Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-07
FROM Gen. BJRNSIDE'S DIVISION.
Letter from Capt. Foster. Co. ID, 2lst
NM. Il e-Imemt.
NEwBrRx, y. c., APRIL %, 1862.

NEwBERx, \. C., APRIL 26, 1862.
Mr. Editor:-My attention has been called
to an article printed in the Spy of April It'll,
signed b. my fellow townsman, Mr.. Bradford,
in which there are one or two errors, which
feelit my duty To explain, in justice to surgeon |
Gutter, aud also to assistant surgeon Warren, |
in whose care was from the time was re-
moved from the lower hospital, las it was
called to the hospital of the % brigade under
the charge of DR.. Cutter, until the division
left for Newbern, when l was left IN charge
of DR.. Squires OF the S9th New York. The
charge of negligence seems 10 have been
based upon the report of DR.. S. to the Boston
Medical Journal, which report, is in the main
correct but two little alterations will make
the whole article have different look to my
own friends and to the thousands OF friends
of the Massachusetts soldiers now in this d.
vision OF the army. DIR. Squires says, THAT
| | was Immediately taken to the regimental
hospital III the rear" and here comes the first
error He ueglects to say that my limb was
| dressed, which was the case and he also says
| "and the same night was conveyed to house
| on the beach. where he remained with his
clothes unchanged and his wound uudressed
for three days" This, in some respects was
true; but my limb had been dressed on the
field by DR.. Warren-and was not re-dressed
again for three days-with which found no
fault as there was only one surgeon 10
house full OF wounded and suffering men, and
whom thought needed the surgeons care
more than did myself
am very sorry that the article in the Spy
OF the 1th was written As it carries with it
wrong impression. 1t gives one to believe
that our wounded are not well cared for and
that the surgeons do not do their duty which
on the contrary, as far as | am concerned, all
the surgeons who have had anything to do
with me, have seemed to take great interest
| in my case, and have done all that lay in their
| power to alleviate my suffering and to make
me as comfortable as the place and circum.
stances would permit; and / would take this
| opportunity 10 thank for their kindness
and attention, not only to myself, but to the
| many brave fellows who | know have been
recipients of their kind and unremtting care,
| the following surgeons connected vito the
| division, viz DIR. Calvin Cutter and c. War,
| rem OF the 2lst Mass, DR.. Squires seth n. Y.
| and Dr. Page OF the sanitary commission.
| As TO the consultation held by the surgeons
| i'll regard to amputation | know nothing about
it, but did understand at the time that two
of the brigade surgeons were in favor of am.
putatlOn. Surgeon Gutter alone was for saw.
ing the limb, DR.. Hitchcock being there at
the time, was requested by DIR. c. to examine
the wound and give his opinion in regard to
the matter. lie did so, and his opinion coin
cided with DR.. Cutters, that the limb might
be saved, and he suggested the az plication of
a starched bandsge, which was applied by
DR.. Warren, under the direction OF Dr. Cut.
ter. This is the way | understood the matter
at the time, and therefore told Mr.. Bradford
that l would have to thank Dr. Hitchcock for
saving my leg. Furthermore, l never have
written or caused to be written, or made one
word OF complaint to any of my friends in re.
| gard TO the manner in which l have been
treated, and repeat it again, that have no
reason to find fault with the treatment that l
have received since being wounded
respectfully Yours, Il. s. FOSTER,
Capt. Co d, 21st reg. Mass Vol.