Hospital Facilities-Ships, Tents, Ambulances; Military Targets?

Actually yes, as the position seems to be that it was ok to fire on ships carrying wounded men as they were also carrying war supplies..I'd like to know how could the bushwackers or others firing on these ships possible know what was being transported which would make it ok to fire on them..

I can think of several ways.....1) Seeing cotton, armaments, etc? Armed men on deck? 2) An insider passing information? 3) A spy seeing those items loaded at another site? 4) Someone actually on the boat, signalling? 4) The bane of Sherman and Davis--the press--reporting what the boat was carrying? 5) The way the boat is riding in the water? A boat heavily loaded with cannon in addition to wounded would probably be a bit heavier....

I'm sure there might be others. Point is, I don't think it would take a rocket scientist, and I can easily imagine bushwackers in particular would have a pretty good spy network--or they would undoubtedly be out of business quickly.
 
Perhaps this might be of interest:

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLI/1 [S# 83]
SEPTEMBER 11-25, 1864.--Operations in the Cherokee Nation, Ind. Ter. ...
No. 5.--Report of Maj. John A. Foreman, Third Indian Home Guard.

CABIN CREEK, September 20, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report:
The train has been captured on the 19th instant, one-half burned and the balance carried away. The destruction is complete. Colonel Williams, with his brigade, came upon them at Pryor's Creek, and after an artillery duel, the enemy retreated southwest. They crossed the Arkansas River, strewing the road with quartermaster and commissary stores. On reaching this point I found Doctor Ritchie at his post, and only for his remaining the wounded would have been murdered and the hospital sacked, all of which has been saved by his prompt and efficient conduct. I will finish burying the dead to-morrow, and collect such Government property that I find scattered, of which I will report to-morrow. I will move on the 22d to the Neosho Crossing. There I will await orders, expecting such from Fort Scott, to escorting the next train down.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. FOREMAN,
Major Third Indian Home Guard.
Col. C. W. BLAIR,
Fort Scott, Kans.
-------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XIII [S# 19]
MAY 19, 1862.--Skirmish at Searcy Landing, Ark.
No. 3. -- Report of Col. Francis Hassendeubel, Seventeenth Missouri Infantry, commanding First Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, THIRD DIVISION,
Camp, Searcy Landing, June 1, 1862.
GENERAL: I herewith respectfully submit to you the following report in relation to the fight south of the Little Red River, near Searcy Landing, Ark., May 19, 1862:
In compliance with your orders I proceeded from Camp Lyon, situated l miles north of Little Red River, where the main body of your division was encamped, to Searcy Landing, where the Seventeenth Missouri Volunteers, two companies of the Third Missouri, and one company of the Twelfth Missouri Infantry, with two long 12-pounder howitzers and two mountain howitzers, with one company of the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, were stationed.
[extensive excerpt as not germane to topic]
Soon the volleys of infantry, sounding more and more distant as they repeated themselves, informed me that Lieutenant-Colonel Cramer had met and routed the enemy. He sent in for ambulances to carry away the wounded. I dispatched four ambulances under an escort of 12 men. Assistant Surgeon Dr. Krumsick, of the Third Missouri, had proceeded in advance of the ambulances to the scene of action, but was captured by the enemy, who had rallied in strong force between Lieutenant-Colonel Cramer's command and the landing. They also fired at the ambulances, driving away the escort and drivers, cut loose the horses and broke the ambulances, which were, however, afterward recovered and repaired.

Lieutenant-Colonel Cramer, hearing of an attack in his rear and the enemy before him utterly routed, swept with his command back through the timber to the camp, bringing the wounded and some of the killed with him, when immediately afterward you arrived at the landing.

For particulars in relation to the engagement I respectfully refer to the inclosed reports of Lieutenant-Colonel Cramer,(*) Captain Wilhelmi, Lieutenants Fischer and Neun.
Respectfully,
F. HASSENDEUBEL,
Colonel, Commanding First Brigade, Third Division.
Brigadier-General OSTERHAUS,
Commanding Third Division.
-------------------------

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 7 [S# 7]
FEBRUARY 12-16, 1862.--Siege and Capture of Fort Donelson, Tennessee.
No. 39. -- Report of Col. Charles Cruft, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, commanding First Brigade.

HDQRS. 1ST BRIG., 3D DIV., DEPT. WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Henry, February 18, 1862.
I have the honor to report to you the part taken in the reduction of Fort Donelson and the fortifications near Dover, Tenn., on the 15th instant, by the First Brigade of your division. The brigade was composed of the Thirty-first Indiana Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Osborn temporarily commanding; Twenty-fifth Kentucky Volunteers, Col. James M. Shackelford;eight companies of the Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, Col. Hugh B. Reed, and the Seventeenth Kentucky Volunteers, Col. John H. McHenry.
[extensive excerpt not germane to the topic]
The firing had now ceased on all sides. It being impossible to communicate with General Wallace or get dispatches to him, and information being casually received that the main line had been established farther back, it was deemed prudent to retire upon it. This was accordingly done, and the brigade was formed in column and marched to the high ground just north of the hospital buildings, with a view to protect them, to form part of the main line and to watch the enemy on our right. Upon communicating with the general commanding division, the position was regarded by him as well taken, and the order given to hold it at all hazards. Here the men rested on their arms for some time, having been hotly engaged with the enemy at intervals for more than three hours.

This concluded our engagement of the morning. The brigade remained in position on the extreme right (a short distance from Colonel Thayer's brigade), in view of the enemy during the subsequent action at the center, holding him in check and protecting the hospital. During the engagement at the center a volley was fired on the hospital by the enemy's sharpshooters from the hills to the right, and but for the presence of the brigade it would doubtless have been taken. In this position valuable information was obtained as to the enemy's movements on the right. From this point dispatches were sent and here subsequently General Wallace met me.

The ground on which the action occurred is a succession of hills and ravines, covered with a thick undergrowth of oak bushes. The deadened leaves of the oak shrubs were almost identical in color with the brown jean uniforms of the enemy, and rendered it almost impossible to distinguish their line until a fire revealed its locality. This fact, together with the character of the ground, gave the enemy a great advantage, and spread a feeling of uncertainty among the men as to the location of the attacking lines. It is impossible to say with accuracy what force of the enemy was encountered. From the best observations that could be made it is believed that there were at least five regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, the whole under command of Col. Roger W. Hanson.
[excerpt]
I am, captain, very respectfully, yours, &c.,
CHARLES CRUFT,
Colonel, Commanding.
Capt. FRED. KNEFLER,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division.
---------------------------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXII/1 [S# 32]
JULY 4, 1863.--Attack on Helena, Ark.
No. 29.--Reports of Surg. W. M. McPheeters, C. S. Army.
HOSPITAL AT MR. ALLEN POLK'S,
July 6, 1863.
SIR: A squad of Federal cavalry, under command of Colonel Clayton, took possession of this hospital about 1 p.m. to-day. General Ross, whose brigade was stationed near by, soon came up, when all the wounded remaining on hand were paroled, amounting to 72 in all. I had previously sent off on yesterday and to-day 63 of the more slightly wounded, including 5 nurses. Prior to the arrival of the troops, some five or six shot and shell were fired at the hospital, some of which came within a few feet of the main building, and one struck and fell inside of one of the cabins in which the wounded were lying. This induced me to address a communication to the Federal commander, informing him that this building was occupied as a hospital, and asking him to respect our wounded, but before it was sent Colonel Clayton came up, to whom it was delivered. He stated that he had not observed our yellow flag, but that as soon as he saw it he had sent back and ordered the artillery to cease firing. They remained about an hour. We had nothing to complain of in their treatment. Indeed, General Ross stated that, if we desired it, our wounded here might be sent into Helena, where they could have ice and other comforts; but as they are comfortable here, and as we will probably have an opportunity to send most of them forward to Trenton, where the others have gone, I think I shall not avail myself of his offer. Our wounded are almost all doing remarkably well. Only one death has yet occurred--Private [E.] Strickland, Company I, Gause's regiment, McRae's brigade. As yet I have had no means of ascertaining, with any certainty, the number of our killed and wounded remaining in possession of the enemy. The officers and men varied very much in their statements, some estimating the number at 400, others at 800, showing evidently that it was all guess-work with them. One officer stated to me that they had sent off 570 prisoners on one boat, on the evening of the 4th, including Colonel [L.M.] Lewis. Captain [J. R.] Morris, of Company H, Gause's regiment, who was reported killed, they say was taken prisoner. In the confusion of their occupation of the hospital, I was unable to learn as to the fate of others of our command.

