E 601 c $75 in lJ:i UC 1111 01 1 > $E Z 3 > 5 8 i n * o (/) til SMI 25D KEPORT OK LEW IS 1L STEINEU. .M. I).. H Inspector of % Sarataprjj $0mmissimt, CONTAINING A D I A R Y KKPT .DURING THE REBEL OCCUPATION OF FIII-MRICK. MD. AM) AX ArCorXT OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE U. S. SANITAKY COMMISSION THE CAMPAIGN* IX MARYLAND, SEPTEMBER, 1862. i)2 permission of tfoe .Sanitarp Commission. NEW YORK: A X SOX I) . F . RANDOLPH. N o . 683 BROAD W A Y . 18G2. EEPOET OF LEWIS II. STEINER, M. D., r of i\)t SiwiliiriT Commission, CONTAINING A D I A Pv Y DURING THE REBEL OCCUPATION OF FREDERICK, MD. AN ACCOUNT OF THE OPERATIONS THE J. S. SANITARY COMMISSION THE CAMPAIGN IN MARYLAND, SEFfEMBER, 1862. in ^trmt5ston of tftt ^anitarj Commission. NEW YORK : A N S O X D . F . II A X D O L P H , No. 083 BROADWAY. 1862. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S62, By A N S N D . F . RANDOLPH, 1 . In the Clerk s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. EDWARD O. JENKINS. ^rtntrr anti JStrrrotnpcr, No. 20 XOKTII WILLIAM ST. The following report of Dr. STEINER, while it embodies facts and incidents which illustrate the work of the SANITARY COMMISSION, did not seem properly to come within the limits of official publication. As a part of the history of the war, possessing more than ordinary value, it was thought desirable that it should be given to the public, as a private venture, without cost to the treasury of the Commission. 660 REPORT. FREDERICK L. OLMSTED, Esq.. Secretary U. 8. Sanitary Commission: IN accordance with your request, I have the honor to trans mit an account of my operations as Sanitary Inspector during the last month. The engagements which crowd so thickly upon me just now, prevent that careful preparation which a report, including incidents of such deep interest to every Amer ican, should receive from the reporter. The best that I can do is to give you as faithful an account as my diary and recol lections, and the reports of other officers of the Commission, will enable me, in as few words as possible, deprecating all criticism of its style and finish. On reporting for duty in Washington at the end of August, I arrived the day of the battle at Bull Run. The urgent neces sities of the wounded demanding instant attention, at the sug gestion of Dr. Jenkins, Associate Secretary, I went out in the ambulance train on Saturday and remained until Sunday even ing. The report of my visit was handed in to Dr. J. shortly after my return. The remaining portion of the first week of the month was occupied in examining the IT. S. Military Hospital, known as the Soldiers Home. A report embodying the result of my examination has been heretofore submitted. Friday, September 5. Left Washington at 6 o clock, under the impression that the Confederate army had crossed the Potomac the preceding evening and were then in Frederick. Anxiety as to the fate of my friends, as well as to the general 6 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. treatment my native place would receive at rebel hands, made the trip by no means a pleasant one. Along the road, at different stopping-places, reports reached us as to the numbers of the Confederates that had crossed into Maryland. The passengers began to entertain fears that the train would not be able to reach Frederick. These were, how ever, quieted by a telegram received at a station near Mon rovia, which announced the road open. Arriving at 12 o clock, M., I found the town full of surmises and rumors. Such in formation had been received by the Post Quarter Master and the Surgeon in charge of Hospital, that they were busy all the afternoon making arrangements to move off their valuable stores. The citizens were in the greatest trepidation. Inva sion by the Southern army was considered equivalent to de struction. Impressment into the ranks as common soldiers, or immurement in a Southern prison these were not attractive prospects for quiet, Union-loving citizens ! Towards nightfall it became pretty certain that a force had crossed somewhere about the mouth of the Monocacy. Tele grams were crowding rapidly on the army officers located here, directing that what stores could not be removed should be burned, and that the sick should as far as possible be sent on to Pennsylvania. Here began a scene of terror seldom wit nessed in this region. Lieut. Castle, A. Q. M., burned a large quantity of his stores at the depot. Assist. Surg. "Weir fired his store-house on the Hospital grounds and burned the most valuable of his surplus bedding contained in Kemp Hall, in Church street near Market. Many of our prominent citizens, fearing impressment, left their families and started for Penn sylvania in carriages, on horseback, and on foot. All the con valescents at the Hospital that could bear the fatigue, were started also for Pennsylvania, in charge of Hospital Steward Cox. The citizens removed their trunks containing private papers and other valuables from the bank-vaults, under the REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEIN ER. 7 firm belief that an attack would be made on these buildings for the sake of the specie contained in them. . About 1 o clock, A. M., it was ascertained that Jackson s force the advance guard of the Southern army was encamp ed on Moffat s farm, near Buckeystown, and that this force would enter Frederick after daylight; for what purpose no one knew. Having possession of this amount of information, I retired about two o clock, being willing to wait the sequel, whatever it might be. Saturday, September C. Found, on visiting the market in the morning, that a very large number of our citizens had "skedaddled" (i. e. retired rapidly in good order) last night. Every mouth was full of rumors as to the numbers, where abouts, and whatabouts of the Confederate force. One old gentleman, whose attachment to McClellan has become pro verbial, declared that it was an impossibility for the rebels to cross the Potomac ; and another, who looks upon Banks as the greatest of generals, declared that Banks force had been taken for Confederates, and that the supposed enemies were friends. At length uncertainty was changed into certainty. About nine o clock two seedy-looking individuals rode up Market street as fast as their jaded animals could carry them. Their dress was a dirty, faded gray, their arms rusty and seemingly uncared for, their general appearance raffish or vagabondieh. They shouted for Jeff. Davis at the intersection of Patrick and Market street, and then riding to the intersection of Church and Market, repeated the same strange jubilant shout. Xo one expressing an opinion as to the propriety or impropriety of this proceeding, they countermarched and trotted down the street. Then followed some fifty or a hundred horsemen, hav ing among them Bradley T. Johnson, soi-disant Colonel C. S. A. These were received with feeble shouts from some secession- sympathizers. They said, "the time of your deliverance has come." It was plain that the deliverance they meant was from 8 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. the rule of law and order. The sidewalks were filled with Union-loving citizens, who felt keenly that their humiliation was at hand, and that they had no course but submission, at least for a time. As this force of cavalry entered the town from the south, Capt. Yellot s company retreated west from the town, and dis appeared no one knew whither. One ruffian cavalry soldier rode up to Sergt. Crocker (in charge of hospital stores in Kemp Hall) and accosted him with "Sa-ay, are you a Yankee?" " No, I am a Marylander." " What are you doing in the Yankee army ?" " I belong to the United States army," said the old man, proudly. " If you don t come along with me, I ll cut your head off." Having waved his sabre over the unarmed old man s head, he demanded his keys, and rode off with the sergeant as a prisoner. This display of chivalry did not infuse great admiration of the Southern army into the hearts of the bystanders. A force of cavalry entered the hospital grounds and took possession of hospital and contents. All the sick were care fully paroled, not excepting one poor fellow then in a mori bund condition. After some hours, the medical officers and hospital stewards were allowed to go about town on passes. At ten o clock Jackson s advance force, consisting of some five thousand men, marched up Market street and encamped north of the town. They had but little music ; what there was gave us "My Maryland" and Dixie in execrable style. Each regiment had a square red flag, with a cross, made of diago nal blue stripes extending from opposite corners: on these blue stripes were placed thirteen white stars. A dirtier, filthier, more unsavory set of human beings never strolled through a town marching it could not be called without do ing violence to the word. The distinctions of rank were recog nized on the coat collars of officers; but all were alike dirty and repulsive. Their arms were rusty and in an unsoldierly REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 9 condition. Their uniforms, or rather multiforms, corresponded only in a slight predominance of grey over butternut, and in the prevalence of filth. Faces looked as if they had not been acquainted with water for weeks : hair, shaggy and unkempt, seemed entirely a stranger to the operations of brush or comb. A motlier group was never herded together. But these were the chivalry the deliverers of Maryland from Lincoln s op pressive yoke. During the afternoon a Provost Marshal was appointed for the town, and he occupied the same office which had been the headquarters of the U. S. Provost Marshal. Guards were posted along our streets, and pickets on the roads leading from Frederick. Our stores were soon thronged with crowds. The