GENERAL HOSPITALS.

605

capacity of one hundred and thirty-six thousand eight hundred and ninety-four beds. Besides these, there were numerous temporary and flying hospitals, the former in camps and on vessels, and the latter on battle-fields. Of these general sanitary establishments, one of the most perfect in all its arrange

ments and management, visited by the writer, was the Jarvis Hospital, on the verge of the city of Baltimore, situated upon high ground, overlooking the town and harbor, and blessed with salubrious air. It occupied the mansion, and about four acres of ground attached to it, which belonged to George Stuart, an enemy of the Republic, who was a general officer in the Confederate army. The Government took possession of the property, and used it until the close of the war. The hospital was arranged upon the general plan of all others, but had some advantages which to others were denied. It had a capacity for fifteen hundred beds, and was never lacking in force, for the Union women of Baltimore made it their special charge.'

In this picture, Stuart's mansion is seen at the right hand corner, in the foreground. In the distance beyond, a portion of the city, and to the left of the point of the flag is seen Federal Hill, which General Butler took possession of at the beginning of the war; and to the right is Fell's Point, projecting toward Chesapeake Bay, on the extremity of which is Fort McHenry. See page 309.

? The following notes, made by the writer on the occasion of a visit to the Jarvis Hospital, early in Decem. ber, 1864, will give the reader a general idea of the workings of those vast sanitary establishments during the

war.

"The Medical Director is Doctor De Witt C. Peters, and has under his control 8 medical assistants; 1 cadet; 1 chaplain; a lieutenant of the guard, or military assistant; 5 stewards; 1 chief ward-master, with 3 or 4 assistants, who has the charge of all the masculine nurses, who average in number 1 to every 20 men; a chief matron, who has charge of all the feminine nurses: 1 chief laundress, who has charge of all the laundry women, about 30 in number; and 3 chief feminine cooks, in charge of all the cooks (colored), who number about 40. There are about 130 nurses of both sexes in the establishment, and now there are 1,300 patients.

"With this number of patients and employees, there is consumed monthly, in the hospital, over 3,000 pounds of butter; 1,400 gallons of milk; 2,500 dozen eggs; 22,000 pounds of beef; 4,200 pounds of bread; 9,000 pounds of potatoes; 2,500 pounds of beets; 2,500 pounds of turnips; and about 120 gallons of sirup. Of pork, beans, rice, coffee, sugar, &c., they have full rations. In the laundry about 20,000 pieces are washed each week. Last month (November, 1864), there were issued at the hospital, 1,150 suits of military clothing for the destitute.

"There is a safe kept, in which money and other valuables belonging to the patients are held. Their cloth. ing, arms, and accouterments are received and taken care of by the check system, the same as on railways or at hotels. These are kept in a dry and well ventilated room.

606

CAUSES OF A LOW RATE OF MORTALITY.

The report of the Surgeon-General, Joseph K. Barnes, at the close of the war, showed that, from the beginning, in 1861, to July 1, 1865, there had been treated, in the general hospitals alone, 1,057,423 cases, among whom the rate of mortality was only eight per cent. That rate varied in different portions of our widely extended country; the central, or the region of the Mississippi basin, being much the larger. The rate was much smaller than had ever been known before. The annual mortality of the United States army, in the Mexican war, from diseases, was over ten per cent. That of the British army, in the Crimean war, was nearly twenty-four per cent., and that of their French allies was still greater.

The low rate of mortality in the Union army was due to several causes, the chief of which was the employment, by the Government, of a sufficient number of competent surgeons;' a bountiful provision in all hospitals of every necessary; the beneficent labors of two powerful popular organizations, known as the United States Sanitary Commission, and the United States Christian Commission, and the untiring labors of women, everywhere. The latter worked with tenderness and devotion, day and night, in hospitals, in camps, and in the field, as efficient nurses. They had healing words of cheer and consolation for the languishing, threatened with that despair which defies the medicine of the apothecary; and by their presence, they continually brought images of home to the yearning soul of the sick and wounded son or husband, whose best ideal of earthly happiness was in the fashion of a loving woman.

