USA > New York > Camp fires of the Twenty-Third: sketches of the camp life, marches, and battles of the Twenty-Third Regiment, N. Y. V. Added to these are statistics of enlistments and all valuable information connected with the regiment > Part 12
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22. William E. Griffiths. Discharged for disability Feb. 4th, 1863.
23. Daniel B. Hurlburt. . . Discharged for disability June Ist, 1862.
24. Frederick Hamilton. ... Acting Drum Major of Drum Corps.
25. Simon Q. Howard. .. . Musician. Discharged Dec. 4th, 1862, for disability.
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
26. Thomas Henderson .... Appointed Corporal Aug. 1st, 1861. Pro- moted Sergeant March 1st, 1863.
27. William S. Jessup .... Wounded in the leg at the battle of Freder- icksburg Dec. 13th, 1862.
28. Millard G. Johnson. ... Appointed Corporal Feb. 25th, 1862.
29. Louis H. Kenyon.
30. Michael Lemmon.
31 George E. Lewis .... Appointed Corporal March 1st, 1862.
32. David Lyons. ... Discharged May 8th, 1862, for disability.
33. Richard Long.
34. Richard Lyons .... Discharged for disability July 21st, 1862.
35. Frank H. Mandevill. . Appointed Brigade Forage Master.
36. J. Edmund B. Maxson. ... Died at Upton Dale, Va., Feb. 27th, 1862, of hemorrhage occasioned by an accidental pistol-shot wound.
37. William P. Maxson.
38. William Edgar Maxson.
39. Augustus Morse .... Has been in general hospital since July 9th, 1862.
40. George W. Myers .... Discharged for disability 1st July, 1861.
41. James Murtba.
42. Ira N. Mckibben. . .. Appointed Corporal Feb. 25th, 1862. Promoted Sergeant March Ist, 1863.
43. S. G. Hathaway Musgrave.
44. Edmund B. Pickering .... Discharged for disability Nov. 14th, 1801.
45. James W. Pickering.
46. John L. Pool .... Discharged for disability Dec. 21st, 1861.
47. George W. Parker.
48. Hosea H. Rockwell.
49. James R. Rathbone .... Discharged May 4th, 1862, for disability.
50. William H. Robinson .... Discharged Jan. 6th. 1862. for disability.
51. Mark Shepherd .... Discharged May 15th, 1862, for disability. 52. John W. Sanders.
53. Thomas C. Sanders .... Detached in 1st N. H. Battery June 26th, 1862. Taken prisoner at the second battle of Bull Run Aug. 29th, 1862. Rejoined the Company in Jan., 1863.
54. George W. Stratton .... Discharged for disability Sept. 25th. 1861. 55 James Simmons. .. . Killed at the battle of Fredericksburg by can- non-shot Dec. 13th, 1862. Buried on the field.
56. Martin B. Spafford.
57. Thomas G. Stull.
58. Lemuel B. Stowell. ... Has been in general hospital since July 10th, 1862.
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STATISTICAL HISTORY OF
59. Charles W. Sweet .... Taken prisoner at the second battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30th, while in charge of Lieutenant Bovier. of General Patrick's staff, who was wounded on the night of the 20th Aug., 1862. Rejoined the Company Oct. 31st, 1862. 60. Charles F. Stephens ... . Discharged June 17th. 1862, for disability. 61. Luin K. Thacher .... Discharged March 22d. 1862, for promotion to Adjutant of the 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. Subse- quently appointed Major.
62. John C. Todd .... Appointed Corporal March 1st. 1863.
63. William B. Torrence. ... Has been in hospital since May 27th, 1862. 64. Joseph M. Up De Graff. .. . Shot by patrol April 12th, 1862, at Bristo, Va. Buried on the 15th.
65. Robert B. Van Gorder. ... Appointed Corporal Aug. 1st, 1861. Was wounded in the band while on picket duty Aug. 14th, 1861. Discharged Dec. 29th, 1862.
66. William M. Walters. Discharged for disability Oct. 29th, 1862.
67. George A. Williams .... Appointed Hospital Warden in Feb., 1863. 68. William H. Wood.
69. Henry P. Worinly.
70. Northrup P. Young.
Recruits.
