The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-09-28
The Win Testimony of Rebel Sur

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-The Wirz mill
tary commission re-assembled this morning.
\ DR.. Hopkins testified that on the 22d of
July, 1864, he was assigned to duty in the
hospital at Andersonville. He, together
with Surgeon White, were ordered to make
a thorough inspection of the prison and hos-'I
pital with view to their improvement.
The following letter was then read by the
witness as the report which he had made:
ANDERsoNvILLE. GA, Aug. IL, 1864
To Brag. Gea.J. IL Hinder: -
GENERAL In obedience to your order of
the 28th of July, requesting us to make ex-
animation Of the federal prison and hospital
at this point, and to ascertain and report to
you the cause of disease and mortality
anon. the prisoners and the measures nee.
essary TO prevent the same, has been com
piled with, and we respectfully submit the
! following causes of the disease and mortali-
ty:. sor, llo A. ....,s;.,.@.. -r
/. The large number of prisoners crowd
ed together. -r ,..;E.r Jzs7.'''' 'i'"" .'..i-
-, 2. The entire absence of all vegetables as
diet, necessary as preventive Of scurvy.
3. The want of barracks to shelter the
prisoners from sun and rain
4. The inadequate supply Of wood and
water. '".""'' A.
5, Badly cooked food. =. p s''..'
6. The filthy condition Of the prisoners.
Z. The morbid emanation from the branch
}or ravine passing through the prison, the
lcondition of which cannot be better ex-
lplained than by naming it lnorass of hui
man excrement and mud.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES. coo oaa i
l. The immediate removal from the pris
on Of not less than Is, 900 prisoners. 4t
2. Detail or parole sufficient number oi
. prisoners to cultivate the necessary supply
of vegetables, and until this can be carried
into practical operation, the appointment o
agents along the different lines Of railroad
Ito purchase and forward supply Il
3. The immediate erection of barracks tC
shelter the prisoners. .s.
4. To furnish the necessary quantity O
7 wood and have wells dug to supply the de
ticiency.@ sasrse.a.s h.. -a:,ss.s
: 5. Divide the prisoners into squads, plac
; each squad under the charge of a sergeant
furnish the necessary quantity of soap, am
hold the sergeant responsible for the pers OH
| al cleanliness of his squad; furnish the pris
oners with clothing at the expense of tn
: confederate government, and if that govern
ment be unable to do so, candidly admi
our inability, and call upon the federal gov
ernment to furniah them. h~
: g. By daily inspection of bakehous
e and cookery.
n 7. Cover with sand the entire morass no
n less than six inches deep, board the stream
e or water course, and conhne the men to tn
9 use of the sinks, and make the penalty 70
u diSobedience Of such orders severe.
c lii the hospital we recommend that first
!. the tents be floored with plank; if plank can
e not be had, with puncheons. and if this b.
I impossible, then with fine straw, to be fire.
quently changed.
Second We find an inadequate supply
e of stools aud boxes and recommend that tn
e number be increased, and that the nurses b
/ required to move them as soon as receive
= and before returning them see that they ar
T. we'll washed and lined,
: Third The diet for the sick is not sue
S as they should have and we recommen
T that they be supplied with the necessar
g quantity of beef soup with vegetables
II Fourth. We also recommend that th
. surgeon be required to visit the hospital no
II less than twice day We cannot too strong
ly recommend the necessity of the appoint
s ment of an efficient medical officer to til
; exclusive duty of inspecting daily the pris
T. on hospital aud bakery, and requiring G
3 him daily reports of their condition to head
quarters. We have the honor to remain
}, General, Very respectfully, your obedieu
- servant. r...eq s1as.- d,
IL (Signed) T. s HOPKINS,
Acting Assistant Surgeon