shoe stores were most patronized, as many of their men were shoeless and stock! ngless. The only money most of them had was Confederate scrip, or shinplasters issued by banks, corpo rations, individuals, etc. all of equal value. To use the ex pression of an old citizen " the notes depreciated the paper on which they were printed. The crowded condition of the stores enabled some of the chivalry to take what they wanted, (confiscate is the technical expression,) without going through the formality of even handing over Confederate rags in ex change. But guards were placed at the stores wherever re quested, and only a few men allowed to enter at a time. Even this arrangement proved inadequate, and the stores were soon necessarily closed. The most intense hatred seems to have been encouraged and fostered in the men s hearts towards Union people, or Yankees as they style them ; and this word Yankee is employed with any and every manner of emphasis possible to indicate contempt and bitterness. The men have been made to believe that " to kill a Yankee" is to do a duty imperatively imposed on them. The following incident will illustrate this: A gentleman was called aside, while talking with some ladies, by an officer who wished information as to 10 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. shoes. He said he was in want of shoes for his men, that he had United States money if the dealers were so foolish as to prefer it, or he would procure them gold ; but if they wouldn t sell he was satisfied to wait until they reached Baltimore, where he had no doubt but that shoes in quantity could be procured. No reply was made. Changing the subject, he inquired how the men were behaving. The answer was vei*y well; there was no complaint, although some few had been seen intoxicated on the street. " "Who gave them the liquor," said the officer. "Townsmen who sympathize with you and desire to show their love for you." "The only way to do that," said the officer, " is to kill a Yankee : kill a Yankee, sir, if you want to please a Southerner." This was uttered with all imaginable expression of vindictiveness and venom. O.ur houses were besieged by hungry soldiers and officers. They ate everything offered them with a greediness that fully sustained the truth of their statement, that their entire subsist ence lately had been green corn, uncooked, and eaten directly from the stalk. Union families freely gave such food as they had. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him," seemed the principle acted on by our good people. But few of our secession citizens aided them. They seemed ashamed of their Southern breth ren. The Union people stood out for their principles, and took care to remind them that they were getting their food from those they had come to destroy. A gentleman relates the following: "In the evening, after having had one of their officers to tea one whom I had known in former clays two officers came to the door and begged that something might be given them for which they wished to pay. On giving them the last biscuits in the house, one of them offered pay. The reply was, No sir, whenever you meet a Federal soldier want ing food, recollect that a Union man in Frederick gave you the last morsel of food in his house when you were famishing. The officer s face flushed up, and he replied, You are right, REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 11 sir, I am very, very much obliged to you. The coals of fire had been heaped on his head." Outrages were committed on the Xational flag whenever one fell into the hands of the soldiers. These simply strengthened the Union feeling, and made the men and women of Frederick more attached than ever to the National cause for which their fathers had fought and died. Stauucher, stouter, stronger did Unionism in Frederick grow with each passing hour. We were conquered, not enslaved, humiliated greatly with the thought that rebel feet were pressing on our soil, but not dis posed to bow the knee to Baal. An attack on the Examiner Printing Office being antici pated, a small guard was placed at the door. About nine o clock, p. M., a rush was made on the guard by some of the Southern soldiers, the door was driven in and the contents of the office thrown into the street. "W. G. Ross, Esq., a prom inent lawyer of Frederick, called on the Provost Marshal, who soon arrived with a strong force, suppressed the riot, and, having obliged the rioters to return every thing belonging to the office, put them in the guard-house. During the contin uance of this disturbance, the oaths and imprecations were terrific. Every one in the neighborhood expected that a gen eral attack would be made on the Union houses. Fortunately, a quiet night ensued. Sunday, September 7. The rebels obliged most of our shoe-stores to be kept open during the day so that their men could obtain shoes. The reign of terror continued, although no personal violence was done to any citizen. Pickets are posted miles out of town. The main body of rebel troops is said to be encamped about Urbana. General Robert E. Lee is in command, and there are three divisions or, it may be, four, commanded by Jackson, Longstreet, D. II. Hill, and some one else. Forage is obtained by taking it and offering Confederate notes in payment. 12 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. At the Evangelical Reformed Church, the pastor, Rev. Dr. Daniel Zacharias, offered up prayers for the President of the United States, notwithstanding the presence of a number of Confederate officers. In the evening General Jackson was seen asleep in the same church. The Commissioner for the Enrolment of the State Militia was seized to-day and made to hand over the enrolment- books. No further requirement was made of him, except that he should report himself daily at the office of the Provost- Marshal. During the afternoon one of those incredible incidents oc curred, which have been occasionally reported in our papers, but have always been disbelieved by those who have faith in the humanity of rebels. Several young ladies were standing in front of the house of one of our prominent citizens, when a rebel officer rode up and, halting his horse, said, " Ladies, % allow me to make you a present. This is a ring made from the bone of a dead Yankee" A gentleman, near the curb, seized the article before the officer had finished speaking and handed it to the ladies, who quickly answered, "Keep your present for those who appreciate such presents." The only reply of the chivalry was, " Ah ! I supposed you were Southern ladies ! " This incident is instructive. Monday, September 8. General Robert E. Lee issues a proclamation, announcing that the Southern Army enters Maryland to restore her to freedom, that she has been down trodden for a long time, and that her Sister States of the Southern Confederacy have sworn to set her free from the influence of Northern bayonets, free to decide for herself whether she will go with the South or no, and promising protection to all of whatever opinion. Colonel B. T. Johnson, emulating the example of his superior officer, calls upon the citizens to unite in forming companies and regiments to join the Confederate States Army. Captain E. V. White an noun- REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 13 ces that he is empowered to raise a regiment of cavalry. Mr. Heard (former Editor of the Frederick Herald a seces sion paper) issues a card calling for recruits to a company he is forming. Thus we are flooded with proclamations. These are inserted here as important parts of the diary of Rebel occupation of Frederick. LEE S PROCLAMATION. HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY X. VA., Near Frederick Town, Stk September, 1862. To THE PEOPLE OP MARYLAND : It is right that you should know the purpose that has brought the Army under my command within the limits of your State, so far as that purpose concerns yourselves. The People of the Confederate States have long watched with the deepest sympathy the wrongs and outrages that have been inflicted upon the citizens of a Commonwealth, allied to the States of the South by the strongest social, political and commercial ties. They have seen with profound indignation their Sister State deprived of every right, and reduced to the condition of a conquered Province. Under the pretence of supporting the Constitution, but in violation of its most valuable provisions, your citizens have been arrested and imprisoned upon no charges and contrary to all forms of law ; the faithful and manly protest against this outrage made by the venerable and illustrious Marjlander, to whom in better days, no citizen appealed for right in vain, was treated with scorn and contempt; the government of your chief City has been usurped by armed strangers ; your Legislature has been dissolved by the unlawful arrest of its members ; freedom of the press and of speech has been sup pressed ; words have been declared offences by an arbitrary 14 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. decree of the Federal Executive, and citizens ordered to be tried by a military commission for what they may dare to speak. Believing that the People of Maryland possessed a spirit too lofty to submit to such a government, the people of the South have long wished to aid you in throwing off this foreign yoke, to enable you again to enjoy the inalienable rights of freemen, and restore independence and sovereignty to your State. In obedience to this wish, our Army has come among yon, and is prepared to assist you with the power of its arms in regaining the rights of which you have been despoiled. This, Citizens of Maryland, is our mission, so far as you are concerned. No constraint upon your free will is intended, no intimida tion will be allowed. Within