Equip. Society New York Mrs. W.S. Cowles 3
2 Women's Confer. Soc. " " Mrs. Henry Ollesheimer.
of Ethical Culture
3 Maintenance of
Trained Nurses " " Mrs. James Speyer. 15
4 Yonkers, N.Y. Mrs. William Sharman.
5 Metcalf-Bliss Hospital Mrs. William 16
Cot Equipment New York Metcalf-Bliss.
6 Columbia University " " Mrs. Seth Low.
7 N.Y. City Ch. D.A.R. " " Mrs. Donald McLean.
8 Council of Jewish " " Mrs. Cyrus L. Sulzberger.
Women
9 Hartford Wom. Aux. Hartford, Conn Mrs. F.W. Cheney. 9
10 Ice Plant Auxiliary New York Miss Julia L. Delafield.
11 Norwalk, Conn. Mrs. Jennings.
12 Soldiers' Field New York Miss E.C. Hebert.
Hosp.
13 Mohegan Ch. D.A.R. Sing Sing, N.Y. Mrs. Annie Van 8
Rensselaer Wells.
14 Morristown, N.J. Miss Louisa E. Keasby. 7
15 Green Twigs Aux. Flushing, L.I. Miss Helen A. Colgate.
16 Litchfield, Conn. Mrs. George M. Woodruff.
17 First Penn. Red Pittsburg, Pa. Mr. John B. Jackson. 74
Cross Auxiliary
18 Miscellaneous Aux. New York Miss Helen Dominick.
19 Laundry Plant Aux. " " Miss Alice B. Babcock.
20 Westchester Co. Mt. Kisco, N.Y. Mrs. Henry Marquand. 14
Aux.
21 Hazleton, Pa. Mrs. W.C. Gailey.
22 Land and Sea Aux. Pelham Manor Mrs. Frank K. Hunter. 5
23 Staten Island Aux. New Brighton Mrs. George Beers.
24 Princeton, N.J. Mrs. James P. Morgan. 3
25 Hackensack, N.J. Mrs. James Romeyn.
26 Sewickley, Pa. Rev. B.A. Benton.
27 The Farmers' Aux. Jennerstown, Pa. Miss F.E. Coffin.
28 Fort Stanwix Aux. Rome, N.Y. Mrs. Louise M. Duffy.
29 Fairfield, Conn. Mrs. Henry S. Glover.
30 Norwich, Kan. Mrs. Sarah A. King.
31 Beaver County Aux. New Brighton, Pa. Mrs. Mary C. Kennedy.
32 Grace Par. Laun. New York Mrs. Butler Duncan.
Aux.
33 Athens, Pa. Mrs. L.M. Park.
34 Canandaigua Mrs. C.C. Wilcox.
35 Eau Claire, Wis. Mrs. Francis P. Ide.
36 Mount Vernon, N.Y. Mrs. William Wilson. 1
37 Elmhurst, N.Y. Mrs. A.C. Green.
38 Dublin, N.H. Mrs. Lewis B. Monroe.
39 Larkinsville, Ala. Miss Anna L. Morris.
40 Western Reserve Cleveland, Ohio Mrs. Andrew Squire. 163
Ch. D.A.R.
41 New Canaan, Conn. Mrs. Willard Parker.
42 Flatbush, Brooklyn Mrs. Cornelius L. Wells.
43 Colorado Springs Mrs. E.S. Cohen.
44 North Shore, L.I., Glen Cove, L.I. Mrs. John E. Leech.
Au.
45 " " Mrs. W. Zabriskie.
46 Far Rockaway. Mrs. Alexander Stevens.
47 First R.I. Providence Mrs. Charles Mason.
Auxiliary.
48 Nassau Co., L.I., Roslyn, L.I. Mrs. Valentine Mott.
Aux.
49 Kinderhook, N.Y. Mrs. P.S.V. Pruyn.
50 Tobacco Auxiliary Newport, R.I. Mrs. Schuyler Van
Rensselaer.
51 Central Falls, " " Mrs. Arthur Rogers.
R.I., Au.
