(Copy)

Hd. Qrs. 32^nd Mass Vols.

2^nd B. 1^st Div 5^th C.

July 2^nd 1864

 

General,

                        I beg leave to submit for your consideration the following statement of facts. Some days since I made a report to my immediate commander of which the following is a copy.

 

near Petersburg Va.

 June 24^th 1864

Lieut. John Hinsch

            Actg. Adj. 32^nd Mass. Vols

                        Sir,

                                    My com'd'g officer is probably aware that during the present campaign large numbers of wounded officers and men have been taken to the rear in Army Wagons, the Ambulance Train being inadequate for their transportation. Many have died in the wagons and have been buried by the road-side, and in view of these facts I feel it to be my duty to report that Captain A. L. Thomas A.Q.M. 1^st Div. 5^th Corps has in his possession an Ambulance the property of the United States, which I am informed he devotes to his private use.

 

Very respectfully &c

(signed) Isaiah F. Hoyt

 Lt. &c—

 

This report I am informed was forwarded to Div. / Hd. Qrs. and in a few days I received a note of which I certify the following to be a true copy

 

Hd. Qrs. 1^st Div. 5^th Corps

June 28^th 1864.

Sir,

            The General com'd'g directs me to inform you that when you are appointed an Inspector General, or detailed to secret service duty, you will be duly notified—for the present you are requested not to act in either capacity.

 

                                                Very respectfully

                                                Yr. obt. servant

Lt. Hoyt                                   (signed) C. Bellewine

32^d Mass. Vols.                                               A.A.G.

 

Capt. Thomas has had since May 23^rd and still holds and devotes to his private use the Ambulance above referred to in violation of Sec. II G.O. No. 177 War Dept. A.G.O. hereto annexed.

The facts above recited are within the knowledge of the following-named officers

1^st Lt. A. Litchfield     R.Q.M. 20^th Maine Vols.

1^st Lt. L. Alvy             R.Q.M. 18 Mass. Vols.

1^st Lt. M. J. Newell     R.Q.M. 16^th Mich. Vols.

1^st Lt. C. C. Pinckney R.Q.M. 1^st Mich. Vols.

 

In behalf, not of those brave soldiers who died in / the Wagons and were buried by the wayside, but of those who yet survive and will one day need the conveniences their Government provides for them when wounded, I would ask that this matter may be investigated.

 

I have the honor to be, General,

Very Respectfully, your obt. servt.

(signed) Isaiah F. Hoyt

Lt. & Acting R.Q.M.

3^rd Mass. Vols.

2^nd B. 1^st D. 5^th C.

 

Gen. L. Thomas

            Adjt. Gen.

                        U.S. Army Washington

 

(Copy)

General Order                                                                         War Dept. Adj. Gen's Office

no. 177                                                                                    Washington Apl. 23^d 1864

            (In relation to public horses wagons &c)

I.          Every officer of the Army, other than of the Q.M. Dept., and the chief Medical officers of Depts., armies, and army corps, who has in his possession, or under his control, any horse, ambulance, spring wagon, or vehicle of any kind, belonging to the Govt. of the United States, whether used in the performance of his public or private duties, will immediately turn the same in to the Q.M. Dept.

II         Hereafter no officer of the Army will use any horse, / ambulance, spring wagon, or vehicle of any kind, which is the property of the Govt. of the United States, whether for the transaction of his official or private business, without an order in writing from the Adj^t Gen^l authorizing such use.

This order will not apply to officers entitled to be mounted under G.O. No. 277, from this Office, of Aug. 8^th 1863.

III        The Regulations of the Q.M. Dept. provide for the transportation of officers traveling under orders, and their baggage. When, on proper requisition, an officer has obtained transportation, the horse or vehicle so obtained will be returned to the office accountable therefor, or to some other officer of the Q.M. Dept. as soon as the journey is performed.

IV        The Q.M. Genl. and Inspector Genl. will cause this order to be enforced by the officers of their Depts. through out the Armies of the United States; and for its violation reported by officers of their Depts. the same penalty is attached as provided by sec. 8 of an act of Congress, published in G.O. War Dept. No. 106, current series, in reference to the use of Ambulances.

            By order of the Secretary of War

                                    (signed)

                                                C. D. Townsend

                                                            AAG.

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