given that not one jot or tittle should be used but for the sick soldiers. I believe, with rare exceptions, it was kept. Careful subsequent examinations of all the hospitals supplied proved it. As I stood at my post, convalescent soldiers, that we would call skeletons at home, by dint of canes and crutches and friendly hands, came in solemn procession to receive for themselves these treasures. I rejoice to be able to say I did not turn one away empty-handed, and also remark, to the honor of the brave soldiers, that not one applied whose appear¬ ance was not a complete certificate ot his necessity. I said to one of these emaciated men, u will you have a few soft crackers ? 55 The only answer was an outstretched hand and tearful eye. u Shall I give you an onion ? 55 u O, how I’ve longed for that, and wished I had ten cents to buy one from the sutler ! ” To another I said, “ Perhaps you would like a lemon?” “A lemon! just let me look at and smell one ; I believe ’twould cure me.” “ How about some home-made gingerbread ? ” That always brought the gushing tears, and was, without fail, just like wife or mother’s. One poor fellow, who was obliged to seize both railings to support himself up the narrow stairway, opened his battered haversack and drew forth a small paper of coffee. Said he, u I know you don’t sell anything here, but I thought it I could change this coffee I’ve saved from my rations, for a little green tea, I’d get an appetite. If I could only get a cup of tea like mother made, I believe I should get well.” I motioned back the parcel, for

I could not speak, and gave him a little package containing white sugar, and a lemon and some green tea, two herrings, two onions, and some pepper. He looked at the parcel a moment and said, “ Is that all for me ? ” I bowed assent. 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. May be I’ll never have a chance to tell them how much, but I’d go through it all for the old flag!” “Who knows,” I said “but the very luxuries I’ve given you, have been sent from the Aid Society to which your mother belongs ? ” “I shouldn’t wonder,” he replied, “ for my mother writes me she never lets anything keep her away from the meetings. I’m glad of it, for I don’t know what would become of us poor fellows but for the Sanitary Commission.” He wiped away his tears with the back of his hand, gave me his “good bye,” “God bless you,” and said, “I feel that I’ve turned the corner ; I haven’t been as strong for months as I feel now.” With the help of one railing he descended the stairs, and called out from the landing, “ farewell, God bless you ! ” Ho you ask me do the soldiers receive what they need ? I answer, not one-fourth, because it is not there to give them. The true way to put an end to the complaints of returned soldiers, that their wants are not fully met, is to quadruple , not diminish supplies. The pretended or misguided friends of the soldier , little realize their work, when they thus check liberality to that heaven-born charity, the U. S. Sanitary Commission. I speak earnestly, for I have seen its work in scores of western hospitals, in the camp and the battle-field.

I have accompanied it in its labor of love as it has followed the destroying angel, binding up mangled limbs, clothing emaciated forms, pillowing aching heads, giving nourishment

11

to exhausted bodies, drawing back from the brink of eternity husbands, sons, brothers, to bless their country and their homes ao’ain. Where one testifies against it, thousands bless it and I’aise up their voices and pens in its behalf. Thank God ! it has a hold on the hearts of the people, and the brave men for whose benefit it was inaugurated. But for some clamor, the Sanitary Commission would lack one evidence of heavenly approval. YToe be to you, when all men speak well of you.

It imitates the Blessed Master in His mission, and shares in His reproach.

In one of my frequent trips to the Army, on my way to Yicksburg, the Steamer on which we were traveling was seized at Columbus as a government transport. The beautiful Ruth was despoiled of her gay trappings— they were laid away for some future gala day, and she put on the homely and sober habilaments of war. The decks were covered with our boys in blue ; a Brigadier General took command of the boat and we were fairly embarked in the army on the move, under military orders. While these great changes were being rap¬ idly made, I strolled on the levee, and as usual found myself in the midst of groups of soldiers. The sun had sunk below the horizon, and left a gorgeous retinue of golden clouds to tell of his departure — the turbid Mississippi, with its deep monotone, rolled majestically toward the sea — camp fires all along the shore were becoming visible in the gathering even¬ ing — the sound of fife and drum mingled with tlie^ busy hum of* preparations for a move— the frowning fortifications of Columbus stood out boldly and clearly against the evening sky, while the lights and fires of a score of steamers looked like an illumination for victory. There was a glorious uncer¬ tainty in all our movements, that added mystery and romance to the scene — we knew we were going to battle, but none knew where, or when, or how, save the officers in command. A soldier, sick or well, knows not his destination, but obeys orders whenever given, and asks no questions. I passed from group to group, and said a cheering word, and told how we loved, and honored, and labored for them at home. It re-

14

tumultuously, why is it, O my God, that some suffer and sacrifice so much in this great struggle for national exist¬ ence, while others pass heedless on, reaping the fruit of their bloody sweat and toil, and talk of pelf given and labors bestowed on these heroes ? Let the heart of every man and woman echo, why ? My young friend passed his hand across his eyes hastily, as he said, “dont think I would have things otherwise; I counted the cost, and am willing to pay the price, be it what it may.” I said, “ a moment since, I pitied you, but now I envy you ; you are happy in your choice ; are sustained by wife and mother ; know what self-sacrificing patriotism means, and trust in God implicitly.” “ You are right,” he said, “ I will write your words to Mother and Mary, for I am proud of them both.” We walked down the hill rapidly, and were soon at John’s camp. lie said, “’tis past taps, I must leave you ; my Colonel wont be hard, he knows I’m never away in mischief ; I’ll tell him I’ve been al¬ most home to-night. I must tell you, Madam, I believe God sent you here ; for the first time in nine months, I had a touch of home-sickness, just before I met you ; ’tis all gone now — farewell ! God bless and keep you.” lie vaulted lightly over the ditch around the camp, and was soon lost among the white tents of the encampment. I know not whether John still lives to honor his regiment, or whether he lives in a hospital, or sleeps in a Southern grave ; one thing I know, living or dying? lie is one tlie Lord’s own, and will shine among His jewels. In a few days after this interview, I entered the Gayoso Block Hospital at Memphis, under the care of Mother Bisherdyke of great renown ; I longed for an army of doubters to be with me there. My visit was unexpected, and haj>pened at suppertime. As I entered the door, I met Mother Bisher- dyke in the convalescent dining hall, where everything on the table w as nutritious and appetising. As she was on her way to the hospital wards, I accompanied her ; there lay 600 freshly wounded men from the battle of Arkansas Post ; each man was eating such food as we would have given them at home. The air was perfectly pure, and the snowy sheets,

15

and shirts, and soft pillows were refreshing. Mrs. B. knew every man by name as by intuition, and as she passed, spoke to one and another. When we reached the centre of the room, she said, “ boys, this is Mrs. H. from Chicago, from the K W. San. Com. Look at your shirts, your sheets, your pillows, they are all marked with the name of the San. Com. ; your good suppers to night, all came from there, and what you get every day comes from the same place.” As from one voice, arose the cry, “ three cheers for the San. Com. — God bless the women at home.” As we passed from cot to cot, Mrs. B. would ask, William, “how does your egg suit you4” “Ex¬ actly right mother.” “ Well, John, how goes the milk toast? ” “ Bully, mother, tastes like the old cow’s milk at home,” said a grey headed man, with a shattered arm, “ Mother, I dont believe my wife could beat that cup of green tea, with white sugar, you sent me to-night ; it has about cured me ; I feel as chirk as a robin,” At one cot knelt a bright, bronzed-faced, motherly woman, feeding her husband cautiously ; his jaw had been shot away, the splintered fragments removed, and he lay a woful spectacle, not able to speak intelligently. “How do you feel to-night, James,” said mother B., “all right now, since she’s come,” said he, laying his hand fondly on her head. The constant woman’s face beamed with joy, as she said, “ I believe I can take him home next week.” As I was about to leave, I stood in their midst, and said, “boys you look so bright and happy and seem so cheerful, I think you must be shamming ; you are all heroes, but are you badly wounded ? ” “ Why should’nt we be happy ? ” cried out a

brave manly voice, “We left all to fight for the old flag, and put it where it belongs, and wre left it flying at Arkansas Post, if we did get hit.” Another cried out cheerfully, “ Madam, what do you call this ? ” and drew aside the sheet, to show the stump of a leg. Another pointed to where the strong right arm had been, and another to his bandaged head, from which a piece of shell had been extracted. A Wisconsin bat¬ tery boy beside me, called out, “what do you say of me? One of my arms was taken off nine months ago, and the Hoc-

16

tor says the other must go to-morrow. I’ve been in nine bat_ les, and been wounded every time, but “the Post” has used me up. What am I to do in the world, not 20 years old, and no arms?” “My grand fellow,” said I, “the women will take care of you. God never spared your life, but for some great purpose, and I believe you will live to bless and be blessed.” Tears burst from his eyes, as the boys cheered, and he said fervently, “ thank you for that.”

The long and weary siege of Yicksburg had continued many months previous to the terrific assaults of our brave army on the fortifications in the rear of that rebel stronghold. On the 19th and 22d of May, were made those furious attacks, up steep acclivities, in the teeth of bristling fortifications, long lines of rifle-pits, and sharp-shooters who fringed the hill tops and poured their murderous fire into our advancing ranks. It would seem impossible that men could stand, much less advance, under such a galling fire. They were mowed down as wheat before the sickle, but they faltered not. The vacant places of the fallen were instantly filled, and inch by inch they gained the heights of Yicksburg. When the precipice was too steep for the horses to draw up the artillery, our brave boys did the work themselves, and then fought and conquered. When they had gained the topmost line of rifle-pits, they entered in and took possession ; and when I made my last visit to the Army of the Mississippi, there they were ensconced as conies in the rock, enduring the heat of a vertical sun, and crouching, like beasts of prey, to escape the rebel bullets from the earthworks, almost within touching distance. The fierce and bloody struggle had filled long lines of field-hospitals with mangled victims, whose sufferings were soothed and relieved beyond what I could have conceived possible, and it rejoiced my heart to see there the comforts and luxuries of the Sanitary Commission. The main body of the army lay encamped in the valleys, at the foot of the rifle-pits, and spread its lines in a semi-circle to a distance of fourteen miles. The health of the army was perfect, its spirit jubilant. They talked of the rebels as prisoners, as though they were guarding them,

17

and answered questions implying doubt of success, with a scornful laugh, saying, “ why, the boys in the rear could whip Johnson, and we not know it; and we could take Vicksburg if we chose and not disturb them.” Each regiment, if not each man, felt competent for the work. One glorious day in June accompanied by an officer of the 8th Missouri, I set out for the rifle-pits. When I reached them, I found the heat stiflino- • and as I bent ta avoid the whizzing minies, and the falling branches ot the trees, cut off by an occasional shell, I felt that war was a terrible reality. The intense excitement of the scene, the manly, cheerful bearing of the veterans, the boominc of the cannon from the battlements, and the heavy mortal that were ever and anon throwing their huge iron balls into V lcksburg, and the picturesque panorama of the army en camped below, obliterated all sense of personal dancer or fatigue. After a friendly talk with the men in the extreme front, and a peep again and again through the loop-holes watched and fired upon continually by the wary foe I de¬ scended to the second ledge, where the sound of music reached us. We followed it quickly, and in a few moments stood behind a rude litter of boughs, on which lay a grey-haired soldier, face downward, with a comrade on either side. They did not perceive us, but sang on the closing line of the verse :

“ Come, humble sinner, in whose breast

A thousand thoughts revolve;

Come with thy sins and fears oppressed,

And make this last resolve.”

I joined in the second verse :

“I’ll go to Jesus, though my sins Have like a mountain rose,

I know His courts, I’ll enter in,

Whatever may oppose.”

In an instant, each man turned and would have stopped, but I sang on with moistened eyes, and they continued. At the close, one burst out, “ Why, ma’am, 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 said, “ I have come from your friends at home to see you, and bring messages of love and honor. I have come to bring you the comforts that we owe you, and love to give. I’ve come to see if you receive what they send you.”

“ Do they think so much of us 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. “Why, boys,” said I, “ the women at home don’t think of much else but the soldiers. It they meet to sew, ’tis for you ; if they have a good time, ’tis to gather money for the Sanitary Commission ; if they meet to pray, tis for .the soldiers ; and" even the little children, as they kneel at their mother’s knees to lisp their good-night prayers, say, “God bless the soldiers.” A crowd of eager listeners had gathered from their hiding places, as birds from the rocks. Instead of cheers as usual, I could only hear an occasional sob and feel solemn silence. The gray-liaired veteran drew from his breast-pocket a daguerreotype, and said, “Here are my wife and daughters. I think any man might be proud of them, and they all work for the soldiers.” And then each man drew forth the inevitable daguerreotype, and held it for me to look at, with pride and affection. There were aged mothers and sober matrons, bright-eyed maidens and laughing cherubs, all carried next these brave hearts and cherished as life itself. Blessed art ! It seems as though it were part of God’s preparation work, for this long, cruel war. These mute memorials of home and its loved ones have proved the talisman of many a tempted heart and the solace of thousands of suffering, weary veterans. I had much to do and prepared to leave. I said “ Brave men, farewell ! When I go home 1 11 tell them that men that never flinch before a foe, sing hymns of praise in the rifle pits of Vicksburg. I'll tell them that eyes that never weep for them own suffering, overflow at the name of home and the sight of the pictures of their wives and children. They’ll feel more than ever that such men cannot be conquered, and that enough cannot be done for them.”

19

tT!re frrS, the WOmen at llome. and a grasp ofmulti-

reSent 1 The0!8* ^ “d 1 tlU'ned away to ^ other

rh,e °ftcer who was With me, grasped my hand • Madam,” said he, “promise me you’ll visit my regiment morrow t would 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 camp fires, in the rifle-pits, in the dark night or on the march, they will repeat your words describe your looks, your voice, your size, your dress, and all’ agree in one respect, that you look like an angel, and exactly like each mans wife or mother.” Such reverence have our soldiers for upright, tender-hearted women. In the valley beneath, just having exchanged the front line of rifle-pits wi h the regiment now occupying it, encamped my son’s egiment. Its ranks had been fearfully thinned by the ter¬ rible assaults of the 19th and 21st of May, as they had formed the right wing of the line of battle on that fearful day. I -new most of them personally, and as they gathered round me and inquired after home and friends, I could but look in sadness for many familiar faces, to be seen no more on earth.

1 said Hoys, I was present when your colors were presented o you by the Board of Trade. I heard your colonel pledge himself that you would bring those colors home or cover them with your blood as well as glory. I want to see them,

, y0U ,e them stlll> after your many battles.” With great alacrity the man in charge of them, ran into an adjoining ent and brought them forth, carefully wrapped in an oil-silk

iT vin dde ftrew ft oft an(l flung the folds to the breeze-

What does this mean ?” I said. “ How soiled and tattered, and rent and faded they look-I should not know them.” The man who held them said, “why, ma’am, ’twas the smoke and balls did that.” “ Ah ! so it must have been,” I said. Welb you have covered them with glory, but how about the oo . A silence of a minute followed, and then a low voice said, “ four were shot down holding them— two are dead and two in the hospital.” “ V erily, you have redeemed your

20

pledge,” I said solemnly. “ Now, boys, sing 'Hally round the Flag, Boys!’”— and they did sing it. As it echoed through the valley, as we stood within sight of the green sward that had been reddened with the blood of those that had fought for and upheld it, methought the angels might pause to hear it, for it was a sacred song— the song of freedom to the captive, of hope to the oppressed of all nations. Since then, it seems almost profane to sing it with thoughtlessness or frivolity. After a touching farewell, I stepped into the ambulance, surrounded by a crowd of the brave fellows, ihe last sound that reached my ears was cheers for the Sanitary Commission and the women at home. I soon reached the regimental hospital, where lay the wounded color-bearers. As I entered the tent, the surgeon met me and said, “ I’m

so glad you’ve come, for E - has been calling for you all

day.” As I took his parched, feverish hand, he said, “ Oh ! take me home to my wife and little ones to die.” There he lay, as noble a specimen of vigorous manhood as I had ever looked upon. His great broad chest heaved with emotion, his dark eyes were brilliant with fever, his cheeks flushed with almost the hue of health, his rich brown hair clustering in soft curls over his massive forehead, was difficult to realize that he was entering the portals of eternity. I walked across the tent to the doctor, and asked if he could go with me. He shook his head, and said before midnight he would be at rest. I shrunk from his eager gaze as I approached him. “ What does he say?” he asked quickly. “You can’t be moved.” The broad chest rose and fell, his whole frame quivered. There was a pause of a few minutes. He spoke first and said, “Will you take my message to her?” “ I will,” I said, “if I go five hundred miles to do it.” Take her picture from under my pillow, and my children’s also. Let me see it once more.” As I held them for him, he looked earnestly and then said, “ tell her not to fret about me, for we shall meet in heaven. Tell her ’twas all right that I came. I don’t regret it, and she must not. Tell her to train these two little boys, that we loved so well, to go to heaven to us, and tell her to

21

bear my loss like a soldier’s wife and a Christian. lie was exhausted by the effort. I sat beside him till his conscious¬ ness was gone, repeating God’s precious promises. As the sun went to rest that night, he slept in his Father’s bosom. I will say no more. From the storehouse of memory, so filled with thrilling incidents, ’tis difficult to select. Enough, how¬ ever, has been said, to teach the women of the land a lesson concerning the heavy debt they owe these heroes— enough to furnish them with arguments to meet the cavils of the un¬ believing or captious, and with rebukes for the pernicious and selfish, who dare complain that they are perpetually besought to give to the soldiers, when the meanest, the comeliest of them all who has given his limb, his eye, his health, perchance his heart’s blood, has given more than they all. Women of the North, arise ! put on your armor anew. Let your persist¬ ence be measured only by the soldier’s endurance. Now, when they have fought and won an honorable peace — when the bow of promise gilds the horizon, and the watchman says “ All’s well !”— relax not your efforts. Let the army of sick and wounded soldiers receive your grateful offerings, not as a bribe for future efforts, but a tribute of gratitude and justice ; and when the peace bells ring and the bonfires gleam, let Charity not doff her robes, but gird herself afresh, and tarry not till every sick and wounded soldier shall be restored to home and friends if he has them ; and if not, have a “ Home ” provided for him. May it be said of woman, as of old, “ she hath done what she could.”

.

U. S. Sanitary Commission.- No 89

extbacts

FROM THE

#«arierlj Jijraal |{dicf Itpri

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION,

Washington, D. c., April, 1865,

CONCERNING THE REBEL HOSPITALS AT RICHMOND, VA., AND THE PROVISION MADE FOR THEIR PATIENTS, AS CON¬ TRASTED WITH THE SUPPLIES FURNISHED TO UNION PRISONERS OF WAR IN REBEL HANDS.

WASHINGTON, D. C. :

PRINTED BY McGILL & WITHEROW.

1865.

'

[Extracts from the Report of Frederick N. Knapp, Superintendent of Special Relief, read at the quarterly meeting of the Board of the U. S. Sanitary Cmmission, Washington, D. C., April 20, 1865.]

Oa Sunday, April 2d, I arrived at Wilmington, North Carolina, having left Washington in response to the call made by Dr. Agnew in his letter of March 20th, describing the wretchedness and destitution of the 1,500 or 2,000 Union prisoners who had just been brought into Wilmington, exchanged or paroled from the Rebel prisons.* * When'

*Dr. c. R, Agnew, of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, in a letter to the General Secretary, dated Wilmington, N. C., March 20, 1865, writes thus:—

* * * “The returned prisoners sent into Wilmington numbered nearly

9,000. Some 7,000 of the less famished have gone North. General Abbott who received our poor fellows in the exchange, has jus told me that language would utterly fail to descr.be their condition. Filth, rags, nakedness, starvation, were personified in their condition. Many of the men were in a state of mind resem¬ bling idiocy, unable to tell their names, and lost to all sense of modesty, un¬ conscious of their nakedness and personal condition. Some of them moving about on their hands and knees, unable to stand upon their gangrenous feet looking up like hungry dogs, beseeching the observer fora bite of bread or a sup of water. Some of them hitched along on their hands and buttocks pushing gangrenous feet, literally reduced to bone and shreds, before them.’ Others leaned upon staves, and glared from sunken eyes through the parch- ment-like slits of their open eyelids into space, without having the power to hx an intelligent gaze upon passing objects. Others giggled and smirked, and obbled like starred idiots ; while some adamantine figu es walked erect, as though they meant to move the skeleton homewards so long as vitality enough remained to enable them to do so. To see the men who remain here in hos¬ pital would move a heart as hard and cold as marble. Their condition is that of men who have for months suffered chronic starvation. Their arms and legs look like coarse reeds with bulbous joints. Their faces look as though a skil¬ ful taxidermist had drawn tanned skin over the bare skull, and then placed false eyes in the orbital cavities. They defy description. It would take a pen expert in the use of every term known to the anatomist and the physician to begin to expose their fearful condition. May God in his infinite mercy, for¬ give the creatures who have done this horrid thing!” * * * *

4

I reached Wilmington, all but 300 of these Union prisoners had been sent North; and those who remained had been made in all respects clean and comfortable, as had been those who had gone on shipboard. And this had been done largely, almost exclusively, through the abundant supplies of clothing furnished by the Commission — some thousands of garments — which enabled these men to lay aside the filthy rags in which alone they had for months been clothed. I am convinced from what I myself saw, and from the testi¬ mony of the medical and the military officers at Wilming¬ ton, that the Sanitary Commission did one of its most blessed and beneficent works in the help it gave to the sur¬ geons there, who, with utterly deficient means athand, were trying to lift these returned prisoners out of a state of filth and starvation — a condition resulting directly from long confinement at the South and studied deprivations. And I may add that among the men who still remained at Wil¬ mington, although they were surrounded by comforts, and their appearance had of course been entirely changed from what it was at first, there was, in the seventy gangrenous limbs (dry gangrene from frost or exposure) of men gathered in one hospital, the saddest and most striking evidence I have yet seen of the malignant cruelty practiced upon our Union prisoners by the enemy.

^ 'i' ^ 'i' ^

On Friday, April Tth, I left City Point, upon the Sanitary Tug Boat, “ Gov. Curtin,” which was starting with stores for Richmond. We arrived at Richmond Friday evening, having been delayed on our way up two hours, at “Deep Bottom,” where we took on to the “ Curtin” quite an amount of supplies from what had been the Sanitary Store-house of the 25th Army Corps ; the sanitary wagons, — which you will recollect followed the troops into Richmond the morn-

5

ing it was evacuated, -though well loaded, were able to take but a share of the supplies.

Saturday morning, after passing by the smoking ruins, and getting sight of “ Libby Prison” and “ Belle Isle,”— each bound in with its terrible history,— I went out to “ Jackson Hospital,” one of the principal hospitals of the place, a mile and a half or two miles from the city; and here I saw that which, by contrast, made me feel ten-fold more fully than ever before how great had been the barbarity of that system of starvation and exposure by which the rebels, with slow and terrible death, had killed off our men, their Prisoners of War.

I found at that rebel hospital the evidence of thorough or¬ ganization and wise system — a large generosity in all the pro¬ visions for the comfort of their patients; and testimony proving the fact that, as a general thing, there had been no lack of supplies there, but usually an abundance of all needed stores. As I looked on these well ordered methods, and the liberal provision which had long been made by the rebels at that hospital, located within less than cannon-shot distance of Belle Isle, I felt that the thin screen of “ ignorance ” or of “ inability , with which some persons still seek to temper the barbarity ot the rebels, must be at once and ut¬ terly swept away, leaving the inhuman cruelty of this slow murder to stand out clearly, and its true nature to be recog¬ nized, viz : a means systematically arranged and adopted, under a deliberate plan, as an engine of war, whereby to thin our ranks by death, precisely as the bayonet is used in battle, except that the bayonet is connected with bravery, while this instrument of death is the weapon of cowardice. For what could stand in stronger contrast with the boasted chivalry ot the South, or with the undoubted valor of her soldiers in the field, than this resort to a process of starving defenceless men by thousands, showing that the spirit of

6

slavery, which fomented and has guided this rebellion, is not only oppressive but base ; since bravery — that virtue which all men praise — dies out under a system that creates and thrives upon brutality and ungoverued passions ? What, therefore, if not this meanest and most cruel method of getting rid of a dreaded foe, should forever be branded as cowardice ?

Jackson Hospital, as established and conducted by the rebels, was excellent; in some respects, few military hos¬ pitals of our own surpass it. It was excellent in its gen¬ eral plan of organization ; in its location and its arrangement of buildings ; in its administration; in its thorough policing ; in the exceeding cleanliness of its bedding, and in the very liberal provision made by the Rebel Government for the Hospital Fund.

Jackson Hospital comfortably accommodates 2,500 pa¬ tients. Winder Hospital, which is near by, but which I did not visit, is said to be similar to Jackson Hospital in general arrangements and capacity, but inferior in its situation and its appointments. The buildings at Jackson Hospital are much like our usual wooden hospital barracks, well arranged and well warmed and lighted, the floors nicely scoured, and the walls, in many wards, covered with canvas, which was painted white. The bedsteads were only wood, but were kept very white, and on each was both a straw bed and a cotton mattrass, and two feather pillows, with nice pillow cases. The sheets and blankets and bed-spreads were unu¬ sually clean, and bore marks of being carefully looked after. The cleanliness of the bed-linen was accounted for by the large laundry, where sixty (60) laundresses were constantly at work. The laundry was provided with a long row of fixed tubs, into which the water was brought by pipes, and ample provision was made for heating water, heating irons, &c., &c.

This laundry had its tenements near by for the wo¬ men employed there, where they seemed comfortable in their quarters, and neat in personal appearance. At the hospital, beside the medical corps and nurses, and the two Matrons to every ninety patients, there were in each section a Chief Linen-Matron, and a Chief Culinary- Matron, with their two assistants. In each section was a kitchen for special diet, with four to six stoves— this besides the general kitchen attached to each section. The special diet list was posted in all the wards, and seemed liberal and aiming to secure variety. The Dispensaries were well fitted up, and the persons in charge said, in answer to my inquiry, that, excepting a deficiency at times in some few articles, their supply had been good. The Linen-rooms were kept in the neatest order, and seemed to have been unusually well filled. The Baggage-rooms were like the rest, clean and well ar¬ ranged. The Dining-rooms of each section, where the con¬ valescents ate, were also kept well, and the tables neat, and bearing marks of care and comfort, and convalescents who had been there some months assured me that their fare was on the whole excellent. There were no covered walks connecting the different buildings in the section with the dining rooms, nor were there any “ tram-ways” from the kitchens to the wards ; but the walks were hard and clean, and the drains deep and free. At the head of each section were neat buildings, one of which was occupied by surgeons, others by matrons and women assistants. These buildings, with their white-washed fronts and green blinds, and patches of grass, had a look of comfort. There was no general method of carrying water by pipes over the different build¬ ings, consequently there was no provision for bath rooms in the several wards — a decided deficiency; but good water for ordinary use was furnished by wells. The water closets for

8

convalescents were located where a running stream carried off the deposits.

Within the hospital grounds and near by was an open grove of large trees, with grass beneath, neatly kept. At the further edge of this grove was one of the two large ice houses which supplied the hospital, each 30x30 feet, and 18 feet deep. They are both now filled solid with ice, well protected. A little way from the hospital on the other side are large sheds and a barn, also a dairy house, with the cold water of the melting ice of one of the ice houses flowing through it. At this dairy in summer they have had sixty cows (pastured near by) to furnish fresh milk, and at times fresh butter also, to the patients. The refuse from the barn yard goes to enrich the hospital garden of three or four acres, which, the surgeon formerly in charge told me, had become very productive.

Near the dairy house stands a large baker}% (at present not used) with capacious ovens where formerly, as the man in charge stated, they turned out sixty thousand pounds of bread per day.

To the above memoranda is to be added this most import¬ ant fact, viz : that the Rebel Government, in making provi¬ sion for the “Hospital Fund,” added one hundred per cent, to the usual army ration. Thus was furnished large means for purchasing extra supplies.

