. Chas. S. Tripler to S. Williams, October 29, 1861

Medical Director’s Office, October 29, 1861.

GENERAL:

I have the honor to report that, in obedience to the orders “of Major-General McClellan, I proceeded to Annapolis, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York for the purpose of making arrangements – for the sick of the Army of the Potomac. I wished, if possible, to . evacuate all the hospitals upon the Potomac, at Annapolis, and Baltimore upon Philadelphia and New York, and also to ascertain how much – hospital accommodation could be depended upon at Annapolis and Baltimore. At Annapolis a portion only of the public buildings is at present occupied for hospital purposes. I would recommend that all the buildings at that point should be fitted up as hospitals, and the establishment could then accommodate 1,200 patients. At Baltimore there are two hotels and three dwelling-houses now occupied. These buildings can . receive in cold weather, when windows and doors are to be kept closed, but 310 patients. The rents paid for them amount to $12,900. At such an extravagant rate I did not think it advisable to negotiaté for any extension of hospital accommodation in Baltimore. I then proceeded to Philadelphia and made inquiries for buildings suitable for our purposes. Several large and small buildings were

suggested to me as available. I estimated for about 4,000 beds as likely to be wanted in Philadelphia and New York, and therefore, after procuring the assistance of the quartermaster and some of my professional friends in looking up convenient buildings, I went to New York to see what could be done there. In that city I was unable to accomplish anything. After several days’ delay, I could only procure one offer, and that was to accommodate 250 men in the New York Hospital at $5 per week each. This I considered altogether too high. The commissioners of emigration have six buildings on Staten Island, capable of accommodating 125 men each, that they have placed at the disposal of the governor of the State for barracks for volunteers. These buildings the quartermaster-general of the State told me we might occupy,. provided the United States would put up rough board barracks for the accommodation of the volunteers. I did not think it best to accept this offer. If we are to build, it would be better to build here than there. It would be both hazardous to the men and expensive to the Treasury

to send patients to Staten Island. It would involve the increased cost ~~

` of transportation from Philadelphia to New York and back in each case, and the additional cost of a steamer to convey the men from the depot at Jersey City to the island. The distance of the island from the city also would create great difficulty in subsisting the men there. For these. reasons I felt obliged to give up the idea of availing ourselves of any assistance from New York. Upon my return, to Philadelphia I visited, examined, and requested the quartermaster to hire the following buildings and to fit them up for hospitals: Ã

lst. The National Hall, on Market, below Thirteenth street. It will accommodate 350 patients. The rent is $425 per month.

2d. The Reading Railroad Depot, corner of Broad and Arch streets. It will accommodate 400 patients. The rent is $1,750 per annum.

3d. A paper factory, corner of Twenty-second and Wood streets. Will accommodate 275 patients. Rent not ascertained.

4th. The State Arsenal. Will accommodate 350 patients. For this I think no rent will be demanded. It is under the control of General Patterson, who told me he would write to the governor on the subject, and that I might rely upon having it. des

5th. A silk factory, corner of Twenty-second and South streets. It will accommodate 160 patients. Rent, $150 per month.

6th. The Summit House. It will accommodate 100 patients. Rent, $150 per month. :

In addition to these accommodations, we are offered 150 beds at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and 150 at the Pennsylvania Hospital, at $3.50 per week each. This, after a careful calculation, I find to -be about what it costs to furnish any hospital accommodation to our men. The sum

asked includes everything— medicines, stores, fuel, lights, medical at-. tendance, Sic. I therefore earnestly recommend that these offers be

accepted immediately. We can avail ourselves of them at once, to relieve our erowded hospitals in Washington.

This gives a total accommodation of 1,935 beds. When prepared, this will just about relieve the present general hospitals on the Potomac, in Annapolis, and Baltimore. The rents are very reasonable, averaging about $9 per man per annum, whereas in Baltimore the average is more than $40.

To carry out these plans the authority of the Quartermaster-General for hiring the buildings and making the necessary improvements is required. I respectfully ask that it may be obtained. :

For the bedding, furniture, and medical attendance the action of the

p us Lud E

Surgeon-General will be necessary. It was my intention to ask for the appointment of Dr. John Neill, of Philadelphia, as brigade surgeon, and to place him in charge of the whole Philadelphia establishment, giving him for assistants a suitable number of young physicians, to be empleyed by contract. These can be procured in Philadelphia at $50 per month each. The economy and efficiency of the whole arrangement I hope will be perceived. * > X

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

. CHAS. S. TRIPLER,

Surgeon and Medical Director Army of the Potomac.

General S. WILLIAMS,

Assistant Adjutant- General, Army of the Potomac.

[Appendix K.]