Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-10-22

GarIbaIdi and the wounded Soldiers nj
Caserta-Bis Extreme Kindness 60 the
Sufferers. 'H t'n
The following extracts from private let
ter to the editor Of the Medical Times and
Gazette, written by friend who has recently
visited Naples, will be read with interest.
The letter is dated edNaples, September q, and
was received last week:
A few days ago was one Of party which
went down to Caserta to visit the military
hospital, where the wounded were brought
after the unfortunate affair of Oapua. We
first walked in the gardens of the palace,
where we were so fortunate as to come, acci-
dentally, on a body Of officers practioing rifle
shooting. Among these was no less a per-
sonage than Garibaldi himself As soon as
he perceived us he came frankly forward to
Mrs. W, who had with her large ham
per Of lemons and oranges for the wounded.
On her requesting him TO give orders that
she might be admitted to the hospital, he
Immediately offered TO escort her thither
himself. A few minutes afterward the peo-
pie were little astOnished to see Garibaldi
drive off with an English lady and her two
daughters, without any of his staff, to visit
the hospital. was perched on the box.
After a ten minutes drive we arrived at
the hospital--a fine modern building to look
on lTOu DuJ lu6 WdTuS are 700
small, and the ventilation is bad. As to
organization, there is none. When the
crowd outside knew that the General was
there, they foeked into the wards in such
numbers that he could hardly move about.
| 1t was most affecting sight to see the ten
derness with which the weather-beaten
warrior approached the sick bed. Every one
was visited in turn, and he had few words
| of consolation for each individual. He laid
ttrrh tIa 81
brows Of the most suffering that the tears
started from their eyes. Itwas hot, sultry
day, and the air was carefully excluded.
! The reason given to me- on my asking why
the windows were not open, was, that air
too freely admitted was apt to cause fever
among wounded men. Of fcourse there was
no answering such profound observation,
but after a few minutes Garibaldi ordered
the windows to be thrown open, Mrs. w.
having suggested to him the propriety of
doing so.
Before leaving the wards, where there
were about sixty wounded-the most of them
having been sent into Naples-Garibaldi
made his secretary, whe had followed him,
give each patient dollar to get any little
thing he might fancy. On seeing one. poor
| fellow very uncomfortable with dry dress
ing, the usual Neapolitan one, he caused
him to be properly dressed, and made some
observations about using water for dressings
by which the surgeons here might profit
He asked particularly if they used chloro-
form during operations, and was answered
in the affirmative. This is step in advance
On the visit to the common soldiers being
finished Garibaldi went to see the officers
ofwhom there were about a dozen. He
kissed some of them affectionately, and
shook hands warmly with all, requesting
every one to make known to him any wants
&c. Not one of them complained to him
but on being questioned by Mrs. W, i
was evident that there were many thing
required for their comfort above all, nigh
attendance