71. Daniel S. Allen.
72. Charles W. Andrews.
73. George Baker .... Detached in Battery L 1st N. Y. Artillery, in Nov., 1862. Returned to Company Feb. 8th, 1863.
74. Stephen T. Baker .... Has been in general hospital since Oct. 30th, 1862.
75. Marvin Beckwith. . . . Accidentally wounded by a Minie ball through the thigh while on picket in Jan., 1862.
76. John R. Franks.
77. Patrick J. Guinan. .. . Wounded at Fredericksburg battle Dec. 13th, 1862, by piece of shell in the thigh.
78. Michael Grady .... Taken prisoner at the battle of Bull Run on the night of Aug. 80th, 1862. Returned to Company Oct. 31st, 1802.
79. George W. Holbert .... Discharged for disability March 22d, 1862. 7 80. George W. Hendershot .... Discharged for disability Nov. 28th, 1862.
81. Clinton Robins .... Taken prisoner at the battle of Bull Run while in charge of Lieutenant Bovier, of General Patrick's staff,
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
wounded on the night of the 29th Aug., 1862. Rejoined the Company Oct. 31st. 1862. Wounded at battle of Freder- icksburg in the leg by piece of shell.
82. John H. Hicks.
83. Jairus Lamouree.
84. Allen Packard.
85. Justin R. Reamer.
86. Edward E. Rockwell.
87. Thomas W. Oakly .... Discharged for disability July 11th, 1862.
88. Samuel W. Searles ... Appointed Clerk in Carver Hospital in May, 1862.
89. Charles C. Thompson .. . . Appointed Corporal March 1st, 1863.
90. Emanuel Vandermark .... Deserted Dec. 17tb. 1861.
91. Charles W. Webster .... Discharged Oct. 19th, 1862. on account of injuries received by railroad accident while on his way to the Regiment.
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174
STATISTICAL HISTORY OF
Original Roll of Company G, and Record of Changes made during Two Years' Service.
1. FRANKLIN B. DOTY .... Captain, received commission May 9th, 1861.
2. IRA CONE .... 1st Lieutenant, received commission May 9th, 1861.
3. JOHN PRENTISS. . .2d Lieutenant, received commission May 9th, 1861.
1. Martin V. Doty .. . Ist Sergeant. Appointed May 9th, 1861. Re- signed the position Jan. Ist, 1863. In convalescent camp.
2. Lester D. Hawley .... 2d Sergeant. Appointed May 9th, 1861. Re- duced to the ranks Nov. Ist, 1862. In David's Island Hos- pital April 3d, 1863.
3. John T. Brigden .... 3d Sergeant. Appointed May 9th, 1861. Re- duced to the ranks Nov. 1st, 1862. In convalescent camp (this date) April 3d. 1863.
4. Theodoric Hallet. ... 4th Sergeant. Appointed May 9th, 1861. Pro- moted Ist Sergeant Jan. Ist, 1863.
1. Martin V. Zimmerman. .. . Ist Corporal. Appointed May 9th, 1861. Promoted Sergeant May 8th, 1862.
2. George W. Miller .... 2d Corporal. Appointed May 9th, 1861. Promoted Sergeant Nov. 1st, 1862.
3. Chancy Brown .... 3d Corporal. Appointed May 9th, 1861. Dis- charged for disability Oct. 7th, 1861.
4. Brewer Collier. . . . 4th Corporal. Appointed May 9th, 1861. Taken prisoner at Bull Run Ang. 80th, 1862. Parolled, exchanged, and returned to duty in Dec., 1862.
1. William H. Taylor .... Drummer.
2: Wilson Jones. ... l'ifer. In hospital, April 3d, 1863.
3. Stephen Arnold .... Dishonorably discharged by sentence of a gen- eral court-martial.
4. James HI. Bennett. ... Detached in 104th Pennsylvania Battery, June 24th, 1862. Deserted from the battery ; is confined at Harper's Ferry.
