Report of S.W. Gross
Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers,
amd Medical Director District of Florida, USA
concerning Union wounded and dead.
OFFICE OF MEDICAL DIRECTOR, DIST. OF
FLORIDA,
Jacksonville, Fla., March 21, 1864.
Brig. Gen. T. SEYMOUR,
U.S. Army:
GENERAL: Since I have been at this post I have had conversation with various
medical officers in regard to the late action at Olustee, and am fully
convinced that the number of men actually rendered unserviceable has been
greatly exaggerated. The wounds were generally very slight and many men left
the field who should have remained. Only two capital operations were required,
and it is probable that not four more cases were proper subjects for
operation. About 100 men were returned to duty within ten days from the
general hospital at this post, and one-third of the number of wounded should
be able to join their regiments within thirty days, and the majority of the
remainder within sixty days.
The arrangements in regard to the wounded were good; over 200 were at once
transferred to the Cosmopolitan, and the remainder were comfortably cared for
in buildings in Jacksonville and sent as rapidly as possible to Hilton Head
and Beaufort and to their regiments as they recovered.
This communication is made to you unofficially, as I thought you would be
interested in these facts.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. W. GROSS,
Surg., U.S. Vols., and Medical Director Dist. of Fla.
Copied from The Official Records of the War of Rebellion.
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