the limits of this Army, at least, Marylanders shall once more enjoy their ancient freedom of thought and speech. "We know no enemies among you, and will protect all of every opinion. It is for you to decide your destiny freely and without constraint. This Army will respect your choice whatever it may be, and while the Southern people will rejoice to welcome you to your natural position among them, they will only welcome you when you come of your own free-will. R. E. LEE, General Commanding. COLONEL B. T. JOHNSON S PROCLAMATION. To THE PEOPLE oy MARYLAND: After sixteen months of oppression more galling than the Austrian tyranny, the victorious Army of the South brings freedom to your doors. Its standard now waves from the REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 15 Potomac to Mason and Dixon s Line. The men of Maryland, who during the last long months have been crushed under the heel of this terrible despotism, have now an opportunity for working out their own redemption, for which they have so long waited, and suffered, and hoped. The Government of the Confederate States is pledged by the unanimous vote of its Congress, by the distinct declaration of its President, the soldier and statesman, Davis, never to cease this war until Maryland has the opportunity to decide for herself her own fate, untrammeled by Federal bayonets. The people of the South with unanimity unparalleled have given their hearts to our native State, and hundreds of thou sands of her sons have sworn with arms in their hands that you shall be free. You must now do your part. WQ have the arms here for you. I am authorized immediately to muster in for the war, companies and regiments. The companies of one hundred men each. Tiie regiments of ten companies. Come, all who wish to strike for their liberties and their homes. Let each man provide himself with a stout pair of shoes, a good blanket and a tin cup.. Jackson s men have no baggage. Officers are in Frederick to receive recruits, and all com panies formed will be armed as mustered in. RISE AT OXCE. Remember the cells of Fort McHenry ! Remember the dungeons of Fort Lafayette and Fort Warren ; the insults to your wives and daughters, the arrests, the midnight searches of your houses ! Remember these vour wrongs, and rise at once in arms and ./ o " strike for Liberty and right. September 8, 1862. B. T. JOHNSON, Colonel C. S. A. 16 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. CAPTAIN E. V. WHITE S PROCLAMATION. MARYLANDERS TO THE RESCUE ! I am a Maryhmder! I have been in the service eighteen months opposing the tyranny which would have made of the South a subjugated and ruined country. I came to Mary land with the Southern Army to do what I can to carry her where she belongs to the Southern Confederacy. I want Marylauders to join me. I am authorized to raise a regiment of Maryland Cavalry. I have no recruiting office. I can be found at General Lawton s headquarters, where I will be happy to receive recruits. Come at once, or make up your minds to be slaves to the Northern despotism forever. September 8, 1862. E. V. WHITE, Captain, Commanding Gen. Lawless Body -Guard. CAVALRY NOTICE. I have been detailed to recruit for Captain White s Cavalry Regiment. All persons desiring to join this far-famed corps will apply to me at the Provost Marshal s. September 10, 1862. J. M. KILGOUR. JOHN W. BEARD S PROCLAMATION. MEN OF OLD FREDERIC AROUSE DEFEND YOUR HOMES. Under the authority of the Confederate Government, I am now engaged in raising a company of infantry. The great Army of the South, unconquered and unconquerable, is now in your midst, and has determined that Maryland shall be free. AVhatsay you, Marylandcrs? Are you willing to fight for the liberties for which you have so long been clamorous, or are you so abject as to accept them as a boon at the hands of others ? [No ! no ! sons of Maryland inheritors of her REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 17 Revolutionary glory by your own right arm achieve the in dependence of your own State. Falter not, hesitate not, now that the opportunity is offered you but rally at once and vin dicate your history. |3gT" Recruiting-Office next door to the Provost Marshal s, where there will always be found an officer in attendance. September^, 1802. JOHN W. HEARD. The supplies in our stores having nearly given out, some of the Union merchants resolutely closed their stores to the soldiers, and sending for their customers asked them to take what they required at the usual rates. The wealthiest grocer in the town raised the price of coffee to seventy -five cents, and brown sugar to forty cents per pound, to be paid in gold or in our own currency. This outrageous attempt to take advantage of the troublous condition of the community has excited con siderable indignation in a quiet way all around. We are still importuned by the rebels for food. It is fur nished whenever asked, but the Union citizens take care to inform them that they are fed by their opponents. How the rebels manage to get along no one can tell. They are badly clad. Many of them without shoes. Uncleanliness and ver min are universal. The odor of clothes worn for months, saturated with perspiration and dirt, is intense and all-pervad ing. They look stout and sturdy, able to endure fatigue, and anxious to fight in the cause they have espoused, willingly or unwillingly. The movement they have now made is believed by them to be a desperate one, and they must "see it through." They all believe in themselves as well as in their generals, and are terribly in earnest. They assert that they have never been whipped, but have driven the Yankees before them whenever they could find them. They have killed so many Yankees and have gloried therein to such an extent that one would almost think them veritable Thugs. Bragging is 2 18 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. a favorite game with them, and they do it well. Their army is plainly intended for an advance into Pennsylvania, and they speak freely of their intention to treat Pennsylvania very dif ferently from Maryland. I fear there will be great destruction of property as they move forwards. Many a citizen will lose his all of this world s goods in this raid, for devastation is meant to be the order or disorder of their march when they cross the border. Tuesday, September 9. Recruiting goes on slowly in the town. We are told that three companies are to be raised here. It may be. so, but one " can t see it." If ever suicide were contemplated by any one it must be by those civilians who propose to attach themselves to Jackson s corps. His men have become inured to hardships by long training, and are now on one of their most difficult undertakings. New recruits, taken from the comforts of social life, altogether unused to hardships, will readily sink under the fatigues of camp and Held life. A clergyman tells me that he saw an aged crone come out of her house as certain rebels passed by trailing the American flag in the dust. She shook her long, skinny hands at the traitors and screamed at the top of her voice, " My curses be upon you and your officers for degrading your country s flag." .Hr expression and gesture as described to me were worthy of Meg Merilies. The Confederates have been seizing horses from our farmers, tendering Confederate scrip in payments. They allege mili tary .necessity in justification of this seizure. Military neces sity is a convenient cloak for any outrage whatever. As an offset to these operations of the rebels may be men tioned tike sale of a horse to a Confederate by a smart Fred erick boy. lie had purchased a condemned Government horse for thirteen dollars, with the hope that by careful feed- .ing he might so improve the animal s condition that he REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 19 would command a profit. Food and care, however, proved vain. The horse refused to eat for two days, and was mani festly " sinking." A rebel asked the youth if he had a horse to sell. " Well, yes ; I have a very fine horse, worth two hundred dollars to any man who can prize a good horse." The rebel proposed entering the stable to examine the horse. " Xo sir ! he is a spirited animal and might do a stranger some injury. Let me bring him out for you." By some special stimulus the horse was induced to come out, and the proprietor stated that on reflection he would let his valuable animal go for eighty dollars in money not Con federate scrip. The rebel remarked that the horse held one foot off the ground, resting the weight of his body on three legs. He inquired as to the cause of this phenomenon. " Why, Lord bless you ! don t you understand that ? He is a natural racker j all natural rackers stand on three legs that way always." The enunciation of this physiological law settled the question. The money was paid over. The rebel mounted his newly-purchased steed and rode away, somewhat to the seller s astonishment. He remarked to the by-standers, " I pledge you my word, gentlemen, he will last about three quarters of an hour at least. Any other gentleman wanting a natural racker can be accommodated at the shortest notice, if he will only call on me." Wednesday, September 10. At four o clock this morning the rebel army began to move from our town, Jackson s force taking the advance. The movement continued until eight o clock r. M., occupying sixteen hours. The most liberal calculations could not give them more than 6i,000 men. Over 3,000 negroes must be included in this number. These were clad in all kinds of uniforms, not only in cast-off or captured United States uniforms, but in coats with Southern buttons, State buttons, etc. These were shabby, but not shabbier or seedier than those worn bv white men in the 20 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. rebel