Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-10-03
CHRISTIAN COMMISSION NETTING.
Interesting Report from Rev. DIR.
WOIeOtt.

The Stone Church was crowded last eve
ming by people anxious to hear the report
of Rev Mr.. Woleott's six weeks spent as
delegate of the Christian Commission, in
the Army of the Cumberland.
OF the seven delegates sent from this
city, Mr.. Wolcott is the only one who vis-
tied the armies in Georgia. The work of a
delegate is the same in all fields, but per-
sonal experience varies, of course. Mr.. |
Wolcott's report was confined to a sketch of |
the main incidents in his experience in the |
South, to certain details concerning the |
care taken of soldiers, whether sound, sick |
or wounded, and to the reflections which
were suggested by his visit and work in the
armies OF Georgia.
Passing down he Ohio to Louisville, he
was forced to notice the contrast which pres
ent scenes bear to those which were com
mon when he made similar passage some
! few years ago Then slaves were serving
on the boat and sold in the stalls at Louis
vile; ao,o, a company of black soldiers on
q lower deck were singing "John Brown
| Louisville is Sherman's base of supplies,
and when the tourist arrives there he:is on
every hand reminded of the arWy, 500
miles inland.
/ Nashville Is the rendezvous of the sick
aud wounded, about 10000 of that class
! being there at the time of Mr.. W.'s visit.
He could not help noticing, both from the
conversations and expressed convictions of
old residenters, aud as private observation,
the changed business tone in Nashville
which the influx of Northern population
mas produced. No one can resist the con
viction that we are supplanting an efiete
race, o. semi barbarous civilization.
The most interesting portion of the ad-
dress was Mr.. W.'s testimony to the hope
ful condition of the Negro in the portions
ofthe South we have conquered. The men
dicants are all whites the negro soldier,
the negro in whatever work or duty is
cheerful, active,-a man and in this con-
neetion the Reverend gentleman drew a
sad picture Of the condition of the families
whose fathers, husbands and sons have
been eonseripted. Thousands of them are
totally destitute, and their state contrasts
painfully with that of our soldiers, aye,
our black soldiers, whose fare is even lux
urious,-Ohio sent down to Atlanta by the
energy of the Sanitary Commission and
the Government that is the order, for as
the reporter showed, this Commission is
enabled to furnish many and many an ar
ticIe which the Government does not, and
q hundred to one of other articles which
: the Government does send.
DR.. Wolcott spoke of the moral tone o
the army as being, on the whole, very
much higher than represented. There il
: much profanity, but as regards intemper-
anee, the men have less temptations thar
o at home. Intemperance is almost WHOLLY
e confined to the officers.
DR.. W. next spoke of the various agen
s cies established to secure the comfort of tn,
: soldiers,-the Sanitary Commission,-th,
g Hospital Directory,-the Relief Depart
e ment, for the gratis securing of pensions
d back pay, supplies of food for wounded
soldiers on their journeys,-the Supply De
partment, the whole of whose transports
ton fund comes from California, - tn,
' Christion Commission, which furnishes
soldiers with stationery, stamps, papers
. books, etc.,-State Agency Commission, ap
q pointed by the Governors to co-operat,
a with other agencies in the security of sup
g plies, and the Government supply o
= medicines, clothing, hospital stores, &C., &c
Dr. Wolcott closed his report by giving
j three reflections, which express not only
his own convictions, but also those of tn,
e gallant armies in Georgia That thi
= war must be fought through; That the in
. terests of humanity are involved in thii
L struggle, since it is msnifestly appointed
unto us to establish "new order of tn,
generations;" and finally, That the prose
cution of the war will inevitably develop
and cultivate sentiments in both parties
North and South, which shall make anoth
er civil war here an impossibility.