The American Red Cross Bulletin (Vol. IV, No. 4, October 1909)

by American National Red Cross

ILLINOIS

I have the honor to submit the following data about the organization and equipment of the Illinois First-Aid Corps of the Red Cross:

The Illinois organization was officially born January 11, 1909—that is to say, less than five months ago. On that day the reporter was appointed Director-in-chief of the Illinois units to be organized. Within a few days after the Illinois Branch was handed about forty applications as a nucleus.

These new members who joined the American National Red Cross, and at the same time the First Relief Column, were not gathered in a few days, but represented a loyal band of men and women who had joined in 1908 an independent, private first-aid corps under my command.

All the officers were fully uniformed, practically in accordance with army regulations. The fact, however, that the Relief Column officers have no distinctly military rank and that the regulations in Major Lynch’s text-book would compel them to remove the coat-of-arms from the cap, the buttons, and the insignia of rank from the straps; possibly, also, to lay aside their sidearms (there being no mention of sidearms) produced such intense opposition that for a time I feared not a single one with whom I had been associated in our attempt to raise a first-aid brigade would remain with me. And for one man to do all the work and to look for congenial co-workers all over again appeared a Herculean task. It was then that I submitted in writing certain propositions to Mr. Ravell, Secretary of the Illinois Branch, who agreed to place them before the Central Committee at Washington. On his return from Washington last December I was advised that we could retain the caps and adopt more suitable collar insignia, so that there remained but one objection, viz, lack of military rank for the officers.

OFFICERS OF THE FIRST ILLINOIS LEGION.

However, with the objected-to features of the uniform overcome, I assured the officers that if they would go to work and aid me in the organization so that we could show the American people that we have the personnel, if not the material equipment, I would do all in my power to induce the authorities to grant us a certain status, which, though not equivalent to that enjoyed by the National Guard, would still mean more than empty titles beautifully engrossed in “commissions” signed by a few private citizens. This had the desired effect. Immediately after my appointment I called them together and delivered an impassioned address. I pointed out to them the seriousness of the step, the great responsibility it involves, the sacredness of the work to be done and the honor and prestige that is to be ours if we succeed. I made them pledge to observe the strictest possible discipline, to obey implicitly, and to respond to any call issued by the proper authorities.

A week later all our former members, new friends, patients of mine—in short, any one who could be reached—were called to attend a meeting in the parlor of a large hostelry, and the work of organization was begun in earnest.

For about two months bi-weekly lectures were delivered at hotel parlors. An independent detachment which had been associated with a fraternal organization was induced to join our column as a body. We agreed to accept them without the Legion dues by merely paying for membership in the Red Cross. The evening that body of young men in uniform entered the lecture hall in military order new life was infused, especially among the male members. I was repeatedly besieged by them with the request to supply them with uniforms and to take them to some place where they could learn how to march, carry litters, transport patients, etc.

I promised them all these things for the near future. As I am myself living in moderate circumstances, and as our Legion dues of $1 per annum (we had to make the dues low to enable the poorest working man and working woman to join) were not sufficient to pay for the most urgent needs, I presented myself to our Chairman of the Executive Committee, Dr. L. L. McArthur, and laid the matter before him. He finally consented to our appealing to certain private citizens when I was supported in my contentions by the Secretary and by Colonel Gordon C. Strong, I. N. G., a member of the Executive Committee, and a gentleman, by the way, to whom we are indebted for many services rendered the organization and your reporter.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee Mr. J. Spoor, president of the Union Stock Yards, promised to fully equip a detachment of 22 men recruited in the yards. He not only paid for 22 uniforms, but equipped that detachment with hospital pouches, canteens, litters, and a national flag.

FIRST COLUMN FIRST ILLINOIS LEGION READY FOR INSPECTION BY REVIEWING OFFICER.

Four detachments were completed by this time. The day a fifth one was completed I recommended to the committee that the entire command be officially declared as the “First Illinois Legion,” for there were then already indications that detachments would soon be organized in other cities in Illinois, and, in fact, detachments will be completed in the near future in Springfield, Joliet and Decatur, all depending on the writer’s ability to go to these towns and perfect the details. Our aim is not only to raise the full quota for this Legion, but to have in Chicago two legions and a third one distributed through the State.

At about the same time Colonel Strong induced Captain Maurice Woolman, commanding Battery B, Illinois National Guard, to let us have his armory at the cost of expense ($15 monthly). We occupy that armory every Thursday evening. Captain Woolman was so pleased with our men, who began drilling in civilian suits, that he consented to act as military instructor to the First Legion, and since has attended every drill and instructed the officers in infantry tactics.

But the most important thing had yet to be done. We had to secure uniforms to enable the men to participate in the Memorial Day parade. I interviewed the Hon. Lambert Tree, and that gentleman subscribed $100. I also sent a dozen letters to prominent citizens, who, I knew, were familiar with the aims of the Red Cross. Only one so far responded with $10. But that was a beginning, and Dr. McArthur, after learning of my efforts to raise enough to uniform the men made us all happy by calling me into his office and telling me to have all the men uniformed, that he would guarantee the bill, though I must raise the money within 90 days. The firm honored Dr. McArthur’s guarantee, and when his action was announced to the assembled detachments all military discipline was thrown to the winds and our boys yelled themselves hoarse. The uniforms are good regulation khaki. We have now a total of 121 service uniforms for enlisted men and non-commissioned officers.

