New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-04
7Kismnnag cement in the Medical Depart
meat Of she Army-Soidiers Unnecessn.
rily SacriGced-'' Dying H0uses."


From Correspondent Of The N. Y. Tribune.
BALTIMORE ROAD, q MILES yRos RIcaxoSD,
May 20. 1862.
Since our departure from Yorkto~n, various facts
in regard to sickness of sodiers their treatment and
the want Of proper medicines, have come to my
knowledge which, if made public, may serve bene-
iciay 10 suffering humanity, and save many Union
soldier from an untmcIy grave. When the army oI
the Potomac was about leaving Washington, Regi-
mental Brigade and Division Surgeons made reqni-
stions upon the medical bureau for such medicines
and hospital supplies rs would be required. These
acquisitions, properly approved, were taken to the
purveyor, who refused to issue them, stating that
everything required had been forwarded to Fortress
Monroe in bulk and would be issued there on the
arrival Of the troops. Consequently, upon arriving
at Old Point the Surgeons made out thelr requlsl-
TONS but were unable to get them filled, at least IN
number of instances.
Up to the present time, some OF the Surgeons rave
not received any medicines hospital stores what.
ever through the proper channels, and the most OF
the medicines used far were such had been is-
sued while in Washington, and were brought on
contrary TO orders requiring that they should De iet
behind Since our arrival upon the Peninsula requi'
sitions have been handed in every week; butt being
disregarded the Surgeons have given up IN despair.
am credby informed thai temporary hospitals con-
tanning from 50 to 100 patients, nearly all OF them
cases of typhoid fever, are not provided with as
much medicine person could conveniently carry
in bis pantaloous pocket. On the representations OF
Surgeons the commanding officers have made Official
reports setting forth the above facts to which no at
ten,ion has been paid.
These are not isolated cares but are matters OF
general complaint throughout the army OF the Poto.
mac. More than fifty per cent. OF the sickness could
have been entirely prevented had there been proper
remedies at hand. Lint, bandagee, and all necessary
hos al drps.
be general engagement, which is likely to take
place mauy wounded soldier will be unnecessarily
sacrificed through the negligence Of some one whose
duty it is to provide them.
As we have progressed slowly along so far toward
Richmond, soldiers have dropped out Of the ranks,
from inability to proceed further, and are sent 10
what medical gentleman terms Dying Houses.
Thcse dying houses consist Of dwellings, barns,
sheds, and tunble-down rookeries, where soldiers
are left lying upon the floor or ground as the case
may be, with three or four days rations, such as
well mans stomach will revolt at until forced FROM
dire necessity TO swallow. Sometimes d surgeon or
assistant surgeon is left with them, but be is rendered
almost powerless TO do good from the scarcely OF
proper medicines the lack OF nourisLiDg food. IL
the patients do not die here, they are eventually
gathered up and carted these horrible roads TO
some spot designated as general hospital where the
nourislnent provided is somewhat improved.
At New Kent Court-iiorse, the other day, there
were over 900 ick soldiers, left in charge OF an
Assistant Surgeon, who was destitute of medicines,
except small quantity in hospital knapsack,
kindly loaned him by surgeon of one OF The regi-
ments, who had obtained medicines, but not by
means of a requistion through the proper channel.
The Sanitary Commission have accomplished much,
but Lave been much hampered
For the sake Of true loyal men, who have gone
forth in defense Of the Union, have set forth facts,
gathered from reliable sources aud from observation
keeping well within bounds), Looping that our pAtrI-
otc citizens at home, who have but slight real
zation of the hardships and privations endured by
the soldiers will lake some immediate action, with
view Of remedying the evils spoken of.
Tie enemy were drawn up in line Of lattle yester-
day abont mile and half from our advanced line,
probably in anticipation Of an attack.
Capt. Regan Of the 9Th Now-York Battery (Col.
G. Bailey while out near the railroad yesterday,
suddenly came upon about dozen OF the enemy,s
ri. kets, by whom he was challenged. lie wheeled,
and putting spurs TO bis horse, succeeded i'll making
his escape although the bullets whisled by too near
to be particularly interesting.