The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-01-15

kind and faithful, but the Surgeop failed tc
convince us that that was the best way tc
quarter our sick. A large number of their
sick have been sent to post hospitals
now being absent from the regiment. We
have reason to hope that thorough change
will be made in the arrangements of the es.
tablishment, and that very soop our sick
will be more comfortable. Supplies we're af
forded.
The 9th regiment isat Ottervie, and have
for some time past been detailed to guard
the Lamine bridge. They are quartered IN
tents, and ere very poorly clothed some Of
the men are decidedly ragged. They have
never had regimental hospital since enter
ing the service. Those slightly indisposed
have been treated in camp, while the very
sick have been sent to the post hospitals.
| Some of the post hospitals are well con
ducted--of the one in Rolla we can make
favorable mention,-but as general thing
they are badly managed, and it is not sur
prising that the sick in most cases decided
ly object to being sept to them, as they are
cut off from the attention and sympathy Of
their comrades, and are liable to suffer tie
grossest neglect.
We found two of the sick of the 9th regi.
ment in the post hospital in Sedalia, in
most wretched and loathsome condition.
One, young man who was convalescing
from typhoid fever, was lying on an uneven
platform Of boards, without any kind of bed
ding or even straw beneath him, or pillow
under his head, although he was greatly
emaciated. The other patient, who was suf.
fering from pneumonia, was entirely without
bedding, except the thin cot upon which he
was lying and ragged blanket that was
used for his covering. We furnished them
Immediately with everything calculated to
make them comfortable, but help came too
late, to one of them; the patient with pneu-
monia died in few days afterwards. The
regiment have now organized hospital of
their own, and we hope that their men will
be better cared for than heretofore. Supplies
we're given them.
The 7th regiment is at Benton Barracks,
and has been there ever since the Belmont
fight Those Of the regiment who were Sc.
verely wounded at that battle were placed
in the Mound City Hospital, where they still
are. 1t is a sad sight to see so many of our
men MANNED, and suffering from the most
painful and loathsome wounds, but they are
well provided for and are slowly secovering.
Most of the men were in fine spirits, and felt
that they had honored their State, and that
their State would honor them. The 7th, af-
ter their gallant conduct at Belmont, were
so badly cut to pieces that they were order
ed up to St. Louis to recruit, where they still
are. They haye recently organized hospi-
tai at Benton Barracks. The sick and woun-
ded of the 7th received COED share of sup
plies.
The 9Th regiment is at Sedalia The mcn
were comfortably clothed, but were quarter
ed in tents. A vacant storeroom, very i'll
suited to the purpose, was used as a hospi.
tai, and the sick were lying or stray on the
floor, there being an entire absence of bed
stcads, cots, pillows, bedding. &c. Many
Of the men were very sick, others looked de-
jected, and altogether it was most pitiable
sight to see so many ofour mcE huddled to
gether on the straw, like animals. The Bri
gade Surgeon, DR.. Bodie, who had charge of
) their sick at that time. owing to the absence
of both Of their Regimental Surgeons, made
most labored effort to convince US that that
was the best and most economical way to
dispose of our sick, but he failed to gain our
assent The officers took the matter under
advisement, and are now making important
changes for the comfort of their men, which,
with the supplies received from our societies,
will make them comparatively comfortable.
The 9th regiment is at Franklin. thirty
miles from S.. Louis, on the Pacific Rail-
road. They are in tents, but are pretty
well clothed. A commodious "secesh"
mansion is used as hospital, and is very
well arranged and fitted up for the pur-
pose. None of the men were lying on
the floor, being supplied with bedsteads
of their own manufacture, except the very
limited supply of army cots furnished by
the Government. In this, as in most 9TH
or regiments, the measles were prevailing
to fearful extent-200 being in hospital
Temporary honscs had been erected near
their encampment, for the shelter and ac-
commodation of those who were but slight
ly indisposed. Most of the men IN hos.
pital were provided with beds, pillows, &c.
Supplies from the State have been afford>
ed them.
The 10th regiment was at Birds Point,
a low, marshy and malarious iocshty.-
They were however very securely en-
trenched, and busily engaged in erecting
winter quarters, which we're mainly con-
structed Of logs. When the regiment
was ordered from Cape Girardeau to Birds
Point, their sick and all their hospital
stores we're left behind, in charge of the
first surgeon therefore those falling sick
at the Point were entirely destitute Of
hospital supplies, and falling to procure
them Of the Medical Director at Cairo,
-. Al