The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-13
Ths sanitary aud chr,stlau Com

missions and Soldiers EEaIne.
tits impossible for the Government to
fully provide for the comforts Of the SOL
diers; there exists a necessity for routine
though we have far more Of il than is
d,manded-tO protect tss public treas
ury from dishonest officials, and in turn
to protect officials from malicious
charges; and this necessarily causes
inconvenience 70 the soldiers and il is
in emergencies thus occssioned, that the
hand Of public charity steps in and re-
ieves the needy, and ministers TO tue 6uf-
fsriDg. It requires no routine; the pres
ence Of distress is the only requisiiion
needed for supplies-cIOthiDg, food, and
medicines.
We need not stop here to inquire how
far the three institutions at the head Of
this article are connected technically;
suffice it to say that the objects for which
they are labOring, are the same and in
their cooperation, the most perfect hAr-
mOny prevails. a pretty thorough can
vass Of affairs in the army in front, es-
peciaIly since thebattIe Of Chickamsuga,
has been sufficient to satisfy us that, even
in that brief period, thousands Of lives
have been saved by their benevolent exer-
tions, and that thousands Of otherp, who
under ordinary treatment would have
been permanent invalids, are now rtj oicing
in perfect health and strength. This is
Saying . great deal-so much that many
will be greatly surprised, even though
adrnirers of the institutions, and friends
Of The soldiers; but actual observation,
on the spot during the period spoken Of,
satisfies as that the statement is no
exsggeriiiOn.
Let rs for 3 moment follow the return
ing cOnvalescent, from this point 10 Chat
tanOOga, and observe the happy work
ings Of these associations. He arrives
At Bridgeport late in the night without
rations, and without shelter he makes
application for both, but no relief can be
granted The commissioned officer hav-
ing charge Of him, il, in at least nine
cases out of ten, without written orders,
and consequently can sign no requisition.
The officers of the department see his
distress, and would gladly relieve it;
but cannot do so, without violating or
ders. There, then, be who has just
risen from . bed of sickness, stands,
shelterless. ~ would like to relieve
him." says A, "but dare not, as [ would
be dishOnorably dismissed;" Il too, ;" says
d; and the whole catalogue Of Off ,ials,
really distressed at tho privations they
cannot smeliOrate, add similar responses
In this situation, the various Commits
sions step il; the man is provided for,
ratiOned, and assisted on his journey. Il
sent on steamboat, lie reaches Kelly's
Ferry, in the highland is I'M
able to fad 4 shelter; it is out Of The
power Of any officer 10 grant relief; but
be is not long left in suspense. Scarcely
has be reached the shore, when kind
voices are heard "This way, gentlemen,
TO the soldiers home; here are teats, co 8,
and bed clothing; and TO- morrow morning
you shall be served with a good break
fact, and instructed Is 10 the location Of
your regiments" Can any one conceive
the emotions which I'll the breast of the
noble hero, At this moment; and the
blessings he bestOws upon his benefac
tors, ~ be bids them adisu, TO rejOin his
regiment are often too deep for utterance,
and only find vent in.tesrs. He has but
few miles to 60, and on reaching bis reg
iment, does be leave the benefits of the
Commission behind him.. By no means.
His camp is filed with choice reading
matter, the free-will Offering Of these
messengers of mercy, who have been as
careful in providing for his mental as his
physical needs. Who can estimate the
pleasure with which the soldier seizes
the latest papers, and literally devOurS
the news, which be could obtain in no
other mannerg
Bat the blessings bestowed are not
confined TO those going 10 the field.
Those returning homo on sick or
other leave Of absence, AID those dis
charged are alike the objects Of philan-
thrOpic care. At every station where
they are required 10 stop they find .
home; and on arriving at this point they
are provided with q rest, and if dischar-
ged, their pay is obtained without remu-
neration and without 3 per cenlsge.
They are prote cted from swindlers, given
all necessary instructions, and sent on
their way rejoicing. The amount of mo-
ney, IN the aggregate, thus saved 10 the
soldiers by being protected from the
of agents" who charge enor-
nous fees for procuring pay and bounty |
is incalculable; and hundreds have been
protected who would have been robbed |
Of their sll. Besides, the hotels here |
are often full before the Chattanooga |
train arrives, and but for tho efforts Of |
these institutions many must have per-
ished in the streets during tae recent
frigid season.
II is not surprising that the people of
Che North are exeFtirg themselves in an
manner 10 sustain this
mission of benevolence that thou
sands upon thousands Of dollars are
flowing into The treasury Of
these associations; in 30 doing the donors
are aiding friends and relatives, and
perhsps saving their lives. There are
none 90 independent but may need the
good Offices Of these philaaihrOpists;
and Zone who ever applied was turned
away, while anything remsined to be
riven. If any loyal man would do .