Part 44

To Santiago Shipments, 26 " Porto Rico " 10 " Camp Wikoff " 53 " " Thomas " 34 " " Alger " 7 " " Black " 5 " " Townsend " 1 " " Hobson " 1 " Jacksonville " 17 " Tampa " 9 Miami " 2 " Governor's Island " 14 " Bedloe's Island " 3 " Seavey's Island " 3 " Fort Wadsworth " 20 To Fortress Monroe " 5 " Fort Riley " 1 " Fort Hamilton " 18 " Fort McPherson " 4 " Quarantine " 5 " Bellevue Hospital " 6 " Roosevelt Hospital " 2 " Brooklyn Hospital " 3 " St. Peter's Hospital " 6 " St. Francis' Hospital " 2 " St. Catherine's Hospital " 2 " St. Joseph's Hospital " 4 " Yonkers Hospital " 4 " Mount Vernon Hospital " 4 " New Rochelle Hospital " 4 " Jamaica Hospital " 1 " Nassau Hospital " 4 " Long Island College Hospital " 6 " Long Island Red Cross Emergency Hospital " 22 " Stapleton Marine Hospital " 1 " U.S.S. "St Paul" " 1 " " "New Hampshire" " 1 " " "Nahant" " 1 " " "Harvard" " 1 " " "Kanawha" " 1 " " "Elfrida" " 1 " " "Vigilancia" " 1 " " "Supply" " 1 " Hospital Ship "Missouri" " 4 " " " "Relief" " 2 " "Red Cross" Yacht " 2 " 9th Regiment Armory " 7 " 8th " " " 4 " 71st " " " 1 " 13th " " " 2 " Convalescent Homes " 43 " Soldiers' Comfort Committees " 25 " Distribution to Soldiers at Supply Depot " 13 " Stephen E. Barton " 2 " Dr. B.B. Lanier, U.S.A. " 1 " Major Henry Page, U.S.V. " 1 " Mrs. L. Hutton, Athens, Ga. " 1 " Mrs. G.M. Moulton, Savannah " 1 " Mrs. F.M. Armstrong, Hampton, Va. " 1 ---- Total 427

EXTRACTS OF REPORTS FROM CAMPS.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA.

Field Agent, Rev. Alexander Kent.

Headquarters opened June 16, 1898. The hospital was found in a very distressing and unhealthful condition. Most of the patients were indeed on cots, but few had either sheets or night shirts to cover them! It was also found that the sick had no suitable food, and when the suitable food was provided it was found that there was no provision for preparing it!

The government provided many sheets, many cots, many pillows, but the demand ever outran the supply, and the Red Cross was called on continually to supply the lack.

The government made no provision for ice, milk, eggs, lemons, malted milk, peptonoids, clam bouillon, beef extracts and delicacies of all kinds until after the first of September, when each patient was allowed sixty cents a day. All supplies of this sort were furnished by the Red Cross, or by the beneficient agencies.

At the Second Division Hospital the Red Cross paid for a bath house, kitchen and large circular tent for convalescents--100 cots, mattresses and 1000 pillows. Sheets, pillow cases, night shirts, pajamas and towels were sent by the thousand.

The Red Cross furnished over $1000 worth of medicines not on the government list, over 1000 bath and surgical sponges, 50 ice chests, over 700 buckets, tumblers by the barrel, medicine glasses, ice bags, hypodermic syringes, etc.

Over $1300 was spent for hospital equipment and supplies of various kinds; in addition to this, large shipments were received from New York.

An important part of the work in this camp was the supplying of ice for the purpose of cooling the drinking water. The cost of this ice, $6000, was met by Auxiliary No. 10.

The milk bills averaged $500 a week.

When the Recuperating Hospital was opened at Pablo Beach, the Red Cross, at the request of the chief surgeon, supplied 250 sets of dishes, with a complete outfit of pitchers, trays, buckets, etc.

The several heads of divisional hospitals have said to the agent again and again, "The hospitals never could have equipped themselves. They would have broken down utterly without the aid of the Red Cross."

CAMP THOMAS, CHICKAMAUGA, GA.

Field Agent, E.C. Smith.

"No array of mere numerals written to express dollars, or tables of figures standing for quantities, could, in comprehensive sense, tell the story of the Red Cross work at Chickamauga in 1898. The record is written indelibly in the hearts of thousands of soldiers who were stricken with disease on this battlefield, and the story has been told at quiet firesides in every State of the Union." Here in Chickamauga men fell from the ranks day after day, and were carried helpless to the regimental, division, corps and general hospitals, stricken by an unseen foe. It was at these hospitals that the Red Cross sent supplies of all kinds, medical and surgical, clothing, bedding, delicacies, etc. The agent, Mr. Smith, was told to supply everything needed, regardless of cost. Milk and ice were the chief requisites, and all the surrounding farming country was called upon to supply the milk, some of it coming as far as Biltmore, N.C. The agent ascertained the necessities of the sick through the best official sources, and without delay the necessities were supplied.

