Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-04-24
Cor. Secretary W. 7. d.
1907 Chestnut street, Philadelphia.

SECOND ARTICLE
OUR SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS.
1t is not generally known that Hospital Di-
rectory has been established in connection with
the Sanitary Commission, by which the relatives
of the sick and wounded soldiers may learn where
TO find him. By application ut New York,
Philadelphia, Washington or Louisville, news of
every man in the hospitals may lie obtained. lis
loving care, hand in hand with the Government,
follows him to the field, and does not lose sight
of him even when discharged for it volunteers to
collect his pay, aud, in fact puts him through in
whichever direction destiny points If the pub
lie and the press would but continue to the Com
mission the constant love which the Commission
bears to the soldier. its supplies would not run
so low How little ia now in reserve for the next
battle With what remorse will every man and
woman regret the indifference OF the present
hour when garments and various comforts are
suddenly required Heretofore hundreds of
boxes were always ready for shipment now
everything is lackng" The great rise in the
price of material is Que cause OF this falling off ;
md this should reader more imperative the duty
of concentrating and sending through the most
efficient channel all tbs stores which our loyal
women furnish. Ii the various Aid Societies
would unite in making ths Commission almoner
of their supplies how grand would he the result
They would then be able to meet every demand
made upon them and there is no estimating the
amount OF suffering they could relieve, for their
stores would be almost exhauslltss.
Another cause Of this falling off is in the wear
mess consequent upon this prutracted war But
in the language OF the President of the UOrnmis-
sion, 4" As long as the men light the tpomea must
knit and SER, and the friends at home furnish
means 10 alleviate the sorrows and wants of the
camps and hospitals. Whatever You may have
hitherto been doing, from this time consider how
you can best and most surely reach tho suffering
soldier, where he is most exposed aud most for
gotten. DO not delay and do not abandon your
efforts after short time. You must enlist in
the work for the war. 1t is the wuman's part in
the patriotic struggle we are in. can only in.
woke the pecuniary aid of the men and the sup
ply of Hospital clothing from the women-sure
that this is the most direct. humane, efficient and
fixed channel through which the good will and
Christian eare of the people eau flow to sick and
wounded patriots in the field"
Again, Nothing short of the free contribu-
tions Of every family, hamlet village, church ant
community throughout the loyal States, contin-
ued ms long as the war continues eau avail Il
meet this never ending, always increasing drain
II is the little spring of firesde labor oozng int
the ris Of village industry, these again uniting
in the streams of county benefcence, and these
in State or larger movements, flowing together
into one great national reservoir of supplies
which could alone render possible the vast out
flow of assistance which the Sanitary Cummissioi
is lending our sick and wounded soldiers"
: The objection has been brought against th
Commission that its work is purely phianthro
pic" The President says, q hope this i'm
peachmeut is well founded. We want to keel
the souls of the soldiers iu their bodies. that vi
moy send them safe and sound home to thei
Christian friends and their familiar pastors. W
do lose no opportunity of circulating good read
ing, religious and otherwise, AND believe GU
work, though not missionary, is done in tn
Christian spirit from Christian impulse and wit
Christian interest. l suspect we reach tn
souls of the soldiers certainly their hearts) b
this earnest, patient, self-sacrfcing care we OK
hibit for their bodily comfort and solnce NJ
f own impression is that War, the Cump and m
Hospital afford very imperfect opportunities ia
n purely spiritual work 1t requires u very wis
lead to influence them acknowledgement by
GOOD Christian example. This. we mean nlWa
/ to give them, and as much more as we can. :
None who know cur work, and the spirit of self
sacrifice, zeal and tenderness ia which it IS car
r;el on by our apeuts-al carefully selecte
! Christian nen-couiI for an instant think of stir
mntiziug it as wanting n religious character. VI
a will inv to show our faith by our works-an
when the war is over, it may safely be left to N
nation and the world to say, which oxcrtel iii
best-fstal influence ON the urmy, those who nimc
at their souls dtrSct. or those who aimed at tlei
souls through their bodies" In connectio
with this reply we give portion of letter writ
I ten by one OF the volunteer agents of the Com
! mission, who went out to the relief of the woun
,leJ nfter "A hattie. MIR W,n. W Uauue
81 held service last Sabbath between the t,z
rows Of tents. where most could zee and hear.
1t wus very welcome to them. The Billie nm
2 prayer hook can now he found in nearlv .vpr
/ tepi. On the hillside ncross The road nav