Federal] officers and men seemed to be in the finest possible spirits over the surrender of Vicksburg, which they assert took place on the 4th, unconditionally, and without a fight, with 22,700 prisoners. General Grant, they say, first sent up a boat with the news of the surrender, and subsequently another giving the number of prisoners. He massed his forces, they say, and marched in unopposed. As marvelous as this is, the officers and men evidently believe it, and when Port Hudson is taken, they say they will have complete possession of the Mississippi River. I could get no definite information as to General Lee's army. One officer remarked that the news from Pennsylvania was "very much mixed." As soon as the wounded here are sent off, or in a condition to be left, I shall start to join your headquarters. Dr. Cunningham left yesterday evening for Trenton, thence for Little Rock, thinking that he could do more good in the latter place. Drs. [C. D.] Baer, [J. H.] Swindells, [A. N.] Kincannon, and Burckhart are still here. Mr. Polk is exceedingly kind, giving not only his house and everything in it, but his personal services to our wounded.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. M. McPHEETERS,
Surgeon in Charge of Hospital.
Maj. Gen. STERLING PRICE.
P. S.--Since writing the above, Private John W. Haynes, Company A, Glenn's regiment, has died. Dr. McNair, of Bell's regiment, has also arrived from Helena, having been released, with his infirmary corps of 13 men, all of whom are en route for General Fagan's brigade. He states that all our wounded have been sent up to Memphi; Colonel [S.S.] Bell wounded, and a prisoner. The enemy estimate their loss at 200 killed and wounded. He heard the report of the capture of Vicksburg, but seems not to credit it himself. He was not permitted to bring out or to see a paper.

HOSPITAL AT MR. ALLEN POLK'S,
July 7, 1863.
GENERAL: I had the honor of writing you on yesterday, giving report of the condition of our wounded here, of a visit from the Federals, and the current news, as far as I could get it, which letter I hope you will receive.

This morning the medical director, a corps of surgeons, and an ambulance train came out to take possession of our wounded, and, if desired by me, to take them into Helena. They brought out such medical and hospital stores as they supposed we needed--sugar, tea, coffee, potatoes, bandages. &c., and were, I must say, very polite and kind, indeed. I declined sending the wounded in, preferring to keep them here, where we will be able to make them comfortable; whereupon the medical director promised to send us out ice and such other articles as we stand in need of, a list of which 1 furnished him. I must repeat it again that they were exceedingly kind, and I wish to give them full credit for it. One of their ambulances, horses, and driver, sent out, as they say, to bring in our wounded, was captured, I understand, by General Fagan's command. This they complain of very much. I promised to report the fact to you, assuring them that if the facts were as stated you would certainly have it returned. All the surgeons who were left in Helena, and have since returned, speak in high terms of their attention to our wounded, and, as they claim that it was sent out for the benefit of our men, I am satisfied that we would consult our interest by having it promptly returned.

Colonel [R. A.] Hart was wounded in the left leg, not dangerously; has gone to Memphis. Adjutant [Edward] Warburg lost his leg. Lieutenant [W. F.] Rector was killed, or rather died; lived six hours. These are the only additional particulars that I have received since my last. Our wounded here are doing as well as could be expected. I am doing all that I possibly can to make them comfortable. Up to this time three deaths only have occurred. I write in great haste, as the messenger is anxious to get off. I will report from time to time.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. M. McPHEETERS.
Maj. Gen. STERLING PRICE.
P. S.--No additional news from Vicksburg.

-----
M. E. Wolf
 
Confederate Military History, Vol. 3
VIRGINIA
BY MAJ. JED. HOTCHKISS.
Confederate Military History, Vol. 3
CHAPTER XIV.
TONEWALL JACKSON'S VALLEY CAMPAIGN OF 1862.
BEFORE the opening of active military operations in the spring of 1862, Lincoln determined to reopen the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Jackson held the portion of this road, which he had badly damaged, between Harper's Ferry and Hancock, and he must be forced back from the Potomac before the road could be repaired and reopened. To effect this Banks marched, February 22d, from his winter camp at Frederick, Md., and his advance entered Harper's Ferry the 24th, and laid a bateau bridge across the Potomac on which two brigades crossed on the 26th and occupied the town. McClellan himself reached that place the same day and ordered the establishment there of a depot of army supplies, preparatory to another forward movement, while the railroad was being opened. After going to Charles* town, on the 28th, he instructed Banks to locate Abercrombie's brigade at that place and Hamilton's at Smithfield, a few miles to the westward; Sedgwick, to whose division these belonged, to establish himself at Charlestown. Shields, now in command of Lander's force from the South Branch valley, was ordered to Martinsburg, and Williams from Hancock to Bunker Hill; thus establishing a line entirely across the Valley, in front of the Baltimore & Ohio. These camps were all connected by fine macadam roads. All arrangements were completed by March 6th and the three brigades of Banks were well placed, not only for guarding the Baltimore & Ohio, but also for an advance on Winchester.
[extensive excerpt, not germane to the topic]
It is noteworthy that after this battle of Winchester there was inaugurated a humanitarian movement, in reference to surgeons left in charge of wounded prisoners, that has since become the rule among civilized nations engaged in war. Immediately after Banks was driven out of Winchester, Dr. Hunter McGuire, the medical director of the army of the Valley district, visited the Federal hospital, which had been established in the old Union hotel, where he found among the captured prisoners eight Federal surgeons or assistant surgeons. He reported this fact to General Jackson, and asked his permission to unconditionally release these medical officers upon their parole of honor that they would remain in charge of the Federal sick and wounded in Winchester for fifteen days, after which, by the terms of their paroles, they would be permitted to report to their commanding officers for duty. It was further understood that these surgeons should use every effort to have released, on the same terms, the medical officers of the Confederate States who were then held as prisoners by the Federal government, or who might thereafter be captured.

General Jackson readily assented to Surgeon McGuire's proposition, and directed him to carry out his suggestions. Accompanied by Dr. Daniel B. Conrad, of the Second Virginia regiment, he then went to the Federal hospital and released, on their paroles, the surgeons, assistant surgeons, attendants and nurses, but not the sick and wounded, who were afterward paroled by the regular officers of the army, not to take up arms again until properly exchanged. General Jackson issued no regular order to perform this duty, but he frequently discussed with Dr. McGuire, subsequently, the policy and humanity of such a measure. This rule established, by this precedent, was kept up by Dr. McGuire during his term of service as medical director with Generals Jackson, Ewell, Early, and Gordon, with whom he successively served as medical director until the close of the war. Near the end of February, 1864, some Confederate scouts captured the medical inspector of Sheridan's army in the Valley. Dr. McGuire promptly released him on his parole, and returned him to his command. About a week after that, Dr. McGuire was captured in the defeat of Early at Waynesboro, when General Sheridan promptly released him on the same terms he had accorded to his medical inspector. In consequence of this action of General Jackson and Dr. McGuire, a number of Confederate surgeons were released and sent back from Northern prisons.

