number of sick or convalescents for whom the goods were desired, and
informed that our provisions were specifically for these classes. The
amount bestowed was in view of the number of sick thus reported. Then on
a sheet of paper headed by the date of application all articles were
recorded, checked off when taken, and the signature of the officer
applying was affixed. Then my official stamp as field agent was affixed,
and the paper put on file as a voucher. All goods received by steamer
came into the office under my personal supervision, and with very few
necessary exceptions none went out without it.
On September 4 the office work of the Red Cross in Porto Rico was
inaugurated with five representative issues of stores, which became
matter of record. As the later files show, the number rapidly multiplied
and the office work was increased by a constant procession of single
applicants for small things. A dose of medicine, a pencil, an abdominal
band, a comfort bag, something to read, a pair of stockings, a
handkerchief, a towel--a little stationery--such applications alone made
work enough for one man, and one had to be secured, Corporal Patrick
Syron, who was detailed from the First Engineers, and whose help was
invaluable.
As the work was increasing very rapidly, and appeals pouring in from all
the camps and hospitals, the executive committee sent as my assistant
General W.T. Bennett, who arrived September 7 on the "Seneca," which
also brought a fresh and valuable cargo of stores. Having like myself
had army experience in the Civil War, General Bennett easily grasped the
situation, and while I attended specially to the distribution of goods
at the office, he gave efficient help in managing the outside relations
of the work, made doubly exacting by the necessity of lightering off
all goods from ships, and transferring them by native porters to the
headquarters, amidst piles of army stores, and a horde of omnipresent
and vigilant thieves. Any lull in the office work was improved in
visiting hospitals and camps, and noting how goods were received and
distributed. By frequent consultation of the official figures, at the
chief surgeon's office, of the sick rate at all military stations on the
island, it was possible to judge correctly concerning the neediest
places for sending relief, and also to judge the merits of applications.
The extraordinary amount of typhoid fever and intestinal diseases among
the troops was the object of thoughtful attention. Several native
physicians and army surgeons were solicited to write their diagnosis and
treatment of these diseases, in the hope that their combined testimony
may furnish valuable data for guidance of physicians and surgeons who
may have charge of our troops here in the future.
On October 6, Mr. Monroe Scott, arrived from New York on the steamship
"Chester," to be second assistant in our work. He was desirous of giving
personal service to the sick, as he had just came from such work in the
Northern army hospitals. But the needs at the various hospitals in Porto
Rico were being so fully met that he gave his attention to the varied
demands at the office, where his courteous manner and efficiency in
detail were highly appreciated. Two ambulances were sent to Ponce in
September. They proved of great value in emergency cases requiring quick
transportation to and from the hospitals, and in conveying our goods for
short distances. It must be admitted, however, that they proved also a
delicate responsibility, as everybody seemed to regard them as free
pleasure coaches in which the Red Cross was eager to take the town to
ride.
A daily care was to note all incoming steamers, to board them to inquire
for Red Cross supplies, also to note all departing steamers and provide
that all sick and convalescents had Red Cross goods enough to insure
their comfort for the homeward voyage. The chief surgeons were appealed
to and asked not to allow any detachment of sick men to go home without
previously notifying us, so that we might provide for their nutriment in
supplement to that provided by the Government. It is proper to add that
the surgeons going home in charge of the sick on ships were all
attentive to their duty in securing Red Cross supplies for their
patients. Twelve shipments were made for transports carrying home the
sick.
One of the duties of the office was to give first aid to the sick and
injured. Hardly a day passed without our giving many prescriptions of
medicine to soldiers for intestinal troubles, or first dressing to men
injured on the pier or on shipboard. We carefully gave antiseptic
dressing and bound up gashed heads and limbs, and tenderly conveyed the
unfortunates to the proper hospitals or to their homes or ships.
