From William A. Carrington CSR, M331, National Archives
Report No. X
Richmond, October 24th
1862
Surgeon E. S. Gaillard Medl Director
I have the honour to report that I have this day inspected the
private Hosl called the Robertson Hosl situated on corner of Main & 3rd
Sts (Richmond). It has been occupied as a hosl since July 30th 1861.
Having been leased free of rent by its distinguished owner Judge Robertson who
had made it his residence for many years. A large yard surrounds it in which are
the necessary out houses The hosl building is an irregularly shaped wooden
structure the main building 3 stories high In addition to an offices, Dining
room kitchen & storeroom there are rooms affording a capacity for about 40
patients 10-13 only now are in the Hospl.
Surgeon A. Y. P. Garnett also in charge Genl Hosl no 3 is the
only Medl officer of the Hosl & visits it daily or more frequently if necessary
The other attendants are one cook & 2 nurses. An Asist Surgeon formerly
resided in the Hospital. Some of them I was informed rendered services
gratuitously. I found order & neatness in every part of the Hosl which is
supervised in rotation by the ladies who have it under charge one or two being
on duty every day. They exhibited a neat & accurate register
showing that 539 patients had been admitted to date. According to the table
exhibited
prepared by the Surg Genl. To Sept 17th 1862 of 550 admitted 44
had been furloughed, 57 Discharged & 46 Died.
This is not a military Hosl in that there is no guards but little
restraint exercised over the men; the house is not filled up with similar
furniture to the Genl Hosls; having still much of the furniture of the
owners in use the food is of a better material than in the large Hosls
being prepared and under the supervision of experienced ladies who consider
the patients their guests. There is an absence of all that would remind the
patient that he beds in "an institution" & many things to make him
feel that he is an individual cared for at home This is an
institution similar in origin & intent to other hosls previously inspected &
reported they originated to give form & consolidation to the private
exhibitions of patriotism from the noncombatants of our city when
thousands wounded were brought in in one day they filled their post
of usefulness and honour; but now the regularly organized institutions are
more than sufficient for the demand upon them they all have a surgical
staff & attendants sufficient for their capacity & the government
alone is able to provide for all the ordinary & extraordinary demand upon it
In previous reports on other private Hospls I stated other reasons why it
would be better for the patients & for the service that this change be made,
& in addition I will remark the great additional clerical labor in
Reports acquisitions invoices orders rations of property & provision.
Monthly abstracts muster rolls & payrolls &c &c &c for these Hospitals
at the Surgeon Generals offic the Medical Directors Medical Purveyors
Commissary Q. M.s paymasters - &c &c In view of these things I
recommend (1) that the patients now in these Hosls be removed to Genl Hosl
No. 3 which in order neatness & discipline will compare favorably with this
or any other Hosl;
(2) that the support in Rations & Medl supplies be withdrawn;
(3) that the managers who deserve honour & commendation as among the
heroines of the war be requested to such among our many wards (hitherto
secluded from their presence) fields where their ministrations may be
productive of greater usefulness.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servant,
Wm. A. Carrington
Surgeon & Inspector of Hospls
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