The Portland daily press., 1863-02-19
New England Soldiers, Relief Association.

New England Soldiers Relief Association.
The purpose of this Association, established
last April by sons of New England resident in
the city of New York, declared in the pream-
bic to the plan of organization, is "to aid and
"care for all sick and wounded soldiers pass
"ing through the city of New York on their
sway to or from the war;" The formal or
ganizaton was completed April 3D.; Col. Frank
E. Howe was appointed Superintendent of the
rooms and offices provided; and on the 9Th Of
April the building No. 1914 Broadway. was
thrown open under his direction. The fol-
lowing description of the building and its ac-
commodations is taken from Col. Howe's re-
port published in January:
The Association occupies the second, third,
fourth and fifth stories of the building, which
is twenty-five feet wide and one hundred and
seventy-five feet deep, and is most thoroughly
ventilated and lighted. The ground floor and
basement are occupied by the Superintendent
for his private business; the entire building
being rented for $4,000 per annum, of which
the Superintendent pays $1,000. The first
story is used as reception and baggage room,
and for the office of the Association. The re-
ception- room is used at night for sleeping
room, and in the office are closets and store
rooms for clothing and supplies of that des-
cription. The second story contains the "sick
ward" The first half is devoted to GONZALES
cents, and the rear half exclusively to cases of
of serious illness and 10 surgical cases. The
apartment Of the Resident Physician and Sur
geon. and the medical store-room, are on this
floor The third story is grand dormitory.
1t contains eighty-sx beds, and is as comfort
able and clearly as can possibly be desired.
The upper story contains the dining hall, the
kitchen, pantries, laundry and wash room.
Each floor is furnished with supplies of water,
in bath rooms, water closets and wash stands,
sufficient for the utmost requirements Of clean
illness and comfort. The laundry is fitted with
all the necessary conveniences for washing bed
linen aud soldiers garments; and all who de-
sire il may have their under clothes washed,
ironed and returned to them the same day.
In one week alone in June, the Association
cleansed, fed, and clothed from head to foot,
more than 1900 destitute Union soldiers just
released from the loathsome rebel prisons Of
Richmond and Salisbury. From April 9th to
and including December lst, there were reg
istered, entertained and clothed 7796 sick and
wounded or disabled soldiers. OF these 1884
were from Maine and 504S from New England,
leaving Pas from other States. An appendix
to the Superintendent report contains let
tiers from the military agents of Pennsylvania,
Ohio and Michigan, acknowledging the kind
care and attention bestowed upon soldiers Of
these States by the Association. In addition
to those already mentioned, it is estimated
that more than 5000 have received assistance
who have not been registered.
The Association has furthermore Instituted
regular system Of hospital visiting, ascertain
ing daily the name, company, regiment, resi-
dence and condition Of every soldier In the
Government hospitals in and near New York.
Their hospital record contained at the date Of
the Superintendent report, 1901 names, $40 OF
Maine soldiers. Transcripts Of this record are
sentweekly to the authorities of the States, to
which the men belong. The necessary expense
OF this undertaking has been charged to the
States, for whose benefit it is incurred. The
accounts have been rendered, and in some
States responded to. There should be no hes
itation anywhere.
The supplies OF the Association have been
furnished in part by the United States, by the
Sanitary Commission, and largely by benevo-
lent and soldiers relief societies, town and
church organizations, and individuals in the
Eastern States and New York. As with all
such associations, the amount Of clothing and
especially of undergarments on hand has re-
Gently been quite inadequate to the necessities
of tho saldierS IN he ruIi.yad