New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-09

an army Of hall million.
The preliminary survey of the Commission
undertaken shortly after its sppointment-in-
cuded visits to Cairo st. Louis, and the Army
I of the Potomac aud the result of the first in.
yestications was TO show that the dangers aris-
ing from general neglect Of the conditions OF
he alth. such as drainage and personal cleanli-
ness, had been in no degree exaggerated The
Commission, deriving no pecuniary support
from the Government, wa, necessarily
Obliged to regulate it's operations by the
means placed at its command by private
contribution Aud it is matter at once OF
astonshment and graduation that with the
sum of s2s, 600, which included the whole OF
the contributions for the object of the Commits
sion up to the date of the report, 80 much OF
real and practical good has been achieved.
Inquiry and advice constituted the twO.fold
duties of the Commission. The advice took the
form of addresses directed to the Government,
and suggestions to the officers Of the various
regiments, amounting In all to 900, which were
the subject Of inspection A body Of ply sicians
qualified for the duty of inspection was found
with some difficulty. The ground to DO gone
over extended from Fortress Monroe to st.
Louis, and it was indispensable in the selection
Of inspectors that men should be found who
should not only be possessed of great protes-
sional requirements, but should Herewith com
bine judiciOusness Of character so as to avoid
giving offense to the established authorities, and
that high moral character which should COM
mand respect.
Fourteen eligible inspectors were eventually
found, each having bis specially defined
duties. and as an illustration tina. the gentle
men thus selected entered on their duties
in no mercenary spirit and with no per-
lunctory zeal, it is reported that many OF them
left more profitable engagements to enter On
their task, and one or more refused tue pro.
motion Of permanent position under the reg
ular Medical Board. In the discharge of their
duties they were thus enabled to speak and to
act with moral authority which would other
wise have been wanting. Before entering on
the task of camp inspection at any point the
Inspectors invariably had the formal sane.
ton Of the M,jor-Gencral, the Brlgadier-
General aud the Medical Director; and in the
execution Of their duty they supplied detailed
reports of the condition Of The command as to
the quality Of the food and water, the cooking,
the ventilation Of tents, hospital accommoda-
tons, police regulations, and the clothing for
the soldiers. Deficiencies IN the means OF rus-
tanning the health, the morale, aud the ELI
cheney Of the men were pointed out. and sug-
pe.tons were freely offered 10 the officers.
To make the inspection thorough, they found
that an entire day Was needed for each regi-
ment and after N time, with the cooperation
Of the officers, which in most cases was readily
Lent. they found that Improvements in one regi-
nent readily created a healthy emulation in
others. which resulted in a general improve
ment.
After the inspection of each camp or post,
an elaborate report WA drawn up by the In
spectors. the ground OF their inspection cover
ing such answers as could DO found 10 ques-
tions numbering no loss than one hundred und
eighty, embracing every point essential to
thorough acquaintance with the condition OF the
men. The facts elected in this manner were
then carefully tabulaled under actuarial super
vision. aud from these tables the Assistant Sec
retares were enabled 10 make up the repofts
in more general form. The months selected
BY which 10 show an average Of the sanitary
state Of the army and its condition otherwise
are those Of September and October and
with the view Of forcing the facts eliminated on
the attention Of the authorities for general aud
Commemorative action, two hundred regiments
were selected IA those from which returns are
presented including so many from each Diys-
ion in the held.
OF the regiments inspected, - we're from
New England: lol from the Middle States
including Virginia, Mary land, and Delaware
~ from the Western States, including Ken
t1cky, Missouri, Kansas. and Nebraska. Be-
ginning with the formation OF these regiments,
the Inspectors found that The average time
occupied in recruiting full regiment Was siA
wrcks-the shortest period being ten days, aud
the longest three months. In 76i per cent OF
the regiments the majority Of che men were
found 10 be American born; IN 81 the majority
were Gcrmaus IN y the majority were irish,
and in ., the number OF native and ioieig1
born MAS found abolt equal. The inquiry,
therefore. di.pels the iction that the MINORITY
Of the uuioa army is Of foreign birth. The
conclusion Of the Commission u that II would
BIZ nearer approximation TO the truth to