5. Olin L. Bennett. .. . Killed in battle of Antietam, Ma., Sept. 17tb, 1862.
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
6. Dennis' Brenien .... Wounded in the leg by musket-ball at Antie- tam, Sept. 17th, 1862.
7. Jesse G. Bowman .... Sick in Fort Schuyler.
8. John H. Bellis .... Wounded in hip by musket-ball in battle of An- tietam.
9. George B. Babcock. ... Appointed Sergeant Aug. 1st, 1861. Dis- charged for disability May 8th, 1862.
10. Edwin Colony.
11. John Chubuck. ... Wounded in arm by musket-ball at Antietam.
12. William H. Clark.
13. Beriah C. Clark .... Discharged Jan. 16th, 1863.
14. Stephen Chilson .... Detached in battery B 4th Artillery. Returned Feb. 8th. 1863.
15. Alonso M. Crosman .... Taken prisoner at Bull Run Ang. 30th, 1862. Sick at Camp Parol, Annapolis, Md., April 3d. 1863.
16. Alfred S. Cramner .... Wounded in battle of Antietam, Sept. 17th, 1862. Discharged Jan. 16th, 1863.
17. James A. Derby .... Wounded in breast and arm at Bull Run, Aug. 30th. Taken prisoner at Centreville, and parolled by Colonel Flourny, C. A. Exchanged and returned to duty.
18. George Elliott.
19. Ethan A. Edwards. ... Detached to battery L Ist N. Y. Artillery, Sept. 27th, 1862. Returned to Company. Feb. 8th, 1863.
20. William H. Edminster .... Wounded in bip with musket-ball in battle of Antietam. Discharged. Date not known.
21. John F. French .... Wounded in arm in battle of Antietam by musket-ball. In hospital at Fort Schuyler, April 3d, 1863.
22. David Fleet .... Deserted from hospital Oct. 31st, 1862.
23. Uriah F. Fauver .... Died at Fredericksburg, Va., Aug. 7th, 1862.
24. Samuel C. Fauver.
25. William H. Foster.
26. Parker Foster.
27. Levi Force .... Appointed Corporal Aug. 7th, 1861. Promoted Sergeant, Nor. 1st, 1862.
28. John Gitchell. :.. Discharged for disability, July 20th, 1861.
29. Marshall Hallett.
30. Elijah Hallett .... Appointed Corporal Aug. 1st, 1861. Wounded in battle of Bull Run, Aug. 80th, 1862. Discharged Nov. 18th, 1862.
31. Walter Higgins. ... Discharged for disability. Aug. Sth, 1861.
82. Charles Hathaway .... Detached in battery B 4th Artillery, June 8th, 1862. Wounded in battle of Antietam. Died of his wounds at Smoketown, Md.
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STATISTICAL HISTORY OF
33. Charles Harris .... Detached in battery B 4th Artillery, June 8th, 1862. Returned to Company, Feb. Sth, 1863.
34. Henry Ives .... Detached in 104th Pennsylvania Battery, June 25th, 1862. Wounded in the arm near Sulphur Springs, Va., Nov. 15th, 1862. Arm amputated.
35. Llewellyn Jersey .... Appointed Corporal Nov. 1st, 1862.
36. Cash W. Johnson.
37. Beekman D. King. ... Wounded in the side at the battle of Antietam.
38. George H. Marwain.
39. William T. Moon.
40. Edward Morgan.
41. Reuben C. Morgan. ... Appointed Corporal Aug. 1st, 1861. Wound- ed Ang. 30th, at Bull Run. Discharged Dec. 30th, 1862.
42. Charles H. McOmber. Discharged for disability May 21st, 1862.
43. Luke G. Maxson.
44. William H. Manhart.
45. Charles H. Mckinney .... Appointed Corporal May 8th, 1862. Died Sept. 18th, 1862. of wounds received in battle of Antietam. Sept. 17th, 1862.