Such, roughly sketched, is the record of Jackson Hospital, as it had been during the past year or more ; while near by, all the time, was Belle Isle, with its shelterless and starving thousands. * * * * *

u. S. SANITARY COMMISSION

No. 90.

CIROULAE,

addressed to the

BRANCHES AND AH) SOCIETIES

tributary to the

u. S. SANITARY COMMISSION

MAY 15, 1865.

WASHINGTON, 1). C.:

PRINTED BY McOILL & WITHEROW

1865.

Central Office,

Washington, D. C., May 15, 1865.

To the Branches and Soldiers’ Aid Societies tributary to the United States Sanitary Commission:

At the late quarterly session of the Board of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, held at Washington, April 18-21 the President and General Secretary were requested to prepare an address to the various Branches and Aid Societies co¬ operating with the Commission, and awaiting instructions trom the Commission as to their present and future duty.

Since that period such rapid changes have occurred in the military situation, affecting so materially the work of the Commission, that it has been impossible, until now, to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion as to the probable demands to be made upon us.

While our work in the field is rapidly drawing to a close there remains much to be done by the Commission within the approaching two months for the relief and comfort of our armies as they return from their long marches and ex¬ hausting service. New depots of supplies have already been established at the several points where these armies are to rendezvous and encamp preparatory to their discharge.

The abandonment of the Post and Base Hospitals must increase for the time the already large number of patients in General Hospital, while the necessary aid to be extended

4

to the various garrisons during the interval preceding the more permanent adjustment of the new military status must make large drafts upon our resources. The supplies now available at our several depots are wholly insufficient to meet this final but urgent demand upon the Supply Service; and, deeming it important both for the actual relief ot existing needs and for the consistent completion of this work ot the people, continued now through four successive years of faithful co-operation, that our issues be not meagre or our care neglectful, we call upon our Branches and Aid Socie¬ ties to maintain their usual system and activity up to the 4th July next, persevering in their work until that time with unabated energy, and with an intelligent appreciation ot the necessity of the case.

It is confidently anticipated that their labors in contribut¬ ing supplies to the hospitals and the field may properly term¬ inate at that date, unless wholly improbable and unexpected events arise to make such conclusion of their work unpa¬ triotic and inhumane. Timely notice will be given if any such necessity occur.

In the meantime the rapid disbanding of our armies and their immediate return to their relations in civil life will devolve upon our Branches and Aid Societies a new and important work, to be performed under their immediate supervision, and necessitating the mainte¬ nance of their organization for an indefinite period. The occasion for this continued effort grows out of the fact that these returning soldiers, by their military service, have be¬ come more or less detached from their previous relations, associations, and pursuits, which are now to be re-established. Many of these men will be not only physically but morally disabled, and will exhibit the injurious effects of camp life in a weakened power of self-guidance and self-restraint, in¬ ducing a certain kind of indolence, and, for the time, indispo¬ sition to take hold of hard work. The possession of money

in the majority of cases will increase the inducements to idleness and dissipation, as well as the exposure to imposition. To protect the soldier from these evils and temptations, naturally resulting from his previous military life, is a duty which is now owed to him by the people, as much as was the care extended to him, through the Commission, while in active service in the field ; for we are to regard the future necessity that may exist for help and guidance to returned soldiers as no less a condition incident to the war than the wounds and sickness to which the supply agencies of the Commission have hitherto so generously ministered.

In submitting to our Aid Societies a practical plan of work adapted to these new conditions, our object is to sug¬ gest such methods as will aid the process by which these

men are to resume their natural and proper relations in civil life.

The first and most important means in the accomplish¬ ment of this object will be found in a systematic provision for securing suitable occupation to all these returned men, adapted, where necessary, to the condition of those partially disabled, thus constituting each Branch and Aid Society a “Bureau of Information and Employment,” by which the light occupations in all towns, and whatever work can be as well done by invalid soldiers as by others, shall be re¬ ligiously given to the men who may have incapacitated themselves for rivalry in more active and laborious fields of

duty by giving their limbs, their health, and their blood to the nation.

To this end, and to guard against the possibility of imposition, the names ot all men who have enlisted from each town and city should be obtained and preserved, and a record kept that shall gather all facts material to the work in hand; which, while it will be the means of collecting most useful information, will, at the same time, constitute an invaluable contributiou to the his-

6

tory of the war. Carefully prepared forms for this pur¬ pose will be furnished from the Central Office of the Commission, to which monthly returns will be made, and where they will be duly tabulated. These results will be promptly transmitted each month to the several Aid Socie¬ ties, to furnish whatever guidance they may for the wise prosecution of the work.

The co-operation of our Aid Societies in extending iur formation concerning the various agencies of the Commis¬ sion for the relief and aid of discharged soldiers and their families will constitute another important service which they may render.

Some of these agencies are of a character which will not terminate with the disbanding of our armies, but will find their largest field of activity and usefulness during the year succeeding the close of the war.

The Commission is rapidly extending its system of Claim Agencies to all the principal cities and centers of population throughout the country. Through these agencies all claims of soldiers or sailors and their families are adjusted with the least possible delay and without charge, thus securing to the applicants the full amount of the claim as allowed, and ex¬ emption from the heavy tax, and often gross imposition and fraud, to which they are subjected by the ordinary methods. The evils to which the discharged soldier is exposed in the adjustment of claims against the Government are of so grave a nature that no effort should be spared to secure to him the benefits of this agency of the Commission’s work. Regard¬ ing the Local Aid Societies as the natural guardians of the soldiers and the supervisors of the work of the Commission in their respective towns or cities, it is desired that they will exercise a careful superintendence of this work, promoting by every practicable means its efficiency, and making sure that every returned soldier in their vicinity and the family of every deceased soldier is actually informed of the aid gratu¬ itously offered them by this agency of the Commission.

7

rhe maintenance of the organization of our Aid Societies will preserve to the Sanitary Commission the means of com¬ municating with the people, from time to time, upon such topics as concern the continued welfare of returned soldiers, and especially in regard to the more permanent provision’ which it will be necessary to make for disabled soldiers, inca¬ pable of self-support. It is the profound conviction of the Sanitary Commission, that the peculiar genius and beauty of American institutions is to show itself in the power which the ordinary civil, social, and domestic life of the nation ex¬ hibits to absorb rapidly into itself our vast army, and restore to ordinary occupations those who have been fighting our bat¬ tles ; while the sick and the wounded are distributed through the country, objects of love, care, and restoration, in the several communities where they belong, instead of being collected in great State and national asylums, objects of public ostentation, and subjected to the routine, the isola¬ tion, and the ennui of an exceptional, unfruitful, and un- happy existence. Public provision of this latter kind, as free from its evil as may be, must be made for a certain small class of the friendless and the totally disabled ; but humanity and American feeling demand "that this class should be reduced to the smallest possible number through the zeal and friendliness shown towards our returning inva¬ lid soldiers in the towns from which they originally came. The Sanitary Commission will soon lay before its Branches and the public plans for such asylums for disabled and discharged soldiers as it may be necessary to establish.

Reserving the expression of our gratitude to our Branches and Soldiers Aid Societies to a later period, we remain in behalf of the Board,

Yours, faithfully and truly,

H. W. BELLOWS,

President.

JNO. S. BLATCHPORD,

General Secretary.

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION,

SUPPLEMENT TO No. 90.

*

14, 1865.

WASHINGTON, D C •

MCGILL * WITHEROW, PRINTERS AND STEREOTYPERS. 1865.

Central Office,

Washington, D. C., June 10, 1865.

In our circular of the 15th ultimo, addressed to the Branches and Aid Societies tributary to the U. S. Sanitary Commission, concerning future opportunities and methods of work, and more especially the procurement of employ¬ ment for discharged soldiers, as far as may he necessary in consequence of physical disability, or as a means of aiding their return to former relations and occupations in civil life, it was proposed to furnish certain carefully pre¬ pared forms.

These forms are herewith transmitted.

Their use, while diminishing the labor, will also facilitate an intelligent and systematic prosecution of the wrork, and will enable the Central Office of the Commission eventually to tabulate the results gathered from all Aid Societies throughout the country.

Forms A, B, C, D, and E, relate exclusively to the procure¬ ment of employment, and sufficiently indicate the method and all necessary detail pertaining to the work.

It is important that the large and varied measure of good which may be secured to the soldier and to the community, by a thorough and generous application of the methods here presented, be kept clearly in view.

The Bureau of Information and Employment is designed to accomplish the following specific objects :

1. To aid those who have served honorably in the Army and Navy of the United States in obtaining employment,

and to facilitate their return to former occupations and rela¬ tions in civil life.

2. To prevent, as far as possible, the necessity tor costly charitable institutions, by thus encouraging industry, and aiding the disabled soldier, who might otherwise seek an asylum, to strive for self-support.

3. To lesson the pauperism and crime, necessarily more or less a consequence of war, which surely attend on large num¬ bers of unoccupied men left to themselves without employ¬ ment or means of subsistence.

4. To save to the country a large amount of productive labor, at a time when it can least afford to maintain idle hands.

Form F embraces questions to be answered, not by the soldiers themselves, but by intelligent observers, upon certain general conditions incident to the war, and to the return of the soldiers to* their homes.

This form may seem to some unnecessarily full, and de¬ manding information not immediately tending to practical re¬ sults. The purpose which has determined the selection of the questions embraced may, therefore, be distinctly stated. It is, First, to collect such information concerning our discharged soldiers as will enable us most judi¬ ciously and effectively to be prepared to render to those really needing it any form of aid or relief which may be demanded of the people, in behalf of the men, or the children of those men, who have fought our battles ; Second, to seize upon the occasion which is now presented for gathering material which shall illustrate the manner in which, under republican institutions, these men, long aliens from home pursuits, are at once quietly reinstated in their former industrial relations, and become again vital parts of the living whole. The value of the facts which may be thus obtained, in answer to the questions of Form F, can scarcely be over-estimated in its bearing upon many important ques¬ tions, which already begin to engage the attention of states¬ men and philanthropists, and which, in their answers, are to have a direct influence, in most practical ways, upon the

thronglt

record will never be made with the , <luestlons> th>s present Z/.ffll “»

tematic method, a knowled4 of the exist! S' ^ ***' Hio li Ai.m i A'r , G ^ existence and work of Urn Army and Navy Claim Agency” of the U S S ,

tablished UcTtei that ^ P,aCeS Where the*,' may be no es- 1 , " a'™ ASency of the Commission, the Aid Societies

cesLiTbknkf1 “ *6Service b^' aPPb’*ng to this Office forne- manv'hJ “d lnstructlon8. that will enable them in

justment ofTaims. tra'1SaCt Deces8a^ detai»* m the ad-

toac additi°n.t0 tbe issue of cards and circulars, (according to accompanying forms,) to make known in your respective

zszl ,worl j“ *- p"*"* ><• mS:

mide f"' ”J«r'«king, thu. liberal use be facilities for </ ^ ?\e8S f°r advertlsln& y°ur office and its fam!!ies! g g P t0 discharSed tidier, and their

Commi!eCeSSary b°°kS and f°rms wil1 be furnished by the OffiT : Td ;I|!TIinati0n *° theBranches or tbe Central

the CommL / % returned to the Central Office of

the Commission, for purposes of tabulation.

this suDDlem08^ -n0?^ tbat tbe work marked out in demand of tTe " f entered UP0D Promptly. It is the

retZug .“Zr ’ “

JNO. S. BLATCHFORD,

General Secretary.

Form A.

Jf. Jftttitary Commission.

BUREAU OF INFORMATION AND EMPLOYMENT

1. Number of Application,

2. Date, .

3. Name, .

4- Age, .

5. Nationality, .

6. Residence, .

7. Regiment, .

8. Term of Military Service, .

9. Nature and Degree of Disability, .

10. Occupation previous to Enlistment,

11. Occupation desired, .

12. Qualifications, .

13. Habits — Temperate or otherwise,

14. Means of Support, .

15. Married, .

16. Persons dependent on Applicant fo

Support, .

17. References, .

18. Opinion of Referee, .....

19. Kind of Employment secured .

20. Remarks, .

'

.

Form B.

It. £. ^inutiun (Smumhusiiov.

1. Number .

2. Date, .

3. Name,

4. Address .

5. Service required, .

6. Hours of service required daily, .

7. Skill or strength demanded, . .

8. Proposed Term of Engagement, .

9. Compensation .

10. Bemarks, .

I ' i r

BUREAU OF INFORMATION AND EMPLOYMENT.

EMPLOYER’S REGISTER.

Form F.

^L $, J?a nitttvy £ om mission,

BUREAU OF INFORMATION AND EMPLOYMENT.

CENTRAL OFFICE, 244 F STREET, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Returns from

.186

I. Population, according to census of 1860, included in the area embraced within the limits covered by this report . . .

II. Number of men who have enlisted from.

III. Number who are still in the service.

IV. Number who have died in the service.

V. Of those who have returned home, what pro¬ portion are able-bodied? .

VI. Of those disabled, what proportion areseriouslv disabled? . .

VII. What propprtion are slightly disabled?

VIII. What proportion have come distinctly upon the charity of others for support? . .

IX. What agencies exist in your community for the relief of discharged soldiers or their families? .

X. What has been the kind and amount of aid which these agencies have rendered? .

XL In your community how far is preference given by employers of labor to discharged soldiers ? .

XII. Number of widows of soldiers.

XIII. Number of these widows who are poor and partially dependent .

XIV. Number of children of deceased soldiers.,

XV. What available provision has been made by the State or by other agencies by which these chil¬ dren, if poor, can be cared for and educated? .

XVI. To what extent is aid of this kind, if any exists, sought and used for the advantage of these children? . . .

XVII. What, upon the whole, has been the effect of this long term of military service upon the moral lone of the soldiers themselves? .

XVIII. What has been the effect upon the indus-. trial habits of these men? .

XIX. Is there any marked effect upon the homes and upon the children of these soldiers, produced by this long absence of the father of the family ? If there is, how, in general terms, does it show itself? .

XX. Taking your community as a whole, what do you observe is the influence of the war, including, on the one side, the effect of these calls for generous sacri¬ fices, the discipline of liopos and fears and sorrows, and on the other hand the demoralizing influences brought back from army life? .

Form C.

3fl. <f. fiiuitjuii Commission,

BUBEAU OF INFORMATION AND EMPLOYMENT. Central Office, 244 F Street,

WASHINGTON, D. C.

fw'i O^THLY RETURN.

(Insert name of Aid Society.)

I86 .

Month of 186

Number of applications for Employment :

By Able-bodied Men

By Disabled Men .

Total .

Number of applications by Employers . .

Number furnished with Employment :

Able-bodied Men .

Disabled Men . . .

Total .

Number who having once been furnished with employ¬ ment have applied a second time .

K8MD OF EMPLOYMENT FURNISHED.

No.

Agricultural, . . . .

Mechanical, ......... . . .

Commercial, .........

Teaching, professional or fine arts,

Laborers, .......... .

Others, not included in above, . . .

REMARKS.

o

f :j • rr

i

‘

ry- ■ +1 ; " ■ ■ . • . a v ; m" •

.

.dSHSlttfim T >13 rojqwa lO QJIX

>

Form D.

\l. #. Sanitary Commission,

BUREAU OP INFORMATION AND EMPLOYMENT,

( Insert r.zTr.e of A

'*v\j i

To

186

With the design of obtaining employment through this Bureau

refers to you as to his character and qualifications.

You will oblige us by filling out and returning the annexed blanks with your signature. Your reply will be shown only to his employer.

Respectfully yours,

Is he temperate ?

Is he industrious ? .

Do you deem him honest ?

How long have you known him ?

State facts which may be of service to him, or of which his employer should be informed.

I

No.

. (lutn No- of ApjriieatioB.)

Form E.

^t. 3- Sanitary Commission,

BUREAU OF INFORMATION AND EMPLOYMENT.

(Insert name of Aid Society.)

1 86

To

You are requested to call at our office respecting

your application at . o’clock . , on

inst. and to bring this

. O

notice with you.

No.

* (Insert No of Applica'ion.)

-Fora, of Circular to be printed and used by Aid Societies in their respective localities, the proper designation of each being Inserted )

m. f. Jfomburg ®ommiss(mL

BUREAU OF INFORMATION AND EMPLOYMENT,

(Insert name of Society.)

This Bureau is established with the following objects :

1. To aid those who have served in the Army and Navy of the United States in obtaining employment

2. To prevent, as far as possible, the necessity for costly charitable institutions, by thus encouraging indus¬ try, and aiding the disabled, soldier who might otherwise seek an asylum, to strive for self-support.

3. To lessen the pauperism and crime necessarily more or less a consequence of war, and which surely attend on large numbers of unoccupied men left to themselves without employment or means of subsistence.

4. To save to the country a large amouat of productive labor, at a time when it can least afford to main¬ tain idle bands.

The services of the Bureau are given gratuitously.

Information and suggestions are solicited relative to employments adapted to maimed and disabled men. Employers are earnestly requested to make application to this Bureau for every class of labor ; and are reminded that our Army and Navy have contained many of theVst and most trustworthy young men of the nation — skilled in every occupation.

It is demanded by both patriotism and humanity, that the light occupations of all towns, and whatever work can be as well done by invalid soldiers as by others, be given to the men who may have incapacitated themselves for rivalry in more active and laborious fields of duty, by giving their limbs, their health, and their blood to the nation.

[Append names of Officers of Aid Society.]

JNO. S. BLATCHFORD,

General Secretary.

D. S. SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. 91.

On the 22d March, 1S61, the Sanitary Commission resolved to ask the aid and co-operation of an Auxiliary Finance Com- nnttee, to be composed of gentlemen of the highest position and standing, on whose advice it could depend in any ques¬ tions that might arise as to the best management of its funds.

It was thought desirable that this Committee should also be requested from time to time, to pass upon and examine the accounts and vouchers of its Treasurer. These have been audited and examined by Committees appointed by the Com¬ mission and consisting of its own members, at intervals of not less than three months, ever since the Commission was ap¬ pointed in June, 1861, and have been found correct. But the amount confided to the Commission by the people has been so large, and the responsibility thus imposed on it so heavy, that a thorough investigation of its expenditures by gentlemen not belonging to its own body seemed expedient for the protection of the Commission and the satisfaction of the public.

Messrs. A. A. Low, Jonathan Sturges and John Jacob Astor, Jr., having consented to act as such Auxiliary Finance Committee, all the books, accounts, and vouchers of the Treasurer from June 26th, 1861, the date of the first entry they contain (including those of the Washington and Louis¬ ville Offices) were laid before this Committee. It proceeded to engage the services of a professional accountant, and on the 30th May, 1865, reported the result of its examination down to January, 1865.

Tlie leports of the Committee and of its accountant, are as follows :

2

New York, May 30, 1865.

Geo. T. Strong, Esq.,

Treasurer.

Dear Sir,

We hereby certify that Mr. James M. Ilalsey, Teller of the Seamens Savings Bank, was selected and appointed by ns to examine into the books and accounts of the Sanitary Com¬ mission, and after many months devoted to this work more or less continuously, the accompanying certificate shows the result of his examination.

His name is appended to a statement of receipts and dis¬ bursements from June 26, 1861, to January 1, 1865, sent here¬ with, the aggregate being $3,470,587 94.

Respectfully yours,

( Signed )

J. J. ASTOR, Jr.,

A. A. LOW,

JON’N STURGES.

78 Wall Street,

New York, July 20, 1864.

Messrs. A. A. Low, Esq.,

Jonathan Sturges, Esq.,

J. J. Astor, Jr., Esq.

Gentlemen,

I have to report ( pursuant to your instructions) that the accounts of the Treasurer of the U. S. Sanitary Commis¬ sion have been carefully examined, and that I find them correct , in all particulars.

The examination included the Bank accounts kept by the Treasurer, and I find vouchers returned for the same, correct both as to date and amount.

Herewith I hand you a statement of the receipts and dis¬ bursements of the Commission from June 26, 1861, to May 1, 1864, showing a balance of cash on hand of $394,598 62, which I find to have been the balance on the Bank Books at that date.

3

accounts, I shall be pleased tofornish with ^

required.Stant tW"7 (Jfe * Colli»s) at «7^«“££ Respectfully yours,

JAS. M. HALSEY.

New 1 ork, March 30, 1865.

Messrs. A. A. Low, Esq., i

Jonathan Sturges, Esq., i Committee.

3. J. Astor, Jr., Esq. )

Gentlemen,

the U S ?rTithn ]'and 7°n my rep°rt °f the 0Perations of . S. Sanitary Commission from June 1861 to Jan 1865

Upon a careful examination of the books, I find vouchers for

all disbursements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief

the enclosed account is correct in every particular.

Respectfully, yours &c.,

JAS. M. HALSEY.

The same Committee has been requested to continue its examination from 1st January. 1865, until the affairs of the mmission shall be finally wound up. The result of such future examination will be duly laid before the public.

Henry W. Bellows,

President.

Johk S. Blatchford,

General Secretary.

823 Broadway, New York, June 1, 1865.

/

/

\

*

u. S. SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. O^.

REPORT

CONCERNING TIIE

FIELD RELIEF SERVICE

OF THE

WITn THE

ARMIES Of TIIE POTOMAC, GEORGIA, AND TENNESSEE,

IN THE

DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON,

MAY AND JUNE, 1865.

WASHINGTON, D. C. :

McGILL & WIT HERO VV, PRINTERS AND STEREOTYPERS. 1865.

%

Central Office,

Washington, D. C., July i, i865. Rev. H. W. Bellows, D. D., President :

"if"' rS": °" ““ 2M “d 2<1,‘ of M*J' '<»>. «™

200,000 soldiers, composing the armies of the Potomac Georgia, and Tennessee, were gathered within sight of the National Capital, and participated in the grand review which took place in Washington at that time, preparatory to the fina discharge from service of a large portion of the troops.

The Relief Service of the Sanitary Commission with these troops in the Department of Washington-a record of which is embraced in the accompanying Report-commenced with the establishment of Relief Stations at convenient points on the line of march, for the supply of ice-water and simple re- fresh merit during the two days’ continuance of the review This simple but gratefully-received service diminished ma- tenally the fatigue and exhaustion incident to the occasion.

Many of the troops were worn and exhausted by the long marches and uninterrupted service, and exhibited the low physical condition resulting from a long, unvaried diet and deprivation of vegetable food. A temporary and partial sus¬ pension of the ordinary governmental channels of supply necessarily incident to the adjustment of regimental ac¬ counts preparatory to mustering out, became the occasion of many wants which it was the obvious duty of the Commis-

4

sion to endeavor to supply. The demand upon us, for the period during which the troops remained temporarily in camp to await the process of discharge and transportation to other points of rendezvous, has been second only in impor¬ tance and magnitude to the requirements of the battle-field itself.

The timely aid of the Commission, thus rendered, is be¬ lieved to have been of the most beneficent character, and has been most gratefully acknowledged by both officers and

men.

The organization by which these wants have been system¬ atically ascertained and provided for may appear lrom the following

Regulations for the Field Relief Service of the U. S. Sani¬ tary Commission with the armies in the department of Washington, May 25, 18G5:

Dr. M. D. Benedict, Chief Inspector, in charge.

Mr. A. M. Sperry, Chief of Field Relief Corps. Mrs. Stephen Barker, Supt. of Hospital Visitors.

The establishment for a Corps shall be as follows :

PERSONNEL. . . One agent in charge, with such additional agents

and laborers as, in the opinion of the Chief Inspector, the requirements of the service may demand.

EQUIPMENT.

.One tent, and one four-horse wagon and driver.

THE GHIEP OP HELD CORPS Will supervise and be held responsible

for the work of the agents in charge of the sev¬ eral Corps Stations.

He will report to the Chief Inspector. The agent in charge of Corps Relief Station will report to Chief of Field Relief Corps. All other agents and laborers will be under the direction of agent in charge of Corps Relief Station.

5

THE AGENT IN CHARGE OF CORPS STATION Shall select the most

convenient point for the location of his tent, at which place he or his representative will always be found. One four-horse wagon and driver will be detailed, subject to his order, for the trans¬ portation of supplies and for such other pur- poses, in the legitimate discharge of his duties, as he maj'- elect.

REQUISITIONS . Requisitions for supplies from the agent in charge

to be in all cases sent to the Chief Inspector in time to allow a proper inspection of the same ; and the agent in charge will be held responsible for any failure of supplies chargeable to a non- compliance with these regulations.

Requisitions from medical officers for hospital stores and stimulants to be referred to Chief Inspector, and to be endorsed by the agent in charge, with strength of regiment, number of sick, and such brief report upon condition of til9 men as may be possible.

SUPPLIES,

.Supplies of clothing, shoes, &c., to be issued— ex¬ cept in special cases, after careful examination by the agent in charge — on special requisitions of the Officers commanding companies, to be approved by the Regimental Commanders.

Supplies of stationery, tobacco, towels, handker¬ chiefs, thread, &c., to be drawn from the Field Depot, and to be accounted for to the agent in charge by the distributing agent, and to be charged to the Regiments, Brigades, and Divis¬ ions, with the view to preserve a correct record of issue.

THE CORPS OF HOSPITAL VISITORS Temporarily detailed for auz-

iliary service with the Field Relief Corps, will report, through their Superintendent, to the Chief Inspector ; their work to be confined to such individual relief as may be designated, and not to include the issue or supply of clothing.

The following reports will exhibit in detail the method and results of the work.

JNO. S. BLATCPIFORD,

General Secretary.

REPORTS.

Jno. S. Blatchford, Esq., General Secretary:

Sir: I have the honor to hand you herewith the reports and other documents of interest relating to the late issue of supplies by the Commission to the troops encamped in and about Washington.

These reports include all that need be said of the magnitude of the work; of the necessity for the large and liberal distribution, arising from the destitute condition of the men, and of the manner in which the work was accomplished — rendering any additional statement from me unnecessary.

Yours, very respectfully,

M. D. BENEDICT.

REPORT OF A. M. SPERRY.

U. S. Sanitary Commission,

Washington, D. C., June 22, 1865. Dr. M. D. Benedict, Chief Inspector,

U. S. Sanitary Commission, Dep’t of Washington:

Sir . The work of the Field Belief Corps has, in this Department, closed, and it remains for me to submit a final report for the brief period it has been under my charge.

In attempting this, I regret that circumstances have prevented my collecting many facts and statistics concerning the troops and our work among them, which would give certainty and directness to much that can now be presented only in general terms. This remark will explain the form which my report assumes.

For the purpose of presenting clearly a summary of results, I desire to direct your attention to

8

THE WORK TO BE DONE.

With the close of the campaign that resulted in the collapse of the rebellion, the Field work of the Commission and the organization of the Field Relief Corps terminated. There were to be no more battles, and therefore, no “ battle-field relief.” The expensive wagon- train and the attendant system of supply was broken up; the agents, one by one, sent home, and the feeling everywhere prevailed that “ the Sanitary ” had about done its work. Sick and wounded lingering in Hospital were to be watched for a time; “ special relief” was to be afforded to men on their way home; “ claim agencies” might multiply and extend their protection to every soldier in need of it; “ Sanitaria” might make available the remaining powers of the maimed and home¬ less; but no more horrors of actual war would ever call upon the store¬ houses of the Commission, or the ready sympathies of the people.

Armies, the aggregate strength of which must have exceeded two hundred thousand men, were rapidly assembling around this city, previous to the grand review and their disbandment. These men were the travel-worn veterans of Sherman, and the battle-slained heroes of the glorious old Army of the Potomac, men of whom the nation is already proud, and whom history will teach our children to venerate. Alas! that veterans require more than “field rations;” that heroes will wear out or throw away their clothes, or become diseased with scurvy or chronic diarrhoea.

The Army of the West had marched almost two thousand miles, subsisting from Atlanta to the ocean almost wholly upon the country through which it passed. When it entered the destitute regions of North Carolina and Virginia it became affected with scorbutic diseases. A return to the ordinary marching rations gave the men plenty to eat, but> no vegetables. Nor had foraging put them in a condition to bear renewed privation.

