Chapter 14:
- Tennessee and the medical department.
There was no difficulty in finding qualified medical officers in Tennessee. Medical education had attained a high standard, and surgeons were supplied as soon as regimental organizations were made. Dr. B. W. Avent, a man of ripe experience, great skill and administrative ability, was made surgeon-general of the provisional army of the State. So perfect was his system that the department was adopted by the Confederate authorities without material change. The subsequent efficiency of this branch of the service is largely due to the foresight and skill of this eminent man. As soon as the troops were mustered, the demand for the establishment of hospitals was created. The men from the rural districts were the victims of measles to such an extent that camps of instruction were converted into hospitals. Dr. S. H. Stout, surgeon of the Third Tennessee infantry, states that this regiment was sent to Camp Cheatham, near Nashville, in May, 1861, 1,100 strong, and within two months 650 men were treated for this disease alone. This was about the percentage prevailing in all of the regiments. This condition demanded an immediate hospital service, and Nashville became the chief post of the Southwest. Troops from other States were being concentrated at Bowling Green, Ky., Fort Donelson, and other accessible points; and before the battle at the point last named, there were in the hospitals established at Nashville nearly 13,000 sick men under treatment, provision having been made for them by the State of Tennessee out of her own abundant resources.
