Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-14
Army Intellieenoe One.

About year ago, writer in this paper suggested
the necessity of establishing in this city what be styled
Bureau of Information. So much difficulty had been
experienced by relatives. and friends in obtaining IN
formation concerning the sick and wounded that such
an offce.was indispensable. Il suggested al the
same time that the person in charge Of Ae Office should
be man Of large bensyolence, industrious aud syse-
matic-Oee who would naturally feel deep interest in
the sick and wounded and devote himself heart and
soul to the work Of keeping accurate record OF the
casualties in battle aud the rayages Of disease. The
need of such record bad been l both in and out OF
the army, bat the Government too much occupied
With more pressing matters bessOw proper attention
on this 1t would therefore, haye to he started as an
individual enterprise.
The suggestion was no sooner made than 'the Iisat
man in the RICH. place appeared in ii" Peraon Of the
Rev. W. A. Croker, Chaplain to ore of the Virginia
regiments. better man for the position could not
have been found lie bad the greatest obstacles to con-
tend with ia the beginning, but native energy and
strorg interest in the suffering soldiers quickly over
came them all the government warmly seconded Ms
efforts and the result before in the Army Intei-
genee Office, which was established June goth, 1862,
lust before the great battles around Richmond by order
Of the Secretary of War and which is nov one OF the
most complete, efficient useful and Indispensable OF all
our public institutions.
The Office situated in eligible location on Main
street over the Bank Of Virginia in ample rocm gener-
ouy rendered free of cost By the officers Of the Bank
The size is not more convenient than the interior arrange
meuts are admirable, any one may ascertain by IN
speetoa-ke doors being open to the public during the
better part Of the day Al the difficulties attending
new Undertaking have been surmounted order and sys-
tcu have been established and everything works like
clcek-work The good which has been done by this IT.
tegvuee Offce-the suffering, the anxiety, abe tortr-
ring suspense shich it has removed Aeviated, can
not be estimated Mr. Cgoeker is entitled to the thanhs
Of the whole Confedsracy for his benefcent labOrs
Butt is not alOce as means Of relieving the distress
OF fond parents aud squieted friends that the Army
Intelligence Office is entitled to praise: il Is useful in
many ways-lsL Parents and friends OF soldiers Can
readily ascertain whether they are ick wounded, or
when aud where they died I'd. Ciheers commanding
regiments or companies ascertain whether their alb
sent men are sick dead or have deserted 81 The re-
gisiers % the Office emboiy in form most convenient
for reference much information Of Importance TO the
several Departments OF the Government, and may be
e especially useful in the settlement OF the claims OF
deceased soldiers 4h. yoluminOus aud carefully ar
ranged Record OF tie Dead is kept As the names Of
deceased soldiers are classified according States rcgi
msnt. &c, any State desiring 10 obtain list Of IL
dad to be paced among the State archives for pub
Ec.,iOn eau be supplied at the Army Intelligence Office
vib fuller and more exact list than can be found in
Aay Of the Department.
Thus apart ON its ineacusbe benefit TO individuals,
We see Of What vast public utility this office is Il is in
Sims sort Department. of ITSELF and could more be
a ,pensed With than the Departments proper. The
Government, which las far sustained IT, willnOt fail
. recognise is great usefulness ard to extend such adj
,ona facilities As may be needed TO Leop it in good
working order under is uGefitgabe founder. As time
progresses manifold advantages to private parties to
oRcers, to States aud 70 the Government eiG will te
more and apparent; its sphere Of usefulness will
be widely extended and ample provision made for its
accustomed efficiency in the broader Of action
We DO not know that eny legislation is necessary TO the
perfecting Of this institution in al It's braucheF but If
aiy should be- doubt ROs Congress would promptly
b,stou vhlteyer vas needed. IL abOrs will not end
With the var, even supPOsug that end 10 be much
er at band than the most guine suppose Tie
pleton Of the valuable Records under way Will re
quire months Of tiRe. Ard if tie e1gencie5 Of the
future be looked tofor example the magnitude Of the
army which must be maintained when the army is
earnest consideration Vhethsr the Army Intelligence
dice should not be made permanent Bureau Of the
War Department.