M. A. Pallen to Medical Director, October 23, 1862
Holly Springs, October 23, 1862.
Sre: I have the honor to report that the sanitary condition of the army under your command is now rapidly improving. âThe exposure incidental to the late exhausting marches and terrific battles did in great measure produce considerable sickness. Most of the sick have been removed to the general hospitals in the rear, on and convenient to the railroads. The conduct of the medical department has not been such as I would altogether desire, but allowance must be made for the great confusion incidental to the rapid organization of your command, its celerity of movement to the attack, and the disorganization which ensued from the engagements of the 3d, 4th, and 5th of the present month. Proper retugns are now completed, and will be forwarded to the Surgeon-Generalâs Office at the earliest practicable moment. Not902 WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS. [Cuar. XXIX.
withstanding the great numbers of wounded, it affords me unalloyed pleasure to state that the majority of the wounds are slight, and the recipients thereof will in a very short period of time be able to report for duty. The destructiveness of the enemyâs artillery was very great; hence the apparent increase in the proportion of the killed, which is usually about one eighth or ninth. The total number killed and wounded was 2,655, of which number 512 were killed and 2,143 wounded. _
The loss in officers was absolutely trightful, being more than one-sixth of the whole number, which speaks in thunder-tones of the heroism and self-devotion of a band of brothers worthy of imitation, and always to be remembered by a grateful country. Many of them now sleep the sleep of the brave, and as the silent tear of regret starts from its griefbed, the memories of their deeds will stand forth entwined with the recollections of their soldier companions in arms who fell, as they followed through the storm of death, as monuments of Southern valor and devotedness more durable than marble and more brilliant than polished gold.
I have the honor to be, yours, most respectfully,
Medical Director.
Mr. ROBERTSâ HOUSE,
One Mile from Coldwater, November 6, 1862â6.15 p. m.
General EARL VAN Dory,
Commanding Army:
GENERAL: I am sorry that the reports sent you by myself have not
reached you. While 1 am in command of all the cavalry, it is impossible for me to be with all at the same time. I directed Colonel [J. T.]