The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-07-30

lowing article appeared in your eolsmnss
"Dr. Conner, Surgeon in charge Of the
Simpson House Hospital. xAs dismissed
from his positioa last Saturday.
Dafing tho weak he had faksn ak hes-
pital bsds and bedding. and some Eve or
six soldiers across the river TO his prem.
Uses in illinois, and appropriated the prop
perty to his owa use and benefit.
DR.. Taylor had been sick-conf ned to
his room for soma time, and heard moth.
ing Of the affair until Ssturday--when
learning the facts be Immediately dis
charged DR.. Conner, notifying at the Same
time the Medical aad War Departments
Of his action, and the reasons therefor"
On the following day q reply appeared
in your columns, written BY one of the
soldiers Of the Simpson House Hospital,
without my knowledge.
Having made arrangements early 10 the
Spring for boarding hands and supervis.
ing harvesting, unexpected illness in the
family With whomsuch arrangements we're
made, required that other plans should
be adopted. Having vacant rooms, the
services of colored woman were pro-
cured, using her own cooking utensils and
fixtures, SO far IS they went. Knowing
that she was short of bedsteads and bed.
ding, and having in the Hospital over
which had charge l62 beds unoccupied,
also quantity Of dishes not in use,
through my direction six single iron bed
cots and the necessary bedding we're re-
moved TO my premises, one half mile
from Hamilton by farmer in that vicin-
ity. The bed cots and bedding we're
loaded upon bay rack BY three or four
Of the soldiers, one OF them the Ward
master of the ward TO which they belong
ed. another being the chief Clerk of the
Hospital. This took place about July
lst. A soldier having charge Of the din
ing room counted, packed and delivered
one set of tea cups and saucers, one half
dozen tea spoons, and one half dozen
knives and forks. Ny intention being to
use those things through harvest, and
then return them, or sooner, il they
should be needed in the Hospital.
Previous to aud during the early part
Of harvest, several of the soldiers reaues-
ted permission to render any and all the
assistance they could, which kindness was
refused with one exception.
David Ferguson, a soldier and practi-
cal farmer. requested permission to man
age the haying. which favor was accepted
This soldier being unfit for field service,
in consequence of the total loss OF sight
of the right eye, aud an abscess in the
antrum with a constant purulent dis.
charge. He had been recently examined for
the Invalid Corps. and his papers accept
ed by Surgeon Taylor. Before an assign.
nent to that duty is made, the necessary
facts are stated in due form aud forward
ed to Washington. The time usually
consumed 10 forwarding statements and
receiving returns Of that charac,er, has
been ususlly from six to twelve weeks
During this interim The soldier would
do but h.tle or nothing for the Govern.
ment.
In addition to having charge and the
ordinary routine Of hospital, a portion
OF time was spent in supervising medical
and surgical reports of all the surgical
and wounded cases fer the keokuk hos.
pitfalls.
Believing that tie soldiers assistance
would relieve me from outside business,
enabling me to devote my whole time to
to the Government.
David Ferguson took charge Of the
business spoken Of in the evening of July
7th. Charles Dunbar, with permission,
went with him, returning to the hospital
the following day. During the evening
Of july 18Th, David Watts, examined Tor
invalid corps, in consequence Of epilepsy
and partial paralysis OF the right arm,
without permission, came over to nv
premises. Find ng aim there at his re-
quest, permission was granted him to
reinsin until Sunday.
On Saturday evening, July 18th, Ssr-
geant Bailey, two guards and teamster Of
the Provost Guard. carrying out an order
of the military commander OF Ksokuk,
Post Captain Willis, arrested Dsyid Watts
and David Ferguson. Being on the farm
at the time, Immediately proceeded to
Keokuk, stating substantially the above
specified facts to Captain Willis, and re-
questing the release Of the soldiers,
which was done, after comforting with
Surgeon Taylor.
Brief statistics of the Simpson House
Hospital for the year ending July LIST,
1864, may not be ont Of place:
Total number of patients in hospi.
tai July LIST, 1868. Io7
Total number Of patients received
FROM July let, 1868, to July l,
1864. 499'
Total, 500
Total number Of patients returned
to duty. 500
Total number of patients discharg-
ed from service, Y36
Total number Of patients deserted, 10
deaths, IL
'' g transfer
red to other hospitals and guard !
house, Az