The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-28
U.S.. SANITARY COMMISSION.
THE PHILADELPHIA BRANCH
HOW 1T OPER ATES.
Etc, Etc, Etc, Etc, Etc, Etc, Etc.

The Philadelphia Agency of the United States
Sanitary Commission is located at No. 1907
Chesnut street. The Sanitary Commission, it is
well known, was appointed by the President in
June 1861. It's original functions were to inquire
into all the causes which might affect the health,
and therefore the efficiency of the army, and to
advise the authorities in regard to the proper
measures for the removal of such causes.
Practically, it has become in the progress of
the war, the great instrument by which the en-
bghtened humanity aud patriotism of the Ameri-
can people have aided the Government in the
care of the soldier during the whole period of
his service, and until his return to his home.
Thus il looks after the recruits in the barracks
before the regiments to which they belong are
ordered to the South; it follows them to
arlington, and takes care of sick and
exhausted straggers il maintains COM
plele and permanent field relief agency
with every army corps, which supplies
those countless needs of the soldier for which the
Government either cannot or will not provide it
maintains constant supervision over the camps
and field hospitals, acting in perfect harmony
with the medical officers of the army in improy-
ing their sanitary condition it is present during
and after every battle in every part of the couu-
try, dispensing with its bountiful hand whatever
may relieve and comfort the wounded; it
watches over by means of corps of scientific
inspectors the condition of all the Military Hos
pitals throughout the country, and advises and
Suggests Improvements; it keeps up HosDital
Directory, by means of which any sick or
wounded soldier in the whole army may be
readily traced by his friends; and last but not
least, it looks after the soldier when he is dis
charged, on account of sickness or disability, as
well from the cgre as the service of the Govern
ment, assists him 10 secure the pay due him and
sends him rejoicing to the bosom of his family.
The Central Commission, located in the City
OF New York, embraces the superntendence of
the whole field but as the work of the Commits
inpTpa W. 10
lish number of branches in the cities of the
North and West; and to the Philadelphia branch
we have especial reference at the present time.
Towards the close of the year 1861 certain gen.
tlemen OF this city, were appointed by the Central
Committee associate members, and proceeded at
once to organize branch of the Commission;
and on the llth of December of the same year
the Committee on Supplies, through suo-com-
mittee appointed for that purpose, opened a de-
postory at No 1885 Chesnut street, for the pur-
pose OF receiving the contributions of the public.
BY the month of June, 1862, the contributions
! OF the public so increased that it was deemed
necessary u appoint General Superintendent
! TO take the immediate charge of the work. Ac-
| cordingly, Mr.. William Platt Jr., was appointed
to that position, and entered upon his duties at
| the close of the month Of June, Through the
! great eXertions and excellent management of Mr..
/ Plat, during the summer and autumn of 1862,
the supplies, not only of material Of all kinds, but
| also OF money, greatly increased.
Late in September Mr.. Platt, having made ar
! ceiyed at the Depository, went to Antietam, and
! there in the service of the Commission as Field
| Agent, so overeXerted himself as to bring on
! fever which terminated his valuable life on the
! 22d Of November, 1862.
| About this time the attention of this branch of
! the Commission was called 10 the great success
! in collecting supplies which had attended the
efforts Of laOies in other cities. A number of
} ladies in this city volunteered 70 undertake the
( work if the gentlemen of the Commission
thought proper TO place IL in their hands. On the
2ilh OF February, 1868, the President of the Com
mission visited Philadelphia for the purpose OF
delivering III address on the subject of the Com
mission and It's work, and Of organizing Ladies'
Branch. his was accomplished Immediately
alter The address of DIR, Bellows. A suitable
location-the present-NO 1907 Chestnut street,
was selected, and on the 26th of March, 1868, the
Committee on Supplies transferred the whole de-
paItment TO tie Womens PENNSYLVANIA Branch.
/ The Women's Branch is conducted by an Exc
cutYe Committee, two Of whom, with the Presi-
t dent, Secretary, and such aids as may be re-
quired, attend Ut the rooms daily, The Cores
pOuding Secretary deYOtes herself TO forming
societies throughout our department, obtaining
, the services of suitable persons as Associate
/ Managers in the several counties, and keeping
I them well advised of the operations of the Com
! mission. A column and a half or more of two
Of our weekly papers are at her disposal for this
| purpose.
The Association has appointed thirty-seven
| Associate Managers in Pennsylvania, six in New
! Jersey, and three in Delaware, making fOrtv-
| seven in all. This number is being constantly
| added to- and il is proposed to have one in each
county of the eastern portion of PENNSYLVANIA
! the southern portion of New Jersey, and the
| State of Delaware
| The Womens Pennsylvania Branch has ut the
| present time the following auxiliaries:-
| Constantly contributing Societies ,.....,209
| Occasionally do do ....,... 20
| Organized Aid do ....... 63
Corresponding Associations. 93
1he following is list of the officers and Exc
| cutive Committee of the WOmens Branch Of the
| Commission
| OFFICERS
| President AID TREA uBiI-MT, Caleb Cope.
| sECRETARY-Air, X. NJ Lewis,
| hNECUrIyB COMnTrEE-Mrs, NJ. B. Grler, Chairman
Ars Bloomfield H. Moore Corresponding Secretary Mrs.
George Pitt Recording Secretary; Mrs b. Grth, Mrs,
| William il. FWneas Mrs ID. Bamuel, Mrs. j. Edgar
Thomson Mrs Joseph r. Char der, Miss s. Dunlap srs.
Lathrop, Nrf. q, j. stile, Mrs r. A. Badd, Mrs. r. N.
| Lewis, Miss NJ. NJ Duane, Ar. Philip Z. RancoPh.
| Besides, there is the Relief Committee for the
| relief of wives and families Of soldiers and sail
ors, of which Mrs. Teyis is chairman, and differ
| ent ladies who volunteer TO perform the duties OF
this office on each day Of the week, together with
| occasional aids.
To those ladies whose attendance at the rooms
| of the Pennsylvania Branch has been 30 con-
| stant, who have been 50 unwearled In their eNer-
| tiOns-thr0ugh summers heat or winters cold
performing the arduous duty Of asserting and