ranks. Most of the negroes had arms, rifles, muskets, sabres, bowie-knives, dirks, etc. They were supplied, in many instances, with knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, etc., and were manifestly an integral portion of the Southern Con federacy Army. They were seen riding on horses and mules, driving wagons, riding on caissons, in ambulances, with the staff of Generals, and promiscuously mixed up with all the rebel horde. The fact was patent, and rather interesting when considered in connection with the horror rebels express at the suggestion of black soldiers being employed for the National defence. Some of the rebel regiments have been reduced to 150 men ; none number over 500. The men are stout and rag ged, anxious to " kill a Yankee," and firm in their belief that Confederate notes are as good as gold. Their marching is generally very loose. They marched by the flank through the streets of Frederick. Some few houses had rebel flags, to which one enthusiastic admirer of secession had added a white cross on a red ground. Some handkerchiefs waved, but all felt there was no genuine enthusiasm. The movement to Frederick had proved a failure. Their friends were anxious to get rid of them and of the penetrating ammoniacal smell they brought with them. Union citizens had become strong er in their faith. Hebel officers were unanimous in declaring that " Frederick was a d d Union hole." The ill-suppressed expressions of delight on the countenances of the citizens could not be interpreted into indications of sympathy with Secession. They manifested only profound delight at the pros pect of its speedy departure. This force had about 150 guns with the letters U. S. This rebel army seemed to have been largely supplied with trans portation by some United States Quartermaster. Uncle Sam s initials were on many of its wagons, ambulances, and horses. One neat spring-wagon was lettered "General Cawy^x REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 21 Headquarters" Each regiment was supplied with but one or two wagons. The men were mostly without knapsacks ; some few carried blankets, and a tooth-brush was occasionally seen pendant from the button-hole of a private soldier, whose reminiscences of home-life were not entirely eradicated. Their apologies for regimental bands were vile and excru ciating. The only real music in their column to-day was from a bugle blown by a negro. Drummers and fifers of the same color abounded in their ranks. The men seemed generally disinclined to insult our citizens. But there were conspicuous exceptions. A drunken, bloated blackguard on horseback, for instance, with the badge of a Major-General on his collar, understood to be one Howell Cobl, formerly Secretary of the United States Treasury, on passing the house of a prominent sympathizer with the rebellion, re moved his hat in answer to the waving of handkerchiefs, and reining his horse up, called on " his boys " to give three cheers. " Three more, my boys !" and " three more !" Then, looking at the silent crowd of Union men on the pavement, he shook his fist at them, saying, " Oh you d d long-faced Yankees ! Ladies, take down their names and I will attend to them personally when I return." In view of the fact that this was addressed to a crowd of unarmed citizens, in the presence of a large body of armed soldiery flushed with suc cess, the prudence to say nothing of the bravery of these remarks, may be judged of by any man of common sense. Some of the citizens have been encouraging the Confederate soldiers by assuring them of the sympathy of Maryland, and urging them to push on northward with their offensive opera tions. One gray-haired man, who had escaped from the military authorities twelve months since by taking the oath of allegiance, was overheard saying to a rebel Colonel, " Make them feel the war when you reach Philadelphia." Thursday, September 11. General Hill s division, number- 22 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. ing about eight thousand men, marched through the streets, on their route westward, this morning. This division showed more of military discipline than either of its predecessors ; the men marched in better order, had better music and were fairly clothed and equipped. This division moves more rapidly than either of the others. This was held to indicate the ap proach of the National army. Three of the buildings on the hospital grounds were taken possession of by the Confederates for the accommodation of their sick. These soon threw themselves on the beds, with their filthy clothing and boots. In a few hours a marked con trast could be noticed between the neatness of the wards containing the Union soldiers and those occupied by the rebels. The secessionists collected the ladies of their order of thinking, and, for the first time since the breaking out of the rebellion, the fair forms of female secessionists were seen within the walls of the Frederick hospital, ministering to the wants of suffering humanity. I must confess that they seemed to work with a will. The Union ladies, whenever they found their supplies more than sufficient for our own sick, freely gave them to sick rebels. Charity knows neither party nor religious creed as a limit to its blessed work. Rumors of a strong Federal force moving towards Frederick prevailed during the evening. Old and young prayed with fervor that these rumors might be based on truth. The Union citizens were not harboring vindictive feelings towards their secession neighbors, but they longed for the old flag. Bright eyes were growing dim and rosy cheeks pale from anxious watching, day and night, for the coming of our National army. Hope deferred had made the heart sick, but still it was clung to with wondrous tenacity. Dreams of " blue-coats " were the attendants of such sleep as met their eyelids dreams of a happy restoration to the rights of the old Union. Would they never be realized ! REPORT OF DR. LEWIS II. STEINER. 23 Friday, September 12. Stewart s cavalry passed through town to-day, on their way towards Hagerstown. It is said to be composed of Ashby s Cavalry and the Hampton Legion. The men are more neat and cleanly than the infantry that preceded them, and their horses, of good stock, are well- groomed and fed. Bragging is the order of the day with the cavalry. They boast that they never met more than one Fed eral regiment that dared to cross sabres with them, and that was the First Michigan Cavalry. Stewart has been visiting some of our sympathizers with the rebellion. Meeting Hospi tal Steward Fitzgerald, he asked him to state to the com manding officer of the Federal troops that might come to Frederick, that he would inflict severe punishment on Union men, wherever he could find them, if any punishment was meted out to the Southern sympathizers in Frederick by such officer. The steward answered that he, as a warrant-officer of the United States Army, could carry no such message, and suggested that General Stewart should remain to deliver it himself. The General did not act on this suggestion. The joyous news at last reached town that the Federal troops were near at hand. Union people looked up their National flags. Two companies of Stewart s men, still in town, were stationed at the intersection of Market and Patrick streets. Cannonading was heard in the distance. Hearts were beating with joyous expectation. Our Union citizens were assembling at different points, discussing the probable results of the skirmish then taking place. It was evident that noth ing more than a skirmish would take place, for the enemy, notwithstanding his boast that our troops would not meet him in a fair light, was retreating westward towards the mountains. The advance cavalry of our National Army charged into our streets, driving the rebels before them. They were met by a counter-charge of Stewart s men, made in grand style. Saddles Avere emptied on both sides. Stewart s men fell back, carrving 24 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. with them seven of our men as prisoners, and leaving many of their own men wounded on the ground. The accidental discharge of a cannon caused the death of seven horses and the wounding of a few men. Martial music is heard in the distance ; a regiment of Ohio volunteers makes its appearance and is hailed with most enthusiastic demonstrations of joy. Handkerchiefs are waved, flags are thrown from Union houses, and a new life appears infused into the people. Burn- Bide enters amid vociferous plaudits from every one, and the citizens, with enthusiastic eagerness, devote themselves to feeding the troops and welcoming them to their houses, as their true deliverers from a bondage more debasing than that of the African slave. A little incident connected with the charge referred to is worthy of note. The wife of one of our prominent Union men threw out the National flag from her window just as Stewart s men dashed by the house. It seemed peculiarly fitting that a member of the Washington family should first unfurl her country s banner as our victorious troops entered a place which had been infested with the armed supporters of treason. Saturday, September 13. The town was effervescent with joy at the arrival of the Union troops, no business was done. Every one felt jubilant, and congratulated himself and neigh bor that the United States troops were once more in posses sion. General McClellan with his staff rode through, about nine o clock, and was received on all sides with the most un limited expressions of delight. Old and young shouted with joy ; matrons held their babes towards him as their deliverer from the rule of a foreign army, and fair young ladies rushed to meet him on the streets, some even throwing their arms around his horse s neck. It was a scene difficult to realize in this matter-of-fact age, but deep-seated feelings of gratitude found expression in every possible form. The reality of the joy constituted the poetry of the reception. Years of obloquy REPORT OF DR. LEWIS II. STEINER. 