*95o Duke University Libraries D03212448O ?£*/*?£ REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE, Appointed by the Senate of the Confederate States to examine into the con- dition of Hospitals, and report by bill or otherwise. The Select Committee appointed by the Senate to investigate the complaints of the sick and wounded in the hospitals, and to in- spect the same, ask leave to submit the following report: The Condition of the Hospitals, §~c. • The numerous complaints made throughout the country, and through the public press, in reference to the condition of the Army Hospitals, and the treatment there received by the sick and v. ounded. made the subject one of deep and earnest solicitude on the part of Congress and the public generally. Some member of the Committee, has visited in person, all the public hospitals located in and near the city of Petersburg, and all the principal hospitals in and near the city of Richmond, making a most thorough examination into their several conditions, as it related to their cleanliness, the attention and care bestowed upon the sick, the condition of the beds and bedding, the food and diet allowed and provided, and the general wants, defects and necessities of the same. In undertaking to discharge the duties assigned them by the Senate, it was the purpose of. the Committee to make their examination thorough and complete. To this end they availed themselves of all the information they could obtain by con- versing with the sick and the surgeons in charge, with the determi- nation of submitting to Congress the whole truth, whether painful or agreeable, and now, after having made this examination, realize the most agreeable satisfaction in reporting, that though many of the complaints made by the sick, are well founded in fact, yet they are in no manner attributable to the inattenti n ox neglect of the surgeons in charge. All these complaints relate to causes, over which the Medical De- partment have no control, under existing laws, and therefore, can af- ford no remedy. They principally relate to a want of proper food or diet, to proper clothi&g and nursing. As it regards the condition of the hospitals, their appearance generally is that of instil at ions well conducted, in- deed, in most cases excellently conducted, when we take into conside- ration the attendant circumstances. The beds and bedding were generally clean, the rooms well ventilated, the floors, dining rooms and culinary departments, all neat and in good order; the patients in most instances, comfortable and cheerful; especially was this the case, mi all hospitals visited or in any manner superintended by ladies. In making this report, the Committee do not intend to be understood as conveying the idea, that all our hospitals are equally well managed, and that all present the same appearance of neatness, comfort ami order. They do not. There was not only a difference in the vie re appearance of the hospitals themselves, but a very striking difference in the appearance and cheerfulness of their inmates. Those present- ing an appearance less neat, however, for them exception to the general character of the whole. Having said this much, it would appear as a matter of justice to those not embraced within the ex- 'ij.tional class as above defined, that specifications should be made. Jn attempting to do this, the Committee feel that they might still dd a greater wrong, not because this exceptional class have suc- led so well in their undertaking, or perhaps exercised as much taste and vigilance in the discharge of their duties, but rather because they seem to have done, and still seem anxious to do all they can un- ci >r the circumstances. The man who strives with a zeal wortny of success, and who yet fails to succeed so completely and perfectly as another, ought not hasti- ly to be condemned. He should rather be upheld and strengthened in his efforts, because integrity of purpose and sleepless vigilance will finally prevail. Your Committee feel assured that it is the uni- versal desire of all those having in charge the hospitals visited by them, to render to our sick and wounded all the aid and assistance they can. They urge anxiously, every reform in the wdiole system that promises this result, and your Committee are equally anxious that Congress should perform promptly and availably its duty in the premises. The number of sick and wounded, now in the hospitals, is not so large as heretofore. The number dangerously ill is com- paratively small. A large majority now in the hospitals being sol- diers, who from general debility, resulting from exposure in camps, the heat of summer and long marches, have been unable to remain with their regiments on the march, and therefore have been sent to the hospital to rest and recruit. This large class, in a few weeks, are generally suflieiently restored in health to rejoin their their regiments. A majority of those dangerously ill, were laboring under attacks of Typhoid Fever, Typhoid Pneumonia, Erysipelas, and Chronic Diar- rhoea. As before stated, the general complaints made by the sick, relate to a -want of proper food, both in quantity and quality ; a proper pre- peration of it, additional clothing and competent and skillful nurses. It is not, under existing laws and regulations, in the power of