Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-12-19

should be Obliged 10 quit Tue lauu VI c"l
mage with the thunder of cannon, the
|; tramp of the soldier and the beating of
drums still sounding on our ears--and in
order to prolong life and recruit our
wasted energies, lean upon the strength
of worthy parent, and return again to
the healthful shades of his Vine and Fig
tree
Around many a Northern fre-side,
these long winter evenings, methinks |
see groups of anxious sympathizing ia
ces. Would that every family circle,
mourning the misfortune of their sick
or wounded friends, could feel their
presence in that circle until health should
be restored. But how few of those we
have left in those hospitals will receive
anything save that which can proceed
from every family altar, and should be
offered by every heart--a fervent pray
er 10 God for their safety and deliver
ance
In a newspaper, some eye reads a
name to whom it is dear as life, and
some heart is broken with the blow
made by that name among the list of
wounded and lost Alas for the eyes
that read-alas for the hearts that feel !!
Every name in that list is an electric
stroke to some heart, and falls long,
black shadow upon some hearthstone.-
| Cad be thanked that these lists have
been as few and short as they have, and
that they have fallen so lightly upon our
Northern homes. The scenes we have
witnessed in the various hospitals Of the
! South--severa of which we had the
misfortune to occupy-we trust will ever
inhabit our memory. Death scenes
such as no pen can observation-disclosures of
once happy beings going into decline and
yielding in all readiness their lives, in
the full noon-tide of their day an splen-
dor, to the grim conqueror. How often
did we measure the pain oil those last
sad rites by the degree of peace in which
they closed their eyes upon the world !
1t seemed bitter thing to look upon a
haggard form amid all commoton of
stricken soul. AS if stung by the last
pangs of vain Notwithstanding with
fierce hate in all its veins, hush out its
life amid the wild phantoms Of a crazed
brain. And again, how beautiful the
sight, when laboring under the pain of
wounds and disease, in the white, spot
less robe of faith they wrapped them
selves quietly up, and sank into that
blessed repose which Is beyond the clam
or of war to disturb. II is when the winds
are lifting the smoke from the battle
Geld, and the valleys are drinking in the
blood of hundreds of brave hearts, that
hospitals present the most appalling and
heartrending spectacle.
Many a wife and mother or sister
learning that their husband or brother is
sick and in hospital, fancies the place
that confines them but of the lowest
character, dirty and cold, with no one
to attend to their wants or treat their
case, their once beautiful forms and fine
features now pale and emaciated, lying
upon the floor with only knspsack for
a pillow. Not SO reader We admit
that in camp and even in camp hospitals
there are hundreds of cases Of which the
above may serve as picture, but in our
General Hospitals this is far from being
the view one should take. 1t would be
idle to suppose that in Post Hospital of
1900 convalesccnts, or in any of our
City Hospitals, crowded as they are con-
tinually, that each soldier would receive
the comforts of home, and all those deli
caces and stimulants which they might
there receive from tender hands and low
ing hearts deeply interested in their life
and happiness. Yet so far from suffer-
ing from want or neglect, government has
made ample provision, furnishing cots
with pillows that feel soft TO the worn out
soldier, with attendants trained for the
work Of nursing, and the number of sur
geons sufficient to administer the neces-
sary medical assistance. While from our
sanitary commissioners there is rendered
clothing and even palatable condiments
and Injuries that often bring to the mind
the sweets of home." Vermont is rank
ing as among the first states in cnntrhu-
ting literally to the comforts of the I'M
fortunate and Orleans county, which
was among the first to ill her quota in
response to tie repeated calls for volun-
teers, may have cast into the Golfer her
share of these blessings, but let her not
relax her labors now. A long cold win
ter is upon US, and an increased amount
of clothing will be needed in those hos
pitfalls, or else why should rot our soldiers