Commander of a Black refugee camp in Washington, D.C., refuses to assign Black Surgeon Alexander Augusta to duty

Commander of a Black refugee camp in Washington, D.C., refuses to assign Black Surgeon Alexander Augusta to duty

James J. Ferree refuses to assign Black Surgeon Alexander Augusta to duty at camp in Washington D.C. as required in Special Order 109.

5/16/1863

Washington, D.C.

Commander of a Washington, D.C., Black Refugee Camp to the Secretary of War


Contraband Camp
Washington D C
May 16th 1863
Hon. E. M. Stanton
Secretary of War
The bearer Dr A S Agusta Surgeon USA reported to me, as commander of this Camp, to be assigned by me to duty in the Camp. Knowing that Dr. Agusta ranked as Major, & that I ranked only as Captain, I felt as a loss as to what I should do, douting my right to assign to duty an officer who ranked me. I referred him to Dr C. B. Webster Surgeon in charge of the Contraband Camp Hospital who being a contract Surgeon was embarrassed by the same consideration. Dr Augusta returned to you & an order
came to me from the Head Qrs of the Military Governor, asking why I had not assigned Dr Augusta to duty, to which I replied stating the reason assingned above, & the reply to that from Gen Hitchcock. Acting Milatry Governor, is an order of which the enclosed paper is a copy.
The usual routine, according to my understanding, for such matters is for the Surgeon General to order Medical officers to Report to some Medical Director, & for the Medical Director to assign such officer to his post of duty. The Surgeons in the Contraband Camp Hospital report immediately to Medical Director Abbott who appoints or removes them at discretion If your wish is for Dr Augusta
to be assigned to duty in the Camp Hospital. Medical Director Abbott is the proper channel through which to have it done. If you wish him to be on duty only in the Camp, then I suppose I have the power to assign him & will do so, but I have not heretofore understood that there was any necessity for a physician in camp apart from and independent of the Hospital. All of which is respectfully submitted. Yours Most Respectfully
James J Ferree
Commandant Contraband Camp


[Enclosure] Head Quarters
Military District Washington
May 15th 1863
Special Orders
No 109
(Extract)
13 Surgeon A S Augustee U S Vols having reported in conformity with Special Order No 191 Head Quarters Dept Washington is assigned to duty at the Camp for Colored persons He will report to Capt Ferree in charge By Command of Maj Gen Hitchcock
Jno P Sherburne
Assistant Adjutant Genl
Copy


James J Ferree to Hon. E. M. Stanton, 16 May 1863, enclosing extract from Special Orders No. 109, Headquarters Military District Washington, 15 May 1863, A-811 1863, Letters Received, ser. 12, RG 94 [K-65].