, 1863-03-17
HEALTH OF GEN, GRANTS
ARMY
vhnt the Well Need and how the Sick
AFe Provided f0r-Letter from james
e. Teatnlan+ esq.
Rooms WESTERN SANITARY COMMISSION.
March ID 1868 (

Editors Missouri Democrat:
To al1ay the anxiety and apprehension of
friends who have sons AMI brothers in the
army Of the Mississippi, I desire to commune
cate the result Of visit which I hare lust
made to that army. From the representations
which were made, expected to find sickness
and suffering prevailing to frightful extent,
but am most happy to report that such is not
the case.
For short time after the landing Of the
troops at and near Young's Point, consequent
nEon long confinement On transports, there
was much sickness, but the health of the
troops had improved rapidly, and the per
orally found It In camps in other portions Of
the country which hare visited.
1was particularly struck with the cheerful
and healthy appearance Of both officers and
| men. Visited every regiment, particularly
the worst condition. Wht1e in oeP some Of the he
| new regiments the amount Of sickness was
| large, in others it was unusually small. Tie
| camps, as general thing, were we'll policed,
as much as the nature Of the ground would
| is from the want Of a proper vegetable diet.
| Symptoms Of scursC have already made their
| appearance, and it behooyes friends at home
| to make prompt efforts to aid in remedying
| this.
was assured by those in charge ofthe Com
missary Department that they would do what
| they could, but the difficulties in the way are
many and great, and as much as they may do,
thcseis ample room for those at home to do
| who synpathize with OUT brave soldiers.
Pickles, kraut, vegetables and frnits Of every
description will be needed, and can be used to
advantage. Another danger arises from the
srapage water, but the officers are taking &C.
tive measures to prevent this. ! saw General
Sherman going through the camps On foot,
giving particular directions in regard
10 this aud other sanitary regulations.
No one could look after his men more
strict discipline, hc u1ing1es with and goes
among his men to ascertain personally their
wants; he has q kind word for all, aud is
greeted By his men as one who cares for and
thinks Of their comfort. With the sick he is
as delicate and tender rs 4 woman. l anu
corps, as MT attention was especially directed
to it, owing to reports which had been made
to me. The army is now well provided for
taking care Of the sick. The large and COM
modious floating hospital Nashville, In charge
of Or. Strawbridge aud six assistants, with
beds for thousand men, is fitted up with
bath rooms and all the, conyeuiences Of a
modern hospital There are, besides, the hos
pitl steamers D. i. January and City Of Mem
phis, capable Of accommodating twelve hun
dred more. The medical puryeyor has boat
apart for medical supplies Of ill kinds, with
sevenl other floating hospitals in case
Of necessity. Gen. Grant Is determined
to hare provision made for the sick,
equal 10 any contingency which may
arise, and before very long will quar-,
ter lis army on the high ground on the
opposite side Of the river. Assistant Surgeon
General Wood is accomplishing, and will nc.
complisl Ill that is possible for any man to do.
Besides the tloating hospital and hospital
steamers mentioned, which he has prepared,
there is the hospital steamer City Of Alton
now on her way with sick to this city; she
being unable to fill up with sick at Y0ung'e
Point, was directed to complete her load Ut
Helena and Memphis. At Memphis there art
accommodations for tlyc thousand sick, Pre-,
pared by order Of Assistant Surgeon Genera
Wood. The Sanitary Commissions are follow
ing the army up, supplying such stores rs the
generous public by their uherality enable
{ them to do bfr. Plattenburg, our spccia
agent, will be with the army, to take charge
Of and distribute all supplies sent from TIL:
place. The army is in o far better condition
than had hoped to find it. Officers and ule,
are full Of hope. courage, and determination
to crueh this rebellion. They are the onl,
messengers Of peace, audn those who rcmail
at home will only stand fast, be firm an'
united, speak words Of cheer and encourage
ment, and then, with their prayers, our sons
brothers and friends will sooner return, con
qucroTs Of q peace which will be enduring
. and give to us once moro united and happ,
| nntf0D,