Each uniform consists of: Campaign hat with maroon cord, blouse with the letters “Ill.” and a large Red Cross button on the collar, one pair of trousers, one regulation belt, one pair leggings. Each man has a pair of tan shoes (private property). One detachment has pouches and canteens. Each detachment has a guidon (five in all). We have at our disposal 19 regulation army litters. Several of them are private property, but available.

The writer is chief surgeon to the Abraham Lincoln Hospital, with a capacity of 32 beds and a complete operating room outfit, laboratory, etc. This hospital is at the disposal of the Executive Committee without any expense for board, nursing or service.

The total strength of our personnel is as follows:

Director-in-Chief, commanding all Illinois “Relief Columns”	1
Surgeons, attached as his staff, available as instructors or in a professional capacity (ranking as assistant directors)	6
Director-in-Chief, First Illinois Legion	1
Staff Assistant Directors, corresponding to adjutant and quartermaster, respectively	2
Detachment Commanders	5
Doubtful and unassigned or suspended	2
Total officers	17
Five detachments of non-commissioned officers and privates (each 21)	105
Color bearers	4
Bugle and drum corps	16
Nurse corps (ladies)	21
Non-active, or not yet assigned, pending completion of 6th and 7th detachments	58
Total strength	221

This report is not satisfactory to us from a numerical standpoint because we have paid no attention to recruiting owing to the proximity of Memorial Day, having strained every nerve to drill the men so as to make a creditable showing.

Work Done.—Lectures delivered (bi-weekly) during January, February and March. Drills (weekly) during April and May. Sunday, May 23, the entire command assembled at the armory at 10 a. m. and accompanied Battery B to divine service. They marched in orderly fashion and were very dignified. At 1.30 p. m. the command met a second time at Rose Hill Cemetery and assisted in the ceremonies. Conduct and appearance elicited hearty approval from G. A. R. speakers.

DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS, FIRST ILLINOIS LEGION, A. N. R. C.

Decoration Day Parade.—The writer was marshal of the 5th Division. None but Red Cross officers were selected for the staff. They were all in dress uniforms, sidearms, and were decently mounted. The Red Cross detachments marched in the center of the division with their bugle and drum corps, colors flying. Several detachments carried litters. I noted that the people greeted the command with hearty applause. General Grant and Governor Deneen, who reviewed the parade, seemed interested. No less an officer than Colonel Van Hoff, Chief Medical Officer, Department of the Lakes, who witnessed the procession, admitted that we made a fine showing. I have been assured by many military men that our men marched as well as any seasoned troops. We certainly have succeeded in raising a feeling of pride in the breasts of our men for their organization.

But we have only begun. We must now proceed to increase our organization all over the State. The writer will be compelled to visit cities, deliver addresses and “incite” the organizers to activity. Our medical officers will be compelled to attend courses in military hygiene and surgery, which I will deliver from August 15 to September 30. Lectures and drills will go on. In July the command will be taken out on a three-day “hike.” The money for this will be raised by a concert and ball. This “hike” will enable us to teach our officers the rudiments of military map-making and map-reading (topography). But all these efforts fall into insignificance compared with the task before me of raising funds to pay off the debt guaranteed by Dr. McArthur and to equip the new members, several hundred of whom are expected to join within a few weeks. We need more litters, pouches, dressings, tents, bedding, transport wagons, ambulances, wheeled litters, all of which are requisites for an emergency. I am aware that in times of disaster the State will aid us with its equipment of tents, kitchens, etc., yet I feel that we must have at our disposal a field hospital—at least 100 stretchers, folding cots, bedding, blankets, surgical appliances, kitchen (field), a transportable x-ray machine, etc.

I also realize that there must be a system at the very beginning, and within a few days books will be prepared in which all information about the personnel will be recorded for reference in an emergency. Something like that has been done already, but I intend to learn who can be depended upon to respond to a call—their ’phones, business, social status, and the like.

I am disheartened when I look at the figures tabulated in England, Germany, Japan and Australia, with their thousands of men and women, and millions in property. I am anxious to do my share, but I feel confident that success would come surer and faster if the following suggestions were carried out:

1. Reorganization of the First-Aid Department with national and State chiefs.

2. Proper descriptive nomenclature for the entire corps, State Divisions and units.

3. A definite military status for officers and men. Even such terms as “detachment commander,” “column commander,” etc., would be better than “assistant director,” “director,” etc.

4. Aid in material by the government.

5. Preparation of “rules and regulations” on a similar plan to that used in the army, to insure uniformity and discipline.

6. Uniform stationery, blanks, enlistment pledges, vouchers and similar equipment to be issued from the main headquarters.

7. Assignment of medical officers of the army to diverse States as instructors and teachers.

8. The Red Cross to participate in army maneuvers.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully,

GUSTAVUS M. BLECH.

Editor’s Note.—The second part of the entertainment given for the benefit of the First Illinois Legion of the Red Cross was devoted to an interesting exhibition of its training and drills.

Litter Drill—Detachment B, H. H. Wood commanding.

First Aid to Injured—Detachment D, Harry L. Coon commanding.

Exhibition Drill—Detachment C, John A. Stedge commanding.