Mr. Smith was stricken at his post with typhoid, but is now convalescent.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Headquarters for Camp Alger, Point Sheridan, Va., Washington Barracks Post Hospital, Camp Bristow, Fort Meyer, Fortress Monroe. B.H. Warner, Agent and Chairman Executive Committee of Red Cross at Washington.

By this branch of the Red Cross a large part of the work in camps was undertaken. A meeting was called on June 21, at which a large number of citizens met, and an Executive Committee was formed to carry on the relief work at these different posts.

Captain George C. Lewis was the representative of the committee at Camp Alger. He was constantly on duty there, seeing that supplies were furnished and all possible relief extended--mattresses, pillows, sheets, pillow cases, mosquito bars, night shirts, pajamas, handkerchiefs, underclothing, medicines, groceries and delicacies were supplied in large quantities to this camp.

Point Sheridan was visited by Mrs. Mussey, a member of the Committee. It was found that they were suffering for supplies of all kinds, but especially for medicines, which had been ordered a month before, but had not been received. Proper medicines were delivered by the Red Cross within twenty-four hours, and other necessities were supplied, large shipments being also sent from New York.

When the Washington Barracks was made a post hospital, the Red Cross supplied daily 800 pounds of ice, 5 gallons chicken soup, 30 gallons of milk, 20 pounds of butter and 2 crates of eggs weekly. Also furnished 1200 suits underwear, several hundred suits of pajamas, several hundred pairs socks, and slippers, 500 towels, medicines, antiseptic dressings, etc. The work at this point closed October 8.

The Secretary of War gave authority for the establishment of diet kitchens, in the camps near Washington, and Mrs. Mussey was given general charge of this special work. A diet kitchen was established at Camp Bristow, one at the hospital at the Washington Barracks and at Fort Meyer.

The government had voluntarily paid for meat, chicken and milk, leaving the committee only bills for groceries and wages of employees.

Dr. Green rendered such efficient service that she has been employed by the government to establish diet kitchens at other points.

"Physicians, nurses and patients unite in saying the aid they secured from the work was of inestimable value."

To Fortress Monroe supplies were sent one day after they were called for, consisting in part of 500 suits pajamas, 25 pairs crutches, 200 pairs slippers, 350 yards rubber sheeting, large quantities antiseptic dressings, 60 gallons whiskey and brandy, 200 cans soups, basins, pitchers, dishes, etc.

Arrangements were also made at this point for supplying ice for the use of the troops on board the transports going South, and also for the sick on their journey North.

The branch of work undertaken by this committee, which was the most difficult to conduct, was in looking after the sick soldiers who passed through the city. Soldiers from almost forty different regiments were fed and cared for when ill. In all, about 40,000 men. The War Department paid for the bread used in this branch of the work. All bills for ice, and ice chests provided by this committee, were paid for by Auxiliary No. 10.

"It is gratifying to be able to state that whatever view the surgeons and other officers may have had as to the need of the Red Cross at the beginning of the war, at the close they joined with the private soldier in testifying to its wonderful and efficient work."

YACHT "RED CROSS."

The yacht "Red Cross" was bought by the Relief Committee, to be used by Miss Barton as headquarters during her stay in Cuba. The yacht sailed from New York for Key West on June 30, laden with twenty-five tons of surgical and medical supplies, and with five doctors, arriving at Key West on July 10. From Key West the yacht sailed for Santiago on July 16. She ran into a storm, and was so badly damaged she had to put back to Key West for repairs. It was found impossible to repair her there, so the medical supplies were transferred to a transport sailing for Cuba, and the "Red Cross" returned to New York, arriving August 4.

In three or four days she was in order again, and took on board a cargo of supplies for Camp Wikoff. She was then offered to the government to transfer patients from the general hospitals at Camp Wikoff to the hospitals in New York, New Haven, and adjacent cities, where the soldiers could receive better shelter and care. The yacht was comfortably fitted out, and made twenty-eight trips, carrying in all 449 sick men. During these trips she carried a doctor and three trained nurses to care for the sick, and often the relatives and friends of the soldiers were allowed to accompany those whom they had been to find at Camp Wikoff.

CAMP WIKOFF, MONTAUK POINT, L.I.

Field Agent, Mr. Howard Townsend.