In September on order from New York, we began to furnish ice to
hospitals not already supplied. We purchased machine-made ice at the
heavy cost of forty pesos a ton, and had arranged with the hospitals of
Coamo and Guayama, the only ones not supplied, to send wagons weekly for
a load. For this work we were about to establish an ice-storage plant,
when a large cargo furnished by the Government arrived, and although
about one hundred tons soon after came from New York, consigned to the
Red Cross, it was not needed, nor an ice-house for storage, as the
government supply was freely furnished to all in need, and was so large
as to last till the Red Cross ice, though carefully stored in a covered
lighter, had entirely melted. Had the Government not made this
provision, a free grant of site, lumber and labor for an ice plant
already secured, would have been utilized. The same cablegram
authorizing an ice supply also authorized the supply of milk as needed.
On inquiry it was found that all of the hospitals were already well
provided with this article. In case of the hospital for the First
Engineers, however, the ingenious surgeon, Dr. Proben, had opened
negotiations for a cow, and we promptly insisted on paying for it, but
were allowed to pledge only one-half its cost, which we most cheerfully
did.
Twelve hospital tents, 14x14 feet each, were furnished by the Red Cross,
of which one was loaned to the Engineers' hospital, one to the Sixth
Massachusetts hospital, and ten were located, under medical supervision,
beneath a row of cocoanut trees, for the accommodation of convalescents
awaiting transportation. A suitable trench was dug, flooring put in all
the tents by the engineers, and straw was furnished for bedding by the
quartermaster. This camp was named "Camp Barton."
Some of the incidental work of the Red Cross was to answer letters of
inquiry concerning missing soldiers; to guide numerous strangers
arriving at the port; to get stragglers of the army into their proper
quarters; to help soldiers in various conditions of distress; always to
be ready with a kind look and friendly hand, as proper representatives
of a generous public, desiring to show full appreciation of these who
upheld the nation's honor with the offering of their lives. Every man on
the staff of the Red Cross in Porto Rico, could he have embodied his
real preferences, would have spent his whole time personally with the
boys in their tents or hospitals. It was a real regret to us all that
from early morning until dark we had to be hard at work, with few
exceptions, in dealing out stores and attending to duties at
headquarters.
But as we were serving, not a campaigning army, but garrisons after
hostilities had ceased, and the supply of surgeons and nurses was ample,
there was no need of personal field service on our part. A tribute of
respect and praise is demanded in honor of the army officials of Porto
Rico, especially those of the southern district, so wisely administered
by General Guy V. Henry, now Governor of Porto Rico. The different
departments were ably conducted. Their relations were entirely cordial.
The difficult problems presenting themselves were handled in a manful
way.
The Red Cross carefully avoided the role of critic or censor, and sought
to conform to the wishes of commanders and surgeons, while watchfully
providing for the needs of the sick, as ascertained by independent
investigation. It never had occasion to make a protest, nor acted as a
meddler, but attended strictly to its own business, and kept in its own
place as an army auxiliary, and servant of the sick. Hence from the
first of its work the military, naval, surgical, medical, commissary and
quartermaster's departments treated it as a part of their own common
fraternity, freely granting all its requests, subjecting it to no
restrictions, and cordially accepting and forwarding its beneficent
operations. We received every advantage gratuitously. Not in a single
instance were our requests denied. By this cordial understanding many
hundreds of dollars of expense were saved to the Red Cross.
Indications of the heavy sick rate in the army of Porto Rico may be
found in the following data, gathered at the time from official sources:
In August the surgeon in charge at Mayaguez reported that fully 7.5 per
cent of the troops stationed there were sick in hospitals, or in
quarters, or unfit for duty. September 10 there were in the district of
Ponce over 1400 sick, including 350 typhoid cases, 600 malarial, 350
intestinal diseases. September 20 the official report shows 750 sick in
Ponce, 799 in Coamo, 336 in Mayaguez, 264 in Utuado, 22 in Guanica, and
328 in Guayama. September 28th the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Infantry, at
Coamo, reported 625 sick. One company had no officers on duty, all
being sick. October 3 there were 125 sick in Ponce, 60 in Guayama, 65 in
Utuado, 40 in Mayaguez, and 491 at Coamo. Total in these places, 781.