The Confederates had another day of well-earned rest on May 27th, while Jackson was busy providing for the safety of the vast military stores he had captured at Front Royal, Winchester and Martinsburg, and waiting for instructions from Richmond, in response to dispatches he had sent by a trusty aide immediately after the capture of Winchester, as to his future operations. He had now shown the character of his military genius and established his fame as an independent commander. He had relieved Richmond from the danger of an immediate attack by the overwhelming force of the army of the Potomac, and the authorities were only too willing to direct him to press the enemy still hovering in the defense of Harper's Ferry, threaten an invasion of Maryland and an attack upon Washington, and thus still further derange the plans of McClellan by stimulating the fears of the Federal authorities and inducing them to deplete the army of the Potomac for the defense of their capital.
[extensive excerpt, not germane to the topic]
---------------------

Confederate Military History, Vol. 4
ADDITIONAL SKETCHES ILLUSTRATING THE SERVICES OF OFFICERS AND PRIVATES AND PATRIOTIC CITIZENS OF NORTH CAROLINA.
William A. Blount, M.D., of Washington, N. C., surgeon of the First North Carolina cavalry, was born at Washington in 1839, son of Thomas H. Blount, a native of Beaufort county, who served in the war of 1812. He was graduated in medicine at the university of New York in 1860, and practiced his profession in Pitt county until January, 1862, when he became assistant surgeon, attached to Rodman's company, with which he served until captured at New Bern, where he had remained in charge of the wounded. He was paroled and sent to Washington in charge of his patients and exchanged just after the Seven Days' campaign before Richmond. After a short service at the conscript camp at Raleigh, he asked for duty in the field, and was assigned as assistant surgeon of the First North Carolina cavalry regiment, and in the spring of 1863 was promoted surgeon. He was with his regiment under fire at Hanover Junction, Brandy Station, South Mountain, Sharpsburg, Harper's Ferry, Gettysburg, Yellow Tavern, the demonstration before Washington, D.C., Winchester, Reams' Station, Five Forks, Sailor's creek and Appomattox. Since those heroic and exciting days he has been quietly engaged in his professional duties at Washington, where he is highly regarded by all.

Captain Armand Lamar DeRosset, of Wilmington, N. C., experienced a varied service as a soldier of the Confederate States, took part in a number of famous battles, and did not escape without the suffering which fell so liberally to the lot of the Southern armies. He was born at Wilmington in 1842, a son of Dr. A. J. DeRosset and a brother of William L. DeRosset, colonel C. S. A., and conspicuous in the organization of Confederate veterans; was educated at New York and in Trinity college, Hartford, Conn., and on April 15, 1861, entered the service as a private in the Wilmington light infantry. After this organization became Company C of the Eighteenth infantry regiment, 'he remained with it three months, then being promoted to a lieutenancy in the Third regiment. In July, 1863, he was detached from the latter command, by order of the war department, and ordered to report to General Winder at City Point. As provost-marshal he served six months at Wilmington, and then, being promoted captain, was ordered to Fayetteville, where he took command of Company B, Second North Carolina battalion, known as the Arsenal Guard. Upon his request for active service he was ordered to Virginia and given command of the battalion. But the defenses of Wilmington now being seriously threatened he was transferred to Fort Caswell, where he was on duty until the fort was evacuated. Reporting to General Hoke he and his battalion were ordered to Wilmington, and after the fall of that city, he was sent with his battalion and Moseley's artillery to Elizabethtown to protect the flank of Hardee's army from the gunboats on the river. Proceeding to Fayetteville in the same duty, he joined Hardee's corps and took part in the battle of Averasboro, March 16, 1865. Here he received a severe wound in the. breast, and, being left in the field hospital, was captured and paroled by the Federal troops. During his service in the army of Northern Virginia with the Third regiment he was in the battles of Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, Chantilly, Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg (May, 1863). At Mechanicsville he was knocked down and badly bruised by a grapeshot, which struck his pistol on his right hip, and at Sharpsburg he received a wound in the arm. Since the war Captain DeRosset has resided at Wilmington, where he is a valued citizen. He was married in May, 1866, to Tallulah, daughter of James H. Low, of New Orleans, and they have six children: Louise, Anne, wife of J. W. Harris of Cartersville, Ga., Armand L. Jr., Tallulah, Madeline, and James Low, now in the banking business in New York.
 
Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol. XIV. Richmond, Va., January-December. 1886.
Fortification and Siege of Port Hudson--Compiled by the Association of Defenders
of Port Hudson; M. J. Smith, President; James Freret, Secretary.
[extensive excerpt]
A COUNCIL OF WAR.
That night a council of war was held at General Gardner's headquarters, which was protracted until 2 o'clock on the morning of the 8th. The situation of Port Hudson was well worthy of serious consideration by the chief officers of its garrison. It was sixty-one days since the commencement of the bombardment by the fleet; forty-eight days since the virtual beginning of the siege, and there had been forty-five days of actual investment, comprising two grand attacks, and twenty-four charges or attempts to storm our lines.

A fortified position, constructed for a garrison of twenty thousand men, after its abandonment had been ordered, had been held by less than one-third that force for a much longer period than could have been expected by our forces outside.

At 2 o'clock, on the morning of the 8th of July, General Gardner sent to General Banks, by flag of truce, for confirmation of the fall of Vicksburg, which was accorded him. (And yet General Banks in his report, page 149, says that Gardner stated that the surrender was not on account of the fall of Vicksburg.)

About 9 o'clock, the same morning, he dispatched Colonels J. G. W. Steedman and W. R. Miles, and Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall J. Smith as commissioners, to treat for the surrender of the post.

They did not return until afternoon, and then announced that the following unconditional surrender of the place and garrison had been agreed upon:
Articles of capitulation proposed between the commissioners on the part of the garrison of Port Hudson, Louisiana, and the forces of the United States before said place, July 8th, 1863.

Article I. Major-General F. Gardner to surrender to the United States forces, under Major-General Banks, the place of Port Hudson and its dependencies with its garrison, armament, munitions, public funds, and material of war, in the condition, as nearly as may be, in which they were at the hour of cessation of hostilities, viz.: 6 o'clock A.M., July 8, 1863.

Article II. The surrender, stipulated in Article I, is qualified by no condition save that the officers and enlisted men composing the garrison shall receive the treatment due to prisoners of war according to the usage of civilized warfare.

Article III. All private property of officers and enlisted men shall be respected and left to their respective owners.

Article IV. The position of Port Hudson shall be occupied tomorrow, at 7 o'clock A.M., by the forces of the United States, and its garrison received as prisoners of war by such general officer of the United States service as may be designated by Major General Banks, with the ordinary formalities of rendition. The Confederate troops will be drawn up in line, officers in their position, the right of the line resting on the edge of the prairie south of the railroad depot, the left extending in the direction of the village of Port Hudson; the arms and colors will be conveniently piled, and will be received by the officers of the United States.
Article V. The sick and wounded of the garrison will be cared for by the authorities of the United States, assisted, if desired by either party, by the medical officers of the garrison.
Approved:
W. R. MILES,
Commanding right wing.
J. G. W. STEEDMAN,
Commanding left wing.
MARSHALL J. SMITH,
Lieutenant-Colonel Heavy Artillery.
CHARLES P. STONE,
Brigadier-General.
W. DWIGHT,
Brigadier-General
HENRY W. BIRG,
Colonel Commanding Third Brigade, Grover's Division.
Approved: FRANK GARDNER, Major-General.
Approved: N.P. BANKS, Major-General

COMBATANTS FRATERNIZING.
Soldiers swarmed from their places of concealment on either side and met each other in the most cordial and fraternal spirit. Here you would see a group of Federal soldiers escorted round our works and shown the effects of their shots, and entertained with accounts of such part of the siege operations as they could not have learned before.

In the same way our men went into the Federal lines and gazed with curiosity upon the work which had been giving them so much trouble, escorted by Federal soldiers who vied with each other in courtesy and a display of magnanimous spirit.

Not a single case occurred in which the enemy, either officers or privates, exhibited a disposition to exult over their victory, but, on the contrary, whenever the subject came up in conversation, it elicited from them only compliments upon the skill and bravery of the defence.


One of their surgeons came in during a heavy rain storm and brought medicines for our sick, repeating his visit the next morning, and bringing a large quantity of quinine, which he dosed out to the fever patients.


During the afternoon and evening of the 8th a large number of Federals were within our lines visiting at our camps, whither most of our men had repaired to pack up their little stock of clothing preparatory to an expected departure on the morrow.


