Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-09
nc mslasloc.sli san d the Army.
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sasH ,Published By kequest.l faff ~ 81 {
To Ms zdisor Of DE Richmond Kransizsr.s:- Having
of late noticed several articles in the Richmond
pewspspers, severely refecting upon the msdica
staff attached to The army of the Potomac, and hAT-
ing in vain waited 30 see some reply to the sfore-
said articles am induced to ask for space In your
journal for short communica lion. ~. e 2 e.
l would Esk these army heakerndfeerS 10 answer
satisfactorily the following questions: a.
l. has the disease and mortality in the army Of
the Potomac been greater thsn IN any other army
similarly situated2
2. Are the hygeinic regulations Of the army as
they should be-under the supervision and control
of the medical staff h5Es EuEerst- 81 -..-ss.s
s. Is it the fault Of the medical staff of the army
that the GOUsTRHsEt does not furnish single ltensil
in lohich saAOtsSOps lssed can Be bGlssd.-
Is it the fault OF the medical staff that supply
of fruits and vegetables has not been furnished the
soldiery during the hot summer months, when It
was impossible to procure them in the vicinity OF
the csmps-eYerything of the kind having been
consumed? f't'-'-l-si So . p -tltt-l2l . . lss1
5. Is 1.-THE fault of the medical staff that the men
whose daily food heretofore consisted, IN large
degree, Of sailed meats, should be afflicted with
disease when they for long periods arc confined to
the use Of fresh meats, without being supplied with
sufficient condiments with which it should be sea-
soned? t-- e -.t- - - atll.l
6. Isit the faultof the medical staff that measles
appeared IL the army, and that regiments We're ex-
posed to rain and cold fer whole week, without
tents. when the disease prevailed extensively in
said regiments? ---..-.-...--..-.---.......
z. Is the health Of the army and the comfort of
the sick promoted when the disposition and control
of them Is assumed by the military authorities2
s. Shall the reputation Of the medical staff sufier
when-contrary to their advice-the sick OF the
army are removed from point TO point 0y the COM
msnd of the military authorihes-the move result
ing as it frequently does in an increase Of fatality
among the sufferers! -.
o 9. Isit the fault of the medical stat or of the
Government that up to the 2lst day of July the
hospital accommodations st Manassas were not suf-
fCient for the wants of fifty men!
10. Is 1.-THE fault OF the medical staff that when,
by orders from the military authorities, the sick are
all sent back that AGO of them are compelled to lay
for twelve hours in pitiless rain without shelter,
many of them dying in consequence of the expo
sure? e. ~ -----.-. -'sa. 81 E7
H. Is it the fault Of the medical staff that sufi>
Gent number Of cars not provided to carry off
the sick from Manassas, instead of leaving them
there for days to suffer for want Of attention and
food? .f-'fst-
When these. questions are satisfactorily answer
ed, it will be sufficient time for those who are in
blissfuI ignorance of the way in which things are
managed to open the walls of their wrath upon the
much abused slsdicQl stg of the army of the Poto-
mac. Whilst can have no respect for set of men
who for the love of Office and few paltry dollars,
allow their operations to be so seriously embaTrass
ed, their good name compromised, and their profes'
sion insulted By the interference of their military
superiors, Yeti am disposed to give the devil his
due, and assert that if the trammes taken from
the army surgeons the military authorities attend
more closely to their own department. and the gov
ernment provide better diet for the army and bet
ter Accommodations for the sick in trdHsiu, the eff
cheney and health OF the army will be improved,
and the mortality in proportion decreased.
SOB $780, ,-, Nor A STAFF OFFICER.