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Genl. Hospl. for R. F. for State of Ky.
Louisville Ky. July 12th 1867. 

Respectfully returned through Surgeon in Chief to Bvt. Brig Genl Sidney Burbank Asst. Comr State of  Ky., with the following remarks viz:- that I was not officially (nor unofficially, to the best of my knowledge and belief) cognizant of the award sale or barter of any of the dead bodies of deceased patients in this hospital for the benefit of any official, or any one else connected therewith. About two or three weeks after I was placed in charge of the Hospital the Demonstrator of Anatomy of the Louisville Medical College approached me through my Steward, desiring to procure a brain which I peremptorily refused stating that I would not allow even a toenail to be furnished to any medical teacher in, or out of the City. I immediately called upon my assistant, Dr Boemond and advised him of my course in the matter and ordered him to see that it was carried out in my absence. I also gave orders to my Ward Master to see, that every dead body was taken from the Hospl. intact. At my next interview with Col DeWitt I informed him of the request made by the Demonstrator and suggested that a special order be issued on the subject which was done some time thereafter

Relative to the case of G. Meizer late a Capt. in the 29th Regt New York Vol. Inf. I have the honor to state that he was admitted into this Hospl. by order of Col. DeWitt Surgeon in Chief State of Ky. on the 4th of April 1867 suffering from G. shot wound of right side of head and diseased nerves of stump of left fore arm.

I am conscious of no neglect of which Capt. Meizer has suffered, he has a room to himself, a servant to wait upon him and all the medical attention deemed necessary, is seen, I think daily, by some Medical Officer he is not nor has he been confined to his bed, or room with the exception of a few days after his admission. Just before, certain changes of the weather Capt Meizers nervous system is so affected that he is entirely irresponsible for anything which he says or does. So far as regards the alleged indignation of "Citizens of German descent" it is a mere fabrication without the least foundation in fact, with the exception of one or two of Capt Meizers' friends who were in the habit of visiting him at irregular hours taking him beyond the Hospital limits and sending him back under the influence of liquor which proceeding I deemed it my duty to abate and thereby, probably, gave offense to said parties.

P. A. Bell,
Act. Asst. Surg. USA
In chge of Hospital

No 2
G220 - Vol 10/67

Bureau Refugees Freed. & Aband. Lands
Asst. Commis. Office State of Ky.
Louisville K, July 15th 1867.

Respectfully returned to Bt Brig. General S. Burbank Asst. Commissioner State of Ky. and attention invited to endorsement of Actg. Asst. Surg. K. A. Bell USA In charge of Hospital.
W R. DeWitt Jr
Surgs Bett. Oalomt nso
Surg. in Chief Dist. of Ky
Note End.

Bureau R F & A Lands
Ass't Comr's  Office State of Ky
Louisville July 15, 67

Respectfully returned to Maj. Gen'l O. O. Howard Com'r &c Washington D.C. Attention invited to Endorsement of Dr. R. A. Bell. dated July 12th 1867.
S. Bomens
Bt. Brig Gen'l U.S.A
Asst Comr. Kenty

End 974, 67

[[stamp]] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES [[/stamp]]

Transcription Notes:
1) Please do not mark as "Complete and Mark for Review" until most questioned things have been resolved. 2) [[underlined]] is no longer used as a tag; ignore underlining in transcription. Thanks! -- Beth