The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-06-17

Mr.. EDITOR Permit me to say few
words in the columns Of your paper about
the sick and wounded soldiers. left
this place May eth, to attend the State
Sanitary Convention at Davenport, at
which place | arrived the next day by
boat from Dubuque. found the SAM
tary society in full blast, and in attend
ancc was our worthy Governor, who APP
peared to be very anxious for the welfare
OF the Iowa soldiers He made state
ment Of al lie had done with the limited
means placed at his command, and that
he expected TO care for the Iowa boys
the best in his power. Adj. Gen. Baker
was present and plainly detailed the stu
alton of affairs as they appeared to him.
All appeared anxious TO do the best to
relieve the sick and wounded Iowa boys,
now fighting the battles Of our country
The Sanitary convention adjourned sine
die about IL P. N. Iexpectea TO find a
Hospital in full blast at tins place, but
was disappointed. The next day | star
ted for Keokuk on board The Steamer
Kate Cassell, and after very pleasant
trip, arrived at Keokuk about IA NJ,
Saturday morning, and was soon quarter.
ed at the Demming House. After par.
taking of good breakfast, went to the
Hospital, where, by kindness of one OF
the Ward Masters, | soon gained admit
lance. The Hospital is magnificent
/ Building, well ventilated, and clean as
water would make it, from top to bottom.
Here found 200 heroes of Pittsburg
Landing, being taken care Of in the best
possible manner. The waters were
plenty, and the Ward masters perfect
gentlemen. and here l spent many hours,
while in Keokuk, in conversation with
the boys. The Hospital is under the
immediate care Of j. G. Hughes, M. D..
Surgeon Gen. of Iowa. In him found
a perfect gentleman and agreeable man.
BY him was shown many interesting
surgical cases, and general details were
given of mode and manner of tr atment,
and results. The Hospital was well ar.
ranged, and all in attendance on the sick
and wounded knew their business and
did it. | conyersed witn great many,
and not a word Of complaint did l hear.
The beds were neat and clean, and often
sve odors were not there. Many had
lost arms, feet, fingers and other serious
wounds, but all were apparently content
ed aud seemed cheerful. Even our Sc.
ccsh friends were here sick and wounded,
and not word Of complaint did | hear
from them. conYersed with many, and
one boy in particular | was much inter
ested in. lie appeared to be about II
years Of age, was of small stature, light
hair, light blue eyes, and was really
handsome. He, too, was wounded in the
arm atshe PiLtsburg battle. The wound
had nearly healed when Erysipelas set
in and his whole arm was involved in the
difficulty. but he was cheerful, was soon
a going to be well again. The doctor
told him so, and he had all confidence
in him. After an agreeable hour spent
with him, | asked him what regiment
he belonged to; his answer was 10Th
Alabama. | also found the 18th Tenn
essee represented here. They were all
taken care of alike, there was no differ.
ence. The Steward of the Hospital, Mr..
Reynold, was kind and atiable. and impair
ted much information. To him | am un.
der many obligations for favors received
We have often read in the papers that
Beauregard's orders at the Battle of
Pittsburg Landing was TO shoot low.
Now if the wounded in this Hospital are
a general sample Of what were wounded
there the order was certainly disobeyed.
found more men that had lost arms,
and were wounded in the arms, than any
other place. A few had lost foot. One
poor fellow was shot through the liver,
and will probably die. Another was shot