sur- geons in charge, to remove these grounds of complaint. They grow- out of the imperfection of the system itself, and can only be remedied by Congress. The supplies furnished, are not of a quality suitable for the sick. This was the universal opinion of all surgeons who expressed an opinion updn the subject. The surgeons cannot obtain suitable sup- plies of food, because the hospital fund is not sufficient for the pur- pose, and they have no other means at their disposal. They now have the greatest difficulty in obtaining the limited sup- ply of poultry, vegetables, &c, now used in the hospitals, and are compelled to pay the most exorbitant prices for them. The quantity they do obtain is not sufficient for the necessities of the sick. After having exhausted the hospital fund, they can buy no more,, and are then compelled to take whatever supplies the commissary may - furnish, whether suitable or not. For this very serious cause of com- plaint there is one remedy in the pow3r of Congress, and that remedy may be made complete and efficacious, and that is, to increase the hos- pital fund. Under existing regulations this fund is formed in the hands i of the commissary, by the Government allowing for each ration not drawn for the use of the sick the sum of thirty cents. This fund or amount rather, may be drawn by the surgeon, and be expended for such . articles as are not furnished by the commissary. The ration that the sick soldier does not draw at present prices costs - the Government about one dollar. It ought certainly to be worth as much when purchased by the Government from a sick soldier in the • army, as when purchased from another person not in the army. Let the Government then pay as much for it, and in doing this it will be doing only even handed justice to all parties. To enlarge this hos- pital fund so as to make it sufficient for all purposes, let the Govern- ment allow for each ration not drawn, the sum of one dollar, instead! of thirty cents as now allowed. Should it be urged in opposition to - this, that this fund might become too large, and be liable to waste or embezzlement, it may be replied that the fund never passes into the surgeon's hands until required, but remains in the -hands of the com- missary, who is a bonded officer of the Government. To guard against all chances of fraud, the act enlarging the fund can provide that when the fund shall exceed a certain amount, the excess shall be placed in the public treasury to the credit of the hospital, and alone subject to the order of Congress. Should this fund be increased in the manner as above stated, great economy may be practiced in procuring supplies for the hospitals, by allowing surgeon's in charge to appoint one or more agents, to proceed to the country, and there make such pur- chases as may be needed. The sick, above all things, desire and re- quire a change of diet. The food they require is generally simple, such as butter milk, vegetables, poultry, &c, but this they ought to have. To make the whole matter complete, when the fund is enlarged and the agent appointed, let the Government provide him with a gen- oral transportation ticket upon all railroads and canals, when in the service of the hospital, and let all railroad agents, and agents and of- ficers of canal boats be compelled promptly and without delay to trans- port all such articles as may be purchased for the use of hospitals, to the place or places required ; and to guard against all fraud on the part of this agent, let him he required every week or two weeks to render an account, sworn to and verified by vouchers. Unless some such system be adopted, the sick in the hospitals will continue to complain and continue to suffer. AY hen winter approaches the difficulties will increase. If Congress will perform its duty, all this may he averted, and their action in the premises will meet the approval of all good men. Worst in the series of complaints is the want of additional clothing, a proper preparation of the food, and better and more competent nurses. These are serious causes of complaint, but can be easily removed without much difficulty or expense. In most instances, when the sick soldier enters the hospital he has but one suit of clothing, and that upon his back, and generally all soiled and stiff with dirt. The sur- geon in charge cannot furnish more suitable clothing, because he has none to furnish. They are evidently necessary for more purposes than one, and should be had if possible, because cleanliness is not only necessary to general health, but is essentially so in a hospital. To remedy this difficulty, each surgeon in charge of a hospital can be authorized to draw from the quartermaster a number of suits of cloth- ing, especially pants, shirts and drawers, equal to the number of beds in his hospital, to be denominated and kept as hospital clothing, to be used alone by the sick, and turned over to the hospital Stewart when the soldier recovers, and leaves the hospital to rejoin his regiment. Hospital Nurses and Ward Matrons. The nurses and ward matrons now acting in the hospitals are gener- ally selected and chosen from the convalescent soldiers, who in most cases are without experience, and hence know but little of the very delicate and important dnt'es they arc required to perform. In addition to