The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-04-27


DEAR FATHER 1 expect you have given
up hearing from me again-should have writ
ten oftener but we have been "on tn. march
since 1 last wrote and have had no time or
place to do so.
] have been appointed Hospital Steward.
It is a responsible and arduous situation, but
a pleasant one in many respects. The Army
Surgeon is a perfect gentleman. 1 have many
warm friends among the officers. Since I last
wrote you We have passed through many dan
gers aud scenes that I almost shudder at now,
but to go into detail of everything would take
more time than 1 can spare from my duties.
We were from the 31st October until Janua-
ay 2sth getting through, and during that time
suffered a great deal with cold and hunger. 1t
was a time ofyear that no train ever attempted
to go, and what made it still worse we went a
route no white man ever explored before, Gas
far as known.) At first we run short of corn
for the mules, and then almost every morning
We would find from two to four dead, and some
times they would drop dead in the harness from
cold and hunger.
After marching from II to % miles through
the snow we WOULD Camp" shovel the snow
away enough to "pitch tents" cook our scanty
meal, roll ourselves up in a blanket and lie and
shiver until daybreak, when the drumb would
beat "Reveille," when We would up and mix up
our cup of -four with water, bake it, strike tents,
and fall in for another day.
AT night when we lay dow we do not know
but before morning we would hear the war
whoop of the Apachas or Camanches, and per-
haps be weltaring in our own blood.
Many of the men suffered with frozen feet,
&C., &c. We had ten sick when we left Fort
Smith, and being Hospital Steward had the
of them; three out of the number died.
I will give a death scene which occurred, and
the manner in which they bury a soldier on
the plains.
1t was a man by the name of ST. The
Doctor came to the Hospital tent tina. evening
and told me be would die before morning. 1
by his side until he expired. The
night was cold and blowing so hard We dare
not have a FIRE which made it worse. He told
me he was married and left his wife in P,
and wished me to write to her and tell her of
his death. To hear the means of that man
would break the heart of a stole. He gave me
a ring to keep, and should 1 ever get back to
the States, to send it to her. His last words
were, "My acJe, my injured wye, God bless
her," After he was dead l removed him from
the rest of the sick men, got a sentinel to guard
his body till morning when he was sewed up
in his blanket, a rude grave dug, and he was
put in and the dirt thrown on him and we left,
without even a stick to mark the spot.
But 1 have been spared through all these
scenes and can bless God with more fervor
than ever; it seems as though I cannot
be thankful enough for the blessings He has
bestowed upon me, and 1 regret 1 did not
set out sooner in the path that Christ has
out. [ feel so much better to think [,
have one in whom 1 can trust, and is ready
and willing to forgive US our sins and fold us
in his bosom. I hope and pray I may ever
hold out a faithful follower of the Lord Je sus
Christ, and if never permitted to meet you on
earth, that 1 may in the regions of the blessed.
1 have been appointed Hospital Steward at
this post. We have a very large Hospital here,
it can accommodate IS or 80 patientl, but now
out of It's men 1 have only 81 on the Sick
1t may may seem strange to you and
my acquaintance to know / make and put up
all prescriptions treat a good many patients
with the little knowledge you suppose [ have
of medicine, 1 have spent all the spare time 1
have had in reading Medical works, and can
say without boasting, 1 know as much or more
than some of the Doctors in the States. The
Surgeon at this post is a fine man and treats
me as a gentleman. The weather here is fine
and warm as summer; this post is about 100 miles
of Santa Fe, on the Rio Del Norte Riv-
er; the inhabitants are all Mexicans, no Amer
leans but our party-I can talk Mexican very
well; you are probably aware of the manner
they construct their houses; they are built of
or sun dried brick, they look rough
but many of them are splendidly fur
nishsd inside in Mexican style; the people are
very treacherous indeed, would as soon stab an
aAmerican" as not. They call US all "Ameri-
can perros" that is American Dogs, and 1 must
sag judge rery weU in some instances. The
medicine trade pays well among them.
But must close. LoEe,,too one and all ndmay