Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-20
Our wounded Soldiers at the Hospitals
in Washington and Vicinity.

WORCESTER, Oct. 20, 1862.
To the Editor of the Spy In compliance
with a request of the city authorities, have
for the past ten days been husily engaged in
visiting the hospitals in Washington and vi
cinity, for the purpose OF seeking out the
and inquiring particularly into their condition
! to see whether or not they were receiving
sufficient care and attention from the surgeons
in attendance.
1t is not my design to present detailed re
| port in the columns of your Journal after the
full and elaborate speeches of mayor Aldrich
and Henry S. Washburn, Esq, on the same
subject, recently delivered before large au-
dience of the citizens of Worcester But
while | can strictly substantiate the vivid ac-
count of the terrible scenes in hospital life as
depicted by Mr.. Washburn, l wish to add my
tribute of praise to the noble soldiers OF Mas
Sachusetts and other states who at this mo-
ment, on touches of pain, are suffering with
Il heroism superior to the bravery of the battle
field, SO keenly, so severely, 50 terribly, for
their country and her constituted government.
In regard to the medical treatment and
care, | have to say that the sick and wounded
men do not suffer from insufficient treatment
or neglect. The management of hospital
matters has been greatly improved. Necessi-
ty and experience have simplified the business
and added largely to the efficiency of the de-
partment. In general the sufferers in hospi-
tai are cared for as well and perfectly as they
could be in any other place. Defects may be
found, soldier here and there may have just
cause of complaint, but these are exceptional
cases, and will be considered unavoidable
when the magnitude of the work is kept in
view
TO the friends of the wounded soldiers,
would therefore speak the words of cheer and
encouragement. Do not imagine that the no.
bic sufferers are languishing for want of care
sustcnance or medical skill The govern
ment that will not care for its bleeding mar
tyrS does not deserve to win battle, and
every effort is made by the proper authorities
" nave Iue lHeulCdl department, WlSely, Hu-
namely, and perfectly administered. Reform,
improvement, and success, are certainly the
fruits of those efforts.
There is one suggestion, which l wish to
urge earnestly, upon those at home. If you
have friend in hospital, sick Or wounded,
write him good, warm, hearty letter. 1t
will do more good than dose of medicine
Let him know, that you appreciate the value
of his glorious services, and have lively
sympathy with him in his misfortunes.
Appended below, is list of the sick and
wounded soldiers from this vicinity, and the
various hospitals where they now are. The
list is not intended for IL full one, for many
wounded men have been sent to New York
and elsewhere, and others have obtained fur
loughS, and been sent home. Many of the
men will probably obtain furloughs, as soon
as they are able to travel, and many will be
discharged from service To any person
wishing to make inquiries in regard to friends,
or matters connected with my mission, l will
cheerfully impart all the information | am
able to convey. CHARLES b. PRATT.