New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-18
AN EXPLANATION-GE FREMONTS
CAMPAIGN.

! To me Editor Of The ". Y. Tribune.
SIN: While Dysion-Surgeon on the staff Of MAJ
Gen. j. c. Fremont and ActingChief Of the Med-
cal Department it one of my duties to order on
special acquisitions such surgical instruments medi-
clues, and medical stores, as the army was IN
want of. One Of these acquisitions Was as learned
on my return from Springfield to st. Louis variousy
misrepresented. II WAS stated for instance, tbat
800 hhds OF water were ordered tor the army IN q
country where water was abuudanti tSat among
other delicacie- ice was required for the cooling OF
wine and champagne, and for RECALLING the men with
mint iulcps; that nightcaps We're ordered, &c. But
these aud other misrepresentation appeared 10 me
too trivial TO require iefutation.
/ sly attention was recently, however called again
to an article published in New-York paper. l
have procured one of these articles, and consider il
NY duty t. offer remarks in relation to It, be-
cause that r,quisition, my recommendation,
signed by Gen. Fremont, has been used as weapon
against him. In order that the requisdon be prop
erly understood | have TO mention that the order
was for articles for the Of the drmygt the Nest.
eYA Department, and was given under the following
circum stances: The enemy was moving toward
Lexington and a decisive battle expected TO
take place in the neighLorood Of the Mssouri hoe
piial5 were already established at Jefferson City and
Sedalia and others were 10 be established, and no
ice WAS 70 he had west OF 81. Louis.
In the article referred to- that requisiton is stated
20 have been as follows:
HEADQAUARrkRs WEsTERS DEPAKrNENT,}
CAsr LILY Oct 3, i,6L
Spcos rcqui' on for 800 urs ice, 20 yard. seetefcAs
rolls white ianGe f.. baudAgesi $50 sacta l4iTg0Iei, =
by inches; 80 ho I'D nets }. G. FRFNONp
Major Genera Commanding
lTndorsemeut
This ori to be eSecuiea immediately by The Medical
Director 1fuecsssssy, send fvr articles to NewNoIk
The Measurements are: 10 yards gutta-percha,
instead Of g4uo-DeycLa CLOTH; 800 sacks India
rubber. by inches, instead of vulcanized India
rubber bags, by inches rolls instead OF bolts and
that the name of Col. Eaton, who Endorsed It, was
omitted.
As the medical oficers who have doubt, singled
ont this requisiop, apparently ignorant OF the
use on the articles above mentioned, an explanation
seems justified and proper. The ice las most people
know is Of the most necessary articles in the
treatment Of recent wounds and injuries, and Of
certain diseases much that the saving Of limbs
and lives frequently depends upon its proper Ii
il be had, il is therefore the duty of the Govern
nent, through its medical officers 10 provide it for
the sick aud wounded soldiers. When millions of
dollars are spent for the Of destroying life, the
Government may eXpend comparatively small sum
for sayng il.
The gutta.peFcha cloth is principally used in the
field for covering wet congresses or lint applied to
wounds, especially gun-shot wounds, in order to
prevent evaporation, and flannel bandages IRE used
on the battlefield for the bandagng Of fractured
limbs &c.
Yulcanized india-rubberbags modern substitute
for bladder valuable for their durability ana other
qualities; they are, when filed with water and ice,
apped wounds and injuries &C., and the nets are
substitutes for the old-fasbened bandages of wounds
OF the head. hey nre more clean and more readily
applied, and particularly convenient both to the
geon aud the patient.
These articles are not furnished according to our
sntiquaied army regulations, but that would be
poor reason why Maj.-Geu. Fremont should have
been attacked for authorizing Icquiston for them.
Some objection could be raised, apparently with JUS.
tice, 10 the quantity of ice but in regard to that
have to refer to the circumstances above mentioned,
under which the order given, and to add that it
is seeyident that the ice TO be secured subject
to further ordors that was TO direct as 10 time and
circumstances, what quantities should be sent to the
various hospitals. The estimate was made according
10 Hc QUANTITIES. ureu III hohPiAs at ot. LOUIS anu
elsewhere in the course OF three months, with a
quantity Of ice to be held in reserve for extraord-
nary contingencies, and allowance being made for
loss on the way by melting, increase OF disease
among our troops, etc. No nvoidabe loss could ac
cre TO the Government if the order was neligently
executed.
In conclusion | have 10 say that the opposition
have met with in the performance of my duties was
part oi the contemplate political intrigue against
Gen. Fremont. TnEo. A. TELLKAMPF, NJ ID.
Aes. Joyk, Dee. &C. 1851.
NAVAL.
The United States steamer DaeO.ah, Commander
james !. Mck.os,ry, from Hong Kong via NJ.