REPORT OF BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES B. RICKETTS, TO THE HON. COMMITTEE ON THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR. 242 G STREET, WASHINGTON, July 18, 1866. SIR: It has recently come to my knowledge that, in the report of the Committee on the Conduct of the War relating to the "wounded from Front Royal, Va.," William A. Hammond, then Surgeon General, and Dr. David S. Hayes, then surgeon of the 110th regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers, both made unwarrantable statements with regard to my conduct; in proof of which I respectfully enclose a copy of my report called for by indorsement on the Surgeon General's letter of June 16, 1862, supported by seven letters and a copy of a letter from the War Department, exonerating me from censure. Trusting you will take some steps to correct this record, which reflects on one who has had no other opportunity to explain, and has suffered too much from wounds and privations in the zealous performance of duty to be unmindful, at any time, of his comrades in the same great cause, I remain, very respectfully, yours, Hon. B. F. WADE, JAMES B. RICKETTS, Brevet Brigadier General U. S. A. United States Senator, MANASSAS, VIRGINIA, June 22, 1862. GENERAL: I have just received the letter of the Surgeon General, dated June 16, 1862, with your enclosures, on which I am required to make a "prompt and full report," to wit: The Surgeon General's letter supported by a copy of telegram from Dr. Hayes, which I answer by a letter from Dr. A. L. Cox, brigade surgeon, dated June 21, 1862, marked A; two notes dated Front Royal, June 13, 1862, from my assistant adjutant general to Dr. Cox, brigade surgeon, explained by himself under date of June 21, 1862, marked B. The other enclosure is a special medical order No. 50, headquarters Shields's division, dated Luray, June 11, 1862, not signed, and addressed to Surgeon Hayes, chief surgeon Brick hospital. This in no way concerns me. REPORT. On the 13th June, 1862, at my headquarters, one mile and a half from Front Royal, a surgeon (presumed to be Dr. Hayes) reported to me his arrival with a number of sick and wounded of General Shields's division, which he desired to turn over to me Having no hospital, I told him it would be impossible; the sick had been ordered by General McDowell to Washington, and my division was under orders to move on the shortest notice, (see papers marked C, D, and E;) therefore his sick must be forwarded in accordance with his own instructions, marked F, and he must accompany them. I referred him to the provost marshal in Front Royal, who, from his report, (marked G,) did all in his power, and called to his assistance the proper medical officers. In explanation of the notes to Dr. Cox: He was not senior medical officer, even if the brigade to which he is attached had been on duty in Front Royal, instead of a mile and a half from it. Dr. N. R. Mosely, brigade surgeon to Hartsuff's brigade, was the senior, and Hartsuffs brigade occupied the town. Therefore, when Dr. Cox delayed joining his brigade after breaking up his hospital, and assumed to be the senior medical officer, I feared he might also relieve Dr. Hayes, whose presence I considered necessary; and then caused the note to be written reminding him of his position. All of which is respectfully submitted, and the Surgeon General's letter, with enclosures, herewith returned. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, General L. THOMAS, JAMES B. RICKETTS, Brig. Gen. Vol, Commanding Division. Adjutant General U. S. A., Washington, D. C. A. MANASSAS, VIRGINIA, June 20, 1862. GENERAL: On the 13th instant, in immediate expectation of marching, I had closed the brigade hospital at Front Royal, by express order of Doctor Magruder, medical director of this department of the army. At this moment I received from Doctor Bryan, medical director of General Shields's division, a communication requesting me as head of a hospital at Front Royal, to take charge of two hundred and eighty wounded men of that division. All the medicines, surgical instruments, and other appliances were packed and nailed up in boxes for transportation. It was, therefore, absolutely impossible for me to afford the desired aid to the men, and I so represented it to Dr. Hayes, the surgeon who had them in his charge. You had not verbally or by writing refused to allow me to attend the wounded of Shields's division. Originally the hospital had but thirty-six beds. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brigadier General RICKETTS. ABM. L. COX, Brigade Surgeon. B. HEADQ'RS SECOND DIVISION, DEP'T OF RAPPAHANNOCK, Near Manassas, Virginia, June 21, 1862. GENERAL: In relation to two letters of the date June 13, 1862, written in my official capacity to Dr. A. L. Cox, brigade surgeon first brigade of this division, while stationed near Front Royal, Virginia, I have the honor to state that my understanding of your instructions upon that occasion was that the correspondence related altogether to a point of discipline-the absence of the brig ade surgeon from his duties without your permission. I have the honor further to state that the town of Front Royal was in charge of Brigadier General Hartsuff, and Dr. N. R. Mosely, the senior medical officer on duty. