The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1864-04-29
Letser from Gen. Meade,
lib TRIBUTE TO THE SANITARY COMMIssIc,
---THE BATTLE FIELD OY GETTYSBURG

--THE BATTLE FIELD OY GRrTYSBURG
The following interesting letter from
General MEADE, addressed to the commit
tee in charge Of the Sanitary Fair in Phil
adelphia. pays a pleasant tribute to the
Sanitary Commissiot:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF rHr PoroMAc,t
April 8 1861 {
L. MoNrGoMEKY BoND, Eso.-DrAR SyR.-
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your communication of the 9th instant. enc!os-
ing circulars Of the Committee on Labor. In
comes and Revenues" of the Great Central
Fair for the United States Sanitary Commits
sion. feel very much hattered and compli-
mented at the honor conferred on me by pac-
ing my name as one Of the honorary members
of this important committee.
1t is hardly necessary for me TO assure you
that am with you heart and soul in the great
work of benev leuce and charity whicl YOU
have entered on.
1t has been my duty to make inquiry as to
the practical working and benefit of the United
States Sanitary Commission. and it affords me
great pleasure to bear testimony, so far as this
army is concerned, to the inestimable benefits
and blessings conferred by this noble associa-
tion on the suffering, sick and wounded SOL
diers.
A few facts in connection with this point may
te of use to you.
At the battle of Gettysburg tho number OF
wounded of our army alone amounted, by cffi-
cial reports, to thirteen thousand seven hun
dred and thirteen 03713): those of the enemy
left Oh the field were estimated by our medical
officers IA amounting to eight thousand This
would make in oil nearly twenty-five thousand
suffering beings requiring immediate care ard
attention to save life
Few people can realize such large numbers,
but if you t. II them that should thew fill and
pack your Academy Of Music in Philadelphia
(Which holds L believe, some thirty-tive hun
dred people, six times, and then imagine every
soul in this immense crowd wounded, they
will have chance idea Of the great work for
humanity OF the field of ofGettysburg.
Now. although the government is most lib
eral and generous in all its provisions for the
sick aud wounded, yet it is impossible to keep
constantly on hand either the personne! or sup
plies required in an eme gcncy of this kind
In addition 10 this difficulty at gettysburg, |
was compelled to pursue the rttrealing foe,
and as l expected in a few days to have another
battle at some distant point. it was absolutely
necessary should carry away the greater por-
ii of my surgeons and medical supplies, go
that the wounded at Gettysburg were, in
measure dependent upon such extra assistance
as the government could hastily collect, and
upon the generous aid so cheerfully and
promptly afforded by the Sanitary and Chris
tian Commission and the various state aud
Soldiers Aid Societies. All the additional aid
from every source was here most urgently
needed, aud IL gives me great pleasure to say
that, from the reports of my medical officers,
l am satisfied the United States Sanitary Com.
mission, as well as the Others above named,
were fully mp to the work before them.
What has occurred in the past may occur in
the future. There is no nnbler or holier work
OF Christian love or charity, and if the voices
ot the brave soldiers are OF any influence you
may rest assured you have their hearty wishes
and earnest prayers.
Most respectfully and truly yours,
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Mai. Gen. Cong Army of the Potomac