Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-11-23

like madmen, and failing to recognize their
nearest and dearest friends. Some we're
borne past, upon whose livd features death
had already set bis seal, the pitiful appealing
glance of the fast glazing eye being the only
sign that life still fingered. The features Of
many we're so distorted by pain that they
scarcely appeared to be human and, most
horrible OF all, witnessed at least dozen
poor creatures brought in who had either lost
a limb by cannon ball or had suffered the
amputation OF u leg or 90 arm. 1t is hard to
decide which OF these two classes OF victims
bad suffered the greater agohy-thoee who
had lain uncared for, save by some friendly
comrade who had bound his 'kerchief over the
limb to stop the effusion of blood, and thus
preserve the vital spark-or those who bad
endured the pain Of amputatiou, either too
hurriedly. or else unsklfully performed.
ln several OF the latter cases the lgatures
had slipped or become so loosened, the band.
ages had fallen off and the bones protruded
beyond the mangled flesh, while 10 both alike
the bones and flesh were black and fostering,
AID swarmiug with naggots. People shud
dered aud sckened as they turned away from
the horrld spectacle; women tainted in the
streets-aDd yet there were some brave
women-mothers, wives and ssters-who
dared to dresss these frghtful wounds, when
men, used to witness blood and suffering,
shruuk appalled, from the CHASTITY scene.
Striving TO conceal their own acute mental
suffering, these angels Of mercy fingered to
the last over the dying husbund or brother
and in more than one case to my knowledge,
over the bed of those who were strangers and
Notwithstanding to impart that comfort
TO the departing souls, which, Heaven help
them, they sorely needed themselves.
1t was happy thing for those poor victims
that in most instances they had ceased to
feel pain, while consciousness generally
returned an hour or two before death but it
is almost needless to add that recovery
amongst those who had suffered in the man
ner we have described, was rare indeed. We
know Of but one instance Of the recovery of q
man who had suffered the amputation Of a
limb on the battlefield. Horrida bella =
who year or two age, would have dared tc
! propbesy that such scenes would be Witnessed
in the hears of the model republic, in the
| State which Washington believed to be
destined to hold the brightest rank in The
| Union; which he lived to see progressing
! fsvorably, aud in which, 10 little more thar
/ fourscore years. the last of his descendants
| who bore bis name and inherited his estates
! was shot from his horse and K iled-a Rebe
spy!
We have heard it said that reports have
prevailed at the North to the effect thai
Northern prisoners of war we're badly treated
/ This, 50 far ss have seen or heard, ! cat
resolutely deny. That they suffer uude
many privations is true but so do tht
Southerners themselves In no place is there
q greater prejudice against the yankees
than in Richmond yet in very few instances
have heard them iusulted, and in thos,
instances only by urchins who stipmatze'
! reproved by their elders, while the sick ant
wounded Northernprs received the lik
treatment as the sufferers among themselves
Doubtless Instances Of cruelty have occurre
10 the excitement Of battle, or iu the Hush Q
victory, or anger and shame OF defeat bu
such instances occur everywhere and amongs
every people. War, for the time being, turn
; men Into demons.
Dark, dark, aud suddeniug is The prospec
We can see no CLEAN of light through tn
sumbre vista. The light is there. Eve
+ good may come from out OF this great evil
, but even The most hopeful must admit tbs
7, can only be arrived at through years OF tro'
BILE. The country has been thrown back &
! least half a century. More or less clvlIize
, nations must suffer through this mad folly
a the nineteenth century, which neither civl
n zation nor Christianity has been able to owe
), come so great is the strength OF mans e'
y passous when, as an individual or natlo
:, they obtain the mastery over him.