Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-06
The Sanitary and Christian Com
missions.


The following extract from letter re-
Gently written by DR.. D. W. Blanchard
of Coventry to friend in that place is
interesting, and Of practical importance.
The Doctor has been spending several
months at Washington as surgeon in a
hospital, and has good opportunity to
know whereof be afIirms. We have no
doubt that both Of the Commissions have
done great good, but as between the two,
give us the ono that takes care Of the
private soldiers. The officers can look
out for themselves, and they are pretty
apt to do ii.
"You ask my opinion Of the merits of
the Sanitary and Christian Commissions.
From the statements of others, and my
own observation, am we'll satisfied of
the merits Of both societies. ! believe
and know that the timely assistance OF
the agents of those commissions has saved
the lives Of many poor soldiers, and re-
stored them TO their friends and soothed
the last hours of many friendless, dy-
ing man, both upon the battle field, and
in the hospital. know the little hospi-
tai under my care at Camp Stoneman
was furnished with variety Of articles,
which added much TO the comfort of the
sick and wounded, which would not have
been supplied by government or from any
other source. have the greatest admit
ration of the objects Of these commits
sions, for | have seen enough TO satisfy
me that without them the army, at the
front, especially, could hardly be sus
tanned. Al the same time | know that
the Kindness and generosity OF these So '
cieiies has been oftentimes abused, and to
my knowledge, by those who have most
-eason to treat them differently. The
affairs of the Christian Commission are II
administered much more economically
md efficiently than those Of the Sanitary of
and | think their efforts reach mora d.
ectly the men and the soldiers for whom 81
hey are intended, and that less is con.
umed by officers and others for whom CT
hey are not intended, and by those who
re not sick but make use Of them FOR =,
heir comfort when not entitled. The
'anitary Commission is big, wealthy, and
upon a more magnificent plan.
n every camp you viii find an establish
nent of this commission, upon a greater
Or less scale, according to the size Of the
and conducted in that for.
NAL, official way which characterizes
wealth; while in the same places you
will sec plain unpretending tent, occu- y
pied by ministers, and those whose only
business is to administer to the wants
Of sick and wounded men, writing letters
for the disabled, furnishing little comforts :
and conyeniences for the soldier, and last
but not least, standing by the dying man,
either upon the battle field regardless of
the missiles Of death around them, or in
the hospital and receiving his last request
to be transmitted to friends at home, and ?
directing how TO lean upon the great arm a
Of support while passing through the d
dark valley. To my mind the Christian b
Commission approaches in it's objects and c
effects the nearest to that of the Savior
upon earth Of anything upon the record i
of nations so disinterested in its OBJ 9
jects, so faithful in its efforts, and so un. a
pretending in the accomplishment of its s
designs. But among the officers the San I
itary Commission is the most popular, t
because it furnishes more of the comforts /
of life in the field than the other; has /
mora to do with, and furthermore, never '
troubles them about anything Of a spirit. i
usl nature"