E 629 .N525 Copy 1 NP:W ENGLAND SOLDIERS' RELIEF ASSOCIATION, I)p:;ci^:mi5k:k, isg:j. FOUNDED BY ^0us 0f §t\v (Snj^land xmltwt m Mm %»xk APHIL 3, 18(;2. Offilc^^ 1]9)4 irosi^wty, N]©w York .: FRANCIS ., President LEWIS A. SAYKE, M. D., Vice- P resident. \V. i:. DoNAGIlK, M. D., /S'ecve^ar//. VISITING SURGEONS. F J BUMSTEAl), M. I)., Xo. lO'i West 23<1 SIroot. W. K. J)ONA(tHK, M. D., No. 50 East 31st Street. E K. PEASLEE, M. D., Eitth Avenue Hotel. GEOROE A. PETEUS, M. D.. No. 20 West 29th Street. 1[. B. SANDS, M. ])., No, C4 East r2th Street. L. A. SAVKE, M. J)., No. 71)5 IJruadwav. W. >[. VAN BUI'.E.V, M. D., East 22d Street, cor -Itli Av.niie. VISITING PHYSICIANS. AUSTIN FLINT. M. D., No. 74 Union Place. A. K. GAKDNEP, M. D., No. 141 East 13th Street. llOltACE GREEN, M. D., No. 12 Clinton Place. E. W. LAMBERT, M. D., No. 330 6th Avenue. B. W. McGREADY. M. D., No. T 0th Street. A. UNDERIIILL, M. D., No 44 East 20th Street. J. WOKSrER, M. L>., No. 120 'Jth Street, WOMEN'S AUXILIARY COMMITTEE. Mrs. SAMUEL OSGOOD, No. 154W"est 11th Street. Mrs, J. W. POST, No. 70 W\'st 10th Street. Mrs. A. BROOKES, No. 32 West 31st Street. Mi-s. W. G. STERLING. No. 32 West 33d Street. Miss JOHNSTON, No. 1 East 30th Street. Mrs. G. C. COLLINS, No. 33 West 25th Street. Mrs. CHARLKS GOULD, No. 5 East 2Gth Street. Miss MAKIANNA HALh:, No. 322 Lexington Avenue. Mrs. E. B. MERRILL. No. 9(5 Madison Avenue. Mrs. M. O. KOIJERTS, No. IIS Fifth Avenue. Miss GEKTKUDE NOTT, No. 98 East 21st Street. Miss FANNY SETON, No. (52 J^:ast 13th Street. Mrs. FKANK E. HOWE, No. 94 East 21st Street. Mrs. F. E.WELLINGTON. Brooklyn. Mrs. E. W, ^'lOUcUlTON, No. 93 Fifth Avenue. Mrs. FREDERICK (r. SWAN, No. 23G Fourth Avenue. Miss E. R. MORSE, No. 24 William Street. Miss MARY E. EARLESS, No, 74 East 23d Street. Mrs. GKO. BROWN. No. 2S Washington Square. Miss MARGARET E. POST, No. 2(is> Madison Avenue. Miss SARAH H. BOSTWICK, No. 75 East 23d Street. Mrs. JAMES T. HUDGE, Brooklyn. Miss MARY BROWN, No. 301 West 15th Street. Mrs. O. B. FROTHINGHAM, No. 113 West 34th Street. Miss JANE S, WOOLSEY, No. 8 Brevoort Place. Mrs. NEHEMIAH KNIGHT, Brooklvn. Mrs. E. R. PEASLEE, Fifth Avenue Hotel. Mrs. W. H. BROWN, No. 301 West 15th Street. Mrs. J. A. SHERliR, No. 12 East Warren Street, Brooklyn. Miss MARGARET OLMSTEAD, No. 156 Madison Avenue. NIGHT WATCHERS. C. A. ANDREWS, President, B. W. GREENE, Yiee-rresidcnt C. T. COGGESHALL, Secretary. ANDREWS, C. A„ 139 Fifth Avenue. ENGELHARDT, FRANCIS E., 49 West 15ROUK.ER, S. T.. I-J Lcroy Street. If.tli Street. ( ;oCK., G. H., 107 West 'lUl Strei^t. ELLIS. .J. T., r,05 Broadway. COOK, H. H. 107 W.'st aisl Street, FKAN KLIN, W. M., 168 East 35tli Street. <;ii(JM\VELL. W. IL, Brooklyn. FRANKLIN, JAS. S., 153 East yoUi Street. <:OG(jEsllALL, G. T., 1-28 Uowery. GREENE, B. W., 96 East 21st Stteet. <;0■'. King Street. RIELLY. J. IL. l.HC. Tliompsoa Street, EMERSON, J, HAVEN, 53 West lllli St. SEAMAN, S, H„ 75 Madison Street. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. The following Report of the priictical workhig of the ISTew En-gla.:!td Soldiers' Relief Associa^tion is designed to render not only the customary account of the stewardship of the Superintendent, but also to furnish such information concerning the Association, and the work it has endeavored to accomplish, as may be of interest to its friends and the soldiers who have been or may be the objects of its care. The preamble to the " Plan of Organization," de- clares the purposes of the Association to be : "To aid and care for all sick and wounded soldiers passing through the City of ^NTew York on their way to or from the War." It was established by Sons of Kcw England resident in the City of IS'cw York. The formal organization was completed April 3d, 1862, and on April 8th the building ISTo. 19i Broadway was thrown open to the reception of beneficiaries. The undersigned was appointed Superintendent of the rooms and offices provided for the use of the Asso- ciatioii by resolution of the Managers, passed April 3d, 18G2. The building No. 19i Broadway was selected for the use of the Association on account of its central location, its convenience to the routes of travel by which disabled soldiers arrive in the City, and for its easy and cheap adaptation to the wants of the Asso- ciation. A brief description of the uses to which it is put may be of interest. The Association occupies the second, third, fourth and fifth stories of the building, which is twenty-five feet wide and one hundred and seventy-five feet deep, and is most thoroughly ventilated and lighted. The ground floor and basement ai'e occupied by the Superintendent for