Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-06-09
THE HOSPITAL DIRECTORY.

Ihb nOoIlIAD DlhECIOh1.
Amongst the extended means of the U.
S. Sanitary Commission, for doing good
to our soldiers and their families-its
hundreds of dispensing and inspecting
agents in camp and hospital, its tempo
rary homes, its pension collecting agency,
its committees for the relief of special
cases of suffering-none are more deserv-
ing of notice than its Hospital Directory,
By referring to the advertisement in
THE JOURNAL of few weeks ago, it will
be seen that the Commission voluntarily
undertakes to trace out, upon inquiry, any
indiyidnal who is, or has been within a
given time, in any the hospitals through
out the country. And can this really be
effected ? The gladdened heart of many
q parent and wife could testify to its effi-
cheney.
One or two instances, occurring within
a short time past at the Philadelphia De-
partAent, may serve as illustrations
A mother, residing in the interior of
the State, wrote to the Commission to ask
for information of her son. For months
she had had no word from him. Was he
sick or well Pin field or hospital "A
prisoner, or dead The Directory was
examined, and his name found amongst
the patients at the Summit House Hospi-
tai. Within the hour messenger was on
his way thther. The youth had hea d Of
his mothers anxious questionings, and
returned her a promise of an immediate
letter from himself
Again: a private from the army of the
Potomac, hopelessly diseased and ex-
hausted, had succeeded in obtaining a dis
charge. lie came to Washington in II
very wretched plight, was taken into the
Home and nursed and cared for. II soon
became apparent to the physicians that
his condition was very dangerous. An
account was taken of his name, regiment,
company, his effects, and the amount of
pay due him. He gave his name as
James Simpson, and spoke of his parents
residing in Philadelphia, without giving
their exact address. Shortly afterwards
he died. Word was sent to Philadelphia,
to find, if possible, his parents Adver-
tisements were put in the daily press, and
within four and twenty hours the parents,
poor, but respectable persons, presented
themselves, proved satisfactorily their re-
lationship, and to them were transmitted
his last messages, his effects, and ulti-
mately his back pay.
Again a gentleman called to make in
quiries of lost soldier. He had never
reached his regiment, had been heard OF
at Camp Convalescent in December, but
since then all clue of him had been lost
He had been subject to fits of temporary
insanity, which caused his friends to fear
for his safety. After much correspon.
dence, and much careful research, it was
discovered that he had been taken into
an insane asylum near Washington, where
he had died. The certificate of his deatl
was obtained. presented to life insurance
company, where he had taken policy
and 81 900 was recovered for the widow
What shall we say of care so far
reaching, so pains-taking, a Providence
Dridging over the weary distance betweel
the watchers at home ard the sick ant
suffering soldiers throughout the lengtl
and breadth of our land ?
Yesterday a lady entered the rooms
With much emotion she said 81 come t
inquire about a near relative. In tn
battle at Charlottesville he was wound
ed. AS he lay upon the ground, he wrot
few words in pencil, and gave it to
comrade. Those lines have reached me
but know nothing of him. Can you tel
me whether he be in hospital, prisoner
or burned ?7 She found sympathizin
listeners to her tale, and be sure no paln'
no research, will be spared to find tina
, missing soldier.
IL God speed thy errand, sorowing heart