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 Copy 1 i^NITARY COMMISSION, 
 
 rf>^ 
 
 HEPORT 
 
 ON THE 
 
 OPERATIONS OF THE 
 
 SANITARY COMMISSION 
 
 DURING AND AFTER THE 
 
 BATTLES AT GETTYSBURG, 
 
 3Vl.li: 1st, 2d and. 3d, 1863. 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 Wm. 0. Bryant & Co., Printers, 41 Nassau Street, corner of Libertt. 
 
 18G3. 
 

 / 
 
V 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 r. Law Olmstead, Esq., 
 
 General Secretary, Sanitary Comrnission : 
 
 Sir, — "When the Army of the Potomac broke camp at Fal- 
 mouth, to commence the campaign which terminated in the 
 battle of Grettysburg, the operations of the Commission in con- 
 nection with this army again assumed a most active and laborious 
 character. The evacuation of Aquia, necessitated the with- 
 drawal of its large stock of stores, accumulated at that place 
 and at Falmouth ; and the instantaneous removal of the thou- 
 sands of sick and wounded from the Corps Hospital at Potomac 
 Creek, called for an unusual amount of labor from its Relief 
 Corps. 
 
 1 have already reported, in a communication to the Executive 
 Committee, dated June 17, that all our stores had been safely 
 removed to this city from Aquia, by means of our transport the 
 steamer Elizaheth, and that we had furnished substantial food 
 to over 8,000 sick and wounded soldiers, at Lodge Ko. 5 of the 
 Commission, situated at Sixth Street Wharf, where all of the 
 transports brought the inmates of the Corps Hospitals on their 
 way to the General Hospitals of this District. This work of 
 transportation began Saturday, June 13, and continued unceas- 
 ingly until Monday night, the 15. Coffee, bread, hot beef 
 soup, lemonade, were provided in quantities to meet the de- 
 mands of all, and on the arrival of the boats, each invalid was 
 questioned as to his wants, ar " ' is wishes complied with. The 
 continuous labor of these two days severely taxed the strength 
 of those engaged in it. 
 
 While a portion of our force was thus occupied in removing 
 
the stores, and another portion in dispensing refresh m en ts to 
 the arriving thousands, a third party was engaged in following 
 the marching columns, ready to lend assistance whenever it 
 might he needed. 
 
 The short halt made by the army in the vicinity of Fairfax 
 Court House permitted us to accumulate stores at that point. 
 When the march was again resumed, our wagons with a replen- 
 ished stock, continued to follow in the rear of the column. 
 
 Dr. Alex. McDonald, who was tempoiarily in charge of our 
 station at Aqnia, as soon as he had reported the removal of our 
 stores from that point, rejoined the Corps in the field. I quote 
 from his report a resume of our operations with the army, until 
 it crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry. 
 
 " On Monday, the 22d inst. (June), two wagons loaded with 
 hospital stores, in care of Messrs. Bush and Scandlin, and ac- 
 companied by Mr. Bellows, were sent to Fairfax Court House ; 
 on Tuesday another load accompanied by Messrs. Hoag, Paige, 
 Holbrook and myself, proceeded to the same point, arriving at 
 4 P. M., and on Wednesday, a mule train with forage was sent 
 in charge of Mr. Clampitt. 
 
 " Our intention was to leave one wagon with relief agent 
 and storekeeper at Fairfax, to send a similar force to Centrc- 
 ville and Thoroughfare Gap, and another to Gum Springs and 
 Aldie; but on arriving at Fairfax we were advised by Genl. 
 Sedgwick to lemain where we then were, as the roads were not 
 safe without an escort. Acting on this advice, we remained at 
 Fairfax, issuing stores to the hospitals of the Sixth and Cavalry 
 Corps, which were much in need of such supplies as we then 
 had. 
 
 " Found the Cavalry Hospital located on a slightly elevated 
 hill, well shaded, with good water, though not in large quantity, 
 well drained, clean, raised beds, and the men in a very com- 
 fortable condition ; but few severe cases ; camp was well policed 
 and neatly laid out ; surgeons active and efficient ; good nurses; 
 clean, well ventilated tents ; everything in good order, but iu 
 want of supplies. 
 
 " The hospital of the Sixth Corps was established on a new 
 plan — the men being kept in the ambulances, ready for imme- 
 diate transportation. This plan was still an experiment, and 
 
held not iDeen fully tested, but so far as one could judge from 
 observation and the experience and statements of surgeons in 
 charge, should deem it a good one and well worthy a more ex- 
 tended trial. Ambulances were well parked on a gently sloping 
 piece of ground, kept in good order, and the men seemed to be 
 very comfortably situated, except that they needed more 
 blankets. 
 
 " "We supplied each of these and some of the regimental 
 hospitals from our stock, and at a time when there were no other 
 means of their obtaining the much needed articles. The issues 
 at Fairfax were to such an extent as to enable us to pack nearly 
 all the remaining stock in two wagons and send one nearly 
 empty with the mule train to Washington to be reloaded. 
 
 " Thursday morning visited Headquarters, and was there 
 advised to send empty wagons and mules to Washington, to 
 start with loaded wagons and follow in the train of the Reserve 
 Artillery. * * * Moved with train and camped at night 
 on top of a hill this side of Edwards' Ferry, placed a guard 
 over our stores and horses, and laid down to rest, most of us 
 having been on the road thirty-one hours without food or sleep, 
 except such as we could catch during the halts. 
 
 "Saturday, moved on to Poole§ville, where we arrived at 10 
 A. M. This point having been designated as a good one for an 
 issue-station, a room was engaged, and before the wagons were 
 unloaded two requisitions came in, the surgeons being very glad 
 to get something for their men. All stores in the town were 
 closed by order of the General Commanding, and the Commis- 
 sion was the only source from which they could obtain any- 
 thing." 
 
 For the purpose of keeping our stock up, another wagon 
 load was sent up from Washington Friday afternoon, to inter- 
 cept our train at Poolesville, Dr. McDonald having informed 
 us from Fairfax that he should make that point. This wagon 
 succeeded in getting through safely, although the road was 
 very insecure, a long Government train being seized a few 
 hours after our wagon had passed a certain point in the road by 
 a body of Stuart's cavalry. It reached Poolesville, accompanied 
 by Major Bush and Mr. Clampitt, Saturday afternoon. One 
 wagon was then returned to Washington for repairs. Sunday 
 
6 
 
 morning the array and trains moving on rapidly, our stores were 
 again packed, and the wagons proceeded together to Frederick, 
 arriving there the same evening. 
 
 It will be remembered that just previous to this time, before 
 our forces had crossed the .Potomac, the enemy liad attacked 
 and routed Gen. Milroy's command at Winchester, and the 
 forces at Harper's Ferry and vicinity had been withdrawn into 
 the entrenchments on Maryland Heights, where they were in 
 some respects beleagured. 
 
