 was loaned to the Engineers' hospital, one to the Sixth
Massachusetts hospital, and ten were located, under medical supervision,
beneath a row of cocoanut trees, for the accommodation of convalescents
awaiting transportation. A suitable trench was dug, flooring put in all
the tents by the engineers, and straw was furnished for bedding by the
quartermaster. This camp was named "Camp Barton."

Some of the incidental work of the Red Cross was to answer letters of
inquiry concerning missing soldiers; to guide numerous strangers
arriving at the port; to get stragglers of the army into their proper
quarters; to help soldiers in various conditions of distress; always to
be ready with a kind look and friendly hand, as proper representatives
of a generous public, desiring to show full appreciation of these who
upheld the nation's honor with the offering of their lives. Every man on
the staff of the Red Cross in Porto Rico, could he have embodied his
real preferences, would have spent his whole time personally with the
boys in their tents or hospitals. It was a real regret to us all that
from early morning until dark we had to be hard at work, with few
exceptions, in dealing out stores and attending to duties at
headquarters.

But as we were serving, not a campaigning army, but garrisons after
hostilities had ceased, and the supply of surgeons and nurses was ample,
there was no need of personal field service on our part. A tribute of
respect and praise is demanded in honor of the army officials of Porto
Rico, especially those of the southern district, so wisely administered
by General Guy V. Henry, now Governor of Porto Rico. The different
departments were ably conducted. Their relations were entirely cordial.
The difficult problems presenting themselves were handled in a manful
way.

The Red Cross carefully avoided the role of critic or censor, and sought
to conform to the wishes of commanders and surgeons, while watchfully
providing for the needs of the sick, as ascertained by independent
investigation. It never had occ