The following order was published:HEADQUARTERS PORT HUDSON, LOUISIANA,
July 8, 1863.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 61:
I. Nobly have the troops performed their duty in the defence of this position, continued from the 21st of May to the present date. The cheerfulness, bravery, and zeal displayed by the troops during the hardships and suffering of this long siege have never been surpassed, and every man can feel the proud satisfaction that he has done his part in this heroic defence of Port Hudson. The place is surrendered at the last moment it is proper to hold it, and after a most gallant defence in several severe attacks, in all of which the enemy have been signally repulsed. Let all continue, during the duties that still remain to be performed, to show that cheerful obedience which has distinguished them as soldiers up to this time.II. The troops will be paraded at 6 o'clock A.M. to morrow for surrender, in line of battle in the same order as they are now at the breastworks, with the heavy artillery on the right in the edge of the prairie, in the rear of the railroad depot, the left extending towards the town of Port Hudson. All officers and men will be in their places under arms.
By command of Major General Frank Gardner,
[Signed] C.M. JACKSON,Acting Assistant Adjutant General.

hortly after dark a train of wagons brought in a liberal supply of provisions for the garrison from the enemy's commissariat. They were issued to the troops during the night-time, and early the next morning our men enjoyed the first good meal they had partaken of for a long time.


At seven o'clock on the morning of the 9th, our line was formed in the field back of the railroad depot, near the landing, every man not too sick to be confined in the hospital being in the ranks. As General Gardner rode along the line, with his staff, he was enthusiastically cheered by the men who had served so faithfully under him, and whose affection and confidence he had permanently gained during days and weeks of trial.


The enemy's column, marching down the road to the landing, approached the right of our line, preceded by General Andrews and staff.


When Brigadier-General Andrews approached, General Gardner advanced with his sword drawn and presented the hilt to General Andrews with the following words:
"Having thoroughly defended this position as long as I deemed it necessary, I now surrender to you my sword, and with it this post and its garrison."


To which General Andrews replied:
"I return your sword as a proper compliment to the gallant commander of such gallant troops--conduct that would be heroic in another cause."


To which General Gardner replied as he returned his sword, with emphasis, into the scabbard:
"This is neither the time nor place to discuss the cause."


The order was given along our line to ground arms, which was obeyed, and our men stood in line while the enemy had marched from right to left until they had formed in line before us, when they hoisted their flag upon the bluff, fired a salute, and the ceremony was over.

It was now announced to our men that they would be paroled--news that was received by them with great satisfaction, particularly as they had made up their minds already to a term of imprisonment.

[extensive excerpt listing officers, staff, etc.]

M. E. Wolf



 
Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol. XXVIII. Richmond, Va., January-December. 1900.
A Sketch Of The Life And Career Of Hunter Holmes McGuire, M. D., Ll. D.
[extensive excerpt]

SOME NOTABLE INNOVATIONS.
In May, 1862, at the battle of Winchester, Va., Surgeon McGuire inaugurated the plan of releasing captured medical officers. Eight federal surgeons were set free upon the simple condition that they would endeavor to procure the release of the same number of Confederate surgeons. Afterwards General Jackson himself approved of this action. A few weeks after this, all of the medical officers who had been confined by both parties as prisoners of war were released and returned to their respective commands. Although this plan of exchanging medical officers as non-combatants was interrupted by some disagreement between the Commissioners for the Exchange of Prisoners, yet Dr. McGuire continued to release surgeons whenever it was in his power. As late as February, 1865, he liberated the Medical Inspector of General Sheridan's army. When Surgeon McGuire was himself captured at Waynesboro', in March, 1865, General Sheridan showed his appreciation of Surgeon McGuire's action by immediately ordering his liberation.

Surgeon McGuire was the first to organized Reserve Corps Hospitals in the Confederacy, in the spring of 1862, in the Valley campaign. About the same time he succeeding in perfecting the "Ambulance Corps."

[end of excerpt]
---------------
Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol. XXX. Richmond, Va., January-December. 1902.
Records, Recollections And Reminiscences.
General T. J. Jackson (Stonewall) and His Medical Director,
Hunter McGuire, M.D., at Winchester, May, 1862.
AN IMPORTANT INCIDENT OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY CAMPAIGN.
Prepared by SAMUEL E. LEWIS, M.D., of Washington, D.C., First Vice-President of the Association of Medical Officers of the Army and Navy of the Confederacy.
[From the Southern Practitioner, Nashville, Tenn., October, 1902.]
[extensive excerpt]

As early as May 21, 1861, the Confederate Congress passed an Act as follows: "All prisoners of war whether taken on land or sea, during the pending hostilities with the United States, shall be transferred by the captors from time to time, and as often as convenient, to the Department of war; and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War, with the approval of the President, to issue such instructions to the Quartermaster-General and his subordinates as shall provide for the safe custody and sustenance of prisoners of war, and the rations furnished prisoners of war shall be the same in quantity and quality as those furnished to enlisted men in the army of the Confederacy." President Davis states in his Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government that this law of Congress was embodied in the orders issued from the War Department and from the headquarters in the field and no order was ever issued in conflict with its humane provisions.

Other than the occasional exchanges in the field before noted, there was no effort in that direction till February 14, 1862, when an arrangement was made by the representatives of both governments, General Howell Cobb and General Wool, under which some exchanges were made, but the agreement was soon abandoned, and matters proceeded as before.

Our surgeons were distinguished not only for knowledge and skill but also for humanity to the sick and wounded of the enemy; and they extended the greatest courtesy and aid to the Federal Medical Corps, as, for instance, after the second Manassas battle by Medical Director L. Guild of General Lee's army to Medical Director Thomas A. McParlin of General Pope's army; and by Medical Director Hunter McGuire of General Jackson's army to Brigade Surgeon J. Burd Peale and others of General Banks' army. Prior to the capture of Winchester in May, 1862, the medical officers were held as prisoners in like manner as other officers; but were often permitted to give their services to their suffering fellow-prisoners.

Especial mention is made of the circumstance that when General Jackson defeated General Banks and entered Winchester on the morning of May 25th, 1862, besides the quarter of a million dollars' worth of medical and quartermaster's supplies captured, he found at Union (Hotel)Hospital seven Federal surgeons and assistant surgeons and about three hundred sick and wounded, besides attendants, nurses and other inmates, all of whom became prisoners. The General directed through Acting Medical Director Harvey Black, that Brigade Surgeon Peale, U. S. A., continue in charge undisturbed, and ordered all the sick and wounded Federal prisoners who should be brought in from the field to be placed in his care. Surgeon Peale was also permitted to have sixty-four attendants from the able prisoners necessary for carrying on the hospital; and to be furnished by the Commissary with provisions upon requisition.

Assistant Surgeon Philip Adolphus, U. S. A., was captured on the battle-field on the 25th and taken to Winchester, where he offered his services to Surgeon Peale, and became part of his corps at the hospital. In the narrative furnished to his superior officers he states: "The enemy generously permitted me to continue my vocation, and furnished me, at my request, at once with a guard to protect me, the property in my charge and my men." The status of affairs mentioned above continued till the retirement of General Jackson on the 31st of May. On that day the Provost Marshal paroled all the men in the hospital. But the medical officers were liberated in a special and peculiar manner, which had beneficial results subsequently. They executed the following very formal and important document:

WINCHESTER, VA., May 31, 1862.
"We, Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons United States Army, now prisoners of war in this place, do give our parole of honor, on being unconditionally released, to report in person, singly or collectively, to the Secretary of War, in Washington city, and that we will use our best efforts that the same number of medical officers of the Confederate States Army, now prisoners or that may hereafter be taken, be released on the same terms. And, furthermore, we will, on our honor, use our best efforts to have this principle established, viz.: the unconditional release of all medical officers taken prisoners of war hereafter."
(Signed) J. BURD PEALE, Brigade Surgeon, Blenker's Div.
J. J. JONSON, Surgeon 27th Indiana Vols.
FRANCIS LELAND, Surgeon, Second Mass. Vols.
PHILIP ADOLPHUS, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A.
LINCOLN R. STONE, ***'t Surg., 2nd Mass. Vols.
JOSEPH F. DAY, JR., ***'t Surg., 10th Me. Vols.
EVELYN L. BISSELL, ***'t Surg., 5th Conn. Vols.

