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Elmira Prison Camp OnLine Library - |
MEDICAL
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, DEPT. OF THE EAST
No. 125 Bleecker Street, N.Y., November 5, 1864
Brig.
Gen. J.K. Barnes,
Surgeon-General, U.S. Army, Washington, DC:
Sir:
The accompanying report of Surgeon Sanger, U.S. Volunteers, in charge of the
prisoners' hospital at Elmira, N.Y., is respectfully transmitted to the
Surgeon-General with the following remarks: In September, Surgeon Sanger,
U.S. Army, acting medical inspector for this office, was sent to Elmira to
make a general inspection and report upon the condition of affairs at that
post. The difficulties under which he labored from the impossibility of
obtaining what he deemed necessary for the proper administration of the
medical department were represented by Doctor Sanger. Surgeon Sloan informed
him that there was but one effective way of remedying the evils complained
of, viz, a reference of all his wants in proper form for the approval of the
medical director and the actions of the general commanding the department.
Immediately upon the return of Surgeon Sloan from his tour of inspection the
following communication was sent to Surgeon Sanger:
MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE,
DEPT. OF THE EAST
No. 125 Bleecker Street, N.Y, September 24, 1864
You are instructed to prepare
the necessary requisitions for such alternations, repairs, and alterations as
you may require at the prisoners' hospital, for my approval and the action of
the general commanding the department and with special reference to the
water-closets, dispensary offices and the additional store-rooms. I will urge
everything to a good and proper administration of your department.
From the date of that letter to that of the accompanying
report no complaints have been made by Surgeon Sanger, nor were any
requisitions ever received from him as above instructed, except for the usual
requisitions for medical supplies. He did not avail himself of the means
suggested to discontinue his apparently futile attempts with the local
authorities and to appeal through me to the commanding general, which, as in
other cases, would have been successful.
Very
respectively, your obedient servant,
C.
McDougall,
Surg., U.S. Army, and Medical Director of the Dept. of the East.
[Indorsement]
Surgeon
General's Office, November 10, 1864
Respectfully returned to Medical Director McDougall, New York City, who will
cause a special inspection and report to be made to him of the condition of
affairs at the prison camp at Elmira, N.Y., and to take such measures as may
be necessary to correct the evils complained of and add to the comfort and
the well being of the sick in hospital at that place. The medical director
will ask for the interposition of the authority of the commanding general
Department of the east to carry out those instructions, if in his opinion,
necessary to secure prompt action.
By
orders of the Surgeon-General,
C.H.
Crane,
Surgeon, U.S. Army
[Inclosure]
PRISONERS'
HOSPITAL, SURGEON'S OFFICE
Elmira, N.Y., November 1, 1864
Brig,
Gen. J.K. Barnes,
Surgeon-General, U.S. Army
I
have the honor to forward the monthly report of sick and wounded at
prisoners' hospital, Elmira, N.Y., for the month of October. The ratio of
disease and deaths has been fearfully and unprecedentedly large and requires
an explanation from me to free the medical department from censure. Since
August, the date of my assignment to this station, there have been 2,011
patients admitted to the hospital, 775 deaths out of a mean strength of 8,347
prisoners of war, or 4 per cent admitted and 9 per cent died. Have averaged
daily 451 in hospital and 691 in quarters, an aggregate of 1,062 per day,
sick. As this rate the entire command will be admitted to hospital in less
than a year and 36 per cent die. The prison pen is one-quarter of a mile
square, containing forty acres, located in the valley of the Chemung River.
The soil is a gravel deposit sloping at two-thirds of the distance from the
front toward the river to a stagnant pond of water 12 by 580 yards, between
which and the river is a low sandy bottom subject to overflow when the river
is high. The pond received the contents of the sinks and garbage of the camp
until it became so offensive that vaults were dug on the banks of the pond
for sinks and the whole left a festering mass of corruption, impregnating the
entire atmosphere of the camp with its pestilential odors, night and day.
On
my arrival the subject of drainage, sinks, enlargement of the hospitals,
providing a kitchen, mess hall, laundry, dead house, offices, and storerooms
were considered and their importance impressed upon the commanding officer.
