the battle, there was a great deficiency in tents, votion, the solicitude, the unceasing efforts to reand a sad want of most of the necessities of a hos-medy the defects of the situation, the untiring atpital both in food and furniture. This latter we attempted to fill so far as our limited resources would go. The want was incident to the campaign, and not the result of neglect. Another difficulty, inseparable from the campaign, was the small number of medical officers left upon the ground to take charge of the large number of wounded. The battle ended and the enemy on the retreat, the advance of our forces required the presence of a large proportion of the medical officers to meet the demands of another battle which seemed imminent. Those left behind had to divide their attention among our own wounded and those of the enemy who had fallen into our hands, the number of confederate surgeons left behind being inadequate to their care. In previous battles there has always been a full quota, if not the entire medical corps of the army, to attend to the wounded. tentions to the wounded upon their part, were so marked as to be apparent to all who visited the hospitals. It must be remembered that these same officers had endured the privations and fatigues of the long forced marches with the rest of the army; that they had shared its dangers, for one medical officer from each regiment follows it into battle, and is liable to the accidents of war, as has been repeatedly and fatally the case; that its field hospitals are often, from the changes of the line of battle, brought under the fire of the enemy, and that while in this situation, these surgeons are called upon to exercise the calmest judgment, to perform the most critical and serious operations, and this quickly and continuously. The battle ceasing, their labors continue. While other officers are sleeping, renewing their strength for further efforts, the medical are still toiling. They have to improvise hospitals from the rudest materials, are obliged to make "bricks without straw," to surmount seeming impossibilities. The work is unending, both by day and night, the anxiety is constant, the strain upon both the physical and mental faculties unceasing. Thus, after The Second corps hospital was situated on the banks of Rock this battle, operators had to be held up while perCreek, in tents, about eighty rods north of the house indicated on the map as that of Isaac Schriever. It contained about four thou-forming the operations, and fainted from exhaussand five hundred wounded, of whom one thousand were rebels. tion the operation finished. One completed his Dr. Justin Dwinelle was the surgeon in charge. There were three labors to be seized with partial paralysis, the penalty of his over-exertion. The labor, the anxiety, the responsibility imposed upon the surgeons after the battle of Gettysburgh, were from the position of affairs, greater than after any other battle of the war. The de divisions consolidated. The Third corps hospital was on high ground south of Schwartz's house, about one hundred rods above the junction of White's Creek with Rock Creek, on Schwietzel's farm. It contained two thousand five hundred and fifty wounded; of these, two hundred and fifty-nine were rebels. Dr. Hildreth was surgeon in charge. There were two divisions only, under separate organization, but remote from each other only by a narrow ravine. The Fifth corps hospital was in three divisions. The first division was on Mr. Little's farm, north of the house and south of White's Creek, and about one hundred rods east of Third corps. The second division was south of Mrs. Jesse Clapsaddle's house, across Lousy run, about one hundred rods south of White's Creek. The third division was about half a mile west of Two Taverns, on Jesse Werley's farm. This division hospital was the most remote of all the Union hospitals from the town of Gettysburgh. They contained together one thousand four hundred wounded, including seventy-five rebels. Dr. Clark, surgeon in charge. The three divisions of the Sixth corps hospital were, the first, about the house of John Frastle, near Peach Orchard, and the Second and Third divisions in tents near by. There were three hundred inmates. Dr. Chamberlain, surgeon in charge. The Eleventh corps hospital occupied the house and farm of George Spangler. The divisions were consolidated under the charge of Dr. Armstrong. It contained one thousand nine hundred wounded, of whom one hundred were said to be confederates. The Twelfth corps hospital was under the charge of Dr. Ernest Goodman. Its three divisions, under separate organizations, were together around the house of George Bushman. It contained one thousand one hundred and thirty-one wounded, including one