The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-02-15
Notes Of Delegate Of tie q. S. Christian
Commission.
KyoxvILlr. TE~v.. Jan. 81, 1865.

SION OF Louisville. the opinion was express
ed THAI. IN The eyes Of the delegates, Nash
Vile was invested with BIZ importance
Which did MT belong 10 IL. and Louisville
too much neglected. Al Nashville. the
same opinion seemed 70 &c entertained and
expressed. one mas not Tar TO seek for the
reason. The battle OF Nashville, memora- /
Die in its results. had called the attention
Of the military and civil world TO the city
uear which that strife was waged- The
work Of the Christian Commission, depend
ent upon army movements, was for q brief
per.od centred in Nashville. Henceforth,
Louisville ami Chattanooga VIII both prove
more important Centres VI Christian effort.
To the Christian minister Or layman, VINO
desires 10 spend brief period Of time IL
doing good 10 tie bodies AMI souls OF our
nations brave defenders, can say that IA
interest and Importance Louisville Is not
surpassed perhaps not equal.ed by any
point further within the lines. can speak
from personal observation, being now Al
the advanced post Of the Commissions
wolk in this direction.
A few explanatory remarks as 10 the
workings Of the Commission, may not be
amiss 10 some OF your readers, though hey
should have been made in a previous COM
municatiOn As already stated, its object
Is to labor for the bodily and spiritual wants
Of the soldiers. The question how to 10
the most good in this direction, II the least
expense, has been met by tie employment
Of peculiar agency: that Of the unpaid
delegate. Il was believed by the founders
Of the Commission that large number Of
the most efficient ministers and laymen Of
the Northern churches would be willing 10
devote their time and labors, for ! limited
period 10 the welfare Of the soldiers-fnd-
ing their reward in the experience gained
and the good accomplished by their labors.
Transportation was y be given, and all the
necessary expenses Of delegates paid by the
Commission. The term OF service was fixed
al SIX weeks. Experience has proved the
wisdom Of the plan adopted. The gratui-
tOus service OF lis delegates makes the
Commission an exceedingly economical
agency Tor those who desire to help our SOL
diers. To the ministerial delegate, the ex-
perience IS invaluable as means OF in
structlOn, and OF quickening to all the pow
ers Of the soul. He becomes, on his re-
turn, a friend and efficient helper Of the
Commission. and rarely fails to awaken in
his people all interest in this excellent
agency OF labor.
This unpaid delegate system seems 10 be
the great benevolent .RcsntaOn Of the war,
and stamps its originator a. q man Of true
practical genius A. j recognized military
agency the Commission has its delegates
and stores transported free by all military
roads, and by many railroad companies in
the Northern States. On others passes for
delegates are procured at reduced rates
such is my impression, though | am not
quite certain as to the fare Of delegates.
Special military orders have been given, al
r different times, to facilitate the work OF the
Commission IN the army. Among these,
IS one given by Gen. Grant. when com
handing the military division Of the Misss
sippi, requiring officers under him ito ex-
tend every facility, not inconsistent with
the public service. to all delegates OF the
L. 5. Christian Commission, and aid them
by every legitimate means in their power, -
&c. The order proceeds to specify as To
passes within military lines, use Of telegraph
lines free transportation by railroad. sc
OF course, there are TO be found military
men having little sympathy with the ob-
jects Of the COnmission-caring indeed lit
lie for any agency that bears the name OF
character Of Christian-and hence, show
ING no great a!acrity in aiding is work.
But IN the main, this work has gone onward
with great success, and the career OF the
Commission has been one Of steadily i'll
creasing favor in the army and through the
North.
Enough OF these statements, which tC
many readers may be Of little interest
Let US notice the work done at ChattanOo
"a. No one can be long in tue Commits
sion Rooms there without seeing that it i.
an agency both popular and highly usefu
among the soldiers.
The writing tables are occupied from
morning till night by soldiers transmitting
messages Of regard 10 the dear ones al
home In December, 1854. letters 10 the
amount Of 5, 400 were written at these IA
bles The Commission has quite an extern
sive pOst-ottice under lis control All let
tiers directed care OF the Christian Com
mission. are taken from the general post.
Office of the city. and delivered to the sol
der on application at the rooms of the
Commission there. This duty requires the
constant attentions Of one and At times Of
two men.
From the counter, distribution is made
to those who apply, provided there is rea-
son to believe them ready,) Of I great va
riety Of clothing, hospital stores, reading
matter, letter paper Sc If any one de-
sires TO know what becomes Of al the box
es Of clothing that liberal North is send
ing so lavishly 10 her sons in the army. ]
think such wonder would be modified at
the sight Of the crowds that all day lone
are calling for this or that article at the
counters Of the Commission in Chattanoo-
"a. Indeed, so small. is the supply as com
pared with the demand that care must be
used 70 supply the most needy with articles
that would gladly begiven to all. During
tie late cold weather, mittens we're in re-
QUESTION. The few on hand were reserved
for guards and teamsters, and many Others
sent away without them but in a few DAYS
one thousand pairs had been given out,
and the supply was exhausted
Let Northern lioerality do the most that
IS possible in preparing and distributing
necessities, still partly by their own impru-
dence. partly for reasons beyond their con-
troll. our soldiers must endure many hard
ships which friends At home would gladly
spare them.
Touching liberality, am reminded OF q