Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-02-14

The following communication from Decor
Howe to the Greek Cpmmiitee, should have
been published with The letter from the Greek
government, but was inadvertently omitted.
TO the Members of he Phiiheilemc Committee
GENTLRMES,
: Ihe accompanying letter addressed by the
Greek government 10 the different Philhelenic
Nommitlees Of the United States, as you will
perceive by the date, should have been prcsen-
ted to you several months ago but circumstan>
ces connected with he object therein m n
tIoued, detained me in Greece some months
longer than was intended. II may pcrnaps be
we'll for me to explain fully The reason that i'm
duced the government 60 give me that docu-
ment, viz. the terrible want that IS often felt in
C,aKece Of every thing necessary for the COM
f5ft, nav for the safety of,he sick and wanai::
al have been witness ths"s--~ h'Sefies OF
No. L--.,uuse which were most lmmrdi-
afely under nv notice, and which II was most
particularly my duty to attempt 10 solacc uat>
urally attracted most OF my attention; these
were the certain capture and death Of the
wounded soldier, from want of means ofrrmu-
wing him if his party was defeated; and his suf-
ferings perhaps death from want Of the proper
means for his cure, even if his party had been
victorious, & he removed TO place of safety.
Sometimes number Of wounded would be
collected in village. and their cure com-
menced, when the alarm would be given Of The
approach OF all rnemy-every soul would fly.
no provision be made for sa ing the wounded
they would rush out pale md en- sciaied, and
attempt q follow The flying crowd, sInk down
from weakness, tottcr OH again a. they saw the
enemy gaining on them; but some would be
ovcrtsken by the cavalry, and their ht ads be
hanging dripping at thai saddle bows. Or if
the wounded had been removed 10 some pllce
OF safety, and hospital established Tor their
accommodation. perhaps hardly week would
pass wi,hoh, tn f9iIur, Of some Of the neces>
sary means OF re,iing them, and the total
want of bread for days, was not rare occur,
renee.
The situation ofthe Surgeon in those cases
is paintul,he is obliged to witness misery with.
out the power TO relieve il, and finds all The
resources of his art unavailing from the wat,
Of the common nrcessaries of life; but il was
only the few Young Surgeons from Europe,
VINO had escaped The hazards of war, that ever
would attend the wounded without pay: The ma
tive doctors wruns every CENT from heir pa
TENTS pockets, thea took their CLONES, then
their arms, and the soldier found himself RESI-
tored 10 health perhaps: but without money,
without arms, half naked, and beggar. In
Greece soldiers arms are his all; they are HRS
private property, and the pride Of his heart;
every uoAdr nc SCtS, HC III Sii0inS anu
ornamenting them: aud you NAV often Sc
one wearing silver mounted pistols worth
hdndred dollars, yet with half shirt and
hungry belly. II he loses his arms, he is lost;
Government finds him none, aud no Captain
viii employ him without them. MANY Greek
soldier has assured me, tba, he feared slight.
more than mortal wound: this brings sudden
death without pain, that 1rotracted one, per-
haps with torture.
The circumstances which affect the indi, i'd
val soldiers OF an army, must Of course affect
that army as whole, aud doubtless the i'm,
preston Greek soldier has, that il wounded
hr is lost, has powerful Ell CT upon the army
in the hour Of danger, s. is another motive TO
prevent them exposing themselves.
Having had such frequent and painful rxpe-
rience Of the want of proper provision for the
woun'led, often urged IL GoveEnmen, the ne
cessi,y of establishing one large central Hos