52 Rhode Island Aux. Providence Mrs. Mary Frost Evans.
53 Westmoreland Co.,
Pa., Auxiliary Greensburg, Pa. Miss Louise Brunot. 3
54 Pottstown, Pa. Mrs. E.S. Cook.
55 Emporia, Kan. Miss Sabia E. Whitley.
56 Scott Schley, of Frederick, Md. Mrs. Henry Williams.
57 Lenox, Mass. Mrs. John E. Alexandre.
58 Caldwell, N.J. Mrs. F.H. Wing.
59 Upper Red Hook Mrs. Theodore Cookingham.
60 Saugerties-on-Hudson Mrs. George F. Shrady.
61 Hokendauqua, Pa. Miss Bessie Thomas.
62 Bridgeport, Conn. Mrs. Charles B. Read.
63 Suffolk Co., N.Y., Greenport L.I. Miss Bessie Clark.
Aux.
64 Staatsburgh, N.Y. Miss Madeleine Dinsmore.
65 Otsego Co., N.Y., Springfield Centre Mrs. H.W. Wardwell.
Aux.
66 Plymouth Church Au. Worcester, Mass. Mr. Arthur Reed Taft. 1
67 Oyster Bay, L.I. Mrs. Thomas S. Young, Jr.
68 Cranford, N.J. Mrs. F.R. Bourne.
69 Loyal Friends Aux. New York Mrs. F.P.P. Miller.
70 London, Ohio Mrs. George Lincoln.
71 Shortsville, N.Y. Mrs. O.S. Titus.
72 Richmond Hill Mrs. Walter P. Long.
73 South Orange, N.J. Mrs. F. Arnold.
74 Telegraph Signal
Corps Auxiliary Brooklyn, N.Y. Miss Mary A. Tomlinson.
75 Platteville, Wis. Mrs. E.G. Buck.
76 Walden, N.Y. Mrs. Phoebe Saxe.
77 First West Va. Aux. Wheeling, W. Va. Mrs. William F. Butler.
78 Toledo, Ohio Mrs. S.S. Knabenshue.
79 Lovington, Ill. Mr. S.S. Boggs.
80 New Brunswick, N.J. Mrs. Nicholas G. Rutgers.
81 Colored Women's Au. Kansas City, Kan. Mrs. Katie Minor.
82 Sons and Daughters
Red Cross Aux. North Berwick, Me. Chester A. Hayes.
83 Orange, N.J. Miss Rosamond Howard.
84 Hammond, Ind. Dr. Mary E. Jackson.
85 Holdredge, Neb. Mrs. Reeves.
86 Girls' Towel Aux. Glen Cove, L.I. Miss Alice O. Draper.
87 Brattleboro, Vt. Miss Mary E. Cabot.
88 Evanston, Ill. Mrs. N. Gill Kirk.
89 Montclair, N.J. Mrs. Benjamin Strong.
90 Lyons, N.Y. Miss Eudora A. Lewis.
91 Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. Mrs. Walston Hill Browne.
92 Marshall, Mich. Mrs. W.H. Porter.
SUPPLIES CONTRIBUTED BY AUXILIARIES THROUGH SUPPLY COMMITTEE.
Cots 3,601
Sheets 13,623
Draw sheets 994
Rubber sheets 226
Pillowcases 13,858
Blankets 586
Towels 36,821
Wash cloths 10,473
Nightshirts 12,388
Pajamas 14,264
Wrappers 53
Handkerchiefs 40,268
Socks 8,484
Slippers 2,342
Abdominal bands 18,557
Negligee shirts 5,097
Undershirts 6,937
Under drawers 6,937
Comfort bags 1,188
Palm-leaf fans 6 cs.
Cot pads 1,006
Mosquito netting 32 pcs.
Nurses' caps 271
Nurses' aprons 100
Brassards 90
Old linen 10 cs.
Napkins 466
Stationery 2 cs.
Delicacies 900 cs.
Tobacco 20 cs.
Pipes 5,000
Literature 120 cs.
Miscellaneous articles 13,394
Red Cross flags 70
Estimated value, $80,000.
SPECIAL WORK DONE BY AUXILIARIES.
Auxiliary No. 1 provided eleven equipped ambulances with forty mules.
For Hospital Ship "Missouri": two hundred electric fans, telephones, six
rubber beds, disinfecting plant, carbonating plant, twenty-eight foot
steam launch, thirty-seven foot steam launch, sent to Chief Surgeon
Havard at Santiago. Supplies of clothing and delicacies sent to Colonel
Wood at Santiago.
Auxiliary No. 2 opened a work shop on Madison Avenue and Fifty-ninth
Street. There women, members of the families of enlisted men, were
employed to make the garments supplied by this auxiliary. Employment was
given to these women both at their homes and at the shop. Those who took
work home were paid by the piece. In all, 142 women were employed, many
having steady work for over five months. Up to December 1, 20,842
articles were made by this Auxiliary.
