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| Twenty millions for relief the central office of the sanitary commission in Washington From these general offices of the Sanitary Commission the various branches of the work were directed. The Commission was organized for the threefold purpose of inquiry, advice, and relief. During the first two years of the war, while the medical department was gradually increasing in efficiency, the Commission to a large extent cared for the wounded from many battlefields. In addition to the immense sum of money, nearly $5,000,000, expended by the Commission directly, several hundred thousand dollars raised under its auspices was spent directly by the different branches themselves. Supplies to the value of more than $15,000,000 were sent in addition to the money. The Commission also established rest-houses and accommodations for the sick, aided soldiers to correct any irregularities in their papers preventing them from receiving pay, bounties or pensions, and compiled a hospital directory. |