25 and reproach might have been considered compensated for by such a reception. The army, as well as its loved general, was welcomed with enthusiasm. To Frederick belongs the high honor of having given the first decided, enthusiastic, whole-souled reception which the Army had met since its officers and men had left their families and homes to fight the battles of their country. It is true that companies and regi ments on their way to join the Army had been received with shouts of approval in the towns through which they passed, but the Army, as such, had always trudged along its accus tomed line of duty without one word from the people in the way of satisfaction or commendation. But in Frederick it was received as a band of brothers, fighting for the welfare of the whole country and, whether successful or unsuccessful, en titled to the warmest demonstrations of good feeling possible. Amid all this, there was exhibited no vindictive feeling towards the secession citizens of the town. No arrests were made of so-called Southern sympathizers. Many of these were disgusted with their friends of the Southern Army, and not at all displeased that they had left Frederick and had been followed by the strong arm of the United States Gov ernment. In the afternoon I found McClellan with a large portion of his army encamped on my farm, west of Frederick. The nature of the camp and its arrangements prevented one form ing any other conclusion than that it was a bivouac and only intended for temporary occupation. Some onward movement of the Army was evidently already in contemplation, but what it might be was kept concealed in the breast of the General commanding. REMARKS ON THE CONDITION OF THE REBELS. One thing may be said with perfect truth of the Rebel army, and that is, but few stragglers are left behind as they march through 26 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. the country. Depredations on private property in this neigh borhood have been comparatively rare. This is understood to be the result of some very stringent rules adopted by Gen eral Lee with special reference to the invasion of Maryland. Some of our men have been less scrupulous in their treatment of private property. Teamsters, who seem to fear neither man nor God, are found committing depredations on all sides. This evil might be suppressed if teamsters were en listed men and subjected to military punishments. I do not know what the rule is in foreign service, but it is manifest that the management of this class of men would be compar atively easy, were they placed under the same laws that govern the rest of our Army. The experience of one week with the Rebel Army satisfies me that the men are in a high state of discipline and have learned implicit obedience. When separated from their offi cers they do not show the same self-reliance that our men possess, do not seem able to discuss with intelligent ease the political subjects which claim every man s attention at this time. All of them show a lack of energy and spirit, a want of thrift and cleanliness, which are altogether paradoxical to our men. A constant fear of their officers is associated with their prompt obedience of orders. Many, while they ex pressed their contempt for " the Yankees," would lament the war and express a desire to throw down their arms and re turn to their homes, if they could only do this without mo lestation. Jackson s name was always mentioned with a species of veneration, and his orders were obeyed with a slavish obedience unsurpassed by that of Russian serfs. The men generally looked sturdy when in ranks, yet a cachectic expression of countenance prevailed, which could not be accounted for entirely by the unwashed faces that were, from necessity or choice, the rule. Those who have fallen into our hands show worn-out constitutions, disordered REPORT OF DR. LEWIS IT. STEINER. 27 digestions and a total lack of vital stamina. They do not bear pain with any fortitude, and their constitutions seem to have very little power of resistance to disease. The rate of mortality in the rebel sick and wounded is double or treble that found in the Hospitals containing our men. In point of professional ability, their medical officers vary very much. Some few are men of superior talent, but many are without either professional knowledge or social culture. Constant association with hardship and suffering may have made them callous to the appeals of their patients, but this excuse will hardly justify the neglect which some of them show towards the sick. As to medical supplies they rely largely upon captures, upon confiscating whatever they meet with on their marches, and upon paying for medicines with the worthless rags they call Confederate notes. With such uncertain sources for their supplies, the imperfections of their medical and surgical treatment cannot be severely censured. Sunday, September 14th. Major-General Banks corps d ar- mee, commanded by Brigadier-General A. S. Williams passed through town this morning on its way to the front. The men were in the best possible spirits, all eager for the fray. They are fighting now for and among people who appreciate their labors, and who welcome them as brothers. Brigadier-General Gordon said that " the reception of the troops by the citizens of this place was equal to a victory in its effects upon the men of his command." The veteran troops were all in vigorous health, and the new levies made up of strong, athletic men, whose intelligent faces beamed with strong desire to press rapidly upon the retreating foe. We had never greater reason to be proud of our army. During the afternoon of the day, the memorable engagement at the South Mountain Pass took place, in which our new levies vied with the veterans in pressing the Confederates up the side of the mountain, and then over into the valley be- 28 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. yond. Our military commanders will bear testimony, in proper form, to the heroic courage shown by our army in this well- fought action. The rebels had tried to make a stand at several points on the road prior to this engagement, but were gallantly driven forwards by our troops. On Wednesday the great battle of Antietam. was fought, with such a display of strategy and power on the part of our General, and of heroism and daring from our men, that the enemy was glad to resign all hopes of entering Pennsylvania, and to withdraw his forces across the Potomac. A great vic tory had been gained ; the enemy had been driven from loyal soil, and McClellan had shown himself worthy of the love, (amounting almost to adoration,) which his troops expressed on all sides. The battles fought at South Mountain and Antietam opened up an extensive field of operations for the Sanitary Commis sion. This had been anticipated at the Central Office, and Inspectors Andrew, Chamberlain, and Smith had accompa nied the army on its march from Washington, with wagons furnished with such articles as were most essential in the emer gency. After a few days of duty in the front, Inspector Smith returned to Washington, and Inspector Andrew was assigned to duty in the hospitals at Frederick. His interesting report, showing how efficient was the aid sent forward by the Com mission, and how admirably the duty assigned him was per formed, is inserted as a part of this report. DR. LEWIS H. STEINER, Sanitary Inspector, Sup t Operations of U. 8. Sanitary Commission in N. Md. 8*1 In accordance with your request, I hand you herewith a brief account of so much of my labor in the service of the REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 29 Sanitary Commission as is connected with the inarch and suc ceeding battles of the army during its September campaign in Maryland. On Sunday, September 7th, then being in Washington, I was requested to start immediately, in company with Dr. W. M. Chamberlain, with a wagon load of such supplies as would be most necessary on the march, and in the event of an en gagement. Our instructions were to accompany the army, and to be ready to render such aid as might be necessary, not only to the really sick and wounded, but to the feeble and to those who were in danger of falling out of the ranks from exhaustion and the want of timely support. Our powers were mainly discretionary, and our wagon was to be regarded merely as the " avant courier" of stores to follow, the supply only to be limited by the demand. On Monday morning we came up with the advance corps two miles north of Rockville, and started on Tuesday with the army in motion. At the close of the day s march I rode along such portion of the line as was accessible, ascertained the wants of the army and sup plied such as were pressing. It was found, on this occasion and afterwards, that the army had borne its march so well that there was little necessity for drawing upon the stores of the Commission, which became more valuable as we in creased the distance from our base of supplies. On many oc casions, however, small supplies of restoratives were of con siderable service. At Damascus, on the 12th, we were joined by Dr. Smith with another wagon load of supplies, and Dr. Chamberlain was relieved. A battle being considered near at hand, Dr. Chamberlain concluded to remain with the expe dition, and accompanied us as far as Frederick, which city we reached on the evening of the 13th. Finding that the enemy had evacuated Frederick without a serious contest, Dr. C., having important private business in New York, left the train, now increased by the arrival of