By command of
BRIGADIER GENERAL NEILL.
William H. Long,
Captain and A. A. Gen’l.
Medical Director’s Office, Headquarters Army of the Potomac, Camp near Falmouth, Va., March 9th, 1863.
[Circular.]
General:—I have the honor to invite the attention of the Commanding General to a practice quite prevalent in the army; that of excavating the earth, building a hut over the hole, and covering it over with brush and dirt and canvass.
This system is exceedingly pernicious, and must have a deleterious effect upon the health of the troops occupying these abominable habitations; they are hot-beds of low forms of fever, and when not productive of such diseases, the health of the men is undermined, even if they are not compelled to report sick.
I strongly recommend that, in huts covered by canvass, the covering be removed at least twice a week, if the weather permit, and the men throughout the army be compelled to hang their bedding in the open air every clear day. I am, General,
Very respectfully your obedient Servant,