This great reduction in the number of reported sick was due to large
shipments of patients to the States. October 20 there were 747 sick in
the general hospital in Ponce, 120 in that at Mayaguez, and 125 in that
at Guayama.
On November 10, 603 men were reported sick in the district of Ponce. The
data above given will best be understood if it is remembered that they
comprise for the most part only hospital inmates. The sick in quarters
were not generally reported, though they fully equaled in number those
in hospitals. Again it should be remembered that those unfit for duty
equaled in number both of the other two classes. In brief, during
September, October and November, not more than one-half of the army was
available for duty. In September a captain of engineers informed me that
in the morning he had only four men report for duty.
Several obvious causes operated to produce the great sick rate. The
effects of exposures and hardships before reaching Porto Rico, the
nature of the food, malarious influences, native fruits, the heavy
rains, and the excessive heat, were potent factors in producing the
general illness. There was no invigoration in the atmosphere, its heat
and humidity being very depressing, and not allowing rapid recovery
after prostration. Almost every man lost heavily in weight, the amounts
varying from twenty-five to one hundred pounds. This was true even of
those who were extremely careful of their diet and habits. During
September and October a register of temperatures, kept by Dr. Charles I.
Proben, surgeon of the First Engineers, showed an average daily
temperature of 82.52° Fahrenheit, and in October 80.136° Fahrenheit.
These figures give little suggestion of what the soldiers had to endure,
as for instance, September 20 the mercury stood 96° in the shade at
midday, and 113° in the sun. October 3 the mercury stood at 92° at
midday. These health conditions made every American in Porto Rico a
fitting subject for relief, but Red Cross supplies were limited as far
as practicable to the sick and convalescent.
The extent and direction of our Red Cross work are indicated below:
Number of issues to twenty-four army hospitals 150
Number of issues to United States transports returning North
with sick 12
Number of issues to Infantry, regiments and detachments 101
Number of issues to Artillery batteries 24
Number of issues to Cavalry troops 6
Number of issues to Officers' messes 8
Number of issues to Miscellaneous parties 61
----
Total issues 362
These issues were all recorded, and vouchers filed. The number of issues
to single applicants for their own immediate use, mostly private
soldiers, were over 1200. Prescriptions of medicine to sick soldiers,
applying at the office, about 300. Wounds dressed at office, in first
aid to wounded men, about 30. Sick carried in ambulances of Red Cross,
50.
The camps and hospitals served by the Red Cross were scattered all over
the island, some accessible only through difficult mountain passes, bad
roads, or by long sea voyages, necessitating weekly consultation of the
chief surgeons, sick reports from all military stations, and careful
study of the best routes and means of transportation.
Three months' experience lead one to say that if a man knows how to keep
a hotel, run a restaurant, and a refreshment stand; if he be a good
grocer, dry goodsman, apothecary, financier, accountant, doctor, and
linguist; if he have the strength of a Samson, the patience of a Job,
and the cheerfulness of the morning lark; if he have the power to see
much and say little, to sweat and not swear, to behold limitless
suffering and be fair to all; if he is pachydermous to the shafts of
criticism, diplomat enough to secure universal favor, and worthy to hold
it by solid merit, let him try a Field Agency of the Red Cross with
confidence, for in such service he will need all of these qualities in
abundance. And yet, in the midst of it all, he will daily hear the
sweetest words of gratitude, and feel that he is doing the most
self-rewarding work of his whole life.
SHIPMENTS BY TRANSPORTS.
By the courtesy of the War Department, the Executive Committee were
enabled to make several shipments, both to Cuba and to Porto Rico, on
the United States transports. With the exception of the first cargo by
the "Port Victor," the larger part of these supplies which should
properly have been consigned to the Red Cross at the front, were sent
direct to the commanding officers, or to the officers of the medical
department of the army, upon request. The consignment of the "Port
Victor," although received by the Red Cross and forwarded to Gibra for
distribution, was afterward taken by an officer of the U.S. army without
permission. Among the shipments were:
"Port Victor," July 10, to Santiago, 800 tons general provisions and
medical supplies.
