The medical department of the United States army from 1775 to 1873 / compiled under the direction of the surgeon general by Harvey E. Brown.

  • United States. Surgeon-General's Office.
Date:
1873
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The medical department of the United States army from 1775 to 1873 / compiled under the direction of the surgeon general by Harvey E. Brown. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The sick of the army on the second of March numbered 2,398 present, and 367 absent; total, 2,765, out of an aggregate strength of 18,524. The new levies which were raised in the winter of 1776, were most of them concentrated at New York; and on the ninth of February, General Charles Lee wrote to Washington, urging the establishment of a hospital in that city. It was not, however, until after the evacuation of Boston by the British that this was done. This event took place on the seventeenth of March, and was almost immediately followed by a transfer of the seat of war to the Middle States. In view of the movement of the greater portion of the army from the vicinity of Boston, the following instructions were issued to Doctor Morgan by General Washington: “As the grand Continental Army, immediately under the command of his Excellency, General Washington, will as soon as it is practicable, be assembled at New York, you are with all convenient speed, to remove the General Hospital to that city. As the sick in the different houses cannot be removed, but must be left until they are able to march, you will leave such Surgeons, Surgeon’s Mates, Apothe- cary and Attendants under the direction of , as are necessary, for the care of the sick now in the General Hospital. The medicines, stores, bedding, etc., not immediately wanted in the General Hospital, should be loaded in carts, that will be provided next Saturday, by the Assistant Quartermaster General, and sent under the care of a proper officer, or officers, to Norwich, Connecticut. Upon their arrival there, they will find his Excellency’s orders, how, and in what manner, to proceed from thence, whether by land or water. The medicines ordered upon his Excellency’s application, by the Honorable the General Court of the Province, to be taken out of the town of Boston, should be sent with the first of the hospital stores that go to Norwich; a careful person having orders to take charge of the same. 1 he fixing, and completing the Regimental Medicine chests, according to your plan lately proposed, had better be deferred until your arrival in New York, when that may be set about, under your inspection. As the removing of the General Hospital, must be attended with such a variety of duty, and attention, I must refrain from giving more particular directions, leaving a latitude to your experience and knowledge of your profession, to govern and direct all your motions. Before you leave Cambridge, it will be necessary to see a proper Regimental Medicine chest provided, and delivered to each of the Surgeons of the four Regi- ments left in garrison there, under the immediate command of Major General Ward; also a ohest for Colonel Glover’s Regiment, on command at Beverly. Reposing entire confidence in your care, diligence, and zeal for the service, 1 remain satisfied of your best exertions, for the public benefit. Given at Cambridge Head Quarters, 3rd day of April, 1776. GEORGE WASHINGTON.”