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

Although the Commission’s work was mainly an attention to the intellectual and religious wants of the army, this work could not be done without the large quantities of supplies for bodily comfort and relief. It was no small or unimportant part of the delegates duty, in his rounds through hospital or camp, to seek out those who were in want of special attention, and to see that, under the surgeons guidance, they received it.

The convenient form in which many articles of food could be sent to the army, as preserved fruits, meats, vegetables, milk, etc., - rendered this an easy task in many cases, even where there was no opportunity for careful cookery. Large quantities of fresh fruits, even of the more perishable kinds, as grapes, berries, peaches, etc., were also distributed, as many of the hospitals were nears to the markets or were readily reached by the railroad.

The Christian Commission Coffee Wagon

The Christian Commission coffee wagon was patented in 1863, and brought comfort to many soldiers in the field. It is reported to be at Appomatox during the final surrender of the Confederacy, where the first act of reconciliation may have held over a cup of hot coffee over this Christian Commission Coffee Wagon. No known original exist today.

The Christian Commission Coffee Wagon

Loan Library

215 large ( 36'x 36" ) loan libraries and 65 half sized were built and served the soldiers with about 125 volumes each. Books of history, philospohy, religion and other books were gladly recieved by the soldiers, especially in the hospital. Meticulous records were kept of the books. After the war, many of these went out on steamer ships or out West. We have not been able to find any original that exist.

The Christian Commission Loan Library

The Impact Of Hospitality

A Delegate, a student in Andover Theological Seminary, tells this story of a peach;

I never dreamed so much good could be accomplished by such simple means. A basket of peaches would give joy to a hundred wounded men. I shall never forget the case of William C., a Pennsylvania soldier, who had undergone amputation of his right thigh and was suffering the utmost intensity of human anguish. He was sinking very rapidly, and had taken no nourishment for several days. When I first saw him, he seemed utterly hopeless of recovery. His wife had been summoned from home; but it was feared that he would die before it was possible for her to reach him. I took a nice peach from my basket; he brightened at the sight of it. I pared it for him, and put it in his mouth, bi by bit, and the look of gratitude which he gave me was ample reward for the whole six weeks service. Next morning I went to his bedside, and said, “What can I do for you this morning?”

With a smile he whispered, “Have you got another peach for me?” And so I repeated the operation of the previous morning. For a whole week he lingered along, with no other nourishment than his morning peach, and the thought that there was someone who cared for him. Meanwhile his wife arrived, and cheered his last hours with words of Christian hope. He fell asleep in Jesus.