this, it may be asserted with truth that as a general thing, soldiers in most instances are less qualified, and therefore make the most indifferent and careless nurses that could be selected. Familiar with hardships and suffering they become to some extent, callous and indifferent. Under existing regulations, should one now and then display qualities th it render him efficient and competent for these duties, it is not in the power of surgeon's in charge to retain liim. He is liable at any time to be ordered to duty in the field, and hence his place must then be supplied by another without experience. This system of constant change, fills your hospitals with awkward and inefficient nurses and ward masters. And too, it is well known to all p i sons of observation that nursing and attending upon the sick, is to some extent a talent or gift not possessed by all men. A good nurse must not only be active and attentive, he must also be kind, patient and sympathetic. But few men possess these qualities in a very high degree, when required to display them in a sick chamber, where durin" each minute and hear for days, weeks and months they arc constantly taxed and called into requisition. Hence, when such qualities are evinced, it should be in the power of the surgeon, upon requisition, to have such men permanently detailed for this duty, and only to be re- moveable by him for inattention or neglect. Tiiis will give you com- petent ward masters and nurses for your hospitals, as far as the ne- cessities of the hospitals may make their services important. And for certain purposes they are important and cannot be dispensed with. It is also well known that men generally have but little capacity in pre- paring delicacies, suitable to the taste of the sick, and yet this is of the highest importance. A sick man not only requires a suitable diet, suitably prepared, but ho also requires a comfortable bed, a quiet chamber, and tender and faithful nursing. To secure these important results, your committee recommend, that each surgeon of a hospital. or the division of a hospital, be required to substitute in all cases where it may be done with propriety, competent female nurses, to the extent of the number now allowed by law, and that such female nurses be of good character, and each be allowed and paid the sum of twenty-five dollars per month, and in addition to the female nurses, above named, that i females of good character be employed for each ward of the hospital to act as ward matrons, whose duty it shall be to exercise a general super- intendence over the cleanliness of their respective wards, to see that the beds and bedding are kept neat and clean, the food for the sick pro- perly prepared, and the medicine properly administered, and that patients very ill are properly nursed and cared for, and all other mat- ters relating to the domestic comfort and order of such ward, and thai they be allowed and paid each, the sum of thirty dollars per month. And in addition to the nurses and ward matrons above named, that for each hospital two females of good character, with domestic expe- rience, be employed to act as chief matrons of the hospital, to exer- cise a general superintendence over all the wards, and ward nurses and ward matrons, to receive and take charge of all delicacies provided for the sick, to distribute them when necessary, and to see that even- thing relating to the domestic economy of the hospital is kept in per- fect order, and that they be allowed and paid each, the sum of forty dollars per month. And. in addition to these, that two females be employed for each hospital, to act as laundresses, whose duty it shall be to take charge of all beds and bedding, and all clothing used by the sick, to see that all are kept properly washed and in good order, and they each be paid the sum of thirty dollars per month. . Should these recommendations be carried into effect, your commit- tee arc confident that an entire reformation and improvement will have been made, not only in the domestic comfort and order of your hospitals, but in a moral point of view its results will be of incalcu- lable benefit. It is not alone necessary to sustain the physical being of man by food and drink. His sympathies, his social and moral na- ture are of an importance equally nigh, and exercise not only a con- trolling influence over his happiness, bat, in many instances over hia health. In all the qualities essential to insure these important re-- suit?, it will require no power of logic in this practical and sensible age to prove that woman is greatly man's superior. Her sympathies not only soothe the afflicted, but her tenderness and kindness often afford relief. With less physical courage to resist, she yet has higher moral courage to endure, and hence, never falters or grows weary in doing good. With more heart she is necessarily more constant, more generous, more devoted and patient. Always responsive when her humanity is appealed to, she has sympathies warmer, more religious, more earnest and refined. Her very presence is a rebuke to every impropriety, and when permanently introduced into your hospitals, Avill shed a gleam of neatness, cheerfulness, comfort and moral excel- lence around and about them not yet realized. To the sick soldier surely nothing could be more grateful