 " On the 18th of June," writes Dr. L. H. Steiner, our Chief 
 Inspector with the Army of the Potomac, " I received a tele- 
 gram from Dr. C. F. IT. Campbell, Surg. U. S. Yols., Med. 
 Director, Gen. Kelly's command, stating that he needed ' lint, 
 stimulants, and bandages.' This telegram was sent in answer 
 to an inquiry made by me, whether I could aid him. Securing 
 the use of a wagon and mule team from Alfred F, Brengle, of 
 Frederick, I dispatched, June 19, quite a large quantity of 
 brandy, sherry, whiskey, chocolate, condensed milk, tea, lint, 
 and bandages, to Maryland Heights. James Gall, Jr., relief 
 agent, occompanied the stores, and Mr. Brengle drove the team. 
 They reached their destination safely. Mr. Gall remained on 
 The Heights with his stores. ]sh\ Brengle was seized by some of 
 the enemy's cavalry on his return, his team and wagons were 
 confiscated, and himself seized as a prisoner, and sent to Rich- 
 mond. He still remains a ])risoner." 
 
 The menacing attitude of the enemy, pointing toward another 
 invasion of Maryland, and ]>ossibly of Pennsylvania, necessi- 
 tated a rapid concentration of an opposing force in its front. 
 The President called for 100,000 militia for this purpose. The 
 first troops nnder this call left ISTew York on the 17th June, In 
 anticipation of the accumulation of a large body of troops in 
 the neighborhood of Harrisbnrg, I dispatched, on the 17th, 
 Dr. Wm. F. Swalm, Inspector of the Sanitary Commission, with 
 Mr, Isaac Harris, Belief Agent, to that point. They arrived at 
 Harrisburg before any troops, and made diligent preparation 
 to lend such assistance as might be required. They remained 
 on the ground till the enemy had recrossed tlie Potomac into 
 Yirginia, and the militia hadrbeen recalled to their several 
 States. They advanced with our advancing columns to Carlisle, 
 
Shippensbiirg, Chambersburg, and Boonsborough, visiting 
 camps and hospitals, and pushing forward such extra govern- 
 mental supph'es as were found wanting. The accompanying re- 
 ports exhibit the activity, and the relief afforded by Dr. Swalm 
 and Mr. Plarris to the hurriedly constructed hospital organiza- 
 tions of tlie militia forces. 
 
 The main body of the enemy having crossed the Potomac 
 near Williamsport, about the 27th of the month, the design and 
 direction of the movement began to be apparent. Our own 
 army was at this time in the vicinity of Frederick city, Md., 
 and was moving northward, as rapidly as possible, to meet the 
 equally rapid advance of the opposing forces. 
 
 Our Chief Inspector, Dr. Lewis II. Steiner, was at Frederick. 
 Dr. Alex. McDonald had joined him." The wagons of the 
 Commission, which had followed in the train of the army, had 
 reached Frederick and reported to Dr. Steiner. It was still 
 doubtful where the collision between the opposing forces would 
 take place. We were prepared to do our work in the front and 
 in the rear, but the emergency might arise in an unexpected 
 point, and we wished to be prepared. 
 
 A demonstration of the enemy upon the Northern Central 
 Railroad (Baltimore and Harrisburg), determined me to send 
 out a relief agent in that direction. Accordingly, Mr. James 
 Gall, who had returned from Maryland Heights, was, on the 
 27th June, ordered to proceed alongi the line of that road, to 
 push forward in whatever direction he should learn that a 
 conflict was impending, to acquaint himself with the position of 
 affairs, and to keep the Central office informed of the necessity 
 of forwarding supplies and agents. 
 
 Mr. Gall was enabled to proceed only to Parkton by rail, 
 from thence he walked to York, a distance of twenty- eight 
 miles. Upon entering the town, he found it, to his surprise, in 
 possession of the enemy. The following observations, made by 
 Mr. Gall, upon the condition and appearance of the soldiers 
 composing the division of the rebel troops occupying York, I 
 quote from his report : 
 
 " Believing that a battle would take place at or near York, I 
 determined — as there was no other means of getting there — to 
 push forward on foot. I started from Parkton at nine o'clock 
 
8 
 
 on Sunday morning, and reached York at four o'clock in the 
 afternoon, and found, to my surprise and regret, that the city 
 was already in the possession of rebel troops. The force occu- 
 pying York was Gen. Early's division of Swell's corps, consist- 
 ing of five brigades of infantry, three batteries of artillery, and 
 part of two regiments of cavalry — in all about 9,0U0 men and 
 18 pieces of artillery. Gordon's brigade, accompanied by a 
 battery of artiller}^, and part of a regiment of cavalry, passed 
 through the city, and pushed on in the direction of Wrights- 
 ville. Post's brigade, composed chiefly of North Carolina men, 
 was quartered near the barracks, and did guard duty near the 
 city. Two batteries of artillery were parked in a field called 
 the ' Fair Grounds.' The other three brigades were camped 
 outside the city, andcommanding the various roads leading to 
 
 " On entering the town General Early made a levy upon the 
 citizens, promising, in the event of its being complied with 
 promptly, to spare all private property in the city ; otherwise 
 he would allow his men to take such things as they needed, and 
 would not be responsible for the conduct of his men while they 
 remained in the city. The beef, flour and other articles, and 
 $28,000 in money were speedily collected, and handed over to 
 the rebels. The General expressed himself satisfied with what 
 he had received, and scrupulously kept bis word in regard 
 to the safety of private .property. Nothing belonging to any 
 citizen was touched ; no one was molested in the streets ; all 
 was as quiet and orderly as if there were no soldiers there. I 
 am satisfied that the behavior of North Carolina troops who did 
 guard-duty in York during the rebel occupation was better than 
 that of the majority of our own troops when quartered in our 
 own cities. 
 
 " On Monday the rebels were busy in carting off" the levied 
 articles. About 4 P. M., Gordon's brigade returned from 
 Wrightsville, bringing with them some horses and cattle which 
 they had picked up on the way. They had about eight supply 
 and ammunition wagons, and twelve ambulances with them. 
 Many of the latter were marked U.S. The ambulances were 
 all filled with men, who had apparently given out on the way. 
 Physically, the men looked about equal to the generality of our 
 
own troops, and there were fewer boys among them. Their 
 dress was a wretched mixture of all cuts and colors. Thei-e was 
 not the slightest attempt at uniformity in this respect. 
 Every man seemed to have put on whatever he could get hold 
 of, without regard to shape or color. I noticed a pretty large 
 sprinkling of blue pants among them, some of those, doubtless, 
 that were left by Milroy at Winchester. Their shoes, as a 
 general thing, were poor; some of the men were entirely bare- 
 footed. Their equipments were light as compared with those 
 of our men. They consisted of a thin woolen blanket, coiled up 
 and slung from the shoulder in the form of a sash, a haversack 
 slung from the opposite shoulder, and a cartridge box. The 
 whole cannot weigh more than twelve or fourteen pounds. Is 
 it strange, then, that with such light loads they should be able 
 to make longer and more rapid marches than our men 1 The 
 marching of the men was irregular and careless ; their arms 
 were rusty and ill-kept. Their whole appearance was greatly 
 inferior to that of our soldiers. 
 
