The National tribune., 1903-08-13
SPORTIvE HOSPITAL CADETS.
young surgeon 9neif victim.

EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: Fairfax
Seminary. beautifully situated on high
elevation surrounded by thicklywooded
groves, about two niles west of Alex
andria, Va, was conveftedGnto n Govern
ment hospital the beginning of the civil
war. Extensive additions Yere made un,
til the building would accommodate 1.ON
patients. DIR. David T. Smith. ranking
as Major. was in charge, assisted by 4
large staff of contract surgeons. Being
just within the Notifications, the place
was admirably adapted to the purposes OF
a general hospital. '1.
A considerable number of clerks, detail,
ed from various regiments, were on duty
three of whom wcreI Bliss. the Chief
Clerk from n Michigan regiment; Fletch
er. from Massachusetts regiment, and
Ford. from an Indiana regiment.
Late in 1864 n package of draft
blanks was by mistake sent to the hos
pital. When Bliss opened the package and
asccrtained the nature of the contents. ht
called the attention of Fletcher and Ford
to the draft blanks" which evidently
were 'Out of place" in q Government hos
pital. Fletcher and Ford. young gentle
men of facetious proclivitieS. at once con
ccived the idea of enjoying Il little merri
ment at the expense of at least one OF the
contract surgeons. without a thought OF
any serious consequences that might result
from the practical joke they contemplated
playing. Bliss. conscious of his RESPONSE
bility as Chief Clerk, was at first reluc
tant in cOnScnting to the execution of the
enterprise" Notwithstanding the oppor
tunity was exceptionally promising for q
good practical joke. and he, like the 9th
ers. was fond of fun. Unable to resis,
temptation he finally entered into the
scheme conceived by his SubOrdinates, still
however, having miSgivings as to the out
come.
Among the contract surgeons was :
young Dr. r.. from Baltimore. Although
exceptionally popular with the clerks, he
was selected as their victim.
\ blank was properly filled out as hav
ing been issued from the office of the Pro
vost Martial at baltimore, directing DIR
X. to report at once to the Provost Mar
shal-General at Washington for transpor
tation to Baltimore, fictitious names being
used in order to avoid any charge OF
forgery. The ''order' having been in,
closed in an imposing official envelope and
duly addressed, was given to the head
quarters orderly. who was particeps
criminis. with instructions to return il
with his official mail from Washington
which he would deliver at the Office of
Maj. Smith, SurgeOn-in-C Chief. The Or
derIy admirably performed his duty
and soon after his return with the draft
ing document" DIR. X bolted into the
Clerks Office, his flushed face and ex,
cited manner clearly Indicating that he
had received his mail.
Boys, I've been drafted. and am or
dered to report at Baltimore Immediate
ly!"
''Now. Doctor, that is too bad. We
are awfully sorry. Can't you furnish a
substitute?'
Thoroughly demoralized, but intent or
obeying orders" the Doctor hurried to
his room, packed his grip, hastily and sad
~ bade the sympathetict9 clerks fare
well, and embarked in the Washington
boat.
After the Doctors departure the mis-.
chievous clerks were afflicted with Sc
rious reflections. Having soberly discussed
the matter, the consensus of opinion was
that in permitting the Doctor to report to
the Provost. .Marshal-General at Washing
ton they had carried the joke too far.
On the afternoon Of the third day Oul
drafted Doctor" returned, and straight
way walked into the office:
Boys, you think you played a smart
trick, don't you! Well, the Provost-Mar.
shal will fix yOn all right Before many
hours you will have quarters in the Old
Capitol Prison"
Finally, however, the Doctor joined in
the merriment. the boys 'Iughter being
contagious, and said 49,
We'll, boys. l am mighty glad this af
fair is not as serious as it looked when
started on my journey to Washington
Lets go down to the Suffers and settle
the whole matter"
Maj. Smith was strict disciplinarian
and Bliss was on the anxious seat sew.
-cral days, momentarily expecting to be
called up However, he received nc
summons to appear before the tribunal OF
the SurgeOn-in-Chief. In truth, that
severe disciplinarian" and the associa tc
contract surgeons laughed heartily over
the affair. prOnouncing it an admirable
piece of practical pleasantly"
When | last heard of the Joking trio. =
Bliss was in business in Kansas City
Fletcher in Boston, and Ford in Indian.
apolis.-W. II. ELDRIGE, 10th Pa. Res,
Pittsburg, Pa.