To this catalogue of chief causes for the low rate of mortality, must be added, as most important sanitary helps, the potent influences of the Chaplains, who numbered at least one hundred thousand. As a class, they were faithful servants of their Divine Master, and full of love toward their fellowmen, their country, and their God. Their work as spiritual guides, was amazingly potential, for they administered “medicine to a mind diseased,” by which the physician's prescriptions were often made doubly curative. They formed a trusted link between the sick soldier and his home-a ladder for the angels of thought and affection, between his Bethel and heaven on earth-and to many a bereaved heart did their written words, telling of the joy and hope of a loved one at the gate that leads to immortality, convey messages that sweetened tears. Without hope of reward in the plaudits of the people for deeds of valor in battle, and with their names only faintly written in the records of Patriotism, they nevertheless braved danger and death in every form, for the sake of the souls and bodies of those in their spiritual keeping. The value of their services in the field of moral agencies, during the war, can not be overestimated. The most profound respect and gratitude of the nation is due to the Chaplains of the hospitals of the army and the navy.

"Since the establishment of this hospital, in June, 1862, until this time, or two years and a half, about 16,000 patients have been treated here, of whom, only two hundred have died. The Ladies' Union Relief Asseciation of Baltimore are assiduous in their attentions to the patients in this hospital. Four or five of their members are here every day to assist, especially in the cooking department."

1 During the war, there were appointed five hundred and forty-seven surgeons and assistant-surgeons of volunteers; mustered into service, two thousand one hundred and nine volunteer regimental surgeons, and three thousand eight hundred and eighty-three volunteer assistant regimental surgeons: seventy-five as acting staff-surgeons, and five thousand five hundred and thirty-two acting assistant-surgeons; making a grand total of twelve thousand one hundred and forty five. Of these nearly three hundred perished, some in battle, but most of them from disease.

BENEVOLENT IMPULSES OF WOMEN.

607

We have alluded to the labors of the United States Sanitary Commission, and the United States Christian Commission. These were mighty agencies for good, evolved by the kindling fires of Civil War from the noblest impulses of a patriotic people.

The Sanitary Commission appeared first, in tangible form. Its origin and organization have been mentioned in a few words, in this work.' It was the product of divine seed, that took root in the heart of woman, and by her it was chiefly nourished. It is well to take a note of the germs, while contemplating the majestic plant.

April 15, -1861.

On the day when the President called for seventy-five thousand men to suppress the Slave-holders' insurrection, women of Bridgeport, Connecticut, organized a society for the purpose of affording relief and comfort to the volunteers. This was the first in all the land. In Charlestown, Massachusetts, on the same day, a woman took steps for the formation of a society, for the same purpose; and a few days later, the women of Lowell did the same.' Their numbers were few. Their zeal was unbounded, but their power was inadequate to carry out their plan, which was to supply nurses for the sick and wounded, and provisions, clothing, and other comforts not furnished by the Government; also to send books and newspapers to the camps, and to keep up a constant communication with their friends in the field. The women of Cleveland, Ohio, formed an association for the more immediately practical purpose of taking care ⚫ April 19.

b

of the families of volunteers.

These were the first outcroppings of the tenderest feelings of women, everywhere, when the men were summoned to the field. They were suggestions which speedily developed the most powerful associated effort. Earnest women in New York, at the suggestion of the Reverend H. April 29, W. Bellows, D. D., and Doctor Elisha Harris, met, with a few earnest men, as we have observed, and formed the Women's Central Asso

1 See pages 574 and 575, volume I.

On the afternoon of that day, Miss Almena Bates, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, read the President's call for men, and the idea at once occurred to her that some of the men must go from Charlestown, and that they would need aid and comfort from home. She suggested the formation of a society for the purpose of affording such aid, and it was done. - The Tribute Book, by Frank B. Goodrich, page 112.

