Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Thus, it will be perceived that, during the three years and four months this institution has been in operation, it has aided, lodged, and generally provided for, within its walls, besides the numerous calls upon its resources for out-door relief, the large number of 86,073.

And it will be seen by the footings of the “General hospital Register” of this association, that the names, companies, regiments, residences, disease or wound, and final disposition of all soldiers who have been admitted to hospitals in this city and vicinity, have been permanently and systematically recorded, to the number of 91,609.

The number of soldiers and regiments received and cared for in their passage to the war, was 278,496--viz.: from Massachusetts, 155,234; from New Hampshire, 33,258; from Vermont, 34,555; from Maine, 55,449.

The number of soldiers received and entertained upon their return from the war, was 34,383.

The total number of sick, wounded, enfeebled, discharged, furloughed, and passing soldiers aided and provided for, was 490,661.

The gross amount of our expenditure during the above period will be seen by reference to the report of Marvelle W. Cooper, Esq., our energetic Treasurer, whose hearty and sympathetic action has been so strongly enlisted for the welfare of the association and its objects.

Amount of expenditures of the New England Soldiers' Relief Association from April 9th, 1862, to its close, September 1st, 1865 (forty-two months), $60,518.29, being an average per month of $1,440.91.

In this connection it is my duty, as well as my pleasure, to acknowledge the attention of the U. S. Sanitary Commission throughout the war, to our interests, and their final action in assuming the debts of the association, amounting to seven thousand three hundred and seven dollars and four cents ($7,307.04).

In this rapid review of the benefits which have been secured by this association, we find that it has been to the passing soldier his “Midway home” to and from the battle-field, where he might tarry for a night, or wait until transportation could be furnished; to the discharged veteran, weary, maimed, and feeble, a place of refuge and shelter; to the homeless soldier an asylum where he has ever been made welcome to the charities it has dispensed, until proper provision could be made for him, or until he has been called to that eternal rest which lies beyond this battle-field of life.

To the anxious ones at home it has been a central bureau of information, always open to all inquiries, and a key and military guide to all matters concerning their interests.

To mention all to whom we are specially indebted for their active sympathy and assistance in accomplishing these results, and to measure out to each his adequate portion of thanks, would be altogether impossible; but, not to make any distinctions, we cannot close this Report without placing upon record in the most earnest manner, an acknowledgment of our constant obligations to the Young Men's Night Watchers' Association, R. B. Lockwood, Esq., President, who have maintained, during four entire years, their most commendable organization, and have never permitted a night to pass without two of their number watching, as faithful nurses, at the bedsides of our brave defenders. While writing my report I have received the sad intelligence of the death of the former estimable President of this association, Mr. Charles T. Coggeshall, who has passed to that rest the pathway to which he had done so much to smooth for many a sick and weary soldier in our rooms. To the benevolent and soldiers' relief societies, and to town and church organizations, and individuals in the Eastern States and New York, our thanks are especially due. It is a matter of regret that the limits prescribed to this report render it impossible to make that detailed acknowledgment which the tender charities and forethought of the donors deserve. This stream of charity has never ceased to flow. If ever our supplies have fallen short, it has required but a whisper of our needs to bring a most substantial answer. To Mrs. E. A. Russell, our Matron, also, we tender, on behalf of the many thousand sufferers whom she has relieved, the fullest and warmest thanks — the only limit to whose labor has been her prompt and