DeLand Letter 3 — Nov 18

No surviving manuscript image is available. This transcription is reproduced from the
published newspaper text.

The Jackson American Citizen  
28 November 1861

The Sick of the Michigan Ninth

Letters have recently been received from Capt. DeLand and W. H. Palmer, Hospital Steward, 
appealing to the ladies of Jackson for comfort for the sick of the Ninth Regiment. From a 
letter received by Mrs. J. E. Beebe, from Capt. DeLand, we learn how the men of that Regiment 
are suffering by disease. We print the letter:

Camp Geo. Duffield, Ninth Michigan Infantry  
West Point, Ky.  
Nov. 18th, 1861

To my kind friend Mrs. Joseph E. Beebe:

I notice by the Jackson papers that the ladies of Jackson have formed a Society to aid the 
sick soldiers and could not resist the temptation to thank them for their kind remembrance of 
the suffering and offering a few suggestions, which I hope will be kindly received by my 
friends and towns women.

Let me preface by telling you that our own Regiment is being most terribly scourged by 
sickness. On the 7th of November we had over 300 in the hospital—no not in the hospital, for 
we have only one tent to hold twelve, but in the camp. Today we have at least 200 men unfit 
for duty. This is truly awful.

As to cause it is the sudden change of climate, the very bad, muddy, actually putrid water of 
the rivers which we were compelled to drink, the change of living, and the damp muddy clay of 
the river bottom flats where we camped. The days are very warm and the nights damp and cold. 
In the morning hours the thick fog rises from the river and is so dense as to nauseate the 
stomach and deprive us of our appetites.

All this we were unused to and so soon engendered fevers and diarrheas in their worst forms. 
Add to this the measles all through our camp and you can imagine what we have suffered.

In my own Company, and we have suffered less than any other in camp, the sick have numbered 
twenty men a day for two weeks. None have died as yet though ten are very low. Four deaths 
have taken place, and there will probably be more in a few days.

We have secured three large houses for hospitals and are doing all we can to save the brave 
boys. I attribute the good fortune of Company C to the self‑sacrificing efforts of the well, 
and the generosity of our friends before we left the state.

But now a word to your business. Do not spend your time making woolen shirts or trousers—
Government furnishes plenty of them. Good blankets and warm stockings are much more needed. 
Good pillows and bed ticks for the hospitals, and sheets and plain shirts loose and long are 
greatly needed; a few good night caps (make them to fit your own heads) would be of use 
anywhere. Towels and bandages are always useful, so are cheap handkerchiefs.

Bed and pillow ticks should be made together at the end, gathered with a cord. All should be 
made for single cots. Drawers of Canton flannel or thick drilling are also sometimes needed. 
We have little or no use for fancy pin cushions, and "house wives" are plenty as blackberries. 
Give us things substantial and we will accept the ornamentals when we return.

If our sickness decreases rapidly, as I hope it will, we will not need many gifts here, but if 
it continues they would be very acceptable. If our lady friends will send a small supply they 
shall be put to good use.

I do not write for publication—only for friends at home, so their efforts may be directed to 
the most possible good. I know the wants of our poor sick men, and my heart has bled and my 
eyes filled with tears today as I tried to comfort them.

The ladies of Louisville and a few here have done much for us, but there is still room for 
more. Dr. Smith is doing nobly all he can, and I only fear he may break down under his severe 
labors. He has three assistants and all are busy.

Tomorrow we shall move the well men up on the mountains, and try to save them if we can. It 
would be a blessing if we could get back in the country, but we cannot while so many are sick.

I am well myself and so are all my officers, with two exceptions. If you wish you may use this 
among our friends, and in the Society. I will write to report any inquiries, and will also 
inform you as to the health, donations, or other matters of interest, with pleasure.

If you send anything direct to "Col. Duffield, 9th Michigan Infantry, care of the General 
Quartermaster, Louisville Ky.—Hospital stores."

Yours truly,  
Chas. V. DeLand

P.S.—Three more men died last night.
    

Captain DeLand writes to Mrs. Beebe to thank the women of Jackson for forming a society to
support sick soldiers. He describes the terrible sickness sweeping the 9th Michigan Infantry:
more than 300 men sick on November 7, and still around 200 unfit for duty eleven days later.

He explains the causes—bad water, sudden climate change, damp river‑bottom soil, warm days
followed by cold nights, and dense morning fog. Measles, fevers, and diarrheal diseases spread
rapidly. Several men had already died, and more were expected.

DeLand urges the women to send practical supplies: blankets, stockings, pillows, sheets,
nightcaps, towels, and bandages. He emphasizes that government‑issued clothing is sufficient,
but hospital bedding and comfort items are desperately needed.

He closes by reporting that the regiment plans to move the healthy men up the mountain the
next day—an early reference to the relocation that would lead to the establishment of
Fort Duffield.