SANITARY COMMISSION. No. 75. REPORT OX THE OPERATIONS OP THE U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION IN THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Made September 1st, 1863, BY Dr. J. S. NEWBERRY, Sec'y Western Department. Louisville, Ky., September 1, 1863. F. L. Olmsted, Esq., Genl. Secretary Sanitary Commission. Dear Sir :—I berewitb inclose our usual monthly financial report and roster of tbe Department; also, reports of receipts and disbursements of stores from tbe various receiving and distributing depots for tbe month of August, as well as a tab- ulated statement of our entire transactions in tbe Supply De- partment for tbe two years ending September 1st, during wbicb time I have had the supervision of tbe operations of tbe 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 2 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 recent 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 tbe •capture of Vieksburg, 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 tbe season, in all tbe 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 tbe 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 he 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 tbe agents of tbe Commission at New Orleans, no effort has yet been made to carry stores below Natchez, where there are many sick not likely to be supplied from other sources, and where we have, in consequeuce, 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 fevers and dysentery. Cases of the former have occurred so malignant in character that they have been considered yellow fever, even by some of tbe 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 Vicksburg 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 the Dunieith, 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 tbe relief of tbe 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 in num- bers. This has 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, Dr. 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 tbe Department of Supplies, and everything is going on smoothly under their supervision. The Rev. J. P. T. Ingrabam, 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. N. Shipman, of Chicago, an exceedingly competent and excellent man, has been engaged to superintend all sanitary work at this point, has entered upon bis duties, and has already effected marked changes and im- provements. Tbe old Home was always crowded with soldiers undeserving of its charities, thrust into it by tbe 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 partty 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. Road, our veteran Inspector, who has continued to exhibit in its man- agement the same energy and wisdom which have character- ized his efforts in our behalf for months and years past. He has been ably seconded by Drs. Castleman and Parker as In- spectors, M. C. 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 profering the aid we were about to need. Tbe catalogue of the officers of this army, who have manifested towards tbe 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. Rosecrans, Gen. Garfield, bis 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 army, 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 be 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 tbe 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 bad, up to August 30th, furnished to tbe hospitals 248 barrels of assorted vegetables, and tbe gardener estimates that it will produce during tbe 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 tbe 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 of 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, tbe 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 tbe Sanitary Commission in i 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 inesti- 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; tbe 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. H. 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 8 there has been comparatively little to do 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 of 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 be beyond the reach of many of the governmental supplies, liber- ally furnished to those more favorably located. As a conse- quence, 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 be 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 The Reporter. H. S. Ilolbrook, Superintendent of Hospital Directory. ) Dr. N. E. Soule, Chief Clerk. C. S. Sill, Accountant. W. S. Hanford, Superintendent of Transportation. Rev. F. A. 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 tbe roster which accompanies this. By an examination of tbe 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. Tbe 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 737 regiments. Tbe number of inquiries that have been made have been 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 tbe urgent demands that are made upon us for it. Though in no sense the official organ of the Commission, and created^o 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 which it has elicited [from 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 band 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 you also 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 tbe 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 tbe telegraph lines free, and tbe whole work of collecting and for- warding supplies, while it has all tbe 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 hao been completely revolutionized, and so greatly expanded 11 that it has become the first in importance in tbe list of our auxiliaries at tbe 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 tbe army was 4,500, while the present number is 16,315. This splendid result is due, in a great degree, to tbe intelligence and industry of tbe two ad- mirable ladies, Mrs. Livermore and Mrs. Hoge, 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 shipment, from Chicago have been, for many reasons, mainly directed down tbe 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 it3 officers which has contributed to tbe 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 Rev. 