Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/116

 110 Southern Historical Society Papers.

I Official Report of Joseph Jones, M. D., of New Orleans, Louisiana, Sur- geon-General United Confederate Veterans, Concerning the Medical. Department of the Confederate Army and Navy.

156 WASHINGTON AVE., NEW ORLEANS, LA.,

June jo, 1890.

To his Excellency JOHN B. GORDON, General

Commanding United Confederate Veterans, Atlanta, Ga. :

GENERAL I have the honor to submit the following : The Medical Department of the Confederate States was a branch of the War Department, and was under the immediate supervision of the Secretary of War. The Surgeon- General of the Confederate States was charged with the administrative details of the Medical Department the government of hospitals, the regulation of the duties of surgeons and asssistant-surgeons, and the appointment of acting medical officers when needed for local or detached service. He issued orders and instructions relating to the professional duties of medical officers, and all communications from them which required his action were made directly to him. The great struggle for the independence of the Southern States ended twenty-five years ago, and all soldiers in the Confederate army, from the Commanding Gen- eral to the private in the ranks, were, by the power of the conquer- ing sword, reduced to one common level, that of paroled prisoners of war.

The objects of the Association of Confederate Veterans of 1890 are chiefly historical and benevolent. We conceive, therefore, that the labors of the Surgeon-General relate to two important objects.

First. The collection and preservation of the records of the Medi- cal Corps of the Confederate Army and Navy.

Second. The determination by actual investigation and inquiry, the numbers and condition of the surviving Confederate soldiers who have been disabled by wounds and diseases, received in their heroic defense of the rights and liberties of the Southern States.

To accomplish the first object, the following circular, No. i, has been issued :

i. The Collection and Preservation of the Records of Medical 'cers of the Confederate Army and Navy.