{"value"=>"<p>Creator history</p> <p>The Philadelphia Agency was the operational office of the USSC’s Philadelphia Associates, who organized on November 7, 1861 to support the work of the U.S. Sanitary Commission through fundraising and the collection and distribution of hospital supplies. It ran a large supply depot and eventually conducted a wide range of relief work in the Philadelphia area, distributing supplies to Army hospitals and camps, and helping individual soldiers in need with transportation, food, clothing and lodging. After the war it established an Employment Bureau for discharged servicemen. The Agency provided important supply and relief services for the USSC’s Central Office in Washington during major eastern military operations, notably at Gettysburg. It worked closely with the Women’s Pennsylvania Branch in its supply and relief efforts after the Branch’s establishment in February, 1863. The Philadelphia Associates and their collective activities were also known as the Philadelphia Branch of the United States Sanitary Commission.</p> <p>Horace Binney Jr. served as chairman of an Executive Committee of nine associates. Charles J. Stillé (1819-1899), author of the History of the United States Sanitary Commission (1866), was an associate and later an Executive Committee member (Stillé also served on the USSC's Standing Committee). The treasurer was Caleb Cope (1797-1888). Early committees included Hospital Supplies and Medical and Sanitary Inspection. A supply depot with an office, originally known as the Depository and operated by the Committee on Supplies under Stillé’s direction, was established in December at 1235 Chestnut Street.</p> <p>The Associates hired William Platt in June 1862 as general superintendent of its agency to extend and systematize USSC work in the city; this resulted from an increasing influx of supplies and urgent requests from the USSC to assist its hospital transport services during the Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. Platt served until his death in November resulting from relief work at Antietam, when he was replaced by R.M. (Robert M.) Lewis. Operations moved to 27 South Sixth Street in December. The Philadelphia Agency established its headquarters at 1307Chestnut Street, its final location, in the spring of 1863. The premises also housed most of the Women's Pennsylvania Branch activities, the supply depot, and the USSC’s Canvassing and Supply Department.</p> <p>The Agency’s General Office, under the direction of the superintendent, coordinated supply and relief matters, and corresponded with USSC executive officers and others concerning its operations and services to meet any necessary needs. It hired relief agents and nurses, and handled publicity. Its Supply Department managed the collection and stocking of supplies from Philadelphia and area aid societies until the end of March 1863, when that function was transferred to the Women's Pennsylvania Branch. The Agency continued to handle the receipt and forwarding of supplies for USSC branches, offices, agencies and departments, especially to Washington and along the Atlantic coast. John W. Wilson joined the staff in 1863, assisting in the General Office and also serving as chief clerk of the USSC’s Hospital Directory in Philadelphia.</p> <p>The Philadelphia Agency also supported the needs of soldiers and their families in the Philadelphia area throughout the war and afterwards. Early special relief work consisted mainly of assisting soldiers with procuring transportation from the city, transporting sick soldiers arriving on steamers to area hospitals, and providing any necessary food and clothing. In April 1863, special relief work was turned over to the Women's Pennsylvania Branch, which administered activities through November, with partial financial support from the Philadelphia Agency. In December 1863, the Philadelphia Agency resumed control of special relief work for servicemen and expanded its services to form a Special Relief Department under the charge of a special relief agent. The Branch then fulfilled supply orders for the Agency’s department, and focused its own relief services on the needs of dependent wives, mothers and children of soldiers.</p> <p>Colonel Clement Soest was hired as the Agency’s special relief agent, serving until August 1865. He was assisted by A.W. Morton. Soest visited area hospitals, camps and local relief associations, as well as individual disabled and discharged soldiers at their homes, to determine supply and relief needs. The Department continued to help soldiers passing through Philadelphia who encountered clothing, health or transportation problems. Soest also supervised the Agency’s Soldiers’ Lodge, which opened May 12, 1865 at 13th and Christian Streets. The Lodge assisted soldiers who were in transit, were discharged from hospitals, or were waiting for pay or artificial limbs. Discharged soldiers who were sick or seeking employment, and women visiting relatives in hospitals were also helped. It closed November 1, 1865.</p> <p>The Agency opened a Bureau of Employment in Philadelphia on November 27, 1865, directed by John W. Wilson, to help discharged soldiers and sailors find jobs. Disabled servicemen were of special concern. The Bureau found employment for 1214 out of 2008 total applicants.</p> <p>All Agency departments were closed by 1866, with the exception of the Bureau of Employment, which closed in January 1867.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p>Scope and content note</p> <p>The Philadelphia Agency Archives, 1861-1867, comprise the records of the Agency’s administrative General Office, the Special Relief Department, and the Bureau of Employment. Materials document the efforts of general superintendent R.M. Lewis and his staff to manage a large supply depot in Philadelphia for the USSC; to provide supply and relief services for USS eastern operations, especially during major military campaigns; to meet the supply and relief needs of the Army and servicemen in the Philadelphia area; and to develop local support for the USSC.</p> <p>General Office correspondence documents the Agency’s close collaboration with USSC staff in Washington and New York, and USSC branches and departments; the formation of the Women’s Pennsylvania Branch; operations relating to the battle of Gettysburg and other battles and campaigns; requests from hospitals and individuals for supplies or other assistance; and office administration, which is also documented in bill books of expenses. Reports to Lewis from relief agents assisting the Army of the Potomac during the spring and summer of 1864 are also found. The Agency’s main supply function, receiving supplies from other USSC branches and forwarding supplies to the Washington Office and other USSC locations, is documented in invoice books; these also include some local issues of supplies. The Agency’s collection of supplies from aid societies in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas prior to the transfer of this function to the Women’s Pennsylvania Branch are documented in General Office Supply Department letters received and a record of supplies received.</p> <p>Records of the Special Relief Department document the variety of support provided to the Army and to individual soldiers and others in the Philadelphia area by Special Relief Agent Clement Soest and his assistant A.W. Morton, as seen in letters from various parties requesting special relief or supplies; Soest’s journals and a memo book recording daily visits to Army hospitals and camps, soldiers’ aid establishments, and discharged soldiers at their homes; a chronological register of special relief provided; and monthly reports summarizing work accomplished. Supply distribution is documented in requisitions, receipts, and reports. Operation of the Department’s Soldiers’ Lodge is represented in an admission register; records of meals, lodgings and supplies provided; and papers relating to its construction. Orders for railroad transportation for soldiers and others, as well as hospital reports listing patients at U.S. area hospitals are also present.</p> <p>Bureau of Employment records, consisting of letters received from servicemen and others, and registers of applications for those seeking or providing jobs, document the Agency’s post-war efforts to provide employment for discharged soldiers and sailors, especially the disabled, in the Philadelphia area.</p> <p>The Philadelphia Agency worked closely with the Women’s Pennsylvania Branch in its supply and special relief work. Researchers may wish to consult the Branch’s Executive Committee records for additional documentation on aid society donations and supply work supporting the Agency’s Special Relief Department.</p> <p>There is little material related to the Great Central Fair of June 1864 in the Agency’s records, although staff members were involved in Fair activities.</p>"}