Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-28
Provide for the Travelling soldiers.

We are highly gratiied to see the movements
which are on foot and the provision which is being
made for the comfort and advantage Of our sick and
wounded soldiers. We would call the attention of
those thus humaney and beneticently employed, to
some evils which have come under the writer's OBJ
servation and which are at once serious and easily
removed
The great transportation of troops over our rail-
roads retards or prevents the ordinary movement
of the trains, that frequently the whole DAY Is
consumed in what is usually the of few hours.
No blame is TO be attached TO the railroad managers
OF indeed to any body for thig. 1t Is simply ne
cesslty Of the present service. We pay no atten-
ton therefore, to the Ihconsiderate complaints Of
mere civilians whether travelling for business or
pleasure. But in behalf Of the ihvIlid soldier we
feel much sympathy, because of the discomfOrts
which it incidentally entails upon him, unless they
shall be met by some efficient prevention.
We will illustrate what mean by an actual
case, which lately came under our own knowledge.
sick ard faint-loOking soldier, on invalid
furOuph, left Manassas Junction early IN the morn
ing for his home The train was compelled, on ar
irving at Culpeper Court House, to remain till late
hour in the afternoon, awaiting several trains OF
troops. The soldier actually suffered for something
to eat suitable his condition. till at last some lady
passengers were c0nsiderae enough TO offer him the
unconsumed portion of their lunch. The train
reached Richmond at eleven o'clock at night. Here,
on leaving the cars, the supperless and sick man,
and the other nvalids who had been less fortunate
than himself, had TO encounter dense crowd pack
ed and Ilmmed and obstinate, such Rs the most Wig
orous person could not pass through without great
exertiOn. What afterwards became of him and
them we know not Perhaps a case which occurred
on Monday night last may indicate. Two soldiers
of Hampton's Legion which had been in the midst
of the terrible fight of Sunday, and was much cut
up, arrived here charged with some Of their wound
ed comrades They left Manassas in the morning.
At midnight they on our streets looking for
something to eat; for day of awful fighting had
been succeeded by day of constrained fasting, in
the midst of those for whom they had fought. They
went to several hotels and there was 10 10 I'M and
no food for them. At last, weary and Disguised and
sick at heart they found fosd and shelter.
We mention not these things to reproach any body.
They are due to an oversight IN not providing Tor
such cases. Nor would we mention them If they
were single or unusual cases. Every one who has
Travelled of late will recognize them as but llustra-
tons of the priyationG to which travelling soldiers,
whether six well, exposed. We state them
because wish TO be practical, and to show the
people plainly what they ought to do, and how they
can do 1t.
Food ought to be provided for the way>side re-
lief all soldiers, but especially for the SICK IN the
case of all delayed trains If the kind ladies Ill the
neighborhood of the stations knew what cheer and
comfort they would afford to many fainting soldier
by arrangements for furnishing refreshments under
such circumstances it would be este emed privilege
to pro ide them. We have ousrelves seen that small
est of the gifts of benevOence-a cup Of cold water
brighten the cheek and call forth the gratitude OF
these men, And let travellers in the cars be consid-
crate to the soldiers. There are but few of them
who will not feel their arms newly nerved and their
hearts cheered if the sunshine of Kindness and sym>
pathy fall upon their path of privations and dis
comforts And surely sicker in soul than in person
must be that invalid solder who has to endure cold
uncoucern and selfish neglect at the hands OF those
whom he meets, when bruised and battered he turns
him towards his home.
Neither can it be right to allow invaids to be
hustled by the crowd of eager inqurers after news,
when 1t may be- after day of toll and exhaustion,
they at last reach their journeys end A guard
should be provided to them from the effects
| of such unthinkiDg curiosity.
OF those OF our 0ity who have in charge the com
fort of the soldier, ImplOre that there shall De
! no more such scenes in streets Gs that when
we have presented a mere example. Let there
! be some place provided where, at least for the
| money, delayed soldiers may always obtain re
freshments and repose. Let not the weary, and II
nav be sick men, who have ha no dinaer, BE- forced
at midnight to look in vain Tor supper and for shell
| ter IN strange city. Vain all expressions OF
| sympathy, if they be not practically eXemphtied
/ Be We clothed and be ye ftled-thiS is not 6eneVo
! Jepce: but the prOuding of the things which art
necessary and the placing of them in the reach OF
the needy: this it is that marks deed as humane
| and benevolent Let our conduct exhibit these
proofs = RicLmeRG Enquirer, july "a