 " During Monday I visited the ' Fair Grounds,' as also the 
 camp of a Louisiana brigade, situated about a mile from the 
 city. The supply wagons were drawn up in a sort of straggling 
 hollow square, in the centre of which the men stacked their 
 arms in company lines, and in this way formed their camp. 
 There were no tents for the men, and but very few for the offi- 
 cers. The men were busy cooking their dinner, which consisted 
 of fresh beef (part of the York levy), wheat griddle cakes raised 
 with soda, and cold water. No coffee or sugar had been is- 
 sued to the men for a long time. The meat w^as mostly pre- 
 pared by frying, and was generally very plentifully salted. The 
 cooking is generally done in squads, or messes of five or six, and 
 on the march the labor of carrying the cooking utensils is equal- 
 ly divided among them. The men expressed themselves per- 
 fectly satisfied with this kind of food, and said they greatly pre- 
 ferred the bread prepared in the way they do it, to the crackers 
 issued to the Union soldier. I question if their bread is as 
 healthy and nourishing as the army biscuit. I asked one of the 
 men how he got along Avithout a shelter tent. His answer was, 
 'first rate.' 'In the first place,' said he, 'I wouldn't tote 
 one, and in the second place, I feel just as well, if not better, 
 
10 
 
 without it.' 'But how do you jnanage when it rains ?' I in- 
 quired. '"Wall,' said he, 'me and this otlier man has a gum 
 blanket atween us; when it rains we spread one of our woolen 
 blankets on the ground to lie on, then we spread the other 
 woolen blanket over us, and the gum blanket over that, and the 
 rain can't tech us.' And this is the way the rebel army (with 
 the ex'ception of a few of the most important officers) sleeps. 
 Everything that will trammel or impede the movement of the 
 army is discarded, no matter what the consequences may bo to 
 the men. In conversation with one of the officers, I mentioned 
 about the want of tents in his army, and asked whether any bad 
 effects were apparent from it. He said he thought not. On 
 the contrary, he considered the army in better condition now 
 than ever before. Granting the truth of what the officer said 
 about the condition of the rebel army, I very much doubt the 
 correctness of his conclusions. The present good condition of 
 the rebel army is more likel}^ to be due to the following circum- 
 stances : First, the army has been lying still all winter, under 
 good shelter ; has been tolerably well fed and clothed, and in 
 this way has had a chance to recuperate after the fatiguing 
 campaigns of last summer. Second, most of the weakly men, 
 who could not stand a day's march without being sent to the 
 rear, have been either discharged or have died, thus leaving a 
 smaller portion of those remaining liable to disease. Third, 
 since that portion of the rebel army (Ewell's corps) moved from 
 behind Fredericksburg, on the 4th of June last, it has been 
 favored with remarkably fine weather ; has been stimulated 
 with almost uninterrupted success in its movements; has been 
 marching through a rich and fertile country, and, by levying 
 on the inhabitants of which, the soldiers have been able to 
 procure an abundance of good wholesome food, better, perhaps, 
 than they had for manj' months. These, and not the want of 
 tents, are probably the causes which give to the rebel army its 
 present healthy tone. Under ordinary circumstances. I have 
 no doubt the want of shelter would prove rather a detriment to 
 tlie army than otherwise. 
 
 " In further conversation with the Louisiana officer, I ascer- 
 tained that this M-as the corps which moved down through the 
 Shenandoah valley, surprised Milroy at AVinchester, and was 
 
11 
 
 the first to cross the Potomac at Shepardstown into Maryland. 
 He informed me that his own and the North Carolina brigade 
 were armed entirely with Enfield rifles taken at "Winchester 
 after Milroy's retreat. In speaking of our soldiers, the same 
 oflScer remarked : They are too-well fed, too-well clothed, 
 and have far too much to carry." That our men are too well 
 fed I do not believe, neither that they are too well clothed ; that 
 thej have too much to carry I can very well believe, after wit- 
 nessing the march of the army of the Potomac to Ciiancellors- 
 ville. Each man had eight days rations to carry, besides sixty 
 rounds of ammunition, musket, woolen blanket, rubber blanket, 
 overcoat, extra shirt, drawers, socks, and shelter tent, amount- 
 ing in all to about sixty pounds. Think of men (and boys too) 
 staggering along under such a load, at the rate of fifteen to 
 
 twenty miles a day. 
 
 -!f % * * * * -;f * -x- * 
 
 " About nine o'clock Monday night, the guards were with- 
 drawn from the hotels and liquor shops, and the whole of the 
 North Carolina brigade shortly after left the city in the same 
 direction as Gordon's brigade. On Tuesday morning, about four 
 o'clock the last remaining brigade passed through the city with 
 flags flying and baud playing, and took the road to Carlisle. 
 The other two brigades it was supposed had gone oflP in the 
 direction of Gettysburg. 
 
 " The city was now clear of rebels, except some stragglers who 
 purposely staid behind, or were too drunk to go with their com- 
 mands. 
 
 " While Genl. Early scrupulously kept his agreement with the 
 citizens of York, as to the protection of private property in the 
 city, he did not prevent his troopers from visiting the farms out- 
 side the city and taking such horses and mules as they required. 
 The rebel cavalry, as a general thing, are splendidly mounted, 
 better, I think, than the Union cavalry, and their free and easy 
 manner of procuring fresh horses explains it." 
 
 Mr. Gall not being able to communicate with us by tele- 
 graph, except from Baltimore, reported in person, and was im- 
 mediately ordered to join Dr. Steiner at Frederick. 
 
 The anticipated battle was now near at hand. Supplies were 
 accumulated at New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and 
 
 / 
 
12 
 
 "Washington. Mr. Knapp was at Pliiladelphia, and Mr. O. C. 
 Billiard at Baltimore, both with efficient assistants ready to 
 respond to all demands. 
 
 The supply train following the army had reached Frederick 
 city, and was under the orders of Dr. Steiner. Its subsequent 
 operations during the battle week I give in the words of Dr. 
 Steiner from his report already referred to. 
 
 " June 28. The supply train, with stores from Washington, 
 reported to me during the day, being in charge of Messrs. 
 Bush, rioag, and Clampitt. Desiring to retain Clampitt to 
 assist me in my work in Frederick, 1 detached him from the 
 train, which then started ofi', accompanied by Messrs. Hoag 
 and Bush. The benefits aflbrded by these supplies to the 
 wounded, to whom they were distributed under fire, during the 
 battles of Gettysburg, July 2d and 3d, by Mr. Hoag, cannot 
 be expressed in words, and the receipted requisitions of the 
 surgeons who employed these stores on that occasion, are 
 sufiicient evidence of the utility of being prepared for such 
 emergencies. 
 
