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And, Mr. Chairman, however great your toils, and trials, and sacrifices, in common with those of other noble men in this cause have been, in view of the blessings that have already crowned your labors, you have great reason to thank God for the past, and take courage for the future; "for as much as ye know that your labors shall not be in vain in the Lord." J. TURBITT.

Col. Root, who is in command of the District of Annapolis, warmly approves the work of the Christian Commission. He has been an interested observer of the movements of our Chaplains and Delegates, and testifies of their usefulness from personal knowledge. It is gratifying to us to be approved by one so capable of estimating our service and so well qualified to judge of its character and usefulness.

CAMP PAROLE, NEAR ANNAPOLIS, MD.

August 27th, 1864.

G. S. GRIFFITH, Esq., Chairman Christian Commission, Baltimore, Md.: SIR-I take pleasure in bearing testimony to the usefulness of the U. S. Christian Commission, at "Camp Parole."

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Its agents have not only been zealous in their efforts to advance the welfare of the large number of troops at Camp Parole, but have established a just claim to the public confidence by the exercise of a careful discrimination in the issuing of the supplies with which generous people has entrusted them.

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They have at all times evinced a proper regard for the necessary military rules and regulations" of this command, and, in my opinion, have, by their personal influence and daily religious services, materially assisted in establishing and maintaining the admirable order and discipline prevalent at Camp Parole.

I remain, Sir, with respect and esteem,

Your obedient servant,

ADRIAN R. ROOT, Col. 94th N. Y. Vet'n Vol's, Com. Dis. of Annapolis.

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The following letter from Surgeon Gross, informs us of his being ordered to another field, and of course his valuable labors will be lost to the camp and hospital. We would

express the hope that his successor may labor as faithfully and as harmoniously with the delegates of the Christian Commission as he has done:

U. S. A. HOSPITAL, CAMP PAROLE, NEAR ANNAPOLIS, MD,

August 31st, 1864.

DEAR SIR:—AS I am about to give up my present position as Surgeon in charge of this hospital, having been ordered to the Department of the East, I believe it to be my duty to proffer my hearty thanks to you and to other members of the "U. S. Christian Commission," who have performed with becoming zeal their share of the labors necessary for the comfort of our brave armies.

During my term of service at Camp Parole, the inmates of the hospital have at times numbered as high as two thousand, (2,000). Your labors therefore have not been inconsiderable, and it would be useless to deny that a fair share of credit is due to yourself and colleagues for the good order and discipline that have constantly been maintained.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

F. H. GROSS, Surgeon U. S. A., in charge. REV. G. H. TOWNSEND, Agent U. S. C. C. Camp Parole.

The following testimonial to the faithfulness and efficiency of the service of the Commission will be read with interest by the friends of the soldier. The Provost Marshal writes like a practically experienced Christian, of which we would hope there may be many such in the army service:

PROVOST MARSHALS OFFICE, CAMP PAROLE, MD.
August 31st, 1864.

SIR-I beg to be permitted to express to you my appreciation of your efforts and labors in this camp as a faithful and efficient agent of the U. S. Christian Commission, and also as an earnest, zealous servant of our Divine Master, "always abounding in the work of the Lord."

We have reasons for devout thankfulness that your labors are being blessed of Heaven, and that so many are being led by your teachings to examine into their condition without a hope in Christ, and are giving themselves to the Saviour.

You have my best wishes for your success, and may you

be permitted to see the fruit of your labors in the salvation of many souls. With esteem, yours truly,

ROYAL A. Joy, Capt. 94th N. Y. Vols. Provost Marshal Camp Parole. REV. G. H. TOWNSEND, Agent U. S. Chris. Com.

