The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-14
OUR ARMY CORRESPONDENCE
LETTER FROM THE FIRST REGIMENT.
Our correspondent in the Hospital-His obser.
vations therson-Kindness of the Surgeons,
nc. &c,
HOSPITAL MINNss0TA FIRST,
CAMP STONE, Jan. 29th, 1867.

HosrlrAI MINSnsPrA FIRST FRS ,,oe,
CAMP STONE, Jan. 18th, lo6z.S
To tie Editors of the Pioneer. ond Democrat.
By the grace of God, skillful physicians
attentive nursing, and few Presbyterian
visits from our Chaplain, Father NELL
after an illness of nearly months duration
Il am up again and able to address few
words to the PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
Presuming there are many among your
readers soliciteus for the care and comfort
of those who are unfortunate enough to be
stretched on the bed of sickness, so far away
from the kind, loving and tender associa-
tions of home, and desirous to know what
hospital facilities we have in our regiment,
have thought it proper to let them have
the benefit of my experience and observa-
tions during the month.
We have now a hospital, 20 by 80 feet,
rudely built OF unhewed logs, but we'll plas.
tered and properly heated, lighted and ven
tilated; it is of sufficient capacity to room
twenty patients at one time. This hospital
was completed and occupied in the earlier
part Of the present month. Bedding and
various articles of clothing for the sick have
been generously furnished by the Sanitary
Commission and few liberal Quakers, who
visit the hospitals of this division periodi-
caly. Nothing is wanting for the external
comforts of the sick.
Our Regimental Surgeon, Mr.. Morton,
is an able and skilllul physician, and emf
nently qualified to restore the sick and pre-
serve the health of the regiment, and he hss
rapidly gained alike the confidence and ad-
miration OF those committed to his charge.
DIR. Hand, our Brigade Surgeon, daily WIS.,
its all the patients, and severally inquiries
into their condition, and in the more diff
cult cases consults with the Regimental
Surgeon as to the most proper treatment.
/ cannot avoid mentioning one pleasant fea-
ture Of his daily visits He punctually
brings the latest newspaper to our hospi
tai. The Hospital Steward is active, eff
cient, and has long experience in the dis
charge of the duties devolving on him, hav-
ing spent the greater part of his life in the
Regular Army and the nurses are cheers
full and attentive to the wants of the sick.
We have now seven patients in our hospital
cases of typhoid, dysentery, and puImona-
ry complaints-and five are now in various
stages of convalescence, while in some of the
adjoining camps the hospitals are crowded.
This fact speaks more for the credit of our
Surgeons than anything my feeble pen can
express.
Hence 1 am happy to assure those who
have relatives or friends in the Minnesota
First, that whatever alienation from suffer-
ing among our sick can be administered
through medical agencies, careful nursing,
external comforts and cheerful associations,
is always afforded our patients. To this
months personal experience and observa
ton enables me to certify.
There is much talk in camp about an i'm
mediate advance movement. Every thing
is therefore in good trim, ready for the
command "foroard." But l think this
present season unpropitious. The bad cons
dition of the roads, and the changeable ma.
ture of the weather, present, in my opinion,
formidable, if not iusurmountable, obstacles.
PRIVATE