Report on the condition of the troops, and the operations of the Sanitary Commission in the Valley of the Mississippi, for the three months ending November 30th, 1861 / by J.S. Newberry.

  • Newberry, J. S. (John Strong), 1822-1892.
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the condition of the troops, and the operations of the Sanitary Commission in the Valley of the Mississippi, for the three months ending November 30th, 1861 / by J.S. Newberry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    The regimental hospital of the 3d Va. Regiment at this place, was being closed up by direction of Dr. Horace R. Wirtz, Ass't Surgeon U. S. A., of Gen. Rosecrans' staff. The convalescent sick were being discharged, and the principal amount of medical supplies placed in the hands of the post quartermaster; the balance being forwarded to the regimental surgeon. No report was for- warded to the Medical Director. POST HOSPITAL GALLIPOLIS, 0. (Inspected Sept. 29, 1861.) I found the hospital at this place in charge of Dr. T. F. Gabriel, commissioned surgeon by the Governor of Ohio. The number of sick in hospital was 129, occupying two small, illy-constructed houses, altogether unsuited for the purpose. The rooms were small, windows mostly immovable, and hence ventilation impossi- ble. I found on a wharf boat 37 discharged sick who had come down the Kanawha the day previous, separated from their surgeon, without passes to go further, or rations. I caused them to be fed from the hotel with coffee, soup and crackers early in the morning, before visiting the hospital. Under these circumstances, I advised that ample hospital accom- modations be immediately secured. On investigation, I learned that barracks could not be erected within four or six weeks; and that the only building in town suitable for the purpose, was the Union School House, containing eight large rooms. A meeting of the School Board was convened at 3 o'clock P. M., that day, and on presenting the subject to them in such manner as the case seemed to warrant, a voluntary consent was obtained for the occupancy of the building for hospital purposes, and before night the sick from the Avharf-boat were removed to it. Dr. Robison, Brigade Surgeon of Gen. Cox's staff, arrived that evening, and afterwards afforded essential aid to Dr. Gabriel in the re-organi- zation of the hospital. The number of deaths at this hospital since July 19th, have been six. Since Sept. 1st, fresh vegetables have been supplied by the post commissary; previous to that date the loyal citizens of Gallipolis had contributed largely for the comfort of the sick. The hospital having no stove but a sheet-iron one, the citizens had