Mr. Mitchell with two army 30 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. wagons. Sunday morning the memorable 14th was ushered in by heavy firing in the direction of the retreat of the enemy. Learning from past experience the difficulty of passing wagons along roads crowded with army trains, I procured the privi lege of attaching the wagon driven by myself (the driver fur nished me was worse than worthless) to an ambulance train, and leaving the balance of the train to be brought through by Mr. Mitchell, I started, accompanied by Dr. Smith, and with a selected load of supplies for the battle-field. The passes across the Catoctin range of mountains were so crowded with troops, artillery, ammunition, supply, and ambulance trains, that darkness came on before we commenced the ascent of the mountain, four miles from Frederick, by the "!N"ew Cut Road." The firing had been unceasing during the day, and doubting not that our supplies were needed, the endeavor to reach the front was persevered in, and accordingly, we reached Middle- ton at half-past one o clock on the morning of the 15th. "We found the hospitals already established in the churches and schoolhouses crowded with the wounded of the battle of South Mountain, and ambulance trains were still coming in. The people of the village had been most kind, and had materially aided in caring for our brave soldiers; furnishing food, and tearing up sheets, table cloths, and body clothes for bandages and dressings. We immediately distributed a sufficiency of beef-stock, and other concentrated food, whiskey, brandy, bandages, etc., to meet immediate necessities. In the morning we found Medical Director Letterman and delivered over to him the contents of the wagons left at Frederick and to arrive that day, and, with the remainder of the stores on hand, started for the battle-field four or five miles distant. The rebels had, in their retreat, burned the bridge across the Catoctin near Middleton. It was not until afternoon that I succeeded in crossing that stream, and it was nearly sunset when I reached the line of field hospitals in the vicinity of the " Stone Church," REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 31 filled with those who were wounded along the right of our line. Keeping still in view the smallness of the supply imme diately in my hands, and the transitory character of Held hos pitals, I issued only for their present necessities ; and, worn out with an amount of labor and excitement surpassing any thing in iny former experience, I spent a few hours of fitful slumber in the wagon. Frequent firing during the day following the battle of ( South Mountain, indicated with sufficient clearness that sup plies would be needed further on. I accordingly hired a horse of a farmer near the " Stone Church," packed the remainder of the stimulants in a bag, and a quantity of beef stock and bandages in another, threw them, over the saddle, and started for the next battle-field. I arrived in Keedysville early in the afternoon, took a room in the house of Christian Keedy, and awaited the battle of the next day. Early on the 17th the wounded began to arrive from the field of Antie- tam, just beyond, and after witnessing a portion of the battle, and distributing the much-needed stores among the surgeons hearing nothing of the wagons to arrive I started in search of them at three o clock r. M. Exchanged at the South Mountain my hired horse for the team I had left the day before, and arrived at Middletown after sunset. I here ascertained that the wagons which had been left at Frederick had arrived and emptied their contents into the store-room of the Medical Purveyor, and was very happy to meet Mr. Platt with two additional wagon loads of supplies. There being a greater quantity of supplies in the store-house than were needed for immediate use in Middletown, I procured an order for a portion of those, and loading my wagon, started again, this time in company with Dr. Smith and Messrs. Platt and Fay. and three wagon loads of supplies, at ten o clock p. M. for Keedysville. Immediately after breakfast, on the morning of the 18th, the day after the battle, the bulk of 32 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. these stores was placed at the disposal of the proper medical authorities, and as soon thereafter as possible the surgeons along the entire line of field hospitals were notified of their arrival, and of the proper mode of procuring them. This last work was kindly undertaken by Medical Director Letterman ? and faithfully performed by his assistants. The contents of the third wagon were reserved for such special distribution as the peisonal inspection of those acting for the Sanitary Com mission might show to be specially necessary. These were all given out during the day, except a small reserve, which was carried back the next morning and issued to the hospitals in Boonsborough. The work in this special department entrusted to my charge was now accomplished. The field was fully occupied, or soon would be, by agents of the Commission competent to the investigation of demands, and to the work of supplying them. Our observation and experience had shown the necessities of the field, and abundant stores were on their way to meet them, leaving me at liberty to resume my labors in the department of hospital and camp inspection. Respectfully submitted, GEORGE L. ANDREW, Sanitary Inspector. Frederick, Md., Oct. 3, 1862. On Sunday (Sept. 14,) Mr. Mitchell arrived in Frederick with two wagon loads of supplies, which were dispatched to the front in charge of Mr. Platt, Mr. Mitchell himself follow ing on Tuesday with supplies that had arrived from Washing ton on a car under the charge of Mr. Clark. Arrangements were made to transmit the supplies as fast as they might arrive in Frederick, and our wagons, in charge of intelligent gentlemen, were forwarded to Middletown, Boonsborough, Keedysville and Sharpsburg, reporting either to the medical REPORT OP DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 33 officers of the local hospitals, or to the Medical Director of the Army of the Potomac, Dr. Letterman. In this connec tion I may say that every aid was given by Dr. L. towards furthering the grand design of furnishing succor and relief to the wounded. "With a view of showing the nature of the annoyances attendant upon the transportation of our stores from Wash ington, and the work done by the gentlemen in charge, the reports of Thomas H. Hays, and "W. Platt, Junior, are given in Appendix No. 1. and ISTo. 2. To illustrate the alacrity with which the call for aid was answered, and the energy with which obstacles were over borne, let me refer to the following extract of a letter addressed to the Rev. Dr. Bellows, under date, " Mt. Airy, near the Potomac, beyond Sharpsburg, September 26th." " It has been my duty and privilege to be the first to see all the wounded, and to make records of all the hospitals and depots of the wounded. My report of this work will be made simultaneously to you and to the Medical Director, and will be of some avail in silencing the carpers who have been ex citing the sympathies of the people by narrating tales of woe and false assertions of official neglect of the wounded here. True, there has been suffering, but none that I could not, or that a soldier should not expect to endure after such a conflict. I have carefully read the history of Military surgery and can boldly assert that never before in the history of armies has there been a great battle between such immense forces, with such numbers of killed and wounded, in which the surgical pro visions or medical supplies have been so ample or so promptly applied. " By a forced ride on horseback from Frederick I reached the Antietam on Friday at daybreak and immediately proceeded along the line of the left wing of our forces, nearly to the 3 3rt THE SANITARY COMMISSION. Potomac, and thence across the extensive fields of the battle ground, visiting every depot of wounded and killed until, on Sunday evening, I had seen all except three depots off the right of our forces. I may here state, that so late as ten o clock, A. M., on Sunday, I found unvisited and unknown depots of small companies of wounded men, and that in one place so visited that morning I had the pleasure of finding and remov ing to a hospital four noble men, who, for two days and two nights previous to the flight of the enemy, had been compelled to remain at the wheels of a battery, and upon the earth, un covered, unfed, and utterly neglected. One of these men is a captain, and an educated and wealthy merchant. " As late as Sunday evening I found two depots with ninety wounded rebels yet unvisited and in greatest need. "The train of ambulances which had been given me for the use of the Sanitary Commission, with supplies from our depot at Sharpsburg, enabled me to meet all such wants, and a number of volunteer surgeons at headquarters were in each case on hand to render surgical aid. " Previous to the arrival of sufficient supplies our sympathies were kept at a fervid heat, but the fact that all that was re ceived was applied as soon as it came to the field, and to those who were most in need, kept all in hopeful spirits and satisfied the most captious lookers-on. " The Sanitary Commission could not have done more work with the means at its command ; and it will become an historic fact that, within eight days from the occupancy of this field of the Waterloo of America/ by our forces, nearly all the wounded have received ample supplies of hospital clothing from the depots of the Sanitary Commission r.nd the Medical Purveyor. And much of this result is due to the wisdom of the Executive Committee in providing independent and special transportation for the supplies that our patriotic women had, with wonderful forecast, accumulated at the de pots of the Sanitary Commission. REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 35 " Let me say, in closing this hasty letter, that the privilege of laboring in this work more than rewards any sacrifices a man can make of his own interests. The loss of all things, even of life itself, would be sweet if balanced against such labors of relief. 