United States Christian Commission

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The United States Christian Commission was an important agency of the Union during the American Civil War. It was religious in nature but provided as well numerous social services and recreation to the soldiers of the U.S. Army. It provided Protestant chaplains, and social workers, and collaborated with the Sanitary Commission in providing medical services.

The Christian Commission was created in response to the disastrous First Battle of Bull Run. On November 14, 1861, the National Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association called a convention which met in New York City. The work of the United States Christian Commission was outlined and the organization completed next day.

The YMCA and the protestant ministers formed the USCC The civilians on the battlefield did not have weapons but just their care & love for the Christ. The original plan of the USCC was to help the priests of the armed services in their daily work.

[edit] References

• M. Hamlin Cannon, "The United States Christian Commission" The Mississippi Valley Historical Review, Vol. 38, No. 1. (Jun., 1951), pp. 61-80. in JSTOR