On the 13th of August commended making written reports of the following
dates: August 12, August 23, august 26, September 3, 5, 16, October 5, 9, and
17, calling attention to the pond, vaults and their deadly poison, the
existence of scurvy to an alarming extent (reporting 2,000 scorbutic cases at
one time); recommended fresh vegetables daily to the scurvy patients and an
increase in the capacity of the hospital; pointed out necessity of a kitchen,
laundry, mess room and dead house, and presented plans for the same; called
attention to improvements in cooking and method of serving the rations; great
delay in filling my requisitions for the hospital; the sickness and suffering
occasioned thereby; a more general observation of the sanitary laws governing
human beings herded in crowded camps and the inevitable consequences allowing
neglect. How does the matter stand today! The pong remains green with
putrescence, filling the air with its messengers of disease and death, the
vaults give out their sickly odors, and the hospitals are crowded with
victims for the grave. A single ration of vegetables was given for a while
and discontinued. Three rations in five of onions and potatoes were allowed
from the 1st of October for a fortnight and discontinued. The men are hurried
in to their rations of bread, beans, meet and soup, to half gulp it down on
the spot or to carry it hastily away to their quarters in old rusty canteens
and improvised dirty dippers and measures.
Hospital
wards, with the addition of three barracks, buildings poorly adapted for
hospital purposes, are insufficient to accommodate the sick. Kitchens half
large enough. Washing and drying done in the open air at a time when we have
not been able to dry our clothes for a month. Nurses, full diet patients,
etc., eat in the wards, kitchen, or wherever they can. Post mortems performed
in a little tent exposed to the gaze of the camp and an office 12 by 20 feet,
in which are crowded together drugs and druggists, stewards and clerks,
doctors and dressings, commissary clerks and hospital supplies, in a state of
confusion worst confounded.
While
Lieutenant Colonel Eastman, of the Regular Army, was in command I reported
directly to him and was able to direct communication to expedite business,
personally explain the wants of the hospital department, and to a limited
extent act as medical adviser to the medical interests of the prisoners. Since
Colonel Tracy, of the U.S. Colored Troops, has been I command all direct
communication had been cut off, and I am ordered by him to report to a junior
military officer, but in the administration duties of a large hospital
department the surgeon in charge must have direct communication with the
commander, who is the only authorized executive officer. My provision
returns, my bill of purchases, my requisitions for hospital fixtures and
medical supplies, must all be forwarded to him, subject to his approval or
disapproval, without and medical representations to advise and guide in the
exercise of opinions and actions based upon common sense alone. Common sense
is a very good thing, but does not work in physic. To illustrate: The
requisition for medicine sent October 7 through the intermediate channel for
approval was never heard from; the second was delayed two or three days; my
provision returns are often forty-eight hours getting back to me, and
applications for straw and fixtures for hospital are frequently made some
three or four weeks before I receive the articles. My applications for straw,
put in October 21, for beds, is not filled yet, and the patients are
compelled to lie on the floor. My application for caldron, stovepipe, and
cover for washing purposes, put in on the 5th and 6th of September, was
finally filled October 28. I was ordered to feed patients in quarters, and
yet my requisition for cooking utensils came back disapproved. When the sick
were sent from here for exchange I received no official information, nor was
advised in reference to the matter. I was informed by a captain of the
examining board, in the original examination, not to send home those who were
unable to travel. I was totally ignorant whether the journey would exceed two
or three days, only as I judged from the number of days' rations required,
viz, two; although the day for forwarding prisoners' returns was the day
before the prisoners started, October 11, and mine went in promptly. I did
not receive my supplies, and the patients were sent off without coffee or
sugar. The train started without reporting to the medical officer, and before
the nurses were assigned, blankets distributed, and many had been fed after a
fast or more than twelve hours. I was ordered to appoint a given number of
nurses and doctors, and my application for an increased number received no
attention. A camp inspector is appointed who takes the liberty of entering my
wards at all times, instructs my ward masters and nurses, finds fault to them
of my management, and quizzes them in regard to the medical officers. Medical
officers have complained that he changes the beds of the patients, corrects
and changes their diet, directs the washing of my wards without regard to my
rules, orders pneumonia, patients with blisters on their sides bathed, etc. I
have entered a written protest without avail. I cannot be held responsible
for a large medical department of over 1,000 patients without power,
authority, or influence. Our post is without a medical representative, and as
senior medical duties should be entrusted to my care, when it would be hoped
that the interest of the sick would be consulted.
Respectfully,
your obedient servant,
E.
