New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-04
The Sanitary CcmInissiC'

TESTIMONY or THE HON. N. 8. T0wHsHEND Az
| 10 THE SANITARY COMMISSION
The following letter Is from the pen Of Lieutenant colene
Townshsnd ore Of the Medical Inspectors Of the units
States Army among whose duties the detection or abuses "
the food and clothing Of the troops holds prominent place.
His testimony to the judicious methods Of 's osied
States Sanitary Commission In the distribution Of hefs
stores viii hsve great weight with those who know the oppo
sunites for knowledge these Official Inspectors
pos'essi 4
Avon, Feb. q, 1854
from husband not written for publication but TO aid ue Ia
bcrs increase tho interest and confidence Of
Il occurred to however, tina, published Il nist! pro
mote che interest Of the Commission outside Of these and
tculary Of the Fs and with the wish that do Ill tin.
good IL can I, Is sent to The Herald. -
ST. LorIs, Mo-, Feb T. 1896
M DEAR WYE Your letter Of the Is, inst reissriag
the United States Sanitary Commission received to-day
and reply immediately that you may have tes,iuy ~
areay in the work the objections Of hosS who
let me remind you 4 the outset that my orportni.e.
Tor observing are not simply those Of soldier lin,
eeer 81 equal rank army surgeons even bat much oser
them nothing else to do but look after what effects
eesth and comfort Of the including Of food.
have seen not les. than 2oOo sick aud wounded nien 10
ho,Pas and have therefore, many opportunities Of judging
of the aoings Of tho Sanitary Commission and VIII give
you some Of the conclusions at which have arrived
kirst thius is far the best medium through which TO-
send material comforts to the sick Of the army and greatly
preferable to State and local agencies The Sanitary Comi.
sion is utay and simple embraces the whole fed and there.
sts agent ssd Il ,ES0R;l In gf5.P: twenty Sss,ss,
the whole field, and don't know what has been sen.
there know where Is most decided and
he ck. the facilities Of conancston and transporson
funds which you in Ohio contributed nor do thy con'uni.
the eaisbes which Aid Societies have sent The saiaed
AGENTS are paid California fund devoted 10 thai purpose
have often taken meals with the agents Of the Commission at
their ssoa and have invariably hsd set before me only
Whist the market Afforded, the asents personal resources
could supply. ..
tsry stores for they never put uDde Their nor %"
they obtain possession o. them 5y purchase or othe.wi
pita are put the OF the Surgeon in charge
Tne while in charge OF the Surgeon may IN some IN
stance, have been misapped or ped OF sioen possible
a. Of the stores belonsns to the Government BAT tn. ,o
Surgeon ia charge OF any hospital hes s1s IN OF coneo
any such m,spPcs,,on hSYe never heard charged ~ any
Two month, since visited (yhoat n9tc- the hospital IN
invited to dinner On the table eean table CLOTH
and clean pates and knives and forks ard PORK ad bIsa
It hold Il together It's cohesion appeared TO- depend oas
Nt- molas-s used In The manufacture was helped bcuf
eiinag a,erwuTd The food Of the patients. found
diem ang good bread and ceesers and inquiry iearned
Aour or army hresd for AL and therefore he the
nur.e AID he rs cns whose dsrsse- would permit gsed
vino hsd aa-c lions OF e v.i. Other la.I.n, found using
garden ble Of various kn- aud leaned maj Toe sop
[
10 scuryy aud other specially needing hen the
geon the and patients Who bed nearly Tecoyered
Could not indulge u6ares. DO think that such
medical Officers rob the SICK soldier q few deli aeiss
that mi7h. by his fierds! few days later had tho
satisfaction seen, hundred and fifty packages Of sans
ter, ores n addition TO Governments supplies sent hom That
tsnccgs 10 the hospitals Knoxville and have no fears thrt
the doctors ale them up.
But why Il that returned soldier do not frequently
.apf.ss Shelf gratitude for the comforts sent them Becapss
m sanitary not distributed to the mem
directly by AGENT indirectly through the surgeon IA
charge aud this is the Gully safe rule Thousands OF men IN
hospitals wearing socks drawsr, shirts and lying on beds,
ed with food and have ther ourd bound viii o,dases
all from tho Sisry Commission without suspicion 81 the
fact The Sanitary agent tells che wbes he hss-th-
surgeon tel. agent what he wants and IS pat al his DIS
poa 10 be given required The Sanitary agent IN ms
kequeDt hospitals that s contributions ara
properly used while the recipient himself may not know or
ma be condi tohao~ whether What ne esfs and
drinks Tom Uncle saI hIls.i or some dear
| aunt pretty cousin ,,.
SICK pretend lame stomach, or fain
Ing spe are constantly endeayorg 70 sponge something oas
OF Sanitary agents ind they fail they usually DO for these
coysrdly granting pia2eres easily recognized they 90
swsy prepared tel stones shout the missprcaon Of SAM
In short am satisfied that the Sanitary Commission I.
well zsnzOd and well institution and that 70 the
possible agent for the distribution OF whet home sen
can prepare ior she soldier.
think 20 Tor the coming Spring campaign shall need
al be raised and don bleys we shall need any
thing siters ard. A. ever yours, -