 " On Saturday, July 4, two wagons reported to me from 
 Washington, being accompanied by Dr. Alex. McDonald, 
 (sanitary inspector,) and Messrs. James Gall, Jr., and Rev. Mr. 
 Scandlin, (relief agents.) Having been informed that a car load 
 of supplies liad been forwarded to Westminster, Md., I ordered 
 one wagon, under the direction of Mr. Gall, to that ])lace, with 
 the view of having it then filled with supplies and tiienco to 
 proceed to Gettysburg. The second wagon was loaded from 
 the Frederick storehouse, and dispatched under the charge of 
 Dr. McDonald, viaEmmittsburgto Gettysburg. Dr. McDonald 
 was provided with instructions to take charge of our operations 
 in the field, and was supplied with discretionary powers. Rev. 
 Mr. Scandlin accompanied the second wagon. The first wagon 
 safely reached Gettysburg, the second was seized by a party of 
 the enemy's cavalry, in or near Emmittsburg, its stores and the 
 horses of the party confiscated, and Dr. McDonald, Mr. Scand- 
 lin, Leonard Brink, (the teamster,) with a colored boy, Moses 
 Gardner, were taken to Richmond, where they are held as 
 prisoners." 
 
 The report of the first pitched engagement of the contend- 
 
13 
 
 ing forces, on the 1st July, reached us the following morning. 
 A freight car (No. 816) was immediately loaded and dispatched 
 to Westminister, leaving Washington in the night, in charge of 
 Mr. S. Bacon. Mr. Hovey followed the next morning in pas- 
 senger train, and reached Westminster about iioon July 3d. 
 Owing to a delay at Baltimore of the government freight train, 
 the car was thirty hours e7i route. 
 
 On Sunday, tlie 5th July, another car (No. 1499), loaded 
 with assorted supplies, was sent to Westminster, in charge of 
 Mr. George G. Edgerly, and a third car-load to Frederick, to 
 the care of Dr. Steiner. 
 
 These were the supplies which reached the army immediately 
 subsequent to the battle, before the railway leading direct to 
 Gettj'sburg was put in repair, and before any communication 
 was open, except through the long and tedious process of haul- 
 ing by wagons. 
 
 What was done by our force in the field, during and im- 
 mediately after the battle, up to the time when I arrived at 
 Gettysburg, I shall give in the words of those who performed 
 the labor. 
 
 Mr. Hoag who was in charge of the wagons, sent out by 
 Dr. Steiner from Frederick, gives the following account : 
 
 " I left Frederick City in charge of two wagons, well loaded, 
 July 29. We fell in with the 12tli army corps supply train, 
 but owing to its moving slowly, did not get more than six 
 miles before we were obliged to put up for tlie night. 
 
 " Tuesday we moved more rapidly, passed through Taney- 
 town, and out on the road to Emmittsburg, overtook the 3d 
 corps in camp, on the banks of the Monocacy. Next morning, 
 Wednesday, I obtained permission to bring my wagons in just 
 behind the headquarters' teams, and kept with them to or near 
 Gettj'sburg, where we arrived about nine o'clock, P. M. All 
 was quiet until four o'clock P. M., Thursday, when a heavy 
 firing commenced on our left, where the ' rebs' were trying a 
 flank movement. As soon as the wounded began to come in, 
 I started out with the wagons to distribute the stores. We 
 reached five difierent hospitals, which were all we were able to 
 find that night, and early in the morning three others, which 
 exhausted our stores. We were just in time to do the most 
 
14 
 
 good possible, as the government wagons had been sent back 
 ten miles, and many of the hospitals were not supplied with 
 material sufficient for immediate use. (The hospitals supplied 
 were division hospitals of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th, 11th and 12th 
 corps.) 
 
 " On telling the surgeons tliat I was on hand with sanitary- 
 stores, I was almost invariably greeted with expressions like 
 the following, ' Yon could never have come at a better time,' 
 and once on mentioning sanitary stores, I received two hearty 
 welcome slaps on the shoulder, one from the medical director 
 of the corps, and the other the surgeon of the division." 
 
 Major Bush, who accompanied Mr. Hoag, gives his account 
 in the following words : 
 
 " Monday morning, June 29. Mr. Hoag and myself left 
 Frederick with two wagon loads, in connection with the train 
 of the 12th corps, by order of General "Williams to Dr. Steiner. 
 Reached Taneytown, Md., Tuesday, P. M., June 30. 
 
 " AYednesday morning, July 1, and first day of the battle, I 
 was informed, while at General Meade's headquarters' by an 
 orderly just arrived from this place (Gettysburg), that an at- 
 tack and a battle was expected here that day, as the cavalry 
 with the 1st and 11th corps had already reached this place. I 
 left Mr. Hoag and our wagons in the train of headquarters' 
 (to which they had been transferred from that of the 12th 
 army corps), and rode to Littlestown, Pa., thence to this place, 
 arriving at ' Cemetery Hill,' where a portion of our batteries 
 were situated, about 11 P. M., just as the rebel prisoners who 
 were captured by our cavalry and the 11th corps, in the first 
 engagement of that day were approaching said hill. Ihe 
 battle soon commenced between the first corps and General 
 Hill's (rebel) southwest of the Seminary, which was fought 
 steadily and bravely by tlie first corps, until it finally retreated 
 with severe loss between two and three P. M. Its commander. 
 General Peynolds, was among the killed. 
 
 " The rebels then rallied in the rear of the Seminary and Col- 
 lege Hill, during which time the eleventh corps formed a line 
 between tlie college and the town, making the fences their line 
 of defence. The rebel forces ac^vanced over this bill in mass 
 about four P. M., formed in line of battle, when they marched 
 
\ 
 
 15 
 
 firmly towards the eleventh corps, which retired into the town 
 without making any formidable resistance, and the rebel troops 
 took possession of Gettysburg, when the fighting of the first 
 day ceased. I now made search for our wagons, but in the 
 vast concourse I was unable to find them that night. (Most of 
 the wounded of this day's fight, were carried into the churches 
 and public buildings of the town, under the organization of 
 the first and cavalry corps, and were prisoners at the close of 
 the day.) 
 
 '•The 3d and 12th corps arrived during the afternoon, but too 
 late to enter into battle. 
 
 " Thursday, July 2d, and second day of the battle. The 2d 
 corps arrived by the Taneytown road, below Cemetery Hill at 
 day break. The 5th corps arrived two miles from town, on 
 the Baltimore Pike about ten A. M. One division of the 6th 
 corps on the same Pike from "Westminster, at two P. M. 
 