It is pleasant in a retrospect of our labors to find that they have been appreciated and warmly commended by officers who have been most closely connected with our Delegates and Chaplains in the service. In the midst of arduous and difficult labors, in which we for sometime engaged, it is refreshing and encouraging to find such evidences of respect and appreciation as the following:

G. S. GRIFFITH, Esq., Chairman U. S. Christian Commission :

Our quarters being in immediate proximity with the rooms of the Christian Commission, we have taken occasion to watch its unobtrusive workings. We take great pleasure in bearing testimony to the nobly patriotic affairs of the Commission in endeavoring to realize the wants, spiritual and temporal, of the soldiers who are thrown together here. Those who contribute of their means to sustain this truly valuable Commission, can rest assured that, as far as our observation extends, their funds are most carefully and judiciously appropriated. The moral and religious bearing of the camp is truly remarkable, and in this connection it would not be doing justice, did we not mention the name of the indefatigable man of God, Rev. Mr. Townsend, who has had charge of the Commission's interests here for several months. past. To him we are indebted for many acts of kindness and owe many obligations.

W. W. LINE, M. D., Baltimore, Md.
C. T. SIMPENS, Surg. 6th Md. Vols.
W. E. DAY, Surg. 117 U. S. Vols.

W. M. BABBITTE, Surg. 55 Mas. Vols.

The Baltimore Christian Association has sent committees to labor at Camp Parole, among which the name of the Rev. Thos. Coggins is prominent.

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Dr. E. J. Bailey, Surgeon in charge.
Capacity, 352. Patients, 189.

We have no direct report from any source relating to this hospital. From general notes, in which other hospitals are included, the present record is made. By these notes we are informed that the premises are in a good condition. The number of serious cases are small and the deaths but few. This fortunate condition is attributed to the effective supervision of the Medical Director of the Department, and the active co-operation of the Surgeon in charge with the other Surgeons who are assisting him in his medical and sanitary services as rendered to the several wards and other departments of the hospital.

Delegates have visited the hospital with stores and reading matter, which they have distributed as opportunity afforded. They have assisted in the performance of such services as are usually rendered by them. Their accounts of labors and successes, which have always been verbal, are uniform in the expression of approval, especially in relation to the medical service. Ladies of Wilmington visit the premises and render such aid as are admitted in their department. Delegates have witnessed with pleasure the means used by the ladies in the preparation of such food and delicacies as are granted to sick and wounded men and their delivery to the patients under the direction of the medical advisers.

Point Lookout Hospital and Camp.

Rev. D. D. McKee, of the Presbyterian church, Chaplain.

Capacity of hospital 1,500. Patients 882.

Ward mas

ters and attendants 100. Admitted since September 1, 1864, 3,685. Discharged in same period, 2,817. Died 713, including Rebels.

Post Hospital. Recently established. Capacity 25. Patients 2.

Rebel Hospital.-Rev. W. S. Leonard, of the Methodist E. church, Chaplain. Capacity 886. Patients 886. Sick in tents, &c., 360. Number of prisoners 7,100. Regimental Hospitals.-Three in number. Patients 40.

Capacity 60.

Small Pox Hospital.-Capacity 100. Patients 18. Number in hospital during the year 628.

Point Look Out is at the southern extremity of St. Mary's county, Maryland. The point is formed by the junction of the Chesapeake bay with the Potomac river. It looks out toward the sea, hence its name. The Point was called St. Michael's by Governor Leonard Calvert, in consequence of its being found by him on or near St. Michael's day. The point on the opposite, or Virginia side, was called by him St. Gregory's. The names were afterwards changed for others which were supposed to be more significant. The northern or Maryland point was named Point Lookout; the southern or Virginia point was called Smith's Point, because supposed to have been first seen by Captain John Smith in his expedition along the shores of the Chesapeake in that vicinity. Point Lookout extends out into the bay, and has the advantages of fine sea breezes. It is considered healthy on account of the purity and freshness of its atmosphere. It is supplied with fine bathing grounds. Its location is secure from invasion, and is probably one of the best in the State for the confinement of Rebel prisoners for which purpose it is used.

The Monitor Roanoke and twelve gunboats are stationed at the Point for its protection. The complement of officers and men of the Roanoke is three hundred. There is at present a number of the marines of the Roanoke on board sick. Their quarters are comfortable, and every necessary attention is afforded them.

We were in correspondence with the former Chaplain of the Point Lookout Hospital, Rev. J. A. Spooner, during the entire period of his occupancy of the post, which was nearly a year. From him we learned, and regret still to learn, that proper consideration is no tgiven by the officers in charge to services of religion. Apartments were appro

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