Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-12-04
yhufsday M0rning%::::::Dec 4. 1862.
A Look Into the Hospitals.

a AOOh lHtO tut UUSpituES.
There is no class Of persons at this time Of
national and individual distress, who are SO
much entitled to the sympathy OF, and need
full assistance from the nation, as the thous-
ands Of brave men, who, having left the quiet
pursuits OF peaceful life, and the comforts of
home TO peril health and life for the preser-
walton of their country, are now the inmates
of our Hospitals--the wounded in battle, and
the sick from the field and camp.
There is something glorious in the thought
Of dying on the field of victory, amid the
clash of arms, but the wasted sufferer from
lingering disease, the result Of priyation, ex-
posure and fatigue, is the proud recipient of
no honors, and while the eager thoughts of
the nation are following our armies from
point to point, and closely studying the scenes
of action, the nations sick and wounded are
lying in silent suffering, unthought OF, and
uncsred for in great measure, except by
their personal friends, (who are too distant
to give aid Or comfort and their immediate
attendants, ..E .....-. Mss B..
Tho heroes in the field are heraldod by fame,
but the heroes in the Hospitals, who have an
equal claim to our praise, and a greater one
to our sympathies, are unknown.
With similar thoughts to the foregoing, we
embraced an opportunity a few days ago, to
visit the u. s. General Hospital in this city,
in company with several patriotic and phi
lanthropic persons, and for the satisfaction of
all interested in the welfare Of our soldiers,
take pleasure in stating the general appear
ance of what we saw there, The different
buildings used as Hospitals here, have beon
selected with view to their appropriateness
ior this use, and the rooms are large and
pleasant appearing, well ventilated, and fur
nishsd in every respect'for the comfort and
convenience of the Patients. The bedding
warm and clean, and the appearance ofthe
various wards gave the tokens of systematic
precision and scrupulous ncatness, while the
watchiulness and care of the eyer-present
nurses, seemed to supply the place Of ''the
dear ones at home in the wearis0me atten-
tions Of the sick room, as much as strangers
possibly could. We had the pleasure, while
passing through the different Hospital Build
ings of meeting several of the Assistant Sur
geons while making their usual visits and
as accompanying each in turn, past the
long rows of beds, we saw the completeness
with which every necessary want was sup
piled, and the general air Of quiet and COM
fort around we felt thankful that the duty
of government toward the brave men we saw
about us, was being well and faithfully done.
BY the kindness of DR.. Oliver, we visited |
the Store House and Laundery which are
both located in one building. Here, in one
department were the supplies of clothing and |
provisions, and other necessary stores, and in |
another, the clothing of the Hospital is wash
ed, dried, and ironed. This department en-
ploys over twenty women exclusively for the
work, and the same systematic order was OBJ |
served here rs in the sick wards. We were |
informed that notwithstanding the amount |
and variety of supplies furnished by Govern
ment, and those furnished by Surgeon Oliver |
from fund devoted 10 that purpose, that it
is within the power of our citizens to furnish
many articles that are not to be procured |
from ordinary sources, and no doubt the Sur
geon in charge would be pleased to give adj
vice and information as to what would be
most useful, ard instructions as to how it
should be delivered to the Medical Officers ;
and we were told by him that he would will
lingly afford any assistance, on proper APP
plcaton, consistent with tho necessary rules
and regulations of the Hospital, to those who
were disposed to aid in this noble work.
The difficulties of conducting and supply
ing Hospital like this, must be numerous,
and Dr. Oliver. the surgeon in charge and
his assistants, Surgeons Townsend. Ohr, Beer
bour and SHILLING, are entitled to great credit
for the manner in which they arc performing
the onerous and responsible duty entrusted
to them.
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UosplTAL REpoRT.-The following is the