Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-11-17

by request of Provost Marshal, Wilmer, Of
this State we give place to the following article,
from the Baltimore American, and nsk the pa
pera Of Delaware to cory, if they deem the
matter Of sufficient interest to do 3d.
THE INVALID CORPS-WHAT ITS DUTIES
ARE.
How often, since the commencement of this
war, has the question been asked, "What BRO
vision docs the Government intend to make for
its disabled soldiers ?"
The multitude of brave men who throng our
hospitals and are found in every town and ham
let-the heroes of bAttle-fells illustrous in our
history-bearing the scars of honorable wounds
or wasting away by disease contracted in the
cOuntry's service, were not to be cast upon the
charity of the world as no longer of value. but
entitled to just and honorable recognition Of
past services
Th's, too, not as a matter Of favor, but of
right-not merely as a question of National
pride us an example to other nations hy aiyinr
them to understand hut We are not only able to
muster the largest aud brayest army in the
world and supply it with material as no other
army is supplied, but that we are able and will
ing 10 take care of the veterans who survive the
war;
To the honor of the country, this question is
ut length answered the manned and epieebleI
soldier IS provided Tor, and the citizen is no long
er deferred from enlisting in the army for fear
beggary, should the fortune of war deprive him
of the means of support by his labor
II may he safely averred that no measure of
the Government, since the commencement of the
war, has been hailed with more satisfaction Ian
the organization of the LavdRd Corps
Entirely divorced from oil party or poll cal
considerations, 1t is measure for the benest of
the soldier; 10 matter how opinions may q fer
IN Anvil
this subject all are agreed.
ASIDE from considerations of duty to the SOL
dier, the advantage accruing to the Government
Is not to be lost sight Of every soldier transferred
70 NE Inpatid Corps Sends an able bodied man 10
lie deid
Hitherto able bodied men were detailed far
garrison and provost duty, guards at hospitals,
headquarters, &c, &e.,-now all these are TO he
fefeved and sent to the front, and their places
supplied by the Invalid Corps.
ln addition to this, the entire working force
oil the hospitals is to be supplied from this corps
CLERKS, ward masters, cooks and nurses organized
INTO companies, permanently stationed ut the
hospitals, commanded by invalid officers. who
under the direction of the Surgeon in charge. are
responsible for the executive duties of the hos
pital.
We're there no other reason for the organization
OF TINS arm Of the service than the fact lust
L'entoned, We would still be its supporters.
Under tho old system, oonvnlescents, or men
temporarily assigned to duty in hospitals, were
detailed to the duties above enumerated; fire.
quently, as soon as they had acquired sufficient
knowledge Of tho duty to perform it to advan
tage, their services were needed with their regi.
mehts, and they were sent accordingly-if a
nurse, bis patient was turned over to a new one.
perhaps, entirely unacquainted with the treat
ment and care required; if a clerk, the papers