F. Sanger
Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers, in Charge
[Indorsement]
The
undersigned have read and fully indorse the above.
Charles
E. Rider
Assistant Surgeon, 54th New York Militia
P.C.
Pease,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army
L.M.
Johnson,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army
J.T.
Parker,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army
F.D.
Ritter,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army
Ira
H. Van Ness,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army
G.B.
Young,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army
Wm.
O. Smith,
Acting Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army
D.W.
Hershey
Assistant Surgeon, 98th Regt., N.Y. State National Guard
--------------------
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY PRISON, Colonel B. F. TRACY, Commanding Post:
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following inspection report of the condition of the prisoners of war at his station for the week ending November 6, 1864:
Conduct, good; cleanliness, good, considering the limited supply of clothing; clothing, there is some destitution, a requisition has been for warded; bedding, there are ticks, men in barracks sleep on boards, those in tents, on the ground; state of quarters, not good; state of mess-houses, good; state of kitchen, good; food, quality of, usually good, some fresh beef has been issued unfit to eat; food, quantity of, full rations allowed to prisoners; water, good and plenty; sinks, good; police of grounds, fair; drainage, fair, except the pond; police of hospital, good; attendance of sick, good; hospital diet, good; general health of prisoners, improving; vigilance of guard, good.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. MUNGER,
Captain, Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, Inspecting Officer.
Respectfully referred to the Commissary-General of Prisoners.
Barracks progress slowly. We have been delayed for want of timber. It is now being supplied and we hope to have no further delay.
B. F. TRACY, -------------------- HEADQUARTERS MILITARY PRISON, Colonel B. F. TRACY, Commanding Post:
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following inspection report of the condition of the prisoners of war at this station for the week ending November 13, 1864:
Conduct, good; cleanliness, good; clothing, there is some destitution; bedding, the same as previously reported; state of quarters, fair; state of mess-houses, good; state of kitchen, good; food, quality of, good; food, quantity of, full ration; water good and plenty; sinks, good; police of grounds, good; drainage, good; police of hospital, not good; attendance of sick, good; hospital diet, good; general health of prisoners, good; vigilance of guards, good.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. P. JORDAN, The barracks for the use and accommodation of the prisoners are progressing. The ditch has been commenced and is progressing, which, when completed, will remove one of the most intolerable nuisances the camp is subject to.
Respectfully referred to the Commissary-General of Prisoners.
B. F. TRACY, -------------------- MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE DEPT. OF THE EAST, COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS, Washington, D. C.:
SIR: I have the honor to transmit the report of Surgeon Sloan, U. S. Army, of his inspection of the prison camp at Elmira, N. Y., made by order of the Surgeon-General. The condition of affairs there requires the immediate attention of the authority controlling the camp, and I urgently request your attention to the report and ask that its recommendations may be carried out. Deeming your authority ample in the case, I have not asked the interposition of the commanding general of the department. As the responsibility connected with the management of the medical department at that place rests upon me, I beg that you will communicate your decision upon the matters and recommendations contained in this report at your earliest convenience.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. McDOUGALL, OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,
Washington, November 22, 1864.
Respectfully referred to Colonel B. G. Tracy, commanding Depot Prisoners of War, Elmira, N. Y., immediate report as to what has been done, what is in course of completion, and what is about being commenced to remedy the evils mentioned in within report. Full report required. Particular attention is called to the prevalence of scurvy and to the instructions from this office of August 1, 1864, in relation to the purchase of antiscorbutics. These papers to be returned with report.
By order Brigadier General H. W. Wessells, Inspector and Commissary-General of Prisoners:
W. T. HARTZ, MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE DEPT. OF THE EAST,
No. 125 Bleecker Street, New York, November 14, 1864.
Surg. C. McDOUGALL, U. S. Army, Medical Director:
SIR: I have the honor to report that in accordance with your instructions I made a special inspection of the prisoner's camp at Elmira, N. Y., on the 12th instant. No better time could have been selected for this examination, with particular reference to its condition in unpleasant weather, as a severe storm of snow and rain was prevailing. The inspection was based upon the following indorsement of the Surgeon-General upon the report of Surgeon Sanger, U. S. Volunteers, in charge, of November 1, transmitted to you on the 10th, viz:
SURGEON-GENERAL'S, November 10, 1864.