46. Ami W. Osgood .... Appointed Corporal Sept. 18th, 1862.
47. Anson Prentiss.
48. John Phillips .... Discharged for disability Nov. 12th, 1861.
49. Benjamin V. Price ... . In convalescent camp, Alexandria, April 3d, 1863.
50. John Pawling. .. . Discharged Aug. Sth, 1861, for disability.
51. Robert R. Robinson. ... Discharged July 23d, 1861. Subsequently died.
52. Freeman Renslow .... In convalescent camp, Alexandria, April 3d, 1863.
53. Lorenzo D. Smith.
54. Cornelius P. Smith. ... Died at Arlington Heights, Aug. 26th, 1861.
55. Joseph Q. Senter.
56. David Sprague. ... Discharged for disability Oct. 23d, 1861.
57. Alexander Stewart.
58. John T. Sholze.
59. David S. Taylor. .. . Discharged Oct. 17th. 1861.
60. Samuel C. Taylor ... . Discharged from New York City Hospital for disability.
61. Nathan Thomas. .. . Detached in 104th Pennsylvania Battery, 9th Army Corps, June 25th, 1862.
62. William H. Van Scoter. . In hospital (this date), April 3d, 1963.
63. Hudson J. Van Scoter.
64. William K. Wentworth. Appointed Corporal Nov. Ist, 1862.
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
65. Albert Wheaton .... Wounded in the hip at battle of Antietam. 66. Orrin P. Wakefield .... Appointed Corporal Aug. 1st, 1861; been in hospital since May 25th, 1862.
Recruits.
67. Henry Hathaway .... Enlisted Oct. Ist. 1861.
68. William H. Baker .... Transferred from Company D Nov. 1st, 1861. Discharged Jan. 26th, 1863.
69. Sylvanus A. Zimmerman. .. . Enlisted Aug. 29th, 1862.
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STATISTICAL HISTORY OF
Original Roll of Company B, and Record of Changes made during Two Years' Service.
1. MARSHAL M. LOYDON ... . Captain, received commission April 27th, 1861. Resigned Sept. 23d, 1861.
2. LEMUEL K. BRADLEY. ... 1st Lieutenant, received commission April 27th, 1861.
3. WILLIAM COLE .... 2d Lieutenant, received commission April 27th, 1861. Promoted Captain Sept. 23d, 1861.
1. Lucien B. Main .... Ist Sergeant. Appointed April 27th. 1861. Promoted 2d Lieutenant Sept. 23d, 1861. Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 30th, 1862.
2. Leroy D. Setchell. .2d Sergeant. Appointed April 27th, 1861.
3. Joseph F. Barker .... 3d Sergeant. Appointed April 27th, 1861. Wounded at South Mountain Sept. 14th, 1862. Reduced to the ranks Jan. Ist. 1863.
