McParlin, Thomas A. (1825-1897) [Report of Service as Medical Director of the Army of Virginia during the summer of 1862]

[excerpts]
The Transport carts are useless in the Ambulance Department of an Army - especially in a mountainous country - they kill numbers of horses, are slow at the best, and if used for any purpose expect conveying instruments and dressings, will probably have to be abandoned on the road (p.4)
I proposed to use the railroad for the transportation from the depots near the fields of the wounded to Hospitals in Alexandria, or if necessary to Washington and Georgetown, It was impossible to hazard locating, (and there was no time for organizing) large depot Hospitals nearer to the scene of the expected hostilities than Alexandria. I had the hope of locating a large establishment at the Sulphue Springs near Warrenton - the Hotel and buildings there being well adapted for it, The Commanding Genl would not approve of a Guard for its protection and its distance from the Rail Road made it too dangerous a site for the sick and wounded - in case of any reverse, or retreat on our line. (p. 6)
Dr. Rex writes he had made Requisitions supplies for 13,000 - from to issue to all the regiments - He reports supplies nearly exhausted, many had received none for eight months - only forty ambulances in the whole corps of which many are worthless, two wheeled carts. (p.6.5)
The interval between Genl McClellan's evacuation on James River, and arrival before Washington - in proper force, organization and effective equipment - was the golden opportunity for the attacking Washington and separating more widely for defeat the Armies of the Potomac and of the Virginia. Rapid forays - in direction of Richmond destroying roads, bridges and telegraphs as far down as possible, with slow retreat and obstinate resistance of the enemy advancing in force, were the duties devolved upon the Army of Virginia. To the Administrative staff Department thus was left but one depot proper or practicable - in Alexandria otherwise an immense amount of material, supplies and protective guards would fall into the possession of the enemy (p. 7-8)
the Regimental reports showed them in good condition - with the exception of the sixteenth New York Regiment of Infantry in the Second Corps which had a great number sick from Typhoid Fever ... (p. 8)
This country under ordinary circumstances should be healthy and little or no sickness prevail; but the total absence of seasonable vegetables, and careless reckless, and improvident nature of the volunteer soldier are made manifest by the Dysenteric and other diseases that prevail to some extent ... (p.12)
During the evening and through the night the wounded continued to arrive in Culpepper - were temporarily quartered in Hotels, churches & receiving such dressings and surgical attention as was required. As soon as I was aware of the engagement in front, I applied to the Chief Quarter Master for a team of cars to convey the wounded, which was promptly held in readiness ... The causalities of the past day ere large, and every building convertible into shelter, had a large complement of wounded in and around it. The unemployed ambulances were collected together and dispatched to remove them to the rear. In this duty and also in the collecting of wounded under flag of truce Surgeon R.M.S. Jackson rendered valuable and efficient service. The most important duty on the 10th was to bring the wounded from the extreme front and the advance depots near the lines ... Great numbers were sent in to Culpepper - who so occupied the medical force ... building after building was occupied and filled. Orders were reiterated by express to hve the wounded forwarded - by the train. (p.15-16)
While the Army was in position beyond Warrenton - to give battle on the right or left to the enemy - constant applications were made to me to have the sick and invalids sent from the Regiments and Brigades, that the ambulances might be available, In an emergency this is right - but under the guise of removing the sick - if not guarded in the strictest manner - the force of an army will be continually and unnecessarily diminished. As soon as intimation is given that a Hospital is to be extemporised in any town near - sick and convalescents are sent in - in some cases without authority in an irregular manner perhaps, left to be cared for by others without history, supplies or attendance. This lightens the field transport service and cares of the regimental physicians - but is nevertheless an evil pernicious to the military as the medical service of the Army. (p. 32)