[The War of the Rebellion, Official Records (excerpts), Series II, Vol 6, 1889] [Abstracted by Mark Murphy, 4 Dec 2001] p. 938 Prisoners of War and State, Etc. Headquarters, Rock Island Barracks, Rock Island, Ill., February 10, 1864. Col. W. Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D.C.: Colonel: I have the honor to report that I arrived at this post on the 3d instant, and since that time have been engaged in making my inspection, instituting certain changes in the administration of the hospital department, and investigating the causes of the present prevalence of the smallpox at the post. A detailed report of inspection, with copies of communications addressed to the commanding officer, and of reports received, I send herewith. I find that there has been much remissness on the part of the medical officers of the prison in not taking proper measures to prevent the spread of the small pox. In some cases the proper steps have been suggested, but not urged with sufficient energy. On my arrival i found some thirty-eight cases of the disease, and some of these in an advanced stage, lying among their fellows in the prison barracks. This is inexcusable. The fact had not been reported to the commanding officer by the surgeon in charge. That officer should, however, have been acquainted with the fact through his provost-marshal, and should have directed their immediate removal, even without the request of the surgeon. Much excuse is to be made for the medical officers in view of their inexperience and of the difficulties with which they had to contend, as shown in their reports (nos. 6 and 7). Doctor Temple is an acting assistant surgeon and was not aware of the extent of his authority or duties as surgeon in charge. Doctor Moxley is a very young officer, but recently commissioned, and, though anxious and trying to do his whole duty, is entirely unfitted both by temperament and inexperience for a charge of this magnitude. A medical officer of experience and executive ability should be at once assigned to duty here. Acting Assistant Surgeon Iles is an old man, and, as I am informed by the commanding officer, was completely bewildered at being placed in such a charge, and though not unskilled professionally had not the slightest idea of his duty as an officer. I have called for no report from him. A large portion of the blame in this matter appears to rest with the officers at Louisville, Ky., who sent prisoners to this post who had been exposed to the contagion and even some with the disease already broken out. (See Nos. 3,4,5,6 and 7.) I found the supply of vaccine virus on hand nearly or quite exhausted, so telegraphed at once to the assistant surgeon-general at Louisville and to Saint Louis for a supply, and which I have directed to be thoroughly used immediately on its arrival (Nos. 8 and 9). I found it necessary to direct a large addition to the pest hospital. This is already under way (No. 1). A prison hospital is imperatively demanded. A plan for a proposed building, to be erected just south of the prison inclosure, has been sent to you by Colonel Johnson, which I hope will meet with your approval, as it is, I think, the best, and certainly as economical as any that can be furnished. Captain Reynolds, depot quartermaster, has applied to the Quartermaster's Department for authority to erect it (No. 2). A post hospital for the garrison is also greatly needed. A p. 939 plan for this has been approved by the commanding officer and depot quartermaster and will soon be erected. The absolute necessity for an increase of the water supply and for a system of drainage is recognized by the depot quartermaster and prompt attention is promised. I feel the less hesitancy, sir, in suggesting and strongly urging these improvements at this post in view of its expected permanency as a U.S. station. The hospital proposed can be at any time after the removal of the prisoners used as a U.S. general hospital or as barracks for troops; and the proposed water-works and accompanying system of drainage will always be of service. I shall leave to-morrow morning for Springfield, Ill., and thence to Alton and Saint Louis. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A.M. Clark, Surgeon and Acting Medical Inspector of Prisoners of War. ----- (Enclosure.) Report of inspection of camp and field hospitals at Rock Island, Ill., February 4 to 7, 1864, by Surg. A.M. Clark, acting medical inspector prisoners of war. Designation of camp- U.S. military prison, Rock Island, Ill. Commander of camp- Co. A.J. Johnson, Invalid Corps. Command and strength- prisoners of war, 7,149; Federal troops, 16 companies Invalid Corps, 1,361; aggregate, 8,510. Location of camp- Rock Island, in Mississippi River, between cities of Rock Island, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa. Time occupied-first prisoners arrived December 3, 1863. Water, source and supply- chiefly from river by steam pump; on artesian well in camp, bore 9 inches by 125 feet capacity. Water, quality and effects-very good, especially that from well, but supply insufficient. (See remarks) Fuel-bituminous coal; wood to a small extent. Soil- alluvial deposit, one to six feet in depth, on limestone rock. Drainage- natural facilities good, though requiring blasting through rock; present system utterly inadequate. Topography-island of limestone rock, about three miles long, half a mile wide, lying east and west, west end cleared, remainder chiefly young woodland. Meteorology-prevailing winds south and southeast, frequent rains. Zymotic influences- extensive swamp on south border of camp requiring drainage or will be productive of