The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-12

GRANTS PLAN FOR I
tant Surgeons and n Hospital Steward,
on" army wa:;cn, one or more ambulanceS,
and a hospital wagon containing COM
| plete outfit of medicines, apparatus and
material for a hospital.
| The musicians of the regiment were
trained TO assist the Medical Department
| in bearing the wounded from the field,
and in rendering prompt temporary re-
! lee.
Each brigade, division and corps had its
Surgeon, and these officers had the direc-
tion of the administrative affairs of the
| Medical Department in their respective
organizations.
| When an army occupied n camp for
some time, the business of the Su ,eons
became matter of regular routine. AT
a certain hour each morning the sick call
was sounded, and those who needed medi-
cal treatment and were able to walk re-
ported to the Surgeon; their names were
entered upon the hospital register, with a
statement of the disease or ability, and
the Surgeon made his prescriptions.
If there were persons seriously sick, the
hospital tent would be set up, and they
were cared for there.
| Where any considerable number of sol
diers became seriously sick in n regiment,
so as to crowd the regimental hospital.
a number of these patients would be sent
to general hospital. If the army was
encamped near city or town where
suitable buildings could be secured. the
Medical Director Of the Army would es.
tablish a general hospital for the accomo-
dation and treatment of many patients.
When the war had progressed for some
time the people organized two great Com
missions to aid the Government in its
work of caring for the sick and wounded
the Sanitary Commission and the Chris
tian Commission. These Commissions
were supported by voluntary contributions
| from loyal citizens in every State of the
North.
The labors and expenditures were not
controlled by fixed laws and regulations.
but were left to the discretion and good
Judgment of the officers in charge. The
object of these Commissions was to con-
tribute to the physical, mental and spiri-
tual comfort of the sick and wounded sol
der. Tens of thousands Of intelligent and
sympathetic women took an active part
in the preparation of supplies for this
service. Food and clothing suitable for
the sick, and literature for the GONZALES
cent, were forwarded by the hundreds of
tons.
Women became nurses, others organized
and took charge Of hospital kitchens,
while others visited field hospitals. regi-
mental hospitals and general hospitals for
the distribution Of delicacies for the sick
which were not provided by the Govern
ment. While the officers and soldiers who
were in good health, and constantly on
duty, knew that the Sanitary and Chris
tan Commissions were doing a great work
for the army, they really could not fully
appreciate the merits Of that service I'M
til they themselves became the recipients
of it.
l must confess that this was the case
with myself. / did not realize the magni-
tude of this service and the perfection to
which every detail for the care Of the sol
diers had been brought until l had a per-
sonal experience with this great Depart
ment Of the military service.
sHERMAN's ARMY.
The Army of the Military Division of
the Mississippi, commanded by Gen. Sher-
man, which was designed to operate ac-
| lively in the campaign of Georgia, was in
the Spring Of 1864 occupying encamp-
ments extending from Decatur. Ala.
along the Memphis & Charleston Railroad
to Chattanooga. A considerable portion
of the Army Of the Tennessee was en-
! camped at Huntsville, Ala. The rail
roads from Chattanooga and Decatur to
Nashville had been repaired and equipped
anu were actlSeiy engaged IN bringing Tor
ward supplies of every description re-
quired by the army.
Gen. Dodge, commanding the Sixteenth
Corps, performed a great service in put
| ting this railroad system in good work
| ing order.
Sherman's army was now a long dis
lance from its actual base of supplies, and
it was absolutely necessary that the rail
roads from Cincinnati to Louisville, from
Louisville to Nashville, and from Nash
vile direct to Chattanooga, and also by
way of Decatur, should be kept running.
1t was also important that the Cumber-
land and Tennessee Rivers should be kept
open. BY the use Of all these means of
transportation it was believed that the
army could be fully supplied.
Upon assuming command of the Mill
tary Division Of the Mississippi, Gen.
sherman established his Headquarters at
Nashville; Gen. George II. Thomas, com
handing the Department and Army of
the Cumberland, had his headquarters at
Chattanooga; Gen. Joseph b. Mcpherson.
commanding the Department and Army
of the Tennessee, had headquarters at
Huntsville, Ala, and Gen. J. NJ. Scho-
field, commanding the Department and
Army of the Ohio, had his headquarters
az Knoxville. Tenn.
Gen. Sherman ut once made q tour of
inspection to personally examine the con-
dltion of the troops, to study the question
Of accommodating supplies, and to see and