4. Arthur A. Coon .... 4th Sergeant. Appointed Color-bearer April 27th, 1861.
1. Ansel B. Roberts. ... 1st Corporal. Appointed April 27th, 1861.
2. Erastus W. Willard .... 2d Corporal. Appointed April 27th, 1861. Promoted Hospital Steward Dec., 1861.
3. Charles E. Coon .... 3d Corporal. Appointed April 27th, 1861. Discharged for disability Jan. 20th, 1863.
4. James M. Lewis. . . 4th Corporal. Appointed April 27th, 1861.
1. John M. Mason .... Musician. Discharged for disability Aug. 10th, 1861.
2. William F. Mason. .. . Musician. Discharged for disability Feb. 17th, 1862.
3. Leonard F. Aldrich.
4. William C. Applebee .... Discharged for disability March 9th, 1863.
5. Charles R. Aldrich.
6. Charles J. Allen.
7. Inelson Blakely.
8. Alanson L. Beebe .... Died April 20th, 1862.
9. Azel Buckley.
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
10. Jerome B. Bigelow.
11. Stephen F. Bartle .... Appointed Sergeant Aug. 1st, 1861. Pro- moted 1st Sergeant Jan. 1st, 1862.
12. Elias B. Coats.
13. Charles Carr.
14. Orlando F. Carman.
15. John Coats.
16. Alson L. Durkee.
17. Addison Evans.
18. John H. Eldredge .... Appointed Corporal Jan. 1st, 1862. Pro- moted Sergeant Jan. 1st, 1863.
19. William S. Ebner.
20. Ambrose Foot.
21. Cyrus P. Fuller .... Deserted July 3d, 1861.
22. Caleb A. Hotchkiss .... Discharged for disability Jan. 16th, 1863.
23. Lyman P. Hotchkiss.
24. Charles O. Halliday.
25. William W. Halliday.
26. Charles F. Hyde.
27. William H. Hall.
28. James Hall.
29. Otice Kingsbury.
30. Orlo T. Kingsbury. ... Appointed Corporal Aug. Ist, 1861.
31. Edson H. Keller .... Discharged for disability Aug. 26th, 1862.
32. Edward Kelley.
33. Lewis M. Lamb.
34. Frank M. Lockwood.
35. Randall Longcore .... Discharged for disability Dec. 29th, 1862.
36. Samuel F. McGee .... Died of dropsy of the heart Feb. 18th, 1862. 37. Edgar P. Main.
38. Alfonso L. Markee.
20. Harvy Markee. ."- M. Miner .... Discharged for disability Nov. 6th. 1861. -rell. . Appointed Corporal Jan. Ist, 1863.
42. Charles Killed in battle of Fredericksburg by shell Dec. 1_ :
43. William Nichols. I for disability April 28th, 1862.
. 44. Harvy Norton.
45. Frederick Osborn.
46. William A. Odell .... Discharged for disability March 9th, 1862. 47. Joseph Otto.
48. Joel S. Otto. . . . Appointed Corporal Jan. 1st, 1883.
49. Stephen H. Peekharn .... Appointed Corporal Aug. 1st, 1861. Dis- charged for disability Nov. 6th, 1862.
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STATISTICAL HISTORY OF
50. Samuel S. Randolph. ... Appointed Corporal Aug. 1st, 1861. Pro- moted Sergeant Jan. 1st, 1862.
51. Henry D. Sizer.
52. Lewis Stickney.
53. Byron Sturges.
54. Lucien B. Scott. ... Appointed Corporal Jan. 1st, 1862.
55. Jefferson Scott.
56. Rufus Scott .... Discharged Sept., 1862, because promoted Major of 130th Regiment New York Volunteers.
57. Daniel Streeter .... Discharged for disability Aug. 6th, 1862.
58. Josiah B. Swartwood .... Appointed Corporal Jan. Ist. 1863.
59. Morton Spencer .... Wounded in arm at Fredericksburg Dec. 13th, 1862.
60. Eugene G. Snyder .... Appointed Corporal Aug. 1st, 1861. Trans- ferred to the regulars in Sept., 1862.
61. James W. Underhill.
62. Robert H. Tucker .... Discharged for disability Sept. 17th, 1861.
63. Harvy Van Horn .... Discharged for disability Nov. 15th, 1861.
64. Chancy Wells.
65. Addison C. Walker.
66. Marvin A. Wixson.
67. Stephen Wait. ... Discharged for disability Dec. 29th, 1861.
Recruits.
68. Birnay G. Bartle. ... Enlisted Aug. 30th, 1862, for 3 years.
69. Samuel F. Burdick .... Enlisted Aug. 28th, 1862, for 3 years.
70. Oscar M. Coats .... Enlisted Dec. 31st, 1861.
71. Levi F. Compton . Enlisted August 14th, 1862, for 3 years.
72. Charles Foster. ... Enlisted Aug. 30th, 1862, for 3 years.
73. Delazon A. Jordon .... Enlisted Aug. 27th, 1862, for 3 years.
74. James M. Leo .... Enlisted Jan. 8th, 1861, for balance of time. De- serted Sept. 7th, 1863.
75. William L. Monagle .... Enlisted Dec. 31st, 1861, for balance of time. Drowned in Rappahannock May 10th, 1862.
76. Emmet Merrill ... . Eulisted Aug. 29th, 1862, for 3 years.
77. Orrin P. Odell .... Enlisted Dec. 31st, 1861. Discharged for disa- bility Jan. 17th, 1863.
78. Edwin N. Preston .... Enlisted Dec. 31st, 1861, for balance of time. Claimed as a deserter from the 47th Pennsylvania Volun- teers.
79. William Pendleton. ... Enlisted Aug. 30th, 1862, for 3 years.
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
80. Hendrick W. Shedd .... Enlisted Jan. 7th, 1861, for balance of time. 81. Wilson G. Wilcox .... Enlisted Aug. 28th, 1862, for 3 years.
