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

.sry Commission, end upon answering In
The affirmative they were informed that
.heiE orders we're 60 deny them admlttance.
We were therefore left TO our own devices
10 pass the afternoon. Eager and impatient
rs We were to do something for the poor fell
lows whose wants were 30 pressing, and
who were now 90 near 10 ne and our stores,
we were rieidly excluded from them.
Il will not seem strange to you that this
discourteOus rejection OF our profered aid
grated most haTshly on our feeling and In
the circumstances appeared, not only un-
generous to US and the great body of loyal
citizens whom we represented but what
was Of more consequence, as unkind, and
even cruel 10 the sufferers 70 whom we were
bearing the iruits Of their sympathy and az
fection,
In the evening the Medical Direcsor, with
several surgeons Of his stat, came on board
our boat, and ann unced that our party
were place themselves under the diree-
ton Of Dr. B q civil surgeon from Cincinna-
Il, who had come up with US from Smithland.
This arrangement was objected to by all the
surgeons of our party Is disFespectful to
themselves, and an unWarranted appropris-
ton of the whole expedition by one who bad
no claim on its EatsTieI or PasOnnel After
some discussion This proposition was with
drawn, and by 81 o'clo k most Of our party
were systematically distributed through the
two boats, assuming the care Of the wound
ed through the night, and giving the attend
ants the rest they 80 much required
Meantime several of our number had COM
menced openipq the boxes of hospital stores,
and pouring into the two hospital boats a
constant stream of bedding, clothing, surgi-
csl dressings, medicines, stimnlants, and
food. In this way the entire night was
passed.
On Friday morning, and even during the
evening previous, the surgeons Of the regi-
ment encamped near, hearing of our arrival
with supplies, began to visit our boat asking
for medical and hospital stores, OF which
they reported general and urgent want
It is scarcely necessary to say that they were
supplied with liberal hand, greatly to theil
satisfaction.
Application had been made TO the Medical
Director to permit rs to 100 wounded to be
transferred TO the Allen Collier, to be cared
for by the Surgeon of our party, and to be
transported to Cincinnati If possible, or Il
that was not permitted to any place which
might be specified on the banks of the Ohio
On Friday the proposition was, with consid'
erAble hesitation, accepted, and after noon
the removal hegan. While this was being
effected took occasion TO 60 over the battle
/ field and visit the camps Of several regiments
which had taken an active part in the fight
During my absence, as learned on my re-
turn at evening to the steamer, D. h., the
Medical Director, had sgain visited the Allen
Collier, and this time, to the surprise Of all,
in q most unaniable msod. Irritated by the
objection made the evening previous to bis
disposition of the surgeons and nurses, BY
/ the liberal manner In which the stores on
hoard had been issued to meet any real Wani
or by some cause unknown, be forgot 81
once all the dignity of his Official position,
and the prophecies of gentlemanly inter
course. Perhaps ssme explanation Of his
conduct may be found in the report Of the
Cincinnati Branch Commission, but be-
lieve to them, as to me, 1t remains a problem
not susceptible of any solution "becomine
an officer and a gentleman"
According to the testimony of all the wit
nesses of the interview, it would be impossi'
be by any description to give an adeqsat'
idea Of his arrogant insulting manner, ant
l will not sully my paper with the oaths witt
which each of his sentences was interlarded
ae demanded that all stores that we haC
brought there for distribution should b
turned over to his purveyor, and be distrib
uted only by him; and that one of his sur
eeons should 90 on board the Allen Collins
take the supervision of the wounded, and the
command of our force.
The gentlemen of the Commission, smoth.
ering all expression of their deep indignation
at such treatment, and consulting only the
interests of the poor fellows, some of whom
might be saved from death by their interven'
ton, made NO reply to the insulting language
of the Medical Director, nor opposition to hi
authority, but turned over to him nearly al
the stores on board, and soon after my re
turn started down the river.
OF this interview had no knowledge unit
we were un3erWeigh. Had been present
and the fscjs been such ss were reported tC
me, should have felt constrained to refer thil
whole matter 70 the General commanding thC
Department.
1t Is only Just to state that with this ex
ception we were most kindly and cordially
received and treated by all the surgeons
whom We met ct Fort Donelson.
The eighty one wounded men who WerC
taken on board the Allen Collier were sadly
in want of immediate surgical attendance
which was thoroughly and systematically
given them. Each was placed in clean snC
comfortable bed; their soiled and bloody
clothing emoved; they were washed viii
warm water throughout, including their feet
new and clean under-clothing, with socks
and, when needed, slippers were furnished
to all; food, nOurishing and palpable, anC
delicaeies 10 which they had long beer
strangers, were supplied to them. In short
in all things they were nursed and served a
though they had been our brothers anC
SONS.
These men, with the exception of on,
who died of bis wounds on the way, Wert
transferred safely to Cincinnati, where theJ
were transferred to the hospitals in chargt
of DR.. Moore, in whose kind care, and IN
der the Watchful eye Of the Sanitary Com
mission they viii want nothing.