Pages
(seq. 61)
Cambridge Having received the orders of Brig.r Genl. Miller to examine rigidly all the Hospitals at the several ports in this the 2.d Dept. of the Northern division, I proceeded on this duty on the 29th of Oct. to Newbury Port, where I was joined by Mr. [Allanson?] the Genl [?], + on the 30th was joined by Genl Miller + Col. Fenwick, when we all together proceeded to the bay of Penobscott + from thence to Castine [w. c = which?] is situated at the head of this magnificent bayThis farfamed spot naturally called forth all our attention. General, Engineer, + Physician have viewed with the [territorizing?] eyes of each profession, and it seems as it it were left to the pen of the latter to give the result. About 140 years ago A French colonel, by the name of Castine son in law a Penobscot chief [crossed out] made this spot the headquarters of his excursions against the English. This French gentleman married a Squaw (sic) the daughter of the King so called, in order more effectually to distress the English. Col. Castine gave his name not only to the peninsula but to a town -ship, as well as to the town built on the [wiseside?] of the inclined plain between the fort + the water. The town contains abt. 800 inhabitants. It's difficult to say what supports them, for they have neither saw-mills, distilleries, or any kind of manufactures. The people generally date the decay of the town from the
(seq. 62)
The Surgeon at this post is Dr Wm Ballard a learned honorabel man. But such has been the health of the troops that he has little to do. Having scarcely enough to call forth his energies in the strict line of his duty, he spends his [deletion] leisure in the studies of the natural classics, in Botany & mathematics, He has everything needful about him as it regards medicines, ointments & Hospital stores, but they are in little order & not much to boast of in point of neatness. I have never found him wanting in his duty, or in his attention to the sick, but the reverse. Even his negligence of appearance is the negligence of the scholar & the man of talents. To which we may perhaps add that in all posts situation at the outsides of the U. States, for distant from other facts, negligence to appearances is [deleted text] discernable I have generally found that such as is the strict discipline, order & neatness of the garrison such is the medical department of it.
The Medical room or Surgery is in a bad condition, & badly situation; The passage to it so as dark as almost to need a candle in the day time. Every thing needful was be sure there, but not marked, numbered & placed in the alphabetical order that marks some posts under sugeons of less merit than Dr Ballard.
The barracks for the men were not in the best orer, neither was the bedding remarkably clean. Almost everything seemed out of repair. The man looked healthy, cheerful & remarkably easy, in so much that I should have mistaken them for militia had I not known to the contrary. I re marked [deleted]with pleasure[deleted] the fatherly tenderness
(seq. 63)
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(seq. 64)
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(seq. 65)
Portland Fort Reble & Samuel
Commanded by Major Greene - Joseph Eaton Surgeon.
Fort Reble is situated on a point of land 2 miles from the town of Portland. The ground surrounding it, ceeded to Chell S does not exceed 5 acres. His is a dry gravelly soil with excellent water. Everything within the enclosure is neat & clean. a neat garden is attached to the commanding officers quarters, & everything has the aspect of great attention & good management; and the men very clean & well dressed yet ther have been & still are , more diseases at this post than all the other posts in the Department together This problem I was at first puzzled to solve.
The Surgeon is able & very attentive man. His Hospital is new & very neat, built on an elevated spot, with everything proper about it. The beef-bread & water were of the best quality, ( for I always make it a rule to taste them all) - I could therefore find nothing in the Surgeons' dept nor in the food that could account for these extrodinary diseases until I visited the barrack, and there I found that the men were not allowed to sleep on straw, but law on the cold, hard boards.