The Hospital Transport service.
- The organization of this service by the United States Sanitary Commission -- difficulties encountered -- steamers and sailing vessels employed -- the corps of Ladies employed in the service -- the headquarters' staff -- Ladies plying on the Transports to Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and elsewhere -- work on the Daniel Webster -- the Ocean Queen -- difficulties in providing as rapidly as was desired for the numerous patients -- duties of the Ladies who belonged to the headquarters' staff -- description of scenes in the work by Miss Wormeley and Miss G. Woolsey -- taking on patients -- “butter on soft bread” -- “Guess I can stand h'isting better'n him” -- “spare the darning needles” -- “slippers only fit for pontoon bridges” -- visiting Government Transports -- Scrambling eggs in a wash-basin -- Subduing the captain of a tug -- the battle of Fair Oaks -- bad management on Government Transports -- sufferings of the wounded -- Sanitary Commission Relief tent at the wharf -- Relief tents at White House depot at Savage's Station -- the departure from White House -- arrival at Harrison's Landing-. -- running past the rebel batteries at City Point -- “I'll take those mattresses you spoke of” -- the wounded of the seven days battles -- “you are so kind, I-am so weak” -- Exchanging prisoners under flag of truce
Among the deeds which entitle the United States Sanitary Commission to the lasting gratitude of the American people, was the organization and maintenance of the “Hospital Transport service” in the Spring and Summer of 1862. When the Army of the Potomac removed from the high lands about Washington, to the low marshy and miasmatic region of the Peninsula, it required but little discernment to predict that extensive sickness would prevail among the troops; this, and the certainty of sanguinary battles soon to ensue, which would multiply the wounded beyond all previous precedents, were felt, by the officers of the Sanitary Commission, as affording sufficient justification, if any were needed for making an effort to supplement the provision of the Medical Bureau, which could not fail to be inadequate for the coming emergency. Accordingly early in April, 1862, Mr. F. L. Olmstead, the Secretary of the Commission, having previously secured the sanction of the Medical Bureau, made application to the Quartermaster-General to allow the Commission to take in hand some of the transport steamboats of his department, of which a large number were at that time lying idle, to fit them up and furnish them in all respects suitable for the reception and care of sick and wounded men, providing surgeons and other necessary attendance without cost to Government. After tedious delays and disappointments of various kinds-one fine large boat having been assigned, partially furnished by the Commission, and then withdrawn-an