82. Henry Wallace .... Enlisted Aug. 29th, 1862, for 3 years.
83. Edwin C. Bradley .... Enlisted Feb. 5th, 1862, for balance of time.
Men started from Elmira for the seat of war July 5th, 1861, 781 Number of recruits received since. 132
Number of officers resigned. 12
Number of enlisted men discharged 175
Number died 32
Number killed and died of wounds received 18
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MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
OF THE
TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT, N. Y. V.
BELIEVING that it will not be uninteresting to the general reader, we have endeavored to present a brief record of the MEDICAL DEPARTMENT of this regiment. In the economy of armies the importance of this de- partment has never been properly appreciated. Form- ing as it does an entirely distinct mission, the unselfish performance of his duties by the medical officer, with an eye only to the successful practice of his art, in the final reckoning he is almost forgotten. We attribute this in a great measure to the unobtrusive nature of his duties. The warrior goes forth in the face of the multi- tude a candidate for their acclamation or fear of deri- sion ; he fulfills his duty. The surgeon faces death in the form of pestilence, and without hope of earthly re- ward achieves equally great successes.
We offer these few prefatory remarks, that in the gratitude of your heart for the blessings our armies shall bring on the country in the shape of a happy Union, the Army Surgeon may not be forgotten.
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MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
Among all of the incidents and minutiæe of almost every department of the army which the novelty and nature of the war has made of interest to every home in our land, in my reading I have failed to notice a de- scription of the field duties of the surgeon. It may not be out of place, therefore, to thus preface the medical record.
Our men, wearied with continued marching, collect around their camp fires, for with the twilight come thoughts of home-for this rude circle is a home to each-for the spirits of those who sit silently gazing on the embers follow each spark to some image of sweet remembrance. The day's march has brought them to the gates of the enemy's castle. Orders from head- quarters have just been received anticipating a battle. Baggage trains are ordered to the rear, ammunition in full complement distributed to the men, and five days' cooked rations ordered in haversacks. At daybreak we will advance. We take our writing-desk and seek for some quiet nook where we can write home a fare- well letter that will be read only in case the morrow shall consummate our earthly destiny. . With a univer- sal sentiment all seek solitude for a like purpose.
The "reveille" greets the sun, and after a hasty breakfast the knapsacks are fixed. The Chaplain is now the recipient of more attention than is afforded him on any other occasion, for he will remain behind, and letters, watches, money, and other valuables are intrusted to his care, to be delivered to friends should death change their ownership.
The column begins its march, passing in its course roadside stations, where bands of music brace up the soldier's heart by discourse of enlivening strains. Our progress is interrupted by the mass who have gone
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
before. The road is choked ; the interval serves for rest and, as it seems, reflection. The future has forced the present to examine itself. As we take up our march we find at intervals the roads strewn with playing-cards and Confederate money, which the men have put off, for should accident befall them, such. evidences about them would scarce prompt a eu- logy.
We reach a plain fenced in by mountains. Again we halt. We notice a flash from a hill followed by a whizzing sound seeming so uncomfortably near that we all stoop. A bursting shell falls in our midst, and we know the enemy is near. This was but a signal fol- lowed by a shower of such missiles around our devoted heads. The recruit, new to realities of war, with stout heart drives back the thrill of terror that will visit the bravest when first called to face death, and that by the fall of the companion by his side.
Until this stage of proceeding the surgeon keeps his place with the regiment ; but now that the battle rages he seeks a position near the regiment, but out of range of the batteries, and putting up his red flag awaits his duties. Stretcher-bearers-three to each regiment -- remain directly with it, and when their services are needed they convey the wounded to the post where the surgeon is prepared to render temporary aid and for- ward to the general division hospital for final dispo- sition.
During the progress of the battle, when his regiment is not directly under fire, he frequently reviews them, and daily is required to furnish to the Medical Director of the army a statement of the number and nature of wounds received by those under his charge.
At night active hostilities in the field cease; the sur-
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MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
geon repairs to the hospital, and sleep visits him not until the suffering have received all the aid in his power to bestow.
