Thursday, October 30, 2014

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Edwin M. Stanton, June 23, 1863

Executive Office, Iowa,
Iowa City, June 23, 1863.
Hon. Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War,
Washington, D. G.

Sir: — I have received the letter of Brig.-Gen. Canby, A. A. G., covering copy of Surg.-Gen. Hammond's report on my application for the transfer of sick and wounded soldiers from Iowa to hospitals in that State, and confess that I am deeply mortified and much disheartened by their contents.

Surg.-Gen. Hammond reports that on the 27th of May last he reported to you that at hospitals then established, there were 40,000 vacant beds, that a compliance with my request would involve the construction of more hospitals, and therefore he disapproved it; and Gen. Canby's letter merely states that he has been instructed by you to enclose to me a copy of Surg.-Gen. Hammond's report.

I do not at all dispute the correctness of the facts in Surg.-Gen. Hammond's report, but I think you will be troubled, as I certainly have been, to discern the reason why these facts render my request an improper one, when I state to you another fact which certainly would be known to Surg.-Gen. Hammond, to-wit: That one of these hospitals in which these vacant beds are, is in the city of Keokuk in the State of Iowa. Immediately after the battle of Shiloh a hospital was established at Keokuk, and the same has been kept up continually until this time. There are now some 500 or 600 patients there, and “vacant beds” for at least 1,000 or 1,500 more, and when I apply to you to have our sick and wounded men sent there, backed as I suppose myself to be, either by a positive law or joint resolution of Congress, it is exceedingly mortifying and disheartening to learn as I do unfortunately, that the existence of this hospital is unknown at Washington, and that to comply with my request will require the construction of new hospitals. There is room enough in the hospital now established at Keokuk, and now in operation there, for all or nearly all our sick and wounded men, and thus the reason assigned by Surg.-Gen. Hammond for refusing my request being removed, permit me to renew that request and further urge it upon your consideration.

There is a great deal of ill feeling among our sick and wounded men and their friends at home on this subject. When men are suffering from wounds or disease, there is among them a natural desire to be as near home as possible and to see their friends if they can. If you, or Surg.-Gen. Hammond or I were sick or wounded, we would feel thus, and our friends would desire to have us near them so they could see us. Our sick and wounded men feel thus, and it is right that I should say to you plainly and frankly that the belief prevailing among our soldiers and their friends at home that the government refuses to gratify this natural and proper feeling of the soldiers and their friends, when as in this case it can be fairly and properly gratified, is producing results in the public mind unfavorable to the government and prejudicial to the cause of the country. When speaking on this subject men whose sons are in the army begin to say, and to say freely, that it would be well for the government to pay some regard to the feelings and wishes and opinions of those who have given all they have for the country, as well as to be careful to conciliate those who are doing much against it.

I therefore renew my request and base it on the following grounds:

1st. We have already hospital accommodations in the State.

2nd. Our people are well satisfied, and they are sustained in their belief by the best medical authority, that not only will our sick and wounded recover more rapidly in their own climate, but that many will recover if sent here who will die if kept below.

3rd. The sick and wounded can be as well guarded at Keokuk, as elsewhere, and returned to their regiments upon their recovery as well from that point as from any other.

4th. It will be a cause of heartfelt pleasure to many a poor fellow to be in a place where his wife, his sister, or his mother can go to see him and cheer him in his suffering, and will encourage their friends to stand by and support the government that shows a sympathy for those who are suffering for its preservation. Very respectfully

Your obedient servant,
SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 235-6

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