hundred and twenty-five rebels. The cavalry corps hospital was in town, and occupied the Presbyterian church on Baltimore street, and the two school-houses in the immediate vicinity. It was under the charge of Dr. Rulison, and the three buildings contained three hundred of our wounded. These figures are approximative only, as that was all we sought for at the time. The number of wounded whose wants-beyond those that a beneficent government cared for-we were anxious to supply, can be stated briefly as follows: 1st Corps (2 portions) 2,519 Union, 260 confederates, 2d 66 3,500 1000 2,779 While his duties are as arduous, his exposure as great, and the mortality from disease and injury as large as among staff-officers of similar rank, the surgeon has no prospect of promotion, of a brevet, or an honorable mention, to stimulate him. His duties are performed quietly, unostentatiously. He does his duty for his country's sake, for the sake of humanity. The consciousness of having nobly performed this great duty is well nigh his only, as it must ever be his highest reward. The medical corps of the army is well deserving of this slight tribute. Respectfully, J. H. DOUGLAS, Associate Secretary Sanitary Commission. WASHINGTON, D. C., August 15, 1863. Doc. 21. CAPTURE OF THE "CALEB CUSHING," IN THE HARBOR OF PORTLAND, ME., JUNE 27, 1863. PORTLAND, June 29, 1863. SINCE the fight between the Enterprise and Boxer, in our waters, during the last war with Great Britain, there has not been so much excitement in this city as there was last Saturday. Early in the morning it was reported that the revenue cutter Caleb Cushing had been surreptitiously taken out of the harbor. Various rumors 4,500 2,550 were afloat respecting it. One was that Lieut. 1,400 Davenport, who is a Georgian by birth, had run 1,900 away with her. The cutter had been seen be1,181 tween five and six o'clock in the morning, proceeding outward, through Hussey's Sound, tow14,860 ed by boats, as the wind was very light, and 800 300 from the Observatory all her movements could distinctly be seen. Mr. Jewett, Collector of the Port, was informed of the circumstances a little after eight o'clock, and before nine o'clock he had three steamers employed in searching for the vessel, and discovering her position. Without any delay, he chartered the steamers Forest City, of the Portland and Boston line, the steamer Casco, the steamtug Tiger, and the steamer Chesapeake, of the Portland and New-York line. Two rifled twelvepounders were placed on board the Forest City, obtained from Fort Preble, and two six-pounders from the Arsenal, by Mayor McLellan, on board the Chesapeake. A detachment of soldiers from the Seventh Maine, under command of Adjutant Nickerson, was placed on board the tug. A detachment of the Seventeenth United States regulars from Fort Preble was placed on board the Forest City, and a detachment of the Seventh Maine on board the Chesapeake, the latter being accompanied by Colonel Mason and Captain Henry Warren. Hundreds of our citizens volunteered to go in the steamers, who were furnished with arms by the Mayor; among them the Rev. Mr. Lovering, of Park street church. The Forest City left Fort Preble about a quarter before eleven o'clock. She was watched from the Observatory, which was crowded with citizens, by Mr. Moodey, who watched all her movements, as well as those of the cutter, the latter being seen hauling off south by west. At a quarter before twelve o'clock the first flash was seen to come from the thirty-two-pounder of the cutter, and in fifty seconds the report was distinctly heard. The cutter and the Forest City were off Bangs's Island, about ten miles distant. Several more guns were fired by the cutter, but they seemed to have no effect upon the steamer, as she kept steadily on, approaching the cutter. In the mean time the Chesapeake had got unIder way, and was fast steaming down to the scene of the conflict. As she approached it, the Forest City let off steam, and waited for her to come up, when arrangements were made between the steamers to board the cutter. The cutter kept up her firing for a short time, when, finding that she would be carried by boarding, she was deserted, after being set on fire. She burned some time before the flames reached the magazine, and about a quarter before two o'clock blew up with a loud explosion, which shook buildings in the city. The Chesapeake, as she bore down upon the cutter, fired her two guns at her without effect. Captain Liscomb, of the Forest City, reports that his steamer came within gunshot of the cutter about half an hour before the Chesapeake got along. The cutter fired at her six times without showing any flag. The Forest City then laid to, waiting for the Chesapeake to come up. When the latter arrived, after consultation, it was agreed to board the cutter, the Chesapeake being a propeller, and being protected by cotton bales on deck, to lead the way. On proceeding to carry this plan into execution, the rebels discovered VOL. VII.