Auxiliary No. 3 has perhaps brought more comfort to the sick and wounded
soldiers than any of the others. It was organized for the special work
of providing funds for the maintenance of trained nurses, and as will be
seen by the following list of nurses sent out by this auxiliary, no
opportunity to relieve the suffering of the sick was ever passed by.
Railway transportation was furnished for nearly four hundred nurses sent
out from the New York office.
The number of nurses employed may be divided approximately into four
classes: (1) Those employed, maintained and paid by the auxiliary. (2)
Those whose salaries and maintenance were borne partly by the
government, and partly by the auxiliary. (3) Those who signed the
government contract and were paid and supplied with army rations by the
government, but received additional supplies from the auxiliary. (4)
Those who were paid by the auxiliary and maintained by local aid.
_Class I._
At Fort Wadsworth 41 Nurses.
" Charleston 20 "
" Leiter Hospital 10 "
" Governor's Island 6 "
" Tampa 5 "
" Atlantic Highlands 5 Nurses, 1 Surgeon.
" Convalescent Home for Nurses 1 Nurse.
" Hospital Cars 4 Nurses.
_Class II._
At Camp Black 42 Nurses.
" Fort Hamilton 23 "
" Fortress Monroe 43 "
On Hospital Ship "Missouri" 14 Nurses (Men).
At Bedloe's Island 1 Nurse.
" Portsmouth 6 Nurses (Men).
_Class III._
General Hospital, Montauk 125 Nurses.
Sternberg Hospital, Chickamauga 64 "
_Class IV._
L.I. City Relief Station 29 Nurses, 2 Surgeons.
Relief Tents, Montauk Station 1 "
Nassau Hospital, Hempstead 20 "
Home for Convalescent Soldiers at Sag Harbor 6 "
Convalescent Home of 8th Reg't, Hunter's Island 2 "
U.S. Transport "Lampasas" 29 Nurses(of these many were Volunteers).
The salaries of some and maintenance of all were borne by the auxiliary.
Nurses were also supplied on emergency calls to the Eighth and Ninth
Regiment Armories.
Auxiliary No. 5 sent equipped cots to the different camps in the United
States, Cuba and Porto Rico, supplying in all 3766.
Auxiliary No. 10 undertook to send ice to Cuba and Porto Rico, the
blockading fleet, and the different camps. This auxiliary also furnished
the ice plant on the Hospital Ship "Missouri," and expended in all for
ice $27,802.20.
The work of this auxiliary appealed especially to every one during the
hot weather, and donations poured in upon it, not the least of which was
a steady income from the "Nathalie Schenck Ice Chain," which produced a
revenue of $24,000 in three months.
Auxiliary No. 17, enrolled seventy-four sub-auxiliaries, with a total
membership of 6173.
To the Supply Committee this auxiliary sent in the largest quantity of
supplies.
Auxiliary No. 19 raised funds for a laundry plant, and put same on
Hospital Ship "Missouri."
Auxiliary No. 22 had five sub-auxiliaries, with a total membership of
1018. 14,144 garments, 850 cases and packages of food, and 12,583 books
and magazines were sent to the Supply Depot. In September the auxiliary
took as its particular work the supplying of clothing to destitute
soldiers applying for same, with properly signed orders, at 554
Broadway. Nearly 800 men were given underwear, blue flannel shirts,
socks, handkerchiefs, night shirts, etc., etc.
Auxiliary No. 40.--The War Emergency Relief Board of Cleveland became an
auxiliary to the Red Cross in June, with 163 sub-auxiliaries. Ten
thousand dollars in money, and between thirty and forty thousand dollars
worth of supplies, were sent to the front. Two thousand dollars were
spent in fitting up unfurnished wards in Cleveland hospitals, where 533
soldiers were cared for. The wives and families of soldiers and sailors
were also cared for. Five thousand four hundred and fifty hot breakfasts
and dinners were served at the Union Depot to soldiers passing through
Cleveland. Four hundred cases of clothing and delicacies were shipped by
this auxiliary.
[Illustration: A CUBAN "BLOCK HOUSE," GARRISONED.]
[Illustration: A VIEW OF EASTERN CUBA.]
REQUISITIONS FILLED BY SUPPLY COMMITTEE.
_June 22 to December 1._
TOTAL NUMBER, 427.
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.