 " The battle opened about 4 P. M. Found our wagons early 
 in the afternoon. As soon as the surgeons had decided upon 
 the difi'erent points where the Corps Hospitals were to be 
 formed, Mr. Hoag moved the wagons to them at once, and com- 
 menced to issue our stores, which consisted chiefly of concen- 
 trated beef soup, stimulants, crackers, condensed milk, concen- 
 trated coffee, corn-starch, farina, shirts, drawers, stockings, 
 towels, blankets, quilts, bandages and lint. We hastened from 
 one hospital to another, as rapidly as possible, issuing to each a 
 proportion of our stores, until the supply was nearly exhausted, 
 when, upon consultation with Mr. Hoag, it was decided that I 
 should start for the nearest point from which a telegram could 
 be sent to Washington, ordering up more supplies. Frederick was 
 spoken of, but upon inquiry at difi'erent points, it was considered 
 unsafe to go there, as the rebel cavalry were in possession of the 
 roads in that direction. I then decided to go to Westminster, 
 learning that several of the New York newspaper reporters 
 . were about starting for the same place, and learning that the 
 telegraph was in operation from that place to Baltimore. I left 
 the battle-field late in the evening, arrived in Westminster early 
 in the morning of Friday, and soon learned, to our disappoint- 
 ment, that no telegraph was there, and the first train did not 
 leave for Baltimore till 12 M. Arrived in Baltimore just in 
 
16 
 
 time to take the express train to Washington. Found that a 
 car had ah'eady been loaded with stores and started for West- 
 minster, under the direction of Messrs. Hovey and Bacon. 
 
 "This car arrived at Westminster, Saturday, Jul j 4, when Mr. 
 Hovey procured three Government wagons, and that evening 
 started with tliree full loads of stores, arriving early next morn- 
 ing (Sunday) at the 1st, 2d, and 3d Corps Hospitals. By your 
 orders, I left Washington by the 11 A. M. train, July 4, arriv- 
 ing at Relay, in time for the 2 F. M. train, for Westminster. 
 Owing to a misunderstanding between the two conductors on the 
 road, the trains waited for each other at either end of the road, 
 so that we did not get started from the Relay until 8 o'clock 
 Sunday morning, arriving at Westminster at 10 A. M., where I 
 found Mr. Bacon in charge of the remainder of the car-load of 
 stores. About noon our four- mule team came in from Fred- 
 erick, in charge of Mr. Gall. It was immediately loaded, and 
 early in the morning I left with it, in company of Mr. Gall, Mr. 
 Bacon still remaining in charge at Westminster. 
 
 "A school-house was taken on the Baltimore pike, near the 
 different Corps Hospitals, and about three miles out from Get- 
 tysburg, and from it our stores were thereafter issued, until the 
 opening of the railroad permitted our reaching the field by 
 that route, when, on Tuesday morning, July 7, a storehouse was 
 taken in town, and the school-house closed." 
 
 In the meantime, Mr. Hoag had been to Frederick with the 
 two wagons, and had returned with full loads to the school- 
 house, where the stores brought by him were issued. 
 
 Mr. Hovey, after delivering his loads to the three Corps 
 Hospitals, returned to Westminster and took three more loads, 
 and Mr. Gall made a second trip with the four-mule team, 
 which took the remainder of the first car-load sent from Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 Twelve wagon loads of extra governmental supplies were 
 therefore taken on to the battle-field, previous to the opening of 
 the railroad to Gettysburg, and before they could reach the 
 wounded from any other direction. Of these, eight wagon 
 loads were taken from Westminster, and four from Frederick, 
 including the two which were on the field during the battle, and 
 the supplies from which were issued under fire, and to the hos- 
 
 ^ 
 
17 
 
 pitals the nearest to the line of battle. The last of these stores 
 were given to a hospital to the left of our line, just in the rear 
 of Weed's Hill, where General Weed fell. 
 
 The second car-load sent up in care of Mr. Edgerly, was by 
 him transferred to Mr. Bacon, who, after unloading it, had it 
 reloaded, and by the advice of Major Fainter, Post-Quarter- 
 master, sent around by rail to Gettysburg. 
 
 On Monday, July 6, I left Washington for Baltimore to meet 
 yourself and Mr. Knapp. Upon consultation, it was deemed 
 advisable that I should proceed at once to Gettysburg. In 
 company, therefore, with Mr. Bullard, Mr. Murray, Mr. Bar- 
 ton, and two Germans, sent to our aid by Mr. Hitz, of Wash- 
 ington, I left Baltimore on Monday evening, upon a freight 
 train, containing two loaded cars for the Commission. 
 
 Heavy trains, heavy grades, delays of all kinds, prevented us 
 from reaching Gettysburg before late Tuesday afternoon. The 
 temporary terminus of the railway was then over a mile from the 
 town, and to this terminus crowds of slightly wounded men 
 came, limping, dragging themselves along, silent, weary, worn. 
 The moment the cars stopped, the crowd of weary and wounded 
 soldiers accumulated there, indicated that point as a place for 
 a Relief Lodge. 1 immediately had two of our largest tents, 
 together capable of sheltering seventy-five men, pitched, stoves 
 erected, and a lodge established. The wise foresight of Mr. 
 Knapp had included these articles among the first invoice. The 
 two Germans, whose names I have unfortunately lost, vol- 
 unteered as cooks. That night our tents were full, and we had 
 the great satisfaction of not only afibrding shelter and attention 
 to tiie wounded, but also supplying good nutritions food to those 
 within our tents, and those who had taken refuge on the cars. 
 
 While our tents were being raised, Mr. E, B. Fairchild rode 
 down from the village to ascertain if there had been any 
 arrivals by the train, and found us in the midst of our prepra- 
 tions. He reported the arrival of Dr. Bellows and Dr. Agnew 
 from Harrisburg, the position of our field station at the school- 
 house, and the presence of Messrs. Johnson, Biddle, Edgerly, 
 Hoag, Gall, Paige and Hovey, (relief agents,) at our store- 
 house in the town. The lodge established, I left it in charge of 
 Mr. O. 0. Bullard, who was assisted by Mr. Murray and Mr. 
 2 
 
18 
 
 Barton, and the Germans from Washington, and reported to 
 Dr. Bellows. 
 
 The next day, our store-house was given up to the Provost 
 Marshal, and another room on Baltimore street was by his 
 permission taken. The latter place, the store of Messrs. 
 Fahnestock & Co. — the largest in the town — became the 
 centre of the busiest scene which I have ever witnessed 
 in connection with the Commission. Car-load after car- 
 load of supplies were brought to this place, till shelves and 
 counter and floor up to the ceiling were filled, till there was 
 barely a passage-way between ^he piles of boxes and barrels, 
 till the sidewalk was monopolized and even the street en- 
 croached upon. These supplies were the outpourings of a 
 grateful people. This abundant overflow of the generous re- 
 membrance of those at home to those in the arm}'- was dis- 
 tributed in the same generous manner as it was contributed. 
 Each morning the supply wagons of the division and corps 
 hospitals were before the door, and each day they went away 
 laden with such articles as were desired to meet their wants. 
 If the articles needed one day were not in our possession at the 
 time, they were immediately telegraphed for, and by the next 
 train of cars thereafter they were ready to be delivered. Thus, 
 tons of ice, mutton, poultry, fish, vegetables, soft bread, eggs, 
 butter, and a variety of other articles of substantial and delicate 
 food were provided for the wounded, with thousands of suits of 
 clothing of all kinds and hospital furniture in quantity to meet 
 the emergency. It was a grand sight to see this exhibition of 
 the tender care of the people for the people*s braves. It was 
 a bit of home feeling, of home bounty, brought to the tent, put 
 into the hand of the wounded soldier. I feel grateful that I 
 was permitted to participate in this work. 
 
