Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-11-20
Letter from the 98th Reg't

LEBANON, KY, Nov I, 1862
The progress of the Army Of the Ohio
Southwark, has left Lebanon u quiet anc
orderly city. The great rush of wagon trains
with and for stores, and the constant move
uent of brigades and divisions through ant
near the city, that, a week or ten days ago
made its streets impossible have given pac'
to the regular aud orderly business Of it
citizens and, but for the two thousand sicl
or wounded soldiers who are left in hospita
here, the struggling crowds of convalescen
or stay behind soldiers, and parolled rebe
prisoners that are daily passing througl
to JON their Regiments, or on their way Il
Louisville, there would be but little evi
deuce that within few weeks the place ha
been in possession Of both Of the contend
ing armies.
A closer examination, however, Of th
surrounding country, Of the wanton de
struction of all kinds of property-the al
most destitute condition of the people al
over the country through which the con
tending armies have passed--will disclose
in fearful manner, the horrors of war
and the crushing, blighting, destroying in
auence upon the peace and prosperity of
country, of the movement through it Of large
half disciplined, armies.
What the rebels have not however, de
stroyed or carried off, has been appropri
ated or destroyed by the Union army
Men here, who were rich, have been rob
bed of everything they had, aud left beg
gars. They were the possessors Of hundred
Of acres Of well improved, well stocked
we'll supplied land They have nothing lef
but their lands -nnincuplJered, 80 far n
etock, fences, or improvements arc con
cerned. Much of this destruction and des
olation has been caused by the rebel arm.
during its occupancy Of the State but to,
much, far too much of il, is attributable Il
our own army. No, not our army, but t
tie miserable, cowardly, God iorsakci
nuisances in the shape of teamsters who nr,
too lazy to carry knapsack, and too COW
Q dly to carry gun, who have solicited th
position Of teamster that they might hav
the better opportunity to indulge their pro
pensity for stealing aud to another class o
men ioho are too SICK 10 march with tn,
army, but well enough to tramp from hous,
to house all over the country, marching
twice as far as the army does, insulting
helpless women, and robbing their childrer
Of their bread Struggling miles behind
the army, perpetrsting all kinds Of outrages
secure from punishment because they arc
beyond the control of their officers.
This outlawry is having very bad effec
upon tho Union feeling in Kentucky, and
il is not at all strange that man who has
been beggared by those who profess to b.
his friends, and the protectors Of the rights
aud property of the loyal people of the
country, should question the propriety OF
adhering to Government that affords nc
protection from such outrages, or to cause
that is sustained by this kind Of agents. -
The remedy for these evils is apparent.
Speedy, certain, and severe punishment
would soon prevent them. The shooting OF
few Of the perpetrators would deter 9th
ers, and it is feard that nothing else will
There are eleven hospitals here under tn,
charge ofDr. McDermont, as Medical Di
rector, and until within the last two day,
they have been filled to their utmost capac
ity. The number Of sick is daily decreas
ing, and this is attributable to a very grea,
extent TO the excellent management of the
department under the director aud his very
efficient corps Of Surgeons, But there i,
another cause The ANGELS of Mercy" ar,
here. Woman, whose God.like feelings o
mercy aud sympathy lead her wherever
there ia sorrow or suffering, is st work, anC
by her presence, her ingenuity and he
energy is allevating tho sorrow and suffer
ing OF the poor, afflicted, heart sick soldier
and doing more for his recovery by hel
kind words and gentle treatment, than al
the medical skill in the universe could nc
oomplish. Could the women of the coun
try be induced to visit these hospitals ard
zee the effect their presence alone woulC
have upon the sick, they would feel full,
repaid for any sacrifices they might have t
make in doing it; and if they would inter
est tbemselves fully in this direction, hun
drsds Of lives might be saved that fall Al
early prey to disease.
Among these good Samaritans, these al
leviators Of sorrow, these Angels of Mercy
that are accomplishing so much good 70
our sick here, is the wife Of Hon. X.
Hpauldiug, and Mrs. - Ray, who hav
taken upon themselves the general super
vision Of all the hospitals in the place an
90 effectuslly are hey performing the al
duUus duties they have imposed upon then