Respectfully returned to Medical Inspector McDougall, New York City, who will cause a special inspection and report to be made to him of the condition of affairs at the prison camp at Elmira, N. Y., and to take such measures as may be necessary to corrected the evils complained of and add to the comfort and well-being of the sick in hospital at that place. The medical director will ask for the interposition of the authority of the commanding general Department of the East to carry out these instructions, if, in his opinion, necessary to secure prompt action.
By order of the Surgeon-General:
C. H. CRANE, The statement made to the Surgeon-General by Surgeon in his report of November 1 were not exaggerated, although an undue warmth of language may have been exhibited, from the difficulties he had to encounter from the delays attending the filling of his requisitions and the little attention paid to his remonstrances. In the latter part of September Surgeon Sanger, having represented the difficulties under which he labored, was instructed by you to make requisitions for everything necessary for the proper administration of his department, for your approval and the action of the general commanding the Department of the East. The reason why this was not done was explained to me. The instructions he received were submitted to the commanding officer of the prison camp, Colonel Tracy, who stated that Colonel Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, having sole charge of prisoners of war, gave all orders in relation to their management, and that all requisitions, &c., must be submitted to him for his action. To this view you made no objection, and, being informed of it, instructed Doctor Sanger accordingly, your sole object being to procure the necessary supplies and relieve the medical department of responsibility or censure. The means suggested by Doctor Sanger for the better care of the prisoners were the drainage of an unhealthy pond, the erection of sinks, the enlargement of the hospital buildings, and the erection of a kitchen, mess-hall, laundry, dead-house, offices, and store-rooms, an increased issue of vegetable diet for the prevention of scurvy, increased means of cooking and distributing food, regularity in the issue of rations, and straw for the bed sacks. For all these objects he made frequent requisitions and applications at different dates between August 13 and October 17.
On the 5th of October the surgeon made application, accompanied by plans, for buildings needed in addition to those authorized by the Commissary-General of Prisoners, viz, dispensary and officers, additional wards, mess-hall, and sinks. These buildings have just been commenced, including a kitchen, but nothing has been done toward erecting, the mess-hall, dispensary, or laundry and drying room, all essentially needed. I was informed that work was about being commenced for draining and cleansing the fetid pond by introducing water from the Chemung River, through underground wooden tubing, thus creating a constant fresh-water current, which, it is admitted, will remedy the existing difficulties. It is scarcely necessary to enumerate the causes of the great ratio of mortality and sickness at this camp, but all important to suggest the means of reducing it to a healthier standard. From a full examination of the whole subject with reference to the climate and the existing condition of things, I respectfully recommend; First, the lining and ceiling of all the buildings now erected; second, the erection of additional wards, to be lined and ceiled; third, the completion of the kitchen and erection of hospital mess-hall, dispensary, offices, store-rooms, laundry, and drying room, dead-house, and sinks; fourth, the erection of a mess-hall for the camp; fifth, the use of larger stoves in the hospital; sixth, the erection of a quartermaster's and commissary store-house at the camp for the prompt issue of quartermaster's and commissary supplies without reference to the town of Elmira, and that an officer be detailed at the camp as acting assistant quartermaster and acting assistant commissary of subsistence; seventh, an issue of vegetables three times a week to the entire command and a daily issues of vegetables to those in hospital suffering from scurvy; eighth, an issue of clothing, including drawers and socks, to the prisoners. The surgeon in charge complained with justice of the perplexities arising from the delay in furnishing the supplies, particularly the straw for bedsacks. The commanding officer, while maintaining the incorrectness of these complaints, admitted the tardiness of the quartermaster. The quartermaster justified himself by asserting the scarcity of lumber and straw, an excuse, it seems to me, which can be hardly sustained in that region of New York, in close proximity to the lumber and grain districts and on the lines of canals and the great Erie railway. The detail of an acting assistant quartermaster and commissary at the camp, as above suggested, would obviate all these difficulties by keeping on hand supplies in bulk equal to the demands of a force of 10,000 men. I was informed that everything being referred to the Commissary-General of Prisoners, the requisition of lining the buildings to make them comfortable for the winter was disapproved and the stopping of cracks and open places ordered. A personal inspection convinced me that this measure would not remedy the evil. The winters are exceedingly cold and bleak at Elmira and the buildings were hastily erected of green lumber, which is cracking, splitting, and warping in every direction. An inside lining would prevent the access of cold winds, snow, and repay the expenditure in the end in the saving of fuel. I feel confident that if these suggestions are presented to the Commissary-General of Prisoners and the commanding general of the department, their force will be manifest and the proper steps be taken immediately on account of the approach of winter, and thus prevent the progress of pneumonia and scurvy, now ravaging the camp. With protection from the weather and the climate and with an increase of vegetable food, the winter instead of adding to the mortality will exercise a beneficial influence.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. J. SLOAN, -------------------- RICHMOND, VA., November 17, 1864.