Approved:
HUNTER McGUIRE, Medical Director,
Army of the Valley, C. S.

The preparation and execution of this document resulted from a conference between General Jackson and Surgeon McGuire; and Surgeon Daniel B. Conrad, of the Second Virginia Regiment, was present with Dr. McGuire on the occasion of the release of these medical officers. In a letter as late as September 30, 1898, Dr. McGuire writes:

In the month of May, 1862, after the defeat of General Banks by General Jackson at Winchester, I found among the captured prisoners eight surgeons or assistant surgeons at the Union Hotel Hospital in Winchester. As Medical Director of the Army I reported the fact to General Jackson and asked his permission to unconditionally release these medical officers upon their parole of honor. That they were to remain in charge of the Federal sick and wounded in Winchester for fifteen days. After the expiration of the fifteen days their parole permitted them to report to their commanding officers for duty. It was understood by these gentlemen that they were to use every effort to have released, on the same terms, the medical officers of the Confederate States who were then prisoners of the Federal Government, or any medical officers of the Confederate States who might thereafter be captured. General T. J. Jackson assented to the proposition I made to him very readily and directed me to carry out the suggestion. With Dr. Daniel B. Conrad, of the Second Virginia Regiment, Confederate States, I went to the Union Hotel Hospital and released on parole the surgeons, assistant surgeons, attendants and nurses, but not the sick and wounded who were afterwards paroled by the regular officers of our army, not to take up arms again until properly exchanged. No regular order was issued by General Jackson to perform the duty I have reported, but the policy and humanity of such a measure was repeatedly discussed by him and myself afterwards. I kept up the practice of releasing Federal medical officers as soon as captured during my term of service as Medical Director with Jackson, Ewell, Early and Gordon, with whom I successively served as Chief Surgeon, or Medical Director, until the close of the war. A week before the defeat and capture of the greater portion of General Early's army at Waynesboro by Sheridan in 1865, I released the Medical Inspector of General Sheridan, who had been captured by some of our troops in the Valley of Virginia. When, among others, I was captured at Waynesboro, General Sheridan sent for
me and after a short talk released me from prison on parole on the same terms that I had accorded to his medical officers. The fact of the release of the Federal surgeons at Winchester in May, 1862, was noticed by the Confederate Slates Medical and Surgical Journal and by the different newspapers of that period. Soon after the release of these Federal surgeons, and I believe in consequence of their parole, a number of Confederate surgeons, then in Northern prisons, were sent home."

[extensive excerpt]
 
Southern His
Historical Society Papers.
Vol. XXXIV Richmond, Va., January-December. 1906
Prison Reminiscences.
By HON. JAMES F. CROCKER.
An Address, Read Before Stonewall Camp, Confederate Veterans, Portsmouth, Virginia, February 2d, 1904.
[The estimation in which Judge Crocker is held is evinced in the brief item which appeared a day or so since: "Judge James F. Crocker will convene the Court of Hustings for Norfolk, Va., in January, (1907) and with it will end his career on the bench--a career that has been attended with much credit to himself, and of great benefit to the public. He has served six years, and was not a candidate for re-election." Two admirable addresses by Judge Crocker, "My Personal Experiences in Taking up Arms and in the Battle of Malvern Hill." and "Gettysburg--Pickett's Charge," are included in Vol. XXXII, Southern Historical Society Papers. --ED.]
[extensive excerpt]
The first incident of personal interest to me after my arrival in this prison occurred thus: I met on the campus Colonel E. A. Scovill, the Superintendent of the prison. I said to him: "Colonel, you have an order here that no one is allowed to write at one time more than on one side of a half sheet of letter paper. 1 have a dear, fair friend at my home in Portsmouth, Va., and I find it impossible for me to express one tithe of what I wish to say within the limits prescribed." He replied: "Write as much as you wish, hand me your letters to your friend, and tell her to answer to my care." That kind act of Col. Scovill made him my personal friend, and he afterwards did me other important kindnesses. I believe that the surest way to become a friend to another, is to do that other person a kindness. A kindness done has more effect upon the donor, than upon the recipient, in creating mutual interest. This gracious favor of Col. Scovill was highly appreciated, and it added happiness to me and to my dear friend.

I brought my battle-wound with me, unhealed, to Johnson's Island. I had not been there long before gangrene appeared in it. It was a critical moment. My friend, Dr. Brodie Strauchan Herndon, of Fredericksburg, Va., a prisoner, by immediate and severe remedy arrested the gangrene at once; and soon afterwards made a permanent cure of the wound, and also restored my general health. The tardiness of my wound in healing was caused by the low condition of my health. On our way to Pennsylvania. I sat on my horse in the mid-stream of the Shenandoah while my regiment, the 9th Va., waded across. I did the same when it crossed the Potomac. When we reached Williamsport I went under the treatment of our surgeon. It was there, for the first time since I was twelve years old, a drop of intoxicating liquor passed my lips, save at the communion table.

It was owing to the condition o[ my health that a slight injury on my lip, while at David's Island, caused by my biting it, although not malignant, refused to heal. Finally I was advised by Dr. Herndon to have it cut out. He said, however, that the operation could not be safely performed in the prison on account of a tendency to gangrene. I obtained permission to go to Sandusky for the purpose. I was given a parole. I went to the leading hotel in the city. There I met--strange coincidence--with Mr. Merritt Todd and his wife, both natives of my own county, Isle of Wight, Va., friends of my father in their early days, with their granddaughter, Parker Cooke, then about fourteen yearn of age. Their home before the war was in Norfolk. Mr. Todd had established a large and lucrative business in curing hams in Cincinnati where he owned valuable real estate. To prevent the confiscation of his property he made Ohio the State of his residence during the war, and was at this time in Sandusky. Nothing under the circumstances could have added more to my happiness than thus to be thrown in intimate intercourse with these friends.

I reported to the Federal surgeons. They received me most courteously. They seated me in a chair for the operation. They asked me if I wished to take an anæsthetic. It instantly flashed in my mind to show these kind surgeons how a Confederate soldier could bear pain, and I answered No! I sat in the chair from the beginning to the end of the operation without a groan or a token of pain. Their work was done skillfully, effectively and kindly. The trouble never returned. These officers were very polite and hospitable to me. In return for their hospitality I had one or more of them to dine with me at the hotel. Don't raise your hands in horror! Why should I have been less a gentleman than they? Once a gentleman,--always a gentleman --under all circumstances a gentleman. No true Southern soldier ever lost in war his good manners or his humanity.

I again had the freedom of a Northern city. And although I walked the streets in Confederate gray, no one showed the slightest exception to it or showed me the least affront. But on the contrary, there was one citizen of the place, to the manor born, who visited me almost daily--and a very clever and strong man, too, he was. According to his account, he had been ostracized; his home had been surrounded and threatened by mobs; he had been hooted and maltreated on the streets. Why? He said because he was a Democrat and opposed to the war. He was a genuine "Copperhead," and either from intolerance or other cause, he was a warm sympathizer with the South. The opportunity to express his sympathy was a great relief and gratification to him. He never tired of talking about Lee and his battles and his successes. He had reached a state of mind when he was even glad to hear of the defeat of his country's armies and the success of ours. At the end of four weeks, I returned to the Island.

[end excerpt (He does return home to family)]

-------
M. E. Wolf
 
It seems Union reports often claim those shooting at them were guerillas, partisans, etc., when in fact it was regular Confederate soldiers. This is just one example but notice the mention of homes burned in retaliation for burning a boat.

http://tn.gov/tsla/cwsb/1863-01-Article-82-Page117.pdf

TULLAHOMA, January 17, 1863.

Gen. [Joseph] Wheeler, with a portion of his cavalry brigade, after burning the railroad bridges in the enemy's rear,
pushed for the Cumberland River, where he intercepted and captured four large transports; destroyed three, with all the supplies, and bonded one to carry off the 400 paroled prisoners. He was hotly pursued by a gunboat, which he attacked and captured, and destroyed her with her whole armament. I ask his promotion as a just reward to distinguished merit.