his private business; the entire building being rented for $J:,000 per annum, of which the Superintendent pays $2,000. The first story is used as a rece])tion and baggage room, and for the office of the Association. The reception room is used at night for a sleeping room, and in the office are the closets and store rooms for clothing and supplies of tliat description. The second story contains the '' sick ward." The first lialf is devoted to convalescents, and the rear half exclusively to cases of serious illness and to surgical cases. The apartment of the Resident Physician and Surgeon, and tlie medical store-room, are on this floor. Tlie third story is a grand Dormi- tory. It contains eighty-six beds, and is as comfort- able and cleanly as can possibly be desired. The upper story contains the dining hall, the kitchen, pantries, laundry and wash room. Each floor is fur- nished witli supplies of water, in bath rooms, water closets and wash stands, sufficient for the utmost re- quirements of cleanliness and comfort. The laundry is fitted with all the necessary conveniences for wash- ing bed linen and soldiers' garments ; and all who desire it may have their under clothes washed, ironed and returned to them the same day. At the opening of tliese rooms, we received from private sources many articles essential to the fitting of them ; and the United States, through the prompt and efficient agency of Dr. R. I. Satteklee, Medical Purveyor, provided a large quantity of Hospital bed- ding, beds, cups, litters, &c. And also from the United States Sanitary Commission, wdiich w^ere fur- nished as required, the follow^ing articles: 33 Quilts. 30 Pair Drawers. 50 Woolen Shirts. 25 Pair Slippers. 50 Pair Woolen Socks. 100 Pillows. 30 Shirts. 30 Cushions for wounded. 150 Towels. 16 Jars Currant Je\\y. 1 Box containing a supply of Lint, Bandages, Ad- hesive Plaster, old Cotton and Linen, and other ap- pliances for the wounded. From benevolent and soldiers' relief societies, and from town and church organizations and individuals in the Eastern States and in I^qw York, a host of articles were received — among them second-hand clothing, shirts, stockings, drawers, undershirts, brandies, wines, fruits, pickles, jellies, lint, bandages, crutches, slip- pers, etc. — all of the greatest advantage to us. It is matter of regret that the limits prescribed to this Report render it impossible to make that detailed acknowledgement, which the tender charities and fore- thought of the donors deserve. This stream of charit}^ has never ceased to flow. If ever our supplies have 6 fallen slioit, it lia, rer^iiired but a wliisper of our needs to bring a most substantial answer. Just at present, owing to the severe battles and exposure of the Fall campaigns in Virginia, Maryland and the far South, and the improvement recently made by the Government in discharging disabled soldiers, causing a great increase in the number of applicants for as- sistance, our supplies of clothing and nnder-garments of every description are quite inadequate to our ne- cessities. We are now compelled to deny to deserving persons many articles of absolute necessity. Supplies of this description cannot be too abundant. The utmost charity of the friends of the soldier cannot exaggerate their usefulness, nor the extent to which they may be nsed. In this connection it may be of interest to state, that in one week alone, in the month of June last, more than fifteen hundred des- titute Union soldiers, just released from the loath- some rebel prisons of Eichmond and Salisbury, were cleansed, fed and clothed from head to foot in the Association. It will be observed, from figures given below, how rapidly the calls upon us in this dej^art- ment have increased in the succeeding months; and, in fact, almost every one of the soldiers received here have been furnished witli some articles of necessary clothing. The United States have furnished no assist- ance in the way of clothing, until recently. From Dr. C. MacDougal, Medical Director in this city, who has never failed to serve the Association in every matter within the scope of his responsible duties, Ave liave received fifty suits of army clothing, which we are at liberty to distribute at our discretion, as in case of other gifts. From April 9tb, 1862, to and including December 7 let, 1862, tlie Association received, registered, enter- tained and clothed sick and wounded or disabled sol- diers of the several States below named, as follows : Maine 1,184: IS^ew Hampshire .... 