Goodrich says that the first subscription-list to which the Rebellion gave birth," was signed, at the head of thirty other names, by Moses H. Grinnell, in New York City, on the morning of the 17th of April, 1861. Each subscribed one hundred dollars. It was for the use of the Seventh (New York) Regiment. The first public subscription for the personal relief of the soldiers, was made in Lowell, on the following day, by Judge N. Crosby, who gave one hundred dollars, saying in the letter that bore it:-"Our men have left us at the tap of the drum, without wavering, and without preparation. They have left home without shutting their doors, friends without adieus, and their haminers upon their benches. We must comfort those friends, and prevent loss in their business. We who stay at home, can well afford to do all this for them, and make our sacrifices in money, and thus care for our country, our constitution and laws. The burden of this struggle must rest upon every man's shoulders, in some form." These expressions form the key-note to the feelings of the loyal people at that time. On the 20th of April, three ladies and one gentleman of Philadelphia (Mrs. Israel Bissell, Miss Eliza Austin, Mrs. S. Calhoun, and Peter E. M. Harris) signed a notice of a meeting of the ladies of several churches in that city, to make arrangements for providing hospital materials, which was read by the Rev. Dr. Taylor, from the pulpit of the Third Reformed Dutch Church of that city, on the next afternoon. This led to the formation of the Ladies' Aid Society" of Philadelphia, which, during the war, collected and distributed money and supplies of the value of over three hundred thousand dollars. The "Ladies' Association for Soldiers' Relief," was formed in Philadelphia the next year, with Mrs. Mary A. Braly at its head. Many other associations were organized in Philadelphia for kindred purposes. Indeed, that city seemed to be a vast benevolent institution, during the whole war. It is believed that one of its citizens was the first person who left his home to visit the soldiers in camp, for the purpose of affording them comforts. That was the excellent Joseph Patterson, afterward the treasurer of the United States Christian Commission. He left Philadelphia for the purpose, on the morning of the 24th of April, and visited the camps at Havre de Grace, Annapolis, and Washington City.

See page 575, volume I.

608

THE UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION.

ciation for Relief. Its constitution was drawn up by Dr. Bellows. Auxiliary associations were formed, and after much difficulty an organization

was made on a far more extended and efficient plan, which contemplated the co-operation of the association with the Medical Department of the army, under the sanction of the Government, in the care of the sanitary interests of the soldiers. Miss Dix, as we have seen, had already done much in that direction. Dr. Bellows and his associates now endeavored to do much more, and their efforts were rewarded with success. On the 9th of June, 1861, the Secretary of War issued an order, appointing Henry W. Bellows, D. D., Professor A. D. Bache, LL. D. (Chief of the Coast Survey), Professor Jeffries Wyman, M. D., W. H. Van Buren, M. D., R. C. Wood, Surgeon-General of the United States Army, G. W. Cullum, of General Scott's staff, and Alexander Shiras, of the United States Army, in conjunction with such others as they might associate with them, "A Commission of Inquiry and Advice, in respect of the Sanitary Interests of the United States Forces." They were to serve without pay from the Government, and were to have a room for their use in the city of Washington. "They were to direct their inquiries," says the historian of the Sanitary Commission, "to the principles and practice connected with the inspection of recruits and enlisted men; the sanitary condition of volunteers; to the means of preserving and restoring health, and of securing the general comfort and efficiency of the troops; to the proper provision of cooks, nurses, and the hospitals, and to other subjects of a like nature." They were to correspond freely with the War Department, and with the Medical Bureau. The Surgeon-General issued a circular, announcing the creation of the Commission.

1961.

b

HENRY W. BELLOWS,

1

The persons named in the Secretary's order proceeded to organize a board of managers, with Dr. Bellows, who may be regarded ⚫ June 12, as the founder of the Commission, at its head. He submitted a plan of organization, which was adopted. On the following day the Commission waited on the President and Secretary of War, who gave their sanction to Dr. Bellows's plan by affixing their signatures to it, and it became the Constitution of the Commission. Its seal bore the style and the date of creation of the organization; also a shield bearing the figure of Mercy, winged, with the symbol of Christianity upon her bosom, and a cup of consolation in her hand, coming down from

June 13.

