Numbers 23.

Reports of Asst. Surg. Charles Smart, U. S. Army, Medical Inspector, of operations March 1-April 30.

HDQRS. SECOND ARMY CORPS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, March 31, 1865.

COLONEL:

The battle and movement that took place toward the termination of this month prevented me from holding the customary inspection of regimental camps and from rendering my report according to the prescribed form.

During the greater part of the month of March the corps lay in camp in rear of the line of works stretching from Fort Cummings to Hatcher's Run at the Vaughan crossing. As the nature of this ground and formation of camps are specified particularly in my report for last month, I will here indicate only the measures taken in order to effect improvements in the condition of those commands mentioned as having been unhealthily situated.

The camping ground of the Second Brigade, Second Division, the swamp bordering the run at the Vaughan road, was considerably altered for the better, although the difficulties in the way of draining were very great, on account of the basin-like formation of the surface. Free trenching and active police, however, did very much.

In the case of the camp occupied by the Eight New York Heavy Artillery it was found impossible to effect any satisfactory alternation, and hence a removal form the location became necessary. Permission to this end was readily obtained from the major-general commanding, and the camp was removed some distance to the rear of its original position. In settling anew this regiment built log huts of the usual style, but the other regiments in the brigade continued to occupy the company barracks or shelter-tent covered stockades referred to in my last report.

The number of sick treated by the officers of the corps is expressed below:

Command. Average Average Average Average Daily

strength number on number on number on ration

present sick sick sick of sick

during report report report per

March, daily daily daily 1,000

1865. during during during men of

month. month. month. average

strength

present.

In In Total.

hospital. quarters.

FIRST

DIVISION

.

First

Brigade.

26th 180 2 5 7 39

Michigan

61st New 456 4 7 11 24

York

2nd New 620 8 13 21 34

York

Artiller

y

183rd 332 5 3 8 24

Pennsylv

ania

81st 244 1 12 13 53

Pennsylv

ania

140th 250 4 3 7 28

Pennsylv

ania

5th New 468 1 6 7 15

Hampshir

e

Second

Brigade.

28th 200 4 3 7 15

Massachu

setts

63rd New 159 4 3 7 35

York

69th New 447 4 4 8 69

York

88th New 140 5 2 7 50

York