than this. In this manner, during hours of suffering, he will, to some extent, realize those pure joys, which make home and wife so dear to every manly heart, while the brave boy, separated from friends, and prostrate upon a bed of dis- ease, will again be reminded of her whose motherly love was the first recollection of his childhood, and whose earnest prayers were the first to direct his young heart to the throne of Grace. In all the hospitals visited by your committee it required no effort to detect evidences of her presence, where, from the unselfish motive of doing good, she had voluntarily gone. In all such hospitals there was an air of neatness, cheerfulness and comfort no where else to be seen. In these recom- mendations your committee are sustained by the almost universal opinion of the surgeons in charge of your hospitals. These opinions, in writing, accompany this report. In these opinions will be found the names of Miss S. Tompkins and her assistants, of Robertson Hospital; Mrs. Clopton and her assistants, Clopton Hospital; Mrs. Randolph, Miss Nicholas, Miss Mitchell, Miss Campbell, Miss King and others, Winder Hospital; Mrs. Hopkins, 2d Alabama Hospital; The Sisters of Charity, Louisiana Hospital ; Mrs. E. E. Mayo, Sa- maritan Hospital; Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Jenkins, Soldiers' Home Hospital ; The Sisters of Charity, St. Francis Infirmary : Mrs. Gen'l Henningscn, Henningsen Hospital. Your committee know with what inate delicacy and modesty ladies shrink from public notoriety, yet in these instances they feel that those whose noble deeds of charity and benevolence, so delicately and patriotically displayed, should be known to the mothers, wives and sisters of the Confederacy whose noblest vir- tues they have illustrated in watching patiently by the dying couch •of many a brave soldier so dear to their hearts. A Re- organization of Hospitals. From inspection and earnest enquiry into all the facts connected •"with the subject the committee are of opinion and submit the recommen- • dation, that our whole hospital system be so re-organized as to repre- sent, to some extent, State institutions, by requiring the sick and wounded of the different States, to be sent to the hospital or hospitals representing that particular State. Should this be done it will greatly add to the comfort of your hospitals as well as give especial satisfac- tion and pleasure to the sick, by placing acquaintances and friends together. In another point of view it will be highly beneficial in obtaining supplies. The donations made by different States and individuals to hospitals where their sick were located must not be underrated. Should this be done the citizens of the different States will continue to contribute much for the use of such hospitals in the way of delic •- cies, clothing, &o. This has been the history of all such hospitals as have been regarded by the public as State institutions. It will al o enable persons in search of their friends and relatives to find them with less difficulty. At present this is almost impossible. If, how- ever, the present tendency of the system is to progress until all are merged into one general system, it will be impossible for friends at b to know where their kindred and acquaintances are located, and hence, as they become the more doubtful ftpon this subject, their in- terest in, and their donations to hospitals will gradually disappear and finally cease altogether. Indeed, to our "regret, we learned from those having in charge hos- pitals which were at one time regarded as State institutions, but now as general hospitals, that but few donations were now received coin- pared with those made before the special and local character of the institution was lost. No one can estimate the value of those contri- butions heretofore made, and if the present system should so operate as to cause them to cease altogether, its effect must be seriously f< It by the sick and wounded. Charity is beautiful ; and that disintei charity which inspires a love for the whole human race. " for the Bake of doing good/' is unquestionably one of the noblest of virtues. There arc many such, but still the great mass are but human beings, influ- enced, to some extent, by personal prejudices and partialities. In at- tempting to legislate, it is certainly wise to remember this. All 3U li feel a more direct interest in, and regard for, those whom they esteem as their kindred and friends, than for any one else. To them they will give more than to strangers. This being so, we believe it will be wise so to organize our system as to make it respond in character to the wishes and partialities of the public. In this way we will stimu- late their feelings and create direct claims upon them. Personal Responsibility of Surgeons. Your committee believe, could a more direct personal responsibility be created upon hospital surgeons, by a judicious change or modifica- tion of the system to that extent, it would produce the most desirable results. In that event, when the sick complain of inattention or neg- lect or improper diet, there can be no escape under the plea that his re- quisitions were not regarded, or that the Commissary or Quartermas- ter would not furnish the articles desired. A surgeon thus situated will have higher