These have since been found and provided for. By the end of the week after the battle all our wounded had been sent off, with but few exceptions of men who had been taken to camps of regiments in General Grant's army during the battle. After the men had been enticed to the river and were lying in the mud in front of the boats it was determined in one instance by the Governor to take only the wounded, and this boat went off with a few wounded, leaving many very sick men to get back to their camps as they best could. The men would crowd in numbers to the Landing, a few wounded, but mostly the sick and homesick. Messages were sent to the regiments that a boat was at the Landing ready to take to their homes all wounded and sick from certain States. Others, especially those who came under the orders of Governors of States, were of little assistance, and caused much irregularity. They were ready to receive all sick and wounded, without regard to States or even to politics, taking the wounded Confederates as willingly as our own. Some of these, especially those under the direction of the United States Sanitary Commission, were of great service.
In removing the wounded we were aided by boats fitted up by sanitary commissions and soldiers' relief societies and sent to the battle-field to convey wounded to the hospitals. On Tuesday I had such beats as I could obtain possession of fitted up with such bed-sacks as were on hand and with straw and hay for the wounded to lie upon, and filled to their utmost capacity, and at once dispatched to convey the worst cases to the hospitals on the Ohio River, at Evansville, New Albany, Louisville, and Cincinnati. Many of the wounded were taken on board boats at the Landing and some of our surgeons were ordered on board to attend them. I ordered Brigade Surgeons Gross, Goldsmith, Johnson, and Gay to take charge of the different depots which were established in tents on the hills above the Landing, directing such regimental and contract surgeons as I could find to aid them. After spending an hour in riding a little to the rear of our lines, and seeing as far as possible that there were surgeons in position to attend immediately to the most urgent cases, I returned to the hill above the Landing, and used every exertion to provide for the wounded there. The great number of wounded which I saw being transported to the main depot, and the Almost insurmountable difficulties which I foresaw would exist in providing for them, convinced me that my presence was needed there more than at any other point on the field.
I then rode to the front and reported to you. I found Brigade Surgeon Goldsmith endeavoring to make provision for them, and at his suggestion immediately saw General Grant, and obtained his order for a number of tents to be pitched about the log house. They were coming in very rapidly, and very inadequate arrangements had been made for their reception. I found the principal depot for wounded established at the small log building now used as a field post-office. I left Savannah by the first boat on Monday, and arrived at Pittsburg Landing at about 10 a.m.
On Sunday evening, the divisions being under orders to come up as rapidly as possible, I ordered the medical officers, as it was impossible to take their medical and hospital supplies - the teams and ambulances being in the rear and the roads blocked up with trains - to take their instruments and hospital knapsacks and such dressings and stimulants as could be carried on horseback, and to go on with their regiments.
In the afternoon the wounded were brought down in large numbers, and I then superintended their removal to hospitals, and did all in my power to provide for their comfort. On the morning of the 6th I was at Savannah, and being ordered to remain at that place, I occupied myself in procuring all the hospital accommodation possible in that small village and in directing the preparation of bunks and other conveniences for wounded. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the medical department during and after the battle of the 6th and 7th instant: MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, ARMY OF THE OHIO,
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