Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-11-19

of victims had suffered the greater agony those
who had lain uncared for, save by some friendly |
comrade who had bound his 'kerchief over the |
limb to stop the efusion Of blood. and thus pre-
eeiye the vital spark-or those who endured the
pain of nmputation, either too hurriedy, or else
unskilfuly performed. In several of the latter
eases the ligatures had slipped or become oos-
ened, the bandages had fallen off, and the bones
prOtruded beyond the mAngled fesh while In
both alike, tile bones aud flesh were black and
fostering, aud swarming with mnggots. People
shudiertd and sickened as they turned away
from the horrd spectacle women tainted in the
streets-nnd yet there were some brave women
mothers, wives and sisters-who dared to dress
these frightful wounds, when men, used to wit
ness blond nn1 suffering shrunk appalled, from
the gbastly scene Striving 10 conceal their own
acute mental suffering, these angelo of mercy
fingered to the last over the dying husband or
brother-and in more than one case, TO my
knowledge, over the bed of those who were
strangers and friendl less-striying to impart that
comfort to the departing souls which, Heaven
help them, they sorey needed themselves.
1t was happy thing for these poor victims
that in most instances they had ceased to feel
pain, while consciousness generally returned 40
hour or two before death but il is almost need.
less to add that recovery, amongst those vino had
suffered in the manner we have described, was
rare indeed. We know but of one instance Of
putation of a limb on the battle field. Horriid
bella who, a year or two ago, would have
dared to prophecy that such scenes would be
witnes .ed in the heart of the model republic in
the centre of the State which Washington be-
lieved to be destined to hold the brightest rank
in the Union; which he lived to see progressing
favoraby, and in which, in little more than
lourscOre years, the last of his descendants, who
Z bore his name and Inherited his estates was shot
=. from his horse aud kiled-a Rebel spy
!. We have beard it sald that reports have pre-
y vailed at the North 10 the effect that Northern
Il prisoners of war were badly treated This, Sc
/, far as have seen and heard, can resolutelJ
= deny That they suffer under many prvaton.
= = is true; but so do the Southerners themselves.
In no place is there n greater prejudice
:. against the " Yankees" than in Richmond ye
y in very few instances have heard them insultet
= : and in those instances only by urchins, VIII,
stigmntized them as Z" Yankee peddlers," nnC
were always reproved by their elders while tht
: sick and wounded Northerners received the lik,
s. treatment ms the sufferers among themselves
= Doubtless instances Of cruelty have occurred il
: the excitement of battle, or in the flush of vic
~ tory, or anger and shame Of defeat but sucl
Instances occur everywhere and amongst ever,
y people, War, for the time being turns men int
demons.
ls Dark, dark and sadlenng is the pro'pect.-
:, We can see no CLEAN of light through the sombr
u vista. The light is there. Even good may com
u from out of this great evil; but even the mos
:! hopeful must admit that it eau only be arrived n
" through years of trouble. The country hAs bee
" thrown back at least half century More Il
less civilized nations must suffer through thi
~ mad folly of the nineteenth century. whic
neither civilization nor Christianity has bee
able to 0vercome-sO great is the strength {
., mans evil passions when, us an individual or
~ nation, they obtain the mastery over him.