erick Law Olmsted made the Sanitary Commission
what it practically became, — a great machine run-
ning side by side with the Medical Bureau wherever
the armies went ; an authorized power fitted to seek
out and relieve suffering wherever and however the
Government failed in doing so; an organized system
where no inefficiency was tolerated, where the work
was thoroughly and conscientiously done, but which,
nevertheless, was so wisely controlled that it not only
did not give offence to the Military authorities, but
wrung from them a hearty and universal approval. 1

An enterprise springing from the hearts of the^tto-
ple, and planting itself firmly on their generosity, was
not likely to fail for want of means. During its exist-
ence it received four millions, nine hundred and
twenty-four thousand, four hundred and eighty dollars
in money ($4,924,480.99), and the value of fifteen
millions ($15,000,000) in supplies. But it is estimated
that $2,000,000 more were raised by its Branches,
which they expended themselves, and which, though

1 Members of the United States Sanitary Commission : Henry W.
Bellows, D.D., president ; Alexander Dallas Bache, LL.D., vice-presi-
dent; George T. Strong, treasurer; Frederick Law Olmsted, general
secretary; Professor John S. Newberry, Western secretary ; Dr. W. H.
Van Bnren; Dr. C. R. Agnew; Dr. Wolcott Gibbs; Dr. Elisha
Harris ; Charles J. Stille ; Dr. S. G. Howe ; Bishop Clark, of Rhode
Island ; Horace Binney ; Bey. J. H. Heywood ; Hon. Mark Skinner ;
J. Huntingdon Wolcott; EzraB. M. McCagg; Fairman Rogers; Robert
C. Wood, Surgeon TJ. S. A. ; G. W. Cullum, General U. & A. ;
Alexander E. Shiras, General U. S. A.
