The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-20
United States Sanitary Commission.

Mr.. VIM. II. Hadley, agent U. s. SANTA
ry Commission, was in our city and Saco yes
terday, and will remain here to-day, Tor the
purpose of urging the claims Of the commits
sion upon the bcnevolence of the citizens oil
the two places, and to solicit the contriou-
ton Of money to meet the demands pressing
upon it. The commission now has under its
care and supervision the immense aggregate
of GO 900 sick and wounded men.
The following gives an idea Of its origin
and purposes:
/. It's headquarters are at Washington,
and il originated in the necessities Of vast
army brought suddenly into the field.
9. Ii was appointed on the 9th Of June,
1861, by the Secretary Of War, by recon-
mendatiOn et the Surgeon General.
3. IL has from the FIRST been sanctioned
and encouraged by the President, the Gener'
al.in-Chicf Of the army, the Sec'y Of War,
and has the cooperation of the medical
staff.
4. IL has extended relief to thousands OF
sufferers. and saved many. lives.
5. Ii is now dispensing to the wounded
and suffering, articles OF clothing, bedding,
delicacIes for the sick and conyalescent. to
the value Of more than thousand dollars
each day.
6. AS far as its means admit, il exercises
kind, parental care over our citizen soldiery
from the hour Of their enlistment. IL has
provided refuge called the Soldiers Home,
near the railroad station in Washington,
where thousands of sick or invalid soldiers
have been cared for.
:. All the regiments are carefully inspect
cd, and their sanitary deficiencies reported
upon every few weeks.
8, Ii collects information on military sur
gerry and hygiene, and diseases incident to
camp life, for the benefit of the present and
future armies.
Q. Forty men are employed in the labors
of the commission. including fifteen educated
and skilllul physicians.
10. IL obtains its funds from the yolun-
tary contributions OF the people-for the
army is eminently the peoples, and all its
wants appeal to the heart OF the people. Its
calls have thus far been met with generous
response from multitudes of the loyal and
patriotic. A constantly extended field OF Ia
Dor demands an increase OF means.
IL. In view of these purposes, aud this
demand, Mr.. VIM. ii. Hadley is appointed
an agent OF the commission, TO set forth its
objects, and to receive contributions for car.
rying ON its work. Having had several
months experience in the service of the CON.
mission. and having recently visited many OF
the encampments, he is prepared to give such
information as may be required.
The above we compile from circular OF
the commission. We also learn from Mr..
Hadley that the commission is now in need
Of $50 900 Immediately to carry through the
immense work now on its hands, and $4,000
at least of this sum must be expected from
this State, and that, too, from some OF the
larger towns and cities, as the urgent calls
for aid upon the commission will not allow
the time to canvass the smaller towns.
The U. S. Sanitary Commission is engaged
in work which commends itself to every
benevolent heart. Wherever, whether in
camp or hospital, or going to or from his
regiment, sick or wounded soldier may be
found. that soldier is the object Of its care.
And whenever the news Of battle is made
known, tbs surgeons, nurses. and "reliet
agent" are Immediately dispatched to the
scene to cooperate with the medical staff.
In short, its object is to extend relief to
the sick and suffering soldiers of our vast ar
mics.
Will not the people of Biddeford and Sa-
CO respond literally to this call upon their
benevolenco? Every dollar contributed to
Mr.. Hadley for the commission, will be sure
to be expended in such manner as will re-
lieye the greatest amount OF distress.