The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-02
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from the Twenty-Third.
HEADQUARTERS Co. b, 23D Me. RECT,
Montgomery Co., Nd, Jan. "a, 1868.

HEADQUARTERS Co. Is, I'D ME. hEGT,
Montgomery Co., Nd, Jan. "a, 1868.
To the Editors Of the Press:
By q copy Of the Press just come to hand,
Of the 18th instant, / perceive that some
individual, evidently member of this regi-
nent, has called in question certain statements
or remarks Of mine, heretofore published, con-
corning the hospital belonging to this regi-
ment. II "Quis" will have the manliness TO
quote rerbatim erery sentence, from euery let
ter have written for the Press, respecting the
hospital. its management, or anything pertain
ing to 1t, and by the most severe construction,
show to the public that his implied charge
against me Of "slandering those who have
charge Of the hospital" has any shadow of
foundation, his attack upon me might find
some excuse; but while he slsulks behind
mdsked battery of iRaendoes, characterize
his series OF personalities as false and unjust,
and II supposed he knew whereof he affirm
ed, should deem It insulting.
"Quis" censures me for Incidentally stating
in letter from Camp Grover, without the
least intention of giving offense to any one,
that the hospital accommodations were made
quate." When l wrote that, the hospital with
the addition of Sibley tent, could acdommo-
date only about thirty, and at that very time
there were not less than 100 men under medi-
cal treatment, and all, except those in hospi-
tai, were compelled, Of necessity, to be doc
tored In their quarters. Was there not some
foundation for my statement?
'Quis" states that eleven members of Co. b
have died since Oct. 25th. This is too many
BY one, rs we have lost but ten by death. He
implies also that undertake to screen myself
bycasting reflections upon an innocent person."
Will he please give the name of said 'nno-
cent person." and state wherein / have tried
70 screen" myself. The whole charge Is
groundless; for have had no occasion to do
that thing yet. Again, he says, sat one time
1t lCo. Cl numbered but nineteen Mt for duty,
The Morning Reports" which are before me,
show that on no day during the month of De-
cember, had we less than forfy-eigM men fit
for duty, and the average Is considerably over
nfty. This was during the prevalence of the
greatest amount Of sickness In the regiment
During this time, Co. B furnished its full mum
Der Of men for guard duty. If "Quis" can
understand how much Co. B may have suffer-
ed for the first two or three weeks of our stay
at "Cross Roads" from being located near a
noisome, pestilentia, disgusting sink of filth,
causing the most severe nausea, and depriving
q score or more of men Of appetite, then he
may be able to judge whether those whose
duty 1t was to prescribe the sanitary regula-
tons OF the camp are entirely inculpable, and
whether officers who are compelled to see their
men submit TO this established nuisance for
successive weeks are wholly responsible for
their sickness. Again, let "Quitn consider how
much of the sickness in Co. b was, according
tr the opinion of the officers in the regiment,
especially the surgeon, attributable TO their te-
dious tramp through darkness and mud for
eight miles to guard point on the canal for
one night, returning to camp the next morning,
this being the only instance in which ,rhole
company was ever sent on picket duty from
Camp Grover,-and then he will be able TO
cast some OF the blame for the sickness in our
company-not upon an officer whose position
rendered him almost or totally irresponsible
, but Ehere 1t properly belongs.
With regard to the hospital and the manage
ment, have repeatedly spoken In terms of
praise OF the manner In which the sick were
there attended, and also have given the medi-
cal director special credit for skill, and have
In no Instance attempted to detract from his
Just deserts as surgeon. But IL, as his pa
tients testify, he administers quinine and
whiskey to all his patients indiscriminately.-
TO fever, rheumatic and measles patients. to
those prostrated by severe inflammation of the
bowels and to all without regard to the nature
of their disease, such deviation from the or
dinary system of practice, would naturally
cause some doubt In the minds of intelligent
observers, as to the propriety Of that mode Of
treatment, would it not? 1t would be likely
to suggest the very mild and cautious remarks,
upon which "Quis" bases his "trumped up"
charge OF SANDER, substantially as follows:
"Whether the medical treatment they 1.-THE
sick receive, Is the best in all cases, is a mat
ter Of uncertainty to many; yet the reputed
skill Of our surgeon and assistant, would or
dinarily preclude all doubt on this subject.v
Verify, for some cause or other, somebody
Is remarkably sensitive upon this matter Of
hospital management, and in this connection,
viii venture to inquire of "Quis' whether
proper supply of whiskey has yet been OBJ
tanned at the hospital, or are the sick men still
compelled under prescription and direction of
the surgeon, to buy whiskey for medicine at
SijW per quartz This isn't any of my busi-
ness, am aware. for the reason that It'll "ere-
rybody's,' and hope to be pardoned for inst
tuting such an inquiry on this occasion.
"Quis" volunteers, near the close of his
communication, to "admonishn me in regard
to future statements. Well, perhaps. as Re Is
so accurate 10 his, It would be only becoming
inme to thank him for his advice but seriously.
think shall continue TO state facts when /
state anything, as have done heretofore. He
Is also pleased to inform the public of the IA
cilities enjoyed by some In the regiment for
obta'i.ing information, &C., and concludes by
asserting that they "attend to their own legiti-
mate duties besides" am glad to hear it,
But then, what business has he to meddle with
matters outside Of his Legitimate duties ?" Is
ne 20 greatly Interested in what he calls a
ISLANDER" that he must needs 90 out of his
sphere to abuse another without provocation