Mass. 32^nd Reg^t Vols.

July 30^th 1862

 

Lt. Col. Francis J. Parker,

           

My dear Col.,

                                    Fearing that you might be alarmed by reports from camp about our health, I have thought it best to write a few lines and tell you how we are. It appears that the place we are now in has not proved salubrious. In regard to myself I believe I am "coming". My diarrhoea has ceased or at least it only troubles me by pains in bowels afternoons and liquid dejections perhaps two daily. But I feel much better than when you left. But enough of my par- / ticular case. The men, who have not had so good opportunities for acclimation as myself, or do not exercise that discretion in diet &c. that I do, or who are less lucky in constitution, or more exposed, are suffering from a severe form of remittent fever, which in many, but by no means in all, follows the diarrhoea or accompanies it. It is pretty general in the command. After continuing a variable time according to the individual case, from 15 days down to 2 or 3, it assumes a Typhoid or Typhus character, ceases to be remittent, and the patient rapidly sinks, in spite of medical treatment. Two men have thus died, and two more are very sick and can hardly recover I fear. / I have asked Dr. Ainsworth, who is now here in the 22^nd to come over and examine them and consult about treatment, etc.

 

            I can see no benefit to be derived from change of location as I find other regiments in our Brigade are suffering similarly, and indeed throughout the army here this form of disease is prevalent.

 

            Everything shall be done which can be. I should like to have you state the condition of things to Dr. Dale, if you see him. Dr. Waters, whom I have consulted, thinks our position as good as any, and certainly it is vastly superior to most. Water is not very plenty but it is of fair quality and pretty cold. 

 

            Sergt. Barnes and Corporal Damon (Dr. Dale's nephew) are both sick, but not seriously.

 

            Young of Co B is quite sick, but will weather it I hope. The quartermaster Sergt Barnes still continues, pretty low, with constant but not severe fever. I have some fears about his case. /

 

            We have four cases of measles from Capt. Bauer's Company, and I have isolated them as much as possible, by placing them in one of our tents in the middle of the plain and some 15 or 20 rods in front of us.

 

            The men who have died are Lapham of Co D and Sergt. Hammond of Co C The sickest now in hospital are E. Swift of Co. E and Corporal Heath of Co. E

 

            You must excuse this writing, but my pen is badly corroded. Dr. Faxon is constantly talking to me, and the wind & flies render chirography litigious.

                       

Ever Yours Truly

T. B. Adams

 

Lt. Col. Parker.                       

 

Respectfully forwarded to S. Gen Dale

Fran^s J Parker

L^t Col 32^d Mass

 

[endorsements]                                   

Surgeon Adams                      

July 30 1862                           

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