Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-10-16
Leaves Irom an Army Nurses Diary.


ers seme Leaves from an Army Nurses
Diary, commencing from September 1Itb.
Tuesday, September 11th.-Went to town in
company with some of the nurses. Called at
the GrOghan House to see DR.. Reed of the
Sanitary Commission made complaint of our
treatment here-said he was going to Cincin-
natl, would return in few days, and make i
all right for US. When on my way back to
the hospital this afternoon a storm of wind
and rain came on. took the bus, in which
were several soldiers, and two ladies, ono of
whom was the wife of Captain D. L. Wood,
formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, now of the 18th
| Regulars, and stationed at PARK Barracks,
on detached service. She was going to the
barracks to see her husband, and, in common
with the rest Of US, got wet before we got
there. In fact the wind was so high as al
most to upset the bus, driving therain through
the broken panes of glass, but finally we ar
rived there safe and sound. The Captain
wrapped his great coat round his wife and
carried her from the bus to his room. hear
that much damage was done in town, several
buildings were unroofed, one a school house
and one roof in falling struck dray and
knocked it into kindling wood, but did not
injure the horse.
FRIDAY, l2TH.-MOre rain this morning.
Went to town-borrowed soIdiers' overcoat
from one of the nurses Returned to the hos
pital at 8 o'clock. Twas informed that Sur
geon Goldsmith, during my absence, had
been in our sleeping room, and read the rules
and regulations to the nurses, informing them
that those not already detailed te do duty as
nurses must "stand guard" that guard
mounting" would commence this evening at
six o'clock. There was much complaint at
this Order No. l. When passing the Stew
ards office window he called to me. I halt
ed. He asked my name, and I gave it to
him. In a little while he came to our room,
with his back higher up than usual, If possi-
ble-he is high-backed by nature-and with
a smile on his face, which he could not sup
press if he would, and a paper in his hand,
called my name first, to which I answered
with as much dignity as could assume, and
said l was appointed Corporal Of the First
Relief. He then called the names of nine
more nurses, requested as to follow him, and
he would place US on guard, and instruct us
in our duty in that regard. Some, having
the fear Of a court martial and the loss of
their pay, etc, before their eyes, followed
while others, thinking it was for Joke, also
followed. In fact, largo crowd went out to
see the fun.
By six o'clock guard was mounted in ear
nest, notwithstanding the threats of some,
grimaces Of others, and fun and frolio of
nearly all. At eight o'clock the call for the
aorlA Of IL, i r.
it had not been appointed, the Steward re-
quested me to act did so, and when ten
o'clock arrived went to bed, tired, and fair
ly initiated into the mysteries of guard duty.
SATURDAY, l3TH.-Gusrd mounting at six
o'clock, A. n. During the day, saw the
teamster that was poisoned a few days ago,
by eating some pies and cakes he bought
down town. Also saw one of our nurses,
Richard Hudson, who had fit a few nights
ago. Both better to-day.
SUNDAY, I4TH. - Guard mounting at six
o'clock, a. II. Several ladies called at the
hospital to-day, among them Surgeon Gold
smiths family.
MONDAY, I5.-Guard mounting at o'clock
A. NJ. Nothing in the way of news to-day.
TUESDAY, l6.-Guard mounting, as usual,
this morning, but I got excused from serving
on guard to-day and got pass to go to town.
Before starting, Surgeon Wright advised me
to go to the Artesian we'll, situated on Tenth
street, near Main street, saying that it was
fully worth the price of admittance (ten cents
to see the well, drink the water, and above all
to hear Charley-a colored person-tell his
stories. I went there, I saw, tasted, and
heard the oft-repeated stories, and came away
satisfied that it 1.-THE well) is a great bore.
The well is said to be 2,Os6 feet deep; was
undertaken by MesGrs. DUPONT, of Louis
yille was commenced in April, 1857, and
finished in August, 1855. "The flow of water
is 330 900 gallons in "a hours, and the eleva-
ton above the surface 170 feet" The hole
is FIVE inches in diameter to the depth Of rs
feet from the surface, and from that depth to
the bottom is three inches in diameter. There
is a bath-house at the well, and the water for
that purpose, and internally is very highly
recommended by Prof. J. L. Smith, of Louis
vile, for certain diseases. "Charley" told
me there were Sc bath tubs in the building;
that they we're in constant use almost night
and day; that great deal of the water was
bottled and sent away every day. and that
rs or 30 barrels were also sold every day, at
| 50 per barrel. He also invited me to take
/ drink did so, but it was not to my taste.
He told me that he had been employed at
this well ever since it was opened to visitors
that he has been free for rs years that all Of
| his family are free and that his son George
is with the Union army, has been gone
year, and would very much like to see him
now. When the last part Of this CONVERSE
| ton took place, several Ohio and Indiana
regiments of infantry, some regiments Of
cavalry, and several batteries were passing
along Main street. The old man saw the
soldiers, and no doubt then, more than
at any other time, thought of his boy /;
would like to have him by his side, for
| Louisville and his home were in danger, l
returned to the hospital early in the after
noon. Just at sundown an old gentleman,
in company with two ladies-Wife and daugh
ter, belieYe-called to see the sick; the
ladies went into ward No. 2, while the old
gentleman stayed out doors to watch the
horse. He told that his home was about IS
miles from here; that the rebels had driven
him and his family from their homo; that
two Of his sons are now in the Union army,
armed with Henry rihes-warrented to kill
fifteen times without stopPinR-that he was
visiting with friends in the city; had been
to the hospital in the city to- day; had called
to see this one, and would like to ind q
young man Of the 28th Ohio regiment, who
was at bis house all last winter sick. The
ladies had brought some "good things" for
the sick, and had distributed them. Surgeon
Goldsmith was informed Of the fact, and he
Immediately hastened to the old gentleman
and told him" This is a military hospital,
and no one iS allowed to come in here and
give such things to the sick without my
knowledge or consent" The old gentleman
apologized for the act Of the ladies, saying
that the nurses made no objection to the dis
tribution, which was true, for they nided and
abetted in the good work, and for so doing
came in for a share of Surgeon Goldsmith
| censure.
5 So much for the present; to be continued
in few days. Yours, for the Union,
q D n