BRAXTON BRAGG.

OR, Ser. I,.Vol. 20, pt. I, p. 982.


Excerpt from the report of Reverend Maxwell P. Gaddis, on board the U. S. S.Hastings
at the time of the attack:
. . . I beg to state that I was oneof the passengers aboard the steamer Hastings on the 13th. . . the day she was fired into by a party of rebel guerrillas of General Wheeler's cavalry brigade, under command of Colonel [William B. ]
Wade. The Hastings had on board 212 wounded soldiers under charge of Surgeon Waterman, with instructions to
report the same at Louisville....

...Suspicious of some danger below I hailed Van Dorn and inquired as to who burned the boat and houses.
He replied that the guerrillas had burned the steamer and that he had retaliated by burning the houses.
 
Here's the Red Rover at it again, this time towing a boat/ship armed with a heavy battery. It looks like she's towing a gun platform. Using my 21st century eyeballs, as a couple of choice others seem to be, I'd say she's asking for it. Notice the date - 1864 - long after the Lieber Code described such actions as reason not to respect a flag or marking of protection - perfidy!

U. S. IRON-CLAD ESSEX,

Monday, October 17, 1864 - 12. 30 a. m.

Major MORGAN,

Chief of Staff, &c.:

MY DEAR MAJOR: Thank you for the information you are giving me. In case of an attack the Carondelet (with a heavy battery) will be taken in tow by the Red Rover and will proceed down to the fort to operate thereabouts, as circumstances may require. Captain Pattison volunteered to take command should the attack be made; I gladly accepted his offer. He is probably better acquainted with the localities ashore than any of the rest of us. The Fawn (Numbers 30), a tin-clad, will look out for the immediate neighborhood of the navy -yard. Her engines are repairing, but she can do pretty good service where she is. With the Essex I am all ready to shove off, and attend to the enemy at any point where we can do the most service. When they do attack please inform me of their situation, direction, and distance from the river. Any where within three or three and a half miles I can drop a few 100-pounder shells among them, if I only know their direction and distance. The elevation given to the guns for such ranges, or even less, would carry the shells well over the houses of the city. I will be happy to do anything in my power to aid and support you. Captain Pattison's family will come aboard the Essex in case of an attack. Should the attack be made let me suggest that you send a signal officer aboard the Essex. Through him you could communicate information as to the position, &c., of the enemy after we have shoved off into the stream.

Yours, very truly,

ROBERT TOWNSEND,

Commander, U. S. Navy.
 
It seems Union reports often claim those shooting at them were guerillas, partisans, etc., when in fact it was regular Confederate soldiers. This is just one example but notice the mention of homes burned in retaliation for burning a boat.

http://tn.gov/tsla/cwsb/1863-01-Article-82-Page117.pdf
So regular Confederate troops were firing on boats carrying private citizens? I recall a few OR's where Confederate authorities were denying it was...
 
Here's the Red Rover at it again, this time towing a boat/ship armed with a heavy battery. It looks like she's towing a gun platform. Using my 21st century eyeballs, as a couple of choice others seem to be, I'd say she's asking for it. Notice the date - 1864 - long after the Lieber Code described such actions as reason not to respect a flag or marking of protection - perfidy!

U. S. IRON-CLAD ESSEX,

Monday, October 17, 1864 - 12. 30 a. m.

Major MORGAN,

Chief of Staff, &c.:

MY DEAR MAJOR: Thank you for the information you are giving me. In case of an attack the Carondelet (with a heavy battery) will be taken in tow by the Red Rover and will proceed down to the fort to operate thereabouts, as circumstances may require. Captain Pattison volunteered to take command should the attack be made; I gladly accepted his offer. He is probably better acquainted with the localities ashore than any of the rest of us. The Fawn (Numbers 30), a tin-clad, will look out for the immediate neighborhood of the navy -yard. Her engines are repairing, but she can do pretty good service where she is. With the Essex I am all ready to shove off, and attend to the enemy at any point where we can do the most service. When they do attack please inform me of their situation, direction, and distance from the river. Any where within three or three and a half miles I can drop a few 100-pounder shells among them, if I only know their direction and distance. The elevation given to the guns for such ranges, or even less, would carry the shells well over the houses of the city. I will be happy to do anything in my power to aid and support you. Captain Pattison's family will come aboard the Essex in case of an attack. Should the attack be made let me suggest that you send a signal officer aboard the Essex. Through him you could communicate information as to the position, &c., of the enemy after we have shoved off into the stream.

Yours, very truly,

ROBERT TOWNSEND,

Commander, U. S. Navy.

First, this is the same Lieber code that you blamed Sherman for causing parts to be written by putting troops on the Red Rover? Right?

Do you actually know what this OR pretains to? Its a contingency plan in case the naval yard in which the Red Rover was stationed was attacked...Its not showing that the Red Rover even did that...Why don't you show the part of the lieber code that forbids a naval ship from towing another ship to a location of safety..Notice it doesn't say anything about the Rover using its one cannon, a cannon by the way that almost any report about the ship lists that was never fired..

You are spending all this time trying to build a strawman about the Rover that indiscriminate firings on civilians and medical people on rivers that happened regularly thruout the war is overlooked...
 
So regular Confederate troops were firing on boats carrying private citizens? I recall a few OR's where Confederate authorities were denying it was...

That's almost as bad as evil Yankees firing on blockade runners that had citizens onboard.

What the heck were citizens doing in a war zone, on a river closed to civilian traffic? I'd say they were taking a chance at getting killed. Heck, the way the Union was using those dual purpose transports, how would an honest Confederate know which was which?

Here's a scenario, suppose a Confederate spies a transport coming up the river; it seemed the normal targets were the pilots of the boat but let's ignore that for now, as others already seem to do. As the boat gets closer, wounded soldiers can be seen sitting or laying on cotton bales which cover the deck of the transport. Now, you tell me who put the wounded soldier in jeopardy and who is to blame if they get shot?
 
First, this is the same Lieber code that you blamed Sherman for causing parts to be written by putting troops on the Red Rover? Right?

Do you actually know what this OR pretains to? Its a contingency plan in case the naval yard in which the Red Rover was stationed was attacked...Its not showing that the Red Rover even did that...Why don't you show the part of the lieber code that forbids a naval ship from towing another ship to a location of safety..Notice it doesn't say anything about the Rover using its one cannon, a cannon by the way that almost any report about the ship lists that was never fired..

You are spending all this time trying to build a strawman about the Rover that indiscriminate firings on civilians and medical people on rivers that happened regularly thruout the war is overlooked...

So, it's a contingency plan to use the Red Rover for purposes of war. No way out Wilber, you'd best surrender. That was only my second hit in the OR's.
 
That's almost as bad as evil Yankees firing on blockade runners that had citizens onboard.

What the heck were citizens doing in a war zone, on a river closed to civilian traffic? I'd say they were taking a chance at getting killed. Heck, the way the Union was using those dual purpose transports, how would an honest Confederate know which was which?

Here's a scenario, suppose a Confederate spies a transport coming up the river; it seemed the normal targets were the pilots of the boat but let's ignore that for now, as others already seem to do. As the boat gets closer, wounded soldiers can be seen sitting or laying on cotton bales which cover the deck of the transport. Now, you tell me who put the wounded soldier in jeopardy and who is to blame if they get shot?

I'm sorry what war are we talking about here? There was a constantly flow of civilians thru the lines in every theater does that justify them being shot at? I seem to recall you taking a different position on civilans in the "Atlanta" warzone...My have things changed...Considering that river transport was the quickest and most gentle way of moving wounded men to hospitals then why the heck woudn't they use the rivers and with the amount of wounded any transport was used to save these men.. But lets play your game and spin this... Using your logic then Union ground forces would be blameless for shooting on wagons of wounded Confederates since they travelled the roads with the rest of the army right? How would an honest Union man know which wagon was carrying wounded and which weren't?
 
