The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-10-19

Adjutant 70 the Escort -,
To Col. Jacob G.. Davies, Capt. Jamei HI blkcn
Capt. J. M. Anderson; Capt GeosP. Kane, Capt.
J. Wesley Watkins Capt. John Frederick, Lieut..
Com. F. Luchesi, Capt. John B. Kl0nk, Capt VIM.
D. Roberts, and Adjutant @. ri Durham 80
Gentlemen Your very kind letter VA received
last evening with feelings Of the profoundest emo
lions. testimonial 50 hattcring cannot be other
wise than gratifying, and will 30 regarded BY me
through life with just pride and satisfaction You
aware that the honorable trust con6ded to me rs
the official surgeon Of The expedition to- York was
alike unsought and unexpected, and was only accept
ed from desire to oblige the Commander-in-chief,
who earnestly solicited me to accompany the escort
as Surgeon General and his Aid Having accepted
the CALL made preparations for every emergency,
knowing full we'll the responsibility that would rest
upon me in the event of any accident. Accordingly
bandages and various necessary dressings, with i'm
struments most requisite, were taken along on the
morning of tie 18th, so that when the terrible mo-
ment of the disastrous accident upn US, the in
telligence that ample means were the ground rea
dy for immediate Sc, gave confidence which tend
ed much to cheer and encourage, at time Of univer
sal distress and alarm. As possible after
covering from the tremendous conclusion which
Frustrated myself and several Of those in the third
car, every effort made to alleviate the suffer-
ings of the wounded.
In your kindness, gentlemen, you have awarded to
me than is Justly my due. was anxiously
seeking for medium by which | might do JUS
tice to the efforts of others, and rejoice that you
have afforded me the opportunity of doing what would
no doubt have been done by you, had you known as
intimately myself how much credit was due to
other persons.
The public prints OF York and Baltimore have al
ready bestowed just praise the services of Profess
sors J. II Miller, R. w. Hall, and Drs Martin, Nc
CURE, Dorsey, kingrose, Bryarly, and keene but
felt it nv duty to express special thanks to DR.. Hall
and DR.. S. Martin, the Surgeon Of the Defenders,
Isstc had >~h 40 Norf pci
gentlemen accompanied to the Hospital, and re-
NAMED faithfully, in conjunction with the York Ply
scians, assisting me in dressing the wounded, and left
only with my assent, when completely exhausted by
fatigue and the want of food, and when the APP
proach Of the departure Of the cars required them to
leave. With these gentlemen was also associated Dr.
Bryarly who rendered me most efficient aid by his
prompttude and GOODNESS, both the ground and at
the Hospital. But my great anxiety is to do justice
to the physicians of York. Their noblesconduct de-
be mentioned in the warmest terms Of euo-
gy. would name Drs McIlvane Mcclellan, Hal
Ter, Hey, ]. and J. G. Fisher, Kerr, Ness, Bussey,
Patterson, Johnson and DR.. Shcrer, of Dillstown--
am under special obligation to those who aided me
in consultation with their judcous counsel and valu
able suggestions in the responsible and trying crcum
stances under which l acted
But the services ofsDr. Halter, the physician of
the York Hospital, were Efficient SO untirng,
to deserve separate commentator. This gentle
man most literally placed his Hospital at our COM
Managers We found it amply supplied with all the
necessary surgical apparatus for the dressing Of rac
lures and wounds, and also medicine for the of
the sick. felt fully justified in leaving the patients
under his charge on my return to the city. The
managers OF the institution Messrs A. Heistand, J.
Smyser and NJ. Carl, deserve honorable mention,
also the superintendent and his wife, and the prnci-
pal nurse, for their kind treatment Of the wounded
and of their friends, who visited and remained with
them, when ii must have imposed much additional
labor and
The President and Directors Of the Railroad Com
pany evlnced the deepest sympathy AID the anx
ious desire TO do all in their power to contribute 10
the comfort of the sufferers and as an evidence of
this, they employed Prof. N r. Smith and DIR. r. II.
Buckler, TO come up to York the morning after the
accident, under the impression that would return in
the morning train. With them also came Professor
jameson. These gentlemen saw all the cases with
me, but the two former were compelled by their en-
gagements at home, to return the same day. Prof
jameson remained until the next day, and gave me
the benefit Of his matured judgment and experience
For myself | was Obliged to neglect my duties at
home, but could not resist the earnest entreates Of
my suffering fellow citizens who had thus been pla-
oed under my care, and felt amply rewarded for the
sacrifice, by the grateful testimonials for my atten-
lion 10 him, which the poor but worthy individual
you alluded to in your letter, expressed in his dying
hour.
The Association of York Odd Fellows to their Gre
dit, appointed committee Of their members TO at
the sick and nv students and those of DIR. Ialler
licved each other in nursing and dressing the wound
ed But debt OF gratitude is still undi charged.
large share is due TO the citizens Of York, and espe
cally TO Messrs. Barnitz, p e. 8. Small, G.. & c.
Morris, Captain Hey, Major Emmett, and Others.
But especial praise is due to those kind and excellent
ladies', who, with humane spirit characteristic OF the
SEX visited the SICK and sent daily provisions and de-
licaces suitable for their condition. Such conduct
checred them amid all their sufIerings How gladly
we hcra M IL we not hear ot
those acts we're performed in the unosentatious spirit
of true charity, it would wound their shrinking deli
cacy. But although not published, yet their names
and memories will for remain embalmed in the
hearts of tire objects Of their kindness, while they
will enjoy the of the good they
have done to the suffering stranger, and receive
higher reward in the appreciation of that great Being
who smiles with peculiar favor such acts to the
tick and afflicted But in truth the whole people of
York appeared anxious to contribute to the comfort
md relief Of the wounded, and their conduct proved
low, in former times, that either in war or peace
We could rely upon their good feelings and will serve
o cement more firmly the social and commercial ties
which connect so closely the people of York and Bal
imore ! thank you, gentlemen, for afording
his opportunity of doing justice particularly to the
physicians and citizens Of York, which from being
IN eye witness Of their acts fully qualified to
10 properly, and Of esfying that grateful sense of
heir kindness and hospitality, which, would have
,een great injustice and ingrattude to have omitted |
hank you from my heart for all your kind wishes for
ny welfare, which most sincerely recprocaed
or you individually.
Your friend and obt servant
J. r w DITNpAR