 Mr. H. P. Dechert was placed in charge of this store -house 
 and was assisted permanently by Messrs. Edgerly, Bacon, 
 Murray and Bowers, with a detail of four soldiers. To this 
 force, at first were added Messrs. Johnson, Biddle, Gall, and 
 Paige. These latter gentlemen were afterwards hospital 
 visitors, for a few days, when they left to join the army of the 
 Potomac in its advance, as relief agents. 
 
 The accompanying tabulated statement of the issues to the 
 
19 
 
 different hospitals, as prepared by Mr. Dechert, will exhibit the 
 amount and character of the articles supplied. 
 
 The lodge, which was established at the temporary terminus 
 of the railway on Tuesday, was continued there until Friday, 
 when the burned bridge which had prevented the cars from 
 running into town was replaced by a new structure, and the 
 cars resumed their regular runnings to the station. On Thurs- 
 day I had a tent and flie erected near the depot in preparation 
 for the change in the terminus of the road, and on Saturday the 
 lodge out of town was discontinued and the tents used there 
 added to those near the depot. This second lodge was in suc- 
 cessful operation on Friday, though it was not generally made 
 use of till Saturday. 
 
 Between Tuesday and Saturday noon we provided at our 
 first lodge, good beef soup, coffee and fresh bread, for over 
 3,000 slightly wounded soldiers whose injuries did not prevent 
 them from walking to this point, while we sheltered each night 
 about fifty more serious cases, which had been brought down 
 by ambulance, and whose wounds required the attention of a 
 surgeon. We were fortunate in having during these days the 
 volunteer aid of Dr. Hooper, from Boston, who devoted himself 
 to this latter work. Mr. Clark, from New Hampshire, Mr. 
 Hawkins, from Media, Pa., and Mr. Shippen, from Pittsburg, 
 also lent their assistance, and all these gentlemen materially 
 aided us at this and at the second lodge until it was fully 
 organized. 
 
 With the transfer of our material to town, the irregular or- 
 ganization was changed to a permament working basis. Dr. W. 
 F. Cheney, who arrived on the 10th, was placed in charge of the 
 camp. He brought with him seven assistants, Messrs. Latz, 
 Cooley, McGuinness, Chesebro, Blakeley, Sherwin, Freshoner, 
 from Canandaigua, N. Y. To these were added Messrs. 
 Reisinger and Hall, from Baltimore, and four detailed soldiers. 
 Cooks had arrived, a large shed for a kitchen had been erected, 
 and full preparations were made for feeding any number. Every 
 facility was granted us by the medical ofiicers of the post and 
 by the commissary. Additional tents were erected, drains 
 made, straw procured, and shelter prepared for 150 men. A 
 store tent was placed near the hospital tents, and given into the 
 
20 
 
 charge of two New York ladies, whose long experience on the 
 Commission's transports during the Peninsular campaign of last 
 summer, had made them familiar with all of the requirements 
 of this camp. The cars stopped immediately in front of our 
 camp, and distant but a few feet from it. 
 
 During the ten days subsequent to the establishment of this 
 lodge, over 5,000 soldiers (Union and Rebel) received food 
 either in our tents or on the cars, and an average of over 100 
 remained in our tents each night and had their wounds dressed 
 and more or less clothing distributed to them. 
 
 This lodge was continued until all the wounded capable of 
 being removed were transferred from the Corps Hospitals to 
 the General Hospitals of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, 
 Harrisburg, and York. 
 
 When the General Field Hospital was decided upon for the 
 reception of all those whose serious wounds prevented them 
 from being removed, I asked for a place to be assigned us in 
 the plan, and before leaving Gettysburg saw two of our tents 
 erected in the camp, one for our stores, the other for the ladies 
 who would be in charge. This design has been effectually 
 carried out. 
 
 Our plan of operation and our labors were in Gettysburg as 
 they have been elsewhere, divided into those of inquiry and 
 relief. The latter, from our experience, was subdivided into 
 general and special relief. The first of these was to be extend- 
 ed by issues from our store-house directly to Corps Hospitals, 
 in bulk, according to the ascertained necessities, and the latter 
 took the direction of attending to those of the wounded — by far 
 the greater number — who, capable of being transported from 
 the field of battle, were daily removed, until only the more 
 serious cases remained. I have already given the history of 
 the store-house and lodge. The tabulated statement of the issues 
 from the former, and the number assisted and relieved at the 
 latter, will tell how well the organization worked. Few left 
 the region of Gettysburg without receiving some material aid 
 from us, either in food or clothing. 
 
 Our trained permanent corps rendered this work easy and 
 immediate. This would not have been possible, in the same 
 time, with a body of men unaccustomed to and ignorant of the 
 
21 
 
 work. The large number of volunteers who came to our assist- 
 ance, under the direction of those already familiar with the 
 work, fell readily into the line of duty, and soon became efficient 
 co-workers. 
 
 The labor of inquiry required the daily visitation of the hos- 
 pitals, consultation with the me Heal officers as to the most 
 efficient manner in which we could aid them, the character and 
 quantity of the supplies most needed, the daily movement in 
 the population of the hospitals under their command, witli the 
 character and severity of the injuries, and all such information 
 in relation to the disposition of the wounded as would assist us 
 in making our preparations. 
 
 Beside the visits of inquiry to the hospitals, a list of the 
 names and wounds of all the inmates of each hospital was taken. 
 and forwarded to the office of the Hospital Directory in "Wash- 
 ington, and we held ourselves in readiness to attend to messages 
 of inquiry sent to us from any direction, in regard to any 
 wounded man in these hospitals. This work was performed by 
 Mr. Dooley, from the Directory office. Messrs. Stille, Struthers, 
 Hazlehurst, Dullus, Beitler, and Tracy, from Philadelphia, and 
 Messrs. Hosford, Myers, and Braman, from New York, assisted 
 in this labor as well as at the lodge, and in attending to special 
 cases. 
 
 The duty of visiting the Confederate Hospitals was assigned 
 to Dr. Gordon Wiuslow, who reported to me soon after I 
 arrived. The following communication, addressed by him to 
 me, will give briefly the result of his inquiries : 
 
 " Gettysburg, July 22, 1863. 
 
 " Sir, — Agreeably to your instructions, I have inspected the 
 several Confederate Hospitals in the vicinity of Gettysburg, 
 and have indicated, on the accompanying map, the locality, 
 division. General who was in command, surgeon in charge, and 
 number of wounded. 
 
 " It appears that the aggregate of wounded, at the time of my 
 visits, was 5,452, occupying some twenty-four (2i) separate 
 camps, over an area of some twelve miles. The wounds, in a 
 large proportion of cases, are severe. 
 
