The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-12-05
The Invalid COrps--Whati its Du-
ties Are.

How of en-, since the commencement OF
this war, has the question been asked,
"what provisions does the Government
intend 10 make for it's disabled soldiers %
The multitude of the brave men who
throng our hospitals and are found in
every town and hamle,-the heroes OF
battle-felds illustrious in our history
bearing the scars of honorable wounds,
or wasting away by disease contracted
in the coun rvs service, were not to be
east upon the charity of the world as
no longer of value, but entitled TO a just
and honorable recognition Of past servi-
ces.
This, too, not as a matter Of favor, but
of right-not merely as a question of
National pride as and example to 9th
err nations, by giving them to unders aud
that We are not only able to muster the
largest and bravest army in the world,
supply it wi h material as no other army
is supplied, but that we are able and
wiling to take care Of the veterans who
survive the war.
To he honor of the country, this ques-
tion is at length answered the manned
and entecbled soldier is provided for,
and the citizen is no longer deferred
from enlis,ing in the army, for fear Of
beggary, should the fortune of war de-
prlve him of the laeans of support by his
labor.
1t may be safely averred that no mea-
sure of the Government, since the COM
memo Ament of he war, has been hailed
with more satisfaction than of the Inra-
lid Corps.
Entirely divorced from all party or
political considerations, it is measure
for the benefit of the soldier no ma ter
how opinions may differ as to men or
measures, civil or military-upon this
subject all are agreed.
Aside from considerations of duty to
the soldier, the advantage accruing to
the Government is not TO be lost sight
of: erery soldier transferred to the IN
ralad Corps sends an aJle-bodled man TO
the firth.
Iii ,herto able bodied men we're detail
cd for garrison aud provost duy guards
at hospitals, headquarters &c, &c.-uow
all these are to be relieved and sent to
the front, and their places supplied by
the Invalid Corps.
In add ion to this the entire working
force of The hospitals is to be supplied
from this corps-clerks, ward mas ers,
cooks and nurses organized INTO compa-
MICS. permanently Stationed at the hos
pi'als, commanded by invalid officers,
who, under the direction of the Surgeon
in charge, are responsible for the cxecu-
tive duties of the hospital.
Were there no o. her reasons for the
organization of this arm of the service
than the fact just mentioned, we would
still be its supporters.
Under the old system, convalescents,
or men temporarily assigned to duty in
hospitals, were detailed to- the duties
above enumerated frequently, as soon
as they had acquired sufficient knowl-
edge OF the duty to perform it to ad-
vantage, their services were needed with
their regiments, and they were semi ac-
cordingl y-if nurse, his pa lent was
turned over to new one, perhaps, en-
tirely unacquainted with he treatment
and care required ; if clerk, the pa
pers passing into new and inexpcrepce
hands, were liable to confusion, and Oft
en- LOST for ali of which some absent
soldier had 10 suffer.
Under such system it was impossible
for the most accomplished medical officer
to carry on the duty to advantage.
How frequently is The complaint, that
soldiers canno get their pay-,he de-
scriptlve list is no, to be found, or some
paper forming part of the soldiers
history is wanted, and he and his family
made to suf'er9 While under this or
ganization the duty men are made Ak
ture. each man has his place, and his
work to do, and his prac ical experience
makes him competent for the task
The invalid officer on duty at the hos
pital relieves the surgeon of The exccu-
tive or administrative duy Of the hos
pital, and the latter is afforded an OPP.
portuni,y O devote his time to his egi-
tiulate Guies as Surgeon in charge.
|, must be borne in mind, too, that
these men perform exact y the duties
that were hitherto done by able bottled
soldiers, ms cad Of remaining i'll hospital
at the expense Of the Government while
our ranks in the field are thinned to car
ry on hospital du y; they perform the
service and send the able bodied soldier
to the front-the number of patterns is
lessencd, the effective army strengthened i.
and an honorable vocation is provided
for the disabled soldier.
No, only this, but the burthen of
pensions is materially diminished hith-
erto disabled men were discharged, an
able bodied man must take his place,
the Government lost man, replaced
him with another and pensioned the one
IL lost. Now, ins cad of receiving a
pension, the soldier receives full pay,
aud performs full duty.
So long as the Government thus pro-
vides for is brave defenders there is
nothing 20 fear for lis safe or honor.
- P0jfimor. amor,non