The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-02


WAR's DoIyGS,-The correspondent of the Charles
ton Courier, writing from Cupepper Courthouse, Va.
gives a long and interesting account of visit to the
large army hospital at that place, from which extract
the following:
Pass through with me while we look at number of
the wounded. Starting at one end you will observe
several beds empty-a pleasant sight Their former
occupants have recovered sufficiently to return to their
camps or homes and they wait 10 be filled by Others
which the surgeon says viii be in less than twentyfour
hours
The first bunk at which stopis occupied by gem
teman from Washington City, of one oits wealth.
est citizens and one of three brothers, all of whom arc
fighting the battles of the south. His wound which is
between the hip and knee, is drawn up almost at an
angle of fortyve degrees by the injury to the nerves
of the part so that months il not years may eapse be
fore he recoveys its use The doctor says if he don't
make an effort to straghten himself he shall have to
administer dose of chloroform and do it for him: an
operation terribly painful which makes the poor fellow
quiver at the mere anticipation
Lying near him is a Georgian thin, pale almost cada-
verous convalesciug slowly from what supposed
fatal wound The ball had struck him squarely in the
chest passed through the lung, and emerged from the
back. For while he spit blood freely but the healing
process soon commenced and, aided by strong con
stituton, there is now strong probability of his
covery may remark here, in passing, that have yet
to hear OF the first instance of southern soldier
being struck with his back to the enemy,
On the next couch lies poor trail remnant of NOR
tality, of skin and bones, gone, system
reduced voice thin and broken pulse weak eyes unken
and staring out of their dark deep hoows with wild
expression the lamp Of life nearly burned out, and
total absence ofanybng but wreck Of mind and matter
to mark what was once handsome man. just on the
edge of the grave feathers weight may determine
whether he will tople over whether what is left of
him will return again to his distant home receive the
warm embraces Of the old family welcome.
But let us further and more rapidly along THERE is
poor fellow who has been shot to pieces and is help
less Hand and foot are dead to him. and every move
ment must be made by the gentle female nurse who sits
patiently by his side tanning and bathing his heated
brow. His death warrant is written in his contracted
face, and it is mere question Of time when he will be
added the list Of others who have gone to their silent
homes
Here is a bedside around which attendant and two
or three physicians are gathered Every and then
groan or shout Of agony is torn from the unhappy
patient by their manupitatons over horrible looking
knee. ball has penetrated the bone, and though re-
moved has left behind train Of troubles which leave
but little to hope for recovery. He toe, is
ciaed almost to a skeleton, and the then weak limbs
which lie listessy upon the bed and gauut hollow
cheeks, bespeak amount of suffering of which we
can have conception. So we pass from bedside
to another, and all stages of health and atction
men who have been mangled by bursting bombs, and
perforated by mimic balls All, however, with only
three four exceptions are in fair way to recuperae