"General Thomas accorded the fullest authority to Medical Director Cooper to select for the hospital trains the best locomotives and cars to be found among the rolling stock, and to have new cars fitted up whenever necessary, and caused to be detailed for the hospital service the most experienced conductors, engineers, and other employes of the several railway lines. Medical Director Cooper informs the reporter that the smoke-pipes of the locomotives of the hospital trains were painted of a brilliant scarlet; the exterior of the hood, and of the tender-car with water and fuel, were of the same conspicuous color, with gilt ornamentation. At night, beneath the head-light of the engine, three red lanterns were suspended in a row. These distinguishing signals were recognized by the Confederates, and the trains were never fired upon, or molested in any way. Dr. Cooper "was informed by wounded Confederate officers in Nashville, who were captured at the battle near that place, of the stringent orders given his troopers by General N. B. Forrest for the non-interference with and protection of the U. S. A. Hospital trains," by giving them timely warning in the event of the railway being obstructed or torn up. The partizan troops of Colonel John Morgan's command had similar instructions. It is related that on one occasion Colonel Morgan's scouts stopped the train directed by Dr. Barnum, and having switched it off upon a siding, after enquiring if there were sufficient stores on the train for the sick and wounded, they tore up the main track, and then rifled and destroyed five supply trains that successively arrived at the point where the line was interrupted."...
"Few published statements have appeared respecting the transportation of sick and wounded in the Confederate armies."...
"Preston Moore, Surgeon General of the Confederate Army, states, August, 1875: "Freight and open box cars were used to transport our wounded from the field to the hospitals. In the beginning of the war these cars were bedded with straw or leaves, whichever was most convenient. It was soon found that this bedding became so foul as to be very unpleasant. This plan was therefore discontinued, and the wounded were placed on blankets, when they could be had, spread on the floors of the cars. Stretchers were not used. * * Passenger cars were not used for severely wounded patients, the freight and open box cars being preferred. The Confederates had no regular system of hospital trains. As far as possible this idea was carried out, but oftentimes the exigencies of the service forbade its regular adoption."
Dr. Hunter McGuire, Medical Director of General T. J. Jackson's Corps, remarks, upon the same date: "We used freight cars in transporting wounded men, and sometimes sick men, using straw or dry leaves for bedding. Stretchers were very scarce, and occasionally an officer or very badly wounded man was permitted to take one away. Sometimes we suspended one of them by ropes fastened to posts on the side of the car. We had few ropes, and no rubber rings. Passenger cars were also used. Planks were fastened on the tops of the backs of the seats; these slats were covered with beds, upon which the patients were laid. I remember only one regular hospital train, running from Guinea's Station [about twelve miles from Fredericksburg] to Richmond. It was made up partly of freight and passenger cars arranged as above represented."
Dr. Howell L. Thomas, who was stationed in or about Richmond during the war, relates the following facts on the subject: "Freight cars and flats were very generally used for the transportation of the wounded. The floors of these cars were usually covered with dry leaves or straw, as the locality best afforded; and in the absence of those, the best use was made of blankets, and other spreads, for relieving the hardness of the floors. Stretchers were not much in vogue, especially at the latter part of the war, when their scarcity prevented much resort to them. All sorts of intended comforts were improvised by attendants from the limited means at command. There were no ropes or rubber rings in stock. Passenger cars were converted to the use of recumbent passengers by laying temporary supports of boards upon the seats or the backs thereof, converting them into bunks, and making them hold two patients. Stretchers were used in such cases when they could be had. There were regular hospital trains once a day or oftener, from post hospitals to the field. They were in charge of regular medical officers with their aids, who were furnished with such supplies as would serve in emergencies. These trains were composed of freight and passenger cars, and the patients were quartered in one or the other according to their condition. Many of the passenger cars, if my recollection serves me, were bunked up (2 or 3 tiers) on the sides. But, except for emergencies, this close order was not resorted to."
______________________
David Upton