It is difficult indeed, in giving extracts of this report, to present any idea of the great work accomplished here. Mr. Townsend visited the camp on August 8, and, after returning to New York to report to the Relief Committee, went to Montauk on the 10th to open "headquarters." The first, and in some respects the most important work was the delivery of a daily supply of water for the troops. Ten thousand gallons of hygeia water were delivered to the government, and four tank cars were brought daily from Jamaica with fresh spring water. This work ceased when the great well was finished. To the general hospital such supplies were furnished as were rendered necessary by the confusion and hurry of the first weeks, indeed a large part of the articles necessary for a hospital were placed in the wards a few hours after the need was discovered.

We supplied but few delicacies to the hospital after it was in running order. Oranges and lemons, were, however, supplied at the rate of 1000 a day, and 200 gallons of milk were furnished, until, by order of Secretary Alger, the government furnished 2000 gallons of milk a day to the hospitals and troops. The detention hospital we also kept abundantly supplied with delicacies, and often with necessities.

The regimental hospitals were found to be in great need of equipment and food suitable for the sick, and to this part of the work Dr. Geo. E. Brewer and Mr. Samuel Parrish devoted themselves, making daily visits to the regiments, and assisting the regimental surgeons in their discouraging work.

Auxiliary No. 3 sent a dietary expert, Mrs. Willard, to the camp to establish diet kitchens, and with the aid of Mr. Prescott, of the Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Society they were established in connection with the various hospitals, and such satisfactory results were worked out that the government agreed to pay all the expenses.

The feeding of all the sick and half-starved men who arrived from Cuba on the transports was undertaken by Dr. and Mrs. Valentine Mott, while Dr. Magruder, chief quarantine officer, exerted himself admirably in Red Cross work, carrying continually stores of Red Cross delicacies to those ships which were in quarantine and suffering for lack of food.

At the railroad station, the men leaving on sick furlough frequently collapsed, and here the government erected two tents for the Red Cross, and Miss Martha L. Draper was asked to take charge. The men were fed with milk, and when necessary given a few ounces of whiskey to enable them to continue their journey. Those who were unable to take the train were kept in the tents over night, which sheltered at times as many as twenty sick men!

A great effort was made to answer all the inquiries from relatives of the missing soldiers. Few can realize the number of letters and telegrams received each day from all parts of the country.

"Owing to the recognition given to the Red Cross agent by Major-General Young when the camp was first begun, the Red Cross was able to enter into a far broader sphere of usefulness than would otherwise have been possible."

The following list is given of articles furnished by the Red Cross, to show in what quantities the supplies were used:

Equipped cots 1,523 Suits underwear 4,948 Pairs of socks 4,322 Night shirts 4,322 Pajamas 4,733 Comfort bags 1,511 Sheets 2,471 Pillow cases 2,536 Handkerchiefs 10,946 Pairs of slippers 2,423 Towels 6,554 Pillows 800 Blankets 929 Cocoa 1,440 Soups (cans) 10,344 Lactated food (bottles) 3,456 Beef extract 1,224

In all, 178 different articles were furnished, and many of them in as large, some in even larger numbers than these given.

RED CROSS RELIEF STATION, LONG ISLAND CITY.

Mrs. Hammond in charge.

The Red Cross Relief Station was opened on August 29th. The building which was directly opposite the railroad station, and in every way most admirably adapted to the work, was offered to the Society by Patrick J. Gleason, ex-Mayor of Long Island City. On the second and third floors of this building, cots were erected, diet kitchens were started, a corps of servants employed, and in a day or two everything was in readiness. All the trains arriving from Montauk were met and the men assisted to the Red Cross Relief Station, where they were all fed. Many men were too ill to continue on their journey and were kept at the "Emergency Hospital," or sent to hospitals in New York and Brooklyn. The work, in a day or two, assumed such large proportions that cots were erected on the first floor, and the Information and Business offices were in a tent in front of the building. Even this proved inadequate, and fifteen tents were erected, each holding six cots.

Competent trained nurses were on duty, supplied by Auxiliary No. 3.

Two ambulances were supplied by Auxiliary No 1.

Clothing and delicacies of all kinds were dispensed in large quantities.

Over fourteen thousand men were fed, and about $7000 was spent in carrying on this work.

From the reports of the physicians in charge we can safely say that for the first two weeks 75 per cent of all that came in were sick, needing care and medical attention, the third week about 50 per cent, and the fourth week about 25 per cent.

It was due to the untiring enthusiasm of the women interested in the relief work that the society was able to carry it on so successfully.

THE WOMAN'S AUXILIARIES OF THE RED CROSS.

