The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-20 00:00:00

THE SANITARY COMMISSION OF THE
21111ERICAN

The Sanitary Commission has closed its third
session, and the following is an account of its recent
proceedings :
Immediately after the battle of Bull's Run the
agents of the Commission at Washington were en-
gaged, under the direction of Dr. Harris, in visit-
ing the wounded and administering, as far as
possible, to their wants. Surgical dressers,
nurses, and various needed articles, not available
in Washington, were at once ordered by telegraph,
and supplied as soon as possible from other cities.
An unsuccessful attempt was made to penetrate the
enemy's lines and carry aid to the wounded on the
field of battle. The Rev. C. L. Brace, of New
York, took a prominent part in these labours. Mr.
Olmsted, the secretary, being at the time engaged
in his duties at the Central Park in New York, on
being apprised by telegraph of a severe engage-
ment, at once took measures to procure and send
forward such articles as were likely to be wanted
in large quantities, and came as soon as possible to
Washington, accompanied by several competent
surgeons. Nearly all the members of the commis-
sion arrived within three days, and a systematic
examination of the hospitals, and of the condition
of all the forces engaged in the battle, was under-
taken at the outset. Large bodies of soldiers were
found in complete disorganisation, sick at heart, and
in great misery. The causes of this demoralisation,
which appeared by no means adequately accounted
for by the mere circumstance of the repulse at
Bull's Run, were made a subject of careful exami-
nation, not yet fully completed, the results Of
which will be published.
Whatever essential was found wanting at the
hospitals for the wounded, which could not at once
be procured through the ordinary Government
channels, was, as far as practicable, obtained by the
Commission, and supplied gratuitously. Among
the more important of these were water-beds for
certain severe surgical cases, water-pillows and
rings, sheets and pillows, bed shirts, drawers,
and napkins, wire cradles for supporting wounded
limbs, frames for supporting bed clothing
above them, and for holding mosquito-netting
over the face, &c. More than 2,000 articles of
this kind have been distributed by the Commis-
sion, nearly all of them having been supplied by
benevolent societies and individuals in response
to a call from the secretary and treasurer, which
appeared in the same issue of the newspapers
with the first announcement of the battle. What
was not thus provided in time the funds in the hands
of the Commission enabled it to purchase. Many
articles have also been devised, ordered, and con-
structed in Washington for the occasion. A large
number of little tables to be set upon the bed, with
supports for the arms, have been prepared. Means
for amusing the patients, backgammon-boards, Bseo
and light reading, are also furnished by the Commis-
sion. A store of paper, envelopes, pens, and ink is
sent to each hospital, and a person is to be employed
to write letters for those unable to write themselves.
A barber is also employed by the Commission, who
goes the round of the hospitals, shaving and cropping
all the patients who desire this attention gratuitously'.
Fifty tons of ice have been placed at the disposal of
the hospital surgeons, with instructions to use it
generously for the comfort of the patients. The Cora'
mission has nearly 200 tons more ready to be brought
to Washington if it should be required. There are
many details of this branch of the Commissioner's
labours which cannot be described in a general re'
port, but which have added much to the relief of
the poor fellows, and are much appreciated by there,
as well as by the surgeons in charge. All the action
of the Commission in this respect has been in entire
harmony with, and subjection to, the regular or'
gical authorities.
The debates of the Commission in the late session
have been chiefly with reference to practical mea-
sures for placing the army on a firmer basis of die"
cipline, and under more intelligent and efficient cow
trol, the experience of the Commission thus far ha'
ing showed that all efforts for the health of the troops
were useless until a radical improvement could be ef-
fected in this respect. Resolutions were passed with
reference to the absence of officers from their camps, to
the prevalence of intemperance, to the neglect of duty
of various officers, advising changes in the mode of
payment and measures for the encouragementof better
feeling between the men and their officers, and be=
tween the civil authorities and the volunteer army.
These resolutions were communicated to the proper
authorities, and the Commission had interviews
with the President and the committees of both
Houses of Congress with reference to certain
changes of the laws favourably to the purposes in-
dicated. The action of the Commission, seconded
as it had been by the most earnest personal efforts
of its members and their friends, has doubtless had
some influence in bringing about the changes novr
so well established in the military government at
Washington, and with which the public has been
so much gratified. These, however, must be attri-
buted mainly to the intuitive perception of the
military necessities of the case by General M'Clellan,
and it is a matter of congratulation with the Com-
mission that measures which they had vainly urged
for weeks before were adopted by him immediately
upon his assuming command.
Competent officers being the obvious first want
of the army, the Commission has taken measure
for obtaining the fullest available information with
regard to the present occupation and condition Of
all living graduates of West Point, which will soon
be placed before the Government and the public. e
Action was taken looking to a simplification 01
the means of obtaining hospital supplies, and for an
enlargement of the range of supplies.
It being found that, under the ,present arrange:
ment, the surgeons in charge of the military heePl;
tals were greatly embarrassed to get their patients
clothes washed, means for temporarily relieving
them in this particular were taken.
Measures were initiated for registering en
securing means for the identification of the des"'
during the war. This matter, now almost entirely
neglected, is one of great importance, and thousands
of bereaved friends will eventually have °cask°
for gratitude to the Commission for its action in
regard to it.
Intelligent surgeons have been despatched 95.
agents of the Commission to the army in Missal::
and Cairo, as well as to the columns of Banks and
Butler. An agent is also to join General Rosen'
cranz.
The present condition of the army here in respect
of camp police is thought to be more and more dan'
gerous than that of any large civilized army which
has been living in fixed camps at any time during
the present century ; but, from the vigour with
which Gen. M'Clellan has entered upon his dude,
a rapid change is confidently anticipated. Without
it, our army is in the greatest possible danger of
being destroyed by a pestilence before winter. The
season least favourable to health is about comment'
ing, and the neglect of sanitary precautions is
neglect of the most imperative military duty.