Bulgarian Sanitary Corps, who worked closely with Stanley Osborn to maintain clean conditions at military hospitals and outposts. (MSS 97 Item 56, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware. , Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.)
The Bulgarians agreed to provide safe passage for Lady Paget, and her hospital staff, including the American Red Cross workers. In the meantime, hospital and relief work continued with renewed vigor. Osborn was appointed by the Bulgarians as the Sanitation Commissioner for areas of southern Serbia held by the Bulgarians, after rumors of typhus in the countryside reached Skoplje. Osborn and Fox continued to respond to reported typhus cases by sealing and fumigating the residences of affected patients. Though he had a new appreciation for the tense international situation, he believed that the best interests of civilian and military were being cared for by the Relief Fund and Red Cross. From Osborn’s perspective, within the heated cauldron of war, the Americans secured enough autonomy to continue with their mission both in Skoplje and throughout the country side with few restraints, in his words, “The Bulgars offer us everything that we needed for our work, if we will remain and carry on our work here in the future as we have done in the past.” As the American Red Cross Fords adorned with their battle-worn flags became a familiar sight at the front lines, and Osborn became accustomed with the procedure, “many times we were stopped at little culverts and bridges by Bulgar Sentries, but when they saw it was the “Amerikans” “those crazy Amerikans” we never had to say any more, they simply said, “haide” meaning to go. They called us crazy for going out at night or day for the wounded, but for the same reason they would pass us anywhere.” Just as the relief workers posited weeks before when they decided to remain in Serbia, their work protected them. Over time, the relief workers’ relationship with their captors would be challenged and reinforced.
Under Bulgarian Control Displaced Civilians
Doctors Beyond Borders: Serbian Relief in 1915 
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