By special authority from the American National Red Cross, these auxiliaries were organized under the auspices of the Relief Committee in New York, acting in conjunction with the Executive Committee of the Red Cross. Therefore, full reports of what they have accomplished have not been sent direct to the national headquarters. Among the woman's auxiliaries it was the custom for each to organize for some special work, and devote their entire attention to it. It is a pleasure to be able to insert here, as an example of the manner in which these loyal women did their part in the work of war relief, the following from the report of Auxiliary No. 3, organized for the maintenance of trained nurses:

FROM THE REPORT OF RED CROSS AUXILIARY NO. 3.

At the request of the Women's Committee on Auxiliaries, this auxiliary was organized on May 18, 1898, to provide funds for the maintenance of trained nurses. It was the original intention that these nurses should be placed on a hospital ship to be furnished by the National Relief Committee. It was not long, however, before this plan of specialized work was abandoned by the Relief Committee, and the Executive Committee of the auxiliary adapted itself to the change, by using its funds and devoting its energies in supplying and maintaining trained nurses in army hospitals, where, owing to the suddenness and greatness of the emergency, the supply and maintenance of an adequate number of nurses were not in the government's power. This form of work was begun early in July, and on the 19th of that month was, with the concurrence of the Relief Committee, finally adopted as the chief purpose of the auxiliary. It is hoped that some estimate of the success achieved may be gained from this report.

Immediately on its organization, the important work of raising money was undertaken, systematic efforts were made to reach subscribers, associate members were enlisted, circulars were sent out, and personal appeals were made. From Paris alone, by the generosity of French and American friends, more than $21,000 was received. Suburban branches were also established, which, under the direction of separate committees, labored earnestly and contributed largely, both in money and in supplies. The chief of these branches were at Seabright, Elberon, Navesink, Orange, New Hamburg, Tuxedo, Tarrytown, Northern Westchester County, Riverdale, Rye and Harrison, White Plains, Lake George, St. Hubert's Inn, Lenox, Wakefield and Narragansett and Bar Harbor. The Executive Committee met frequently to consider this question of ways and means, and the assistant treasurer, Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies, was soon able to report a generous response. As shown by her account, the sum of $107,785.12 has in all been collected, of which $72,101.64 has already been expended. Without this hearty support from the friends of the cause, the good accomplished by the auxiliary would have been sadly restricted. Indeed, when the critical time of arranging coöperation with the government came, we might never have felt justified in undertaking such a responsibility, had our actual contributions not been so large, and the assurance of further financial support so definite.

On June 30 the first call for nurses came in the shape of a telegraphic dispatch from Santiago, sent by Dr. A. Monae Lesser, chief surgeon of the American National Red Cross Society. Two days later, in compliance with this dispatch, a party consisting of twelve trained nurses, one immune nurse, and one assistant, was sent from New York to Tampa in charge of Miss Laura D. Gill, with orders to proceed to Santiago at the first opportunity. This party was reinforced by a second, consisting of three physicians and eleven nurses, who left New York on July 4 in charge of Miss Isabel Rutty. A third party of two physicians, thirty-two nurses, and six orderlies was sent forward the same week, and reached Tampa on the evening of July 9. The first available steamer for Santiago was the U.S. transport "Lampasas," which was taking out Col. Black and his engineering corps, and through the kindness of General Coppinger and Col. Edmond Rice, five physicians, twenty-nine nurses, and two orderlies were given transportation upon that ship.

The "Lampasas" reached Santiago just after its surrender, but owing to the recent outbreak of yellow fever in the city, a strict quarantine had been established, and none but immunes were permitted to go ashore. The steamer thereupon proceeded to Porto Rico, and on reaching the harbor of Guanica was converted into a hospital ship. The plan of landing the nurses was abandoned, and they immediately devoted themselves to the care of the 112 soldiers, most of them typhoid fever patients, for whom accommodation was provided on the vessel. Two of these patients died at Guanica, two at Ponce, and four on the homeward voyage. The remaining 104 were safely landed at Fort Monroe early in August. Miss Mary E. Gladwin, who was with the party, spoke for all the nurses when she said that this "Lampasas" trip was the opportunity of a lifetime, and that the two weeks of absorbing work "were worth years of ordinary living."

In the meantime the rest of our party at Tampa had embarked on another government transport, the "Nueces," also bound for Santiago. But within a few hours after the "Lampasas" left the dock at Tampa, and before the "Nueces" could get away, a telegram was received telling of the outbreak of yellow fever in Cuba. By direction of the government, all of our party, except one trained nurse and four assistants, were thereupon removed from the "Nueces," and left in Tampa to await further developments. The five excepted members of the party proceeded to Cuba, and some time afterwards returned to New York in attendance upon the patients who were brought home on the steamer "Concho."