-Doc. 9 the purposes of the steamers, became frightened, and abandoned the cutter, after setting fire to her. They went in two boats, sending the cut. ter's crew, who were in irons, off in a separate boat. The two boat-loads of rebels steered for Harpswell, but were pursued and picked up by the Forest City. There were twenty-three persons in the two boats. The Forest City also picked up a small boat containing Mr. Bibber, who had been set adrift from the cutter he having been captured with his partner from a small fishing-boat Friday off Damascove Island. Mr. Bibber informed Captain Liscomb that he was captured by the schooner Archer, of Southport, which vessel was in possession of a rebel crew from the pirate Tacony. That the schooner came in Friday, and anchored below Munjoy, intending to burn the two new gunhoats, and to cut out the revenue cutter and the steamer Forest City. This they found themselves unable to do, but at two o'clock Saturday morning they boarded the cutter quietly, seized the small portion of her crew aboard, put them in irons, and made their way out of the harbor through Hussey's Sound, thus avoiding the fire of the forts. Learning this, Captain Liscomb immediately pursued the Archer, which was making her way to the eastward as rapidly as the light breeze would permit, and captured her, finding three rebels and Mr. Bibber's partner on board. She was towed up to the city by the Forest City. Captain Bibber reports that, in his opinion, there are three or more schooners upon the coast with rebel crews, destroying our fishermen. The Archer had only a howitzer on board, and the schooners are probably lightly armed. He also reports a rebel steamer on the coast. The Forest City passed a suspicious black steamer off Cape Porpoise at two o'clock Saturday morning, when coming from Boston, which first made for the Forest City, but afterward kept away to the south-west. The Forest City arrived up about half-past four o'clock Saturday afternoon. She, as well as the Chesapeake, was received with great enthusiasm by the citizens. She was armed with two rifled twelve-pounders, with thirty soldiers from Fort Preble, and one hundred volunteer armed citizens. She did not get near enough to hit the cutter, and the cutter's shots, though coming very close, fell a little short. The steamers would undoubtedly have carried the cutter by boarding, had the rebels not deserted and blown her up, as all on board the steamers sailors, soldiers, and citizens-were anxious for the hand-to-hand fight, having nothing to match the big guns on board the cutter. The rebel prisoners, twenty-three in number, were landed at Fort Preble. The crew of the cutter were brought up in the Chesapeake, and are held until the matter can be investigated. The search on board the Archer revealed the fact that the rebel crew was none other than that of the Tacony. The Archer was captured by her on the twenty-fifth, and the Tacony was burned soon afterward, all her armament and stores being removed to the Archer. the view of burning the shipping in some exposed harbor or cutting out some steamer." On discharging the cargo of the Archer Saturday evening the twelve-pounder brass howitzer which was on board the Tacony was found on By the log-book of the Tacony, which was found on board the Archer, it appears that the Tacony was captured June tenth, latitude thirtyfour degrees twenty-one minutes, longitude sev-board, together with arms and ammunition. The enty-six degrees forty-nine minutes. On the twenty-third of June, the log-book states that she burned four vessels, and sent all the prisoners to New-York, "June 24.-Burned ship - from Liverpool, for New-York, with passengers, and kept charge of her during the day. "25th.-Burned the ship, and let her go. At half-past seven captured the schooner, (Archer.) At nine A.M., removing from the bark to the schooner. Finish at two A.M., every body being on board, burnt the bark Tacony. Stood to the N.W." This is the last entry in the Tacony's log. There is also a journal of the C. S. corvette Florida Number Two, commencing May sixth, which says: officers in command of the vessel were Second Lieutenant C. W. Read, who has a commission in the confederate navy, dated October twentythird, 1862; Third Assistant Engineer Eugene H. Brown, who appears to have reported to Admiral Buchanan on board the Florida, October sixteenth, 1862. An examination of the crew of the cutter dis closed the following facts: Between one and two o'clock Saturday morning, two