424 Vermont 508 Massachnsetts 1,972 Khode Island 411 Connecticut 549 'New York 806 Pennsylvania, 546 Michigan 342 Ohio 277 New Jersey 99 Wisconsin 119 Virginia 69 U. S. Eegulars 114 Kentucky 58 Minnesota 57 Indiana 122 Texas 28 Berdan S. S 23 Illinois 27 Louisiana 15 Tennessee 6 Missouri 3 North Carolina 2 Georgia ....... 5 Maryland 12 Delaware 7 U. S. Navy 5 California 1 District of Columbia ... 5 Total 7,796 8 There is an impression prevalent among the citizens of this State, that the Association has no claims upon New York for support, because its labors are confined to soldiers from the Eastern States only. It will be observed, however, from the foregoing exhibit, that S06 New York soldiers have received assistance at our hands, and that New York stands the third State in point of numbers. The care and attention bestowed upon all these sick and wounded soldiers have never proved too great for the resources of the Association. The system adopted in the conduct of its affairs has ena- bled us always to provide for every emergency and for all applicants ; and experience has demonstrated that, notwithstanding the enormous destruction of life, and the great amount of sickness in the armies of the Union, this Association, properly sustained by the (utizens of tlie city of New York, will be able in the future, as in the past, to provide for the wants of all soldiers who may be the objects of public sympathy, and in need of material assistance. In addition to the foregoing, w4iose; names have passed through our books of registration, many have received assistance who have not been registered, and of their number we can form only an approximate es- timate ; it cannot fall short of three thousand in a period of eight months. The average number accommodated per month, during the period covered by this report, is 1,380. The average per day is 46. The largest number entertained for a single night is 287. No limit has been placed to the period for which soldiers have been permitted to remain. Some have received but a single meal, or a night's lodging, while others have remaiuod for weeks and months, and have been nursed through dangerous ilhiesses and tedious convalescence. The measure of relief has been nothing, but the ex- tent of the soldier's necessities and the ability of the Association to aid him. Until the month of Ausfust we received all the wounded soldiers we could accommodate. No distinc- tion was made by Government between the Associa- tion and the various depots for sick and woimded men established in New York and its vicinity. In August, however, an order was made, forbidding all sick and disabled soldiers, not furloughed or discharged, from receiving other than Government care, and we were able to aid thereafter only sucli as had been actually discharged from service, or furloughed, or were on their way to rejoin their regiments. Of such men we received and provided for the following : In the month of August 4S0 " " September 984 '' " October 1,364 " " November 930 " " December, to and includ- ing the 16th instant, the number is 651. It will not, for the month, fall short of . 1,000 THE HOSPITAL KECOKD. Soon after the Association had become known to the public, the friends of sick and wounded soldiers in Government hospitals made frequent application to us for assistance in obtaining information of their whereabouts and condition. The work of ascertaining these facts became at last so onerous, that for the con- venience of friends and others interested, a regular 10 system of liospital visiting was instituted by us, under the general charge of Mr. Frank F. Holbrook, and we thus ascertained, daily, and preserved a record of, the name, company, regiment, residence and condition of every soldier in the various Government hospitals in and near New York. This record has been of great service. Of the labor and attention bestowed upon it, and of the great faithfulness with which Mr. IIoLBROOK has discharged his duty, some estimate may be formed from the fact that it now contains the names, description and condition of soldiers of the following States, to wit : Maine 670 New Hampshire 369 Vermont 261 Massachusetts 1,249 Eliode Island Ill Connecticut 109 Indiana 245 Wisconsin . . 220 Minnesota 18 Total .... 