1 " I will briefly add that the Medical Department of this army has neglected no means of relief or supply. The unpre cedented requisition that was sent forward by the Surgeon General on the night I left you was barely enough. Hoping to meet you soon I remain sincerely yours, "ELISHA HARRIS." Drs. Agnew and Harris succeeded in establishing a store house of the Commission at Sharpsburg, shortly after the battle of Antietam. Our wagons were unloaded at this placo and thence sent to every point where the wounded had been collected. The superintendence of this storehouse was assign ed to Dr. E. J. Dunning of New York, who devoted his time and energies to the work for nearly two weeks, aided by a large staff of zealous and active assistants. As the Medical Department had been disappointed in the arrival of its stores, the concentrated food, stimulants and clothing, which the liberality of the charitable people of the North had placed at the disposal of the Commission, were issued to the Hospitals that had been extemporized at every barn and farmhouse within three miles of Sharpsburg. No question was asked as to the State of the regiment of the sufferer, but a Catholic and National spirit, recognizing all as entitled to the benefit of our supplies, controlled the operations of those connected with the issue of articles from the storehouse. Our supply of chloroform was the main dependence for many hours at some of the .Hospitals. The medical officers of the 36 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. Army united with our officers in the proper disposal of our supplies, and I am pleased to state that the true relation of the Sanitary Commission to the Medical Department was fully recognized and appreciated as a body designed to suji- plement and not supplant the regular operations of the Army. On Sunday, 21st, I visited the front in company with Dr. H. G. Clark, (Boston, Mass.) whose valuable services on several occasions have been placed at the command of the Commission, and Dr. Carney. From personal examination of the plans of relief adopted by the officers of the Com mission I can bear full testimony to their priceless value to the wounded men in all the Hospitals. I may state that, in addition to the regular force located at Sharpsburg, I also met Inspector Chamberlain at one of the field Hospitals with some supplies that had been forwarded from Philadelphia via Hagerstown. A second visit, in company with Mr. Olm- sted on the 25th, satisfied me that the storehouse had become " an institution " of such importance to the medical officers that its continuance would be necessary for some time to come. I therefore put Inspector Crane in charge on the 29th. He had been engaged for some days before in push ing forward the Philadelphia supplies from Hagerstown. Inspector Brinck was also on duty at this point for a few days and then reported for duty in Washington. "With the view of showing the nature and extent of our supplies, I may quote from a letter written by Mr. Olmsted to Dr. Bellows on the 23d ult., the statement that within ten days after the Army of Virginia went to meet the invaders, the Commission sent to its relief " 28,763 pieces of dry goods, shirts, towels, bedticks, pillows, &c. ; 30 barrels of old linen bandages and lint; 3,188 pounds farina ; 2,620 pounds con densed milk ; 5,000 pounds beef stock and canned meats ; 3,000 bottles wine and cordials, and several tons of lemons REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 37 and other fruit, crackers, tea, sugar, rubber cloth, tin cups and hospital conveniences." [Tables showing the precise requisitions made by surgeons on the stores of the Commission are omitted as taking too much space.] # # # * * * In addition to these issues, the Commission succeeded in transporting, from the Medical Purveyor s Office in New York to the depot in Frederick, 83 cases containing 4,000 sets of hospital clothing and 20 bales of blankets, at a cost of 8316.58. Transportation was so embarrassed and crowded at this time that these stores were got through in season only by the energy of the Executive Committee in dispatching special agents to take charge of them, at its own expense. As soon as these stores reached this depot they were turned over to the Medical Department and issued as fast as requi sitions were sent in. The force now representing the Commission and at work in this part of Maryland is as follows : f Lewis H. Steiner, M. D., San. Ins. and Supt., I George L. Andrew, M. D., San. Inspector, Frederick, -{ Horace Howard Furness, Esq., ) | Mr. Atherton Blight, V Assistants. [Mr. Edwin R. Cornwall, ) E. A. Crane, M. D., San. Inspector. Sharpsburg, Assistant, [Mr. Parsons, ) Large supplies have been issued from the Frederick depot to the Hospitals in Frederick and its neighborhood. The requisitions on which these were issued have been tabulated with the following results. (See Tables M, N, O, P.) [These details are omitted as too bulky.] # * * * * * The late battles have shown how important it is that a certain amount of transportation should be under the exclu- 38 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. sive control of the Medical Department. Immediately after an engagement, there has always been a difficulty in getting medical and hospital supplies to the places where they are most needed. Subsistence for the well soldiers, and ord nance, generally monopolize all the transportation in posses sion of the Quartermaster. The Medical Department is for gotten and practically thrust aside. A deficiency of regular military surgical assistance after a great battle is inevitable. The Commission seeks to supply the want by details made from the private practitioners of our large cities. Heretofore demands for aid of this kind have been responded to by a rush of professional volunteers, some good and reliable, some inexperienced and unreliable. Hence there have been instances of treatment far from creditable to surgi cal science or advantageous to the patient. This might be obviated by the selection of a certain number of experienced surgeons, who would be willing to respond to such calls, and in whom the utmost reliance might be placed by the medical officers, whose aids they would be for the time being. Our soldiers are willing to brave death on the battle-field ; let them not be obliged to brave inexperienced and ignorant surgery beside. Too many practitioners, styling themselves " active men" hasten to the field, not with the view of assisting in what ever may require aid, but for the purpose of " operating" of fleshing unsoiled blades. With such men conservative surgery is an unmeaning word. The reserve corps of volunteer sur geons might be formed under the auspices of the Medical Bureau, or of the Sanitary Commission. The necessity of such an organization is urgent, as a statement made me by a med ical officer engaged at the Confederate hospital near Sharps- burg will clearly show. He states that when a number of the volunteer surgeons proposed returning home, Dr. Ranch, (sur geon in charge of the hospital,) objected on account of tlio number of cases requiring constant attention. Tho answer REPORT OF DR. LEWIS H. STEINER. 39 was, " We have done up all the amputations and resections, and there is no further need of our services/ 7 My informant proceeded to examine the cases that had been attended and operated on by those very medical men, and found recently amputated stumps filled with maggots and pus, and patients in a condition of unhealthiness and depression that showed utter negligence on the part of their medical attendants. A number of self-styled " Commissions,"* Relief Societies, Charitable Associations and Philanthropic Clubs have been rep resented on the field and in the hospitals since the late engage ments. Their agents have been actuated by the best motives. They have doubtless done some good. A few of them have drawn from our own stores, and at times emplo} T ed our own means of transportation, but have never acknowledged either, although they have received special commendation for their labors from the press. A spirit of State charity, seeking out not wounded Federal soldiers, but the wounded from their own special State, or even their own special county or town, has guided these organizations. They have thus done positive mischief to the National cause. Instead of laboring to destroy the spirit of State Rights, which, in various forms, seems to underlie the whole of the Rebellion, they have furnished incentives for its preservation. We demand that the soldier should be well cared-for, not be cause he is from Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, or any other State, but because he is in the United States Army. We * The word " Commission" has been strangely misused of late. A " Commis sion" is a body of men commissioned by Government to make certain inquiries or do certain work. We have Military Commissions, for instance, appointed to investigate the surrender of Harper s Ferry, and to report on the merits of new projectiles, and a "Sanitary Commission" to aid Government in preserving the health and efficiency of our soldiers. The Sanitary Commission introduced the word into popular favor, and it is now generally used as a vague, indefinite synonym of " Committee." Hence we have so-called " Commissions" without end, none of which possess the authority from Government and the relations with Government that give meaning and value to the title they assume. 