For troops at a greater distance from this center I think a greater to George A. McCall, January 7, 1862

January 7, 1862.

the State of Pennsylvania for McCall’s brigade, I have the honor to report.that the quartermaster in charge of these carriages informs me he has receipted to Lieutenant-Colonel Crosman for all that have

arrived here up to December 31, 1861. I am further informed upon

* inquiry that he has no transport carts on hand. Upon the inspection -of General McCall’s division by Dr. Milhau, inspector of hospitals, on

the 5th of December, they had 22 two-wheeled and 2 four-wheeled am- bulanees and 1 transport cart. Four of the two-wheeled are reported broken at this date, but as fifteen days elapsed before they were wanted, . they must have been repaired if proper attention was given to their

condition. There have been reported to me 34 men wounded in General

— Ord’s late action. I suppose this to be correct, as the brigade surgeons – are required by General Orders, No. 20, of 1861, to report to me within

twenty-four hours after an action the names, &c., of the wounded, and

t I have always found General McCall’s brigade surgeons very punctual – in the performance of their duties. There was then in General MeCall’s

camp sufficient transportation for the wounded. Why it was not sent to

the battle-field I don’t know. : We have at this point 48 four-wheeled ambulances in use and 23 in

— depot, and 84 two-wheeled in use and 230 in depot. Of the four- – wheeled we want 20 here constantly. ‘That will leave 28 for distribu- – tion, if it should be decided upon. : ;

But it has been the poliey to withdraw these carriages from distribution to the camps in this vicinity, because in case of an action in front

they ean be readily sent in a few hours to any point or points where they may be required and in suitable numbers to different points. If

distributed, those on the extreme right might be wanted on the extreme left or the reverse, and thus delay would be incurred in commanding them; whereas if kept here a telegram or a mounted orderly would

put them in their proper position in a few hours. Again, if distributed,

for want of shelter and want of care they would inevitably get out of

order in a short time. I am confirmed in this opinion by Dr. Stocker’s

letter. With all his care he reports them as being uncomfortable for TR R—VOL V.

38 . “OPERATIONS IN MD., N..VA, AND W. VA. Omae XIV.

the wounded, because they have been used to carry articles never intended to go in them. Because we have now for the first time ambu- —

lances in the army it does not follow that they are to be used, or rather abused, by employing them as baggage-wagons. For earrying tents, cooking utensils, and provisions ordinary wagons should be used. Transport carts are intended for the field supply of medicines and stores and stretchers on a march. If there are no transport carts, these articles must be transported in common wagons. Ambulances should never be used for this purpose. The sooner the volunteer medical officers learn this the better. I cannot advise any increased ambulance transportation to be issued to divisions within reach of me in a few hours until this lesson is learned. It must be observed that whatever indulgences are accorded to one division must be accorded to another, and however careful General McCall’s officers may be, it is possible even they may not be able to prevent the abuses I have adverted to above. I know that in one of the best divisions of the army an ambulance was loaded with ammunition

by order of a colonel of a regiment of

volunteers to go to a sham fight. We shall want all our ambulances,

and want them in good order, at some not distant day, and if I can

preserve them in such order I will endeavor to do it.

For troops at a greater distance from this center I think a greater .

issue of ambulance transportation is necessary ; accordingly General

Banks and General Stone’s divisions have been supplied. On the 11th

of December, in a letter to you, I recommended an increased issue to

Hookers division. I have not been informed if it was ordered. If