The national Republican., 1862-07-21
THE WOUNDED pPOR OUR BATTLE
FIGLDs.

FIGLDs.
II Is said that history Is philosophy, teaching
BY example, and It In the part Of wisdom Il
profit by such teachings. Thus far. the history
Of every battle field has had one peculiar fea
turs more revolving than the rest, and which
has caused thrill Of horror to pass over the
whole country we Allude to the situation Of
the wounded heroes, whose bleeding form
have covered every battle field A We have
no systematic plan BY which the wounds an
cared for, in every battle thus far, large num-
bers Of them have been neglected for hours
and even days, and sometimes entirely sban
doned and given over 10 the tender mercies q
the enemy. After the battle Of the Chicka-
hominy statement was made In the New Yorl
Efprsss, that our wounded remained upon the
battle field from Saturday until Thursday with
out any care whatever, and that maggots fell
from their wounds when they were removed.
As nation, we have had but little expe-
rience In war, but In this matter, we have the
benefit Of European practice, and should emu
late the example Of old armies, In protecting
our wounded, not only from the enemy, but
from suffering and death.
In the early part Of the war, plan was sub.
mitted to the Surgeon General for taking proper
care Of the wounded. II was superior to any
European system. and II II had been adopted,
would have been of infuite service, but the
whole thing was rejected as unnecessary, al
though 1t was highly commended by Secretary
Stanton, and we have seen the consequence.
As we shall refer to this matter again, We will
refer the reader to the following article from
late number Of the New York Rerald:
OUR Army AMBULANCE SYsrEx.-The recent
retreat Of our army from the Chickahominy to
the banks Of the James river, conducted, a. II
was, with order and steadiness, was yet marked
BY one deplorsble feature. Wewere compelled
TO leave behind and ut the mercy of an infuri-
ated enemy large number Of our wounded.
This fact 10 attributable entirely to the known
tneficiency Of our ambulance system. In the
French and Prussian armies an occurrence of
th,s kind would be almost impossible, and at
all events could not tail to bring down the
BILE for II.
The remedy lies in the proper organization
and establishment OF an ambulance branch of
the service on the plan adopted by the two Gov.
serious regret that this pslpsble duty should
have been so long neglected. There 10, how.
ever, yet time, and we fear but too much occa.
sion. to supply the deficiency. In DR.. Hamil.
toms compendium Of military surgery Q brief
sketch of the French and Prussan ambulance
system will be found, leaving no plea Of igno.
rance to be urged As to its details. 1t 10 need.
less to say that necessary condition Of the
proper working OF the system is that the best
medical and administrative officers shall be
placed at its head. The former cannot be oh.
tained unless such salaries are offered them as
will compensate them for the loss of their prac
tice. The suhalterns and mon OF the ambulance
corps might be probably selected amongst the
able. bodied contrabands who are now living
like drones ut the expense of the country.