What did the United States Sanitary Commission do during the Civil War?
U.S. Sanitary Commission volunteers advised on the physical and mental health of the military, assisted in the organization of military hospitals and camps, and aided in the transportation of the wounded. They distributed medical supplies, food, and clothing where needed.
What did the Sanitary Commission promote?
Its purpose was to promote clean and healthy conditions in the Union Army camps. The Sanitary Commission staffed field hospitals, raised money, provided supplies, and worked to educate the military and government on matters of health and sanitation.
What was the US Sanitary Commission charged with?
In 1861, at the beginning of the American Civil War, the USSC pledged to provide sanitary counsel to the U.S. Army and medical supplies and food to wounded Union soldiers. Two years later, Northerners accused the USSC of corruption.
How did the Sanitary Commission improve medical treatment during the war?
The commission was directed by Frederick Law Olmstead. Preaching the virtues of clean water, good food, and fresh air, the commission pressured the Army Medical Department to improve sanitation, build large well-ventilated hospitals, and encourage women to join the newly-created nursing corps.
Why was the United States Sanitary Commission created?
The United States Sanitary Commission (USSC) was a private relief agency created by federal legislation on June 18, 1861, to support sick and wounded soldiers of the United States Army (Federal / Northern / Union Army) during the American Civil War.
Who created the United States Sanitary Commission?
Henry Whitney BellowsUnited States Sanitary Commission / Founder
Who started the US Sanitary Commission?
What did Lincoln do about Copperheads?
The Copperheads took advantage of the public agitation by attacking Lincoln’s actions and character while deeming his expansion of power as unconstitutional and dangerous. Lincoln’s suspension of habeas corpus and use of martial law agitated this political opposition.
What did the Sanitary Commission do in the Civil War?
The United States Sanitary Commission was founded in 1861 as the American Civil War began. Its purpose was to promote clean and healthy conditions in the Union Army camps. The Sanitary Commission staffed field hospitals, raised money, provided supplies, and worked to educate the military and government on matters of health and sanitation.
Where can I find information about the United States Sanitary Commission?
The United States Sanitary Commission Philadelphia Branch collection, containing materials on several humanitarian efforts made by the association during the Civil War, are available for research use at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. List of 30 USSC soldiers’ homes, lodges, and rests in 25 cities in 15 states North and South in 1865.
Who was the president of the United States Sanitary Commission?
United States Sanitary Commission. The president was Henry Whitney Bellows, and Frederick Law Olmsted acted as executive secretary. It was modeled on the British Sanitary Commission, set up during the Crimean War (1853-1856), and from the British parliamentary report published after the Indian Rebellion of 1857 (“Sepoy Rebellion”).
When did the Sanitary Commission start and end?
Dates of the Sanitary Commission (USSC) The Sanitary Commission was officially sanctioned by the War Department on June 9, 1861. Legislation creating the United States Sanitary Commission was signed (reluctantly) by President Abraham Lincoln on June 18, 1861. The Sanitary Commission was disbanded in May of 1866.