"New Hampshire," July 15, to Santiago, 25 tons groceries and
hospital supplies.
"Olivette," July 18, to Santiago, clothing and delicacies.
"Resolute," July 19, to Santiago, general supplies and clothing.
Value, $2000.
"Missouri," July 19, to Santiago, clothing, laundry plant, ice
plant, cots and delicacies.
"Seneca," July 21, to Santiago, clothing for 50 men.
"Kanawa," July 22, to Santiago, 10 cases of supplies.
"Concho," August 1, to Santiago, supplies for 200 men.
"Breakwater," August 6, to Santiago, 10 cases general supplies.
"Harvard," August 5, to Santiago, 16 cases groceries and clothes.
"Altai," August 5, to Santiago, 96 cases delicacies and clothing.
"Seguranca," August 20, to Santiago, 113 cases provisions and soups.
"Port Victor," October 7, to Santiago, 115 tons of ice, 50 equipped
cots.
"Concho," August 13, to Porto Rico, 900 cases general provisions and
50 equipped cots.
"Yucatan," September 7, to Porto Rico, 545 cases general provisions
and medical supplies.
"Obdam," September 14, to Porto Rico, 387 cases assorted provisions
and 2 ambulances.
"Chester," September 27, to Porto Rico, 406 cases assorted supplies.
"Missouri," September 19, to Porto Rico, 60 cases general supplies.
"Berlin," September 20, to Porto Rico, 20 barrels ginger ale.
"Port Victor," October 7, to Porto Rico, 115 tons of ice and 50
equipped cots, duplicate of shipment to Santiago.
"Panama," October 12, to Porto Rico, 300 cases of groceries and
clothing, 50 equipped cots and 101 cases medicine for General
Wood at Santiago.
Since their appointment by the President of the United States, the
Central Cuban Relief Committee have been busily engaged in carrying on
the great work entrusted to them by the government. In addition to the
smaller consignments of materials sent for distribution to the relief
stations in Cuba and on the Florida coast, they have expended in the
purchase and forwarding of larger shipments of relief, over two hundred
thousand dollars, and have collected in money and supplies nearly half a
million. The latest important shipment was sent by the steamer "City of
San Antonio," consisting of an assorted cargo of about 700 tons, which
was landed at the port of Matanzas, and distributed by the
representatives of the Red Cross in charge of the vessel.
THE AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS RELIEF COMMITTEE OF NEW YORK.
The origin of this great volunteer emergency committee has already been
explained in these pages. But the story of their wonderful work can
never be fully told. With their co-operation much suffering has been
prevented or relieved, and many lives have been saved; through the
ministrations made possible by their efforts, the humblest private in
the ranks now realizes that "the great heart of the nation will not let
the soldier die." No words can express the gratitude of the Red Cross
for their powerful assistance. Faithful, earnest and efficient, they
have labored incessantly through the campaign, and now at the close they
make the following short but eloquent report:
REPORT OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEE.
_Organized May 3, 1898._
_Officers._--Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D.D., chairman; Alexander E. Orr,
vice-chairman; William T. Wardwell, vice-chairman; John P. Faure,
Secretary; Frederick D. Tappen, treasurer; Samuel Woolverton, assistant
treasurer.
_Members._--Dr. Felix Adler, Bishop Edward G. Andrews, August Belmont,
Joseph H. Choate, William P. Clyde, John D. Crimmins, Chauncey M. Depew,
Cleveland H. Dodge, John P. Faure, Edwin Gould, Clement A. Griscom, Jr.,
John S. Huyler, Morris K. Jesup, Edwin Langdon, Dr. A.M. Lesser, William
G. Low, Rev. Sylvester Malone, J. Pierpont Morgan, Levi P. Morton,
Alexander E. Orr, Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D.D., LL.D., Percy R. Pyne,
Douglas Robinson, John D. Rockefeller, Jacob H. Schiff, Gustav H.