inducements to stimulate and energise his f ai - tions. It will inspire a higher desire for success and distinction, and create the most honorable and praiseworthy emulation. Should this be done the sick soldier will know exactly to whom he is to look 8 for all care and attention, and the surgeon will know that he cannot escape public reprehension, by charging the blame upon some one else. In creating this more direct individual responsibility upon surgeonsj it need in no manner interfere with proper subordination in the Medical Department. Let each hospital surgeon be required to control the entire domestic economy of his hospital. Let him ap- point his own stewart and agents to obtain supplies, and be held re- sponsible for their faithful performance of duty. Let him employ his female matrons and nurses and all ward masters and nurses. Let him be the sole judge of the beds and bedding necessary for the sick under his charge, and the quantity and quality of the provisions to be used. Let him use his election whether he will accept or draw hospital stores from the Commissary, or commute the same and draw the money. Such a reform, your committee believe, would result in incalculable benefit to the hospitals, and they, therefore make the recommenda- tion. The Pay of Sick Soldiers and Granting them Furloughs. The refusal of Quartermasters to pay sick or wounded soldiers, separated from their regiments, who are without descriptive lists, has occasioned great inconvenience, and done great injustice to this large class of our army. This injustice has resulted more from a want of foresight (if not cold neglect), on the part of Government officials, than from any defects in existing laws. An order has now been issued by the Adjutant General, which will remove this cause of com- plaint, in part, while the act reported by the Medical Committee in the House of Representatives will make the remedy complete and effectual. The same may be said in reference to the power of hospital sur- geons, to grant furloughs to the sick and wounded. At this time, no such power exists. It is confined exclusively to an Examining Board, appointed for that purpose. That a sick soldier should desire «to go home, is but natural, and and this makes it the more painful and embarrassing for the Govern- ment to deny, in most cases, their request. In opposition to the pro- priety of transferring, or rather, vesting the sole power of granting furloughs in this Board of Examiners, it is urged that it is an unne- cessary embarrassment, and a restriction that virtually destroys the right of furlough to a great extent, in practical operation. Nor is this power unrestricted in the Board of Examiners. They, acting under instructions, have no power to grant a furlough, except upon one condition, and that condition is, that the furlough is absolutely necessary to the recovery of the soldiers' health. This, of course, ex- tends the benefit of the system to but few. It is also contended that the Hospital Surgeon is more familiar with the condition of the appli- cant, than the Board of Examiners, and therefore, is the better judge of his necessities, and hence, the Board of Examiners should have no power to overrule his opinion. In reference to the mere question of fact, here presented, the Committee are inclined to concur with them, who urge the objection in favor of the opinion of the hospital 9 surgeon. 'Whether he is the better judge of the sick man's necessi- ties or not, he certainly ought to be, if correct knowledge can be derived from attention to, and direct contact with the patient, during his illness fur days and weeks. On the other hand, it is urged that the hospital surgeon, for this very reason, will be more liable to abuse this power, not from intention to do so, but from sympathy with the sick. Nevertheless, your Committee believe it is better, in all such cases, to err on the side of humanity, and. in the long run, it will be the wiser policy that will now and then suffer a sick soldier to obtain a fujlough who would have regained his health without it, than by a too stringent rule, retain one in the hospital to die, who might have recovered, had ho been permitted to return home. Your Committee can appreciate the great injury that might be done to the service, by allowing too much latitude in an unrestricted exer- cise of this power by hospital surgeons. Still, if the Examining Board act under restrictions, there can be no great abuse by requiring hospital surgeons to act under the same. To what extent it may bo wise for Congress to undertake to perfect some system for granting furloughs, in a manner agreeable and bene- ficial to the sick, and without injury to our army, is a question that will justify your consideration. Could this be done without preju- dice to the service, it would meet the heartfelt approval of all cla- It would save to the Government a large expenditure of money, and perhaps preserve many valuable lives. It will be seen by the report herewith accompanying, that under existing regulations, but few sick soldiers comparatively, obtain furloughs. Your committee are fearful that the Government in undertaking to prescribe a rule upon the sub- ject, has in too great caution, embarrassed the whole proceedings with such restrictions as to defeat to a very great extent