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- 12 senteti by Mrs. Wittenmover, holding an independent position, or in allian ce with tbe "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 tbe 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 large aggregate, pass through Chicago. In fact, all these socie- ties are united in a State organization, of which, however, the extent and the efforts are bounded by no State lines. It is but just that I should also mention that the State officers of 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 tbe officers of some other Western States. Among those to whom we are indebted for tbe important part that Wisconsin has taken in our enterprize, I should not fail to mention tbe name of Mrs. II. L. Colt, Corresponding Sec- retary of the Milwaukie 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 tbe North-west are planning a grand Fair, to be held in Chi- cago in October, for tbe benefit of our cause. No 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 tbe aggregate to our resources. But from tbe want of a general effort to excite interest and concentrate action, many parts of tbe State have, until recently, done com- paratively little for the cause in which we are engaged. The Western and Southern portions, however, have been forward- 13 ing 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 tbe importance of a | more thorough exploitation^ of the State of Michigan, about tbe 1st of August I visited Detroit in company with Professor Andrews, of Marietta College, for two years Colonel of the 36th Ohio, whawas engaged to act during bis vacation as can- vassing agent for the Commission. On consultation with the managers of the Aid Society, among whom Miss Valeria Campbell deser/es 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 i* now sending us large quantities of the most desirable varieties of stores. Of tbe Detroit Society, Mrs. Bela Hubbard is President, and Miss Va- leria Campbell, Secretary. INDIANA. Tbe contributions of tbe people of Indiana to tbe sick and wounded in the army, have mainly passed through tbe bands of tbe 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 tbe Southern portion to the Commission of our auxiliaries organized at New Albany. This latter Society, during the first year of the war, nobly sustained tbe 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 neither here nor in any other human history is record made of the zeal and sympathy with suffer- ino- Avhich 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, the 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 tbe forms in which her patri- otism has exhibited itself, not tbe 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 tbe army, through tbe 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 tbe Sanitary Commission in the Missippi Valley. This great efficiency which Ohio has manifested in our work is unquestionably due, for tbe 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, and 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 of troops passing through or quartered in the city; anemia 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. From tbe 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 tbe 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 tbe 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, tbe aid that has been there ren- dered them. CLEVELAND. Of tbe work of our branch at Cleveland I shall say little, aa ) 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 tbe 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 the 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, for 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 ia not necessary that I should now enumerate, among which, however, is not to be reckoned any Want of patriotism or benevolence on tbe part of tbe citizens of Pittsburgh, this large and wealthy city has only lately become actively inter- ested in our work. Up to tbe spring of tbe present year tbe Sanitary Commission bad there no resident representa- tive. Much bad been done, however, by the inhabitants of Pittsburgh in behalf of the sick and wounded in the army, for they had sent delegations to the scenes of several of our earlier battles, had chartered and freighted two steamers /or tbe relief of tbe wounded at Sbilob, and had brought home and carefully nursed in their midst a large number of 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 " bad been organized for tbe purpose of supplying food to the troops passing through the city, and at tbe date which I have given, they had ministered to tbe wants of nearly 100,000 men. After the battle of Stone River, Mr. Sbippen, who had been sent West by Gov. Curtin to iook after tbe wants of Pennsylvania soldiers, and who, in 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 &f the best known and most estimable IT men and women of the city. From that time to the present our Pittsburgh associates have exhibited a devotion to the cause in 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, since 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 Rachel Mc^adden, 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 of the troops from the State of New York have been in