Before the war there was no general hos pital, only tent hospitals, the largest containing 40 beds. In July 1861 the commission suggested well-equipped general hospitals in pavilion form, and that these should be built under the direc tion of the Medical Department, which should also arrange for the transportation of the sick and wounded and attend to their diet. The relief system was divided into general and special relief, the first attending to the wants of the inmates of general, field and regimental hospitals, and of men in camp and on the march, the second cared for the sick and needy at military depots, discharged men, paroled pris oners and irregulars. The various agents of the commission were paid a moderate salary, it being found best not to rely upon volunteer agents. With each army was a medical in spector, relief agents, wagons and horses, trans ports if necessary and a supply depot at the base.
The special relief service cared for men on their way to and from the front, in 40 "Homes," "Rests" and "Lodges" at various points; acted i as attorneys in obtaining back pay and pensions; kept the inmates under surveillance that no danger might befall them; paid their way home when necessary, established feeding stations, where hot soup and coffee were always ready and cared for discharged prisoners at parole camps and the motley crowd of substitutes, stragglers, deserters, etc., at convalescent camps, affording comforts, information and opportuni ties to communicate with their families. The
Auxiliary Relief Corps, organized in 1864, cared for the wounded and sick sent to the depot field hospitals in the rear of large armies and also for those left behind by an army in its onward march. It furnished food, stimulants, under clothing and reading matter, communicated with the soldiers' friends, obtained express packages and provided in many instances burial. Other work was accomplished by the commission. Medical tracts, on subjects relating to army life, prepared by experts, were distributed to army surgeons. A Hospital Directory (main office in Washington, branches in other cities) was established, recording entrances, transfers and dismissals. In 1863 a "free pension and war claim agency" was founded. Over $2,500, 000 of back pay and pensions amounting to $7,500,000 were obtained for discharged soldiers, at a saving to the beneficiaries of thousands of dollars.
Valuable statistics were published in pamph let form, embracing the effects on soldiers of marches, the rate of recruiting required for the losses of war, measurements of soldiers, the number of sick in various regiments and the causes of sickness, etc. The success of the commission was due to the influence of popular ideas, American civilization and thorough or ganization, although it had much to contend with in the way of governmental red tape and deficiencies and the bad will of State agencies.