the beneficient purpose for which this right is recognized at all. The serious obstacle in the way of a more liberal policy in furloughing sick soldiers is that in a majority of cases, they do not promptly report for duty at the expiration of their furlough. This might be remedied by transmitting to each Sheriff of the various counties of the Confederacy, the name. and locality of each furloughcd soldier, and the time for which he is furloughed, and require such Sheriff to sec that the soldier returns promptly to duty at the proper time. The subject being one of great interest to the sick, your committee feel that it is incumbent upon them to call the attention of Congress to it. Your committee having reviewed to some extent, the causes of com- plaint and the defects of our system, immediately connected with the comfort and proper care of the sick, beg leave to call the attention of the Senate to oti cr legislation, necessary to correct evils more remote- ly connected with the system. Railroads and Railroad Agents and Conductors. The great inconvenience experienced by the sick and wounded in obtaining seats in railroad cars, and the cruel discomforts they are compelled to endure when the trains are moving, make it in the opin- 10 ion of the committee, imperative upon Congress to apply some essen- tial corrective. Under existing regulations, no seats are reserved for the sick and wounded. When they reach the depot they are compel- led in many instances, to take their chances with the crowd. The re- sult is that, the stout, active, "well man, pushes. the sick or wounded soldier aside, thereby obtaining the best and most agreeable seats. If the number of passengers be greater than the number of seats, and any one is to be left behind, upon the platform, of course it is the sick and feeble soldier — who in some instances is without money and with- out friends. If he chance to get upon the train, he is liable to be jos- tled by the crowd, and not unfrequently, to sit or lie upon the floor. Upon many of the railroad trains, no water is provided for the benefit of passengers, whether sick or well. This is a source of great suffer- ing to the sick and disabled, who cannot avail themselves of such chances as may be offered upon the route, to obtain water. From this cause, they are often for hours, compelled to do without it. This is all wrong, and to say the least of it, is not very complimentary to the humanity and diligence of railroad managers, agents and conductors. Your committee, therefore, recommend, that all railroad agents and conductors shall be required to reserve the seats in one or more cars, as the necessities of the case may be, for the benefit of the sick and wounded, and that no person not sick or wounded shall be permitted to enter the car or cars so reserved, until the sick and wounded and their friends and attendants if any, shall first have obtained seats in the same, and in no case shall said car or cars be crowded by persons, to the annoyance and discomfort of the sick and wounded — and that all railroad agents and conductors shall be required to observe this regulation under penalties to be prescribed by law. Supernumerary Surgeons — Field Amhulances or Provisional Hospitals. The necessity for some additional legislation upon this subject be- comes daily more apparent. The rapid movements of our armies in the field, and the sudden and bloody engagements with the enemy, which so frequently occur, render the organization of such corps and hospitals absolutely necessary. No such corps being provided, and no such hospitals established at this time, the sick and wounded of the army, after the late glorious victory at Manassas, were left necessari- ly upon the cold ground, and to the mercy of the elements for days and even weeks. Surely the Government of the Confederate States do not thus desire to requite the services of the brave men now fight- ing its battles. All that can be done for their relief and comfort, should be done, and must be done, without re'gard to cost or trouble. The life of one brave soldier should be deemed more precious in the es- timation of our whole country, than all the dollars and cents that can be hoarded in the public treasury. Let the Government signalize its conduct towards our army by a generous and even watchful policy — a policy that looks to the preservation of valuable lives, and to a miti- gation of those terrible misfortunes and sufferings which are incident to every bloody war. By doing this, they will strengthen the arms of 11 our brave men in the field, and if perchance they are compelled by disease or wounds to fall out of the rank?, they will know that a grate- ful country is ever mindful of their wants and necessities. These hos- pitals, when established, are designed as temporary receptacles of the sick and wounded after an engagement with the enemy, or when the army advances or falls back from one camp to another. Of course the length of time the sick and wounded will be required to remain in these hospitals, will depend in a great measure upon circumstances. Auxiliary to the establishment of provisional hospitals, it will be necessary to authorize the appointment of additional surgeons and assistant surgeons, to take charge of the hospitals, and to render upon the field that prompt