Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-05
0Q1Ottester Daily Spp
The Beaufort Hospital and Sisters q


The Hammond General Hospital at Beau
fort is ehgibly located on the bay, the tide ris-
ing and falling entirely round the main
building. 1t consists of a main body and two
wings, built in three stories, the whole well
ventilated and admirably adapted to the OBJ
Ject for which it is at present in use. There
are also several buildings in the rear, some of
which are used for quarters for the GONZALES
cents and other purposes, as laundry, bake
house, &c.
The acute cases are in two-story build
ing detached from the main one.
The occasion of our visit was quite unex-
pected, but, accompanied by the gentlemanly
surgeon in charge, we made a thorough in
spectlon of the hospital, and were fully repaid
for the time necessarily occupied in so doing.
1t was truly gratifying to observe the clean
ly condition of the rooms, halls, bedding, &C.,
as well as the quiet and orderly department of
the attaches and patients.
The brave soldiers who have volunteered
for the defence of our cause, whom sickness
has temporarily untitled for duty, here enjoy
all the comforts and, indeed, the luxuries of
home. 1t affords us pleasure to be able to
quiet fears entertained by the friends who are
at home for the welfare of the dear ones who
are here SICK to state that we have seen that
they want for nothing, and have witnessed the
mlnlstering hand of kind, atfectiOnate women
smoothing the pillows of the sufferers and
supplying with untiring devotion the place of
the mothers, sisters, or wives left behind.
The hospital is under the care of the Sisters
of Mercy, whose earnest devotedness to the
noble task they have assumed is manifest in
the cleanly condition of the place, and COM
fort and contentment displayed by all the pa
tlentS. One kitchen-a perfect ''bijou' of a
kltchen-ls devoted to the use of the Sisters,
vhDpa fnaxr
which the condition of the sick may require,
In such manner as these good Sisters only
can prepare such things. The prejudice
which exists in some illiberal- minded persons
towards Roman Catholics, would be very
speedily and etectually dispelled, could they
witness as we have, those worthy ladies mod
esty but earnestly pursuing their vocation
among the sick and wounded, with no hope
of reward, until He, whose divine example
they emulate, shall say 81 was sick and We
ministered unto me-" Long may Sister Mary,
Madeline the Superior, and her amiable sis
tiers be spared to pursue their ''work of faith
and love" among us.
Our soldiers feel truly grateful to Mrs
Foster, the accomplished wife of our major
general, for her consideration in bringing the
sisters here.
Surgeon A. W. Woodruff, of the ninth New
Jersey volunteers, is in charge of the hospital,
and the discipline of the institution, and the
condition OF the patients reflect the highest
credit on the doctors attention and skill.
Surgeon Woodruff is well and tavorably
known in both Newark, N j., and the city
of New York.
In the latter city he was long a pupil of one
OF the first surgeons of the age, professor
OF surgical anatomy in one of our best med-
cal schools. For years he has been in hospi-
tai practice, and has had an extent of exper-
fence in their management to which none but
the most devoted lovers of their profession
aspire. We regret to state that the doctor
has rather more than his share of work at pre-
sent, as hitherto Hammond Hospital has had
two surgeons, while with over 300 patients.
DIR. w. has at present no assistant to share
his labors.
The cooking utensils in the kitchens, were
polished as bright as though the cooks antici-
pated an inspection.
The bakery, too, was to us a feature of
much interest. Every arrangement in such
good order, and the bread was as good as any
we have ever seen. No refectons-we are
averse to them, and comparisons are odious'
but we wish we could always procure our
''daily bread" from the Hammond Hospital
bakery.
The laundry is necessarily on an extensive
gagged not only in experimenting, but taking
an active part in the operations. ''Washing
day is generally voted ''bore," and the par
Elephants even excused for loss of temper,
those we saw here were all busy, but seemed
actually to enjoy it, and the sister appeared
from her look of placid contentment to regard
it rather as a relaxation. Commend us to
such washing day. experiences for the future,
If only Sin memoriam."
The supplies of the subsistence department
OF the hospital are derived from the hospital
fund which is made up by the saving on the
rations of the patients. But in addition, such
articles as farina, corn starch, oat meal gea-
tine, etc., have to come from our friends at
home. Some supplies will shortly be needed,
and we know the patriotic ladies north need
only to learn our wants to supply them. We
append list of a few requisites for the Ham
mond General Hospital, Beaufort :-Farina
gelatlne, corn starch, Oat meal, Boston or IA
rina crackers, flannel shirts and drawers,
wooden socks, slippers, pocket handkerchiefs,
and towels. The winter season is approach
ing, so we trust our friends in the north will
forward the above supplies as early as con-
venient. Boxes and packages should be ad-
dressed, 'Hospital Stores, Hammond General
Hospital, U. S. A., Beaufort, N. c., in care
of Surgeon A. w. Woodruff" An invoice
should be forwarded to surgeon Woodruff by
mail at the time of shipping the goods. We
omitted to mention the fact that DIR. Upham,
who acted conspicuous part in organizing
tins hospital, and who gave his skilful SER
wees and also his salary to the patients, is
enutled to equally as mucfrcredit as any one
else, for his devoted and patriotic efforts.
Also DIR. Smelling, our accomplished and eff
ticient medical director, is entitled to the
thanks of all, for the interest he has manifest
ed in this renowned hospital. -New5eyn Pro
greSS, Oct. %.
The ROMANCE OF RoYALTY.-An English