Letter from A. C. Holt to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; May 28, 1863
Title
Letter from A. C. Holt to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus; May 28, 1863
Subject
Military hospitals; Mississippi. Governor; Pettus, John Jones, 1813-1867.
Description
From the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Governor Pettus Collection. Letter from A.C. Holt in Richmond, Virginia, to Mississippi Governor John J. Pettus updating the Governor on the care Mississippi soldiers are receiving in Virginia hospitals.
Creator
Holt, A. C.
Publisher
Mississippi Department of Archives and History. (electronic version); Mississippi Digital Library. (electronic version)
Date
1863-05-28
Contributor
Funding for this project provided by The Dale Center for Study of War and Society-USM, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the Mississippi Digital Library, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the Watson-Brown Foundation
Rights
NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Language
English
Identifier
mdah_757-944-14-25
Coverage
1863
Text
Page 1:
Richmond May 28th 1863
To His Excellency
Gov. Pettus
Sir
In accordance with the act of Legislation, under which I recd" my appointment as Commissioner, I have the honour to report as follows viz:
Having seen that all the wounded of our state in the late battle had been removed from the vicinity of the battle fields & having visited various camps, I returned to this [torn page] place, & have to this date been [?] [torn page] in visiting the various Hospitals [occupied?] [torn page] by sick & wounded Mississippians, It gives me pleasure to report that generally they are doing well, some deaths have occurred in Hospitals, but a larger proportion than usual of those seriously wounded, are progressing favorably, [?] [the?] [every?] prospect of ultimate recovery, Taking into view the many privations to which we are subjected by our [insubortion?] from Europe, our Hospitals as the [such?], are well supported, and
Page 2:
amicably conducted, Great attention is paid to cleanliness in every thing pertaining to them; the [diet?] is as good as can be obtained & the attention of the surgeons faithful & Efficient, A few of the wounded of Genl Barksdale Brigade, were taken into [His?] [services?] [lives?] & sent back to Washington City, before Genl Lees applications from the exchange of wounded, could be communicated, Notwithstanding being able to obtain definite information in my regard to them, I have recd the general statement from our returned prisoners, that they were undertaken [once?] of & doing [?], as it is now the custom to make out Hospital pay rolls & also to issue clothing when needed to patients, I have not found it necessary to draw upon the fund appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose; but would respectfully suggest that a small amount be placed in my hands to meet any contingencies which may unexpectedly occur—
The health of our troops in camp is good, & but for a tendency to scurvy would be most excellent. This was a serious
Page 3:
Evil during the campaign of last [torn page] rendering the treatment of all [diseased?] in camp Exceedingly difficult & [impairing?] greatly The efficiency of our army—Evils which could be entirely ob-viated by systematic Effort on the part of each state to supply its troops with vinegar & dried fruit, I propose to be governed in my future movements by cir-cumstances as they may develop themselves, Present indications have determined me to remain in this Department for the present. If [?] [torn page] should [?] away without any [?] [torn page] I shall visit Department No 2 [with?] [torn page] The [?] of co'operating with Dr. Blackburn?
Very resply"
Yr. Obt. Serv,t
A, C, Holt
Commissioner &c,
Page 4:
A. C. Holt
28 May 1863
Answd 23 June
When you send here Your Bonds & Power of attorney for some one to sign your name, & make requisitions for the the funds the money shall be sent you the Governor cannot draw & remit the many direct
This item has been deacidified.
Richmond May 28th 1863
To His Excellency
Gov. Pettus
Sir
In accordance with the act of Legislation, under which I recd" my appointment as Commissioner, I have the honour to report as follows viz:
Having seen that all the wounded of our state in the late battle had been removed from the vicinity of the battle fields & having visited various camps, I returned to this [torn page] place, & have to this date been [?] [torn page] in visiting the various Hospitals [occupied?] [torn page] by sick & wounded Mississippians, It gives me pleasure to report that generally they are doing well, some deaths have occurred in Hospitals, but a larger proportion than usual of those seriously wounded, are progressing favorably, [?] [the?] [every?] prospect of ultimate recovery, Taking into view the many privations to which we are subjected by our [insubortion?] from Europe, our Hospitals as the [such?], are well supported, and
Page 2:
amicably conducted, Great attention is paid to cleanliness in every thing pertaining to them; the [diet?] is as good as can be obtained & the attention of the surgeons faithful & Efficient, A few of the wounded of Genl Barksdale Brigade, were taken into [His?] [services?] [lives?] & sent back to Washington City, before Genl Lees applications from the exchange of wounded, could be communicated, Notwithstanding being able to obtain definite information in my regard to them, I have recd the general statement from our returned prisoners, that they were undertaken [once?] of & doing [?], as it is now the custom to make out Hospital pay rolls & also to issue clothing when needed to patients, I have not found it necessary to draw upon the fund appropriated by the Legislature for this purpose; but would respectfully suggest that a small amount be placed in my hands to meet any contingencies which may unexpectedly occur—
The health of our troops in camp is good, & but for a tendency to scurvy would be most excellent. This was a serious
Page 3:
Evil during the campaign of last [torn page] rendering the treatment of all [diseased?] in camp Exceedingly difficult & [impairing?] greatly The efficiency of our army—Evils which could be entirely ob-viated by systematic Effort on the part of each state to supply its troops with vinegar & dried fruit, I propose to be governed in my future movements by cir-cumstances as they may develop themselves, Present indications have determined me to remain in this Department for the present. If [?] [torn page] should [?] away without any [?] [torn page] I shall visit Department No 2 [with?] [torn page] The [?] of co'operating with Dr. Blackburn?
Very resply"
Yr. Obt. Serv,t
A, C, Holt
Commissioner &c,
Page 4:
A. C. Holt
28 May 1863
Answd 23 June
When you send here Your Bonds & Power of attorney for some one to sign your name, & make requisitions for the the funds the money shall be sent you the Governor cannot draw & remit the many direct
This item has been deacidified.