History : Heroes ~ Key Figures ~ Historial Data ~ USCC Women ~ Hospitality ~ Medical Care ~ Delegate Duties

Delegates of the U.S Christian Commission served upon the battlefields of the Civil War without guns or cannons. They came to fight for the souls of men and eternity.

The various duties of the Delegates of the United States Christian Commission to The Field, The Hospital, and The Battle-Ground, may be summarily stated as follows:

• Visiting hospitals, camps, and battle-fields for the instruction, supply, encouragement, and relief of the men of our army, according to their various circumstances;
• Distributing stores, where needed, in hospitals and camps ;
• Circulating good publications amongst our soldiers and sailors ;
• Aiding chaplains in their ministrations and influence for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the men under their care ;
• Encouraging special and stated meetings for prayer amongst the field and the hospital ;
• Encouraging soldiers and sailors to communicate freely and frequently with their friends, aiding them to do it, and if need be, writing for them, especially when they are sick or wounded ;

This 1864 Harpers Weekly Print entitled "The Chrisitan Commission in the Field"

Portrays delegates in action on the battlefield.

Addressing the men personally and collectively, to encourage them in every right way, and discourage every vice , give them information from the people from home, explain the work of the Commission in their behalf, cheer them to duty, and above all, persuade them to become reconciled to God through the blood of His Son, if they have not already done so, and if they have, then to be strong in the Lord, resolute for duty, earnest and constant in prayer, and fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

In aiding the surgeons on the battle-field in the kind care and removal of the wounded, giving them food and drink, and everything needed to mitigate suffering and aid recovery, or, if dying, point them with prayer to Jesus, and give them Christian burial. In short, striving to do all that man can do to meet the wants of brethren far from home and kindred.

THREE CLASSES OF DELEGATES

I. DELEGATES TO THE FIELD
II. DELEGATES TO THE HOSPITALS
III. DELEGATES TO THE BATTLE-GROUND

Accoutrements to the battle-ground should be a badge, a blanket, and strap; a haversack containing a towel and soap, crackers and dried beef, and other stores, for his own use, and to give to the wounded; a bucket to carry water or coffee in, and a cup to serve it out to the wounded; stimulants, with beef tea in cakes, etc.; a small lantern, candles and matches for night work; and a small Bible, to use with the dying and burying the dead. A warm undershirt, and a woolen shirt over it, strong plain clothing, strong easy shoes or boots, with a cap or soft hat, make the best personal outfit.

HEROES OF THE BATTLEFIELD

Over 5,000 delegates served during the war. Their duties were not easy, and their war was not of this world. Their average length of service in the field was 6 weeks. After they returned home however, their duty was not done. They were expected to tell the people of the work the Christian Commission was doing for the soldier, so that the work may continue. Donations of store and money were needed to keep the work going. Delegates recieved no compenstion for their work, and it cost some their lives. No monuments pay tribute to their work or heroics in the line of duty. The eternal monument called the lambs book of life records the names of those soldiers that came to a saving knowledge of the savior through the work of the delegates of the Christian Commission. We salute them!

U.S. Christian Commission- Richmond Virginia