{"value"=>"<p>Most letters concern the need for and transport of supplies from branches to agencies and depots in the field. Numerous items also pertain to special relief activities, especially the operation of Soldiers’ Homes, and occasionally to individual soldiers’ cases or remains, and assistance with passage to the front or travel for soldiers’ families. Many letters detail the assignments and movements of agents and personnel within the Department. Letters from USSC’s Washington and New York Offices (from Frederick Law Olmsted, J. Foster Jenkins, Alfred J. Bloor, and Henry W. Bellows) mostly concern personnel issues and assignments, finances, meetings, and issues with Western Department branches. In addition, some letters pertain to the condition of hospitals and health of troops, the canvassing of Northern states to promote the USSC, and the search for employment or nursing positions. Many letters document the work of women within the Department and branches. Two letterbooks (1863 Mar 18-Nov 4; 1863 Apr 2-Dec 31) pertain, partially or wholly, to specific campaigns of the Western Theater in 1863. Letters regarding these campaigns and locations also appear in other letterbooks. Letterbooks are in rough chronological order. Date ranges often overlap, especially at the beginning and end of letterbooks. Unless stated otherwise, there is little distinction as to content, sender or recipient in cases where date ranges overlap, and it appears that some items were added to letterbooks by the USSC at a later time. Most items were numbered and indexed, though there are some gaps in numbering, and some unnumbered and unindexed items. All letterbooks have indexes, which are filed at the end of each.</p>"}