Boat of Iniquity

More delightful stuff from the Medical and Surgical History of the War of Rebellion: in chapter 11 (On Certain Diseases not Heretofore Discussed) of the Third Medical volume we find a subsection on Venereal Disease. It features some case reports and details attempts on the part of the Army to combat the spread of STDs among the troops. Efforts in Nashville and Memphis were successful largely because of a rather enlightened decision to license, regulate, inspect and offer medical treatment to prostitutes. This, however, was plan B, and it was not until plan A had failed that these measures were taken. Here is the official description of plan A and its circumstances:

It appears from the records that Brigadier General R.S. Granger, in command at Nashville in June, 1863, was "daily and almost hourly beset" by the commanders of regiments and their surgeons to devise some way to rid the city of the diseased prostitutes infesting it. The matter was referred to the Provost Marshal, lieut. Col. George Spalding, 18th Mich., who, by means of the police force and provost guard under his command, succeeded in placing on board a steamer which he had charted all the women of the city publicly known to be of vile character. On July 8 the boat started for Louisville Ky., but on arriving at the port the city authorities refused to receive the exiles. Cincinnati also closed her doors against them. A few were taken off at Newport Ky., by a writ of habeas corpus, and these soon found their way back to Nashville. Ultimately, in accordance with orders from Washington, the boat returned to her starting point, and on August 3 disembarked her passengers to resume their former modes of life. Medical and Surgical History of the War of Rebellion Part Third Medical Volume p. 893.

Four weeks on a floating boat of whores; it sounds like a film by Bunuel or the Coen brothers. I think this will have to be my second novel. I love history. More on the Tennessee system of licensed prostitution later.