Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-19


Is from all the circumstances attending the
fitting out Of the expedition, could not bat
regard it as one of the most delightful Of al l
the many exhibitions Of the patriotism and
refined humanity of our people which this
war has called ont, and as most gratifying
proof of the vigor and value of our organiEa-
ton, now spread over all the loyal States.
The history of the expedition up to the
time when Joined it Is no less interesting
and suggestive than that in which bore part,
and on viii perhaps not be unwilling to
hear It as it wss repeated to me;
HBefore hearing of the surrender Of Fort
Donelson, but knowing that desperate con-
hict was impending there, the Secretary call
ed meeting Of the Sanitary Commission for
o'clock on Monday morning. At this meet
ing committee was appointed who were
authorised to charter q steamer, load 1t with
hospital stores, and engage as many surgeons
and nurses as they might deem proper. While
the committee was engaged in selecting these
from the hundreds who rendered their servi-
css, the news came that the Fort was taken.
The city was at once in blaze Of enthusi-
ssm. The citizens knowing that the Com
mission was about sending a steamer to the
relief of the wounded, Wed with each other in
their efforts to help on the enterprise. The
members of the Commission were accosted
in the streets, or called into places of busi-
ness, and checks for $25 or $50 thrust into
their hands BY men from whom much small
or donations would have been regarded as
highly liberal. In two hours, almost with
out solicitation, $1,000 were collected and
paid into the treasury, to defrsy the expenses
Of the expedition. Had more been required,
it would have been as freely given.
From the fact that all the steamers at Gin
cinnAd had been pressed into the service Of
the Government for the transport Of troops,
it was only after many difficulties and delays
that proper one was found, and the consent
of Gen. Buell. to its use obtained BY telegraph
from Louisville.
At5P. n. the steamer was secured, and al
midnight she started on her way"
Our voyage down the Ohio and up the
Cumberland was without incident, but in
many respects most interesting. Oar com.
pany, composed mainly of men of intelli'
gsnce and cultivation, harmonized BY theil
humane and patriotic mission, furnished the
elements of most pleasant social intercourse,
in which the hours passed rapidly away
snd at evening the circle Of earnest wor-
shippers who gathered into the cabin to lis
ten to the reading of the scriptures, and to
ioin IN prayer for the wounded and dying on
the battle 8eld, formed 3 scene strangely
new 70 the traveller on our western waters,
and one that will long Hnger in tie memo
ries Of those present.
During the trip our whole force was clss-
SIZED in squads Of surgeons and nurses, 90
that our work might be systematically, rap
idly and thoroughly done.
On cur arrival ct Fort Donelson we found
ourselves surrounded BY the realities and
many Of the horrors Of war. The batteries,
the entrenchments, the white tents OF our
victorious army which covered ths hills for
miles around, the battle field with its uubur-
ried dead, strewn with arms, clothing and
accoutrements, everywhere showing traces
Of the death storm by which it had been
swept. All these, and thousand other
things which told each its story in the un.
written history Of this desperate and all i'm
portant conflict, were looked upon with 9
deep and painful interest. But we had moi
come 70 grati1y mere curiosity, however nat
ursl, and the wounded, who were then beng
brought in on litters OF in smbUlances, de-
msnded and received our first thoughts and
attention.
Immediately on our arrival committee Of
the Commission visited the headquarters Of
the Commanding General and obtained
passes i'through all lines ct will" The
Committee also reported to the Medical Di-
rector, stated the object Of our visit, rendered
the services of surgeons and nurses, and
orofered the supplies which had been brought
Ali these offers were accepted, and an ap'
peintment made for o'clock the came after
noon at which time duties were to be
assigned us where assistance was most
needed.
During the interval we had time to look
around us and ascertain, by our own obser.
walton, the condition of the wounded, and
nature and extent Of their wants.
Our steamer was moved alongside Of the
HOIty of Memphis" on which were, ct the
time, two hundred and fifty or three hundred
of the wounded, while few PAGES below rs,
lsy the Fanny Bullitt on which were nearly
ss many more. To both Of these boats, We,
with some little difficulty, obtained access,
and were enabled TO make q eursery exami.
nation Of their inmates.
We found the cabin floors thickly crowded
with the wounded men, and Others were con.
stsntly arriving from the various places
where they bad been deposited when taken
from the field Of battle. When received
they were laid side by side in juxtaposition,
part on the floor and part on mattresses. Oul
examination showed that the individual con.
dition of the wounded men was deplorable
Some were just as they had been lefs by the
fortune of war Qour days before); theil
wounds, as yet undres3ed, smesred with filtE
and blood, and all their wants unsupplied -
Others had had their wounds dressed one
TWO or three days bsOrs. Others, still, were
under the surgeons hands receiving such care
IS could be gwen them by men overburdenei
bY the number Of their patients, worn out bJ
excessive and long continued labor, without
an article Of clothing 70 give TO any fer 6
change, or an extra blanket, without
bandages or dressings with bus two ounces
Of csrste 70 three hunored men, with few
medicines and no sfimulants, and with moth
ing but corn.meal Cruel, hard bread anC
bacon to dispense as food.
As tie condition Of the wounded testified
and the frank admission of the surgeons
proved, here was an earnest sppeal for al
our sympathies, all our efforts, all our store
the very suffering and destitaiiOn, indeed
which we had pictured in our minds, and ",
had come 90 far to relieve.
At o'clock the Medical Director faileC
to appear, nor did we see anything of hin
till dark. Meantime some Of the party
making an effort 70 60 again Into the eabiI
Of the City Of Memphis, Wsrs asked By th'