Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-04
NO. 79.
The STATE OF ONO, I
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBUS, April 2, 1854.

r
COLUMBUS, April 2 1864.
To TIE Sanitary Associations Of Ohio:
invite your attention to the following
communication from our very intelligent
and active Agent ct Memphis. In a for
mer letter Mr.. Bingham says: The
Sanitary Commission here has always
shown a readiness to supply our wants,
but the branch here has receiVed little OF
no supplies for the last Elk months" Our
agent wants help at Memphis, and he very
clearly designstes the most desirable srli-
oles. Win our local socie les assist our
soldiers under this call Ifso, they will
report their contributions TO the Quarter
master General, will provide trsnspor-
tstion, and send citizen Of the State in
charge Of them to Memphis, so as to en-
sure their safe transit and prompt delive-
ry. Prominent citizens are constantly Of
ferlng to perform this kind Of service,
without compensation for time or labor.
So that in like manner, and by payment Of
expenses only, can send similar contri-
buttons to other points whenever desired.
1 ask the cooperation Of our Sanitary As
sOeistiOns. Very respectfully,
JOHN BR0UGH.
MEnPHIs, March %, 1864.
10 his EzeslJsHey Gov. .ohs BrOlsgh;
SIR:-Your HOnor's letter was so far
answered, on the 22d inst, as to send
receipt for the Five Hundred Dollars en-
closed in the same.
In relation the questions asked, to-Wit:
the number of Hospitals, number Of Pa
tients in them belonging TO Ohio Regi-
ments, and their condition, I would re-
ply:
That there are eight Hospitals in the
city and suburbs, and the Convalescent
Camp in Fort Pickering. One Of these,
large brick building near the Fort and in
the vicinity Of Shiloh and Holly Springs,
so-cslled, contrsband villages and camps,
is wholly devoted to oolored people
Another Hospital in the city is divided in
its occupancy between the sick from the
four thousand oolored troops here, and
refugees.
The Pest House is without the city limits.
Tho small pox is prevalent, and unusually
fatal; there are now about five hundred
cases there Of the other ave hospitals,
one is exclusively for the navy; this
building, year since, WAS Used as hotel
called the Commercial House." is large
and convenient; this is better furnished
than the other hospitals, and is neatly and
well kept; there are fourteen sesmen from
Ohio there. The other four, Gayoso, Wash.
ington, Adams, and Overton, are all brick
structures, on the main streets Of the city.
The 0Verton was built for q hotel, in
form and size, is about that Of the Neil
House in Columbus-is said to be confs-
Gated property.
Fort Pickering, built entirely by the
United States, embraces about 100 scres
"a part in and around the Fort, it is said,
was the most elegant part Of the city
there ere now but few houses remaining
they having been demolished TO give the
guns Of the Fort better range. The ditch
and embankments are on but one side, at
irregular distances from the Mississippi
river, extending from the banks sboye,
about one and half miles around to where
they strike the bank Of the river below.
The ground inside is level and not wen
drained. The convslescents from the hos
pitals are sent there. The change to the
exposure in tents often occasions relapse
and returns them again TO the hospitals in
the city. The Government have extensive
barracks in the Fort nearly completed,
which it is expected will remedy this evil,
and give passing troops more comfortable
quarters, having 90 they do 10 report
there for transportation. Il is designed
/ to keep hospital soco mmodations here be-
yond the immediate wants Of the service,
as the Government have the possession Of
suitable buildings, and as this point is
more healthy than any below. The city is
elevated, with good drainage. There are
in the hospitals and in the conValescent
camp 26l men belonging to the sixty diff
ferent Ohio regiments, batteries, and cav
airy commands. The care OF the sick OF
the whole compares favOrsbly with that o
Northern hospitals. The wards are KEEP
neat, and the ward surgeons seem to b,
attentive and take an interest in the men
The debilitating effects Of the climate il
summer, the use of river water portion O.
the time, the limited and irregular
supply Of vegetable diet-sre objec
tons to retaining the sick herr
during the hot weather.
Ninety-fv one hundredths Of the vege
tables, poultry and eggs used here by th
citizens anu hospitals comes from Cairo
With the exception Of potatoes, onions AM
dried fruit, there is not much reaches her
in a condition to make it desirable. DR.
Summers, Medical Director Of this Depart
ment, and Dr. Irwin,Chief Of the Hospital
concur in the opinion that Northern hos
pita g have the advantage in this respec
that the swsnt of fresh vegetable die
was 8 detriment to their efficiency.
Your honor asks: tgs there anything
desirable in the hospitals for the oomfor
CT Ohio men"
Ans: l. More flannel shirts and fsnne
drawers are neededlby those sent from tb
Hospitals 10 the Convalesoent Camp, ant
to their regiments; also for rheumsti
cases in the hospitals,
g More dried fruits would be very use
full; also old clean clothes are much want
ed in the Pest House. Your liberal remit
tsnce will be useful to supply our soldier
wants in cases where money seems to b
requisite. 1t is the design to confne 81
donations to those not in condition
draw their dues from the government. !
portion Of the canned fruits shipped t
this point is smashed on the way, an
some Of the balance is not In oonditio
, to use. We're the time and expense Of can
ming employed in drying every kind caps
BILE Of it, the sick would be great gamer
by the change, ss such supplies are muc
below the actual want
You will please indulge me by the pt
? rusal Of another letter by the next mail
though not part Of this report it hs
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