The Commissary Department issued vegetables in such small quan¬ tities that they did not affect the condition of the troops in any appreciable degree. Surgeons immediately sought the Sanitary Com¬ mission. The demand soon became greater than the supply. At first they wanted nothing but vegetables, for having these, they said, all other discomforts would become as nothing.

After we had secured an organization through the return of agents

>

9

and the arrival of transportation, a division of labor was made, result¬ ing ultimately in three departments, more or less distinct. These were :

First, the supply of vegetables;

Second, the depots for hospital and miscellaneous supplies; and,

Third, the visitation of troops for the purpose of direct distribution of small articles of necessity or comfort.

Our first contact with Sherman’s army was at its Provisional camps at Alexandria. In these camps were gathered thousands of men, re¬ turned prisoners, convalescents, stragglers, and men detached by va¬ rious causes from the main body. Much need prevailed. Our Depot there remained with the Army of the Tennessee, (15th and 17th Corps,) and followed it to its new position, taken up after the review, where we again entered upon the work of general supply. This work is not detailed in the reports of our agents as fully as I desire; but it was systematically and thoroughly conducted. We were fortunate in having there agents who had been long connected with the army, knew its officers, its men, and their real wants. The issue of vegetables was made promptly, and hospital supplies most needed carefully dispensed. Besides this, the different Regiments and Detachments were all visited by two ladies, agents of the Commission, who distributed, directly to the men, the towels, handkerchiefs, paper, envelopes, needles, and thread, furnished for this purpose. I mention their services with much satisfaction.

This depot continued in its place until the army took up its west¬ ward march, and was then transferred to the Army of Georgia, (14th and 20th Corps.) We had, simultaneously with our work at other points, put agents into the two Corps composing this Army; but we had no Depot there until the establishment of the one referred to above. Still, I think the requisitions of our agents reached most of the really destitute cases. Much individual relief was also afforded by the visits of the ladies aligned to these Corps. A division of the 19th Corps attached to this army was also supplied. Our distribution went on until the troops going away were under arms, many regiments taking with them the oranges, lemons, and tomatoes we gave them, and the men putting them in their haversacks as they moved. Provisional Divisions, composed of the Veteran troops, remained behind; these were finally consolidated into a single organization, and assigned to the Army of the Tennessee.

I dismiss general statements concerning our work in the armies of the West by saying that a feeling of gratitude toward the Commission

10

pervaded all; that the troops were u more than satisfied” with what we had done for their welfare, feeling, in the language of more than one soldier, that they were “ in God’s country once more.” Medical officers were not only desirous of availing themselves of our stores, but were equally ready to acknowledge the benefits conferred.

Our work in the Army of the Potomac dates, properly, from the 25th of May, the day after the review, at which time our Depot was established. We had previously reached such regiments as had made application through their Surgeons or Chaplains, but these cases were few. The result of first impressions, derived from statements of prominent officers, was, that in this army our issues need not be heavy. We however found occasion to do much — all that we were able to. It soon became evident that the need of vegetables was here as great as it had been in Sherman’s army. The general condition of the men was unfavorable. They were worn out, had indifferent rations, poor camps, and if they had not as much scurvy as the other army, they were in a fair way to get it. Our duty was plain and the reasoning simple: Unless these men have a change of diet, they will sicken and die in constantly increasing numbers. Government cannot furnish vegetables, therefore we must.

Furnishing vegetables to the Army of the Potomac was the second part of the work to be done. Our Depot near 5th A. C. headquarters was an institution in itself. Its history is best told by the huge pile of requisitions accompanying this report, all of which were drawn upon that station. I regard our work here as of the greatest value to the troops. Many interesting details are given in the accompanying reports, but more are omitted. The immense pressure of business left no leisure to record facts or to give incidents of daily experience. If at any time we desire added testimony to the efficiency of our work or of its necessity, we have but to refer to the medical officers, and to the rank and file of the three Army Corps there reached.

In its details our work might doubtless have been improved; but the results were, upon the whole, satisfactory; and I do not hesitate to say that there was as small a percentage of waste as has ever been attained at any Sanitary station of its size. If the tents were old, so were the agents; and these, unlike the former, were perfectly sound. Doubtless some men got shirts, and other men supplies, who did not need them ; but all such things are exceptional, and should be treated as evils that are to be kept down to the minimum without expecting a radical removal. Men steal, cheat, and lie, out of the army as well

11

as in it, yet society does not suspend operations. The unjust are upon the earth, yet God sends his sunshine and rain. In the same spirit of patient forbearance ought we to pursue our work of beneficence.

We very soon found that an important part of the work to be done was to meet, so far as we could, the demands made upon us for under¬ clothing and socks. * * * * Previous to the homeward march,

an issue of clothing— partial, I think— was made; but many did not draw, thinking a few days would see them out of the service and on their way home ; man} , because they preferred to draw in Washington, neglected to do so then ; others had no opportunity. Arriving here, clothing was issued to some extent, but not generally. Much confusion prevailed ; accounts of organizations going out of service must be closed. This took time; and often there were men who would not be mustered out. These would have no opportunity to draw until re¬ assigned.

It is also true that during the rapid and exhausting march home from Richmond and beyond, many men parted with everything in ord^r to keep with their commands, who, had they been marching the other way, would have kept everything. To the weary soldiers Wash¬ ington seemed to be the land of plenty, reaching which, all good things could be attained. How serious was their disappointment may be shown by the indignant protests and the statements of Sherman’s men that they would rather be in North Carolina, and from the Army of the Potomac that they were better off in the trenches before Peters¬ burg than here. That this was not mere grumbling is shown by its universality, by the expressions of medical officers, and by my own observation. The reports of other agents of the Commission upon this point show the same state of things. How far the Government is to receive censure, or how much is chargeable to circumstances, I am unable to say. The fact that our agent in charge at the Depot in the Army of the Potomac decided to give but ten shirts to the hundred men shows what were his views of the need, and also the calls made upon him. I would not have it understood that ten per cent, of the army was naked, but that more than that number had no change of clothing, and often no whole garment. These remarks apply to other articles besides shirts. Socks are always deficient in supply, and the simple dictates of humanity prompt us to furnish them to foot-sore or destitute men. We gave no shoes, save in those cases where men had none and had no immediate prospect of getting any. Blankets were at first given to men sick in quarters, who had none, and who were compelled to

12

lie on the ground. This was the case also in the Field Hospitals. Often men came in with no blanket, and the crowded condition of the hospital prevented their getting other accommodation than the ground. But as the hospitals improved and the condition of the camps became better, the need for them became less, and very few were asked for.

The standard of comfort among troops in the field has steadily ad¬ vanced. It is a good sign when a few shoeless or sbirtless men, seen even at the close of a campaign, excite both pity aud indignation at the causes of their destitution. It would be unjust, also, to the effi¬ cient Department that has the clothing of the men for its care, not to recognize and applaud its wonderful persistence and energy, even while stating that it does not always reach individual suffering. Our own duty is and has been, as it always should be, supplementary to govern¬ mental Departments. If by these issues of clothing we have helped men, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude that we never can pay, to attain a degree of comfort they could not have otherwise possessed — if by introducing additional means of protection and cleanliness we have saved men from fever, who, without this aid, would have sickened and perhaps died — and if we have been once more the instruments of letting the army feel the gifts of the people at home, it is a reason for thankfulness that we have had both the means and the opportunity of doing so. The armies that swept from the face of the earth the slaveholders’ republic were true men. The soldier who asks for some needed garment to-day will, years hence, be reverenced as one of the heroes of a glorious age.

The large amount of miscellaneous and hospital supplies used at our various Depots, and more especially at our Depot in the Army of the Potomac, were issued principally to the troops and to the sick in Quarters. The issues made to Hospitals are herewith submitted in a tabulated form. The crowded condition of the Field Hospitals, in¬ cident to the difficulty of getting permission to send men to General Hospital, and the desire on the part of the men to stay and be mus¬ tered out with the regiment, kept many sick men in Quarters who would under other circumstances have been sent away. To these men something more palatable than the bread, meat, and coffee of the camp was of the utmost importance, and to these we issued as freely as our means would permit. Miscellaneous stores were here, as in other Corps, distributed through the camps by the ladies who were assigned to this duty.

18

I copy from the record of a single half-day’s visit to different points the following hurried notes:

“ June 12th. — Visited 1st and 2d Division Hospitals, — A. C. Their condition is crowded and uncomfortable, with much typhoid and typhus fever, and diarrhoea; the mortality being greater than usual. The ‘ fund ’ is large, giving a good diet list. The men arc worn out by hard marches, and suffering from lack of vegetable food, not having in camp sufficient food. The Hospitals are badly located, surrounded on all sides by camps. This is no fault of the Surgeons, who have chosen the best places they could find. I notice that the air is everywhere tainted by the exhalations from the half-buried debris of old camps.

“ Visited the Surgeon of the — Regiment, N. Y. V , who expressed his thanks for ‘the large and liberal supply of vegetables just furnished by the Commission’ — 1 the men being delighted.’ He had entered an energetic protest, in a report to the Medical Director, against the treatment the men were receiving from the Commissary Department.

“The Surgeon of the 1st — reports scurvy well developed, and con¬ demns in very strong terms the treatment the men are receiving. He thanked us for our issues of vegetables, giving, as it did, ‘nearly five pounds per man.’ lie had in a number of cases directed men to eat their potatoes and onions raw, in order to secure their full benefit.

“ Dr. - , Brigade Surgeon — Brigade, — A. C., reports that our

issues were very timely, and of excellent quality — ‘ the onions being the best he had ever seen.’ ‘ The men had some of them yet.’ He had always appreciated the service the Commission rendered, and believed it still necessary. ‘ The men received only field rations, and were in great need.’ Both the last-named gentlemen had entered written protests against the rations the men were receiving.

“ Surgeon - , — Corps, reports the health of the men good until

they came here. Water is poor; also, ‘food not as good as when before Petersburg.’ They are out of money, and have drawn no under-cloth¬ ing. ‘ Men were used up by the review.’ ‘Seventeen (17) ambu¬ lance loads were taken to a single Division Hospital the day after it:’ — this showing that the men were not in good condition.

“The general testimony is to the effect that the condition of the men is worse than in the field. Sickness, of course, is most common among the recruits. But men ‘ made of iron,’ says one surgeon, whom he supposed ‘ couldn’t be sick,’ have had to succumb. The causes

14

seem to be previous hard work, unhealthiness of present camps, in¬ ferior quality of food, insufficient exercise, and a general relaxation of discipline.”

4 erbal reports from our agents, who went through the several Corps, show a similar condition of things generally prevalent. When typhus and typhoid fevers, of a peculiarly unmanageable type, prevail through¬ out an entire army ; when the number of deaths are out of all proportion to the number sick ; when men who have borne the brunt of heavy campaigns fall victims to preventable diseases, almost in sight of their homes, it would seem as if some one must be to blame; or, if circum¬ stances alone, then it is our duty to do all in our power to remove those circumstances.

In conclusion, I have to state, that we reached all the men of both the grand Armies with a liberal issue of vegetables, averaging fully three pounds per man. We have supplied all the 1 ivision Hospitals with many articles not to be had at the time through regular channels, and with additional comforts. We have reached the sick in Quarters to an extent sufficient to alleviate much suffering; and we have fur¬ nished, through Surgeons, Chaplains, and our own lady visitors, large quantities of those minor, but essential articles, the possession of which makes much of the difference between comfort and discomfort.

I would respectfully call your attention to the accompanying reports from the members of the Eelief Corps. To these gentlemen we are indebted for the success of our undertaking; and long acquaintance with most of them has made me aware how patiently, faithfully, and intelligently they have labored. t

The work of' the Field Relief with these armies is done. In the story of our national redemption will be many thrilling chapters of battles, sieges, and marches; many sad ones, of heroes slain, of hospitals filled with sick and wounded, and of desolated homes; but in the midst of the gloom of the battle-smoke, and the pale shadows of hospital wards, will shine a rosy light; for it will also be told how the nation, with one heart, united to bless and comfort those who suffered in its cause— how mothers, wives, and sisters forgot their tears for the dead in working for the living, and bound up their own wounds in helping the suffering. Thank God for the lessons this has taught us. How truly have we been again taught, “ It is more blessed to give than to receive.” None can better understand the meaning of these words than can those who have been allowed to be

15

^instruments of conveying the people’s bounty to its army in the

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. M. SPERRY, Superintendent Field Relief.

REPORT OF MRS. STEPHEN BARKER.

„ „ Washington, D. C., June 29, 1865.

A. M. Sperry :

Sir: It was my privilege to witness the advance of the Army in the spring of 1862, and the care of soldiers in camp and Hospital having occupied all my time since then; it was therefore gratifyino- to close my labors by welcoming the returning Army to the same camping grounds it left four years ago. The circumstances under which it went forth and returned were so unlike, the contrast between our tremulous farewell and our exultant welcome so extreme, that it has been difficult to find an expression suited to the hour. The Sani¬ tary Commission adopted the one method by which alone it could give for itself this expression. It sent out its agents to visit every regiment and all soldiers on detached duty, to ascertain and relieve their wants, and by words and acts of kindness to assure them of the deep and heartfelt gratitude of the nation for their heroic sufferings and achievements.

The l&d, 5th, 6th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 17th, and 20th army corps have been encamped about the capital. They numbered over 200,000 men.

Our first work was to establish stations for Sanitary stores in the camps wherever it was practicable, to which soldiers might come for the supply of their wants without the trouble of getting passes into Washington. Our Field Relief Agents, who have followed the army from point to point, called on the officers to inform them to our store¬ house for supplies of vegetables and pickles. The report of the Super¬ intendent of Field Relief will show how great a work has been done for the army in these respects. How great has been the need of a full and generous distribution of the articles of food and clothing may be realized by the fact, that here were men unpaid for the last six months, and yet to remain so till mustered out of the service in their respective States ; whose Government accounts were closed, with no sutlers in their regiments, and no credit anywhere. Every

16

market-day numbers of these war-worn veterans have been seen asking for some green vegetable from the tempting piles, which were forbid¬ den fruit to them.

In order to make our work in the army as thorough, rapid, and effective as possible, it was decided to accept the services of the “Hospital Visitors.” They have been at home in the Hospitals ever since the war begrn, but never in the camp. But we believed that even here they would be safe, and the gifts they brought would be more valued because brought by them.

Six ladies have been employed by the Sanitary Commission as Hos¬ pital Visitors. These were temporarily transferred from their Hospitals to the field.

The 2d and 5th Corps were visited by Mrs. Steele and Miss Abby Francis.

The 6th Corps by Mrs. Johnson, Miss Armstrong, and Mrs. Barker; one in each Division.

The 9th Corps by Miss Wallace, whose illness afterward obliged her to yield her place to Mrs. Barker.

The 14th Corps by Miss Armstrong.

The^J5th and 17th Corps by ladies belonging to those Corps — Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Bickerdyke — whose admirable services rendered other presence superfluous.

The 20th Corps was visited by Mrs. Johnson.

The articles selected for their distribution were the same for all the Corps ; while heavy articles of food and clothing were issued by orders from the Field Agents, smaller articles — like towels, handkerchiefs, stationery, sewing materials, combs, reading matter, &c. — weVe left to the ladies.

This division of labor has been followed, except in cases where no Field Agent accompanied the lady, and there was no Sanitary Station in the Corps. Then the lady agent performed double duty. She was pro¬ vided with a vehicle, and followed by an army wagon loaded wit hi sup¬ plies sufficient for her day’s distribution, which had been drawn from the Commission storehouse upon a requisition approved by the Chief Clerk. On arriving at the camp her first call was at headquarters, to obtain permission to distribute her little articles, to learn how sick the men were, in Quarters or in Hospital, and to find out the numbers in each company. The ladies adopted two modes of issuing supplies : some called fur the entire company, giving into each man’s hand the thing he needed ; others gave to the Orderly Sergeant of each company

17

the same proportion of each article, which he distributed to the men. The willing help and heartfelt pleasure of the officers in distributing our gifts among their men have added much to the respect and affection already felt for them by the soldiers and their friends.

In Mrs. Johnson’s report of her work in the 20th A. C., she says :

“ In several instances officers have tendered the thanks of their regi¬ ments, when they were so choked by tears as to render their voices unheard.”

I remember no scenes in camp more picturesque than some of our visits have presented. The great open army wagon stands under some shade tree, with the officer who has volunteered to help, or the regular Field Agent, standing in the midst of boxes, bales, and bundles. Wheels, sides, and every projecting point are crowded with eager sol¬ diers, to see what “ the Sanitary ” has brought for them. By the side of the great wagon stands the light wagon of the lady, with its curtains all rolled up, while she arranges before and around her the supplies she is to distribute. Another eager crowd surrounds her, patient, kind, and respectful as the first, except that a shade more of softness in their look and tone attest to the ever living power of woman over the rough elements of manhood. In these hours of per¬ sonal communication with the soldier, she finds the true meaning of her work. This is her golden opportunity, when by look and tone and movement she may call up, as if by magic, the pure influences of home, which may have been long banished by the hard necessi¬ ties ot war. Quietly and rapidly the supplies are handed out for Co. A, B, C, &c., first from one wagon, then the other, and as soon as a regiment is completed the men hurry back to their tents to receive their share, and write letters on the newly received paper, or apply the long needed comb, or mend the gaping seams in their now “ historic garments.” When at last the supplies are exhausted, and sunset reminds us that we are yet many miles from home, we gather up the remnants, bid good bye to the friendly faces which already seem like old acquaintances, promising to come again to visit new regiments to- * morrow, and hurry home to prepare for the next day’s work.

Every day, from the first to the twentieth day of June, our little band of missionaries has repeated a day’s work such as I have now described. Every regiment, except some which were sent home before we were able to reach them, has shared alike in wrhat we had to give. And I think I speak for all in saying that among the many pleasant 9

18

memories connected with our sanitary work, the last but not the least will be our share in the Field Relief.

Yours respectfully,

MRS. STEPHEN BARKER.

ARTICLES DISTRIBUTER BY TIIE HOSPITAL VISITORS.

2,897 shirts.

1,976 drawers.

6,545 socks.

] 00 vests.

2,639 dozen pairs suspenders.

5,682 “ combs.

40,000 towels.

47,842 handkerchiefs.

4,000 papers of needles,

542 pounds thread.

2,216 papers of pins.

10,000 pounds tobacco.

467 reams of paper.

209,000 envelopes.

438 gross pens.

169 “ penholders.

1,057 dozen pencils.

256 “ bottles of ink.

664 cans of milk.

574 “ tomatoes.

The following extracts from the Reports of the Agents visiting the several Army Corps will also indicate the char¬ acter of the work :

Sir : * * * * * * *

I found I could supply one and sometimes two Regiments per day, in addition to one entire Brigade, thus successfully closing the work of distributing supplies to the nine Brigades, consisting of forty- five Regiments, besides the various Detachments of headquarter and ambulance guards, teamsters, &c ; in all, over twenty thousand men. ********

My plan has been to distribute by Regiments, first conferring with the Brigade Commanders and Surgeons, then the Commanders, Sur¬ geons, or Chaplains of Regiments, in regard to the wants and conditions of the enlisted men.

I generally had the wagon driven into the camp of each regiment, and after furnishing the Surgeon with what was needed for the sick, would give shirts, drawers, socks, &c., to the 1st sergeants of the com¬ panies. to be by them given to the most needy, while combs, thread,

565 cans fruit.

32 boxes oranges.

33 “ lemons.

26 pounds tea.

156 “ farina.

860 “ chocolate.

100 “ sugar.

244 bottles jelly.

208 “ B. B. brandy.

474 “ Jamaica ginger.

70 '• bay rum.

14 " wine.

1,353 fans.

60 straw hats.

250 tin cups.

175 “ plates and 36 spoons.

24 pieces musquito netting. 30,000 1 Soldiers’ Friend,’ and quan¬ tities of soldiers’ journals, daily papers, &c.

19

pins, needles, tobacco, and other small articles I gave to the men the

selves, being certain that those who needed mo-t ,1 u ^

The work has been facilitated by the kind assistance I h°U reo®IV®‘ ,om Brigade and Regimental Commanders, S^C^I

I have but one exception to report-but one instance where Officers were not favorable to the work in which I was engaged. All others O far as I know, were ready and anxious to assist me in the diZw of supplies of which the men stood in so much need, and in

thlThlnksof r ' p‘VC °ffiCerS Td6red’ °a b6half °f their

to rlndet th S,ment,3’ WheD th6y Were 80 ^ emotion as

to lender their voices unheard. It was very touching to see brave

officers of “ Sherman’s army” melted to to-ir- -i •

y eitea to teais at seeing their men

receive comforts from their loyal friends. * * * *

Very respectfully.

Dear Sir : * * * * # #

Ch?nniaThUKty ^MT;-May 30’ 1 Visited **“">"‘•1 Surgeon and Chaplain in the 3d Division, 5th Corps. By every one of them I was

-me y lcceive . All were glad to welcome the Commission among

em and some liad long been wondering what had become of it.

eai y e^eiy one gave utterance to the same remark made by the

Surgeon tn charge of the Hospital, in regard to the prevalence of so

much sickness in the Division. They attributed it in a great measure

to the severity of the spring campaign, followed by the fatiguino-

n, arches to and around Washington; also to the exposure of many

to the weather, quite a number being destitute of proper clothing

having lost it on the marches, and being unable to procure more, the

Quartermasters having ceased issuing. Some of it was charged to the

quality of the food— having had no vegetables since leaving the

vicinity of Burkesville. Four-fifths of the Surgeons testified to

scorbutic symptoms in their Regiments. Vegetables seemed to be

absolutely necessary to the preservation of the health of the men

*******’* Respectfully, yours.

Dear Sir : * *****

I have visited each Regiment and conversed with Surgeons and Offi¬ cers, also Brigade and Division Surgeons, and submit, as a result, the following deductions:

r!hat the Government is not furnishing the vegetables necessary for

20

the health of the men, and that there is much suffering in consequence^ That the articles furnished by the Commission are absolutely needed

and gratefully received.

That with two exceptions, work of the Commission, an within their power so to do. * * *

the Surgeons of the Corps appreciate the d avail themselves of its services when

Very respectfully.

Dear Sir: *****

These sick men lay in tent Hospitals, on rough, hard bunks, or blankets spread on the ground They were poorly supplied with proper articles of food, that day being the first on which they had received soft bread, and as yet they had not been furnished with the requisite medical sup¬ plies. They, nevertheless, lay without complaint, cheerful, and almost happy, declaring that they had seen much harder times, and were thankful for the mere privilege of rest during sickness. The stores ot fruits and jellies were most gratefully received by these men, as well as by their Surgeons, who assured us that although the men in their long" campaigns had learned to suffer, and bo silent under almost any suffering and deprivation, these supplies were particularly welcome at this time.

After having first furnished the Hospital of a Division with the needed supplies, I proceeded regularly to distribute to the soldiers of the Division, beginning with Brigades in their Regimental organization. Consistently with the plan of calling at Corps and Division Headquar¬ ters, I, in all cases, requested the authority and aid of Regimental Offi¬ cers’ in calling up the Orderly Sergeants in the Regiments, in order to receive the supplies for the men of their respective Companies. Racli sergeant reported the number of men in his Company, and received his proper proportion of articles

* * * * * * * * By the lltli instant every Brigade, Regiment, and Company in the 1st and 2d Divisions had been visited, and each man had been furnished with the various articles intended by the Commission.

The number of men in the two Divisions was ten thousand. ********

Of course, discrimination was made in the giving out of these stores. Articles intended exclusively for the sick, such as jellies, canned fruits,

21

cordials, and wines, were left at the Hospitals, while an abundant supply of oranges and lemons enabled us to provide these fruits more liberally for the benefit of men throughout the Regiments who were sick in Quarters. * * * The business of dealing out several

articles of clothing, such as shirts, drawers, shoes, &c., was in charge of the Field Agent who accompanied the wagon of supplies. The limited stock of these articles prevented their general distribution, and they were only given in cases of necessity. Towels, handkerchiefs, suspenders, combs, tobacco, stationery, pins, needles, and thread were supplied universally.

******** Yours, respectfully.

Dear Sir: *******

I found the Officers very pleasant, and always willing to assist me. They all said the articles I brought would do the men a great deal of good, as they had not been paid in several months. Most of the men I saw had been with Sheridan through the campaigns up the Valley, and were quite destitute. Their sutlers always charge them two or three times as much as they can buy the same things elsewhere for.

Respectfully.

Having been connected with the Army of the Tennessee for over three years, I can safely say, that they never have been so systematically supplied with Sanitary stores as they have been since arriving here. It might be proper here to state the manner in which distributions were made. To each one hundred men we issued one barrel potatoes, one half-barrel onions, and one fourth barrel pickles, on requisitions of Chaplains or Surgeons of Regiments or Brigades. The other articles such as clothing, stationery, lemons, oranges, &c., were distributed by the ladies, who visited each Regiment, and distributed such articles as were needed by the men.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

00

Sir : * * * # * * * *

Immediately after securing our position, our agents visited eacli Regi¬ ment in the 5th and 2d Corps, and the various Field Hospitals. Sub¬ sequently we did the same in the Gth A. C.

Ihe Hospitals we found in a needy condition. Having received orders to send none of those patients to the General Hospital, and there being an unusual amount of sickness in most of the Regiments, they were overcrowded. Indeed, they could not receive all who should have been sent to them from the Regiments. Add to this the fact that they had been only established for a few days, and had only the outfits of Field Hospitals, the supply of sheets, pillow-slips, bed-ticks, and pillows was insufficient. In one Hospital they could not obtain the straw to put in the bed-sacks, and the sickest men were lying on rudely-construoted “ bunks,” made of poles, covered by a single blan¬ ket Ihe Surgeons complained of difficulty in obtaining proper articles of diet, and in several instances of failure in obtaining the needed stimulants for the lowest cases. These difficulties always exist in Field Hospitals, but were greatly aggravated by the large amount of work thrown upon the Medical Department in Washington by the presence of Sherman s Army The cases of sickness were mostly typhoid fever and diarrhoea. The mortality which existed was alarming.

\ ou will see that there was a necessity for large issues to the Hos¬ pitals Ihe lemons and acid jellies were peculiarly acceptable to the fever cases. Netting was a great comfort to all. “ The slippers were good as a prescription. ' The vegetables were only furnished when the Commissary was deficient, and were used to put in the soups. Clean clothing was as necessary as medicine, and could not be supplied in sufficient quantities by the Hospital Department. The articles of diet were faithfully used. The statement of articles furnished to each Hospital, which I append, will explain fully what we did for them. While I take pleasure in saying that the Surgeons in charge of the va¬ rious Hospitals seemed to be honorable, conscientious, hard-working men, who made a wise use of our supplies, I take even greater pleasure in saying that they made no unreasonable demands, and that our sup¬ plies enabled us to meet almost all of their calls.

The Regiments scattered through the various Corps demanded the greater part of our time. The amount of sickness and destitution in each Regiment was very large. Many causes contributed to this result. At that time few had obtained the material to build bunks of, and

23

were sleeping on the muddy ground. Had they been encamped before Richmond, they would speedily cut down bushes or obtained boards in some way to have constructe comfortable quarters; but here there was a great scarcity of wood, and strict orders had been issued forbid¬ ding them from cutting anything from the woodlands. The water in some localities was poor. Many were sick from the effects of their rapid march from Richmond. A generous rivalry existed between the two Corps to see which would arrive first.

****** *• *

I have previously spoken of the impossibility of accommodating all of the sick men in the Hospitals. The consequence was, that each regi¬ ment had from ten to twenty-five men sick in Quarters. Most of these men had diarrhoea, arising, in .. any cases, from a lack of sufficient vegetable food, kor these cases the Surgeons drew small quantities of farina, milk, corn, starch, lemons, tea, &c., which they gave out each morning during sick-call to such as required them. Previous to our arrival it had been almost impossible to obtain any article of diet for these cases. The complaint in regard to the lack of vegetables was universal.