service in 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 1^ present emergency to make. When I consider how small a territory is tributary to the Buffalo Society, I cannot refrain from awarding high praise to those who have drawnfrom 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 tbe wants of tbe 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 of 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 19 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 tbe 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 Rest" 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 be 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 army 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, AfPE&DLV Abstract of financial report. The amount of money expended in the Western Department from the gefr 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 8700,114 85. Of this fund the Western States have contributed in cash, as follows: Ohio>...............................................................,..•, $£,200 Michigan,.............................................................. 592 Illinois,................................................................ 546 Indiana,............,......................h.......... caq Minnesota,.................................................. 45 Kentucky,............................................................. 500 The remainder has been donated by the Middle and Eastern States, For-' eign Countries, and our Pacific States and Territories, which last have been 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. SOLDTER'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. BLPPLIES DISTRIBUTED BY THE U. S. SANITARY COMMISSION IX THE WESTERN DEPARTMENT TO SEPT. 1st, 1863. BEDDING AND CLOTHING. Blankets, 13,402 Mosquito Bars, 1,410 Bedticks, 25,:-! 77 Neck Ties, 554 Boots and Shoes, pairs, (W2 Night Caps, 4,817 Comforts and Quilts, 4o, 1 -19 Pillows, 84,106 Coats, Pants, and Vests, 9,3S2 Pillow Cases, 161,072 Drawers, pairs, 1131329 Sheets, 92,067 Dressing-gowns, 12,610 Shirts, 201,603 Havelocks, 1,864 Slippers, pairs, 16,172 Hats and Caps, 591 Socks, " 90,528 Mattresses, 716 Straw, bales, 131 Mittens, pairs, 9,764 Towels and Handkerchiefs, 297,960 HOSPITAL FURNITURE AND SURGEONS' SUPPLIES. Adhesive Plaster, yards, 1,298 Envelopes, 76,000 Arm Rests, 1,249 Eye Shades, 3,360 Bags, 1863 Fans, 12,500 Bathing Tubs, 11 Furnaces, 9 Band'gs and Comp; Lint, lbs. 229,948 Hatchets, 41 Bedsteads, 835 Lamps, 48 Beds, Feather, 9 Lanterns, 309 Bed Pans, 389 Lamp Oils, gals. 130 Books and Pamphlets, 233,000 Lumber, feet, 118,000 Brooms, 355 Kettles, 20 Buekets, 539 Knives and Forks, pairs, 1,833 Candles, lbs, 2,306 Matches, gross, 18 Candlesticks, 170 Matts, Door, 43 Carpeting, yards, 246 Matting Cocoa, yds. 190 Chairs, 429 Mops, 153 Clocks, 6 Oakum, bales, 6 Combs and Brushes, 2,683 Paper, reams, 360 Cooking Stoves and furn. 10 Pens, 5,000 Ranges, 2 Pincushions, 27,851 Coffins, 73 Pitchers, 119 Coffee Pots, 118 Spittoons, 641 Cots, 442 Spit Cups, 1,825 Chambers, 765 Sauce Pans, 100 Cups and Saucers, 791 Scissors 48 Cushions and Pads, 53,142 Soap, lbs, 4,602 Crutches, prs, 3,321 Splints, 120 Desks, 25 Spoons, 2,504 Dippers, 81 Sponges, lbs. 230 Drinking Tubes, 108 Stoves, 8 •23 Tables, Table Cloths, Tin Cups, Tin Plates, Tumblers, 53 822 6,352 4,016 862 ARTICLES OF DIET Ale and Cider, gals, Apples, bush, Apple Butter, gals, Arrowroot, lbs, Barley, lbs, Beef, Dried, lbs, Beef, Concentrated, lbs, Beans, bush., Bread, lbs, Broma, lbs, Butter, lbs, Crackers, lbs, Cocoa, lbs, Chocolate, lbs, Chickens, Chicken, cans, Coffee, lbs. Coffee, Concentrated, lbs, Corn Meal, lbs, Cheese, lbs, Corn Starch, lbs, Corn Dried, lbs, Cakes and Cookies, lbs, Cranberries, bush, Catsup, botf Codfish, lbs, Eggs, doz, Farina, lbs, Figs, lbs, Flour, bbls, Fruit, Preserved, cans, Fruit, Dried, lbs, Gelatine, lbs, Groceries, miscellaneous, lbs Grapes, lbs, Hops, lbs, Herbs, lbs. Herring, bxs, Halibut, bxs, Honey, lbs, 11,584 1,386 2,160 3,551 10,204 18,710 33,873 2 LI 10,304 200 41,197 102,014 455 98 4,114 905 2,009 105 23,119 12,113 3,253 644 4,204 °2 1,339 52,862 37.638 8,344 60 37 103,330 497,365 31 51,614 1,650 395 1,502 25 40 532 Urinals, 313 Wash Basins, 1,100 10 Wash Tubs, Wash Boards, 12 Washing Machines, 9 AND DELICACIES. Hominy, lbs, 640 Horse Raddish, 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, 160 Mackerel, lbs, 50 Oat Meal, lbs, 1,878 Oranges, bxs, m Oysters, cans, 1,094 Onions, bush, 3,835 Peas, Split, bbls, 2 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 Raisins, lbs, 25 Sago, lbs, 2,608 Salt, lbs, 1,170 Sardines, boxes, 44 Sausages, lbs, 427 Sour4irout, gals, 3,780 Shoulders, lbs, 4,160 Spice, lbs, 68 Strawberries, qts, 896 Sugar, lbs, 26,066 Syrup and Molasses, galls, 688 Tapioca, lbs, 1,409 Tea, lbs, 8,007 Toast, bxs, 76 Tobacco, lbs, 1,304 Tongues, lbs, 238 Vinegar, gals, 1,514 Wines and Spirits, bot, 36,399 MISCELLANEOUS. Bromine, oz, Castors, Coffee Mills, Clothes Wringers, Clothes Pins, gross, Clothes Lines, 200 30 33 12 16 12 Quinine, oz, Looking Glasses. Razors and Straps, Buttons, gross, Slates Thread, Spools, 290 8 24 61 36 1256 24 Graters, 323 Chloroform, lbs, Twine, balls, 58 Chlor. Lime, bbls, Cabbage Plants, 25,000 Disinfecting Powder, bbls, Tomato Plants, 25,000 Ex. Peppt., oz, Saleratus, lbs, 40 Flaxseed,lbs, Trucks, 3 Ginger, ground, lbs, Tin-ware, asst. bxs, 26 Lime, bbls, Alcohol, gal, 25 Lye, concentrated, lbs, Alum, lbs, 103 Bladders, Camphor, lbs, 13 Batting, bales, Copperas, lbs, 300 Charcoal, ground, lbs, 110 39 10 89 329 43 10 25 198 2 227 The above list does not by any means comprise all the stores distributed 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,