3,301 A majority of these men have been supplied, while in hospital, by our agents, with means of communi- cation witli their friends, and with many comforts for which the Government can make no provision ; and when finally permitted to go home, they have been assisted by us to get there. In very many cases the friends of soldiers have been enabled to discover and attend to their wants only through the agency of our '"Hospital Ilecord.'' Transcripts of the Record are also sent from time to time, (it is intended to send 11 them weekly^) to the authorities of the States to which the men belong. Thus it appears that this Association has been tlie means of relieving, in the various ways above men- tioned, fourteen thousand seven liundred and forty eight siclv and wounded soldiers, belonging to twenty six States of the Union, the District of Columbia, the United States Kegulars, and the "Berdan Sharp- In addition to receiving and providing for disabled men in its rooms, the Association has found not the least of its labors and usefulness in superintending their transit through the city. The various routes of travel for the Eastern States, by land and water, cheerfully entered into arrangements with us, by which they furnish upon our certificate, transportation to such soldiers at government rates ; thus effecting a great saving to the discharged soldiers. All who are unable from debility or wounds, to take care of them- selves, are attended by the employees or nurses of the Association to the point of departure, and in many in- stances, have been accompanied and taken care of until deposited safely with friends at home. Since April 8, 1862, thirty -two deaths have occurred in the rooms of the Association, of soldiers from the States below named. They were all in the last stages of illness when we received them, and were only strivino; to reach their homes to die. Of these seven- teen were forwarded to their friends, and fifteen were buried in the Government burial plot at Cypress Hill Cemetery, Long Island. In every instance where it was possible to ascertain the address of friends, we have informed them, by letter or by telegraph, as the 12 case required, of the arrival and condition of men dangerously sick, of tlieir progress towards health, or their decease : state. No. of Deaths. Maine, 8 New Hampshire, 3 Vermont, 4 Massachusetts, 4 Rhode Ishmd, 2 Connecticut, 5 Pennsylvania, I Kew York, 1 Indiana 2 Michigan, 2 Total, 32 Those buried at Cypress Ilill Cemetery are interred under the charge of the undertaker employed by the United States, in separate graves, and under a perfect system of marking for identification. At first, funeral services were held in the Association Rooms over such as died here ; but it was soon found necessary to omit all ceremonies, on account of the bad effect pro- duced upon the sick; and the dead are now buried without ceremonies, but Avith all possible respect. Besides thus furnishing a home for these helpless, friendless, sick and wounded men, many of whom must otherwise have suffered greatly, or died from mere ina- bility to make their w\ants known to the community, the Association has been of immense service as a source of information, practical advice and assistance to soldiers and their friends. In this way alone it has 13 saved inuch more than tlie amount of money required to sustain it. In some days, hundreds of cases are disposed of, witliout expense to parties, by means of the varied information the Association has collected. It has also been the temporary depository of soldiers money (which would in all probability have been lost, stolen, or squandered recklessly in dissipation if left in the owner's possession while wandering about the city,) to the amount of one hundred and twenty- tliree thousand dollars. It has furnished to soldiers the means of communication with friends, as well from every hospital in the vicinity of JSTew York as from our own rooms ; giving to all wlio could not buy tliem, paper, envelopes, postage stamps, etc., to an al- most incredible amount — often as many as 175 letters per day have been written and mailed through our agency ; the ''postage stamp account" alone amounting to $522. Many discharged soldiers have left their papers in our care, and their pay has been collected and forwarded to them free of charge, thereby saving the great expense of w^aiting in the city to be paid off, or the extortions of the swarms of "claim and pay agents" that cluster around every unpaid soldier. The amount thus collected and transmitted is $15,200. This department is rapidly increasing, and is in a fair way to become an important branch of our business. In fact, there can hardly be suggested a possible mode in which an organization of this character could serve the soldier, which is not illustrated in the experience of this Association ; and those who have directed or assisted in its labors, can find in any one department abundant evidence that the Association has more than repaid its authors and supporters for their anxieties and expenditures of time and money. The expenses and disbursements for paper, post- 14 