In Gen. Parsons' Brigade the police arrangements are not as complete as they should be; there is not that evidence of cleanliness and order in and around the tents that is desirable, and the camps are rather too much crowded together for a permanent encampment where economy of space is not rendered necessary. These remarks are particularly applicable to Col's Hunter and Pickett's regiments but may be due to temporary causes and to the fact of their recent removal to their present location. This Brigade has recently been furnished with one Hospital tent for each regiment, so that the necessity of crowding together the sick and well will no longer exist in this case. The health of the Brigade is comparitively good, the average number of sick to a regiment being thirty-eight most of whom are only slightly indisposed.
The solitary case of Small Pox which occurred in Col. White's regiment a few weeks ago was promptly isolated by the surgeons in charge, his mess mates quarantined, and a system of vaccination instituted. No other case has yet to made its appearance, and consequently all fear as to the spread of the loathsome disease may be dismissed.
On the 16th Inst. we visited them and in a like manner inspected the Brigades under the command of Brig. Generals Tappan and Fagan located on this side of the river four miles distant. The site occupied by these brigades is in most respects eligible, having the advantage of shade and a good supply of water. The only objection to it is that immediately in the rear there is a swamp of considerable magnitude. This may not prove injurious in the present state of the weather, but during the hot months of July, Aug. and Sept. it would undoubtedly give rise to a disease of a malarious character.
The police and sanitary regulations of both these brigades are as complete as could be expected, and the hygienic condition of the troops good. The great majority of the cases of sickness reported are of a very mild character; we, however, witnessed two cases (one in each brigade) of sudden and very violent disease which have doubtless proved fatal before this - one being violent congestion of the lungs, and the other inflammation of the brain.
The average number of sick per regiment in Gen. Tappan's Brigade is fifty-eight, while that in Gen. Fagan's is forty-seven.
In both these Brigades there is a deficiency of proper hospital tents, while in the entire Division there is a very great want of ambulances both for the removal of the sick to the General Hospital, or for conveying the wounded from the battlefield in case [of] action. It is respectfully recommended that these ambulances when furnished be placed in charge of the Surgeons of the regiments, who shall be responsible for their preservation, so that they may be kept for their legitimate use, and not subject to the order of other parties who may wish to employ them for foraging and other purposes.
There seems to be some hesitation on the part of regimental surgeons in sending their seriously sick to the General Hospital. It is obvious that in the present unsettled state of the command, the severe and protracted cases of disease can be better cared for and their dietetic and other wants more speedily met in the General Hospital than can be in camp. It is therefore respectfully suggested that an order covering these cases might have a salutory effect.
Source: "I Acted From Principle: The Civil War Diary of Dr. William M. McPheeters, Confederate Surgeon in the Trans-Mississippi. Ed. by Pitcock and Gurley.