, 1862-02-18

Llley redeemed the VOW. A Nation tenders
tllcm its cordial, heart felt thanks.
OUR WOUNDED AT DoNKLs0N.
With the joy that peryades the commu-
,ity at the glorious victory on the Cumber-
land, and the thrill that runs through the
land at the triumph Of our arms, comes
lie saddened reflection that this prize has
been dearly purchased While it is worth
thrice the cost Of patriot blood poured forth
to win it, the hearts Of the community turn
towards the long ranges Of cots in our mil
itary hospitals where our wounded soldiers
are claiming the sympathy and aid, and,
the instant and complete care for their
wants which is. the instructive and IRE
prcssib1e impulse Of our citizens, especially
Throughout this State, whose SONS SO many
OF them participated in this battle. !;
But there are two mistaken impressions
we desire to correct, and it cannot be done
too thoroughly. No mistake is more COM
mon than to over-estimate the number Of
the casualties of the battle field. It was
noticeable in the full current Of street talk
and r1mor yesterday, how high these esti-
mates were placed by men Of good judgg-
ment in other matters. Many would not
be persuaded that we were not to find
$4,000 killed and wounded among our
troops engaged, verymany thought 10000
would be low figure, gathering this in
preston from the perils Of storming til
Imminent deadly BREACH" and the fierce
charge upon an ent1enched foe. That
these figures are exaggerated, the records
Of all modem battle-tlelds will show, and
the returns Of Donclson soon to come in
will only add to the same testimony. The
total number Of killed and wounded on
the Federal side will fall below twelve
hundred, and in this estimate we exceed
the figures given in our dispatches in anoth-.
CT column. The usual rule is that subse-
quent and more careful returns will reduce
rather than increase the figures first stated
This is on the general rule Of battle re-
turns, and so far, is strengthened by what
adyices VIC hare from Fort Donelson.
This being the case, one source Of public
anxiety is relieved We have less sufferers
to provide for than many citizens in the
first excited impulse OF feeling apptehend-
cd we shall have, There is not the call
that many isist upon for movement to
tax the already burdened sympatlies and
means ofthe community. This is not an ex-
jgency fallen upon those in care Of our sol
diers, and unproyidcd for. Everything may
be done decently and in order, because
all has been forescen. We do not write
this to check a single generous impulse
turned towards our wounded heroes Of
Done1son, but it is our purpose to impress
upon our readers the fact that may and
must relieve undue anxiety. The Hospital
Department at Cairo is prepared for the rc-
ception and care Of one thousand wound
ed men, and that number is moro
than this late battle will give them.
The Chicago Sanitary Commission have
rot worked in vain, and not in
vain + NOT inadequate, have been the
generous donations Of our: women IN the
Northwest. For just the emergency that
has happened, the hospitals arc provided,
all that is needed in addition being pro-
vided and already sent forward in the
large number Of slzillful surgeons
summoned to the aid of the hospital Off
cia1s at Cairo, sud many Of them are al
ready. On the spot, engaged in their humane
1aboIs. " -:
What is new to be done by our citizens
in Chicago aud elsewhere is to accept these
assurances derived from actual facts, and
cherish no undue anxiety for the general
condition Of our wounded. There are
abundant and far more sensible methods
Of being Of service to them than
a personal visit to Cairo. whether
at the present time no visit should be made
except from an intelligent sense Of ability
10 be useful, and knowledge that such
services will become available. Tt is no
place for curious idlers. There will be the
many whose errand will pertain to their
own loved ones, and these will be enough
TO swell to their fullest capacity the accom-
modatons Of Cairo. To sum up, every
thing has been provided for and forcseen,
and those who can do no good had better
keen away.