 "Amputations and resections are frequent. The corps of Con- 
 
22 
 
 federate Surgeons are, as a body, intelligent and attentive. The 
 hospitals are generally in barns, outhouses, and dilapidated 
 tents. Some few cases are in dwellings. I cannot speak favor- 
 ably of their camp police. Often there is a deplorable want of 
 cleanliness. Especially in barns and outhouses, vermin and 
 putrid matter are disgustingly offensive. #As fast as means of 
 transportation can be had, those who are capable of being re- 
 moved will be placed in more comfortable quarters. Some 
 hundreds are being removed daily. Every provision is made 
 by the Sanitary Commission for their comfort during their stay 
 at the Depot Lodge, and those who are placed directly in the 
 cars are furnished wholesome food. I am pleased to report 
 that the surgeons have in every instance spoken in the highest 
 terms of praise of the efforts made for their relief and comfort."* 
 
 In this connection, I may state that subsequent to these visits, 
 Dr. Winslow procured the signature of every Confederate Sur- 
 geon to a petition to Gen. Lee for the immediate and uncondi- 
 tional release of Dr. McDonald, Mr. Scandlin, Mr. Brengle, 
 Leonard Brink, and Moses Gardner, who had been taken 
 prisoners while acting in their humane office, as non-combatants, 
 and ready to extend assistance to all wounded alike. This 
 
 * The hospitals visited by Dr. Winslow were situated as below, and con- 
 tained the number of wounded as indicated in the followino: table : 
 
 1 
 
 Location. 
 
 Division. 
 
 Surgeon. 
 
 No. 
 
 Cashtown 
 
 Genl. Parine's . . 
 
 . . Dr. AVilson . 
 
 171 
 
 On Cliambersburg Road . 
 
 " Porcher's . 
 
 . Dr. Ward . . 
 
 700 
 
 On Mummasburg " 
 
 " Rhode's , 
 
 . Dr. Hayes . . 
 
 800 
 
 In Penn. College . . . 
 
 " Heath's . 
 
 . Dr. Smiley 
 
 700 
 
 Hunterstown Road . . 
 
 " Johnson's . 
 
 . Dr. Whitehead 
 
 311 
 
 Fairfield 
 
 
 
 50 
 
 Fairfield Road . Part of Genl. Johnson's . . 
 
 . Dr. Stewart . 
 
 135 
 
 (( « 
 
 " Early's \ . 
 
 . Dr. Potts . . 
 
 259 
 
 (( 11 
 
 " Anderson's 
 
 . Dr. Mines . . 
 
 111 
 
 " " . . 
 
 " McLaw's 
 
 . Dr. Patterson 
 
 700 
 
 « » 
 
 " Hood's . . 
 
 . Dr. Means . . 
 
 515 
 
 
 • Total . 
 
 
 5,452 
 
 1 
 1 
 
23 
 
 petition has been forwarded through the proper authorities, 
 with the advice and consent of our own officers for the exchange 
 of prisoners. A month has elapsed, but so far no notice has 
 been taken by the Confederate officers of the wishes of their 
 surgeons in our hands. 
 
 The hospitals containing our own wounded were visited by 
 Messrs. Johnson, Biddle, Murray, Paige, Gall, Fairchild, and 
 myself. Some of them were also visited by yourself and Mr. 
 Knapp, who separately came to Gettysburg, and accompanied 
 me in my rounds. 
 
 The hospital organizations were mostly in tents, taking some 
 farmer's house and barn as a nucleus.* For several days im- 
 mediately succeeding the battle, there was a great deficiency in 
 
 * The First Corps Hospital was divided. A portion was in the town, occu- 
 pying several churches and the Court-House. These buildings contained the 
 wounded of the battle of July 1st, The number estimated, including those in 
 private houses, was 400 to 450. The second portion was about 2^ miles 
 from the town on the Baltimore pike. The First Division was in and about 
 the White Church and Lightner's house ; the Second Division in and about 
 Peter Conover's house ; and the Third Division had Jonathan Young's house 
 for its centre. There were in these divisions 2,379 wounded, of whom 260 
 were confederates. Dr. Ward was the Surgeon in charge. 
 
 The Second Corps Hospital was situated on the banks of Rock Creek, in 
 tents, about 80 rods north of the house indicated on the map as that of Isaac 
 Schriever. It contained about 4,500 wounded, of whom 1,000 were rebels, 
 Dr. Justin Dwindle was the Surgeon in charge. There were three divisions 
 consolidated. 
 
 The Third Corps Hospital was on high ground south of Schwartz's house, 
 about 100 rods above the junction of White's Creek with Rock Creek, on 
 Schwietzel's farm. It contained 2,550 wounded ; of these, 259 were rebels. 
 Dr. Hildreth was Surgeon in charge. There were two divisions only, under 
 separate organization, but remote from each other only by a narrow ravine. 
 
 The Fifth Corps Hospital was in three divisions. The First Division was 
 on Mr. Little's farm, north of the house, and south of White's Creek, and 
 about 100 rods east of Third Corps. The Second Division was south of Mrs. 
 Jesse Clapsaddle's house, across Lousy Run, about 100 rods south of White's 
 Creek. The Third Division was about half a mile west of Two Taverns, on 
 Jesse Werley's farm. This Division Hospital was the most remote of all the 
 Union hospitals from the town of Gettysburg. They contained together 
 1,400 wounded, including 75 rebels. Dr. Clark, Surgeon in charge. 
 
24 
 
 tents, and a sad want of most of the necessities of a hospital 
 both in food and furniture. This latter we attempted to fill so 
 far as our limited resources would go. The want was incident 
 to the campaign, and not the result of neglect. Another dif- 
 ficulty, inseparable from the campaign was the small number of 
 medical officers left upon the ground, to take charge of the 
 large number of wounded. The battle ended, and the enemy 
 on the retreat, the advance of our forces required the presence 
 of a large proportion of the medical officers to meet the de- 
 mands of another battle which seemed imminent. Those left 
 behind had to divide their attention among our own wounded 
 
 The three divisions of the Sixth Cojys Hospital were, the First, about the 
 house of John Frastle, near Peach Orchard, and the Second and Third Divi- 
 sions in tents near by. There were 300 inmates. Dr. Chamberlain, Surgeon, 
 in charge. 
 
 The Eleventh Corps Hospital occupied the house and farm of Geo. Spangler. 
 The divisions were consolidated under the charge of Dr. Armstrong. It con- 
 tained 1,900 wounded, of whom 100 were said to be confederates. 
 
 The Twelfth Corps Hospital was under the charge of Dr. Ernest Goodman. 
 Its three divisions, under separate organizations, were together around the 
 house of Geo. Bushman. It contained 1,131 wounded, including 125 rebels. 
 
 The Cavalry Corps Hospital was in town, and occupied the Presbyterian 
 Church on Baltimore street, and the two school-houses in the immediate 
 vicinity. It was under the charge of Dr. Rulison, and the three buildings 
 contained 300 of our wounded. 
 
