The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-10-10
THE CALIFORNIAN.
Army AmbulanCes.
RAD TREATMENT OF WOUNDED SOLDIERS.

DIR Bowdtch remarked as follows:
81 desire to bring before the Society sub
lect of great Importance to the future welfare
of our wounded soldiers although at h''
sight, it would not seem exactly appropriate
for meeting of this Society. =,
during nv recent visit to Washington with
other physicians, summoned there by the Sec
retary of War, was brought Immediately
in contact with the abominable system, or
r,,hsr M system, Of ambulances now in use
in our army. The atrocities | saw commit
ted are, think, a sufficient reason for bring
ing the subject before you, in order that, Ell
,her by the individual effort of the members
or by the united action OF the Society, public
opinion may be made SO strong as to force the
government to devise some plan more in &C
cordance with common humanity, and more
truly military in its discipline.
.On the evening of Friday, Sept. 5, at the
request Of the Surgeon-General, l joined an
ambulance train that was just starting to 60
TO the relief of our starving and wounded
men near Centrevie. There was train of
fifty carriages. subsequently learned that
three of the drivers, afraid of entering the en-
emy's lines, escaped with their ambulance
wagons, before We reached Long Bridge
This was easily accomplished, as there was
no escort, and as it subsequently appeared, no
power to prevent. 1t is true that an army
surgeon accompanied and gave general direc-
ton to the train, out he was on the first wag-
on, and could not know what was doing tow
ards the end of the long train. | soon per-
ceived that the drivers were men Of the
lowest character, evidently taken from the
vilest purlieus of Washington, merely as
common drivers, and for no other quallfica-
ton. Their oatns were Haunted forth with
out the least regard to the presence OF supe-
riors, and with profusion that was really
remarkable even in the vicinity of Washing
ton. The driver of my ambulance became
sleepy as the night wore on, and as his zgzag
course, over Virginia road, was rather per-
ious, and as he informed me that he had been
overturned few weeks previously, thought
it more prudent to drive myself, rather than
to allow him to d. so. While the moon was
up this was comparatively easy. He accord
ingly slept inside of the carriage until or
4. A. NJ. He then reluctantly took the reins,
because was unwilling, owing to the dark
ness, to drive further. His whole department
during the night showed disregard for every
thing save his o. comfort.
Early in the forenoon, however, appeared
on the part Of the drivers of nearly one-half
the train total want Of discipline, and for
gelfulness of the object and character of our
mission that seemed to me atrocious. Sud-
denly perceived one-half of the train was
stopping and all the drivers, leaving their
carriages, rushed into an adjacent field,
and there spent some minutes in
stoning and shaking the trees in an ap-
pie and peach orchard and all this in pres
ence of part of the family Of Virginia plant
err! These individuals made no resistance.
They apparently thought it would be of no
use, for over all this road had the two armies
swept again ard again. In vain l pleaded
that We were breaking the sacredness Of the
flag of truce-that we richly deserved death
for plundering private property. In vain !
urged the inhumanity ofleaving our suffering,
starving soldiers, in order to till their own
greedy stomachs. Iappealed to one of the
three leaders who rode on horseback, and pre-
tended to be leaders of the train. He only
smiled smile of inefable contempt, and
munched his stolen apple with perfect non
chalance. Meanwhile the flag of truce was
lost afar off in the distance, and our party was
obliged to drive some time with great rapidi-
ty in order to overtake it. Just as my car
riage started, a heavy stone struck it not
very far from my head. 1t had evidently
been hurled and Justly hurled at US for our in
famous conduct. remarked that hereafte,
l should know why our ambulances were free
upon by the enemy. The only answer l %
tanned was an oath.
about midday we arrived and found oul
men in most piteous condition, lying every
where, inside and outside of every buildin;
connected with small farm house. The ne
gro quarters was palace, the manure heaI
was soft bed. The fairest place was undel
wide-spreading tree. found the drivers die
not feel it to be their duty to help the suffer
ers, but sulked or swore or laughed, as i
pleased each. On the following morning, i
is true, did persuade my own driver to brins
to me water, as was dressing the wound
of the soldiers, but it was difficult even t,
get that and he aided me because | asked
him to do so, and not because he had an
heart in the work.
"On Saturday afternoon we started fo
Washington-all the sick having been ar
ranged in different ambuances under tn,
charge Of various surgeons. That night
shall never forget. had taken one Of thos
most severely wounded under my own specia
charge. The bullet had passed into his ches
and caused intense difficulty of breathing
He was a German, and one of the most I'm
complaining of sufferers-and his broke
words Of gratitude for the slightest token c
kindness were most touching. None but