Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) to Colonel Robert Crooke Wood
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00667 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: Mississippi Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 March 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 27 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Sherman writes to Assistant Surgeon General Wood (Sherman incorrectly addresses the letter to "C.R." Wood). Sherman writes about his armies' medical preparedness, commenting that they are well supplied with surgeons, medicines, medical supplies, and hospital accommodations. He extensively praises his Chief Surgeon, Dr. Charles McMillan. Sherman shows concern for soldiers wounded in the Vicksburg campaign. Writes from camp before Vicksburg.
Head Qrs 15 Army Corps,
Camp before Vicksburg. Mrch 15. 1863.
Col C. R.Wood,
Asst Surg Genl, Present.
Sir.
Yours of 14th inst is received. I commanded the troops which Embarked for Vicksburg, from Memphis and Helena on the 20th and 22nd Dec last, up to Jan [struck: 2] [inserted: 4th], when I was relieved by Maj Gen McClernand in Chief Command, since which time I have commanded continuously without intermission the 15 Army Corps, composed of 31 Regiments of Infantry, Six Batteries of artillery and three detachments of cavalry. During all this period many changes have occurred, several Battles fought, and troops shifted from steamboats to Land, back again and for some considerable period of time, viz since January 20 we have been encamped on the low alluvial land on the neck opposite to and in sight of Vicksburg. To give an intelligent account of the Hospital and Sanitary arrangements would require statements of facts that you already possess in great detail, and I need not do more [inserted: at this time] than assert my belief that no Army Composed as this was, and is partly of new [2] Regiments Ever had better hospital facilities, care and treatment. Our hospitals are now admirably supplied with Every thing that a Generous and Bountiful Government could or should bestow. You can [inserted: see] this yourself, and every Gentleman who has sought for proper information has at all times had access to the proper sources, and during the whole period of time since we left Memphis we have been as well supplied with Surgeons, Medicines, Medical supplies, and hospital accommodations as was to be expected. Dr McMillan has been all the time my Chief Surgeon, and I know that he has labored unceasingly, has exhibited a wonderful foresight, and has not failed to avail himself of every means to provide for the wants of the wounded and sick soldiers. He has not lost an hour by sickness or absence, but has been all the time most active in providing for the wants of his Department, and I avail myself of this opportunity to express to you, his proper superior my unqualified approval of all his acts. I have been in many battles, and I know of my own knowledge that the wounded at Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post were removed from the field to the Steamboats with a care and [3] system provided by him in advance, that Elicited my hearty approval on the spot, and better managed than in any other Battle that I ever witnessed or bore a part in. Individual Exceptions may have occurred, as they do in Paris, London, New York, Boston, and every City on earth, much more liable to occur in Battles and on the Field, where men's minds and passions are aroused, and the man who would enlarge on a single case of exception and publish it to the world as a sample of the whole is to be pitied as a miserable wretch beneath the notice of a Government. Our morning Reports exhibit the exact number of the sick in hospital, in Quarters, and the dead. These go to the War Department regularly every ten days and can there be compared with the statistics of other armies similarly Composed, and exposed, You may safely challenge a Comparison. Our army is admirably supplied in all respects, and no one deplores more than I do the spirit of falsehood & calumny that harrows the minds of our people at home, and has led to your visit to Our Camps. In war we must expect sickness and death, but so far as your Department is Concerned, I feel assured all has been done, and will be continued to be done, which skill, science and foresight [4] can accomplish. Our soldiers need far more the respect and confidence of their fellow Country men at home, than they do increased Supplies of medicines and medical supplies.
I am with great respect
yr obt Servant
W. T. Sherman
Maj Genl Comd.
[docket]
Head Qrs. 15th,, Army Corps
Camp Before Vicksburg
March 15, 1863
Maj. Gen W.T. Sherman
Commanding 15.th
Army Corps
___________________________________
Reply to communication
of the Asst. Surgeon General
States amount [inserted: of] sickness
to be small and "challenges"
a "comparison" with other
forces. "Our army"
"is admirably supplied"
"in all respects."
____________________________________
Recd. A.Sc.G.O. Before Vicksburg Mch 16 1863
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