1 To Charles J. Stillé, of Philadelphia, one of the members of the Commission, was assigned the duty of preparing a general history of its organization and work. This was given, soon after the close of the war, in a volume of 550 pages, entitled, History of the United States Sanitary Commission: being a General Report of its Work during the War of the Rebellion. It is presented in three distinct parts: (1) A general history of the Commission's origin, purposes, and methods of operation; (2) a narrative of its special relief service; and (3) an account of the organization and practical workings of its supply system.

History of the Sanitary Commission. page 68.

OPERATIONS OF THE U. S. S. COMMISSION.

609

the clouds to visit wounded soldiers on the battle-field. Such was the origin of the United States Sanitary Commission. Frederick Law Olmsted was chosen to be the Resident Secre

tary, which was a post of the highest importance, for that officer was really the General Manager of the affairs of the Commission.'

We may not here give the details of the workings of the Sanitary Commission. The reader is referred to Mr. Stille's History for that information. Its labors were confined to the avowed object of its organization. It was not intended to substitute itself for any organization of the Government, such as the Medical Bureau, nor to interfere with the duties and responsibilities of any Govern

2

SANITARY COMMISSION, JUNE 9TH

SEAL OF THE SANITARY COMMISSION.

ment officer. It was only to supplement Government deficiencies. This was well understood. The Commission appealed to the people, and was met by a most liberal response. Supplies and money flowed in in sufficient volume to meet all its demands. All over the country, men, women, and children, singly and collectively, were working for it and contributing to it. Fairs were held in large cities, which turned immense sums of money into its treasury. Branches were established; agents were employed; corps of nurses were organized; ambulances, army wagons and steamboats of its own were employed in the transportation of the sick and wounded, and supplies. It followed the armies closely in all campaigns. Its vigilant ear listened for the sounds of battle everywhere, and before the smoke of conflict had fairly been lifted from the battle-field, there was the Sanitary Commission, with its wagons, supplies, tents and nurses, ready to afford instant relief. It was like a guardian angel to the soldier-always at his side in moments of greatest need.3 When the war ceased and the record of the

1 Its first officers were Rev. Henry W. Bellows, D. D., President; Professor A. D. Bache, LL.D., Vice-President; Elisha Harris, M. D., Corresponding Secretary; George W. Cullum, Alexander E. Shiras, Robert C. Wood M. D., Wolcott Gibbs, Cornelius R. Agnew, M. D., George T. Strong, Frederick Law Olmsted, Samuel G. Howe, M. D., and J. S. Newberry, M. D., Commissioners. To these were subsequently added, Horace Binney, Jr., Right Rev. Thomas M. Clark, D. D., Hon. Joseph Holt, R. W. Burnett, Hon. Mark Skinner, Rev. John H. Heywood, Professor Fairman Rogers, Charles J. Stillé, and J. Huntington Wolcott. There were about five hundred associate members, in all parts of the country. It is due to Mr. Olmsted, to say, that to his extraordinary powers of organization must be attributed a large share of the success which attended the Commission. He gave his time wholly to that work. Dr. Bellows was its faithful and untiring chief from the beginning to the end.

2 Fairs for the benefit of soldiers and their families were held in Lowell, Chicago twice, Boston, Rochester, Cincinnati, Brooklyn, Albany, Cleveland, Poughkeepsie, New York, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Dubuque, St. Paul, St. Louis, and Baltimore, in the order here named. In a single fair, in the city of New York, the net receipts, over the expenses, were $1,181,500. In other places the receipts were in equal proportion to the population. In the little city of Poughkeepsie, on the Hudson, whose population was then about 16.000, the net profits of the fair were over $16,000.

The Government supplied all regular rations, hospital stores, et cetera, to the full extent of its power. The Sanitary Commission supplied the sick and wounded with delicacies, ice, stimulants, fruits, &c., in abundance, with trained nurses, which the Government could not well supply.

VOL. III.-39