Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-03-18
THE DUTY OF. OHIO TO HER SOL
niERS

THE DUTY OF. OHIO TO HER SOL
DIERS.
Interesting Message from Gov. BrOugh.
Executive DEPARTMENT, ONO,
COLUMBUS, March IL, 1864
To the General assembly of Ohio:
Some weeks since delegated O. N. General
Barlow TO visit a number of Western Hospitals
and report the general condition of our soldiers
therein. Returning from his first tour, he has
furnished me a report ofhis hisobservatons, which,
as it contains a large amount of interesting in
formation herewith transmit it to your hon
orable body. Having but one copy of the doc
ument, enclose it 10 the Senate.
1t is gratifying to be assured in so RESPONSE
BILE manner, that the provisions made by the
General Government for the care and comfort OF
our soldiers in hospitals is SO ample in its char
acter, and that the hospitals themselves are un-
der iudicious and humane management. This
| assurance will give great relief to the minds OF
our people; and command alike their gratitude
and renewed efforts to sustain their government.
have been anxious TO arrive at the truth in this
respect At the commencement aud during the
first year or two of the war, the capacity of the
Government was not equal to the rapidly IN
creasing wants of its soldiers; and the embar
rassment was increased by want of system in
the management of the medical department. L
have known for some time past that the head of
the War Department was laboring earnestly and
energetically to extend and perfect this branch
of the service And our people will rejoice at
the progress that has been made.
Ii is the policy of the State to cooperate,
through her own agents and otherwise, with all
agencies that tend to relieve the wants and nit
igate the sufferings of cur sick and wounded
men As the government is systematizing and
improving its measures for this purpose, 1t may
be well for our State and people to carefully
consider the propriety of equal system and care
on our own part There should be no abate-
ment in our generous contributions for this pur-
pose-no sectional divisions determinations
between our own and the soldiers of other
States; no jealousy, strife or contention with any
organization that is laboring in the same good
work.
Yet our own soldiers should be especial
object of our own care, and their wants be first
attended to. The Work of the General Sanitary
Commission is mainly at the front, where, eX
cept immediately after battles, the arrangements
and provisions ofthe government, am advised,
are as perfect as at any of the home hospitals.-
This Commission should receive liberal share
of our contributions, and be aided in their la
bors But am satisfied that all contributions
of our people should not be thrown into this
common fund The Western Sanitary Commits
sion is laboring in n special field and in hosp
tails where we constantly have men. They
should participate in our means Indiana has
her State Sanitary Commission into which all
her means are aggregated and generally distrib
uted by Central Board of Managers, either
through their own or State Agents in such a
manner as to care first for Indiana soldiers but
let no other States soldiers suffer- ifother means
are not at hand to relieve him.
These contributions, raised by the State San
itary Commission, are forwarded and distribu
ted at the several points by agentspaid for their
services by the State, and thus the burthen is
equalized. The result is that Indiana soldiers
are admirably cared for. SO far as that State is
concerned their local system and that of the
General Sanitary Commission are working well
together | earnestly desire TO see the same
principles adopted in Ohio, by which the very
large contributions of our people may be aggre-
gated, controlled and distributed by central
board representing the various branches of the
State Sanitary organization; and their distribu-
ton made effective through the Military Claim
Agents of the State, except such portion as the
board may see proper to award to the General
Sanitary Commission. There are many reasons
why this is desirable.
First, With the exception of brief periods af
Ter battles it is evident that there is less neces-
sity for aid at the front, and for assistance in
hospitals and at home; and this disparity is con-
stantly increasing. With an accurate knOwl-
edge of the respective wants, proper discrimi-
nation can be made.
Second, The value of relief is greatly enhanc-
ed by knowledge of the proper mode of ex-
tending it, and Inappropriate means to be used.
Certain articles more valuable than Others II
carefully distributed. Hospitals need clothing
more than anything else, for soldiers are there
without descriptive lists and cannot draw cloth
ing. Luxuries and perishable articles are not
permitted at hospitals, and do very little good
at the front. Many other articles of food are de-
sirable, both in hospitals and field, but they are
class rarely sent. We want system in this
particular, and our people will cheerfully work
10 it.
Third, Our soldiers DESIRE and we should cul-
tivate bond of sympathy between them and
the State. They want to know and feel that
their own State is watching over them, and car
ing for them, and that while doing this well,
they will be Justly proud of that State which is
aiding in the work of caring for all.
Many ether points might be suggested, ifspael
permitted: Among which, and of some import
ance is that we can organize through our own
agents perfect system of accountability, and
at the same time, of reports that will be valua-
BILE in the progress of the work. This PROPOSE
ton does not necessarily imply any hostility to
the United States Sanitary Commission. They
have done good work, and are, no doubt, doing
it now. Let them go on with it, and of our
| abundance if we exceed the wants of our own
II
soldiers,we will contribute to it. But we should
| seek first "the salvation of our own household,
and we should not delegate trust that we are
bound by every obligation of duty to admins
ter ourselves.
General Barlow alludes to the universal desire
of Ohio soldiers to be transferred to hospitals in
| their own State. This has been matter OF
much solicitude on my part, and of correspond
ence with the War Department. One great diff
ficulty is the want of hospital accommodations
in the State. Points nearest the scenes of war
have naturally enough, been first provided in
this particular. Still a judicious distribution OF
men would send many Indiana soldiers from
Ohio and return many Ohio men from Indiana.
l am encouraged to believe that arrangements
are now being made, that will remedy this in
convenience, if not evil.
feel that am almost intrusive in this CON-
munication. l propose TO continue the investi-
CATION into the condition of our soldiers in hos
pitals, but in view of your probable early ad-
journment, was appreheDsive | should not be
able to finish it in time to give you full details
Hence present you this as the first installment
of the work. Very respectfully,
JOHN BRoUGH.