 These figures are approximative only, as that was all we sought for at the 
 time. The number of wounded whose wants — beyond those that a beneficent 
 government cared for — we were anxious to supply, can be stated briefly as 
 follows : 
 
 First Corps (2 portions) 2,519 Union, 260 Confederates, . . 2,779 
 
 Second " 3,500 " 1,000 " . . 4,500 
 
 Third " 2,300 '• 250 " . . 2,550 
 
 Fifth " 1,325 " 75 '^ . . 1,400 
 
 Sixth " 300 " 300 
 
 Eleventh " 1,800 " 100 " . . 1,900 
 
 Twelfth " 1,006 «' 125 " . . 1,131 
 
 Cavalry '■' 300 " 300 
 
 Total . . . 13,050 1,810 14,860 
 
25 
 
 and those of the enemy who had fallen into our hands, the num- 
 ber of Confederate surgeons left behind being inadequate to 
 their care. In previous battles there has always been a full 
 quota, if not the entire medical corps of the army, to attend 
 to the wounded. 
 
 The labor, the anxiety, the responsibility imposed upon the 
 surgeons after the battle of Gettysburg were from the position 
 of affairs, greater than after any other battle of the war. The 
 devotion, the solicitude, the unceasing efforts to remedy the 
 defects of the situation, the untiring attentions to the wounded 
 upon their part, were so marked as to be apparent to all who 
 visited the hospitals. It must be remembered that these same 
 oflBcers had endured the privations and fatigues of the long 
 forced marches with the rest of the army ; that they had shared 
 its dangers, for one medical oflScer from each regiment follows 
 it into battle, and is liable to the accidents of war, as has been 
 repeatedly and fatally the case ; that its field hospitals are often 
 from the changes of the line of battle, brought under the fire 
 of the enemy, and that while in this situation, these surgeons are 
 called upon to exercise the calmest judgment, to perform the 
 most critical and serious operations, and this quickly and con- 
 tinuously. The battle ceasing, their labors continue. While 
 other ofiicers are sleeping, renewing their strength for further 
 efforts, the medical are still toiling. They have to improvise 
 hospitals from the rudest materials, are obliged to make "bricks 
 without straw," to surmount seeming impossibilities. The work 
 is unending, both by day and night, the anxiety is constant, 
 the strain upon both the physical and mental faculties, unceas- 
 ing. Thus, after this battle, operators had to be held up while 
 performing the operations, and fainted from exhaustion, the 
 operation finished. One completed his labors to be seized with 
 partial paralysis, the penalty of his over-exertion. 
 
 While his duties are as arduous, his exposure as great, and 
 the mortality from disease and injury as large as among staff 
 officers of similar rank, the surgeon has no prospect of pro- 
 motion, of a brevet, or an honorable mention, to stimulate 
 him. His duties are performed quietly, unostentatiously. He 
 does his duty for his country's sake, for the sake of humanity. 
 
26 
 
 The consciousness of having noblj performed this great duty is 
 well nigh his only, as it must ever be his highest reward. The 
 medical corps of the army is well deserving of this slight tribute. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 J. H. Douglas, 
 Associate Secretary San. Com. 
 
 Washington, D. C, Aug. 15, 1863. 
 
TABULATED STATEMENT OF ISSUES. 
 
 The following is a statement of the quantities of the principal articles 
 distributed by the Commission to the wounded upon the field at 
 Gettysburg, subsequent to the battle. The perishable articles, 
 (amounting to over 60 tons) were taken to the ground in refrig- 
 erating cars. 
 
 Of Articles of Clothing, etc., vis. : 
 
 Of Drawers, (woolen) 5,310 pairs. 
 
 (cotton) 1,833 " 
 
 " Shirts, (woolen) V,158 
 
 " » (cotton) 3,266 
 
 " Pillows 2,114 
 
 " Pillow Cases 264 
 
 " Bed Sacks 1,630 
 
 " Blankets 1,007 
 
 " Sheets 274 
 
 " Wrappers 508 
 
 » Handkerchiefs 2,659 
 
 " Stockings, (woolen) 3,560 pairs. 
 
 (cotton) 2,258 " 
 
 " Bed Utensils 728 
 
 " Towels and Napkins 10,000 
 
 " Sponges 2,300 
 
 "Combs 1,500 
 
 " Buckets 200 
 
 " Soap, (Castile) 250 pounds- 
 
 " Oil Silk 300 yards. 
 
 " Tin Basins, Cups, etc 7,000 
 
 " Old Linen, Bandages, etc • HO barrels. 
 
 " Water Tanks „ 7 
 
 " Water Coolers 46 
 
28 
 
 Of Bay Rum and Cologne Water 225 bottles. 
 
 ••• Fans 3,500 
 
 " Chloride of Lime 11 barrels. 
 
 " Shoes and Slippers 4,000 pairs. 
 
 " Crutches 1,200 
 
 " Lanthorns 180 
 
 " Candles 350 pounds. 
 
 " Canvas 300 sq.y'ds. 
 
 " Musquito Netting 648 pieces. 
 
 " Paper 237 quires. 
 
 " Pants, Coats, Hats 189 pieces. 
 
 " Plaster 16 rolls. 
 
 Of Articles of Sustenance, viz. : 
 
 Of Fresh Poultry and Mutton 11 ,000 pounds. 
 
 " " Butter 6,430 " 
 
 " " Eggs, (chiefly collected for the occasion at 
 farm-houses in Pennsylvania and New 
 
 Jersey) 8,500 dozens. 
 
 " " Garden Vegetables 675 bushels. 
 
 " " Berries 48 " 
 
 " " Bread 12,900 loaves. 
 
 " Ice 20,000 pounds. 
 
 " Concentrated Beef Soup 3,800 " 
 
 " " Milk 12,500 " 
 
 " Prepared Farinaceous Food 7,000 " 
 
 " Dried Fruit 3,500 " 
 
 *' Jellies and Conserves 2,000 jars. 
 
 " Tamarinds 750 gallons. 
 
 " Lemons 116 boxes. 
 
 " Oranges 46 " 
 
 " Coffee 850 pounds. 
 
 " Chocolate 831 " 
 
 "Tea 426 " 
 
 " White Sugar 6,800 " 
 
 " Syrups, (Lemon, etc.) 785 bottles. 
 
 " Brandy 1,250 " 
 
 "Whiskey 1,168 " 
 
 "Wine 1,148 " 
 
 " Ale 600 gallons. 
 
29 
 
 Of Biscuit, Crackers, and Rusk 134 barrels. 
 
 " Preserved Meats 500 pounds. 
 
 " Preserved Fish 3,600 '' 
 
 " Pickles 400 gallons. 
 
 " Tobacco 100 pounds. 
 
 " Tobacco Pipes 1,000 
 
 " Indian Meal 1,621 pounds. 
 
 " Starch 1,074 " 
 
 " Codfish 3,848 
 
 " Canned Fruit 582 cans. 
 
 " " Oysters 12 " 
 
 " Brandy Peaches 303 jars. 
 
 "Catsup 43 " 
 
 " Vinegar 24 bottles. 
 
 " Jamaica Ginger 43 jars. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 013 702 232 1 •