The New York herald., 1864-05-25
The Medical Departments of the Army.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
DE- CAN'T GENERAL HOSPITAL. DAvIps IsLANp,l

IL. NI.
Nsw YoaK HARBoR, May %, 1864
sR-Having just read with much pleasure your re-
marks In this mornings issue "reform In the medical
department OF the army herewith the copy Of
memorial on the subject that will shortly be submitted
to Congress- signed by many of the best acting assist
ant surgeons contract physicians and other
military departments Hoping 1t will moet with your
APPRECIATION and secure the aid Of your powerful in
luence am very respectfully your obedent servant
HENRY SANDERS, Acting Assistant Surgeon, U. S A.
To rHs HoyoRABIx SENATE House, RETIRE
sxSrArivEs or TIE UNITED STATES AMERICA In Con-
The undersigned, acting assistant surgeons, United
States Army respectfully subn 1t the following memorial
and representing dc, majority Of profession
service, viii meet with due considera
zion aud attention from your ht norabe bodies
We private physicians employed under contract by
the Medical Director, to perform the duties OF medical
officers on the Transports in the field regiment post
general hospitals, or wherever services may be
required Tor and IN consideration Of 500 per month"; less
and onehaif per cent internal revenue Except in
the case OF those sent into the He vino paid SllS s3
per month) and this tin lieu OF all aud emolu
ments whatever"-as mileage, ratons, forage and
servants wages.
We are Obliged assume all the responsibilities and
perform ali the duties Of officers according
70 army regulations and are subject to strict military
discipline.
We are frequently ordered away from our posts or
stations at moments notice, detached errvice. In
medical charge Of troops TO distant places, such
service receive no extra pay or compensation, but
compelled to defray our own travelling expenses with
the exception of TRANSFORMATION 10 kind which is uI
densot, fatgues, uardships and pryaiicns Of war;
the miasmstd influences Of unhealthy CHM ties and tho
pers OF the ocean many contract surgeons having been
killed, wounded and captured by tho enemy, to say
nothing Of those who have died their posts from sick
ness or been lost At At the time denied
nearly all the honors, privileges and inmuntes OF ON
cers-among othera, rank aud the fight TO demand a
court of inquiry or trial by court aral Il charged with
any breach of military law. We also liable 10 he
drafted into the military service OF the United states.
Our sition is anomalous, ruch neither
citizens soldiers.
large proportion OF contract surgeons cmpIoysd In
army men of great professional ability and expe
rcnce, with families TO MAINTAIN, who have left thsr
homes and In many cases lucrative practce TO serve
their country.
In the beginning OF the rebellion. when the army
paid In coin, 800 or $l3 SO per month haps
fair compensation for sorves; but, owing TO the
present depreciation OF the national currency and the
consequent Increase in The OF ali the noccssarcs OF
life IL is not so now.
10 view Of these facts pray that by act Of Con-
gress our hereafter be Increased from twenty
nve TO thirty three aud third per cent; that may
be allowed mileage or at least actual travelling
penses when detached and also be exempted
from conscription