From the National Archives, RG 109, Ch. 6, Vol. 416, "Letters Sent, Medical Director's Office, 1862-63." pp. 154-155

Med. Director's Office
Richmond July 7th 1863

Sir,

              The Hospital under your charge should have all the advantages secured by G. O. No. 95. One Chief Matron, one Assistant Matron and one Ward Matron I think required, and the experienced eye detects evidence of this absence. As soon as you can secure proper persons you will do so. The Military professional female with the callousness and irresponsibility of Medical Students would not be better than a male nurse, but experience earnest and devoted women who with the look, manner, and principle of Sisters of Charity will do their work necessary. You should yourself inspect each part and Dept of the Hospital, once daily requiring that every thing at that hour should show the scrupulous cleanliness and exact order necessary for discipline and hygiene. The chief matron is to be held responsible to you for the domestic economy of the Hospital. The surg. in chge is responsible to each individual patient that he should receive. All that he can under the circumstances; It is your duty to call the notice of the commandant of the Post to each man in the Hospital, who will never be able to render service [page break] in any Department of the Government and to effect his discharge. Phthisis and other unmistakable incurable diseases that no instance will ever allow to service, should not be kept from the comfort of home and from friends. All cases of erysipelas &c should be isolated either in tents or in the highest wards of the Hospital.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt

Wm. A. Carrington
Med. Director

Surg. Palmer
Camp Lee

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