40 THE SANITARY COMMISSION. feel it our duty to bring aid to any and every soldier in the army. His highest claim to our attention and sympa thy being the fact that he is there. Hon. Frank B. Fay and Miss Helen L. Gilson, (Chelsea, Mass.,) have been laboring with untiring zeal and most earn est fidelity at or near Keedysville, since the battle of Antietam, and Mr. C. B. Barclay, of Philadelphia, has been actively en gaged wherever want and suffering were greatest. These philanthropic patriots are examples worthy of all imitation on the part of those who aim to keep the good deeds which their right hands do from the knowledge of the world. I am pleased to record their names as among those whose labors have been more or less aided by the supplies which the Com mission kept on hand in its store houses. In concluding this Report I have to acknowledge myself indebted to the Central Office for its prompt attention to tele grams ordering supplies; to Mr. Olrnsted for his advice and interest in my field of labor ; to Drs. Agnew and Harris for faithful and earnest attention to the immediate wants of the Field Hospitals around Sharpsburg ; and to Mr.W. Platt, Jr., of Philadelphia, for one entire week of invaluable ser vice, in conveying supplies to the field, and aiding in the general duties of the Frederick office. It is proper that the name of this pure-hearted, Christian patriot should be honored in connection with our labors in the Maryland campaign, as he contracted the seeds of disease while on duty there that, in a few weeks afterwards, ended his life of useful ness, as truly offered up in the cause of his country as if he had been killed on the battle field. With great respect, your obedient servant, LEWIS II. STEINER, San. Inspector. APPENDIX. No. I. Report of "W. PLATT, Jux., in charge of tlic Expedition with supplies from Washington to the Battlefield of Antietam. DR. J. FOSTER JENKINS : Dear Sir, In pursuance of your request of 13th inst, I went with the four-horse team of Hospital Stores on the way to Rockville, arriving there at nine p. M. There were no sick on the way and few stragglers. I found the Hospital at Rockville under the charge of Surgeon Lewis, U. S. A., with about 325 patients, most of them light cases. Mrs. Harris was also there with some stores. They were in want of some few arti cles, such as bed-sacks, tin cups, biscuit, &c., which we left with them. September 14. Started at 10 A. M., and went eighteen miles, stopping frequently to relieve sick stragglers, who were becoming quite numerous. 15th. Started at G A. M., and reached Frederick at 11 A. M., and re ported to Dr. Spencer, who requested us to proceed in the afternoon to Middletown and deliver the remainder of our supplies to Dr. Thompson, in charge of the hospital there, and meanwhile to leave at Frederick such articles as were wanted. We left at Frederick a few stimulants, and reached Middletown at 7 p. M., and left the remainder of the load. 16th. Returned to Frederick and took the team to the Junction, loaded it from a car, and delivered it at the hospital at Frederick, and the wagon was returned to Washington. 17th. Loaded the wagon belonging to the Commission, and a four- mule team with stores from a car at. the junction, after much delay, owing to the great number of cars on the road, and went to Middletown, arriving at 9 p. M., and were joined by Drs. Andrew and Smith, and Mr. F. Fay, with another team; proceeded at 11 p. M. to Boonsboro 1 , and thence to Keedysville, where we halted for the night, (one mile this side,) and arrived at headquarters, near that place, at 9 o clock on the 18th, Thursday. It was decided by Drs. Letterman, Smith and Andrew that the supplies (the first received) should be distributed among the hospitals at headquarters, the greater part at the outer station where many wounded were being brought in. This was satisfactorily accom plished, and requisitions from various Brigades were filled, and at 5 p. M. we started to return, arriving on 19th, at 6 A. M. at Frederick, and were quite unsuccessful in getting further supplies from the car which should have been up the day before. 20 th. The car not yet arrived; but there wore 50 ambulances witk 4:2 APPENDIX. wounded, which had been from some unaccountable cause kept waiting for twenty-four hours. These men needed much attention in having their bandages renewed and moistened, and in being helped into a train, which had at last been prepared for them all which occupied me for several hours. There is much to be done at Frederick in attending to the wants of these parties of wounded and sick, and I earnestly call your attention to it. 24th. From the 20th to 24th I have been occupied in regulating the movements of trains and acting for thirty-six hours in Dr. Steiner s place. I also call your attention to the superior facilities afforded by the rail road in placing your supplies where they are wanted, in economy both of time and money. Very respectfully yours, W. PLATT, Jux. No. II. At a meeting of the Philadelphia Associates of the United States San itary Commission, held on the 26th November the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. Resolved, That the Philadelphia Associates of the Sanitary Commis sion have learned, with the deepest sorrow, the death of their late most faithful superintendent, William Platt, Jr., Esquire, who fell a victim to disease contracted on the battle fields of Maryland, in the service of the Commission, and in the discharge of the highest duties of humanity and patriotism. Resolved, That the Associates desire to record their high apprecia tion of the character of Mr. Platt, and of his invaluable labors in the cause of the Sanitary Commission. Accepting the invitation of the Executive Committee, in June last, to undertake the superintendence of the business of the Philadelphia agen cy, Mr. Platt devoted all the force of a highly energetic, though gentle character, to the discharge of the duties of his post. Giving his whole time, and applying remarkable vigor to the business of the agency, he soon brought it to a state of efficiency not previously reached, while his judicious and effective applications to the friends of the Commission brought its claims under general notice in Philadelphia, and rapidly filled its treasury, so that the contributions, which, on his entering on his of fice in June last, were but eight thousand dollars, had, at the time of his death, in November, exceeded the sum of forty thousand dollars, an increase which the associates ascribe almost wholly to the labors of Mr i Platt, and of an agent of his own designation. All the services of Mr. Platt were rendered gratuitously. When the APPENDIX. 43 battles in Maryland were impending in September last, Mr. Platt hast ened to Washington, and volunteered to take charge of a wagon train of hospital stores, for use in the field. Visiting and supplying the hos pitals at Rockville, Frederick, and Middle-town, and reinforced with other supplies forwarded by the Commission, he left Middletown at 11 o clock at night, on the 17th of September, and proceeded with his train of wagons to Boonsborough, and thence to Keedysville, and arrived at the headquarters of the army at 9 o clock the next morning. His own modest official report of his services omits mention of the fact that, as he came within sound of the cannon, he quickened his speed, driving the leading wagon himself, and, when darkness threatened to delay the train, he left it and walked in advance, carrying a lantern, and compel ling the reluctant drivers to follow. The supplies of the Commission thus brought to the battle field by Mr. Platt anticipated those forwarded by the Government, and were at once distributed by the medical director and surgeons of the army, to the unspeakable relief of the sufferers. But Mr. Platt s earnestness was not satisfied with mere direction and supervision. On the 20th September, as the ambulances appeared bring ing the sufferers from the bloody battle field of Antietam, but unaccom panied by competent assistance for their removal, Mr. Platt gave himself up for a long time to this arduous service, carrying the wounded in his arms to places of shelter, and there rendering them the tenderest offices of a nurse. Thus engrossed, he overtasked himself, and through fatigue and exposure contracted the disease which, on the 22d of November, brought to a close, in his 37th year, his short but well spent life. To those who knew and loved him in the relations of private life, and particularly as an active member of the church which he adorned by a consistent Christian conversation, no public record is needed of his modest virtues. But as he fell in the service of his country a willing offering in the noblest cause his life has become part of its public his tory, and it is, therefore, Resolved, That the Philadelphia Associates of the Sanitary Commission desire to perpetuate their estimate of the services and worth of their late friend and officer by some enduring memorial, and they therefore most respectfully request the family of Mr. Platt, and the vestry of St. Thomas s Church, "Whitemarsh, (of which he was warden,) to allow them to erect in that Church a mural tablet to his memory. Resolved, That the foregoing Resolutions be communicated to the fam ily of Mr. Platt, and to the vestry of St. Thomas s Church, with the as surance of the most sincere sympathy of the Associates in their loss. Resolved, That the foregoing Resolutions be published. HORACE BINKEY, JR., CHAIRMAN. EDWARD HARTSIIORX, Secretary. ERRATUM. Pago 35, 6th line from bottom of page, for the words " of the regiment read " or the regiment." 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