Union field hospital at Savage’s Station
From A Seneca Falls, New York newspaper in July, 1862:
Dr S.R. Wells a Prisoner
Intelligence has been received at Waterloo, from Washington, stating that Dr. SAMUEL R. WELLES, of that place, is a prisoner in the Confederate ranks. The Doctor is attached to the 61st New York Regiment, and as we learn was in the Hospital in the rear of Gen. MCCLELLAN’S army when it was surrounded by the Confederate forces. Surgeons are not now detained by either side, and Dr. WELLES is doubtless at liberty to leave when he chooses, but the probability is that he will remain with our sick and wounded until they are provided for by the military authorities.
It seems to make sense, if one of the reasons for allowing surgeons to go free was so they could care for the sick and wounded – there were plenty of those right in the Confederate prison. Yesterday’s letter referred to a field hospital left behind by the retreating Federals at Savage’s Station.
The 61st New York Infantry Regiment was formed in New York City in the fall of 1861 as a three-year regiment.