*** ****■}£

It was the privilege of our Station to give orders for a ration of vege¬ tables to each regiment in the 2d, 5th, and 6th Army Corps. These orders were mostly filled in the following proportion : One barrel of potatoes, one-half barrel of onions, and ten gallons of pickles, for every hundred men. These orders were drawn by the Surgeons from our Office in Washington, and distributed to the men. No issue of the Commission was ever more opportune or gratefully received. The Sur¬ geons wished us to convey to the Commission, in behalf of their Regi¬ ments, their warmest thanks for this timely issue. Just before I left, one of the Surgeons called and said that it had been the means of check¬ ing the symptoms of scorbutus in his Regiment. Another said that “ the potatoes, when divided, gave a ration of three pounds tot each man.” Another said that “ his men succeeded in making them last a week and another told me “ that he had ordered a large number of his men to eat their vegetables raw — their gums were so dry and spongy — and that the men did not waste even a potato skin.”

* * * * #***

The call for our clothing was very great. Many of the sick of the Regiments required clothing which they would not have needed when well. Aside from the sick, there were quite a number who were re-

24

turning from prison, or from the General Hospital, who were in an ex¬ tremely destitute condition. Aside from these cases there were others who, through no fault of their own, were extremely destitute. *******

While our station was in operation we filled at least 2,000 requisi¬ tions. Our number was so insufficient and our accommodations so limited that we could not always do our work as systematically as is best. Still, I can say that all of the agents have worked hard, and we have endeavored to do as much good as wc could with the means at our disposal working early and late for this end.

We experienced the kindest treatment from all with whom we came in contact. * * * * The Provost Marshal of this

Division and the Division Medical Director did everything in their power to further our work, besides furnishing us with a guard night and day, and a large tent for our storeroom.

* *1* * * * * * Very respectfully.

Dear Sir: * * *

General Sherman’s command had received, since they left Savannah, but one ration of vegetables, and that reached them by way of Wil¬ mington, and was sent by the Sanitary Commission. Foraging to the requisite extent was impossible. The tracts of country traversed by the column did not contain supplies enough of the needed kinds j and moreover, time could not be allowed for the purpose. The command was— “ forward ! ” and resolutely, cheerfully even, officers, rank and file, masticated their hard-tack and devoured their pork, and victory was their stimulant and only dessert. Lips became parched, gums spongy, and muscles emaciated — the first stages of scurvy. Thus they camped round and about Washington, and put off their travel-stained, dilapidated garments, but no change of diet could be given them by their Commissaries.

The Sanitary Commission, through the liberality of the people, has been enabled to do much for these men who have fought so bravely. One afternoon a heavily loaded train was sent out to the station beyond Alexandria Immediately Surgeons and Chaplains came in with their requests, and many ambulances and. wagons gathered around the tents waiting to be loaded. It was astonishing how fast the news traveled.

25

g in.

* *

Before we could get time to hoist our flag applications came pourin \V e heard you were in the vicinity, and were hunting you ” * .

Two men voluntarily came from their camp, distant four miles, and

aftei midnight, to carry a barrel of potatoes that a Chaplain could not put in his wagon. * * * *

Very respectfully yours.

Dear Sir : * * * * * *

Our troops, since thlir encampment about Washington, have been poorly clothed and not well fed. The lack of clothing may be ac¬ counted for in various ways, without censuring Government. Many neglected to draw when opportunity offered, expecting to be mustered out immediately, bur, being retained in the service, found themselves desti¬ tute, with no money to buy. Returned prisoners were also constantly coming iu camp to rejoin their respective regiments, and almost invariably they were in a very destitute condition. Quartermasters aiso were obliged to close their accounts with Government prior to being mustered out, and discontinued their customary issues. When it is fuither remembered that the troops had just emerged from a severe spring campaign, and had made some heavy marching, in which quantities of under-clothing is always lost, the necessity for a liberal issue of clothing and shoes on the part of the Commission is apparent.

Nothing, however, was more acceptable to the troops than the vege¬ table issue made by the Sanitary Commission I myself visited the whole of one Corps and part of another, and was informed by every Surgeon or Officer I met that the Commissary was lamentably deficient in this respect, aud that the troops were for the most part subsisting on marching rations, and scanty at that. This state of things has undoubtedly produced a most injurious effect on both the health and morale of the men. Nearly every Regimental Surgeon stated to me that- he had au unusually large number on his sick list, which he at¬ tributed mainly to the lack of anti-scorbutic and vegetable diet. The Division Hospitals were all filled and deaths were numerous. * *

Yours, &c.

3

26

To the preceding Reports we add, as one of many cordial and gratifying testimonials, the following letter from Chap¬ lain Jeremiah Porter, long connected with the Army, and familiar with the operations of the Sanitary Commission in the field :

Washington, D. C , June 12, 1865. Jno. S. Blatciiford, Esq., Gen’l Sec’y :

Dear Sir : Having overtaken Sherman’s army at Alexandria three weeks since, after its successful march from Goldsboro, through Ra¬ leigh and Richmond, it has afforded me great pleasure to see how ready the U. S. Sanitary and the Christian Commissions were to meet their immediate wants.

While the Hospitals of Georgia, South and North Carolina, and Virginia had received liberally during these last months of the cam¬ paign from both these institutions, the marching army was very much out of their reach.

But, on arriving in the vicinity of this city, which their long marches, valor, and sacrifice had saved from the power of our enemies, the worn and weary soldiers were gratified to find that their necessities had been anticipated \ that the Homes and Lodges and Rests welcomed multi¬ tudes, and that the men in the field were not overlooked.

The delicacies, the fresh vegetables, the fruits, and the under-cloth¬ ing so much needed after such fatiguing marches and successful battles, they had not the means of buying, as they had not been paid by Government since leaving Atlanta, seven months ago. The Govern¬ ment rations, though generous here, yet needed to be supplemented in the field by the generous donations of the soldiers’ frieuds.

Being in camp wMi the Army of the Teuuessee, I saw with admira¬ tion the operations of your Commission in the 15th, 17th, and 14th Corps.

Every facility being cheerfully given at the Rooms to obtain the needed supplies which were pouring in from the North to meet a pres¬ ent necessity, ladies who had four years’ experience in these Corps, and who enjoyed the confidence of Gen. Logan, as earnest and unwea¬ ried friends of the soldier, from his intimate acquaintance with their work, Commanders of Brigades and Divisions most cordially encouraged them to bring these supplies to their men. For this purpose army wagons and six-mule teams were daily at the service of these your agents in the field, varying in number from four to eight teams per

27

day, until each Brigade of these Corps had been met and ,1, • practically supplied. ’ aad *eir wunts

It was a luxury to those who had associated with these vie, • armies before Corinth and Memphis and Vicksburg and in A1 7°“ and Georgia and North Carolina, to meet them here in WashingtoT and to receive the ardent thanks of officers and men for this one more remembrance of them by the Sanitary Commission, before t j dispersion as soldiers. A year since, these same ladies were ministering o he mutilated thousands brought from the battle-fields, from Resacf to Kenesaw Mountain, of the stores of your Commission. Now they c eer the remnants of these heroes as .hey are “ putting off the harness " war, and have a right >o “ boast,” for “ in God they have done val-

7’ a“d th6Se dolla,,ons judiciously and generously given to the victors express a nation’s gratitude to its defenders. Still, though the aggregate of donations from day to day was large, the gifts to individ uals were comparatively small. A comb, a handkerchief, a towel a shirt, a little dried fruit, a few pickles, a lemon, or an orange, blac’k- beny coidial for invalids, each reminded the receiver of the oreat benevolent heart that beat with love for the soldier. °

heaving the cry in haste, [ have only time to speak of the work under my own observation. Those of whom I have written are but few of the aborers in this great work in our now disbanded armies. I am grateful to God who has not suffered your Commission or its co¬ operating Christian Commission to be weary in well-doing, and that both are reaping their reward.

Very truly )ours,

JER. PORTER.

The following is a statement of some of the principal issues of sup¬ plies from the storehouse at Washington, D. C., from May 25 to June 1<, 1865, inclusive. Some of these supplies were furnished to the General Hospitals, but most of them were issued to the troops gathered around Washington :

Bed Sacks . 1=179 5lan,kets . 1,035	Mosquito Netting . pieces 174 Phi Is
Brushes, hair . 44 Combs, coarse . fifi 79ft Do fine . 27710	Pillows . 58 Pillow Cases . 1 984 Quilts 434
Head-rests . 2Q	Sheets 2 464
Knives and Forks . doz 95 Mattr asses . 94	Stretchers . 22 Spoons . doz 1424

Soap .	. lbs 312	Oranges .		341
Stoves and Fixtures	. 3	Onions .	. bbls	1,2274
	. 41	! Pickles .	“	773$
Towels..... .	. 56,625	Do .	....gallons	917
Tin Cups .	. 3,180	Do., .		537
Tin Plates .	. 3,050	Porter .		154
		Potatoes .	. bbls	2,431
	56	Peaches .	. cans	7,734
Coats, woolen and linen . 95	1 Rice .		135
Caps .	. 27	■ Rum, Jamaica .		72
Drawers, cotton.. ..		1 Sugar, white .	. lbs	1,596
Do., woolen. ..		Do., brown .	. “	1 ,030
Eye Glasses .		Salt Fish . .		341
Handkerchiefs .	. 62,684	1 Tamarinds .	. kegs	15
Hats .	. 870	i Tea, green .	. lbs	1,473
Pants, woolen and linen... prs 125	j Do., black .		301
Suspenders . .	. pairs 29,312	Tobacco, chewing...	. “	14,632
Shirts, cotton . .	. 8,600	Do., smoking...		6,016
	25,354	1 Tomatoes .	. cans .	34,646
Shoes .		1 Wine, foreign .	. bottles	233
Slippers .	. “ 2,968	1 Wine domestic .	. bottles	17
Sru’l.*? pnt.tnn	“ 12 821	' Whiskey .	44	616
Do., woolen .	. “ 23,514
Vests .	. 157	1 Bay Rum . .	. bottles	555
W rappers	. 272	• Bandages .	. bbls	74
		Cologne .		135
Ale .	. bottles 252	1 Candles .	. lbs	114
Annie Butter .	. cans 993	j Camphor, spts .	. bottles	137
Apples and Fruit, dried. ...bbls 2,713	Do., gum .		8
Blackberries .	. cans 388	1 Crunches .	. pairs	108
Beef Stock .		i Canes .		313
Blackberry Wine,	Cordial, &	Fumenti, spts .	. bottles	22
Tirnnrl v	bottles 3,205	1 Fans .		2,964
Brandy .	. “ 486	! Games .	. cases	6
Brandy, French _	. “ 134	Housewives, Comfort bags, &c	2,381
Do., do .	. gallons 10	Lime Juice .	. bottles	48
Butter .	. lbs 498	i Lint .	. bbls	8
Canned Fruits .	. cans 135	Muriatic Acid .	. lbs	4
Do Moats	“ 102	Needles .	. papers	6,307
Cherry Brandy .	. bottles 174	! Old linen .	. bbls	14
a m nRPn ft	“ 12	Pipes .	. boxes	5
Cocoa .	. lbs 31	Pins .	. papers	7,113
Chocolate .	993	Reading Matter.. .		53
Coffee .	69	i Straw for Bedding.	. lbs	300
Corn Starch .	. “ 1,926	| Shoestrings . .		45
Con. Milk .	. “ 13,169	Stationery —

oon. miiK . Crackers and Cakes....	. bbls	313$	Envelopes .	. 396,305
Farina .	. lbs	4,057	Ink .	..bottles 4,855
Ginger, Jamaica .	..bottles	3,976	Writing Paper...	... reams 906$
Gherkins . .	. .jars	159	Pens .	. gross 6484
Jellies and Preserves..	“	2,151	Pencils .	. 15,558
Lemons .		591	Penholders .	. 24,370
Lemonade, Con .	. cans	60	Thread, white and black... lbs 664
Maizena .	. lbs	2,009	1 Yeast Powder .	. cans 5

The estimated value of supplies issued from the Washington depot from May 24 to July 1 was $237,811.94.

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION,

No. 03.

CIRCULAR

addressed to the

BRANCHES AND AID SOCIETIES

TBIBUTAEY TO THE

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION.

JULY 4, 1865.

WASHINGTON, D. 0. :

PRINTED BY McGILL & WITIIEROW.

1865.

/

Central Office,

Washington, D. C., July 4, 1865.

To the Branches and Aid Societies tributary to the Sanitary Commission:

In a circular (Ho. 90) issued from this office May 15, last, you were called on to continue your labors in collecting and providing supplies up to the present date. For the alacrity you have shown in complying with this request, under circum¬ stances so unfavorable to zeal, we tender you special thanks. Your continued support has enabled us to extend a generous assistance to our armies gathered at Washington and Louis¬ ville, and elsewhere, before being finally mustered out of service. When you have forwarded to our Receiving Depots such supplies as you may now have in hand, we hope to find our storehouses sufficiently recruited to meet all remaining wants of the service. In the Eastern Department our work of supply is substantially done, with the exception of a limit¬ ed service still required in the Department of Washington.

In the Western Department it may continue, on a very diminished scale, a couple of months longer. In Texas and the Department of the Gulf the supply service may possibly last all summer. But, by economy of our stores in hand, we feel authorized to say that after collecting what is al¬ ready in existence we shall be able to meet all just demands made upon us. We, therefore, in accordance with our promise, notify our Branches that their labors in collecting

4

supplies for us may finally cease with this date. We shall make no further requisitions upon them, except in regard to supplies already in their hands.

We hope our Branches will use all diligence in forward¬ ing to our Receiving Depots, through the accustomed chan¬ nels, whatever stores may reach them from their Aid Socie¬ ties, or any they have in hand.

All balances in cash left in the Branch treasuries, after settling up their local affairs, will he forwarded to Geo. T. Strong, Esq., Treasurer of the U. S. Sanitary Commission.

So far as any of our Branches are engaged in other por¬ tions of our work than in collecting and forwarding supplies, their labors will continue so long as those of the Commis¬ sion itself last. But the supply work is over, and the char¬ acteristic labors of the women of the land, in furnishing hospital clothing and comforts for sick and wounded soldiers, are completed. Henceforward, during the few months of existence still allotted to the Sanitary Commission to com¬ plete its work of collecting the pensions and back pay of the soldiers, in which it already has one hundred and twenty- seven offices established, to make up its scientific record and close up its widely-extended affairs, there will be no proba¬ ble necessity for addressing the women of the country, and this circular may be our last opportunity, until the final Report of the Commission is made, of expressing the grati¬ tude of the Board for their patient, humane, and laborious devotion to our common work.

For more than four years the U. S. Sanitary Commission has depended on its Branches, mainly directed and controlled by women, for keeping alive the interest in its work in all the villages and homes of the country ; for establishing and banding together the Soldiers’ Aid Societies which in thous¬ ands have sprung up and united their strength in our service.

By correspondence and by actual visitation, as well as by a system of canvassing, you, at the centres of influence, have maintained your hold upon the homes of the land, and kept your storehouses and ours full of their contributions.

By what systematic and business-like devotion of your time and talents you have been able to accomplish this we have been studious and admiring observers. Your volunteer work has had all the regularity of paid labor. In a sense of re¬ sponsibility, m system, in patient persistency, in attention to wearisome details, in a victory over the fickleness which commonly besets the work of volunteers, you have rivalled the discipline, the patience, and the courage, of soldiers in the' field— soldiers enlisted for the war. Yot seldom, indeed, your labors, continued through frosts and heats, and without intermission, for years, have broken down your health. But your ranks have always been kept full— and full, too, of the best, most capable, and noble women in the country. Yor do we suppose that you, who have controlled and inspired our Branches, and with whom it has been our happiness to be brought into personal contact, are, because acting in a larger sphere, more worthy of our thanks and respect than the women who have maintained our village Soldiers’ Aid Societies. Indeed, the ever-cheering burden of your com¬ munications to us has been the praise and love inspired in you by the devoted patriotism, the self-sacrificing zeal, of the Aid Societies, and of their individual contributors. Through you we have heard the same glowing and tear-moving tales of the sacrifices made by humble homes and hands in behalf of our work, which we so often hear from their comrades, of privates in the field, who, throughout the war, have often won the laurels their officers have worn, and have been animated by motives of pure patriotism, unmixed with hope of pro-

G

motion, or desire for recognition or praise, to give their blood and their lives for the country of their hearts.

To you, and through you to the Soldiers’ Aid Societies, and through them to each and every contributor to our sup¬ plies — to every woman who has sewed a seam or knitted a stocking in the service of the Sanitary Commission— we now return our most sincere and hearty thanks — thanks which are not ours only, but those of the Camps, the Hospitals, the Transports, the Prisons, the Pickets, and the Lines ; where your love and labor have sent comfort, protection, relief, and sometimes life itself. It is not too much to say, that the Army of women at home has fully matched in patriotism and in sacrifices the Army of men in the field. The mothers, sis¬ ters, wives and daughters of America have been worthy of the sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers who were fighting their battles. After having contributed their living treasures to the war, what wonder they sent so freely after them all else that they had ! And this precious sympathy between the fire-sides and the camp-fires — between the bayonet and the needle, the tanned check and the pale face — has kept the Nation one ; has carried the Homes into the Ranks, and kept the Ranks in the Homes, until a sentiment of oneness, of irresistible unanimity — in which domestic and social, civil and religious, political and military, elements entered, quali¬ fying, strengthening, enriching, and sanctifying all — has at last conquered all obstacles, and given us an overwhelming, a profound, and a permanent victory.

It has been our precious privilege to be your almoners; to manage and distribute the stores you have created and given us for the soldiers and sailors. We have tried to do our duty impartially, diligently, wisely. For the means of car¬ rying on this vast work which has grown up in our hands, keeping pace with the growing immensity of the war, and

i

which we are now about to lay down, after giving the Ameri¬ can public an account of our stewardship, we are chiefly indebted to the money created by the Fairs, which the American women inaugurated and conducted, and to the supplies collected by you under our organization. To you, then, is finally due the largest part of whatever gratitude belongs to the Sanitary Commission. It is as it should be. The soldier will return to his home to thank his own wife, mother, sister, daughter, for so tenderly looking after him in camp and field, in hospital and prison; and thus it will he seen, that it is the homes of the country which have wrought out this great salvation, and that the men and the women of America have an equal part in its glory and its joy.

Invoking the blessing of God upon you all, we are grate¬ fully and proudly your fellow-laborers.

H. W. BELLOWS, Trident.

A. D. BACHE.

F. L. OLMSTED.

GEORGE T. STRONG.

ELISHA HARRIS.

W. II. VAN BUREN.

WOLCOTT GIBBS.

S. G. HOWE.

C. R. AGNEW.

J. S. NEWBERRY

Rt. Rev. T. M. CLARK.

Hon. R W. BURNETT.

Hon. MARK SKINNER.

Hon JOSEPH HOLT.

HORACE BINNEY.

J. HUNTINGTON WOLCOTT.

Rev. J. H. IIEYWOOD.

CHARLES J. STILLE.

EZRA B. McCAGG.

JNO. S. BLATCHFORD, General Secretary.

.

^ Commission,

CENTRAL OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., July 15, i865. importanftocTl? thVSrnMt attoSn U is deemcd

ers who have so faithfully con Hb Z V tho“ «>^ork- the Commission during the past fom-, 10 d8efulness of Is Army and Navy Claimiffen.v" 7 *?> -to tho work of by agencies established throughout ’the' lT b? «g p''oseoufed gratuitous adjustment and coflect on of Stut0S’. for the Government, for soldiers, sailors and I*' a-£>ainst ‘be IS most earnestly desired th f di • , eir dependents. It

brought to the knowledge of \nA fhi g"ra.ted niaJ be ing Us benefits afforded to ever,,, 11 °PP0,;tu'i'U of enjoy- throughout the Union. To > thc^P™ T and 8oI,ber’s family

the Commission appeala with S, Sf” a“d Aid Societio8 lively interest in thiTefthrt i Z ofTr^ ?list their already established by tho Col • * • Local Agencies A.d Society should select 'tho™, amc8° of8t,nPPO,,<1<!d- Eaeh accessible to the field of labor and ah 1 f 1 ?-be a?ents mosfc it practicable, every claimant’ rn , ]oa d direct in person, cannot be accomplished, the claimant-? ,Where thi8

address, and the name rank com - amoand post-office vice of the soldier, with the date Jf 1 7’ ,reSlmenr. a"d ser- should betaken, and a letter wri?«.n i-dlM ,arge op death»

who will return the proper blanks* wbi V"00-*0 tl)e aSent> execution. P * blanks, with directions for their

interests so familiar to von nil ,1 1 >’ , ofJ,le various local

Let but the united ac^vUv of a l ,Ul<] b<3 free,^.used- pnse, and in the future it will he r G.fQl,C]sed ,n tln$ enter- mg effort of the Commission’s carefr'o/be^X'once. 0"0"'11'

JUO. s. blatciiford,

General Secretary.

LIST OF AGBITTS.

MAINE.

CONNECTICUT.

Augusta..... . Joseph. Burton

Bangor . Ruel Smith

Bucksport . J- E. Sherman

Corinna . Freeman Knowles

Levant . T. H. Wiggin

Newburgh . Ariel Kelly

Paris . Wm. A. Pidmn

Portland . W. H. Fessenden

Springfield . A. D. Clarke

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Concord . Sam’l C. Eastman

Manchester . Cyrus A. Sullaway

Portsmouth . Rev. Sullivan Holman

VERMONT.

Brattleboro . . . Geo. H. Bailey

Burlington . A. J. Howard

Montpelier . B. L. Fuller

Rutland . James E. Porter

Bridgeport . Andrew Grogan

Hartford . Rich’d W. Roberts

New Haven . . .

New London . Chas. M. Wilcox

NEW YORK.

New York City,

Albany .

Buffalo .

Elmira .

Rochester .

Syracuse .

Troy . .

Utica . .

Ogdensburg .

Watertown .

Plattsburg .

Ludlowville....

Lenox .

Hampton .

Spencer .

Poughkeepsie..

. H. Greenfield

. . McClure & Miller

. F. G. Pattison

Mrs. Chas. B. Stuart ...Dr. A. Mandeville

. S. F. Smith

. B. II. Hall

. Geo. C. Carter

....Gardner B. Chapin

. Lucian E. Carter

. Oren C. Gregg

. John Ludlow

. R. II. W. Bruce

. . II. C. Broughton

. C. W. Bradley

. Walter C. Allen

MASSACHUSETTS.

NEW JERSEY.

Boston . Francis S. Dyer

Lowell . N. D. A. Sawyer

New Bedford . Wm. Almy

Neponset . Thos. Temple

Springfield . Lewis A. Tifft

Worcester . Jno. A. Lovell

Greenfield . Geo. W. Bartlett

Pittsfield .

RHODE ISLAND. Providence . Wm. R. Walker

Trenton . . B. Cooper Allinson

Freehold . . .

Newark . Bavid A. Ryerson

PENNSYLVANIA.

Harrisburg..

Pittsburg....

Erie .

Wilkesbarre.

Carbondale..

Meadeville..

DeWitt & Snodgrass

. B. F. Brown

. A. J. Foster

Hubbard B. Payne

. D. N. Lathrope

. D. C. McCoy

3

Shippensburg . D. W. Thrush

Amity . . J. D. Huston

DELAWARE.

Wilmington . Levi Clark Bird

MARYLAND.

Baltimore . J. P. Creager

Frederick . Joseph M. Ebberts

WEST VIRGINIA.

Wheeling . James Gilchrist

Grafton . James M. Scrogin

OHIO.

Cleveland . W. H. Gaylord

Dayton . Robert Brundrett

Zanesville . David Hull

Chillicothe . Thad. A. Minshall

Marietta . George M. Woodbridge

Steubenville . W. A. Walden

Toledo . Hartwell Osborn

Mansfield . Vance & Dailey

INDIANA.

Indianapolis . Temple C. Harrison

La Fayette . Taylor & Watson

Evansville . Charles E. Marsh

Richmond . .....Lewis D. Stubbs

Madison . David G. Phillips

La Porte . Wm. Andrew

Terre Haute . Thos.C. Bailey

Fort Wayne . David P. Whedon

ILLINOIS.

Chicago . M. D. Bartlett

Peoria . Chauncey Nye

Quincy . H. A. Castle

Alton . James Newman

Centralia . Samuel P. Tufts

%

MICHIGAN.

Detroit . Wm. Jennison, Jr.

. C. E. Barstow

Kalamazoo. ...Chas. A. Thompson, Jr.

Jackson..... . G. Thompson Gridley

Grand Rapids . Isaac H. Parrish

MINNESOTA.

St. Paul . Jno. Peller

WISCONSIN.

Milwaukie . Wm. G. Whipple

Madison . Buel E. Hutchinson

Fond-du-Lac . N. C. Giffin

Watertown . Calvin B. Skinner

La Crosse . .Sto^dill & Daniels

IOWA.

Dubuque . E. S. Norris

Davenport . Chas. H. Kent

Burlington . J. P. Brown

Des Moines . Geo. P. Abel

MISSOURI.

St. Louis . Henry M. Post

KENTUCKY.

Louisville . H. H. Burkholder

Bowling Green . E. F. Kinnard

Frankfort . Jno. M. Brown

TENNESSEE.

Knoxville . Chas. Seymour

KANSAS.

Leavenworth . Chas. H. Crane

Lawrence . Eugene L. Akin

LOUISIANA.

New Orleans . C. W. Seaton

McGill & Wimuiow, Printers & Stereotjpers, Washington, D.C.

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION.

I£TO. 94.

REPORT

CONCERNING THE

anb Comfort gibnt b % Sattif^ Commission

TO

SICK AND INVALID SOLDIERS,

FOR THE QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1865.

- - .

By peedeeick tst.

SUPERINTENDENT OP SPECIAL RELIEF SERVICE.

Central Office, U. S. Sanitary Commission, Washington, D. C., July l, 1865.

Jno. S. Blatchford, Esq.,

General Secretary:

Sir : I herewith submit to you a report of the Special Relief Service, during the quarter ending June 30, 1865, together with statistics connected with this service, not em- braced in their due order in the previous quarterly ’report of April 1, but fitly presented now.

During no three months since the Special Relief Service commenced has its work been larger, more varied, more thorough in its methods, and more successful in its results, than during these three months on which I now report.

In some localities, and regarding some branches of labor, the work has indeed diminished ; but taking it as a whole' the 44 aid and comfort” rendered to the soldiers through this agency of the Commission has never before in the same period of time been as great and manifest as during this last quarter.

2

This larger call, or rather opportunity for work, may be traced to three causes, viz :

1st. The wide-spread information which has recently been extended through the armies and hospitals concerning the Sanitary Commission, and its readiness and ability to aid the soldiers needing help.

2d. The hurried discharging of thousands of men from General Hospitals, and the rapid disbanding of large armies.

3d. The relaxing of labor on the part of some State Agen¬ cies, and of many -individuals before engaged in rendering help to the soldiers, who mistakingly thought that the chief call for aid was past as soon as actual battles were at an end.

Regarding the first, it may be said, that during this season a more thorough and systematic method has been adopted of advertising to the soldiers everywhere, what the Sanitary Commission can do for them. This has been effected by means of posters in hospitals and public places, by letters direct to Surgeons and Chaplains of regiments in the field, and by distributing among the troops large numbers of the “ Soldiers’ Friend,” (published by the U. S. Sanitary Com¬ mission,) and of the “ Soldiers’ Journal,” which, beside much other valuable matter, announce the Commission’s purpose and work. Of these two publications together, one hundred and five thousand (105,000) have been placed in the hands of the soldiers during the last three months.

