Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-23

of the House of Representatives on
the conduct OF the hospitals in this city as an
article of interest to the general reader, and
especially to those Interested in the treatment of
our soldiers:
Mr.. FERRIs ubmitted the following report:
Mr.. Speaker, the special committee appointed
TO visit the hospitals in and about the city Of
Indianapolis. where the sick and wouD led soldiers
are taken care of, have performed til Il duty, and
would respectfully submit the following report:
The committee found the different hospitals
under the charge of Doctors John NJ. Kitchen
and z. h. jameson, and the committee lake
pleasure in saving that under the management of
these gentlemen the accommodations for the sick
and wounded soldiers are as near perfection as il
is possible they could be made with the means at
their disposal.
There is at each of the camps near the city a
Receiving Hospital. under the Immediate care Of
DR.. jameson, Except Camp Morton where the
sick of each regiment are reported every morn
ing, and each severe case is at once sent to the
General Hospital, but very many cases are en-
tirely treated at these receiving hospitals.
At Noble Barracks there are about 500 artille.
rymen. At the Camp Hospital an average of 20
are reported sick each morning. but few Of which
are sent to the General Hospital for the reason
above given.
The Hospital register shows lis sick received
since November %, 1862
At OdmD OdTElUHiOu there are dOOuI fOU men.
and for several days the morning report of the sick
shows an average of A, which indicates that at
present the soldiers at that camp enjoy universal
good health.
At the City Barracks, or Soldiers Home, there
are about POO men of different regiments, (be-
sides the four companies constituting the Provost
Guard This is called the ConvalesceDt Bar
racks, a place where convalescent soldiers stay
until they are able to return TO their regiments,
and i ALA a uOipf urbaro co1Iiorc No ec.p.r fl.-.rrk
the city to aud from their regiments make it their
home. Some 80 or IS leave this place daily, aud
their places are flied with as many new arrivals.
The accommodations there are sufficient to feed
an entire regiment at once. if necessary.
At each of these camps Medical Stewards and
attendants. selected from the rank and file of the
army. are found. who have a good knowledge of
medicine, and who the more readily appreciate the
wants and necessities OF the sick soldiers.
The mmi could but notice the kind at
tention and gentlemanly department of these
Stewards and attendants, as attested by the sick,
and the mention of their names in this report
would be a pleasure to the committee, but lest an
unintentiOnal omission of some might do injustice,
We have omitted IL.
Another feature noticed at these hospitals was
the sir of neatness and con Fort which Dervades
them, and which speaks much in commentator
of the gentlemen who have labOred so assiduously
n this department.
The City Hospital, We are informed, has been
generously gi, en- up by the city authorities free
of charge. to be used as a general hospital for the
soldiers, and is under the Immediate charge of
DIR. Kitchen.
We believe it would be impossible to make this
department more efficient than it is under his
charge. Ii will only require a visit to this place
to satisfy any one that the committee do not ex-
aggerate in making this statement, and those who
are now receiving the benefit of the care shown
the sick at this place. will bear us witness of the
fact. There are at present about 90 Confederate
prisoners (moStly wOunded) and $50 Union sol
diers in the different wards OF this hospital.
The building will ~ccommodate about 275
patients. Since MAY /. 1861, about 5 500 Union
soldiers have been under treatment here, and of
this number only abOnt 2l3 have died. When
We consider that il is only the severe cases that
are sent to the hospital, it will be seen that the
ratio of mortality is by no means large.
Indiana will never want for brave sons to go
forth to fight her battles, and face danger to pre-
serve her fair fame. so long as they can be as
sured that it they are unfortunate they will not
be neglected and forgotten.
Ever since the war began Doctors Kitchen and
jameson have been untiring in their efforts in
this department, and many a soldier will attest
theirSieilance and care.
The thanks of oil are due them for their efforts,
and the gratitude of those to whom they have
mnisteieu "hi give tue oest asSuIahCe Vi Tue
fidelity with which they have discharged their
duties.
The committee feel it their duty in this con-
n%ection 20 mention the Sisters of Providence,
who. with busy hands and willing hearts. are Wig
liant and untiriDg in their ministrations TO the
wants end necessities of the unfortunate soldiers.
Without compensation for nearly two years, the
Sisters have had the entire charge Of the dunes
tic department at the general hospital. and in
which neatness and economy are the prominent
characteristics Quietly but earnestly have they
fulfilled this mission of love and kindness. and
we most cheerlully assure them that thousands of
grateful hearts will cherish these deeds in kiBd
remembrance, and we sincerely hope that heaven
may, in answer to the tervent PRAYER of many a
brave solder. confer upon these Sisters blessings
~unnumbered. which gold can never purchase.
Respectfully submitted
Ed 2. FERRIS, Chairman Com.