Colonel WILLIAM HOFFMAN,
Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D. C.:
SIR: I have lately received several communications from Confederate prisoners at the North, stating that they had received letters from you. Some of these letters state one thing and some another. Some of them contain extracts from your letters to them. Are not the suffering of these people already sufficient without further torture? Why delude them with false hopes, why tell some of them we are opposed to exchanges, and others that if we would give equivalents for them they would be sent home?
In order that there should be no misunderstanding between us I now say that there is not one Confederate officer or soldier in captivity as the North for whom I will not give an equivalent just as soon as he is delivered to us.
These prisoners generally write that you have informed them that if I will request their delivery, promising to send an officer of the same rank, or soldier, as the case may be, they will be sent South to their own people. I request the delivery of lany and every officer and soldier whom you have in confinement, and more particularly all to whom you have told this story. I will simultaneously deliver the equivalent of each. If you refuse this, I beg in the name of common humanity that no more representation of this kind be made to our captives.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
RO. OULD, -------------------- HEADQUARTERS MILITARY PRISON,
Elmira, N. Y., November 20, 1864.
Colonel B. F. TRACY, Commanding Post:
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following inspection report of the condition of the prisoners of war at this station for the week ending November 20, 1864:
Conduct, good; cleanliness, much improved since last report; clothing, good; bedding, most of the men have blankets but no straw; state of quarters, very fair; state of mess-houses, good; state of kitchen, good; food, quality of, good; food, quantity of, plenty; water, very good; sinks, fair, police of grounds, very good, considering the state of weather; drainage, fair, except at the pond; police of hospital, very good; attendance of sick, appears very good; hospital diet, good; general health of prisoners, good; vigilance of guard, very good.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. P. JORDAN,
Six of the new barracks for the use of prisoners or completed and occupied. Four others will soon be done. With the force now at work nearly one building per day can be erected. The conduit is progressing finely; 125 prisoners per day of eight hours are employed on its execution. It is rather more than half completed. There have been 3,000 feet of the ditch dug and 1,000 feet of the pipe (wooden) laid and covered.
Respectfully referred to the Commissary-General of Prisoners.
B. F. TRACY, -------------------- WASHINGTON, D. C., November 23, 1864.
Surgeon GETTY,
Medical Inspector of Prisoners of War, Elkton, Md.:
SIR: You will proceed without delay to Elmira, N. Y., and make a minute inspection of the prison at that place, particularly in reference to its sanitary condition, being mainly governed in this duty by your instructions of 6th of September last. Unfavorable reports are continually received at this office, and it is desirable to correct existing evils. With this view make to the commanding officer such suggestions for immediate action as you may deem advisable, and if possible ascertain his ability to carry them out. Having preformed this duty you will return to this city and report the result of your inspection.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. W. WESSELLS, -------------------- HEADQUARTERS PRISON CAMP, Colonel B. F. TRACY, Commanding Post:
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following inspection report of the condition of the prisoners of war at this station for the week ending November 24, 1864:
Conduct, fair: cleanliness, good; clothing, insufficient; bedding, want some blankets, no bedsacks are supplied; state of quarters, police good, putting up wooden buildings in place of tents; state of mess-houses, good; state of kitchen, good; food, quality of, legal allowance; food, quantity of, beef very lean; water, good and plenty; sinks, good; police of grounds, good for the season, some mud; drainage, good; police of hospital, fair; attendance of sick, good, with the exception of guard-house, no regular provision for sick there; hospital diet, good and full supply of vegetables; general health of prisoners, large number sick; vigilance of guard, good.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. P. JORDAN, There are three new barracks occupied; four more begun. Mess-hall, kitchen, and laundry completed. Coal stoves substituted for small wood stoves in hospital. Six old barracks are set apart for convalescent wards and the surgeon ordered to fit them up and use them as such. Dispensary and officers ordered to be constructed and contract for lumber given out. A new requisition for clothing is being prepared. Health of camp steadily improving, although pneumonia is prevailing and is alarmingly fatal.