Schwab, Charles Stewart Smith, Dr. George F. Shrady, James Speyer,
William R. Stewart, A.S. Solomons, Frederick D. Tappen, Howard Townsend,
Dr. T. Gaillard Thomas, William T. Wardwell.
_Executive Committee._--William T. Wardwell, chairman; John P. Faure,
secretary; Levi P. Morton, Frederick D. Tappen, George F. Shrady, M.D.,
William G. Low, Gustav H. Schwab, Cleveland H. Dodge, A.S. Solomons,
Douglas Robinson, Howard Townsend, A. Monae Lesser, M.D.; Rt. Rev. Henry
C. Potter, D.D., LL.D., ex-officio; Alexander E. Orr, ex-officio.
_Finance Committee._--J. Pierpont Morgan, chairman; Frederick D. Tappen,
vice-chairman; August Belmont, James Speyer, Gustav H. Schwab, Edwin
Langdon, Levi P. Morton.
_Committee on Yacht "Red Cross."_--William T. Wardwell, Gustav H.
Schwab, Alexander E. Orr.
_Supply Committee._--Cleveland H. Dodge, chairman; Mrs. W.S. Cowles,
Mrs. John Lyon Gardiner, John S. Huyler, Percy R. Pyne, George F.
Shrady, M.D., A.S. Solomons, Howard Townsend; Miss Helen Fidelia
Hoffman, secretary; F.C. Garmany, purchasing agent.
_Medical Advisory Board._--Wm. H. Draper, M.D., chairman; Andrew J.
McCosh, M.D., secretary; Francis P. Kinnicutt, M.D., Francis Delafield,
M.D., John S. Billings, M.D., Edward G. Janeway, M.D., Charles McBurney,
M.D., Richard H. Derby, M.D.
TREASURER'S REPORT
_And Analysis of Expenditures, May 9 to December 1, 1898._
Total receipts $305,229 66
Office supplies $ 5,117 89
Food supplies, groceries, milk, fruit, etc. 46,067 95
Cots and equipments 24,946 09
Medical supplies, wines, liquors, etc. 11,357 33
Clothing and dry goods 1,413 61
Miscellaneous supplies 16,051 14
Account nurses 17,718 24
Ambulances and mules 7,782 56
Ice 27,666 14
Yacht "Red Cross" and maintenance 54,057 16
Cash to General Committee, account of camps 59,913 02
Laundry plant 1,230 10
Freight, express charges, towing,
transportation, etc. 4,283 05 277,604 28
-------- ----------
Balance on hand $27,625 38
_Woman's Committee on Auxiliaries._--Mrs. John Lyon Gardiner,
chairman; Mrs. Paul Dana, secretary; Miss Martha L. Draper,
treasurer; Mrs. Butler Duncan, Mrs. James W. Gerard, Mrs. Bettina
Hofker Lesser, Mrs. J. Pierpont Morgan, Dr. Lucy Hall Brown, Mrs.
W.S. Cowles, Mrs. Winthrop Cowdin, Mrs. Levi P. Morton, Mrs. Henry
C. Potter, Mrs. G.F. Shrady.
By a resolution of the Executive Committee the above ladies were
appointed a Woman's Committee on Auxiliaries, charged with the duty of
organizing auxiliary committees throughout the United States, to assist
in Red Cross work. This committee met for the first time on May 12, and
it was decided to interest, by personal effort and correspondence, the
people of the country in serving the sick and wounded soldiers and
sailors during the war without regard to nationality, in accordance with
the rules of the Conference of Geneva.
From its inaugural meeting on May 12 until the present date the Woman's
Committee has authorized the organization of ninety-two auxiliaries,
many of these with numerous sub-auxiliaries, thus spreading the work
throughout the country from Maine to the Rocky Mountains, the western
limit of the work of the Relief Committee.
THE FOLLOWING AUXILIARIES WERE ORGANIZED:
No. of
No. Name. Place. President. Sub-Aux.