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

[737] sympathetic compliance with the demands her onerous and trying positions have imposed. Dr. Everett Herrick, too, deserves the special thanks of all who have been interested in our labors, for the unremitting care and marked skill which he has exhibited in his attendance at the hospital. To S. E. Low, Esq., our former Treasurer, whose protracted absence from the city last year made his resignation necessary, the association is indebted for the ability, prudence, and systematic care with which he so successfully managed our financial concerns, as well as for the hearty, zealous, and earnest co-operation which he gave to all matters which appertained to the interests of the sick and wounded soldiers. To the Reverend Alex. R. Thompson, D. D., our Chaplain, whose self-imposed and efficient labors at the altar of our institution, and whose devoted ministrations by the bedside of our sick, wounded, and dying men, have won the love of all; and finally, to the Ladies' Committee, whose untiring labors have been only an illustration of that self-sacrificing devotion to the cause which has so marked and characterized the women of Our country throughout the war, we tender the homage of our gratitude and honor. I cannot close this portion of my report without acknowledging in some feeble manner the opportune aid and counsel at all times so courteously rendered to this association by Major-General John A. Dix, late commanding officer of this Department, in the midst of the multiplied and onerous duties of his position. It is also eminently due to Brigadier-General R. S. Satterlee, Medical Purveyor of the Department, that a proper acknowledgment should be made for his kindly co-operation in assisting us to provide for the necessities of our soldiers; as well as to Colonel W. J. Sloan, Medical Director, whose humane co-operation in all matters appertaining to the interests of our sick and wounded soldiers was so freely and constantly afforded. And finally, of Charles A. Stetson, his most estimable family, and the Astor House, I must not forget to remind you, and to return our thanks for their long-continued kindness. The near proximity of our rooms to the Astor, impelled us at all hours of the day and night to call upon them for the luxuries and delicacies of the market, and especially on the sudden arrival of sick and wounded officers and men, which has been always afforded with an unsparing hand and a hearty will, refusing to receive in return anything but our thanks.

I have said that the labors of our association are now formally brought to a close, but the sacred duties of charity still remain. Amid the rejoicings which have filled the national heart at the final success of our arms, the restoration of peace, and the eager return of our people to the pursuits of industry, we must not forget the claims of poverty and bereavement heard on every hand. We cannot forget the soldier's widow, his fatherless child, his childless parents, nor the soldier himself, broken down and disabled in the service of our common cause. Let us see to it that the debt of gratitude we owe these stricken and mourning children of the Republic is fully paid. From beneath the simple and unlettered head-boards that stud the battlefields of the rebellion, marking the resting-places of its heroic defenders, there comes an appeal telling us, in language not to be misunderstood, that the work of humanity, so well begun and carried on, is not fully completed, until every crippled and disabled soldier shall have been adequately and tenderly cared for, and until every helpless widowed heart that has laid its dearest offering upon the altar of our country, shall have received such consolation and such relief as it is in the power of a grateful people to bestow.

Respectfully submitted,

The concise and admirable report of our Superintendent, detailing the results of the operations of this association, has prepared you for the final report of its Treasurer.

It has been a matter of sincere regret that Mr. S. E. Low, the former Treasurer, who labored with so much zeal and earnestness in all matters connected with the best interests of the association, and to whom it is indebted for the practical business ability and hearty co-operation he gave to all objects promotive of its welfare, was obliged to resign his position, after over three years service, on account of necessary absence from the city.

Those who have listened to the simple, truthful testimony which the statistics afford of the benefit and relief which the generous and loyal offerings of our people have enabled the association to dispense to our sick and wounded soldiers, will join me in surprise at the comparative small sum which it has cost through the economy and system which has marked its management.

On July 1, 1865, at which time the books and accounts of the association were transferred to my hands, there was in bank a balance of	$3,969 29
Donations from that time to the close of the association	1,350 00
Amount advanced by Treasurer	130 06
	$5,449 35
The expenditures for the same period, to wit, for the months of June, July, August, and September, have been for rent, salaries, and current expenses	$5,449 35

Thus closing my account for moneys received.

This statement does not include a number of long-standing unpaid accounts of the association for rent, etc., etc., which have been generously assumed by the United States Sanitary Commission to the amount of $7,307 04.