Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-24
THE RICHMOND wHIG.
HOSPITAL AT THE WARN SPRINGS, 81.
[n ~. E1iknr NJ fLe Win

WARx spRIsGs, Oct. l2b, 1861.
Nv attention AZ just baen called 10 short editorial
in your psper Of the sh inst entitled "sok Soldiers at
the Warm, Hot and Healing SPRING. On reading II, my
first reflection wa, that II the gentlemen Of the Press
knew one half Of the difficulties encountered BY Heads
Of Departments In large Volunteer Army, particularly
in tho Medical Department Of the Army OF Western
Virginia, when measles as basis, with the most In.
element season ever before known in the mountains
h.uspg marches and intclenbls roads have combined
TO PROSTATE our Army-thsy would show that spirit Of
toleratiop mixed with sympathy, which Is no less due
the tcers on whom responsibilities rest, than the sick
soldier ard when this Christian charity 10 not possess
cd, they would at ta, inform themselves Of the reel
condition of things before insiDuang charges OF either
neglect incompotency s contained in the editorial
referred to. This was my first na ction and With
cOnscia rset feltndhsrsrt to it, and would have
remained 90, but for second rssdpg and noticing the
threat that Il would become the duty Of the editor
der certain considerations to speak quite plainly on the
subject This threat Of doing what do not fear. and
not howsoo acted on, has prompted me to make
the following ssatement-not, however with view Of
shielding myself conduct from either animadversion
on your part or from boug cited before any tribunal
which you may have erected for the trial Of deHqaent
but to court both Il need be- at the time relying
with perfect confidence yonr generosity for It's pub
lication.
When, for military reasons, Our army retired from
Crouch's, and falling back ysey Mountain, well
knowing that the sick Of the army must largely increase
in numbers both from the sthausug marches Just made
by the Brigades Of Generals Anderson and Doneson,
aud the occupation again of the infected locality Of Val
ii
their commodious establishments DO at once prepared
receive them. The General commanding, ever solicit
ous fos tho heal Of his Army al approved. AID
ordered me forward for the purpose. Bore had half
concluded Ae necessary preparations military reasons
again made 1t important TO hurry the sick on By every
means of transporta,'ol; as with an avalanche. "e
we're overwhelmed with 1900 sick, With every possible
effort seconded by competent medical officers and
the Proprietors Of the Springs with one or two eIeer
tons, showing admirable spirit aud patriotism We hai
them ia short time comfortably quartersd In fss hosp
tale the Roekbridgs and Bath Alum, the Warm Hot aud
Healing Spring. competent medical officer With an as
sstant IN charge feach estsblishment with line Of
fesr commanding the post 10 addition 10 this two Of
he Hospitals have IL lent ladies aad nurses. who
haze the authority aud IT, giving al! order appar
ainug 10 The good condition aud cesIliaess Of the
tablishnsnts The food is such the faliohs furnish,
oommuted the nesbborhOod viii allow for fresh meat
and vegetables, such adapted TO many Of the in
maies who suffer frsm dssease, only iIom debility,
some times With ScoIbu,io symptoms eohse equeut on
hiu'lpg maIchc-. exposure to weather a1d the non
vegetable dst TO O;hefs under the sapernieDdsnss o.
the surgeons and distributed the many cont
buttons evidences oil the tender symrahe and patrio
tsm of the ladies Of the land Such hes been
sg gmsn but row improved cD, BY more petee: arrange
mt Of the oommssariat which the pressure Of cir
eumssances forbade ere this.
While Hospitals not chow Ina, perfect military
order ard extreme nestness which Ia Desirable and 10
which have been accustomed, during fourteen years
service In the Navy o: the United States three yess Of
which we're spsnt in Naval Hospitals do assert that
they are in all the order aud good condition that the
ractsr Of the nma.es unused they TO ssf CARE
aud the appliances to be obtairei will ALLOW; and the
patients are led well proper regard economy and
severely taxed section Of country will adult
will not use the expression found myself about to
writs thereby making the concession always contained
In the admitta Of errors Of heart bu. Of head but
challenge investigation; with regard to botb-ssw VII
ling to fall by the the other-for he who know
Ing himself 10 DC H-hpaoo vi uituaBuS tne iuportAht
department pertaining 10 the health OF an army sti
encumbcrs the onic~, Is as criminal as be who, with
a bad heart aud reckless conduct administerit.
Again, repeat that have made this statement no.
with view to concliGe, but for reasons personal to
myself TO cast OF, il possible, the iusnuaon Of NAL
administration contained IN your editorial. While you,
perhsps, uever heard my name, others there who
know that Medical Director Of this army, aud for
the sake of those whose brothers and sons are conded
in their sickness to my general ndencebrohsrs
and sons, Who along with the General Commanding,
have res son to believe will bear willing testimony that
with uuremitting labor, have applied myself to my
task, both on this and the Monterey iue having solely
10 view the relief Of suffering army, suffering from
causes that have been totally Unavoidable however much
h,s been written may be written the su'j and
the fna success and dsentbrament of our gallant land.
w. J. DARLINGTON,
Med. Director, Army Western Virginia.