Tent floors were daily washed with corrosive sublimate, and weekly stood on end for the under side to be dried and white washed. Location of tents were frequently changed, and the uncovered ground thoroughly treated with lime. The camp was thoroughly drained, policed, and was as near medically clean as the science of military hygiene permitted.
As soon as possible a new issue of tentage was obtained, and those used at Chickamauga were destroyed. Each tent was furnished with a floor, and wooden sleeping bunks.
Sales by pedlers were regulated by orders from Division Headquarters. Chickamauga Park had been overrun by fakirs selling cakes, pies and other foods, much of which was believed to have been contaminated, and to have materially contributed to the spread of camp diseases. As soon as the food pedlers appeared in the new camp, they were rounded up by the guard and expelled. Certain permits were issued, regulating the sale of foods. Pedlers were required to report to the Officer of the Day, and conduct their business under his direction and supervision.
Many men suffering from intestinal troubles, could not assimilate the sturdy Government ration, and large quantities of milk and eggs were daily needed for their nourishment. Such perishable articles were not furnished by the Government, and company commanders had to depend upon the company fund for their purchase.
The sale of beer was the chief source of revenue to the Canteen, and was accordingly resorted to. A commodious wooden building was erected as a Post Exchange, and a large ice box was constructed, where gallons of milk and hundreds of eggs were stored. Captain Horace S. Bean, of Company B, was put in charge of the Canteen, and made large purchases from the neighboring farmers. The favorite tipple served over the bar was a milk and egg shake. Many of the company commanders served an egg nog to each man at 10 A. M. and 4 P. M. daily. The best quality of beer was obtained from Milwaukee, and was hereafter retained as a regular Canteen supply, while the regiment remained in the service.
The profit on the sale of beer became a material factor in building up the health of the regiment, and augmenting the company funds. At one time over three thousand dollars was divided among companies as a Canteen dividend.
A new hospital tent was received from the Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Association, and was pitched on the left flank of the regiment. As the regimental hospital had been abolished, this was used as a dispensary. All soldiers requiring treatment reported to the dispensary, where their case was diagnosed by the regimental surgeon, and if it was found that the patient was in a condition requiring treatment, he was immediately sent to the Division hospital.
This was known as the John Blair Gibbs Hospital, and was situated about a mile from camp. It was presided over by a competent staff of skilled surgeons, assisted by a corps of trained nurses, from whom the men received excellent treatment.