Convalescent Camp.
A few of the convalescent soldiers in this photograph have been set to work, but the majority are idly recuperating.
These east wards are much less attractive than those shown below, around headquarters.
The buildings were poorly ventilated and poorly drained, and in wet weather stood in a sea of mud. The death-rate here was higher than at most hospitals or prisons.
This was partly due to the fact that unoccupied soldiers are far more liable to disease than the soldier at work.
These convalescent or parole camps made more trouble for the officers than did those of the active soldiers.
‘Camp Misery’ was the title at first bestowed by the soldiers on this particular Camp at
Alexandria, Va. At first it consisted only of tents, and was badly managed; but later it was entirely reorganized, barracks were built, and
Miss Amy Bradley of the Sanitary Commission did much to improve conditions.
Two different types of ambulance stand before headquarters, as well as the old-fashioned family carriage.
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East wards of the convalescent Camp at Alexandria—1864 |
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