Again, I'm not sure that the Lieber Code applied to the Navy, being an Army general order. Strike that. An Army general order would definitely NOT have applied to the Navy. Until the formation of the Department of Defense, the only individual who could order the Navy to do anything that the Army was doing was the President-- the two services did not mix anywhere below that level. I think I tried to look this up before to see if the Navy ever did make the Lieber Code or anything similar "official," but didn't come up with anything definite.

Given that the Geneva Conventions, etc., were still years in the future, it's a little unrealistic to expect actions to toe that line.
 
M. E. Wolf,

Thank you for your extensive and infomative posts above in this thread.

It is almost a relief to see that the soldiers of both sides in that time could find it in their hearts to treat each other with respect and honor.

Sincerely,
Unionblue
 
Still waiting on the Leiber code that this "plan" would violate if it actually had occured....By the way , when have you known me to surrander? :bounce:

The reason the Red Rover was to tow the ironclad was that the ironclad was slow; the hospital ship was to assist the ironclad in a military operation.

Expired Image Removed

It really doesn't matter about the Lieber Code as it might not apply to the Navy according to Mark J. The bottom line is that the Union created the confusion by using the transports for multiple purposes.

Art. 117.
It is justly considered an act of bad faith, of infamy or fiendishness, to deceive the enemy by flags of protection. Such act of bad faith may be good cause for refusing to respect such flags.


EDIT: Somehow, part of my initial post was incomplete. It's fixed.
 
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I'm sorry what war are we talking about here? There was a constantly flow of civilians thru the lines in every theater does that justify them being shot at? I seem to recall you taking a different position on civilans in the "Atlanta" warzone...My have things changed...Considering that river transport was the quickest and most gentle way of moving wounded men to hospitals then why the heck woudn't they use the rivers and with the amount of wounded any transport was used to save these men.. But lets play your game and spin this... Using your logic then Union ground forces would be blameless for shooting on wagons of wounded Confederates since they travelled the roads with the rest of the army right? How would an honest Union man know which wagon was carrying wounded and which weren't?

Do you really think the Federals would allow Confederate transports free movement up and down the rivers to move their wounded and supplies? That thought is too ridiculous to contemplate.

You see, I'm not making a big deal out of this shooting at boats, etc., because I realize at that time regulations, etc., regarding such things were fuzzy to say the least. Look at one of my earlier posts of Sherman's troops attacking hospital tents at Resaca, GA. I didn't post all the Confederate reports but could have, according to them some of the wounded and amputees were killed and not by accident. This thread was created in response to a certain poster or two that are willing to distort the facts in order to demonize a certain section. Those who refuse to take part in this thread but continue to repeat the lie are destroying their credibility.
 
The reason the Red Rover was to tow the ship was because

It really doesn't matter about the Lieber Code as it might not apply to the Navy according to Mark J. The bottom line is that the Union created the confusion by using the transports for multiple purposes.

Art. 117.
It is justly considered an act of bad faith, of infamy or fiendishness, to deceive the enemy by flags of protection. Such act of bad faith may be good cause for refusing to respect such flags.


Get off your anti-Union kick its starting to cloud your research abilities and your beleivability.. You posted a OR of what the Red Rover might do if the yard was attacked, not what it actually did and yet use this as evidence ..You don't honestly think that the ship wouldn't be a target if it was in the yard do you?
How about the ART 115, which designates the flying of a yellow flag to designate a hosptial location, that is the basis for ART 117 no where have you shown that this was done while in any capacity of to fool the Confederates..
 
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Medical/Surgical History--Part III, Volume II
Chapter XV.--Transportation Of The Wounded.
Water Transportation.


The military operations in the western departments in the spring of 1862 embraced a large extent of territory and necessitated the moving of large bodies of men from point to point. As a result, the fresh unacclimated levies fell victims to malignant fevers, diarrhœa, dysentery, etc. The resources of the Medical Department under these circumstances were entirely inadequate to the pressing necessities. It became evident that to disembarrass the medical officers and to have them in readiness for the exigencies of battles, which all knew were impending, the sick must be removed to points remote from the scene of operations. For this purpose the large rivers of the Western States, especially the Mississippi, offered the best facilities. But there were no transports at the disposition of the medical officers. In order to send a single sick soldier it was necessary to apply to the quartermaster of the army, who naturally gave the preference to his immediate duties, and even when, after much circumlocution, a boat was secured and partly filled with patients, it was frequently delayed until the demands of other departments were complied with. The necessities of the sick and wounded were of a secondary consideration, and the surgeon who exerted himself in the interest of common humanity was regarded as asking favors for himself. The fact that the efforts of the Medical Department were thus paralyzed was brought to the notice of the General Commanding by Surgeon J. Simons, U. S. A., Medical Director, who recommended that a suitable number of boats be taken and fitted up comfortably with beds, cooking apparatus, surgeons, and nurses, etc. The appeal was favorably received, and several steamers were chartered and placed under the charge of medical officers. We will quote from the excellent report of Surgeon A. H. Hoff, U. S. V., master of hospital transportation on the Mississippi, made in September, 1863: "The City of Memphis, a very large and fine steamer, was chartered, and Assistant Surgeon W. D. Turner, 1st Illinois Light Artillery, placed in charge. The steamer City of Louisiana was also chartered and fitted up under the control of Assistant Surgeon C. Wagner, U. S. A., and, with the City of Memphis, was at once employed in the carrying of sick and wounded. About the 1st of April, 1862, after the experiment had been made and proved successful, Surgeon Simons requested that boats be purchased and fitted up as floating hospitals. On his report and the co-operation of Mr. Yeatman, the President of the Western Sanitary Commission, the steamer D. A. January was purchased and placed in my charge. This boat, on account of her light draught and airy cabin, was well suited for the purpose. There was no time to make more than temporary arrangements, and she was not reconstructed until September, 1862, when she was fitted up with every convenience as a hospital. These boats proving inadequate to supply the amount of transportation required, two of the largest steamers on the river were chartered (the Empress and Imperial) and temporarily fitted up, and Surgeons T. F. Azpell and J. H. Grove, U. S. V., were placed in charge of them. The transportation still being insufficient, the steamers Stephen Decatur and J. S. Pringle were added to the list, and these, together with the several boats sent by different states, made quite a formidable fleet; yet they all had plenty of employment, as sick and wounded had to be transferred to the number of thousands. These boats, as they ceased to be needed, were discharged, leaving the D. A. January alone. As the hospital accommodations at Pittsburg Landing were very imperfect, Medical Director Charles McDougall, Surgeon, U. S. A., requested the construction of a floating hospital, which could be towed from point to point, to be used as a receiving hospital, from which the transports could transports. In this he was finally successful, and the hulk of the steamer Nashville was purchased and fitted up so that she would be able to receive in an emergency one thousand men, and Surgeon Strawbridge, U. S. V., was placed in charge. She was towed to Milliken's Bend, La., and was of great service, .as the submerged condition of the country made it impossible to care for the sick on shore. Up to this time, although the Assistant Surgeon General, on taking charge of the Western Department and visiting the scene of active operations, repeatedly urged the purchase of more steamers for hospital purposes, for some reason, unknown to him as well as to others, he was unsuccessful; but the unsuccessful attack on Vicksburg, in December, the battle of Arkansas Post, and the advance of the whole army in the direction of Vicksburg made it necessary to again resort to chartering transports. The City of Memphis and City of Alton were again temporarily fitted up, and with the D. A. January transferred the sick and wounded from Milliken's Bend, Young's Point, and Sherman's Landing, to Memphis and St. Louis. In the meantime, however, several boats had been taken--the steamers Von Phul and J. C. Swon, in fact at least one-fourth of the returning transports--without a single comfort for the sick and wounded on board, were made use of to transfer them to the general hospitals North. Under such circumstances the suffering was terrible and the mortality frightful. I am not disposed to find fault, nor do I wish to censure any one, but I feel it my duty to remark that the Medical Department did everything in their power to correct this matter, with but poor success. The Assistant Surgeon General, never tiring in his determination to push this matter, finally succeeded in getting the City of Louisiana purchased and fitted up in a most comfortable manner, with good accommodations for four hundred, with every improvement that a year's experience could suggest. During this time the Navy had fitted the Red Rover in a most elegant and substantial manner; the Marine Brigade also fitted the Woodford as a hospital with every comfort that could be made available. The U. S. Hospital Steamer D. A. January having run for a year and a half it became necessary to repair her, and upon examination new boilers were found to be necessary. As we came in possession of more of the Mississippi additional accommodations for the comfort of the sick and wounded were required. Under these circumstances the January was reconstructed, better ventilation secured, better and more convenient arrangements for cooking were made, and a fan, one hundred and sixty feet long and propelled by machinery, was placed in the main ward for the purpose of cooling the atmosphere and as a means of ventilation. It answered an admirable purpose and did away with the necessity of covering the decks with an awning, which was not only difficult but a very expensive matter. After her reconstruction her name was changed to Charles McDougall, in honor of Surgeon McDougall, U. S. A., who had interested himself when Medical Director of the Department in securing proper transportation for the sick and wounded, and by whose request she was finally fitted with all the conveniences for a hospital transport.

