The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-30
VOL. XUI.-NO. Ii.
Statement by DIR. j. III. Stewart,
Surgeon of the First Regiment
of Minnesota YOlunteerS

VI NA1nhcSStd OhuhAcCIS'
ln publishing the narrative of DR.. Stew
art we have taken the liberty of nterspers-
ing few head lines, for the eye to rest
upon and relieve the continuity OF so long
q document, interesting though it certainly
is:
To the Public.
On the rorning of the 18th Of August,
eleven Surgeons OF Volunteer Regiments
arrived in Washington from Richmond,
where they bad been prisoners OF war, and
from which place they were allowed to des
part on giving the Parole Of Honor, usual
in war, not to serve again 10 the Army Of
the United States, unless released or ey>
changed. | was one of those Surgeons.
On the Afternoon of the day OF our ar,
rival, an article appeared in the Washington
Star, small cheap paper OF Washington
city, 10 terms as follows:
The Oligarchy authorities are trying to get
rid OF the burden OF feeding prisoners in their
hands by discharging them on parole. This
morning twenty-tour (made prisoners after the
battle of Bull RUM reached here. They left
Richmond on the day before yesterday, and
were sent by rail to our lines near Fortress
Monroe. The following is a copy Of the obli-
CATION forced on them, viz:
s. We, the undersigned officers. mono commits
stoned officers. privates and citizens of the
United States. do make our unqualified parole
OF honor that We will not by arms, informa-
ton. or otherwise, during the existing HOSTILE
bot Init md ha no,
tederate States of America, aid or abet the en-
emies of the said Confederate States, or any OF
them, IL any form or manner whatsoever, un-
I'll released or exchanged.
Witness, WV. II. WINDER.
Brig. Gen. {. s. A.
We presumesthat those who gave such pa.
role will be shipped to their homes without
delay as such men will clearly be worse than
useless in any military service.
The following is list of the returning Sur.
geOns among the lot. viz.
Foster Swift, oth New York. j. Ii. Stewart
lst Minnesota }. NJ. Lewis, "a Visions Eu
gene Benquet, list NV York; Chas. S. De
Graw. Sth New York; and u. ii. Winston, 18th
New York.
The assistant Surgeon of the LIST Minnesota
regiment, refused. to ms credit be ii said, to &C
cept the parole, and remains prisoner al
Richmond.
The whole party were threatened with pop.
ular violence repeatedly on their way from
Richmond to Fortress Monroe.
Though the paragraph in the above arti.
Gle 10 relation to.the " Assistant Surgeon O
the Minnesota First refusing to accept BIZ
parole, to bis credit be it said," made i
pretty transparent that the intention wal
principally to stab at the Surgeon of th'
Minnesota First" and by the comparison t
discredit him, nevertheless concluded t
take no notice of the falsehood and inferen
tial SANDER, knowing that time rights al
things, and that truth generally prevails il
the long run. But some of the other sur
geons, however, thought it advisable t
speak to the editor about it. They informed
me that be apoogized for its insertion
stating that the facts had been misrepre
sented to him and the editor would hav
corrected it in his own columns if he ha(
been required TO DO SO but, as the Othe
papers, including the New York press, hat
made more Just and accurate representa-
tlOn OF the circumstances under which w
had given our parole, and had also omitted
the personal stab aimed especially at me, i
was not deemed of enough consequence t
ask Tor formal retractlOn IN the Star.
1t seems, however, that the same article
Just as it originally appeared, was carefull
saUed up by some one here in ST. Pau
who is the fit ally of the hidden slanderer il
Washington and that it is launched at m
by republication in the PIONEER the mex
morning after my arrival in ST. Paul, n
DOUBT intending it as my welcome HON
after tour OF hard service in the field
in which | most certainly underworld L
perform my whole duty to the country an
the men Of the Regiment OF which wa
Surgeon, without counting risks or hatin
/ at sacrifices, pecuniary or personal.
PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF FACTS.
Now, Mr.. Editor ] am not particular
] thin~skinned, and can stand any moderat
amount of ordinary newspaper abuse, bu
this imputation sought to be cast upon M
IS so outrageous y unfair and unjust, that
cannot forbear asking you to grant m
+ some considerable space in your paper fo
the detail OF facts, of an interesting charae
ter, which, | think, will exhonerate me be
fore the public, and show that l perhaI
deserve their praise instead of censure.
/ THE HOSPITAL ESTABLISHED AT SUDLE
CHURCH.
On the 2lst OF July, the day of the bsttl
of Bull Run, and some time after noon, a
the Minnesota First was near the battl
field and just about entering upon it to as
sumo the position where it fought so gal
laDtly, the Chief Medical Director informe
me, that be wished me to establish my Hos
pital at Sudley Church, situated near til
battle field, and where we could get plent
of water for the wounded, and also directe