It has recently been the case that a large proportion of the sick or disabled men discharged from the Regimental or General Hospital have been referred directly, and with painstaking interest, by their surgeons or other officers, to the Sanitary Commission, for needed help and protection. This has been the case, not in Washington alone or especially, but as well, and in some instances even more thoroughly, in New Orleans, and at places in the West. I refer to this here for the sake of putting it on record, while I draw your attention to the fact that there is a large and constantly in¬ creasing co-operation with us in this work of Special Relief on the part of the Officers in the Army itself.

3

Concerning the second point named, it can readily be under¬ stood how this hurried discharging of so many men should by mere multiplication of previous work, in the ratio of the numbers discharged, increase the calls upon the Special Relief Service ; but to those not immediately cognizant of the facts, it cannot be understood how much carelessness, on the part of surgeons and subordinates in hospitals, who were concerned in making out the papers, or in providing for the comfort of those invalid men, was induced or allowed by the semi-dis- organized state incident to a “breaking-up”— of drawing towards a close. Few of the rigid rules were enforced; none of the selfish inducements to thoroughness and faithful¬ ness were offered which exist when continuation of service promises promotion.

This carelessness, or this indifference, on tire part of others, left many soldiers in just that state where the Sanitary Com¬ mission, with its Special Relief, could come in and do its most beneficent work for them; thus making up — (and this has always been one part of its mission) — making up their loss to the soldiers, who else would surely suffer from the ignorance, or the cold-heartedness, or the hurry of various officers. For so true it is, that while a large majority of the officers in our army have been watchful of the interests of their soldiers, there has been another class of officers— in the aggregate many men— who seem not to have once attained to the best idea which can inspire a person entrusted, as are these, with power, viz: the idea that they are not commis¬ sioned merely to drill and lead, but to befriend and protect their soldiers.

Precisely here it has been, to make up, as I said, for the deficiency of these men, that the Sanitary Commission, with its Special Relief, steps in and reaches out its hand. I make this point here, because, while accounting for a large in¬ crease (under a partially disorganized state of the army) of our work, it also suggests most forcibly to our thought the very nature or genius, as viewed from one side, of this branch of the Commission’s work.

Again, in regard to the effect produced by the rapid dis-

4

charge and mustering-out of so many thousand men, we are to note, as bearing directly upon our Special Relief work, the fact, that for every $100,000 paid out to soldiers going home, there rise up at least one hundred sharpers, unseen before, to waylay these men, and to induce them foolishly to spend their money; and happy for the soldier if it end in nothing worse. It can well be understood, then, how the Commission, which is to stand between these soldiers and their tempters, has found, during the past two months especially, work enough to do; and I venture to say, that during no previous two months has the Commis¬ sion received more abundant thanks from the men them¬ selves thus restrained or rescued ; and at no previous period has it merited greater gratitude from the wives or families of these returning soldiers who thus were induced or enabled to carry home with them the money, and often the self-respect, which for a long term they had been earning with toil. It is refreshing to feel how large a debt of gratitude thousands of homes are under to this Commis¬ sion — homes which do not know, and will never once dream, that they have received. a benefit at our hands. This is so much like the debt which children owe to parents, (never measured — scarcely divined,) that I love to dwell upon it, as peculiarly illustrating what to me is the distinctive and exalt¬ ing characteristic of this Commission — not in its Special Relief work alone, but in its intrinsic nature, viz : that it is not a “Commission” made such by the creative wisdom of certain men, but that it is really and simply the heart and intelligence of the people themselves, taking this form — and which, if it had not taken this form, would, of very necessity, have taken some other form — by a sort of native instinct or controlling impulse ; that it is doing its work, led on step by step, almost as unconsciously, and with absence of artificial plan, as is the father of a home, while he seeks the comfort and good of his children.

I must be pardoned here this digression, for the reason that this thought is bound in with my special work, and never so much as of late, when we are thus really blessing by

5

hundreds homes that have never heard the name of the San¬ itary Commission. Not in a spirit of ostentation is this record made, but simply with sincere gratitude, and with that sense of possession, or of treasure held unseen, which attends an act by which we confer on others real blessings, all unknown by, and never to be told to those befriended. In this sense, of an unseen possession, is the blessing returned to the count¬ less laborers, who, with unwearying zeal and unrecognized devotion, have for four years — this country through — upheld the hands of the workers nearer the hospital and field.

This may not be — this, indeed, is not the place or time to do it; but surely all these thoughts which grow up out of our work in the Commission, and which encourage and cheer us in whatever weariness we have in our toil, ought to be gathered up and put in sheaves ; they are part of the harvest, and will prove bread for giving strength to other men and women who, perchance, in coming years and in other nations, may, through our example, seek to bring the love and care of the homes of the soldiers near even to the soldiers in the field.

But to return. I will specify yet one more of the occa¬ sions for enlarged activity brought to us with this prepara¬ tion for closing the war. Seizing eagerly upon the oppor¬ tunity offered all inmates of hospitals who are able to travel to be discharged, a large number of sick men, or those partially disabled from wounds, start for their homes upon the cars. Their feeble condition exposes them to suffering and serious evils, which, in their anxiety to reach their friends, they cannot anticipate. Here the Commission, through its Special Relief Service, has had offered to it, during these same three months last past, a far larger field than in this regard was ever given it before.

Such are some of the facts which will suggest the measure of the calls made upon us of late; the several reports which will be appended will show to you how we have met these calls. But before passing to details of our work, it is but right for me to indicate to you, in connection with what I have said of this recent increase of labor, what seems to me

6

the probable future of our Special Relief work, and thus auswer the question which is being asked, viz : “ hen can we probably close this part of our service ?

For one month our work will not very perceptibly dimin¬ ish, except in the number of inmates of some of our Lodges and Homes— those which are located at points from which the army is nearly withdrawn ; after that it will diminish rapidly, being at the end of two months reduced probably one half or two thirds its amount, and so on in its descend¬ ing series, though I cannot see how this branch of the Commission’s work can entirely cease for some time longer. Even after the great mass of the soldiers (except the regulai and retained army) shall have gone to their homes, there will be of those left behind on detached service, or by disease or wounds which prevented earlier transfer, very many waifs and wanderers and men needing help ; and at that time, peculiarly, will it be the case, even more than now, that if the Sanitary Commission does not care for these men no one will.

With greatly reduced force, of course, and with a con¬ stant aim at meeting the fitting demand that the Commission close its work at the earliest day possible, should such aid he continued. And under that lead and guidance I think there will be no danger of its prolonging its work— unduly stimulated by the love of doing good— beyond the point where humanity and sound judgment should direct.

I will now submit to you in detail reports touching the points to which I have called your attention in my general review.

Beginning with Washington, I shall present you first Mr. Abbott’s report of the work done at the Special Relief Office, H street, including with it the Superintendent’s report of Lodge 4, at which place Mr. Abbott’s office is located.

The report of the work there, both in itself and in its relation to previous reports, will be a fair index of the cha¬ racter and relative amount of service rendered at our several most important offices during the last quarter.

I submit Mr. Abbott’s report entire, as it is compact in

T

form, and makes record of certain facts, (concerning the general aims of our service,) which, if not thus presented by him, would elsewhere have claimed attention :

U. S. Sanitary Commission,

(i Special Relief ” Office, 389 H Street, Washington, D. C., July 1, 1865.

Sir: I herewith submit the report of the work of this office and of “ Lodge No. 4/’ for the quarter ending June 30, 1865. S

The work of rendering relief to soldiers and seamen, in adjusting their accounts and claims against the Government, has largely increased since my last quarterly report; while the work of assisting men who are in General Hospitals in securing their back pay, an agency which during the previous six months had been so large, and productive of so much good, has been almost entirely suspended, consequent upon the orders for discharging all men in General Hospitals.* Appli¬ cations for pensions have increased. The number of persons seeking advice, information, and aid in various ways, has also been much larger than during the previous quarter. The number has also been unusually large of destitute soldiers and seamen, and the relatives of soldiers and seamen, who, com-

* “Agency for getting Back Pay for Soldiers in General Hospitals."— It was found that very many soldiers in hospitals had various amounts of back pay due them, which their families sorely needed, but which was so tied up, that it could not be collected without an amount of investigation and labor which the Paymasters had no right to bestow upon individuals. Some of it had been due six or eight months, and the men had been mustered and paid for intermediate months, leaving this which was due in the position of an old debt.

Agents of the Commission, authorized and cordially aided by Col. Brooke, Chief Clerk in the Paymaster General’s Department, entered upon the work of obtaining the necessary information in each case, so as to enable the Chief Clerk to furnish to the man a certificate of the pay due to him, upon which to draw his money.

This work, which commenced as an experiment in Stanton Hospital, at the suggestion of Rev. William Henry Channing, Chaplain of this hospital and Chaplain of the House of Representatives in Congress — whose ever-hopeful and forelooking patriotism and devotion to the soldier have given him a large influence in the great movements of the last four years — gradually extended until it embraced nearly all our General Hospitals, and rendered this much- needed aid to some thousands of men. The record book of this O'fice gives the names of three thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven (3,737) soldiers of this class whose papers were filed by the Commission, and whose pay was thus secured. — K.

8

ing to attend sick friends in hospital, and exhausting their means, were left helpless; without aid these persons could not have reached their homes. For the amount of money thus expended, I would refer you to my cash account; as also to my Office Journal, for a record of the circumstances under which this aid was given, a careful examination having been made in each case. I have been able to concentrate my work considerably on account of the suspension of one branch of it before referred to. This enabled me to dispense with the services of several clerks, and reduce the expenses of the Office, although the aggregate amount of work accom¬ plished is in excess even of any previous quarter.

The work of the Office, as it is now divided, constitutes five distinct branches. These general divisions do not embrace the special work of attending to the comfort and bodily wants of the needy soldier or seamau, who come to us, or are brought here, or whom we find elsewhere, — warning, protecting, and caring for them in various ways, helping them out of difficulties, giving them advice, writing letters for them, looking up their friends, visiting the sick and wounded, looking up effects of deceased soldiers and forwarding them, securing admissions to schools and asylums for soldiers’ orphans, and much other aid that I have not time or space to mention here. Omitting these forms of service, the five general branches of labor referred to are as follows :

The First includes the adjustment of the pay account of weak and disabled soldiers, too feeble to attend to it them¬ selves, as also the accounts that are inaccurate and compli¬ cated of all men discharged on account of disability. All soldiers coming for payment to Colonel Taylor, Paymaster of discharged soldiers, are at once referred by him to our Office, if defects are found to exist in any of the papers presented.

The Second includes claims for bounty, either for wounds or service.

The Third includes the adjustment of the accounts of men who still remain in the service.

The Fourth embraces claims for pensions and for arrears

9

of pay, and for bounty, and such cases as require a formal claim with a power of Attorney.

The Fifth concerns itself with Officers’ accounts, pay and prize money of seamen, commutation of rations, and claims against the Quartermaster General’s Department.

Our arrangements and facilities for transacting business at the various Government Departments are all we could ask, except at one or two, where, on account of the limited num¬ ber of clerks employed to do the work, our papers are some¬ times delayed. But our relations with the various military and civil officers with whom we have business to transact is most gratifying.

The operations of the Lodge connected with this Office ave been unusually large. The average number of meals furnished per day during the last month of the quarter was

The Superintendent and all the employees of the Lodge have worked hard, and deserve commendation for the man¬ ner in which theyihave performed their duty.

Ihe following is an exhibit of the pay accounts and claims received and acted upon during this quarter :

Number of imperfect pay accounts of discharged soldiers taken in hand. 484

Number of cases definitely settled .

Number of cases returned. . 4g

Number of cases in process of adjustment . 238

Number of bounty cases received..

Number of cases settled .

Number of cases returned .

Number of cases partly completed

475

318

22

314

Number of accounts of such men as are still in the service,

Number of cases satisfactorily adjusted .

Number of cases on hand .

Number of cases returned .

119

139

103

129

Number of pension claims filed . 859

Number of cases thus far allowed . . . 542

Number of new claims for arrears of pay and bounty filed . 40

Number of cases allowed . . . 57

Number of claims for pension arrears of pay and bounty settled . 52

Number of cases on hand . . . . 1^5 9

10

Number of officers’ accounts received

Number settled.. .

Number on hand .

Number of cases returned .

Number of Naval claims filed

Number settled .

Number on hand .

149

99

51

Number of ration-money claims received

Number of cases allowed .

Number of cases on hand . . .

Number of claims on Quartermaster’s Department received

Number of cases adjusted .

Number of cases on hand .

Whole number of cases and claims received and recorded during the

quarter . *

Whole number completed .

Number returned .

Number of cases on hand, in process of investigation or completion .

2,258

1,580

256

2,406

Amount secured for tlie soldiers and sailors on the cases completed, (exclusive of pension claims allowed, and a large number of claims for ration-money adjusted, but not recorded,) $167,394 67.

Add to this amount wThat was paid on the cases excluded, and it would increase to two hundred and thirty thousand dollars, ($230,000.)

Number of letters received at this Office during this quarter . 5,933

Number of letters written and copied . 3,016

Number of business letters mailed . 6,270

Number of affidavits made out and executed

516

Number of meals given at Lodge No. 4 . . . 43,386

Number of nights’ lodgings furnished . 10,097

* * * * * * *

* * * * Our labors for this quarter have been exceed¬

ingly onerous. The work that we accomplished was a blessed one; so great was the pressure that we were obliged to work both night and day. Those whom we assisted appreciated the aid and the relief rendered them. I never

11

labored with greater satisfaction. My assistants all entered into the work with the right zeal, and a determination to relieve and protect all of our soldiers and seamen whom they could find needy. Some days our large Office was crowded. They would come hobbling in on crutches, or leaning upon the shoulders of comrades, get their wants supplied, their business adjusted, and leave, blessing the Commission for what it has done and is doing for the soldiers. At the Lodge they received a good wholesome meal, and then were conveyed by our ambulance and wagons to the railroad station, where they were met by the couriers of the Commission, and furnished all needed care and assistance to their homes and friends.

Trusting that our works will meet with your approval, I remain, very truly, your obedient servant,

J. B. ABBOTT,

Chief Assistant Special Belief Service.

Such is Mr. Abbott’s report of most painstaking and suc¬ cessful labor. He might fitly have mentioned, that during this quarter there had come to him for aid a number of men, bearing with them marks of disgrace in the words “ deserter,” or “absent without leave,” written in red upon the face of their discharge papers, while upon their hearts, and on their real record, as it afterward proved in most of the cases, the word written was — honest and faithful soldier. Perhaps there is no one form of service rendered at our offices of Special Relief which is really worth more to the one aided than this, by which such men are again honorably restored to the rolls ; for with that red mark upon their papers, they go home deprived of all pay and allowances, with a lasting stain upon them. In some instances we find that the word “deserter” is rightly written, in which case we again, under the stamp of the Sanitary Commission, (recording the fact that we have examined his record,) repeat the word “deserter,” writing it in still larger hand. But in a majority of instances, our examinations reveal the fact, (and furnish to the Adjutant General’s office testimony to prove it,) that the accused man

12

was thus branded simply through the carelessness or ignor¬ ance of his officers, who had not the time or the will to follow up the record of the man and learn the truth.

The process by which this work is accomplished is often long and tedious, certified evidence being demanded which shall account satisfactorily for the man during the entire period covered by the charge, not a day omitted. It involves correspondence often with distant parts of the country, and with surgeons of hospitals, and officers in all sections of the army. All necessary inquiries by the Com¬ mission, let it here be recorded, are almost without excep¬ tion answered by those addressed with promptness, and evidence of a readiness to co-operate with us in the work. And at the Adjutant General’s Office there is always a cor¬ dial willingness, upon proper testimony, at once to restore to the rolls, in its place of honor, the men whose record we have made clear. It is now fully recognized, I think, by the War Department, that the Sanitary Commission does not desire to act as the prejudiced or tender-hearted advocate of any soldier who, even by his own cowardice or disobedience, has brought upon himself censure and disgrace, but that it is simply by straightforward and thorough business methods seeking to do the work of humanity and justice.

I dwell somewhat upon this single branch of our work because the faces of some of those men, thus lifted out of despair, and lighted with joy and gratitude, are so full before me, as they thank us for honor restored — thank us in behalf of themselves, of their wives, and their children. One of these men, thus aided by us, said to me: “You cannot understand, — and I hardly want that you should understand, — just what your Office has done for me ! I will only tell you this — that I am going to start to-night for my home in Wisconsin to see my wife and children, whom I have not seen for two years, and whom I had deter¬ mined I never would see if I had to carry back that stamp of a 4 deserter’ upon me.”

To illustrate by a single instance the labor sometimes at¬ tending these cases, and the patience with which the work

13

is pursued, I will state that but just now, as it happened, the final evidence was obtained for a man of Co. B 10th Michigan Vols., whose papers were taken in hand more than two years ago, (February 9, 1863.) His case, with whatever testimony could be obtained, had been three several times presented at the Adjutant General’s Office, and three times rejected for lack of satisfactory testimony to clear the charge of desertion. At length, however, by per¬ severance, the needed evidence was obtained, and the charge was removed, pay collected, and a draft for two hundred and forty-seven dollars has just been sent to the man at his home at Clear Lake, Michigan.

The person who has charge of all these cases marked “Deserter,” or “Absent without Leave,” at one of our Offices, (Washington,) furnishes me the following memo- randum :

Number of cases taken during the three months . 45

Number of cases on hand, (old list) . 12

Number of cases adjusted, (honorably restored) . 35

Number of men proved real deserters . . . jq

Number of cases now under process of completion, (with every possible

chance of clearing the charges against them) . 12

In no place, perhaps, more fitly than in this connection, can I refer to one most important service of the Com¬ mission, through its Special Relief Agency, which is scarcely recognized, but which is by no means among its smallest benefits. By securing justice to hundreds of soldiers who previously felt that they were wronged, and by giving rest and food, and comfort, and their money, in a way not other¬ wise provided for, to thousands who were sick and weary, and complaining of the neglect of the government — -by these means has the Sanitary Commission sent to their homes many thousands of men, silent and satisfied, who would otherwise have been in their several communities fomenters of ill-will against those in power. The man who knows that he has been for four years fighting, without fear or flinching, for his country, feels doubly wronged at anything

14

like indifference or neglect shown toward him by his govern- ment.

I assume that this very service of explaining mistaken views, correcting bitter prejudice, and healing wounded feelings on the part of the soldiers, though it is an office scarcely noted, never recorded, is one of the most valuable results of the work of the Sanitary Commission.

Iu order to secure these ends, and to claim a right thus to be the adviser of these soldiers, it has always been care¬ fully impressed upon every man as he enters the Special Relief Service, that no matter how hurried he may be, or how unreasonable may seem the spirit of the soldieis who seek assistance or complain of wrongs, he is himself always to give to each soldier a patient hearing and kindly explana¬ tion, thus gaining for the opinion or advice of the agent of the Commission that influence which belongs to counsel which is bound in with evidences of friendly, personal re¬ gard. And let me say, in passing, probably no class of men on earth are more impressed and affected by evidences of real kindness and personal interest, as of kindred or of friend, than are these same weather-stained, war-worn, hard-handed soldiers. It is readily seen, then, how, through this Agency, which is so far connected with Government as to be more or less associated with it in the mind of the sol¬ dier, that most valuable and kindly service above referred to, as of explainer and conciliator, is rendered.

Another point to be noticed is this — the increased oppor¬ tunity to be the helpers of the Colored Soldiers, who peculiarly need, in their ignorance, both the aid and the patient hearing which I believe it has been the aim of all agents of the Com¬ mission to give to these men, for I think that we have not one individual in the Special Relief Service who does not see behind that dark wall of defence the light of a stern and glowing patriotism, — not one who does not believe that under a black skin there may be hidden a pure, white soul. During the past three months the number of colored soldiers who have come under our care has been large, and

15

we are daily extending benefit to them. An agent from the Special Relief Office of Lodge 4 is now at work at Beaufort, S. C., securing to the colored troops at that place their dues’ of which they were being defrauded by claim agents. He was sent at the suggestion of Col. T. W. Higginsou, of Mass, formerly of the 62d Mass. Volunteer colored troops, to pros¬ ecute this work. He goes from Beaufort to Charleston, and thence further south.

Next in order is the report of the Superintendent of The Home, which is herewith submitted :

F. N. Knapp, Esq.,

Superintendent of Special Relief.

Sir : The following is my report of the work at “ The Home” for the quarter ending June 30, 1865.

MALE DEPARTMENT.

Whole number admitted .

Whole number of meals furnished .

Whole number of lodgings furnished .

Admitted on account of discharge for disability .

Admitted on account of sick furlough .

Admitted under orders (sick) .

Amount of money received on deposit from soldiers

The men reported as “under orders” are nearly all men that are being transferred to hospitals at the North, or have been ordered from hospitals here to the several States to be mustered out of the service.

Of the men reported on furlough, a large proportion are men that have been given a furlough in order that they might go to their homes and await the necessary papers to be mustered out.

I think I am right in saying that at no time since The Home was established has there been as much real good accomplished in the same length of time as during the past quarter, for nearly all the men we have had under our care

.. 3,677 .. 25 939 .. 10,987

.. 1,399 704 .. 1,174

$31,597

16

during these three months have been those that required a very large amount of assistance.

The number of inmates at The Home lias been gradually diminishing for the last few weeks, and I think it probable that the number will now rapidly diminish until the close.

“ HOME HOSPITAL.”

The following is a statement of the work done in the hos¬ pital connected with The Home :

Whole number admitted to the Hospital . . 1,384

Number of sick prescribed for and treated . 522

Number of wounds dressed . . . 862

Number sent to the general hospitals . 145

Number of deaths . ! . 5

I extract the following from the report of Dr. M. D. Bene¬ dict, who has been Surgeon in Charge during the past few months :

* * * * “ Sick and wounded soldiers discharged from

Hospitals find here rest, nursing, and medical treatment while waiting for transportation, or for the settlement of their ac¬ counts, and much suffering is alleviated and prevented by these means. The necessity for such attentions will con¬ tinue to exist until all the soldiers, sick and wrounded, remaining in the hospitals of the District, are discharged or transferred to other hospitals.

“Of the good order and management of this institution it is unnecessary that I should speak. I cannot see how it could be improved in these respects, and I trust its beneficent work will continue until the necessities which called it into existence shall have been fully met and answered.”

COURIERS.

On the 15th of May I was put in charge of the relief couriers running on railroads, with instructions to “ increase the present number to as many as may be required to meet the urgency of the case.”

In accordance with these instructions, I immediately

17

employed several new men for this service and w „• then had an efficient corps at the work S'nCe

By this arrangement a courier leaves Washington every evening for New York on the 6 p. m. train: on! for Hal ns urg every day at 4J p. m.; and one for Wheeling Va every Monday and Thursday, at 7J p. m g’ V ’

The work accomplished by the couriers has been of the utmost importance to the sick and wounded soldiers and it ^impossible to state in a report the real good that has been

. Bt?'°W 1 ?ive the uu,mber of me“ that have been assisted by the couriers since the 15th of May, over the several rail-

To New York, or beyond . Wheeling, or beyond... Harrisburg, or beyond

3,467

579

694

Total

Add to this the number (1,325) assisted by" the couriers from to May 15th, and we have a total of . .

April 1st

4,740

6,065

FEMALE DEPARTMENT.

(Home for Wives and Mothers of sick soldiers.)

Whole number admitted .

Whole number meals furnished . . 4 roo

Whole number lodgings furnished . . 0’

. . . . . . . Zjool

.Nearly all that have been admitted to this branch of The -Lome were mothers or wives who came here for the purpose of nursing their friends in the hospitals of the city.

The number for the last few weeks has been much less than at any previous time, on account of the expectation that all the men in hospitals will now be discharged, and soon be at their homes.

DETECTIVE.

In connection with The Home, there was appointed, on the 15th of May, a Special Detective and Agent of the Commis-

18

sion, to be stationed at the B. and 0. R. R- depot, to look after the soldiers in and around that place.

We were fortunate in securing a man thoroughly acquain¬ ted with his work; the aid he has rendered to the soldiers is of great value ; hundreds have been promptly started on their way home who would otherwise have loitered in the city, and without doubt have lost their mouey and papers, if not their lives.

For the detail of all the work above indicated, I refer to the Journal of the Home, and to the reports which accompany this.

I am, very respectfully,

J. B. CLAIIK, Sup’t.

Concerning the “ Home,” in addition to Mr. Clark s report, it may he mentioned that the “Home for Wives and Mothers of Soldiers” has been, until recently, constantly full and over-crowded, although in ordinary cases no one remains there for any length of time unless she brings a certificate from the surgeon in charge of the hospital where her son, brother, or husband may be, stating that said woman’s con- tinuance there is desired, and will be a benefit to the relative who is sick. It has been a service attended with peculiar sat¬ isfaction, this which has been rendered to soldiers’ wives and mothers ; for it is not limited to food, and shelter, and home kindness only, but it is extended to the work of aiding these to find and then minister to the sick or missing whom they seek. Probably no page of our record more than this from the “ Home for Wives and Mothers of Soldiers,”— were it right to give it in its minuter details, — would appeal to our sympathies, or tell of the sacrifices called for by this war, sacrifices so sadly but willingly borne. And what is true of the record of this one Home in Washington, is true also of the many similar agencies of the Commission at the South and West, where those seeking, with woman’s love, sick or lost son or husband, are tenderly protected and cared for.

The “ Sanitary Commission Relief Couriers,” referred to by Mr. Clark, are at the railroad stations before the cars

19

kave, to help any soldiers who are feeble in obtaining their t.ckets, (if not provided beforehand,) and in securing com- fortable seats or position m the cars. Daring the night they attend to all the wants of the invalid soldiers who may be in their respective trains, -not a few of whom are borne on stretchers. At each one of the termini of these routes waits another agent of the Commission, with ambulance and aid to take the soldiers to the next station, or to the Lodge, as the case may admit. A most valuable service have these men rendered to hundreds of soldiers too feeble entirely to go on alone. For, as has always been the case, the soldier’s own estimate of his strength as he looked homeward, or even the surgeon’s opinion yielding to importunity, allowed very many men to leave the government hospital only to remain for a longer or shorter term at some Home or Lodge of the Commission, or to be thus supported by the way. The records for this quarter at Cairo, Louisville, Nashville, Cin¬ cinnati, Cleveland, and elsewhere, as well as at the East, repeat this fact, and tell also with gladness how strong and warm a hand they have severally, in the name of the fathers and mothers themselves, reached out tp these fainting men.

In order to meet the emergency, and to induce at several points along the railroads throughout the country provisions additional to that secured by our Couriers, and at points where the Commission had no Lodges established, a circular was issued by the Special Relief Department of the Commis- sion, of which the following is a copy :

U. S. Sanitary Commission, Central Office,

Tq Washington, D. C., May 20, 1865.

During the next few weeks a very large number of convalescent and par¬ tially disabled men will be discharged from the General Hospitals and sent to their homes. Many of these men will be in a condition ill suited to bear the fatigue and privations incident to a long journey ; they will be men who under ordinary circumstances would not be allowed to leave the Hospitals. Bui; under the privilege now fitly granted to hospital inmates, permitting all who desire it to be discharged, these men, in theit impatient eagerness, will try to the utmost what little strength they possess.

Under these circumstances there will be a peculiar call for watchfulness and efficiency on the part of all Agents of the Sanitary Commission, and of

*

20

Relief Organizations, who have taken in hand the duty of meeting discharged men at the various railroad stations on their journey homeward.

Therefore, let additional Agents be in readiness, so that every train, regular and irregular, may be met, and not a disabled soldier reach or pass your station who is not promptly greeted by an offer of whatever refreshment or help he may need. Let your supplies be abundant, and your watchfulness wakeful.

In addition, and as supplementary to the regular “ Sanitary Commission Relief Couriers,” who go over the several railroads upon the evening express trains daily from Washington, you should have at your place men in readiness, with proper material at hand, to accompany at shortest notice any soldier who may be found in the cars exhausted by his journey, and evidently too feeble to travel further without additional care.

