CHAPTER XVI.

HOSPITALS AND AMBULANCES.

The First General Hospitals—The First Medical Director—Army Regulations Insufficient—Verdancy of Regimental Surgeons—Hospital Tents—The Origin of Field Hospitals in Tents—Their Capacity—No Ambulances before the War—Two-Wheeled and Four-Wheeled Ambulances—Organization of the Ambulance Corps—The Officers and Privates—The Outfit—Field Hospitals—Their Location—The Men in Charge—Captured Hospitals—A Paroled Prisoner—A Personal Reminiscence—Legs and Arms Unnecessarily Amputated—Anecdote of a Heavy Artilleryman—The Escort of the Wounded—The Insignia of the Ambulance Corps—A Personal Experience—Hospital Railway Trains and Steamboats—The Cacolet 298