SANITARY COMMISSION Wo. 3. Office of Sanitary Commission, } Treasury Building, Washington, July i:j, 1861. \ To his Excellency the Governor of the State of Sir,—The Commission of Inquiry and Advice, in respect of the sanitary condition of the United States forces, appointed by the Secretary of War at the instance of the Medical Bureau of the Army, ask the attention of your Excellency to the enclosed series of inquiries, and request that you Avill have the kindness to cause a reply to them as soon as may be found convenient. The object of the Commission in asking for this information, is simply to gain the means of forming a more exact estimate than Avould otherwise be practicable, of the condition, prospects, and requirements of the forces to be in the field this summer, and thus of advising with the State authorities, as w7ell as the General Government, as to changes of the Regulations and other measures necessary to be taken, to guard against pesti- lence, and to mitigate the suffering from illness and wounds, to which the defenders of our nationality will be subject. Confidently anticipating for this purpose the approval and co- operation of your excellency, I have the honor to be, Most respectfully, FRED. LAW OLMSTED, Resident Secretary. I. How many regiments from your State are now in the field, and Iioav many are encamped or quartered Avithin the State? What number of officers and men compose each regiment ? 2. Hoav many regiments and companies from your State have been formally accepted by Government'? 3. What proportion of the officers in each regiment have re- ceived a military education, and what proportion have had actual experience in the care and management of men in the field ? 4. How many surgeons and assistant-surgeons are attached to each regiment? What proportion of them have bad a regular medical education ? By Avbom and Avhen Avere they appointed ? Have an}r of them been subjected to a preliminary examination as to professional competency before appointment ? By whom, and under Avhat State laAv or regulation ? 5. Have any nurses, male or female, been assigned to any of the regiments : if so, how many ( 6. Have any military hospitals been established by your State since the breaking out of the present Avar 1 De- scribe their site, capacity in number of beds, and con- struction, Iioav many surgeons and assistant-surgeons have been appointed to such hospitals, and Avhat means have been taken to ensure their professional competency I 7. What provision has been made by your State for hospital supplies, such as beds and bedding, medicines, dressings, extra articles of fool,