If your station be a point where many soldiers leave the cars to scatter in various directions for their homes, or where they remain some hours— as is the case with many central towns and large cities— you will find it eminently wise to employ, for the time being, men of energy and judgment, who shall be posted near the railroad station, and whose sole duty it shall be kindly to guard these soldiers while there from being robbed, defrauded, or led astray. Such men could likewise see that all these soldiers, who have to go on further, are informed of the time of leaving of their several trains, and have tickets or transportation secured, and are seated in the right car. By these means a very valuable service may be rendered.

It is now nearly our last opportunity to extend this kind of help or protec¬ tion to our returning soldiers, wounded in battle, and we cannot perform the service too promptly or too generously if we would represent to these soldiers the gratitude and the love of the people.

Yours, very truly,

FRED. N. KNAPP, Superintendent of Special Relief Service.

This circular was sent to the communities near all principal railroad stations; and, as we have assurance, called forth in many instances timely and liberal care for these returning men. I refer to, and insert this circular in my report, in order to give you assurance, by illustration in one point, of the thoroughness and forethought with which we have quietly but earnestly endeavored, as an essential province of our work, to seize upon every occasion for giving relief to our soldiers. Our principle from the beginning has been just this — to make this Special Relief Service the exponent, as far as was possible, of what we hold the Sanitary Commission itself to be, viz : the presence of the people with their soldiers while away from home.

21

Hospital V lsitor and Special Relief Agent. Most of the pa¬ tients admitted there were from Field Hospitals, sick with tever and chronic diarrhoea ; and much sufl'ering has been saved, and many needs supplied through Miss Bradley’s prompt and unwearied ministrations. Beside distribution of other ordinary sanitary supplies, and having charge chiefly of the special diet, she has looked after the papers and the pay of the discharged men at the camp, accompanying them iu person to the Paymaster’s, or to the Lodge in Washing¬ ton, and continuing other branches of work, as specified in previous reports.

We should omit one valuable service rendered by Miss Bradley if we neglected to notice the “ Soldiers’ Journal,” which she started at Convalescent Camp, and still carries on at Augur General Hospital. It is a weekly paper, edited under her supervision, and printed by soldiers. It is devoted to the interests of enlisted men, contains all important Gen¬ eral Orders of the War Department, and such information as instructs a soldier both in bis duties and bis rights. This little paper has had a large circulation in the army, and a corresponding influence for good. The profits (amounting now to some two thousand dollars) are to be devoted to a “Home for Children of Deceased Soldiers.”

At Alexandria the Lodge which for so long a time has fur¬ nished a home to so many soldiers needing aid was destroyed by fire in J une. The necessity for a Lodge at that post had nearly ended.

The records of the quarter were as follows :

Number admitted..., Number of lodgings Number of meals...,

3,834

2,721

9,836

00

The Home for Mothers and Wives of Soldiers which was connected with the Lodge was well ordered and constantly filled by those seeking for or ministering to the sick in the hospitals in and around Alexandria.

The Lodge at Maryland avenue has been closed, and the Lodge at Gth street wharf will be closed on the 15th instant.

At Portsmouth, Va., the Lodge, after a long term of quiet but efficient work, has recently been closed. I regret that the quarterly report of Mr. Alcooke, the devoted Superin¬ tendent, has not yet reached me, as I am sure it would contain evidence of much kindly aid rendered.

So, also, has the work ended at Annapolis, Md. There the Home for Soldiers’ wives and Mothers for many months had given a rare measure of comfort to those seeking, among the returned prisoners especially, their husbands and sons. Many sad and touching incidents are recorded in the books of that “ Home.”

At Baltimore, Md., there has been most valuable service rendered at the Home. As some question has arisen concerning the necessity of longer continuance of our Spe¬ cial Belief work at the point, I insert here the report of Mr. J. B. Abbott upon the subject, just handed to me :

“ Special Relief ” Office, 389 II Street,

Washington, D. C., July 1, 1865.

“ Sir : In compliance with your request I have visited Baltimore and investigated the working of the Soldiers’ Home, its management, and the necessity of continuing it. *******

It is still accomplishing an important work, and the want of such an institution is not less now than the day it was established. The working of the Home is carried on as economically as a proper provision for the wants of the sick and wounded soldiers who stop there would admit. I see no good reason for diminishing the supplies of the Home, or changing its general management.

“I believe the Superintendent is an honest, prudent, and good man, and that his heart is in the work he is doing;

23

and that it would be hard to find a man that would manage the Home better in all respects than he does.” * * *

“For the last five or six months Mr. Hastings has also taken charge of the ambulance, running to the railroad stations and steamboat landings to look after the sick and wounded arriving, to see that they are properly taken care of.” * *

“I am well satisfied with the operations of the Home and its management, and of the necessity for continuing it. * *

At Philadelphia a large and well arranged Home or Lodge was erected a few months since, and, although its doors were opened st> late in the war, it is performing an admirable service upon a generous scale. This is a statement based merely upon my own observation, and upon what I have heard from persons who have seen its efficient working. Ho reports from the Lodge in Philadelphia have yet come to this Office. At Philadelphia there is also quite a large amount of Special Relief Service performed, not connected with the Lodge or Rest, but similar to that of our Special Relief Of¬ fice at Washington ; a devoted worker is in charge of it, and it would add much to the interest and completeness of this report had its records been transmitted.

At New York City the Special Relief Service performed by the Sanitary Commission has been embraced with the general work of the New York Agency, under direction of the Standing Committee, additional to whatever individual relief may have been rendered by the “ Woman’s Central A. R. A.” at the Cooper Institute. The only work there, immediately under the direction of this Special Relief Department, has been that performed by our hospital-car couriers with their ambulance, waiting the arrival of each Washington train at Jersey City ferry— this is covered by the records of the Home at Washington, inasmuch as the car-couriers start from and report there. The “ Lincoln Home” in New York, which is doing such a beneficent work for disabled soldiers, unable to provide for themselves, though not under the immediate supervision of the Depart¬ ment, is intimately connected with the Special Relief

24

Service of the Commission. The report of its first six months’ labors is looked for by the Commission and the public with great interest. It has been trying an experiment in a new field, with most important results, and its records will be studied by all persons who may hereafter, in differ¬ ent parts of the country, undertake to establish similar institutions.

Passing to Hartford, Ct., we find there a Sanitary Lodge which was started about three months since, and which has been useful far beyond the expectation even of the earnest women who were interested in it. The following is its re¬ port, inserted here in full, because it illustrates admirably the character and work of a number of similar Belief Sta¬ tions, (not here separately noticed, as their reports for the quarter have not yet been received,) commenced so late in the day that many persons saw no necessity for opening them.

REPORT OF HARTFORD SOLDIERS’ REST.

“The ‘Hartford Soldiers’ Kest’ was opened May 1, 1865, under the auspices of the Sanitary Association, and has proved most successful in the object for which it was intended — that of furnishing a temporary home for disabled and invalid soldiers, and also as an attractive place of resort for the members of our returning regiments, most of which are de¬ tained here a number of days for pay and settlement.

“ The Superintendent, Mr. Sizer, is a man whose previous experience and warm-hearted patriotism eminently fit him for the situation. His unwearied labors for the comfort of all committed to his care, his energy and thoroughness in seeking out and investigating cases of want and destitution among the returning soldiers, following them with his sym¬ pathy and shielding them from imposition and temptation, indicate a true and heart-felt devotion to his work which merits our gratitude and respect. Appended are extracts from his journal which will give you an idea of his duties.

25

“ The Relief Service at the hospital cars forms an inter¬ esting feature of our work. An average of forty rations per day, consisting of sandwiches, fruits, pickles, lemonade, cordials, &c., has been given out since the opening of the Rest, by Mr. Sizer and his Assistant in person to the soldiers in the hospital cars, two of which, containing sick and dis¬ abled men, pass through this city en route for Boston daily. “‘God bless the Sanitary Commission, I’ve seen you before down at the front ! ’ — is often the response upon the reception of this refreshment, so grateful to the sick and weary men.

“ The whole number of soldiers admitted to the Rest is four hundred and ten. Two thousand and seventy meals have been given, and six hundred and forty-two lodgings. Soldiers have also been assisted by transportation, and the Commission has distributed clothing*to the needy in many instances.

“ The managers feel satisfied that the money expended for the support of the Rest would have been well appro¬ priated if only for the moral influence the place exerts as a refuge for these men who are strangers, thrown upon the city without the restraints of home or society, and exposed to such influences as makes it more a matter of surprise than otherwise that so many escape utter demoralization.

“ SARAH WOODBR1DGE,

“Asst. Sec. Hartford Sanitary Association.”

EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL OF SUPERINTENDENT OF “ THE HART¬ FORD SOLDIERS’ REST.”

*******

44 Our sitting room has been made attractive to soldiers who are waiting at this post for muster-out and pay ; and the many who would otherwise resort to saloons and bar¬ rooms have found a pleasant welcome to the social games,

the books, and the daily papers.”

*******

44 For many weeks after the Rest was opened there was no hospital at 44 Camp Depot,” (the Military Post,) and we

26

took charge of the poor boys that were sick, furnishing medical attendance until they recovered and went away re¬ joicing in the Sanitary Commission.”

***** * *

“Many soldiers when paid off come to us with their money, and say they have no friends, and do not dare to keep their money about them, and wish it kept for them until they are ready to go home. We have had over $1,000 at one time in small sums belonging to soldiers.”

*******

“A soldier came in just at dark; he says ‘Count that package of bills — the package is marked 200, and was paid to me for $200.’ We open it and can only make $125. We find he was nearly the last man paid off, so we go with him to the Paymaster and succeed in making clear the case — an unintentional mistake— --and the additional $75 is paid to the soldier.”

*******

“The Claim Agency in connection with the Rest is in charge of Capt. R. W. Roberts, an earnest worker for the good of the soldier. He has no limit to office hours, but is always at his post, aiding early and late those who have claims to work up or the many who have been defrauded by lawyers or claim agents, in which case he often gets a return of money and papers ; or when the soldier has been charged too much he gets a return of all over what is found to be right — in this and many other ways he is always doing some¬ thing for the soldiers.”

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

In Boston, Mass., the Special Relief Service is still con¬ ducted with that wise system and thoroughness which were early stamped upon it, and which has made it an example to be Copied at many of our Homes and Lodges. The following extracts are taken from the Quarterly Report by James M. Barnard, Esq., Ch. Ex. Com. Boston Associates U. S. Sani¬ tary Commission:

27

“AID RENDERED.

Furnished transportation at Government rates .

Furnished transportation paid by Commission .

Furnished transportation by U. S. Quartermaster

Furnished carriage within the city .

Furnished special attendance to their homes .

Furnished lodging .

Furnished meals . . ****

Furnished clothing . - .

Furnished aid in arranging papers .

Furnished aid in obtaining pay . •••

Furnished medical advice .

Wounds dressed .

Loaned money .

Gave money .

Sent to hospital .

Referred to Local Relief Associations .

Amount of pay collected .

Furnished transportation by hospital cars..., .

Number of Soldiers aided .

Daily average .

3,850

81

12

811

3

6,283

7,051

139

94

104

443

377

121

23

22

35

$2,099 85 4,314

12,779

140.13-30

“Of the whole number that have received aid at our Relief Rooms, amounting to 8,465, as distinct from the ‘Hospital Car Service,’ Maine has furnished 2,317; New Hampshire, 286 ; Vermont, 19 ; Massachusetts, 4,396 ; Con¬ necticut, 45; Rhode Island, 18; New York, 117; New Jersey, 4 ; Pennsylvania, 22 ; Maryland, 7 ; District of Co¬ lumbia, 15; Delaware 2; Ohio, 12; Michigan, 17 ; Indiana, 3 ; Illinois, 8 ; Iowa, 3 ; Minnesota, 9 ; Wisconsin, 7 ; Ten¬ nessee, 2; California, 10 ; Louisiana, 10; Alabama, 4; Geor¬ gia, 3; Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, and rebel army, one each ; U. S. Regulars, 265*, U. S. * avy, 430; Veteran Reserve Corps, 381.

“ Transportation has been furnished by orders issued upon respec-

tive railroads, to . * .

Transportation procured from U. S. Quartermaster . ** **

Transportation by hospital cars between New York and Boston has

been furnished . . . .

Cost of Hospital Car Service. . '*'**

Average cost per man . *

******

3,850

12

4,314 $408 18 10£ cts. *

28

“ The total expenditure for the quarter has been $8,197 19, classified as follows :

Rent and taxes . $225 00

Furnishing and repairs . 214 58

Salaries . 1,040 01

Traveling expenses . 5 00

Advertising . 78 84

Stationery and printing . 164 01

Hospital stores . 19 95

*Superintendent’s expense account . . 6,025 58

Miscellaneous . ... 16 04

Hospital Car Service . , . 408 18

Money loaned and given . 325 89

Postage . 17 50

Sundries . 160 01

Whole number of men aided . . . 12,779

Whole expenditure . $8,187 19

Average cost per man . . 64.1-7 cts.

Number of soldiers furnished with meals . 7,057

Number of meals furnished . . 15,946

Average No. meals per man . . 21-

Amount paid for meals . $6,077 22

Average cost per meal . 38J cts.

Number of orders issued for transportation at Government rates... 3,850

Aggregate miles of distance . . 279,533

Resulting in a saving to the soldier of . . $2,975 12

Amount of money loaned and given . . . $325 89

Number of recipients . 144

Average amount to each . $2 26

Amount returned . 75 67

Average amount returned . 13 34

Number furnished with clothing . 139

Number of garments furnished . . 317

Average per man . 2.3-13

* * * * * * *

* Classification of Superintendent’s expense account:

Transportation . $193 17

Traveling expenses . 2 00

Meals . 6,077 22

Furniture . 4 05

Fuel . 30 40

Washing . 263 13

Salaries . ' . . . 98 00

29

I here insert the report of the Special Relief work at Harrisburg, Penn. :

“Sick Soldiers’ Rest,”

Harrisburg, July 1, 1865.

F. N. Knapp, Gen’l Sup’t Special Relief Service,

U. S. San. Com., Washington, D. C.,

Sir: In pursuance of instructions a statement concerning our work at the “ Sick Soldiers’ Rest ” in this city is respect¬ fully submitted :

This miniature hospital was opened under the auspices of the U. S. Sanitary Commission on the 28th of March last, and has consequently been in operation a little over three months.

During this period we have received and cared for as best we could, four hundred and forty-eight- (448) men, fourteen (14) women, and three (3) children. Two thousand five hundred and sixty-eight (2,568) meals have been furnished, and eight hundred and forty-eight (848) lodgings.

' Of these men more than two thirds have had wounds dressed or medical aid rendered, the remainder requiring rest, food, and cleansing only. Those who were sick have been examined and prescribed for by able physicians in civil practice, whose services I have procured. Dr. Ru¬ therford, Sen., has made about seventy-five (75) visits to the Rest, and often been consulted at his office. He has faithfully attended upon all the more serious cases, while other excellent physicians have rendered important services gratuitously, both at the Rest and at their respective offices. 6 *******

The diseases with which we had to deal have been diar¬ rhoea, typhoid fever, pneumonia, measles, and consumption. One other disease, not named by the doctors, has pre¬ vailed to a most alarming extent, and we have prescribed for at our own responsibility : I call it “ chronic hydro¬ phobia,” but have used no other remedy than soap and water, yet with entire success. * * *

There have been some very sick men here. There have

30

been six deaths at the Rest during 25 days, and all from chronic diarrhoea. * * * Each of these patients was

pronounced past hope of recovery when brought here, and all were too far gone to he removed to the Post Hospital, a mile and a half distant. Many more recent cases were cured, or the patient so far recovered as to he able to go on to his home.

Our effective force at the Rest has consisted of Superin¬ tendent, Nurse, and Matron. The Superintendent has served as assistant in all work ; the Steward as nurse and wound- dresser in one person, and the Matron has served as cook and general house-keeper.

Since we opened there has been hut one entire night of quiet repose within our walls, and on that night only have the Superintendent and Nurse been able to take off’ their clothes. * * * * * *

The Nurse has often been on his feet twenty of the twenty-four hours, performing the most exhausting labors with great tact and patience. If it be asked why Jacob Zarker is not dead, I can only answer — I don’t know ! * *

This man’s services here are above praise.

None but the experienced nurse or bed-side attendant can have an adequate idea of the effects consequent upon a faithful care and handling of patients received in such ter¬ rible condition as we have had them, in small numbers, perpetually — especially as we had but a small building and few of the appliances of a regular hospital : the feeding, lodging, and general care of a regiment, capable of helping themselves, is easy, compared with this.

Our little hospital, refuge, asylum, “ Rest,’’ or whatever it may be called, was erected some three years ago by two benevolent gentlemen of this city, John B. Simon and Eby Byers, as a lodge and place of refreshment for soldiers in transitu to or from the army, who might require repose for a day or two only. It was not designed as a place for very sick persons or others to remain for any consider¬ able length of time. Since it was made over to the Com¬ mission we have used it as circumstances and unforeseen

81

events have compelled us to. We have admitted to it, at all hours of day and night, any who needed care. * ’*

The building, located close to the railroad station, con¬ tains four apartments, (one of which I added, according to your approval, only five weeks ago;) an entry 5x16 feet, dinino-. room 16x16, kitchen 12x12, sick room, and lodging room 21x22 ; walls 10 feet, with ventilators through the ceiling, and all but kitchen papered and carpeted, and presenting quite a homelike appearance. The hydrant water is intro¬ duced into the dining-room; and all parts but the kitchen are well lighted with gas.* * * * The building through¬

out, with all its appurtenances, has been kept most scrupu¬ lously clean-— more especially the beds and bedding— and to keep the vermin of all descriptions under control has been no small task.

Our table has always been laid with clean, snow-white cloths, clean dishes, and well-scoured knives and forks. The food has been uniformly good, sufficient in variety, and the cooking excellent. * * * * *

We have dispensed but a small quantity of clothing or articles of any kind to be used outside of the Rest. The amount is about as follows: 88 shirts, 38 prs. drawers,. 24 prs. socks, 22 prs. slippers, 6 blouses, 6 prs. pants, 74 pocket handkerchiefs, 15 prs. crutches, also brushes, combs, tobacco, &c. Five applications have been denied where one has been granted, and this on the ground that it would be a perver¬ sion of the funds to furnish clothing to men in health, within a few hours ride of home, and within a few days time of being paid money due them, and upon the receipt of which they would be sure to throw aside Sanitary cloth¬ ing for that which is more costly. This denial, however, has brought not a few denunciations upon my head, and charges of being “ un-sanitary ” in my dealings with the soldiers. And I dare say those men go to their homes teli-

* “ Special thanks are due to Messrs. Simon and Byers for their generous gift of the use of this building, with most of its furniture. They were offered one thousand dollars ($L,000) for the rent of it for a lager beer saloon and clothing store, for a shorter period than we have occupied it.”

32

ing the people how mean the Sanitary Commission is, and that it never did any good.

We have furnished squads of men in the cars with crackers, coffee, and chocolate ; have fed a few hungry rebels; helped multitudes of Union soldiers in getting transportation, back¬ pay, pensions, &c., by putting them on the right track; written many letters; run daily to the Provost Marshal, Quarter¬ master, mustering-out officer, ticket officer, &c. ; and of these small matters, taking up *a great amount of time, I have made no record nor kept any account. * * *

We have sent special attendants with a number of persons who were unable to take care of themselves — two to Pitts¬ burg, two to Michigan, one to Elmira, one to Rochester, and others to points on the railroad many miles west.

Of the six persons who died at the Rest, four were decently buried in the city cemetery and two were taken home by friends. Government coffins were furnished for all. We have sent about fifty men to the general hospital. The register will give all statistics desired. * * * *

Our first patient was John - , a young man 20 years old,

from the West, whose leg was crushed under the cars near Harrisburg as he was returning to his regiment, having re- enlisted. lie was brought in on the night before we were ready to open, and, Dr. Rutherford being called on, ampu¬ tation was performed — and thus we were inaugurated. John’s blood was bad through dissipation, and his wound would not heal. He was nigh unto death for a long time, and it was 27 days before he could even be sent to the hos¬ pital. His wound has so far healed that he returned home about ten days ago. Ills disposition and temper were ex¬ ceedingly bad, and, being as helpless as an infant for a long time, he gave us a world of trouble.

One Sunday morning we received notice that a soldier was lying nearly dead in the canal, half a mile above the Rest. The Steward and myself took a stretcher and has¬ tened to the spot. He had been knocked down and robbed at ten o’clock the night previous. He was so badly injured that the least motion caused him intense pain. We lifted

33

J™, the7 f,ban,kme,lt six &et high, got him upon the

l A Ught hlm t0 the Rest- We nursed and

andled him as if he had been an infant for three weeks,

homeSOt llm UP°n hlS CrUtcheS’ and> after 29 <JaJS, sent him

On the 14th of June J. R., a large, athletic man, 35 years o d, was brought to the Rest about six in the evening-, having just been paid and discharged and enticed into a genteel rum-den und drugged with poisoned liquor. Circumstances which I have not room to detail prevented the intended robbery, and utter stupefaction or death intended. His agony was most heart-rending for 14 hours ; but in eight hours more we succeeded in getting him into a condition that a special attendant could take him home, a distance of 150 miles west.

But the details of individual cases, even in the little Rest in Harrisburg, would require a volume. About fifty men have been brought in on stretchers or in the arms of others. Many of these seemed ready to die, whom from one to ten days careful nursing restored. Essential relief, aid, and comfoit have been rendered to hundreds who were real sufferers.

Impostors have continually beset us, but with very little success. Many have demanded of me their transportation, saying that the Sanitary Commission had helped them to this place and commended them to me. This may some¬ times have been true, and in some instances it was true, and yet I denied them on finding them impostors.

My great fort — or perhaps I ought to say weak point — is the opinion that by talking with and cross-examining an applicant ten minutes, I can, in 19 cases out of 20, tell whether he lies or speaks the truth ; and, contrary to some notions of true benevolence, I fancy that it is almost as good a deed to detect and expose an impostor and prevent his success as to relieve a case of real suffering.

I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, w. h. hadley,

Sup’t “ Sick Soldiers’ Rest.”

3

34

HOMES AND LODGES OF THE WEST.

Concerning the present condition of the Homes and Lodges of the West I intended to have spoken from my own observation, as well as from the official records. Three several times I essayed to go there within these three last months, and as many times have I beeu prevented by conditions not under my control. I felt that I had a right myself to be refreshed by noting the admirable working and full-grown strength of those Lodges, some of which I, with Mr. Olmsted, saw when they were but in their infancy. And I felt, too, that it was due to Dr. Newberry if he desired it, as he so cordially did, that I should go there and inspect thus much of the work of his strong and most faithful hand. I make this note in order to say how much I regret being obliged to give up what would have been so obviously a duty and a pleasure combined.

But of the continued success of the Homes and Lodges at the West our monthly reports testify. In some of these the call for service has diminished during the past few weeks, in others it has increased. I am unable to form any accu¬ rate estimate of the probable call for the continuance of these several Homes ; though it would be my opinion that for some two or three months to come a number of them would necessarily be kept open.

Before presenting certain of the statistics of these Homes, allow me to place before you the following extracts from reports (some of which have appeared in the Bulletin and Reporter) which will illustrate the measure and the kind of work done there. It is evident, let me say, that many of the Western Homes have had a much longer opportunity than has fallen to the lot of the other Homes and Lodges of the Commission for ministering to the manifold wants of the returned Union Prisoners as they came from the murderous prison-pens and dungeons of the South. The testimony of the men themselves and of their ever grateful kindred is, that our Western Homes received them almost with the

35

2rZSn nd T?th W,hiCh U iS SUpp03ed 0I% a other's

heart could give to long lost children.

Captain Brayton, the efficient Superintendent at Nash¬ ville, writes as follows.-(It will be recollected that at this °me, during the year 1864, between seventy and eighty thousand lodgings were given, and over two hundred thou- sane meals prepared ; and the same work has continued.) _

* “ ,plje men come in at all hours of the day

and night. When their names are registered, their papers are taken and sent at certain hours to the Quartermaster for transportation, while the soldiers eat, sleep, or rest. An lour before car-time the sick or wounded are carried in am¬ bulances to the train, assisted on board, and their transport¬ ation exchanged for tickets. This system has saved much delay and perplexity to the men. Before its adoption it was not uncommon for soldiers to remain several days seeking transportation. Many of the number admitted have been wounded or sick. The wound-dressers, with soap, water, sponges, bandages, and cerate, were always ready to receive the wounded and relieve their pain by fresh dressing, while the nurses received the sick and prepared them by anodynes, cordials, and nourishing food for their further journey.

Generally the sick and wounded are sent forward after a day of rest, but it is not uncommon for men to be so ex¬ hausted on arriving here as to render it necessary to send them to a hospital to recruit. Such could not remain long at the Home, as the house would soon be filled, and the weary traveller find no place of rest.

h or the sick and wounded the Sanitary Commission pro¬ vides medicines and restoratives without stint, with every conceivable article of nourishment that the market or the canning system can produce.

“Besides bandages, lint, rags, soap, towels, arm-slings, crutches, &c., I have been supplied with every article of clothing worn by soldiers, to be furnished them when, as often happens after a battle, they are compelled to travel without their descriptive lists, on which they draw from the Government. The sufferers have thus been saved many

36

thousands of dollars, by moderate issues from this Home, while the promotion of health and comfort has been beyond estimate.

“ Among our suffering visitors we have cases that excite our sympathies and touch the heart with a painful force. Fathers and mothers, wives, sisters, and brothers, come in numbers from the North, seeking their sick, wounded, or lost ones. Some are without means. Others find their mo¬ ney nearly expended before their object is accomplished, and come to the Home for advice and assistance. They are never turned away empty. Every assistance is afforded them that our house or knowledge of passing events and our means can afford. Some find their friends at the home. Others are aided to find them in hospitals or camps. Some, alas ! find them recorded with the dead, and return broken-hearted to desolate homes.

“Many of those have been females who had wandered through the city in quest of a shelter half the night before coming to the Home, either because they had not heard of our house, or because an impression had gone out that we could not entertain females, because of the great rush of soldiers. Yet we never turned a soldier’s relative away who came on an errand of inquiry. Recently we have ap¬ propriated additional room, and employed a matron of ex¬ perience to give special attention to the comfort of females. This plan is working admirably, and daily relief and comfort is afforded to many under circumstances that abundantly reward all who participate in the work.

“ A young man came from the army to the Home in an ad¬ vanced stage of dropsy. His paroxysms of pain at intervals were dreadful. Soon a telegram came from his father, in¬ quiring for the son. He was answered : “ Come quickly, if you would see him alive.” He arrived the next day, near night, and spent an hour with his son, (who was singularly comfortable between his paroxysms,) when he breathed out his life on his father’s bosom. All needed assistance was rendered in burying the son, but the parent’s agony was car¬ ried home.

37

A slender female cam<e from Wisconsin. She received a letter saying her husband, at the front, had received a fur¬ lough, and, though very low with chronic diarrhoea, was about to make the dangerous experiment of going home. She thought of it a few days, but the picture of his suffer¬ ings along the line of travel prevented sleep, and she deter¬ mined to fly to his rescue. After traversing a part of five States, she arrived at Nashville, a stranger and alone. Step¬ ping on to the platform, true to her one object, she inquired in a crowd for her husband. No one knew him. At length a young man said to her: “I have just come from the Chat¬ tanooga depot, where I saw a soldier too weak to stand taken from a car and laid on the platform.” “That may be my husband. I will go to him,” she replied. Directed by the young man, she crossed the city to the depot. On turning the corner near the platform she saw a form wrapped in a blanket. Hastening her step, she turned back the folds, and found her loved one. Regardless of the crowd, she sat down, laid his weary head in her lap, and spoke to him as no other could, of love, hope, home, and their dear child. They were brought to the “Home” of the Commission. He was laid on a clean cot, and another placed near for her; but she took a kneeling position beside him, and kept it almost constantly day and night. With her affectionate attention, and the use of cordials, he was greatly revived for a few hours.