"It would be impossible for me, not being in possession of records, to give any idea of the number of sick and wounded transferred--nor do I believe it would be possible, from the fact that emergencies required boat after boat to be made use of where no record was kept to give the exact figures--suffice it to say that the U. S. Hospital Steamer Charles McDougall (D. A. January) carried from April 5, 1862, to September 12, 1863, twelve thousand two hundred and ninety-nine sick and wounded to the several general hospitals, she being constantly employed. A fair average may be made by taking into calculation the time the other boats were employed, most of them probably carrying more at each load. The use of steamers for hospital purposes being a new thing, changes in the arrangements were required as the necessities became apparent. Orders were made by the chiefs of the several Departments of such a character as would secure prompt attention on the part of all their subordinates and at the same time place the surgeons in charge in such a position that the least possible delay should occur. Believing it to be of interest and forming a part of the success of the subject to which this history relates, I will append these orders as they were made from time to time. The first great difficulty to be
overcome was to do away with the idea that as these boats were for the transportation of the sick and wounded they were the vehicles for carrying not only all the friends of the sick and wounded, but every man, woman, and child who became impressed with the slightest inkling that their hearts contained one particle of sympathy for the poor soldier; curiosity seekers, sanitarians, state agents, suffers, committees from various associations, one and all concluded they had a right to transportation on such a boat. This of course was out of the question, as it prevented the employés from properly cleaning the boat and took up room required for patients. More than this, it used up the subsistence which belonged to the hospital fund, which was used to buy so many things necessary for the diet of the sick. It was annoying to the surgeons, it was in the way of all discipline, and in fact disagreeable to every one. Under these circumstances Major General Halleck issued the following order:

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
PITTSBURG LANDING, TENNESSEE, April 20, 1862.
Surgeon Simons has authority to prevent persons from travelling on hospital boats.
BY ORDER OF MAJOR GENERAL HALLECK:
(Signed) A.C. KEMPER,
Assistant Adjutant General.
No person will hereafter be permitted on floating hospitals except by permission of the Surgeon in charge.
(Signed) J. SIMONS, Surgeon of Army,
Medical Director.'
"This left the Surgeon in charge an opportunity of using his discretion in reference to who should travel on his boat, and, I think, in most instances it has been confined to medical officers who could assist instead of being in the way.

"The next important step was to be arranged with the Subsistence Department. This was surrounded with some difficulties, as there was no room on board for a commissary. The difficulty was soon remedied by making the Surgeon in charge an Acting Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, thereby enabling him to receive subsistence from any commissary by invoice and receipt, and to purchase such articles as the sick required.

'CAIRO, ILLINOIS, April 7, 1863.
SIR: By authority from Major General Halleck, commanding the Department of the Mississippi, Surgeons in charge of hospital boats will act as A. A. C. S., so far as receiving and issuing stores for the hospital under their charge is concerned.
Respectfully your obed't servant,
B. DU BARRY,
Capt., &c., C. S., U. S. A.
To Surgeon in charge of hospital boat D. A. January.

"By a similar order the surgeon was held responsible for all the property belonging to the Quartermaster's Department in his charge, and required to receipt for it. This, of course, was an anomaly in departmental matters, but one that was required for the proper administration of the affairs of the floating hospitals; without such an arrangement the unavoidable delays would have destroyed their efficiency. The Medical Department is much indebted to Major Generals Halleck and Grant for the kindness shown and interest taken by them in this branch of the service. We are also indebted to Quartermasters, Brigadier General Allen and Colonel Myers, and to Colonel Parsons, in charge of the river transportation, for their uniform kindness and assistance in the purchase and reconstruction of the boats; also to Colonel Haines, Chief Commissary, for the liberal manner in which the boats have been supplied with subsistence, and, through his orders, the little delay occasioned in receiving supplies. In fact, all have wished us a 'God speed' in a work which has been the means of relieving so much distress and probably of saving many lives."

Steamer City of Memphis.--The first boat chartered on the western rivers for the transportation of wounded was the steamer City of Memphis, which was taken into the service as a hospital boat at Fort Henry on February 7, 1862, by order of Major General U. S. Grant, and placed under the charge of Assistant Surgeon W. D. Turner, 1st Illinois Light Artillery. She was fitted out as thoroughly as circumstances permitted. Spring mattresses were placed on the floor of the upper deck and saloon; the state-room was rearranged, and medicine and commissary stores supplied. Her length was three hundred and thirty feet and her beam seventy feet; her main deck was large and roomy, and her saloon of great length, and she was capable of carrying comfortably seven.hundred and fifty wounded men. From February 7th to 18th she was used as a receiving boat, conveying a large number of sick and wounded from Fort Henry and transferring them to other boats. No record of this work was kept; but the number thus transported is estimated at two thousand. On February 18th she left Fort Henry with four hundred and seventy-five sick and wounded for Paducah, Kentucky, where she arrived on February 19th; the patients were transferred to the general hospitals, and the boat left for Fort Donelson the same day and arrived there on February 21, 1862. The boat was discharged from the hospital service in July, 1862, by Medical Director McDougall, of the Army of the Tennessee, but re-engaged andemployed in carrying wounded from the vicinity of Vicksburg during Grant's campaign. No record of the number transported during her second engagement is found. From February 18th to July 19th, 1862, the boat made fourteen trips and conveyed seven thousand two hundred and twenty-one sick and wounded men, as follows:

TABLE CLXXVI.
Tabular Statement of Trips made by the Steamer City of Memphis
from February 18 to July 19, 1862.
NO. OF TRIP. DATE OF DEPARTURE. PLACE OF DEPARTURE. DATE OF ARRIVAL. PLACE OF ARRIVAL. NO. SICK AND WOUNDED.
1 February 18, 1862 Fort Henry, Tenn February 19, 1862 Paducah, Ky 475
2 February 22, 1862 Fort Donelson, Tenn February 23, 1862 Mound City, Ill 600
3 March 6, 1862 Fort Donelson, Tenn March 8, 1862 Mound City, Ill 400
4 March 14, 1862 Savannah, Tenn March 18, 1862 Saint Louis, Mo 410
5 April 6, 1862 Shiloh, Tenn April 6, 1862 Savannah, Tenn 860
6 . April 9, 1862 Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. April 12, 1862 Mound City, Ill 1,093
7 April 15, 1862 Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. April 18, 1862 Evansville, Ind 413
8 April 21, 1862 New Madrid, Mo April 23, 1862 Evansville, Ind 520
9 April 27, 1862 Pittsburg Landing, Tenn May 1, 1862 Cincinnati, Ohio 400
10 May 13, 1862 Pittsburg Landing, Tenn May 18, 1862 Keokuk, Iowa 400
11 June 2, 1862 Pittsburg Landing, Tenn June 5, 1862 Louisville, Ky 350
12 June 15, 1862 Pittsburg Landing, Tenn June 20, 1862 Keokuk, Iowa 400
13 July --, 1862 Paducah, Ky July 10, 1862 Keokuk, Iowa 550
14 July 1, 1862 Helena, Ark July 17, 1862 Memphis, Tenn 350
Total 7,221



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