[Lexington]
The Kentucky home of the Eighth was about five miles from Lexington on a knoll between the Bryan Pike and the Kentucky & Eastern Railroad. Access to the city and its markets was over the Pike or by rail from the station of Montrose, a few hundred yards away. A pipe line connecting with the city supply, brought water to the foot of every company street. Lumber was to be had upon requisition, and abundant facilities were offered for being and keeping well. The sun penetrating to every corner of the camp, dried the seeds of disease, and the breezes from the hay and clover fields blew away and dissipated the germs. The expanding green and golden fields rolling into distant stretches, rested eyes accustomed to the damp and closed woods of Georgia.
Men depressed by the atmosphere of Chickamauga, opened their eyes upon a new world, and began to experience the joy of living. The place, time of year, and the intelligent efforts of officers to stamp out disease, backed by unlimited Government supplies, infused new life into the tired and jaded regiments of the Third Division. General Sanger was indefatigable in his efforts to restore health, and was loyally supported by the line and medical officers.
It was not given to the Eighth, however, to overcome at once the results of their long stay at Chickamauga, surrounded by infection. For months they had fought contagion, and kept typhoid at bay, but were finally powerless against the swarm of flies that overspread their camp, depositing bacteria upon food and clothing. The regiment left Chickamauga inoculated with poison, and during the first few weeks at Lexington, enteric fever broke out and was more prevalent than at any other period.
For a month the energies of the regiment were devoted to getting down to the bed rock of health. Sources of contagion were destroyed or removed. At sick call, men with abnormal temperatures were removed from their comrades, and sent to the general hospital. Suspicious cases were held under observation until the outcome was known. Sick men who might be a source of new contagion, were at once separated from the regiment, and so thoroughly was this work done, that more than half the regiment was away from the colors.
A systematic crusade was made against the old germs that had traveled with the regiment from Chickamauga hid in blankets, clothing or personal belongings. Corrosive sublimate and chlorinated lime were freely used.
Clothing and blankets were boiled, brushed, and hung up for sunshine and wind to work through. All excreta was collected in closed sinks from which flies were excluded, and germ life was poisoned with chemical agents.