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GENERAL: Special orders directing Hartsuff's and Duryee's brigades to march to Warrenton are hereby countermanded, and yours and Hartsuff's brigades are to go instead. The artillery, except the section now with Colonel Christian, and the cavalry, except a squadron, will accompany the two brigades. You will please to notify General Duryee of this change, and give him the necessary orders for his government. The ammunition here for your division should accompany it in wagons, which you can get on application to the depot quartermaster. Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant, Brigadier General RICKETTS, Commanding Ord's Division. P. S.-General McDowell having directed the removal of all the sick and prisoners to Washington, you will please give orders to General Duryee to furnish the requisite guard for the latter. D. E. S. FRONT ROYAL, June 11, 1862. GENERAL: In a telegram received yesterday from General McDowell, it is directed that as soon as General Banks's cavalry and artillery arrive at Front Royal, General Ricketts is to send his cavalry and artillery, by the nearest road, to Catlett's. Nothing is said about the movement of infantry, and therefore the existing orders are to govern. My understanding is that the two other brigades (Duryee's having gone,) are to leave for Catlett's in the cars, as soon as the troops from Banks's command shall arrive here to relieve them, the presence of two brigades in Front Royal being considered necessary by the Secretary of War. I go to Manassas at 11 o'clock to-day, and now renew my request that you keep a guard at Mr. Cook's house for his protection; also, that the officer who will be in charge after you leave be made acquainted with this wish, which I know is General McDowell's. The general also directs that all persons at Front Royal belonging to Shields's command (stragglers and foot-weary men) be brought by rail to Manassas, thence to Catlett's. These men will be forwarded by the provost marshal, and he ought to have instructions about the general's directions, which I will ask you to communicate. I enclose a communication just received from General Crawford, and a copy of my reply, which concerns your movements. Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant, Brigadier General RICKETTS, ED. SCHRIVER, Commanding Division. E. [By telegraph from Manassas, 4 p. m. June 12, 1862.] To General Ricketts: Major General McDowell wishes you to hold your division constantly ready to move at the shortest notice to Luray. ED. SCHRIVER, Colonel and Chief of Staff F. HEADQUARTERS SHIELDS'S DIVISION, DOCTOR: I have been ordered by General Shields to forward all the sick and wounded of this division to Front Royal. If you cannot take care of them you will please see that they are sent on to Washington, or the nearest point where they can be properly cared for. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Senior MEDICAL OFFICER, Front Royal, Virginia. HENRY BRYAN, Medical Director. MANASSAS, VIRGINIA, June 20, 1862. The above was received by me at Front Royal, on the 13th instant, and is now placed by me in General Ricketts's hands. G. ABM. L. COX, CAMP NEAR MANASSAS, June 21, 1862. SIR: In reply to your question as to the facts concerning the reception of the wounded of General Shields's division at Front Royal, I would respectfully report the following: General Hartsuff was military commander of the town, and I was appointed provost marshal by him to relieve Major Shedd. Early on the morning of the 13th instant a note was put into my hands requesting me to prepare accommo~ dations for 260 wounded men of General Shields's division. I immediately ordered two hotels and a church cleared for the reception, and sent to Doctor Mosely, of General Hartsuff's brigade, acquainting him with the facts. Soon the wounded arrived, and were placed in the quarters provided by me. Dr. Hayes called upon me, and I told him I would give him all the aid in my power to make them comfortable. I offered to draw rations for them, furnished them with clean straw, all the beds in the hotels being in requisition, and also provided the surgeon with brandy, which I had just seized, as a stimulant. During the day Dr. Mosely, accompanied by Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons Hayward, Nordquist, Whitney, Chaflin, Kendall, and Colby visited them, and assisted in dressing their wounds. The next day they were sent to Alexandria. I believe they were as kindly cared for in Front Royal as they could have been. Every effort was made that I could possibly make to supply them with necessaries for their comfort, and I have never heard that they suffered from neglect at Front Royal. I should state that we were under marching orders at the time, and expected momentarily to be relieved. |