The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-06
Fls From the Washington Union.
Letter from Gen. Shields, 4


to avail myself of your colums to notice
an article, which frst4appeared in the
New York Herald, and afterwards OBJ
tanned circulation in other, papers
throughout the Union, rejecting seve.
rely upon the medical department ol
the army. and referring to the treatmen,
OF my first wound as an instance of the
ignorance of the surgeons of that de.
partment. The following is the article
to which allude.
"Many members Of the medical de.
partment Of the army are lamentably
deficient in skill and experience. In
proof of this, ! would point to the fact
that the surgeons in attendance on Gen.
Shields did not discover the extent Of
his injuries for month after he recei-
we'd his wounds, being for all that time
Ignorant that two ofhis ribs were iniur-
ed. Gen. Butler will in all probability
be lame for life, through either the igno-
rance or the neglect of the surgeo on who
dressed his wound. Many other nstan-
ces Of like nature are within my
knowledge" ,aaqs'
| regard it as an act of simple Justice
to attempt to rescue the character of
the surgeons who attended me, in my
time of trial and suffering, from the i'm
putation contained in this article.
received the wound 10 which alusion
is made on the 18th of April, at Cerro
Gordo,while assaulting battery of FIVE
guns, with portion Of my command
In front-another portion of my COM
mand having attacked at the same time
pursuant to my orders, on the hank.-
The wound was made by leaden or iron
grape near three times the size of mus
ket ball. 1t entered my right breast, just
under the nipple, and passed out Of my
back within half an inch of the spine.-
From the spot where | fell | was car
red on the arms of soldiers (under the
direction of my aids, Its. Hammond
and Davis) about two miles to the gen.
eral hospital. During the whole of this
route my course might be tracked by
the blood which streamed out of the
wound. The agony suffered was so
intolerable that longed for death, and
often requested to be stretched on some
smooth green spot, where | might
breathe my last within hearing Of the
victorious shouts of my troops. My
aids however, demonstrated with me on
this, and had me borne onwards to the
hospital. Here my wound was dressed
and the blood staunched, by Dr.. Wright
Of the regular army, and Dr. McMailin
then attached to one Of my regiments
as acting surgeon. From the hospital
| was again borne on litter, the same
day about two and half miles, to a !
little hut on the Jalapa road.
Here | was attended for several days
by DR.. McMilian-every one expect
ing that every hour would be my last.
From this place was borne in few
Gays on litter to Jalapa, where | re-
mained until my recovery. was atten-
ded during the whole Of my illness by
DR.. Nc MILAN, who exhibited during
that time not only The most consum-
mate skill as surgeon, but such care,
assiduity. and devotion, Gs to endear
him to me for life. | must no. omit 10
mention that DR.. Vanderlinden, Sur.
geon-General OF the Mexican army,
(who had been made prisoner by nv
command) rendered efficient aid to DR..
cMillian, during portion of the time.
The broken ribs to which allusion is
made in the article were not only
known to the surgeon who attended me
but to myself, the moment ] was stlip-
ed and examined; but this was consid-
cred so trif1ing matter compared with
the terrible nature of my wound, that
it excited but little uneasiness and atten-
ton. 1t becomes me to say here what
| sincerely feel--that my recovery has
been providential; medical skill and sur
gical talent could do but little for such
a terrible wound. | understand there
is n o instance recorded of such recov-
cry. attribute therefore with CRATE
ful heart, my preservation and recovery
to God alone; but next to God, my i
gratitude is due, and my recovery attri-
butable, to the skill and devotion of nv
surgeon, Or. Mcmillan, recently,I am
happy to say, permanently appointed.
But 1 willgo farther and assert that the
medical department of the regular army
will compare in professional skill and
intelligence. with that OF any other med
ical body Of equal size in the world. -
Some Of the most recent appointments
| know to be excellent; but there are
doubtless some who are confessedIy de-
ficient in all the attributes OF surgical
skill and experience. This could scarce
ly be avoided under the circumstances, Ii
and considering the hurried manner in
which the appointments had to be made.
Al \ NJ Il F..