age, and for visiting II(>spitals in the vicinity of 'New York, have been charged to the account of the several States to which the soldiers so assisted belonged, and accounts have been rendered to all the States for such disbursements. Some States have already responded to the call, and we have every reason to anticipate speedy re-imbursement of all these outlays, and en- courai^ement to continue them. SABBATH SERVICES. Religious services are. regularly held in the Recep- tion Room on Sabbath afternoons, conducted by clergymen of every denomination in the city of New York, and by many army chaplains. These exercises are very interesting, and are well attended by citizens as well as soldiers. The Harmonic Society of this city has supplied excellent devotional music and ; through the instrumentality of one of its members we have been furnished by Messrs. Bernard and Fabre- guetts with a splendid "Alexandre" organ, which is used in tlie services. THE NIGHT AYATCHERS' ASSOCIATIOK When tlie rooms were first opened, competent and faithful volunteer nurses from the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee were readily secured to attend the patients during the day time; but the want of proper attend- ants during the night was easily felt and not easily supplied. Hired watchers could not insure experience and fidelity ; and all that careful nursing tlie ladies had accomplished during the day, was liable to l)e undone by blunders and neglect through the night. It was i>roposcd by the Su2)erintcndent, and se- 15 conded l)y the ladies, tluit the night service should be given np to young men whose character and motives should be a sufficient warrant of tlieir fidelity. Tlirougli the summer, without forming any regular association, young men attended in the sick ward as watchers, and met the entire confidence of tlie medical attendants, and added greatly to the comfort and welfare of the men. Early in the Fall an Association of these young men was formed, consisting of twenty-eight members, of which Mr. Luther M. Jones, is President. This Or- ganization has secured to us men of experience, who have tact and skill in dealing with sick men ; and wlio hold themselves and each other to a conscientious dis- charge of their duties, and make the service a matter of personal responsibility and sacrifice. Its officers preserve records of attendance and absence, and to prechide any failure of service, a weekly visiting com- mittee is appointed, who visit the rooms late in the evening, to see if the requisite number of watchers is present, and, if necessary, to stay themselves. The President of this most valuable and efficient body, in submitting his report says: "It will be pleasant for those who have friends there to be cared for, to know of the deep personal interest the young men often liave in those of whom they take care at night. There are doubtless many whose nights have become a weariness for their anxiety to be with their friends, who are suffering and need their care. To such it will be a comfort to know, that through the same still hours, patient eyes are watching, and strong, wil- ling hands are working to relieve and strengthen." To this every heart will respond gratefully and at once; and it is indeed a delightful duty to acknowledge the Christian fidelity and cheerfulness of this most ex- 16 celleiit organization, in a work at once bO essential and difficult. We have been especially fortunate in the selection of Samuel E. Low, Esq., as our Treasurer. His zeal and precision has given great character to the insti- tution, while it has been peculiarly acceptable to the Superintendent. There has been on the part of all the managers and committees of the Association a thorough attention to its aifairs. The interest manifested at tlie outset has been sustained and increased. From Colonel Joun II. Almy, Military Agent of the States of Connecticut and Khode Island, the Association is indebted for many attentions. Ilis valuable time and business at- tainments have always been at our service to the fullest extent, and have been availed of in numberless instances, to our very great advantage. To them, and to the Corresponding Secretary of the Association, Major William II. L. Barnes, who has been of material assistance in the preparation of this and other docu- ments relating to the Association, the Superintendent desires to make his grateful acknowledgements. There are many other persons who have made extra- ordinary exertions and most liberal contributions in aid of the Association, to whom it would be gratifying to refer in detail, if it were possil)le to do so without