assistance to the sick and wounded their condition may require. A regimental surgeon and his assistant are expected, when on duty, at all times to remain with their regiment?. When his regiment moves, he cannot remain behind to take charge of the sick and wounded. If he do, then those in the regiment who may require his services must s ffcr. If he do not, then those left behind must suffer, in the event no other surgeons are provided to take charge of them. All of this difficulty can be obviated by the appointment of su- pernumerary surgeons and assistant surgeons in sufficient number to take charge of such sick and wounded as may not be able to advance with the army. The regimental surgeons can then remain with their regi- ments, and in this way none will be neglected. In conclusion, your committee beg leave to call the attention of the Senate to the following interesting statistics connected with our hospital system. Within and near the cities of Richmond and Petersburg, there are forty-nine hospitals, public and private, affording shelter anil pro- tection to the sick and disabled of our army. Chimborazo and Winder hospitals, included in the above number, each consist of five separate divisions, with a surgeon and two assistant surgeons in each division, which several divisions may be regarded as separate and distinct hospi- tals, and should they be so estimated, would make the whole number fifty-eight. In all the hospitals in and near the city of Richmond, since their organization, there have been received ninety-nine thousand five hundred and eight (99,508)* sick and wounded soldiers and officers of our army. Of this number, nine thousand seven hundred and seventy- four (9,7 7-1) have received furloughs; two thousand three hundred and forty-one (2,341) have been discharged, and seven thousand, six hun- dred and three (7,(303) have died. x\.t this time there remains in all these hospitals, ten thousand seven hundred and twenty (10,720.) In all the hospitals in and near the city of Petersburg, since their organization, there have been received eleven thousand one hundred and seventy (11,170) sick and wounded officers and soldiers of the army. Of this number, eight hundred and twenty-eight (828) have received furloughs. One hundred and fifty-seven (157) have been discharged, and seven hundred and ninety-seven (797) have died. At this time the sick and wounded now in the hospitals at Peters- burg, will not exceed one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two (1,892). From these figures it will appear that the hospitals in these two 12 cities alone since the commencement of our present straggle for inde- pendence, have afforded protection and shelter to one hundred and ten thousand six hundred and seventy-eight ( 10,678) of the brave and pliant soldiers of our army. These figures but embrace the inmates heretofore received into the hospitals of only two cities within the limits of the Confederacy. Our great armies of the West and the South likewise, have their hospitals, and their inmates of which no report can nDw be made. But these figures are enough to impress Congress, and the whole country with the vast importance of our hos- pital system, and the h'gh and solemn responsibilities that devolve upon them, and not only upon them, but more solemnly, if possible, upon the surgeon's in chief, and in charge, who hold in their hands the lives and health of a multitude so vast, yet so helpless and dependent. How important then is it that our system should be the wisest and best our means will authorize, and how doubly important is it, that Con- gress with a generous hand, and an earnest sympathy should facilitate, strengthen and uphold every effort of the medical department to dis- charge faithfully and efficiently their high and sacred responsibilities. If they fail to do this the cry of orphanage, and the mourn of many a widowed wife will be heard in rebuke and condemnation against them. W. E. SIMMS, Chairman, JOHN W. LEWIS, CHAS. B. MITCHEL. 13 REPORT OF SICK AND WOUNDED OF THE ARMY. RECEIVED INTO HOSPITALS, FURLOUGHED. DISCHARGED, DIED. STATION, RICH- MOND, VA., FROM DATE OF ORGANIZATION TO PRESENT TIME : HOSPTIALS. No. An- Fm Dis- REMARKS. MITTKD. Lf'K.IlBD CHAKGiiP. Gen ral Hospital No . 1 4,991 .".."..". (17 34 4 *• 8 4 tr> 1 II 2 50 " 8 2,n n 198 95 120 " 4 505 108 2 65 No remnks on female attendance. " 6 1,043 446 12 187 •* fi 65 • i!>o 6 67 " 7 886 116 :; 84 No remarks. • • H 1,911 :; n 27 154 No remarks. " 9 1,390 BOO 56 211 • >• id 168 12 -i 2 4s N« remarks. •« 11 1,6">8 247 40 162 No remarks. • ' 19 8,1*8 27s SO 29 ' >« m 6(8 55 s 92 " 14 2,697 271 160 270 " 15 i 048 42* 27 124 No remark?. " 1« 4,88'i 4 2 187 822 '" IV 680 2-9 •< 70 •• 18 2. 668 142 202 275 No remarks. '.' 19 2JW 8n8 151 1!';; " •.'iai ollnn Hospital 2d N. Car Una Hospital. C. Sta'fs Hi ^i.iial P plar Lawn Hospit il. . . Fnn- Tr.ANSFKt- PI- LOCOnED. 6 RBD. CHARGED. 8 12S 44 80 20 19' 28 191 in . 146 46 86 8 828 157 17 111 18-1 177 156 146 6) Wnni.B Nl'MUKrt. 397 2089 1889 2098 1673 2190 1084 0. S. Touch. .1. It. St ra chan. .1. (1. Broadnax, i. M. Henderson. II. C Warren. W. S. Baylor. \ Holmes. Total 833 I 157 797 11170 Whole Dumber now in all the II' spitals In and ne ;r Petersburg, 1E92. P. K. HINSS, Oh/cf Surgeon. Pctexsbu-g, 1 - \ \ Hollinger Corp. pH8.5