boats filled with armed men boarded the cutter on both quarters simultaneously. They were armed with revolvers and cutlasses. The watch on deck, when they heard the oars approaching, called Lieutenant Davenport, who was asleep in the cabin. He was overpowered by four men and ordered below; the watch was also "At four P.M. the brig Clarence was put in ordered below, and the men below turned out of commission as the Florida Number Two. The their hammocks and placed in irons, rebels standfollowing is a list of the officers and crew: Se- ing over them with revolvers and threatening cond Lieutenant, C. W. Read, commanding; Second Assistant Engineer, E. H. Brown; Quartermaster, J. E. Billaps; Quarter Gunner, N. B. Boyd; Captain, A. G. J. W. Matheuson; Crew: Joseph Mayer, Charles Lawson, J. P. Murphy, Robert Muller, James McLeod, J. Robertson, A. L. Drayton, George Thomas, Alex. Stewart, Michael Gorman, Robert Murray, C. W. Dolvin, Hugh McDaniels, Frederick Walton, Jas. Coffer, Daniel Morse, John McNary. "Received from steamer Florida one howitzer complete, six rifles, thirteen revolvers, ten pistols." A memorandum-book was found, containing instructions, which reporters were not allowed to see, as it is thought to contain important evidence for Government. An account-book was also found, containing in the back part a list of vessels, probably captured by the rebels, as follows: Jacob Bell, Star of Peace, Oneida, Commonwealth, Kate Dyer, Lapwing, Colcord, Henrietta, Clarence, Estelle, Windward, Carrie Ann, Aldebaran, Byzantium, Isaac Webb, Shatemuc, Whistling Wind, Tacony, Goodspeed, Mary Alvina, Arabella, Umpire, Maringo, Florence, Ripple, Elizabeth Ann, Rufus Choate, Ada, Alfred Partridge, M. A. Shindler, Kate Stuart, Archer, a sloop, Wanderer. The following is a list of chronometers found on board schooner Archer: Bark Tacony, going; bark Whistling Wind, run down; brig Umpire, going; brig Clarence, going; ship Byzantium, going; bark Goodspeed, going. It appears from the memorandum-book that Lieutenant Read and crew went on board the Tacony about the fourteenth of May. On the twenty-fifth of June he seems to have burned the Tacony and gone on board the Archer. The last memorandum of the Lieutenant says: "It is my intention to go along the coast with them with death if they made any noise. One of the crew tried to escape through the fore hatch to swim ashore and give the alarm, but was caught and secured. The rebels at once proceeded to make sail, hove up the anchors, and placing two boats ahead, towed her out through Hussey's Sound, thus avoiding the Forts. The Lieutenant and crew of the cutter, twenty in number, were kept below in irons until they were ready to set fire to her, when they were put into one of the cutter's boats with their irons on; but on being requested, the rebels threw the keys of the hand-cuffs on board the boat, and thus enabled the sailors to release themselves, and pull away from the cutter. The stores, flags, armament, etc., of the Tacony were on board the Archer. Among the flags was a burgee with the name of Tacony upon it. Lieutenant Merryman, who was appointed to take command of the cutter, arrived here Friday evening. He went down in the Forest City to assist in the rescue of the vessel from the rebels. Company A, State guards, in twenty minutes' time from receiving orders, were ready to go on board the tug. It was fortunate for the prisoners that they were landed at Fort Preble, for such was the indignation of our citizens that they would have been murdered had they been brought up to the city. When the rebel Lieutenant Read went on board the Forest City he was all of a tremor, and so nervous that he could scarcely do or say any thing. The rebel crew were rather stoical in appearance and action. No communication was allowed on Saturday with the prisoners at Fort Preble, as by order of Government they are kept in strict confinement. A posse of police officers went down Saturday night for the purpose of bringing up the prisoners and placing them in jail, but the Commandant of the Fort refused to give them up, and stated that they were confined there by United States authority. On board the Chesapeake, William F. Laighton, Naval Inspector, took command of the vessel. The guns were under the direction of George J. Barry, United States Naval Engineer, and the soldiers and armed citizens under com mand of Colonel Mason. Captain Willett, who commands the steamer, was as active and earnest as any one on board. It was all excitement from the time the first gun was fired at the Forest City by the cutter. Two guns were fired from the Chesapeake at the cutter. Lieutenant Read reported on board the Florida in Mobile at the close of 1862. He describes her as a small sloop-of-war, eight