ex- tending the Ileport beyond all reasonable limits. The omission cannot be misunderstood, nor can its ne- cessity be regretted by any one more than by tlie undersigned. The administration of Dr. Everett Herrick, Kesi- dent Physician and Surgeon, has been characterized 17 by the liigliest medical and surgical skill ; and it is only just to liim to say that throughout his connection with us, he has exhibited the best qualities of a gen- tleman and physician, meriting and receiving the confidence and esteem of his patients and of the officers of the Association. The business department of the Association has been well conducted in every respect. The services of Major George Browne and the Messrs. Doavxing have been of great value. The books of accomit, Registers, Records, and papers of every description, are models of neatness and completeness, while the uni- form courtesy and patient attention of these gentlemen to all classes and ranks of visitors, alike in matters without as within the scope of their duties, deserve the especial recognition and thanks of the Association. Mrs. Russell, our matron, has had under her imme- diate charge, all the "housekeeping" affairs, and has discharged her onerous and trying duties not only to the satisfaction of the undersigned, but also to that of the Women 's Auxiliary Committee. It would be improper to close this Report without a reference to the labors performed by the " Women's Auxiliary Committee" of the Association, although it is utterly impossible to present anything like a just view of the patient, unwearied attention, the gentle charities and sympathies which have illustrated and beautified the experiences of every day. As through the loyal States everywhere, so here, the eternal tale of w^oman's tenderness and goodness, and self-abne- gation, displayed in a thousand ways, and falling like sunshine in these shady places of sorrow and pain, has been repeated over and over again. Tlieir never- failing presence, counsel and zealous care of every- 18 thing pertaining to the administration of the internal affairs of the Association liave rendered its efforts eco- nomical and discriminating, and many a home-sick, suftering soldier has found, throngh their ministrations, those sympathies and unselfish care which he believed he should find only in his distant home and among his kindred. Respectfully submitted, FRANK E. HOWE, Biijperintendent. New York, Doc. 19th, 18G2. COL. FRANK E. HOWE, Superintendent of New England Soldiers Relief Association, 194 Broadway, N. Y. Dear Sir : Permit me, in behalf of Governor Tod, to tender to you, and through you to the Association you re- present, many thanks for the kind care bestowed upon Ohio soldiers at your rooms, 104 Broadway. It has truly been a " Home" to them ; and as long as their sufferings on the battle field, their tedious marches and their rejoicings over victories are remembered and related to their children and friends, so long will our brave boys remember, with hearts welling up and overflowing with gratitude, the kind acts and words of the ladies and gentlemen in charge of the rooms on Broadway. Sick or wounded, discharged or furloughed, returning to duty, all have been made welcome at the rooms. In closing allow me to thank you for kind co-operation and assistance rendered me in my efforts to relieve our brave Ohio soldiers here. Wishing you, and the noble Association you represent, continued success and usefulness, I am your obedient servant, B. P. BAKER, Col. and A, D. C. and Military Agent for Ohio. New York, Dec. 19th, 18G2. COL. FRANK E. HOWE, Sicpcrinlendcnt of New Entjland Soldiers^ Relief Association, 194 Broadway, N. Y. Dear Sir : On behalf of the authorities and people of the States we represent, permit us to tender to you, and through you to the Association under your charge, many thanks for the kind care and attention bestowed upon our sick and wounded soldiers at the New England Rooms, 194 Broadway. Our soldiers will long remember with gratitude the many kind acts of the ladies and gentlemen in charge. Sick, wounded and discharged have all been received with equal kindness and attention. On the part of the brave soldiers and their friends of our own States, permit us to thank you. Hoping the noble efforts of your Association may meet with continued success, and add greatly, as heretofore, to the comforts of our brave men who have been willing to hazard all for their country, we are, Very respectfully, Your obedient servants, C. W. BURTON, Military Agent for Pennsylvania. DARIUS CLARK, Military Agent for Michigan. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 764 277 3