The pleasure of looking upon the happy, and truly hand¬ some couple, compensated us for any amount of attention we had bestowed on them, and upon others for months. It was, however, too late. Two days after, while kneeling close to him and whispering words of affection, he suddenly put his arm around her neck, and, kissing her feebly,- said : “I shall never see our child.” The breath passed with the voice, and he was dead. She was taken by surprise. Such mental and physical agony I have never witnessed. The body was embalmed, and the sorrowing widow took her lonely way home with the precious remains. * * *

“I could relate numerous other instances of almost equal interest that have occurred at the Home and at hospitals

38

while the soldiers’ sorrowing friends were stopping with us; but it would all fail to convey an adequate idea of the calls made upon us for aid, or of labors performed by my faithful officers and attendants, in relieving the wants of hungry and suffering humanity day and night.”

Respectfully,

ISAAC BRAYTON,

Superintendent.

The following account, written, not by an Agent of the Commission, but by an officer of the Army, will convey an idea of the “Home” at Columbus, Ohio, where, during the past three months, six thousand four hundred and sixteen lodgings have been given, and seventeen thousand eight hundred and ninety-five meals have been furnished :

“ The Soldiers’ Home at Columbus is a large and commo¬ dious building, erected by the United States Sanitary Com¬ mission. The building is only a few yards from the depot, and the sick or wounded soldier needs no direction to find it, for a large, conspicuous sign informs all that it is the “ Sol¬ diers’ Home and, on entering, I assure you I found it to be such. I entered a large sitting-room, where there were about sixty returned prisoners sitting comfortably around a glow¬ ing stove, reciting to a few listeners their thrilling stories of outrage and wrong, that make us blush for our kind, south of Mason and Dixon.

“ To the left of the entrance was a large hall, with long, cleanly-spread tables, on which was loaded an abundance of that wholesome food for which those noble fellows had pined during their captivity. But now ‘they were in God’s coun- try,’ as they called the North ; and I felt, as I gazed on these provisions made for their comfort by the voluntary contri¬ butions of our citizens, that they were also ‘amongst God’s people.’ One of the officers of the Commission took me into the comfortable little hospital attached to the ‘ Home,’ where I saw rows of neat, clean cots, and on each was stretch¬ ed the pale, emaciated form of returned prisoners. Poor fellows ! no tongue can -tell their sufferings while in the hands of ‘ the chivalry ;’ and, although I have seen the reality my-

39

self, I listened with renewed interest; and, as I heard some touching story from the lips of a worn-down, ghastly-looking soldier, once a strong and stalwart youth, I could not hold back the tears of sympathy, while the fires of indignation burned afresh against our more than barbarous foe.

But here, in the cozy 4 Home,’ there was a quiet feeling of happiness. Kind hands were here to minister, and a hun¬ dred comforts assured them that their long captivity was not caused by a lack of interest on the part of the American peo¬ ple. They fully appreciated the philanthropy of the Sani- taiy Commission ; and I heard many repeat the oft-quoted phrase, 4 God bless the ladies !’ I understand that these poor fellows will be forwarded to their homes to-morrow, and their places will be occupied by others coming on. I assure you, my friends, my heart went out towards this noble organiza¬ tion, and I know every true soldier blesses it.”

The following 44 Picture of one day’s operations at the Home,” at Cleveland, Ohio, will convey a more full and a truer impression of the service rendered there than would be given by many pages of statistics and figures:

44 How few of our citizens have taken the pains to turn the corner of the Union depot, to give a passing look at the flourishing Soldiers’ Home, stretching its white length along the pier ! It has certainly done its best to attract the peo¬ ple’s affectionate attention, not only covering itself with mighty signs, as with a garment, but adorning itself with the flag which converts all places under its shelter into soldiers’ homes. As the representative of our city’s hos¬ pitalities to the sick and wounded soldiers, to the returned prisoner, or to any of our national army who need food and shelter, it has now so good a name, that all who have con¬ tributed to its support may well be proud.

44 The last few da}7s have brought an unusual number of guests to its door: on Wednesday one hundred and fifty, and on Thursday one hundred and seventy more having been entertained there. Eastern hospitals are in process of depletion to make room for new arrivals from Sherman’s army, of those who have fallen by the way in the grand

40

march. Convalescents they call these weary men, who hob¬ ble on crutches about the door, and crowd every available space within the Home limits; yet each bears his marks of disease or wound, either in pale face and feeble gait, in use¬ less arm or crippled limb. But all differences in individual cases are merged in the one absorbing interest with which the still closed dining-room door is watched. Behind that protecting barrier all is now bustle and active preparation, and under the influence of quick fingers the meal is in readi¬ ness, soon enough for the patience even of the hungry crowd waiting beyond the door. How the word is given, and in troops the first instalment of men, very slowly and feebly— not as they marched away with Sherman— for these must be carefully helped to their places at the bountiful table, with crutches stowed away in close proximity; this one must have some kind hand to supply the place of the arm now hanging useless by his side, and another’s morbid appetite craves some variation from the ordinary fare. The guests’ names must be recorded as accurately as the warfare of knives and forks will permit, rough Government crutches exchanged for the comfortably-padded ones furnished by the Sanitary Commission, and many little deficiencies in cloth¬ ing noted and remedied, while the men do justice to the fare before them. Ho wonder the faces brighten under the com¬ bined influence of kind words and good cheer. Did the maker of these marvelous cookies realize the exquisite relish with which the appetite of a convalescent regards them? These vegetables and apple-butter, with which some thought¬ ful country Aid Society has furnished the Home larder, are delicious beyond belief to men so long consigned to salt beef and hard tack; while the butter and soft bread receive such special attention, that reinforcements are speedily required. A low hum of applause and approving comment runs round the tables , one and another says audibly enough to rejoice the attendant ladies, ‘Well, this looks like home!’ or ‘I hav’n’t seen anything like this since I left home!’ Many pay only the compliments of full justice to the meal, while here and there one summons up courage to make a neat lit¬ tle speech of thanks as he rises from the table. But whether

41

silent or complimentary, the feeling of all, we believe, is ex¬ pressed in the words of the tall, pale sergeant, who, rising with difficulty on his crutches, says : ‘ Ladies, kind friends ! it is worth the little we have suffered for our country to meet such a warm reception at home.’

“ Now the room is finally emptied of its first guests, and the tables hastily prepared for the second instalment, and then for a third and fourth. All honor to the worthy Matron that her larder stands bravely such repeated attacks, and her coffee-boiler stoutly replies to all drafts made upon it. What a relief, that the last poor fellow who lingered near the table has fared as well as the first who rushed eagerly in to the assault! The same programme is repeated on each occasion, with variations in individual cases. One forever-helpless man is carried in the arms of a brother soldier, that he, too, may have the pleasure of sitting at the table with the rest ; and he pulls out the fatal bullet which ‘ruined’ him, as he says, to exhibit. Meanwhile there are many in the sleeping ward too feeble to care to leave its comfort, whose taste must be consulted, and to whom food must be carried. Here one man’s wound needs dressing, another asks for a fresh band¬ age; here a slipper is wanted for a swollen foot, and another sickly soldier must have some strengthening remedy from the medicine-chest. At last all are fed, all rested, and all wants attended to ; the whistle of the train is heard, and the soldiers depart, with strength enough gained to carry them on their journey, leaving behind them a blessing for the Home. But their departure brings little rest to the Home Corps. The debris must be removed, and fresh preparations made for the arrival of the later trains, which may bring as many more guests to be entertained again and lodged over

. * * * * • * *

night.

When we turned to the West we passed by the Home at Buffalo, N. Y., where for a year past most excellent service has been rendered. But the following picture paints in such warm coloring the blessed spirit of welcome which pervades this Home, that I insert it here to serve as the representive

42

description of the many other Homes of the Commission further West, not mentioned here in detail.

THE soldier’s REST, BUFFALO, N. Y.

u Immediately opposite the depot, standing out in a very modest way, as if it stood out solely from a feeling of duty, and not a whit with the feeling of vanity, is a snug, clean, home-like house, wearing on its brow the words, “ The Soldiers’ Rest,”— “U. S. Sanitary Commission.” Without articulating a syllable, simply by looking and being looked at, it answers the questions in a moment ; and to its door walk, totter, or hobble the moneyless and friendless sons of Uncle Samuel, to find a bed, a meal, or a rest, without money and without price ; to find carpets and chairs, lounges, books, and fires, which greet them with the genial smile of home, rather than with the bold stare of hotels ; and which at once magnetize them into the conviction that the Rest was pro¬ vided not so much for soldiers in the aggregate and concrete, as for themselves individually and personally. It is amusing to see how, at first, some of them look from their shoes to the carpet, and back to their shoes, as if the one had no right on the other; and then how they sidle into a corner where there are no chairs, though they crowd the chairs out of the way to reach the corner. And when the warm-hearted lady, who has been appointed superintendent by the warm-hearted ladies of the Buffalo Branch, coaxes them to give the chairs a fair chancp along the walls by sitting down in them ; and coaxes the weakest to lie down on the lounges; and coaxes steaming dishes to come out from the tidy kitchen expressly to be eaten ; and coaxes the white pillows and sheets to smooth all the wrinkles out of themselves, that they may woo sleep to smooth all the wrinkles out of the tired faces — while all this is going on, it does one’s heart good to see how the carpets and chairs and walls nudge each other and laugh at the shoes for their timidity ; and how quickly the men laugh heartier than all of them as the cheer and glow char a each one into the belief, that before he enlisted he

43

built the Rest for his own especial use, but had about it till that minute.

forgotten all

The original design of the ladies who compose the Buf¬ falo Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission was to provide a temporary home for sick soldiers passing through their city, or to the hospitals of their city ; and a large num¬ ber of those who have received the benefit of the Best have been of this class; but the numerous applications, and evi¬ dent claims of well men for attention, have caused them to lay the case before Government officials, and, with that gen¬ erosity and humanity which has so eminently characterized the United. States authorities, Government has decided to erect buildings on the same ground, and as a part of the Best, for the accommodation of all soldiers who are justly entitled to rations and care, such regulations being estab¬ lished as that Government rations shall only be issued to soldiers, while, at the same time, the Sanitary Commission can, from its own resources, feed discharged men or others who are not entitled to subsistence.

Hie Best w^as opened in June, and the daily average of men cared for was three ; during July, August, and Septem¬ ber, the daily average was seven ; October, thirteen, and January thirty-one ; so that the work done during the last month is ten times as great as that during the first. Bo better indication of the necessity of the Best, or of the ab¬ solute necessity for its continuance could be asked than this fact. During the eight months of its operation 3,318 en¬ listed men, from twenty-nine different States, have been cared for ; 2,497 lodgings, in sweet, white beds, have been given ; and 8,869 hot, toothsome meals, have been furnished; and all has been done in such a quiet, unpretending way, that thousands of passers by, who might have glanced at the modest house, have not even noticed its existence, much less known its work. A meal to an emaciated convalescent often prevents a relapse, and a few nights’ quiet rest have saved many a life. If ideas ever take upon themselves a solid form, the 6 Best ’ is but an expression of the Good Master’s command, 4 Love one another.’ ”

44

As an instance of the large service rendered at points where the necessity or utility of providing special relief ap¬ peared to some very doubtful, I may refer to the Home at Detroit, Michigan. Here, according to the report of the work for the last six months, (embracing the three months prior to July 1,) there were about eight thousand nights’ lodgings, and between twenty-seven and twenty-eight thou¬ sand meals furnished for soldiers.

The Home at New Orleans gives for its three months’ re¬ cord evidence of most valuable work. It has in that time furnished, in its well ventilated and nicely ordered rooms, nineteen thousand three hundred and forty-three (19,343) lodgings, and at its table it has supplied to invalid and far loughed.and other soldiers needing the aid, including many returned Union prisoners, sixty-three thousand nine hundred and fourteen (63,914) meals. We may not easily over-esti¬ mate the worth of this service at such a distant point as New Orleans, a point through which multitudes of soldiers pass, yet far removed from the ordinary facilities for securing supplies and comforts. This remark applies with peculiar force also to the Homes at such places as “ Camp Nelson,” Kentucky; “Jeffersonville,” Indiana; “Memphis,” Tennes¬ see; “Cairo,” Illinois; at which four Homes over forty-live thousand meals were furnished during the last quarter.

In presenting this general report I have given in detail but two or three of the special reports of the Homes and Lodges of the Commission, enough only to indicate the method of a work which has now a large uniformity of system. I have sought rather to convey an idea of the aims, spirit, and agencies of this branch of the Commission’s service, which, during the last six months, has provided for those seeking shelter and care, nearly one million of meals, and over two hundred and fifty thousand of nights’ lodgings.

I append to this, copied from the Bulletin, the list of Homes and Lodges as it stood on the first of June.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRED. N. KNAPP,

Superintendent of Special Relief.

APPENDIX.

List of Soldiers’ Homes and Lodges of the United States Sanitary Commission, June 1, 1865 :

Alexandria, Va. * Alexandria Lodge.” Orange and Alexandria Rail¬ road Station. J. B. Holt, Superintendent.

Annapolis, Md. “ Home for Soldiers' Wives and Mothers.” Mrs. Hopes Sayres, Matron. „

Baltimore, Md. “Soldiers’ Home.” No. 62 Conway Street. A. E. Hastings, $upt.

Boston, Mass. “ Soldiers’ Home.” No. 76 Kingston street. Charles F. Mudge, Supt., near Boston and Worcester Railroad Depot.

Buffalo, N. Y. “Soldiers’ Rest.” Exchange street, opposite Central Railroad Depot. Mrs. H. Indevine, Matron.

Cairo, Ill. “ Soldiers’ Home.” C. N. Shipman, Superintendent.

Camp Nelson, Ky. “ Soldiers’ Home.” Thomas Butler, Superintend¬ ent.

Cincinnati, O. “ Soldiers’ Home.” Third street. Col. G. W. D, Andrews, Supt.

Cleveland, Ohio. “ Soldiers’ Home.” Joseph Jerome, Superintendent. Columbus, Ohio. “ Soldiers’ Home.” T. E. Botsford, Superintendent. ^Detroit, Michigan. “Soldiers’ Home.” No. 81 Jefferson Avenue.

Harrisburg, Pa. Near the Railroad Depot. “ Sick Soldiers’ Rest.” W. II. Hadley, Supt.

Hartford, Ct. “Soldiers’ Rest.” Near Railroad Depot. 0. B. Segir, Superintendent.

Jeffersonville, Indiana. “Soldiers’ Home.” New Market street, near the Depot. E. T Smith, Superintendent.

Louisville, Ky. “ Soldiers’ Home.” V. Scott, Superintendent. Memphis, Tenn. “Soldiers’ Lodge.” Near landing. C. W. Christy, Superintendent and Relief Agent.

Nashville, Tenn. “Soldiers’ Home.” Captain I. Brayton, Superin¬ tendent.

New Orleans, La. “Soldiers’ Home.” Corner Magazine and Julia streets. Sumner Bullard, Superintendent.

New York City. “ Discharged Soldiers’ Home.” No. 45 Grove street, near Blecker. Dr. M. M. Marsh, Superintendent.

Paducah Ky. “ Soldiers’ Home.” E. D. Way, Superintendent. Portsmouth, Va. “Soldiers’ Home.’ John Alcooke, Superintendent. Philadelphia, Pa. “Soldiers’ Lodge.’” Corner 13th and Christian streets, near Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Depot. Col. C. E. Soest, SiJfst.

Washington, D, C. “ The Home.” No. 374 North Capitol street. J. B. Clark, Supt.

“ Home for Soldiers’ Wives and Mothers.” No. 380 North Capitol street. J. B. Clark, Supt.

“Lodge No. 4.” No. 389 H street. Loomis, Supt.

Wilmington, N. C. “Soldiers’ Lodge.” Market street. F. B. Foster, Supt.

Appendix A.

FORM OF RETURN USED IN THE HOMES AND LODGES U. S. SANITARY

46

O

i— i 02 02

O

O

Date c® Return . . . 186 . . . Officer in Charge.

U. S. Sanitary Commiss:n

i> oc. No. J>4.

Mote — The last previous Report up Special Relief, published as a document the Commission, was dated October 1, 18» , (Doc. No. 77.) The record of the work d ring the intermediate time has been print from quarter to quarter in the “ Reporte » and the “Bulletin."

SANITARY COMMISSION.

No. O S.

PROVISION RE Q^U I R E D

FOR THE

Relief and Support

OF

DISABLED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.

A Report to the Standing Committee

- OF THE

U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION,

BY REV. HENRY W. BELLOWS, D. D., PRESIDENT.

New York, December 15, 1865.

To the Standing Committee

of the United, States Sanitary Commission:

Gentlemen — On the 9th of November, 1865, the Board requested me to prepare a report upon the wants of sick and disabled soldiers, with such account of the existing provisions for their relief as I might be able to collect.

The subject had engaged the attention of the Sanitary Commission from a very early period of the war. Feeling that the time would come, when it must engross public attention, and that it was very desirable to collect the whole experience of foreign countries in advance, we took advantage of the going abroad of one of our most intelligent students into social questions, Mr. Stephen H. Perkins, of Boston, to engage him while visiting the chief military countries in

2

Europe, to collect all documents and pursue all inquiries relating to the subject of pensions, military asylums, and the methods of favoring by civil offices in the gift of the govern¬ ment, the soldiers disabled in war. Mr. Perkins investigated the subject thoroughly and made a valuable report, which was printed, and served as the basis of an elaborate essay on the general subject, prepared under the direction of the Commission in April, 18G4, which contains t lie materials of much instruction to all future legislators in this department. On the 15th August, 1862, I addressed a letter of general instructions to Mr. Perkins,* on his departure for Europe, in which the peculiar relations of American institutions to the probable wants of our disabled soldiers, not then in exist¬ ence, was fully dwelt upon. It seemed to me, even then, that the young and vigorous civilization of America, with the respect for labor and the habits of personal self reliance prevailing among us, and the open opportunities of the new country, would prevent the question of provision for oui- sick and wounded soldiers from ever becoming one of very urgent and burdensome character; that the experience of countries with a long past, very settled social distinctions, and a thick and crowded population, where labor was cheap and poverty common, would afford little that was instructive to us, except in the way of contrast ; that the splendor of the names of certain military and naval asylums abroad, the Hotel des Invalides, the Hospitals in Vienna, Naples, and Berlin, the Hospitals at Chelsea and Greenwich, were likely enough to stimulate our national and state pride to attempt some similar institutions really not needed, while the lively sympathy of the people, grateful toward the wounded and disabled heroes of the war, might, when inflamed by local rivalries in this popular kind of benevolence, multiply very injuriously as well as needlessly the refuges and charities of our returned soldiers. It seemed to us, that our pride, as a democratic nation, ought to point just in the other direc-

\

^See Appendix.

3

ti°u ; i. e towards such a shaping of public opinion as would end to reduce dependence among our returned soldiers to the lowest possible po.nt; to quicken the local and family sens of responsibility, so as to make each neighborhood and each household, out of which a soldier had gone, and retur^ d helpless and dependent, feel itself privileged and bound to take care ot him ; to weaken all disposition towards eleemosv- narj support ; to encourage every community to do its utmost towards favoring the employment of returned soldiers and especially partially disabled ones in all light occupations; to make mendicancy and public support disreputable for all with any ability, however partial, to help themselves; to prevent the public mind from settling into European notions in regard to military asylums; especially to guard the subject from the artificial excitement which political and medical aspirants to place and power might strive to communicate to it, and to keep it as far as might be, from state rivalries, party emula¬ tion, and civic ambition. In short, we desired to favor in every way the proud and beneficent tendency of our vigorous American civilization, to heal its wounds by the first Inten¬ tion ; to absorb the sick and wounded men into its ordinary life, providing for them through those domestic and neigh¬ borly sympathies, that local watchfulness and furtherance due to the weakness and wants of men well known to their fellow citizens, and which is given without pride and received without humiliation ; and, this source of relief failing, then from the ordinary charities of the towns and counties from which they had sprung.

The facts, furnished by Mr. Perkins's report,* prove that

*An examination of Mr. Perkins’s Report furnishes us the following facts:

Foreign Pensions as compared with American.

In France the minimum is 1 franc per diem, say

20 cents per diem.

Prussia . “ “

Austria . 2J “ “

America . 27 “ “

4

foreign experience, as we foresaw, chiefly tcacl s us what is to bo avoided; that their pension systems, Frat - excepted, are wholly inadequate even to the wantsof the chtp countries of Europe, driving the disabled into asylums, a 1 would be absurdly deficient in America; that their great i vlums, the Hotel des Invalides, the military hospitals at Bern, \ ienna, and Naples, are costly failures, measured by tin success in protecting the character or promoting the happiess of the

In France one-fifth of pensions being officers, receive £ - whole fund. In Prussia

Austria, including widows, ai

In America, (at present not computed.)

The foreign continental pension systems are all ordered \th reference to maintaining the military status, as something above tin -dinary civil status, and of making as broad a distinction between thos . li • are and those who are not soldiers. Also, in confirmation of tl aristocratic system, in which the officers are hailed as a sort of nobl- when com¬ pared with the common soldiers. The usage, too, of proviing 1* »r the younger sons of the nobility in the army, produces a very iju.-t exag¬ geration of the pensions for officers.

There is, too, no proper adjustment of the pension m - in to the hospital or asylum system; so that every encouragement s given to entering the hospital rather than accepting the pension. I France this is less true, but in Italy and Prussia, especially, sadly true There are at least 10,000 men in military asylums in Italy out of 30,00 pensioners.

The Versorgungs-schein, or furnishing of a right to claii preference in civil employments, while favorable to the employment of ? disabled, is very unfavorable to the rights of civilians and would n< answer in this country.

The absence of any employment in the military hospit; abroad is usually recognized as a great defect, and the cause of drunmness to a terrible extent.

As the number of years of service — 15, 20, and 25 year— furnish a heightened claim to rights of pension and asylum abroa- there is a peculiarity in it applying only to military governments cm] ing large standing armies after the continental system, which has Dot tig corres¬ ponding to it in our country. Possibly the analogy ma unhappily increase in future years.

5

men who occupy then everywhere creating ennui, drunken¬ ness, and discontent Since these reports, Chelsea and Greenwich Hospitals, ired of their experience, have resolved, as rapidly as possible to scatter on pensions their depend¬ ents, and in so daig have, in our judgment, settled forever the inexpediecy of creating permanent military or naval asylums. The have long had nothing in their favor but national pride, ad the necessity of having some place where a small per centge of homeless and friendless incurables could be sent to die, o be taken care of through their helpless lives. This small nraber, it now appears, are more wisely attached to other pulic charities, and in a scattered way provided for, as a siall per centage of the indigent and wholly dependent poron of the public, than made a separate class of, and kept as ipublic show.

None can have filed to admire the tendency which so suddenly and qmtly dissolved our vast and compact armies, and before th exultation of their victories had died away, distributed thci far and wide over the land, setting them back in the furiw, the workshop, the bench, the mill, the mine, out of whih they had come at the nation’s cry “To arms.” It mustbe already obvious that this benignant tendency of our free nd popular institutions, so amazing to Europe, is equally oprative over our sick and wounded men, who have got out of tc hospitals in an incredibly short time, their wounds rapidl; healed by the hope of getting home, and the stimulus of te self-respectful necessity of resuming work again ; their lirbs already replaced by artificial mem¬ bers ; their homes an friends and old comrades insisting on their return to their ol places, where protection, aid in finding occupation, and all sets of kindness have awaited them.

In May last we hadtill 183 general hospitals in operation, with 78,313 patient, To-day we have only 20 hospitals open, and not more h an 2,463 patients under treatment. Such an anxiety to geaway from the abundant and benignant care of the Governmnt have our sick and disabled soldiers manifested, that thei spirit of self-help and independence has no doubt cost many othem their lives. At their own urgent

6

petition they 1 me often been suffered to leave before prudence warranted, and, too early out of hospital, many of them have fallen into the homes and lodges of the Sanitary Commission, and in many instances died on our hands. We have seen hundreds much too feeble to travel, using what seemed to us their last strength in reaching their homes. It is obvious enough that such a spirit as this, though it may kill its proud exhibitors, will not leave many willing dependents on the public bounty !

For a few months, while our soldiers were passing to their homes, and stopping in transitu in our cities, there was a quantity considerable in itself, although very, small in per centage, of mendicancy among our soldiers. Convalescents just out of hospital, and not half as well as they thought themselves, were appealing for assistance. The railroad cars and street cars presented also the spectacle of numerous invalids wan and feeble. We saw in our cities all the suffering of invalidism, all the beggary and want of the war, just at its close, passing before us at one review. The public mistook this to a great extent for the mere beginning of a worse ending, or, at the best, as a permanent condition of things. They thought they were seeing a sample, when they were really looking at the whole piece. The public imagination was greatly inflamed, and numerous and piteous appeals wrere made for creating asylums and homes for a great army of sick and disabled soldiers. But already, and in spite of the cold season, which closes navigation and stops so many kinds of work, this spectacle of mendicant, unemployed, and vagrant soldiers, or of sick and disabled men, has so rapidly disappeared, that, continuing at the same rate, it is now certain in one more year to furnish no longer a subject of considerable anxiety. All our predictions and hopes have been doubly fulfilled. The disposition to provide in larger and expensive ways for sick and disabled soldiers, in public asylums, has almost entirely ceased. Without concert, and without even general reasonings, with little or no knowledge of foreign experience, the healthy mind of the American people all over the country has gravitated (as we shall presently prove) to one result.

7

With every disposition to do all that is necessary for sick and disabled soldiers, and with a greater readiness to extend relief to them— to erect shelters over their heads, to provide toi them while they live than to exercise any other form of charity , there has been so little pressure upon them, so little disposition to avail themselves of these opportunities on the part of the invalids themselves, that a general lull in the efforts to raise money for this purpose, or to carry out projects in this direction, shows itself at all the great centres of our military population, and we can safely predict that very few of the hundred schemes that have been brewing in the hearts of private philanthropists or of public legislators will survive a twelvemonth of this uniform public experience.

Although these open and universal facts, obvious to all eyes, are more decisive than any special and classified testi¬ mony, yet, to satisfy ourselves further upon these points, I requested Mr. Knapp, our Special Relief Agent, to address a letter of inquiry to the most expert persons at the chief centres of our military strength, the regions where our soldiers enlisted, and to which they have now returned, asking certain questions, the nature of which the letter itself will best show :

New York, Nov. 17, 1865.

My Dear Sir — 1 desire to obtain certain facts concerning sick and disabled soldiers, and take the liberty of asking your aid in procuring the information for me.

What do you judge is the number in your city and vicinity of seriously disabled soldiers who would properly be received at a “ Soldier’s Home/' or an Asylum? What proportion is this to the whole number of men from your city and vicinity? What is the nature of the disability of these men ? What proportion are disabled as the result of wounds? What proportion as the result of sickness ? Are there many of them who are blind? Are many of them idiotic, or with weakened minds?

What, so far as you have observed, is the nationality of these men needing most aid?

8

What provision has been made in your city for disabled soldiers; and, if any, what has been the success of the under¬ taking?

Can you inform me whether the feeling ot the necessity of such institutions as “ Soldiers’ Homes, ’ or asylums, has ot late increased or diminished?

I would also ask, whether the soldiers’ families — their widows and orphans — are or are not a larger and more important class of sufferers than the u disabled soldier class, and how among you their wants are met?

I do not seek detailed or minutely accurate answers to these questions, but such as will give an idea of real needs, and how to meet them.

If you will write me within a few days in response to this letter, you will confer a favor which will he gratefully acknowledged.

I am, dear sir,

Very truly, your friend,

FRED. N. KNAPP, Superintendent of Special Belief.