rifled guns, and one hundred and twenty men. January sixteenth, left Mobile Bay with steam and every sail set to topmast studding sail, making fourteen and a half knots. On the seventeenth, at daylight, saw a big sloop-of war, supposed to be the Brooklyn, which passed within half a mile, showed three lights, and passed to the northward. Nineteenth, burned brig Estella. Early on the morning of the twenty-second, left Havana and steamed to the eastward; burned the brig Windward, letting the crew go in a small boat. Off Cardenas light burned the Corris Ann, and she drifted When the Chesapeake picked up the regular into Cardenas harbor. Thirty-first, was chased crew of the cutter, it was with difficulty the by a Federal gunboat, but had the heels of her. armed men on board the steamer were restrained February twelfth, captured the clipper ship Jafrom firing into them, so strongly did they be- cob Bell; showed the Yankee flag in hailing her, lieve that the cutter had been carried off by and burned her on the thirteenth. March sixth, them. A few moments' conversation with the captured the ship Star of Peace, and burned her crew satisfied them they were guiltless. at four P.M. Thirteenth, captured the schooner Among the volunteers on board the Chesa-Aldebaran. Twenty-eighth, captured the bark peake was an old tar who had been a gunner on Lapwing; christened her the C. S. corvette Oreto, board Farragut's fleet. After the Chesapeake and she captured the ship Commonwealth sevenfired at the cutter, making a very good shot for teenth of April, bonding her. The Lapwing was a small piece, this old tar rushed up, embraced afterward burned. March twenty-ninth, capthe gun and affectionately patted her as though tured bark M. J. Colcord, and burned her the she was a pet child, with a hearty expression of fifteenth of April. April twenty-third, burned approval for her good shot. bark Henrietta. Twenty-fourth, burned ship Oneida. May sixth, latitude 5.34 south, longitude 34.23 west, captured brig Clarence, and christened her C. S. corvette Florida No. 2. When it was concluded between the two steamers that the Chesapeake should lead off in boarding the cutter, Mr. Laighton stated that the question was, whether they should sink the cutter or the cutter should sink them, and then called for a vote upon the question. It was unanimously voted, with rousing cheers, to run the cutter down. A full head of steam was put on, and she boré down upon the cutter at the rate of fifteen knots. She had proceeded but a short distance, however, before it was discovered that the cutter was on fire and abandoned by the rebel crew. Both boats having a considerable amount of freight on board deemed the risk too great to attempt to extinguish the flames. The Archer was stripped Saturday night, and her stores, armament, etc., were placed in the Custom-House. Lieutenant Read states that the Florida captured fourteen in all up to this time. The Kate Dyer was one, the others I could not learn. Lieutenant Read was transferred to brig Clarence, with the crew as before reported. She was then off Cape St. Roque and ran up north till June sixth, when off Cape Hatteras she burned the bark Whistling Wind, with coal for the United States Navy. Seventh, captured schooner Alfred H. Partridge and bonded her. Ninth, burned brig Mary Alvina, loaded with commissary stores. Twelfth, latitude 37 north, longitude 75.30 west, captured bark Tacony, but finding her faster than the Clarence, transferred every thing and burned the Clarence. They christened the Tacony Bark Florida, which accounts for the steamer Florida being reported off our coast. Same day captured schooners M. A. Shindler and Kate Stuart; bonded the Kate Stuart in seven thousand dollars and sent all prisoners aboard and burned the M. A. Shindler. Same day captured and bonded brig Arabella with neutral cargo, and passed a gunboat without being noticed. Fif teenth, latitude 37.42, longitude 70.30, burned brig Umpire. Twentieth, latitude 40.50, longitude 69.04, bonded ship Isaac Webb with seven Mr. Berry, Agent of the Associated Press, vis-hundred and fifty passengers, wild Irishmen. ited Fort Preble yesterday afternoon, saw the prisoners and got an account of the cruise from Lieutenant Read, who courteously answered all questions. He collated his report with all important memorandums from his private note-book furnished the Commandant, namely: The boat of the cutter was secured, after the painter had burned off, by Captain Warren, of the Seventh Maine, Mr. Haile, of the Argus, and Mr. Edward Pickett. They named her the Trio, and brought her up to the city and placed her in the boat-house of the North Star Boat Club. There was no communication with the shore by any of the officers or crew of the