The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-10-23
MAJoRTTIEs.
CAIRO. Ills, Oct. l6, 1861

MIR. EDITOR This town, as every
body knows, is situated on lew point of
land at the confluence of the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers. An embankment, ten
or twelve feet high, protects it from inun-
dation, and gives it rather pleasant and
imposing appearance from the river; but
in truth it is only the shell of town, en-
closing an immense burr patch. Most of
the buildings are wooden; the sidewalks
are constructed of planks, and the streets
seem to be the deposit for all of the filth
and refuse of the city. In wet weather
the streets are almost impossible; and as
for vacant lots, public squa.es, &c, every
available inch of ground is devoted to the
growing Of burrs, and the crop produce |
would justify the highest expectations of
the most ardent and enthusiastic admirers
of that classic weed. But nevertheless it
is at this time an important military post
the headquarters of Gen. Grant, and
the rendezvous of FIVE or six regiments of
infantry, besides some cavalry and artil.
lery.
OfGen. Grants military qualifications
| need say nothing, for, although compar-
atively young in years, he is an old sol
dier, and is well known; Blu. with regard
to his social qualities, must say, | have
seldom met his superior. lie is open and
frank in his address, engaging in his man
ners, and condescending and affable In his
intercourse with all In personal appear
ance he is about medium size, rather fair,
with sandy whiskers, broad, classic brow,
and commanding mien He is laboring
to organize, and render effective, his d.
vision Of the Western army but the fact
is all parties here have 50 little fear Of an
attack from the rebels that the work Of
fortifying this and neighboring points is
not pushed forward as vigorously as We
might expect.
There are about ten or twelve thousand
available troops at this place, Camp Holt,
and Birds Point Two regiments were
ordered from here to Cape Girardeau to-
day, and two gun boats were sent up the
Mississippi river, in anticipation of an at
tack at some point above here; but as
Cape Girardeau is likely to become the
Gibralter Of the Mississippi river, no fears
are entertained.
Sickness is making fearful inroads in
the camps here, large number of men
are IN the various hospitals, and a still
greater number are to be prescribed for
daily. Besides the various regimentaI
hospitals, there is one general hospital
here, and at Mound City, six miles above
here. They are both substantial, well
constructed brick buildings and are being
fitted up comfortably for the reception of
the sick, The Mound City hospital is an
immense building, and when completed
will accommodate 100 patients, but at
present there are only $40 in both hospi-
tals. The hospital department. is under
the supervision Of DR.. Simmons, Medical
Director, who is an army surgeon of great
experience. and man Of good, practical
common sense. lie is exerting himself
with more than ordinary energy to perfect
his hospital arrangements, but as yet they
are not fully organized.
An attempt has been made here to in
,roduce female nurses, in conformity TO
Miss Dix's plan, but judging from present
appearances no regular, well defined and
permanent system has been inaugurated
and carried out. There is evidently a
want OF efficiency in the nursing depart
ment. The male nurses are detailed from
the ranks, and in many cases are as unfit
for the position as Hottentot would be
for Surgeon General. The female nurses
do mol seem to command the respect that
we had hoped, and are too often like a
fifth wheel to the wagon; while the sur
eeons, as "a general thing, are more liberal
ID dishlng out their medicines than in
prescribing soap and water. But sup
pose thsse arc military necessities.
w