, 1863-02-04

- JACKSON, Tenn, jan. 7, 1853.
GovERNoR YATES: Sir-Tour letter Of the
l1tA Of December, an very sorry to say, did
. not reach me until Last evening. hasten TO
ausFcr; yet do not know how promptly nv
communications (ifat ALL reaca you. Since
the 18th Of December We have been Obliged
to send our mail matter By couriezs 70 Co1nm.
pms, and they not unfreluently have been
taken by guefillas.
In reference to my recommendations to
the Legislature for the better providing for
the sick anu wounded in the army" have
ever made 1t my especial business to inquire
Of surgeons in charge Of hospitals, Generals,
and other officers, If they had any Suggestions
TO make In behalf of our sick md wounded.
You will please permit me to give the answer
1.gcnerally I receive: s. We have none, 50 long
as you pursue the course you do Governor
Yates has done more for the sick and wounded
soldiers, since the commencement of this
war, than all other Goyernors.n On receipt
Of Jour letter, last evening, called upon Gen,
sulllvnn, Col Webster, and Surgeon. Kittoc,
and received the above answer, as usual
will mention some Of the grievances which
have como under my observation.
lst. There has been numerous complaints
IN reference to the condition of the Soldiers
Home at Cairo. 4 suitable building Should
be provided {thc one now occupied Is wholly
unity think our State should have :, thor.
oush business man TT act as agent-so care
for our ourconyalcscents, wounded aid discharged
soldiers, on their arrival, and assist them in
getting their par at that post Under the
present arrangements they meet with uuncc.
essafy delays and frequent impositions.
/ have large amount Of stores shipped me
as State agent. from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana,
and Wisconsin, which our Conl1nissary Gen.
eral, Col, Williams, has no cognition OF. and
which 1Tould like to hare 70 upon his books.
tfier they leave Cairo, they become mixed
with United States stores, and It Is difficult
for me to designate. These supplies arc not
sions, but ly individuals. Mr. Fulsom, agent
of the Chicago Commission, has been very
prompt in forwarding my storcs-Yet he has
not powcrto act Us above.
I'd. think our Insane should be sent to
Jacksonville Instead Of Washington. It is
but generally they are physically unable to
bear the long journey. In many instances
their friends would gladly take them hon and
relieve the Government Of further trouble and
expense.
Sd. VIC have many sick in hospitals who
have not received any pay for six, niue, and
In some cascs fifteen months. They arc dcsti.
tutc Of clothing-their regiments are E4r away,
and 1t Is almost al, impoEsibility to get tlc
Captains Of their companies to forward their
pay rolls. It has been painful source Of dis.
cord among OUT troops, besides being very
great annoyance 10 inc. i have concluded.
however, to report such delinquents at head.
quarters,
4th. Since the loyalty Of some Of our new
regiments has been qucstioncd-the old story,
viz. the filling up OF the old regiments i
again bruitcl. Thele'is no one thing out
State could do, which would give such general
satisfaction among our soldiery, AS the filling
up Of old regiments. I heartily wish 1t could
be done.
5th. Our surgeons lit charge Of hospitals
look upon the furnishing OF soldiers With arti.
fetal limbs at Government stcontract,'' price
for instance, legs at tifty dollars 4 pair-as q
very great imposition. LIST, the "contract'
legs are worthless. I'd, the boys had much
rather (1nanJ Of the1n) have the fifty dollars In
Voney to send to their families, and weal
wooden or homemade legs" It should bc
optional with them Also, By order of the
War Department, they are Obliged to wait at
the hospitals until the contractor come;
round: Several have been kept from thei,
homes, in general hospital here, since Sept
last, and are here yet, al of which is wrong.
9TH. we should hare more than one medfca
director, or Atler inspector, in this depart
nent. It is quite impossible for Dr.. Allen tc
perform the duties pertaining to his office
and make monthly Inspections promptly, AMI
to the satisfaction Of the different posts HI
ia some two months behind hand aI the gen
eral hospital here.
7th. Discharges arc delayed, and soldier:
are tile sufferers.
7. z. Rom, State Agent,