We do not believe it necessary to defend our profes- sion against the calumnies thrust upon army surgeons, averring that a useless heartlessness is exhibited in the performance of their duties, and that the operations on the field are often unnecessary and performed with little regard to the rules of science and teachings of human- ity; in every age our profession have silently borne these slurs, knowing they they could only emanate from an ignorant or malicious source ; but we feel that full justice will be awarded us by leaving our verdict in the hands of those who best know us-the soldiers of our army.
We would call attention to the no less arduous duties of the surgeon in camp. Typhoid, intermittent and re- mittent fevers, malignant diarrheas and dysentery, will require his constant care, for exposure, lying on the ground, etc., render the soldier always liable to suffer from these diseases. His constant watchfulness is necessary to prevent imposition by men who feign disease to shirk duty.
The almost womanly tenderness with which J. C. May, Henry Coleman, and G. A. Williams performed their duties as hospital nurses entitle them to special notice in this connection, and they will be remembered with affectionate interest by many who, while low with fever, unyielding to the aid science affords, by their careful attention were guided to a successful termina. tion.
The United States Sanitary Commission is entitled to great credit and gratitude for the energetic discharge of its mission. We would not attempt to embody onr
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THE TWENTY-THIRD.
thanks in language, but the hearts of thousands whose lives have been spared, and the friends of others whose path to the grave has been made smooth by the friendly exertions of this great charity, will ever pray for the prosperity of its sustainers.
Much might be said of base advantage taken of this charity by unprincipled persons in the army ; but as we have no remedy to suggest, we simply refer to it with sorrow to think that such can be.
After a rigid inspection, seven hundred and seventy (770) men were passed by the medical examiner and enlisted, forming the Twenty-third Regiment New York Volunteers. These men had been taken from almost every class of society. A large proportion of them were farmers' sons, while still a goodly number were composed of clerks, students, and others from towns. Strange as it may appear, but proven by facts, those who have lived in the country, and one would suppose become inured to hardships of out-door experience, when exposed to camp life do not thrive as well under the change as the denizens of towns and citizens who have been more tenderly reared. Our regiment, com- posed, as it is, of a class midway between the exposed farmer and the pampered citizen, entered the service under peculiarly favorable auspices.
At the forming of the regiment, Seymour Churchill, M.D., of Owego, was appointed Surgeon, and William A. Madill, M.D., of Palmyra, Assistant-Surgeon. Un- der this organization they went into barracks at El- mira. The change of diet and other circumstances of life soon exhibited its results. Measles became epi- demic, and over one hundred cases appeared, many of which were complicated with slight attacks of pneumonia. Dysentery also appeared in a mild
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MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF
form, both of which diseases yielded to the usual rem- edies.
On the fifth day of July, 1861, the regiment left their barracks and proceeded by railway to the city of Washington, and encamped on Meridian Hill. This camp was situated on a high bluff, facing south. Measles and dysentery continued to afflict the troops, to which was added a stubborn form of diarrhea, two to three hundred cases daily requiring treatment. Fort Runyon, to which the regiment moved its camp, presented a plain, surrounded with marshes. This low, miasmatic district immediately brought with it the diseases resulting from the influence of its poison. Remittent and intermittent fevers of a low type be- came prevalent, but yielded to simple remedies. The diarrhea remained stubborn, while the measles com- pletely disappeared. From thence the camp was re- moved to Arlington Heights, on a level plain at an elevation of 200 feet from the level of the river. The camp was made in a dense forest, with heavy under- brush, and a thick deposit of decayed vegetable mat- ter. We remained at this camp about two months, during which time typhoid fever made its appearance. Fifteen cases occurred, two of which died. Diarrhea continued unabated. While at this camp, men were engaged in clearing away wood for the building of a fort, when one man lost his life by the fall of a tree, striking him on the head, causing concussion of the brain. One man died from eating poisoned berries. Also at this camp, the men were engaged much on picket duty. While on this duty several skirmishes took place-the most important, the battle of Cow's Run, in which engagement one man was killed. He was shot by a musket-ball severing the ascending aorta.
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