The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-02-17

Samuel McKelvy, Lieutenant sColonel and Chief
Commssary Department. OF Washington, as
sumed command of Convaleseent Camp, Virgil
mia. At that time the barracks OF the camp were
in course of erection, and the men quartered in
tents near by.
On the morning of January Sd, 63, the morn
ing report showed eighty three hundred and fifty
eight men (Convalescent Camp alOne,) over
the majority needed speedy examinations by
Surgeons to decide relative to their final dispO
sition. One Medical Examining Board was in
session at that time examining men sent before
them by the acting Assistant Surgeons in camp.
Surgeon Josiah Curtis, was at thistirne in charge
of the Medical Department of the camp, but was
soon after relieved and assigned 20 the charge of
the Germantown Hospital. He was succeeded by
Surgeon Charles Page, January, '63. Surgeon
Page finding one Board of Examiners not suffi
cient for the number of men requiring examina-
| tions, made requistion, when two more Boards
in addition to the one in session were ordered to
this camp. Through the exertions of Col. Nc
| Kelvy, the Medical Director of Washington and
| Col Conrad returned promptly to camp such
certificates of disability, forwarded to them,
in their opinion the candidates were fit and prop
er subjects for discharge the service. Through
the experience and ability of Surgeon Charles
Page, in charge, the Medical Department of the
1
ford B. Hunt, Surgeon U. s. VOL. relieved Sur
| geon Charles Page, u. S. A., in charge of the
Medical Department of camp.
Dr. Hunt, as President of one of the Medical
| Examining Boards of camp in January '63, dis
played the qualifications of a thorough medical
officer. His services as such, relieved many who
were in a suffering condition, by discharge the
| service, transferred to General Hospital and fur
| Tough, to experience change of climate Sur
| geon Hunt still continues Surgeon in charge
| of camp,
| Surgeon Hunt having reported to headquarters
| of camp, that from one-third to one-fourth of
the men discharged at that time, January and
February although totally unfit for active
vice in the field, would prove of great value to
| the Government, by having them placed in bat
| talions, known garrison battalions to perform
| light duties in and around the different depart
ments, where they could secure good shelter,
| DC, Col. McKelvy at once made out report
based upon said suggestions, and forwarded it to
Headquarters Department of Washington, for
consideration and action. have no doubt had
the suggestions contained in said report received
| favorable consideration and action, the garrison
or invalid corps would have relieved all the gar
rison troops in and around the different depart
ments, including provost guards, fortfca-
tons, &c.
In FEBRUARY, 1862 fifty barracks, capable of
accommodating five thousand men, with dining
rooms and cook houses, together with hospitals
for five hundred men, were turned over to Col.
McKelvy by Capt Joshua Norton, A. @. M, of
| Major General Heintzleman's staff, who had the
erecting of said buildings. In the erection of
| a inU CaN If orto na6 for SQl