, 1862-02-26
Chicago Citizens Relief Committee
Their Trip to Fort Donelso1--Report
On their Duties.


UoEr1TAL STEAMER CIIT OF MEMrnE,
MOUND C1rT, February "a, 1859.
When the Committee Of fifteen arrived at
Cairo, ra,t took the first boat Tor Fort Don
elEon, and about half on another. On ours,
the ~ Belle Of Memphis we're Judge scates,
Rev. Rcbczt Co1lyer, Rev. E. B. Tutt1e, a1r.
Jacobs, Mr. Moody, and A1r. Howe; also. Mr.
E. B. McCagg, B. F. Aver, .Compt. Ward.
Mr. Marble, D. II. Page, john Williams, a. G.
Downs, Il. Jordan, visitors. DR.. Hahn, DR..
R. I. Rea, Dr.. E. Andrews, DR.. E. c. Rogers,
Dr.. 7. Il. Walker, Dr.. Q. p Stair; also, Drs.
Perry Of Hnntley and Norton Of. Aurora-
surgeons for duty. The reu1nining portion of
the Committee Which had the supplies, fol.
lowed Oh, and were thus enabled to leave sup
plies at Paducah and bring some to us On Sat
urday morning at Fort Donelson, Just as nc
we're leaving for Mound City on board tile
Hospital steamer City Of Memphis, IN charge
Of Dr.. Turner.
While at Fort Donelson, Rev. Mr.. Collyer
aud myself visited al the hospitals there, and
found most Of tic wounded we're carried on
board the Fanny Bullitt and this boat, except
boat load for Cincinnati. By the way, the
Cincinnatiaus had chartered d boat to come to
the relief Of her people and some Of ours.
On Thursday evening we reached tie Fort,
and repaired to Taylor's battery, just as the
evening roll was being chilled Capt. T. Was
glad to sec US, and his boys were oEerjoycd.
!! Mr. Tuttle was requested By the Captain to
describe to the boys how VIC received the
news in Chicago, which drew forth hearty
cheers for the citizens Of Chicago who lad
+; tendcrl5 watched and prayed for them in the
hour Of peril and danger. Rev. Mr. CoNycl
t followed in few terse remarks, telling the
! boys, If they were nov to land in Chicago
| they would meet such distractions Of people
| to welcome them, as would hinder their get
| ting below Jackson street. Every man wou'e
hug them and every woman would kiss them
They then gase three cheers and 4 tiger fol
tho loved ones at home.'
Next morning, Friday, Was ushered in witt
the cheerful song Of birds, when VIC repaired
some thirty in all, to Capt Iay10r's quarters
who had provided horses for us to Tiew tnt
battle ground, with himself It covers ar
area OF at least five or eix miles of broker
where the Fort was located looking straigh
down the river. In the Fort were some piece
of cannon used by Gen jackson at the batll
of New Orleans. We saw but one man un
buried, scccsh, but heard of dozen yet tt
be inferred. Various trophies were gathcres
up in the field Such as balls, cartridge boxes
broken muskets. knives, spears, letters, etc
VIC saw Col. Marsh, Col. Macarthur, Capt
Huginin, Col. Webster, and others. Al ar
well. Friday night, Rcr. Mr. Cof1ycr and ny
self shared Capt: Taylo1's tent, under whie
we slept finely, despite pe1ting rain and vic
, lent Thunder, both Of which prevented a eek
| btatlon Of the ED, rs intended on the morrow
As we had no supplies until Saturday nlor1
| Ing, NC could do little hut cheer and comtol
1hc sick and wounded. Leaving Fort Done
{ which appcnd), all hands set to work, an
| right heartily too-slecves rolled up IN
washiug the faces Of the poorfe1lowB, dressin
D Of wounds, quenching their thirst, and revi
c ing them up with words OF good che'
= and comfort. WING, spirits, ta1nariud watc
lemonade, je1lies, etc, were needed aud use
k Sunday vas spent By Mr. Col}yer and myse
in visiting the hospital wards at Mound Cit
5 There arc about SO patients here, includiu
|. those Just landed from. our boat. The accon
modat5ons.here are excellent. Alazge portic
d tai One ward is entirely filled with them.
:, | fnelooking young surgeon from AbeIdee
= Miss, named Elkins, wa highly astonished
c. meet NJ: co31yer, Who '3S ayoWed s AimssA
- said, what one looked like, il he ever return
Is south again! Upon consultation, VIC think
- more supplies are to be sent to any extent,
the Committee, d special messencr Tor twt
e who has good Judgment, should aecompa
1c them to be sure Of their doing promptly t
4 most good.
u / herewith append an accurate list Of t
le sick and wounded Fho were transferred r r
m l. OUT boat to the hospital at Mound City. Til
W failed me in obtaining the exact Etate Of ca
st one. Chas. Melvin, 8 brave sailor who to
N part in the battle Of Belmont, on the Ess
runboat-at Fort Henry, on the Pittsbur!
90 md vos wounded at Fort Donelson on
an same boat. died on Sunday evening, fro
:, fracture Of the skull, and viii be inferred f.
o. St Ansganus Church, Chicago, as soon rs
tot body arrives. Respectfally,.
=. EB, TCrTLr