Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-10-23
80 (coNNUNICATED.)
FExtract from Letter on the Battle. Field.1


This battle (Antietam) has been the most san
culinary Of the war, and the only one fought
with design and upon military principles. The
arrangement of our corps-the overlooking
position OF the commanding General-the send
ing into action the right and the lef-the closing
up Of the center, and final success-excites
bewildering admiration, and carries the mind
to the great fields Of Austerlitz and wagaam,
fought by Napoleon. OF all this have spoken
The heart history OF such a conflict, purchased
by the life and blood of twenty thousand men,
must be found in the hospitals. War has its
glorfes-but il has its ten Thousand demons in
these human tortures, that make the eve -baiis
ache--tiae heart bleed-the lips palsy, and the
brsiB reel. The sight is az first positively unen-
durable. The life blood Of some is still trick
Ling away in silent calInness-wllile the dis.
severed limbs and maniac brain Of others give
rise to sounds God grant may not again Wit
ness.
But ye mothers who now seek son-or wifs
ahusbmd-or sister a abrother-o sons father
know and be consoled that even the hand of
mercy is watchful, and better care is bestowed
upon your loved one than might at first seem
possible. 1t was in the hospital where rested
the gallant Hooker, that I learned the history
Of those mythical words SO often seen and SO
little understood, saS. T.-fs60-X"5 Anything
OF our soldiers is "a national blessing. I Wit
messed some astonishing results from this
article 1-i".ft .'F' .-'- So -.5t
II IS well known the effect of burnt gunpoy-
der and excitement is thirst, which, added to
the loss OF blood in the wounded, creates the
necessity of a reviving stiInulant. In this par.
ticular hospital, the physicians were allowing
their patients TO drink Plantation Bitters, other
wise called S. T-1s60-X, and although the
wounded are most numerous here-this division
having opened the fight at in the morning
the men were mostly composed, and there was
but very little fainting. The article acts upon
the stomach and nerves in most incompre-
hepsible manner, superior to brandy, and with
ont subsequent Simplifying reaction. 1t origin
ated in the West Indies, containing calisaye
bark, winter green, lavender, anise, Glove buds
orange, snake root. &e-. preserved in ST. Croix
Rum-the 5. T.-1s60-X being a secret ingre-
dient, not yet revealed to the public. II is
principally recommended for want of appetite,
disordered liver, Intermittent feyers stomachic
difficulties, &c. understand it was somewhat
knownin the Southern States previous to the
war, and it appears an agent of Jefferson Da via /
recently applied to the proprietors for the
privilege TO make il for hospital purposes
during the war. to which they made the fol-
lowing reply:
~. Agent of, ETC.:
Dear Sir: In reply to your communication,
oner1ng as Fifty thousand dollars for the re.
cipe and right to make the Plantation Bitters for
hospital purposes during the war" we beg to
n1f Gs ons a 10 oRsI
wise we can derive no revenue from the South.
ern States; but, sir, our duties to our Govern
ment and our ideas of consistency would not
allow to entertain ii, although it might please
rs to assuage the sufierings Of your misguided
followers. rs ss14J
We remain, very respectfully yours,
p. h. DRAKE i Go.
These gentlemen give the history of certain
ingredients Of their article for over two hun
dred years-showing that through all changes
Of the medical profession and its practitioners,
strength, conposure and cheerfulness have been
derived from these sources. DIR. Woods, in the
Washington hospitals, informed me that he had
been unxble 10 procure an hours sleep In one /
patient for nearly two weeks, and he was fast
sinking and crazy, until the Plantation Bitters
came to his knowledge, when one days trial
gave him q nights rest, and he was now fast
recovering. 4 arm surprised our Government
has not equalled Jefferson Davis in energy, and
adopted this invaluable article In all our hos
pitals. As a lay member, can bear witness it
Is "good to take," and affords more energy and
life than anything ever tried. Success TO the
Plantation Bitters.
But have digressed. In my next shall
speak Of gathering in the wounded, burying the
dead, DC. (se 25-eolm) b.