Year: 1861

These are, am told, under the care of surg
cons of the regular army. and are doubtless
well provided tor. These hospitals are so re-
mote that patients can in only few in
stances bear the transportation necessary to
reach them.


IT. relation to the causes of the diseases
now prevalent, it may be said that remittent
and intermittent feverS are the common dis
eases OF the region in which Camp Griffin is
situated, and of course might occur to any
unaccllmated person, however careful of him
self. But the diseases above referred to.
reach beyond these, and those that prove
most mortal, typhoid pneumonia and typhoid
fever, nave no necessary connection with the
climate Of Virginia, but originate in the
camp.


Typhoid fever which is the most common
tebrilc disease Of New England, usually oc-
ours but once with any considerable intensity
in an individual, and would of course be more
frequently met with in the young. Our
troops are mostly under the aye of %, and
those who have never had typhoid fever are
quite certain to contract it when it originates
in camp. as it almost always does.


Typhoid pneumonia is a more rare disease,
and ii more fatal one, than typhoid fever. \
natural relation exists between these two dis
eases; and those converSant with the laws of
disease understand very well why the two
should occur together. Indeed we may say
that natural group Of diseases. including
not only typhoid fever and typhoid pneumo-
MIA. but also the form of 4 jaundice (ca;arrh-
al inflammation of the smaller hillary canals, }
which is SO prevalent, and likewise, though
rarely, dysentery and diptheria.


The common element that exists in all this
group is a state of profound prostration tor
asthenia) shown in the great and persistent
depression of the pulse, cold skin, and other
similar appearances. 1t is this asthenia that
destroys life more than the local affection of
the bowels. liver and lungs. On looking for
causes then, we seek only to know how this
asthenic state may be induced and whether
any of the inducing circumstances are in ope-
ration at Camp Griffin.


1t should here be stated that the assem-
blage of regiments, perhaps fifteen in num-
Der, which compose Camp Griffin is only a
part of a vast assembage Of troops extending
for miles and miles through the region bor-
dering the Potomac, and whom, as Gen Nc
Clellan says, "no man may number" These
have been yng upon the same ground for
weeks; and although good deal Of care has
been used to keep the camps clean, yet eve
rywhere disease incident to camps has arisen.
The only reason that can be given why dis
ease prevails throughout the whole range of
camps, then, is because they have remained
stationary so long. The cause is not in the
men, but in the saturated soil, and the silent,
unseen contamination of the waters and at
mosphere. y deathly influence from these
gives to all disease of whatever name, an as
thenic form, and causes it to prove mortal far
beyond what could occur away from the reg
ion of camps. Upon making careful survey
was able to convince myself that in one re-
giment at least, the location was such as to
favor a more speedy action Of the cause allud-
ed to. and was happy to find that my views
were endorsed by the proper authorities to
such an extent that the regiment was moved
to very fine location before left. The par
tcular measures calculated to give Our regi
ments the best possible chance for staying,
or limiting the progress of disease amongst
our faithful soldiers will speedily be laid be-
fore your Exce!lency in the report already al
luded to. need not say to you what duty
rests upon you. know your heart is alrea-
dy running over with sympathy with these
men in their sufferings, they look to you for
such aid as your judgment shall direct, and
let me assure YOU that however recreant a
few Of the volunteers may prove, the "sacred
soil is no where occupied by more true hear
ted men than the Vermont regiments. How
ever encompassed by dangers from worse
foe than the hosts of treason however great
their fatigues; however deeply they feel their
separation from their own dear hills and the
fond hearts that are breathing warm prayers
fhat tho God of arnniaa m AN ha thair nrofac.