Respectfully referred to the Commissary-General of Prisoners.
B. F. TRACY, -------------------- HEADQUARTERS DEPOT FOR PRISONERS OF WAR, Brigadier General H. W. WESSELLS,
Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D. C.:
GENERAL: In pursuance of instructions form the Commissary-General of Prisoners, dated November 22, 1864, I have the honor to report that six hospital wards were erected at the prison camp previous to September 8, 1864, when, more being deemed necessary, authority was granted to erect as many hospital wards as were deemed indispensably necessary, to be erected upon the cheapest plan and to be neither plastered nor ceiled. (See communication dated September 8.) Under this authority two wards have been constructed and are now in use. One more is needed and will be constructed as soon as possible, making in all nine wards, besides six old barracks which have, under my orders, been converted into convalescent wards. This makes, in all, accommodations for over 700 sick men. None of the wards have been ceiled. On the 24th of October, on the weekly inspection report, I said that "the hospital wards will be very could this winter and should be ceiled, as it is too and they are too full of patients to be plastered". To this I received a reply, dated October 27, 1864, saying that the hospital wards could not be ceiled. A new hospital ward which was being constructed had been converted into a mess-hall and a small wing added for a kitchen, which is all completed and the furniture being put in. The laundry is completed also. The dead house and the dispensary, &c., are not yet commenced. Both are ordered, and the timber for the dispensary is contracted for and will be delivered soon. No mess-hall for the camp is needed. The present one is ample to accommodate a camp of 10,000 men. Its construction is somewhat defective, but not so much as to warrant the construction of a new one. This report is the first intimation I ever had that any one though it necessary to dispense with the present mess-hall. Lieutenant Colonel Eastman thought it necessary to erect an additional mess-hall, which was refused. (See letter of Colonel Hoffman, dated September 8, 1864.) I agree with Colonel Hoffman that the present one is sufficient. The use of larger stoves in hospital was ordered previous to Doctor Sloan's visit, and the order was then being filed. I believe they are all furnished, and are being put up. There has been nothing done about the erection of a quartermasters' and commissary building for the prison camp. I have raised the question myself whether it would not be better to have such a building, with officers detailed for that duty. It increases largely the expense of the post, and whether it would expedite business I have my doubts. I desire more time to consider this question before recommending it, and as we could not obtain the timber to construct the building until after the contract for the barracks is filled, there will be no unnecessary delay. Desiccated mixed vegetables have been issued to the entire camp two days in five since August. In October 206 bushels of potatoes and 160 bushels of onions were issued, and since October fresh vegetables-15 pounds of potatoes and 8 pounds of onions per 100 men-have been issued to the entirely camp every three days in five. I have been repeatedly informed and always understood that the scurvy patients in hospital have vegetables and antiscorbutic daily. There was expended from the hospital fund during the month of October over $2,000, and I have never received and intimation that it was not ample for this purpose. I cannot delay this communication to say all I desire upon this subject, and shall therefore make this and some others the subject of a future letter, when I will give dates and facts to support what I may say.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. F. TRACY,
Elmira, N. Y., November 6, 1864.
Colonel 127th U. S. Colored Troops, Commanding Depot.
Elmira, N. Y., November 13, 1864.
Captain, Twenty-ninth Maine Vols., Acting Inspecting Officer.
Colonel 127th U. S. Colored Troops, Commanding Depot.
No. 125 Bleecker Street,
New York, November 17, 1864.
Surgeon, U. S. Army, Medical Director, Department of the East.
Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
Surgeon, U. S. Army.
Surgeon, U. S. Army.
Agent of Exchange.
Captain, Twenty-ninth Maine Vols., Acting Inspecting Officer.
Colonel 127th U. S. Colored Troops, Commanding Prisoners' Depot.
Brigadier General, U. S. Vols., Inspector and Com. General of Prisoners.
Elmira, N. Y., November 28, 1864.
Captain, Twenty-ninth Maine Vols., Actin Inspecting Officer.
Colonel 127th U. S. Colored Troops, Commanding Depot.
Elmira, N. Y., November 30, 1864.
Colonel 127th U. S. Colored Troops, Commanding Depot.
