Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-04-10
Almost Incredible Statements.

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The Cincinnati Gazette publishes facts
and specifications from a correspondent
which that paper endorses as responsible,
showing that the whole medical depart.
ment Of the army in Tennessee is subject
10 the control of drunkard and traitor
who uses his absolute authority over the
entire medical affairs, the supply of med.
icine, the disposition of the wounded and
sick, and over the.whole surgical corps, 10
waste and destroy the sick soldiers.
The Gazette earnestly calls the atten-
tion of General Halleck, the President,
and Congress 10 the statement of its cor
respondent, and it is to be hoped that i'm
mediate and through reform will be insti-
tuted. We quote portion of the exhib-
it Of the atrocious treatment of our soldiers
by the lead of the Medical Department Of
the West-treatment that should consign
the brute and traitor to the gallows. The
writer under date of Savannah, Tennessee,
March, 31st says:
Let me furnish a few facts. propose
to state nothing except that | am prepared
to prove by abundant testimony, before
auy committee of investigation, Congress
isnal or otherwise.
Surgeon H. c.. Hewitt, of New York
city, "a person who has at some time, be-
lieye, had some sort of connection with
the regular army has been, by virtue of
the date of his commission, the Medical
Director of Genaral Grants army, at Fort
Henry, Fit. Donelson, and up TO this point,
in the Southern campaign. To the miser-
able incompeteney and ineficieney of this
man are traceable nearly all the abuses and
neglects in the medical department here
that have been such fruitful sources of Just
complaint.
Take this as Surgeon Howitt's opening
performance. 1t occurred at Paducha,
before the advance up the Cumb erland:
"A private of the 9th Illn;.is, who had
been shot through the shoulder on one of
the reconnoitering expeditions from Padu-
cab, was brought into the hospital, four
days after the wound had been received
Examination showed that the ball had
passed through the pectoral muscle of the
arm. The parts were very much swollen
and infamed. DR.. Hewitt began by pass
ing bis fingers, unoiled, entirely through
the wound, thus causing the most exquis
itc pain, and almost throwing the unfortu
nate soldier into spasrns. Subsequently
the artery began bleeding very copiously.
DR.. Hewitt undertook to tie it up, and in
stead of the artery, succeeded in tying up
the nerve. Fifteen minutes aflerward the
soldier was dead. The Doctor then got
drunk, went reeling through the streets of
Paducba in state Of beaslly intoxication,
finally fell into a mud hole in the main
throughfare of the city, lost bis specta
clcs, covered himself with filth, and wound
up by being placed under arrest by Gen.
Smith,.
At Ft. Henry his courtesy 10 the cap
tured rebel surgeons was in such marked
contrast with his rudeness to those in our
own army, as to provoke comment. Of
Tended at this, he denounced every body
that objeeted.to his course as id mob
lite and no gentleman, and declared with
emphasis-directing bis remarks to Divis-
ion Surgeon Fry, brother to the gallant
Col. Fry of Kentucky, who distinguished
himself in Zollicofer's defeat at Cliff
Creek-that ''if any man there dared to
doubt the honor and chicalry Of Iftgh-
man and companions, he would challenge
him to fight dnel." Alteration ensued,
which ended in his calling Doctor Fry a
liar, and in DIR. Fry's promptly knocking
him down.
At Fort Donelson, the Medical Director
ordered surgeons to accompany their regi-
ments into The midst of the battle, and
get forbade them to perform any opera
tions on the field. Some surgeons having
violated his orders, and by timely opera
tions saved the lives of wounded soldiers,
he rebuked them bitterly for their disobe-
dienc-, telling them it was their duty to
send back their wounded TO him. What
other object he bad in breaking the custom
by sending his surgeons into the fight is
not apparent.
Out. of the numerous just causes for
after the battle, one or two may
be selected.
The day of the surrender, when his SER
vices were more urgently needed than at
any other time, he again got drunk-so
drunk as to be unable to walk without
much less to perform surgi cal
operations. He was seen in this condition
by hundreds of soldiers and officers, inclu
ding at least one Major General.
A large number of the wounded, to-
gether with many who had become sick
from the effects of the terrible exposure
and excitement, were put aboard the
steamer Thomas E. Tut. This steamer.
the Medical Director sent down to Mound
City a0ithout a Surgeon or assistant on
board, and with the sick and wounded alb
solutely dependant upon the charity of
accidental passengers for nursing and med
ieal attendance.
:. Much needless suffering grew out of the
Medical Directors unwilingness to give
any information to Brigade and Regiment
al Surgeons, inquiriug after their wounded
and.seeking to wait upon them.
After the present expedition up the
Tennessee had begun, there was great
deal of sickness among the men, caused by
their privations, lack Of air, exercise, op
portunities for bathing, cooking and the
like on board the transports. The ar
rangements for some of the sick were mis-
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