This letter was sent to different parts of the country to twenty-seven persons, men and women distinguished for their practical experience with this class of sufferers, their relief labors, their tried humanity, and living at the points of most interest and importance. A majority of these letters have been answered, and if they had not almost absolutely con¬ curred in their replies, and coming from widely scattered regions, put beyond question what the nature of the others would be, I should have waited till all came in before drawing my conclusions. But such is the urgent importance of settling the public mind as far as possible,, and of giving- such direction as wisdom and experience may furnish to the opinions of Congress, soon to legislate upon the subject, that I have thought it best to wait no longer for testimony which is certain only to confirm the evidence already abundant, which is here brought forward. The fact that the testimony precisely bears out the expectations of the Commission formed

9

the first year of the war — expectations based on the American character and the nature of our institutions— indicates clearly enough that any remaining testimony will only strengthen what is already sufficiently established.

These letters, filed and tabulated for reference in our office, (where any one specially interested can consult them,) show that the number of sick and disabled men needing any public care, or even asking for it, is exceedingly small compared either with the size of our armies or the expectation of the public. It is not because a very large class of sick and disabled men does not exist, scattered through the country, hut because these men are the objects of a proud and tender domestic or neighborly care, and withdrawn from public view, as it is desirable they should he.

Thousands, we doubt not, are declining rapidly or slowly in the bosom of their homes, uncomplaining, and even hiding, in many cases, their griefs and their wants. The only form in which such noble sufferers can he reached by the public gratitude, in a way not to demean and injure their pride, is, by an improved pension law. The existing pension law is a great mercy, so great that the necessity of giving up a claim upon one’s pension in order to become an inmate of a national asylum, is a sufficient check and a most wholesome one to thousands from applying. Moderately increased, it would still further lessen the claimants on this objectionable form of public support, and no asylum or hospital from any cause should fail to make this relinquishment a condition of its protection and support..

But while this number is comparatively and unexpectedly small, it is yet in its aggregate considerable.

There may be, take the country through, 2,000 persons, so homeless, so helpless, so utterly disabled by sickness or wounds, that they must, all of them for a while, become the objects of public support in Asylums or Soldiers Homes. Among these, as we shall presently see, are few, almost no Americans. They are chiefly Irish and German ; 75 per cent. Irish, 15 or 20 per cent. German, and the residue of

10

other foreign nationalities. We doubt if 2 per cent, would turn out Americana ! Now this is not only because Americans have a spirit above dependence, but also because they have natural friends, homes, parents, brothers, or in all cases, neighborhoods where their claims are recognized and allowed. A foreigner, enlisting in many instances just upon his arrival at the beginning of the war, or who came over for the very purpose of joining the army, if disabled, has nothing to look to but the care of a country grateful for his services.

1 lactically, so far as public asylums are concerned, it is almost exclusively a question of what shall be done for the soldiers of foreign birth, and chiefly new comers. Were it only Americans to be considered, there would be positively no occasion for any public asylums. But the claims of foreigners, losing limbs, health, the power of self-support in our military service, ore just as sacred as those of natives, in some respects even more so, as natives may be supposed to have had greater reasons for going into the field, and to have owed a more obvious debt to the country. The wholly disa¬ bled Americans are, for the most part, patiently, and under tender care, dragging out their lives in American homes; tho disabled foreigners chiefly in public asylums, alms-houses, and hospitals. Their case is indeed often a pitiable one.

In estimating at 2,000, the number of such as need, for the current year, Retreats and Refuges specially designed for them, we assume the following facts to be well established in the evidence on our files.

The places wo have heard from, which it was considered important to address, give us about a thousand cases. Assum¬ ing that this represents one-lialf of the total, we have 2,000 as the outside number. Probably this is a large estimate. It is manifest that the agricultural regions will absorb the disabled soldiers more rapidly than the manufacturing regions or the cities; not so much because our invalids are better adapted to farm work, for the very reverse is the case, but because living is so much cheaper, and another mouth in a farmer’s family, living on his own products, is no considerable drain as it is found to be in cities and crowded districts.

11

Although the West has been most prompt in proposing Asylums and Homes for disabled soldiers, we do not expect to see more than half as great a need of them there as at the East • especially, because, the foreign population from which our asylums are filled, belongs very largely, and particularly the newer portion of it, to our cities. The best established

Home’ ’ for disabled soldiers (excepting that at Washington) now in existence, perhaps, is at Columbus, Ohio. It is large and amply furnished, and has proclaimed its readiness to receive all disabled soldiers who apply, without regard to State iines. The Cincinnati Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission has appropriated $15,000, and the Cleveland Blanch $5,000, to its support until the Ohio Legislature meets, (January, 1866,) from which an ample endowment is expected. Yet up to this time only 130 have applied for admittance !

The largest number of disabled soldiers requiring asylum, in any one neighborhood, is apparently at Philadelphia, where Mr. R. M. Lewis (and no one can give a wiser judg¬ ment) estimates them at 400. This must seem a very large per centage for the city, or even the State. But we are to bear in mind the fact, that in that city both the Wash¬ ington and Baltimore, as well as the great local hospitals, have emptied their dregs, and we must expect to find, as the Government hospitals close, the full number of Mr. Lewis’s estimate thrown upon some “Home” or asylum there. We consider it a most encouraging fact that at this most fruitful point of want only so many as 400 disabled men are to be provided for. And it is a pleasure to know that an institu¬ tion, already worth a hundred thousand dollars, is in exist¬ ence there to minister to these needy and deserving soldiers.

Mr. Knapp, as the result of thorough, personal exam¬ inations recently made, estimates only 150 as the constant average of New York city and immediate neighborhood. No doubt this number will prove for some time near the real amount of fit candidates for this kind of care. Double this number will always be applying, for New York is the natural home of the most skillful and successful beggary, and all the

idlers and d roues who went into the war under the attractions of the bounty will return to this city to live by their wits or their frauds. But it is as the metropolis, the place where the foreign element which has been in the war (especially the Irish) will present their claims. The “Lincoln Home" of the United States Sanitary Commission, at 45 Grove street, which opened last May, has not yet had one pure native American on its books. Nine-tenths of its beneficiaries are, and have always been and will always continue to be, Irish, the other tenth chiefly German. It is most creditable to the Germans that they do not learn in their own country the shameless beggary of the Irish, and so do not, even when as poorly off, straightway slip into mendicancy and dependence here in America.

Doubtless one or two years will carry off quite a per centage of the 2,000 we estimate as the present number of men needing asylum. A certain portion of them will rapidly weary of confinement, and as they get better, solicit and find light occupation; others will learn trades suited to their disability, and be able to make their own living. Wo expect to see the number of helpless invalids, unable to do better and left on the hands of the people, considerably reduced within a very few^ years; and this in spite of the fact, which we do not lose sight of, that as the men spend their bounty and back pay, some who have supported themselves hitherto, will, after a few months, fall into public dependence; others, struggling with disease and reluctantly giving up, will, after a year or two, come to the same fate. Already it is found in ou. asylums that a good many of the applicants are men prema¬ turely old, wrho w'ore out the remnants of a constitution in the army, and at fifty have no stamina for work.

It would be idle, therefore, and a wicked wraste of money, and time, and wisdom, to make permanent provision, for so distant a future only as twenty years, for even a thou¬ sand men. And far more than this provision is certain to be made, nay, exists in part already in the National Soldier’s Home, at Washington ; Soldier's Home, at Boston, Mass.; the Ohio State Home, at Columbus, Ohio; the Soldier’s and

13

Sailor's Home, Philadelphia ; the Lincoln Home, New York ; Soldier's Home, (projected,) Milwaukee, Wis. ; Soldier’s Home, at Chicago; Soldier's Home, Penn Yan, Yates Co., N. Y. ; Soldier's Home in some part of Indiana; a Soldier’s Rest at Syracuse. A Sanitary Commission Home at St. Louis, and probably several other Homes and Asylums ought to be added to this list, which professes no completeness. Several other plans like the “ Harris Hospital ” at Albany, are in gestation.

There seems no need whatever to urge this form of provision, as it appears certain to be over done without any additional stimulus. What is vastly more important, is to make prompt temporary provision for the 2,000 men, more or less, who need immediate care; to build no slow, expensive palaces *, to aim at no permanent institutions, but to meet the exigences of the case ; and to do no more until the future necessities of this class can be more exactly meas¬ ured. If a hundred thousand dollars exists in the hands of a body of trustees, for the interests of disabled men, their duty is, not to hoard it and spend the interest, not to lay it out in a purchase of house and grounds, and beg money to support their Asylum, but to hire a modest and suitable place, and support it out of their principal as long as it lasts, and when ten years have used it up, learn that the occasion for their asylum has passed away.

We hope to see no great national institutions rising at Washington or elsewhere.

The evidence obtained of the nature of the disability, which is generally loss of limbs, or occasioned by wounds, rather than by sickness, is probably due to the fact that the sick either get well, die, or as invalids, find light employ¬ ment, while limbless men take much longer to accommodate themselves to their condition; are thrown much more out of their old callings, have a much more obvious claim on public sympathy, or are much easier to put forward and so contiact a readier habit of dependence. It is pleasant to state that very many men with one arm have found occupation m our cities as messengers, and that systematic effoits, alrea y veit successful in Boston, and quite so in iNew Yoi v, aie no

14

making to establish in our cities the foreign plan of commis¬ sionaires , under thorough drill and with substantial responsi¬ bility, to serve as light porters, messengers, and guides, as temporary servants to strangers in the cities, and to perform the thousand offices which all travellers on the continent will remember so well the convenience of having received from them in Paris and all along the route of continental travel. It is believed that a corps of 50U men, neatly uni¬ formed, and under semi-military drill, well selected from among our invalid soldiers, wound find a comfortable support in the city of New York as commissionaires. Philadelphia would, doubtless, support at least halt as many, and perhaps Poston a hundred. The country at large could well emplov 1,500 men in this way. We learn that the messengers, in this city not soldiers generally, ragged, dirty, and repulsive as they often are, who now assume partially this career, are making from one to two dollars a day when in the least attentive to their duties. The fifty in our Sanitary Commis¬ sion Bureau of Employment do even better than this.

The general disposition which the men of the “ Veteran Reserve Corps” have shown to be disbanded, (00 per cent, of the whole,) proves that the necessity for public support is far less urgent than we thought. In no other country but ours could such a testimony be furnished in evidence of the open¬ ness of career offered to all, as this voluntary relinquishment, for more inviting prospects, of living wages, on the part of a large body of men, whose support the Government had assumed as an act of justice and humanity.

It is instructive to notice that the per centage of men disabled by blindness is very small. This is a remarkable testimony to the general excellence of our commissariat and our hospital system; since blindness, by reason of wounds, is inconsiderable compared with what grows out of bad food, unhealthy lodging, disregard for all sanitary laws, and ignorance ol ophthalmic surgery; above all, from special diseases and contagious disorders to which crowded places, camps, and hospitals are subject. The United States of America has an enviable freedom from blindness as compared

15

with other nation? 1 to 2,470 being the ratio to our popula¬ tion ; not one half what it is in Great Britain ; while in France, it is 1 to 938, and in Norway 1 to 540. No class of disabled men deserves greater sympathy than those wholly blinded by the war; a hardship almost strictly proportioned to the want of internal resource and mental activity. It is a special satisfaction to find this class so small. The idiotic, too, turn out much less than was feared from the terrible effect which rebel prisons had, at least temporarily, upon the brains of our weaker-minded men.

To revert again to the nationality of our disabled men applying for public aid, they are, in the Eastern and Middle States, Irish and German almost exclusively, and in the proportion of 75 and 20 per cent., respectively, of the whole number ; while in the Northwest, and probably in the West, they are German and Irish, perhaps in about equal propor¬ tion, or 45 per cent, each of the whole.

It is a just source of pride that while about 80 per cent, of our whole army was composed of native citizens, 90 per cent, of all the drafted men requiring aid, are of foreign extraction; a fact which that portion of the English press, long in the habit of attributing our victories to mercenaries from abroad, may digest as it best can.

It is plain, from all that has been said, that the anxiety of the public in regard to wholly disabled men, requiring care and support in public asylums, which now appears to be a comparatively small and very manageable class, has distracted attention from that vastly more important class of sufferers, lingering uncomplainingly in their homes, who have claims on the Pension Bureau, which, small as they are, are very slowly settled, and which, when paid, furnish a very meagre expression of the gratitude of the country toward its greatest and most self-sacrificing benefactors.

The Sanitary Commission, early feeling the importance of the relief which the present system might afford the invalids of the war and their families, established a Special Bureau for the gratuitous collection of soldiers claims, (back pa) . bounty, pensions, &c.,) which, extending all over the United

l(i

States, has rendered most efficient service in saving soldiers and their families from the thousand harpies preying on their ignorance and their necessities. By making known the rights and claims of soldiers in all communities, it has also advanced the work of the Pension Bureau in a very important degree. It is alleged, that half the claims of soldiers and their families, for a given period, passed through our offices. But no effort of ours could very much relieve the delay which, unavoidably or otherwise, has occurred in the settlement of soldiers’ claims and those of their widows and orphans. But leaving the question of the settlement of soldiers’ claims, there is a question of still more importance, which concerns the insufficiency of the pension allowed.

Eight dollars per month for a man who has lost a limb, or is otherwise equally disabled, twenty for one who has lost both feet, and twenty-five for one who has lost both hands or both eyes, is much too little to meet their necessities. What a feeble reciprocation, too, is eight dollars per month to the poor widow, with her orphan children to support and educate, who has given her husband and the protector of their offspring up to his country? The subject is too large and too complicated to be treated here in anything but a most general way. It is full of minute and embarrassing details, which only an expert can understand, and there is no official work on the subject. What we have to suggest is, that the pension system is the true system for the relief of our invalided and disabled soldiers — their widows and orphans ; that it deserves a far more careful, generous, and constant consideration than it seems to receive ; that it should occupy the time and sympathies which are so much more readily expended upon schemes of showy, debilitating charity. The pension is a debt due the soldier and his widow and orphans, which it does not demean them to receive, which they have a moral right to claim, and which ought to be adjusted to their necessities, and made adequate to their relief or support. If their be any direction in which the public money may be expended with freedom, without com¬ plaint on the part of tax-payers, though with a generous

17

leaning to indulgence, it is in the matter of pensions A, piesent, the provision is pernicious and disgraceful to the

nation. We desire, in a democratic country, to see the private

80 irAZ ’ aml LlS Hfe’ services> and sacrifices.valued at the full by a grateful country. The disposition to heap

richly merited honors and emoluments on a few distinguished ° ce.rs onl^ > ls not worthy of a nation that knows no differ¬ ence in the political claims of its citizens, and values men not for rank or station, hut for merit and personal worth. \\ e have seen too much of the patriotic spirit of our common soldiers, and of their wives and children, not to feel that they are wronged by the scrimped and paltry pensions they draw, after the precious sacrifices they have made. Two years ago we offered bounties with an almost humiliating eagerness to the worst men whom we could press into the ranks — bounties " one sum, often exceeded what ten years’ pension

pays a disabled soldier, or his widowed and orphaned family. N°w, looking back on the services we were ready to bribe so lavishly, we are slow to value them, after they are rendered, at any reasonable sum ! For ourselves, w^e held the bounty system as a disgrace, reproaching the spirit of our volunteers, demoralizing the country, and letting down the war, by its mercenary aspect, both in foreign eyes and our own. But a fit pendant for this disgrace is the present set of pension laws. If the bounties already paid could only have been saved to increase the pensions, how much better and more honorable for the country it would be ! Still it is fair to say, that no country offers as good military pensions as ours, even at present rates ; but let it be remembered that foreign wages are no standard for America, and foreign pensions no rule for us.

We believe the 'pension system is the proper substitute for military asylums. We could desire that the wrholly disabled, who claim public support, should be pensioned to the full extent of their living, board, and clothes, and then suffered to go where they please, and lookup their own residence and their own protectors. It would be both more humane, more economical for the country, and more favorable to the temper and spirit of our people.

Doc. 95.

18

This may be illustrated by the history of the National Soldiers’ Home at Washington. We had 73,2G0 officers and men engaged in the Mexican war. The National Soldiers Home was founded, we believe, on the money paid General Scott by the city of Mexico for sparing the captured city from sack. To this sum, doubtless, large appropriations have been added, besides the amount collected from the assessment which is laid upon all soldiers of the regular army. What it has cost, we have no means of knowing ; but we should be surprised to find it less than halt a million. It isa boautitul and attractive place, both as to house and grounds, and in the immediate vicinity of Washington. All regulars and pensioners of the volunteers, on relinquishing their pension for the time, have a right to a residence in this Home. At the beginning of the war, there were only 80 inmates. The

present number is luO. The average cost per man, including	food, clothing, lights,
fuel, and medical treatment, (but not including rent or interest
on original outlay,) was for the year Iftfil .	. §262.00
1862 .	. 265.70
1863 ... .	. 312.12
1 ftfU . .	. . 413.87
Those who are able and willing to work as common laborers

are paid 25 cents per day; mechanics, §14 per month.

It is very difficult to keep the men in any state of content¬ ment. Those who have pensions to fall back upon, soon 'weary of the Home, and prefer to take their chances in the world of freedom with that small dependence at command. Many who resort there, are, it is said, of a rough and unruly disposition.

Now, if the sum expended upon these men were allowed them in pensions, not only would the cost of the buildings and grounds be saved — although that wo do not consider a very important item — but the spirit and independence of the soldier’s name and character, and his rapid return to civic virtues and independence of life, would be favored, while the vices which come from lierdiug coarse men together in

19

purely masculine obviated.

and official hands,

would be entirely

We cannot doubt that if the pension rates were doubled it would be as economical for the country as it would be honor able to its gratitude and useful and blessed for the invaUd '

ft»nilie8teStti°ny -I thG let,te1'8 refen'ed t0 i8’ that soldiers’ iamilies— -their widows and orphans-present a much more

urgent and suffering claim than disabled soldiers themselves *

and it is even said that the widows and orphans are pecu-

‘“T )■ better off than those families who have had a maimed

and disabled husband and father returned to them to he

>uppoi ted Some of the States have made special provisons

or this class, both during and since the war. Special laws have been passed in Massachusetts for their relief. But too much was done during the war, and too little has been done since, and is doing now. In the city of New \ork> a profuse and injurious relief was afforded the families ot absent soldiers by the city, at a time when wages were high enough to make the general condition of the poor easier than at any period within our memory. Thus soldiers were encouraged to spend their wages on themselves and to their

own hurt, instead of sending them home, and many women accustomed to honest labor fell into dependent and dissolute ways. But that relief was suddenly cut off, and now the difficulty is the other way. But it is not in cities alone that the orphaned families of our brave soldiers are most in need. Everywhere, and from all quarters, we hear but one stoiy of their sufferings and distress ; and we see with great satisfaction numerous private charities and imblic associations moving for their relief. We must not permit the freedmen, or the needy Southerners, to absorb our attention to the neglect of this most deserving class of our own people — the widows and orphans of the war. Again, we repeat, we know no way of

v Note . — The record of the Pension Office gives us the following figures: Applications for pensions for invalid soldiers, 97,000 ; for widows and orphans, 116,450.

APPENDIX.

[Letter of instructions addressed by the President of the Sanitary Commission to Stephen II. Perkins, Esq., August 15, 18G‘2.]

Deaii Sir — The Sanitary Commission are much exercised with the subject of the future of the disabled soldiers of this war. They calcu¬ late that, if it continue a year longer, not less than a hundred thousand men, of impaired vigor, maimed, or broken in body and spirit, will be thrown on the country. Add to this a tide of another hundred thousand men, demoralized for ciril life by military habits, and it is easy to sec what a trial to the order, industry, and security of society, and what a burden to its already strained resources, there is in store for us. It is, in our judgment, to the last degree important to begin now, to create a public opinion which shall conduce to, or compel the adoption of, the wisest policy on the part of our municipal and town governments, in respect of disabled soldiers — so as to discourage all favor to mendicity — all allowance to any exceptional license to those who have been soldiers — all disposition for invalids to throw themselves, any further than is necessary, on the support and protection of society. You, who have paid so much attention to social science, know how easily loose, indulgent and destructive notions creep into communities, under the name and purpose of humanity, and what temptations of a sentimental kind there will be, to favor a policy which will undermine self-respect, self-support, and the true American pride of personal independence.

In view of this, the Sanitary Commission is now studying the general subject of the proper method of dealing with our disabled soldiers at the close of the war, and, as far as possible, prior to that. The few guiding principles thus far excogitated, appear to be these :

1. As little outside interference with natural laws and self-help as possible.

'2. As much moral and other encouragement and strengthening of the natural reliances as possible.

3. The utmost endeavor to promote the healthy absorption of the invalid class into the homes, and into the ordinary industry of the country.

23

A" opposition to these principles will be the rivalry and competition of States, in generosity to disabled soldiers-similar to that which has appeared in running bounties to recruits up to an excessive and injurious height; the attempt to make political capital out of the sympathy of the public with the invalids of the war— issuing in over-legislation and over action with much bad and demoralizing sentimentality — and, worst of all, a public disposition to treat this whole class as a class with a right to be idle, or to beg, or to claim exemption from the ordinary rules of life.

To illustrate what I mean by interference with natural laws, I should regard any general scheme for herding the invalids of the war into State or National Institutions, as a most dangerous blow to domestic order, to the sacredness of home affections and responsibilities, as well as a weak¬ ening of what may be termed the law of local sympathy. Their natural kindred are the first protectors of our invalids; the local community, the next ; and the State the last. We must exhaust the two first before drawing on the last; or, rather, we must cherish and sustain the two first by every possible means before resorting to the last, which in the end will require to be heavily drawn upon. This is not a matter of mere pecuniary consideration. It is not to save the State or National Treasury, but to encourage and save the spirit of independence, to pre¬ serve the self-respect, and the homely graces and virtues of the people on which all the real dignity and strength of the Nation rest.

To accomplish this result — i. c., to restore the large proportion of all our invalids to their homes, there to live and labor according to their strength, sustained and blessed by their own kindred — we must have a sound, a generous, a wisely considered pension law ; and this pension law must be rid of all humiliating or enslaving character. It must be considered as the payment of what has been earned, and its payment should be made regular, punctual, immediate, and with as little los3 by agencies and obstructions as possible. Moreover, the right to a pension should not rest exclusively on visible wounds. Broken constitutions, or impaired vigor, traceable unmistakably to military service, should entitle to i) pension.

To employ to the utmost the law of local sympathy, the disabled and invalid soldiers should be encouraged in every way to settle in the neigh¬ borhoods from which they came, and be throwm as much as possible on the fraternal responsibility of their neighbors for employment and sym¬ pathetic aid. A sense of local or communal responsibility to leave the light employments in every village or hamlet to these invalids, shoula

24

be cherished. The emulations of towns could be depended upon lor this, were a proper start given to it by a judicious amount of writing on the subject in the leading journals. In London, by some recent law. one-legged or one-armed men have some special privileges, as ticket- takers, parcel-bearers, messengers, &c. (I hope you will find out when abroad precisely what it is.) I am confident that if we begin right we can induce a most extensive and most wholesome re-absorption of the invalids of the war into the civil life of the nation, to the actual advan¬ tage of its affections, its patriotism, and its honest pride. Hut the subject will need careful guidance.

After everything has been done to discover and appropriate all light forms of industry throughout the whole circle of trades suited to maimed and invalid men, there will still remain those whom the small support of a pension, eked out by home protection or local sympathy and co-opera¬ tion, will not adequately care for. The large body of foreigners, tho reckless and unrelated, those who have hitherto been afloat, with such as are most seriously disabled, or have least natural force to provide for themselves — these must be collected in National Institutions. We don’t want a vast net-work of soldiers’ poor-houses scattered through the land, in which these brave fellows will languish away dull and wretched lives. Nor do we want petty State asylums, to be quarrelled about and made the subject of party politics. We want to economize our batten'd heroes, and take care of them in such a way as to maintain the military spirit and the national pride ; to nurse the memories of the war, and to keep in the eye of the Nation the price of its liberties. After reducing to the smallest number this class, to be kept in the hands of the State, how best to deal with it is the chief problem connected with this topic; and the principal sources of light are, first, general principles, and next, the experience of other nations — for we have had next to none in our own country.

Of the general principles, a few occur to me at once :

1. Justice and policy both demand that these Institutions should be National, and not State Institutions. A war against State pretensions should not end without strengthening in every way Federal influence. This war is a struggle for National existence. We have found a National heart, and life, and body. Now, let us cherish it. I know that desperate efforts will be made to build up State asylums for these invalids. Let us judiciously discourage the idea from the start.

2. The Institutions should honor both military and civil life. They should be military in their organization, control, dress, drill, and maintain

i

the antecedents of the war mi • 1

trophies, arms, cannon, &c„ might brL^Xni^r 1 t

«* — ■»>— a, , j L“x « "d :

encouraging and allowing such an amount . . be Industnal—

discourage listlessness and monotony and variety of labor as would dependence. T’ "d P~ feeling of utter

How these institutions are to grow un k ,i„ i *f ,

^rees as a necessity, or by bold legislation ’from the start %

T\e have thought, as a Commission, of asking r tl.0 control and care of disabled soldie s from I t ?7™t for Hospital as patients, and beirin their eonv 1 r ?eave the

they are finally discharged ;°say four months' oT The -vt* Peri°H WheU create special Hospitals (with Government funds') forth ^’i^11 t0 ofa temporary character - to find } ^ convalescents,

nrcnt in Li/own ^

heilndfT’ . . . . . . a®^ated associations^ to^h'eir^vreH

being and future career, and aiding in every way the success '

pnnc.plcs lard down in the earlier part of this letter J

Iheu, retaining, partly at our own expense, (that is out of the

he plT8 hr:rtS 0Hbe pe0ple’^ *“ "><*« ^blcd men who ar

ZnJZtb I" b PerTnent aSJ'IUm" to i-ugurate a gZt

partly uil(ioi. th it fZ T* * ^ °Wn C°ntro1 and “anagement,

and embody v which by degrees should fmbrac

Z T I 7 ’ humane> and Patriot!c idea suited to the case

Our dependence for success in such a scheme-very crude as yet-wouH

e the possession of more and earlier thought, better and fuller informa-

itself and ?! r pla,,-Such a Pla“ as would recommend

2 « tt ’ ’ 7 StatemeDt' W°'lld S° “*■*> ‘he consent and affections of the people, as to secure its adoption by Congress.

bv bus? ,lei,left *° P°lltlc|ans, or be hurried through Congress

by busy men, it will want all profound merits. It will he s“e to violate

z^:rr°ts’ 7 woz poHticai ec°n°my’ and *» ^ the

plan it 1 V . he °t ler hand> we e«i slowly mature a wise, ripe

, ■' 11 come a germ of the utmost beneficence to the soldiers and

r,° tiie nation.

. e aie vr.iy anxious to have a careful report on the subject of the oreign institutions for the care of invalid soldiers, before the next meeting 'Ongress. And at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the

26

Sanitary Commission recently held at my house, the following resolution was offered by Mr. Olmsted, and passed:

Resolved, That S. H. Perkins, Esq., be requested to study the military pension and invalid system of the principal European nations, visiting the more important establishments in which invalid soldiers are maintained, and to report his observations to the Commission, with the conclusions of his judgment in regard to an invalid and pension system for the disabled soldiers of the present war.

I hope you will consent to do this work for us. I know no man so well fitted, and I really think it can be laid upon you as a clear- call of Divine Providence. Nothing was said on the subject V>f remuneration. We are all volunteers in this good work. But I think there is no doubt that any necessary expenses, incurred in this service, extra to your natural expenses, would be cheerfully reimbursed by this Commission , and, if this is a point of interest or importance, I will have action taken upon it at the earliest moment.

***********

I am, dear sir, very respectfully and cordially, yours,

HENRY W. BELLOW^

• President of the Sanitary Commission.