August 3.—I am beginning to think that we shall not be able to remain here, as Dr. A. has proved himself a real Pharaoh—expecting brick without straw. We have many sick, and much to do. Our servants are still sick, and when we ask Dr. A. for more, he tells us the government will not allow him to grant the request.
The poor government is blamed for every thing. I have many a time heard it charged with faults which I thought were owing to subordinate officers. Dr. H. was constantly telling us about orders he had received from head-quarters: allowing us so much soap and no more, and even regulating how many pieces each person must have washed. I have never been able to ascertain whether head-quarters meant General Bragg, the surgeon-general, or President Davis. I think sometimes it is only a mythical term, merely used to frighten us. If not, I think it is a pity that those worthies have not something of more importance on which to spend their time. I have often thought that they are surely not aware of the price of paper, or they would be a little more sparing of their dispatches. I wish they would send me a few blank sheets, as I find it difficult to get enough for my private use.
We have no wash-house. When I asked Dr. A. for one, he told me that his grandmother and mother never had any but the canopy of heaven for theirs, and he did not intend having any other in the hospital. I argued the case with him as best I could; I told him that a hospital was not a private house, and it was our duty to do all in our power to promote the health of the attendants as well as the patients; and that whoever washed ought to have a covering of some kind; and the clothing, whether dirty or clean, needed to be covered in case of rain. I found him inexorable.
I feel confident that the doctor has never had charge of a hospital before, and it is useless to try and teach any one who has such unbounded faith in his progenitors. I have made up my mind to let things take their course, and if I find I can not get along, will leave.
Numbers of troops are being transported down the road. No one can tell where they are going to.