rebels after they arrived in the harbor Friday evening. So Lieutenant. Read states, and he is corroborated by the crew. Three P.M., burned fishing sloop, name unknown. Twenty-first, latitude 41, longitude 69.10, burned ship Byzantium and enlisted three men from her belonging to New-Orleans; same day burned bark Goodspeed. Twenty-second, burned fishing schooner Marengo and captured schooner DEPOSITION OF ALBERT P. BIBBER, ONE OF THE FISH ERMEN CAPTURED BY THE ARCHER. Florence and put all the prisoners aboard her, seventy-six in number, including the crews of schooners Elizabeth Ann, Rufus Choate, and RipI, Albert P. Bibber, of Falmouth, in the Disple, which were captured and burned the same trict and State of Maine, on oath, depose and day. Twenty-third, burned schooners Ada and say, that on the twenty-fifth day of June, A.D. Wanderer. Twenty-fourth, latitude 45.10, lon-1863, between ten and eleven o'clock A.M., I was gitude 67.43, captured packet ship Shatemuc, in my row-boat, about eight miles to the southfrom Liverpool for Boston, with three hundred east of the Damariscove Island, hauling my We had and fifty passengers. Was anxious to burn her, trawl, aided by Elbridge Titcomb. being loaded with iron plates, etc. Tried to about twenty-five lines to our trawl, and we had There were no catch schooners to put the passengers aboard, underseen all but two lines. but failed and had to let her go, bonding her for other boats near us, except one about half a one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Same mile off. The nearest land was Pumpkin Island, day captured the schooner Archer, chased the and that about five miles off. I saw a fishing vessel running down to us about half a mile disShatemuc and put the Archer's crew aboard. Hearing that Federal cruisers were after the tant, bearing about south-west. The persons on board hailed us: 66 Boat ahoy. Come alongside." Tacony, and fearing recognition, burned Tacony, transferring every thing to the Archer. Thence I replied: "I cannot do it." They ordered me came direct to Portland. Picked up two fisher- alongside again, and I told them I could not men for pilots, but they would not serve. Took come, that I was under my trawl. They repositions from coast survey charts. Got in at plied: "Cut it." I replied I shouldn't do it. sunset and anchored below Munjoy. Had no The vessel then stood off a short distance and communication with the shore. Waited until hove to, put out a boat with five men in it, and half-past twelve midnight, when moon went the boat soon came alongside my boat. The man down, then rowed direct to cutter Caleb Cushing in charge of the boat told me that I was taken in two boats with muffled oars. Boarded one on by the confederate privateer Alabama, that is, as each side, seized her crew without resistance and near as I can recollect. I think a part had pisironed them. Captured Lieutenant Davenport tols and all had side-knives. Two of them got as he came on deck. Weighed anchor, being un- into my boat and ordered me and my partner able to slip the cable, and started at three A.M., alongside their vessel, the two strangers rowing going out by Hussey's Sound. Towed out by as well as my partner and myself. I went aboard two boats ahead, followed by the Archer as fast with my partner, and we were both left to go as the light wind would permit. Laid to outside about as we choose. waiting for the Archer. When the steamers attacked us could only find five round shots, and were obliged to fire stones and pieces of iron. The vessel was a fishing schooner of about ninety tons, all fitted and found for the Banks. I did not see more than eight or nine men on board, besides myself and Titcomb. I don't remember what, if any thing, was said before I was ordered into the cabin. Titcomb was ordered in first, and he left when I went in. I had been on Lieutenant Read belongs in Mississippi, near Vicksburgh, and graduated from Annapolis in 1860. He came in with the intention of burning the shipping and two gunboats which he learned were building, from a coal-laden English schoon-board an hour or more, when I was ordered into er from Pictou to New-York. He also intended to catch the steamer Forest City and burn her. All the Tacony's crew came out of Mobile in the Florida except three taken from the Byzantium. The Tacony passed many steamers during her cruise. On the day the Byzantium and Goodspeed were burned, a large steamer, showing French flag, sailed around the burning vessels, examined them and passed on. Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Collector Jewett for the promptness with which he acted on this occasion. He received the follow. ing despatch on the evening of the occurrence. the cabin. I took a seat, and the person I took |