New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-10


tie Rebel Prisoners Trial OF an
Postmaster for Erlbezssemeui-tVhy
Telegraph was not built.
From Oar Own Couespoudenl
ST LOWS Friday, Jan. 3 1861
One Of the most useful results Of the hundred days
spent by Gen. Fremont il II ssouri was the organ
izstion q an efficient Sanitary Commission IN this
city, and the establishment of the be-t-regulaied
military hospitals in this country, and models for sim
Mar institutions in any part OF the world. Thee
hospitals have been fitted upat considerable expense
and the enormous amount of labor and energy re-
qaired 10 put them in proper condition cannot be
estimated az all. Under their present regulation,
everything about these hos itas works smoothly ~
elock-work experienced physicians and nur'es have
been procuscd after an immense amount of trouble
and in fact the arrangements Tor taking care OF the
sick and wounded ot these institutions perfect in
nearly every respect. The resnlts are shown every
week in the discharge Of Of cured patients, and
ia the very small and rapidly diminishing proportion
Of deaths.
But Fremont inaugurated the system, and Ito hos
pitfalls must he abandoned. Such apparently is the
extraordinary resolution Of the Chief Medical Di-
sector OF this Department DR.. Wright. The cid an
tipalhy of regular army officers for everything usc-
ful invented by the vulgar Volunteers is intensified
in the absolute hatred Of army physicians and sur
geons for any hospital which is maintained by any
system not exclusively their own. Ii is reported,
and in such manner as 10 carry the weight Of con-
vction with the report, that DR.. Wright intends TO
give updbe General Hospitals now in successful op-
Grafton under the auspices f the Sanitary Comm s.
SION The contamination of such a scheme Will be
IL. 81 1.s,l.
and wounded soldiers who are recovering health
and strength in the hospitals referred to. Tie propo
sicn calls loudly for proes' and unless the voice Of
the Press il heard in opposton 10 it, there Is great
danger that prejudice may carry the day, and the
lives of troops be placed in constant jeopardy for
the want Of proper facilities to treat the sick and
wounded.
As an evidence OF what may happen II there is no
such capable body Or TIE Sanitary Commission 20 pro-
vide for the sick and wounded it is only necessary
for me 10 state that at Camp Benton lony two mile
from the splendid hospitals under the care Of tie
Commission. sick soldiers have been known TO Re-
main exposed in so-called regimental and brigade
hospitals for two and three weeks without any cloth
ing Otberthan their COMMON garments, without sheets
or pilowcases Of any kind, their beads pressing Oh
heather knapsacss and bodies wrapped nftby bank.
cts; this too while there arr 80 emgip bets NJ the
Fourth Street Hospital zone Of the frs started ly
the Fremont Comm.ssion) where tie patients wou'd
clio receive everyauento that ART and kindness can
afford. This il but one instance and the whole
truth known, the country would undoubtedly ring
with shame. Yet this is the way army surgeons
manage when left TO themselves, and the excellent
hospitals where civilians have some authority must
81 L., I'll 10
everything done by FIemoui is leading to serious
sbuses
Reports Of the resignation OF Gen. Sigel have been
revived within day or two aud the reason assigned
is the order placing Gen. Curtis in chief command
over the mead Of our gallant G,.man. The malice
shown coward Sigel is outrageous. The only reason
for uifing with his name and military reputation
ever assigned 10y regular army officer is that he If
id Dutcbnan. There If no Disgusting the fact tina,
through personal abuse and professional misIepro-
sentaiion, somebody who haa the power has done
Sigel great injustice. Were he Of the same stripe 81
bis abuseis he would have resigned long ago; but he
Is simply sud wholly a military officer and accustomed
to obey his SUPERIOR without asking any mperi-
nent questions. Tie breaking up Of his division may
have been accidental but the policy III ordering him
70 the command at Rola, and in lcss than three days
sending another General from ST. Louis TO super
seie him. ia reprehepsble in principle and subyersive
Of military discipline.
The ardor Of the Secesh ladies' Of St Louis has
now abundant opportunity for affecting display. The
Provos Marshal having allowed the friends Of tie
prisoners the privilege Of sending them presents in
the shape Of provisions and clothing, the time Of
three four officers and orierles has been occupied
for several days receiving and oveTauDg the secesh
conthbu,ions-the most delicately prepared pre-
serves and elies the richest cakes tie best wiros
the finest roasted turkeys, chickens broled quais,
cans of oysters, loads OF fresh bread and various
other delicaces sach as nineteen.twenie.Ls Of the
prisoners have never before seen Or tasted, have |
been showered in upon them. Rolls Of the incest |
butter (but oil, We Seeesh! the best butter have
here comes from that Abolition hotbed the Western
Reserve; think of it; Abolition butter tickling the
palate of the unaduerated Secesh y packages Of tea
and coffee, sugar aud salt, fruits ind pas ry have
been contributed in profuson. On the lst 90 plen-
tiul were Gle gifts for the prisoners that they were
unable to eat more than third OF tie perishable
provisions. The I'd Iowa boys accordingly apyro-
pristed as much as they wanted and had irst~ra:e
New-Year feast at the ext ense Of the Sccesb.
II is reported that in the examination ofprovisions
sent 10 Secesh prisoners, fat turkey made to
dsgorge number Of bowie-kniyes. A large hau was
found TO contain several tools similar those used by
burglars. Thee discoveries have led to greater re-
strctions upon the receipt Of gifts for the prisoners
ard it is expected that hereafter presents viii only
be received upon three DAYS in the week, 80 O. TO