miasmatic disease. Police of camp- bad as regards grounds; in barracks, most excellent, far excelling many Federal barracks. Discipline in camp-of prisoners very strict, productive of excellent effects. Duties in camp- policing. Tents or huts, position- 84 barracks, arranged 6 rows of 14, streets 100 feet wide, distance between barracks 40 feet. Tents or huts, pattern and quality- one story, raised 1 to 3 feet from ground, 82 by 22 by 12 feet, 10 windows; cook-house at end of barracks, new and well built. Tents or huts, ventilation and removal- 2 ventilators in roof of each barrack 4 by 2 feet, insufficient without aid of windows. Tents or huts, sufficiency- 60 double bunks in each barrack, accomodating 120, total 10,080. Tents or huts, heating- sufficient, 2 stoves in each barrack. Sinks, construction, condition and position- very faulty, excavating but 2 to 6 feet deep, owing to rock; absolutely necessary to employ movable sinks or build them over river, otherwise all the spare ground within the inclosure will soon become a seething mass of filth. Sinks, management- very faulty. Removal of offal, &c.- tolerbly, but not thoroughly attended to. Previous use of camp- woodland. Rations- abundant and of good quality. Cooking in camp- cook house at end of each barrack, 18 by 22 by 12 feet, one 40-gallon caldron in each, utensils sufficient and in good order. Inspection of food- none after issue. Portable ovens- p. 940 bread furnished by contract; quality good. Vegetables- a sufficient supply. Cleanliness of men and clothing- clean and neat to a degree utterly surprising in a prison camp. Quality and quantity of clothing- brought by prisoners, condemned United States; supply insufficient. Blankets- supply sufficient; no bedding in hospital, except a small supply of straw and sufficient blankets. Habits of men- comparatively neat and cleanly from discipline. Condition of men- in barracks, excellent: in hospital, as clean and comfortable as practicable without hospital clothing or bedding and with inadequate laundry facilities. Hospital buildings and tents- none yet erected except in smallpox hospital; 11 prison barracks occupied, giving 462 beds; pest-house, 2 small dwellings with capacity for about 62 (occupied by 51); 2 barracks completed, 108; 1 barrack not completed, 54, and 3 ordered, 162; total accommodation pest barracks, 324 beds. Police of hospital- tolerably good; pest house, bad. Hospital discipline-not at all strict. Hospital diet and cooking- diet good; cooking well done, but food not properly inspected by medical officer. Hospital heat and ventilation- sufficiently heated by stoves, 3 in each barrack, 5 in each pest-house, 324 beds; new hospital to be erected, 700 beds. Number sick- morning report, February 9, in pest-house, 336. Transportation of sick- 3 ambulances for prison and post hospitals. State of medical supplies and surgical instruments- sufficent and in very good order. State of hospital records-not strictly kept or showing the exact present condition of the hospital. State of hospital fund- January 31, 1864, $347.61. Expenditures- $546.70, for articles of diet, &c. Reports- not promptly kept up. Medical attendance- sufficient in number, but inadequate in skill; 1 assistant surgeon, U.S. Volunteers, 10 acting assistant surgeons. Nursing- by convalescents and detail of prisoners. Interments- in grave-yard on island; condition very good, well cared for. Diseases prevalent- smallpox, pneumonia, intermittent fever. Diseases zymotic-smallpox. Diseases, mitigation and prevention of- proper precautions have not been taken or sought for with sufficient energy. Wounds and operations, recoveries from diseases and wounds, mortality from diseases and wounds- the following data are all that can be ascertained with any degree of accuracy: Total deaths during January, 173; case smallpox, 297; deaths, smallpox, 62; percentage, 20.87. February 1 to 8, cases smallpox, 159; deaths, smallpox, 36; percentage 22.64. Number vaccinated to February 8, 3,613. Total cases smallpox, 456; total deaths, smallpox, 98; percentage, 21.40. Garrison- cases smallpox, 8 (included in above); no deaths; sick in post hospital, 63; in quarters, 175. Medical officer- Asst. Surg. M.K. Moxley, U.S. Volunteers, post surgeon, ten acting assistant surgeons. Remarks concerning character and skill: Doctor M. is anxious and tries to do well, but is unfitted by his inexperience for the charge of a post of this magnitude. He is but poorly supported by his assistants, who, with on or two exceptions, are utterly inefficient. The water-works are about being removed and improved by the quartermaster's department. A system of drainage is also about to be adopted which will entirely remedy the present defects, as well as furnish drainage for sinks and wash-houses, thus obviating the necessity of placing the former over the river. Additional accommodations at the pest-house are rapidly progressing. Strict instructions as to the steps to be taken in regard to the smallpox have been given. The ground for the new post and prison hospitals has been located and carefully surveyed. A.M. Clark, Surgeon and Acting Medical Inspector Prisoners of War. p. 948 Chicago, ILL., February 13, 1864. Col. W. Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D.C.: COLONEL: My report, dated Rock Island, February 10, 1864, not having been as full in some particulars as I could wish it to be, I have the honor to submit the following in supplement thereto: Rock Island Barracks are situated near the center in length and on the northern side of the island. The prison barracks are 84 in number, each intended to accomodate 120 men. They are arranged in blocks of 7 each, fronting on streets 100 feet wide, with two main avenues, 130 feet wide, intersecting the camp in the center. The sinks are place 4 in street running north and south. The barracks have each 2 ridge ventilators and 12 windows, with 2 doors. These would afford abundantly sufficient ventilation were it not for the difficulty in having the windows kept open, and in view of this difficulty I have suggested that the ridge ventilation be carried the full length of the barrack. This can be done by prison labor and at a trifling expense. Each barrack is 100 by 22 by 12 feet in dimensions. Eighteen feet in length is partitioned off for a kitchen, which is furnished with a 40-gallon caldron and the requisite kitchen and table furniture. The barracks are sufficiently heated by two coal stoves in each. The bedding is well aired each day, and the police and discipline, as well as the general condition of the men, is admirable. Here, however, commendation must cease. The camp grounds are but poorly policed. Some excuse exists for this in view of the very severe weather of late, the lack of transportation, and the utter want of drainage. A feeble attempt has been made to drain the camp, which is, however, entirely inadequate to its purpose. Near the southwest corner of the prison inclosure is a small marsh which receives the surface drainage of the adjacent portion of the island and into it the camp drain empties. At the present season this marsh causes no greater evil than inconvenience in crossing it, but in warm weather it will become a hotbed of miasma. Plans for effectually draining both this and the camp have been approved and will be described presently. The present means of water supply are entirely inadequate to the ordinary wants of the camp. On the northern shore of the island, at the northwest corner of the inclosure, is placed a steam pump which forces water through a 3-inch wooden supply pipe into four cisterns, two outside the inclosure for the use of the garrison, and two inside for the use of the prisoners. There is also an artesian well of 9-inch bore and 125 feet depth just inside the west gate of the prison. The present location of the water-works is such as to render the river on the north side of the island useless to the prison for all purposes of drainage. In the plan approved it is proposed to remove the steam pump to a point on the shore some distance east of the inclosure, and to run from it a 6-inch iron supply pipe to a reservoir 100 feet square (capacity, 1,800,000 gallons), placed on a knoll about 300 feet south of p. 949 the inclosure and with an elevation of 40 feet above low-water mark, from which the prison hospital, garrison, and post hospital may be supplied by means of hydrants placed in convenient locations. The elevation of the reservoir will give a sufficient head of water to throw a stream over any building in the camp in case of fire. A slightly elevated ridge runs east and west through the center of the camp, and dividing it into two equal portions for drainage. The southern portion it is proposed to drain by means of a sewer leading into the main one, by which the above-mentioned marsh is to be drained into a natural ravine running to the river on the south side of the island. The prison streets are to be graded and furnished with surface drains leading into the main sewer. In the north avenue it is proposed to build an open sewer of masonry, over which is to be built the sinks, allowing the soil to be carried off by a stream of water constantly flowing from the reservoir through the sewer. On either side the sewer are built the wash-houses, to be supplied with water and drained into the sewer, which is to empty into the river below low-water mark, and to be efficiently protected from being used by the prisoners as a means of escape. A copy of this plan has already been sent to Washington, and will, I hope, meet your approval and that of the Quartermaster's Department, for it or some similar plan is most necessary. There is at present no prison hospital, prison barracks being used now for that purpose. I have approved a plan, a copy of which has been forwarded for your approval. I have carefully reconnoitered the island and selected a site about 500 feet south of the inclosure and west of the reservoir. The ground is elevated and can be readily drained into the marsh sewer and is sufficiently near the reservoir to receive a supply of water. Captain Reynolds, in anticipation of the authorization of the building by the Quartermaster's Department, has already begun the cleaning of the ground. The most urgent necessity exists for the speedy completion of this building. The smallpox hospital is located on the south shore of the island, directly opposite the prison, and at present consists of three barracks, each 129 by 22 by 12 feet in dimensions and accommodating 42 beds in each, and 3 small dwelling houses, unfit for any use at all, except for kitchens or wash-houses. Three additional barracks of the same dimensions as the above are in process of erection by my direction. There are now over 100 case of smallpox within the prison inclosure, and it is of the utmost importance that they should be removed as rapidly as possible. I inclose an application to the Surgeon-General for the assignment of a capable medical officer to the charge at Rock Island, which, if it meets your approbation, please approve and forward to the Surgeon- General's office. I leave to-night for Springfield, Ill. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A.M. Clark, Surgeon and Acting Medical Inspector of Prisoners of War. [end of excerpt]