No. 55: Reports from the Western Department
This item is a compilation of reports from the Western Department of the U.S. Sanitary Commission.
Images (10)
दस्तावेज़
| id |
id
24325431
|
|---|---|
| contentType |
contentType
document
|
| source |
source
import
|
Source image fields (6)
Extracted text
OCR Page 1 of 10SANITARY COMMISSION.
No.55.
REPORTS FROM THE WESTERN DEPARTMENT.
LOUISVILLE, Oct. 24, 1862.
FRED. Law OLMSTED, Esq.,
Gen. Sec. San. Com. :
Dear Sir,-I herewith transmit the report of Dr. Reed, our inspector on
the measures of relief extended by the Sanitary Commission to the suf-
ferers in the late battle of Perryville. From a combination of causes, the
condition of the wounded in this fight was peculiarly distressing. No
adequate provision had been made for their care. The stock of medicines
and hospital stores in the hands of the surgeons was insignificant. They
had almost no ambulances, no tents, no hospital furniture, and no proper
food. In addition to this, the small village of Perryville afforded but very
imperfect means for the care of the great number of wounded concentrated
there, either in the way of buildings to be used as hospitals, or, resources
and appliances of any other kind.
The surrounding country had been overrun and devastated by two great
armies, and the inhabitants impoverished in all possible ways. As a con-
sequence, nearly everything necessary to the proper care of sick or wounded
men, had to be imported from a considerable distance. And before the
requisite assistance in men and means could, through any agencies, reach
the battle-field, untold suffering, and even deaths had occurred, which
might have been prevented, if help and supplies had been present, or
readily accessible.
It is true, that such sad scenes as those witnessed at Perryville, have
been recorded among the incidents of nearly all battles of ancient or mo-
dern times, so that by many, they have come to be regarded as necessary
accompaniments of the carnage of conflict, and as inseparable ingredients
of the horror of war. This, however, I contend, is a great and fatal fallacy.
I am no optimist, and have no idea that war can be so softened down and
christianized, as to be otherwise than unutterably hideous in all its aspects;
and yet my observation has led me to believe that by far the saddest
Relations
belongs_to
belongs_to