Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-08-30
M treatment or soldiers in Ho,pttal,.

I'll Treatment of soldiers in Hospitals.
In the Confederate House of Representatives on
Wednesday last Mr.. Clark, Of Georgia, offered the
following = <,s -.5s;7t srt-3 >55 sgd
Resolpad That a committee of five be appointed
by the Speaker to investigate and inquire into the
management of the hospitals in the Military De-
partment of Henrico and to ascertain what, If any
abuses exist and what action if any, is necessary
to be taken by Congress; and that such committee
have power to send for persons and papers, and have
leave to visit the hospitals during the sessions OF
this House" .....-
Mr. Clark think there is no department of the
Government which is so subject to abuse as this
particular department l went this morning to
Georgia hospital to see soldier and was informed
that the hospital was closed and could not get in
except at a certain hour of the day. These officers
in charge think that they must not be at their place
except at a certain hour; they have not endeavored
to accommodate in the least. Persons have come
here to take care of their sick and wounded sons,
brothers and friends and have gone away with feel
ings of the deepest execration against this de-
partment of the Government; and if there is any
thing that will prevent persons from being brought
out to serve the country, and even bring about re-
sistance to the Government it is the treatment of
the sick, wounded and dying soldiers in our hos
pitfalls. feel deep interest in this matter, and
desire nothing more than that they should be well
cared for, and thus do towards increasing the
army than in any other mode. applause In the
gallerieS)
might go on to illustrate and to specify instan-
ces but it is needless am informed that the hos
pital surgeons visit the hospitals only once in "a
hours This learn from persons connected with
the hospitals. Why, sir, l understand that before
sick or wounded or even a conyalescent soldier is
allowed to 90 home, they must prevail on the sur
geon of the particular hospital to which they have
been confined to grant them a certificate that they
hava off no hoSDital for three months.
The soldiers, every one must know, would recov-
er much more rapidly at their homes than at these
hospitals. | think have said sufficient to Illus
trate the necessity of the passage of this resolution,
but must ask to be excused from serving on the
committee to be appointed, as under the clrcum-
stances, | could not be impartial.
Mr.. Wright, of Ga.-When an honorable gentle
man. on Yesterday introduced bill to increase the
army, by calling out all persons between the ages
of IS and As years felt at the time that it was the
wrong way Congress had better take care OF the
soldiers we have in the field before we call Tor
more We should, perhaps, then have no need for
more soldiers 1t seems to me that this one depart
nent of the Government needs particular attention.
Why, medical gentlemen who have charge OF hos
pitals regard themselves as enemies to the common
soldier They do not risk the danger of the battle
Why is it that the soldiers kept in the hospitals
and not allowed to go back to their frendsT why
is it that the Government refuses them burroughs to
20 home, where they Will DC Hucn oeStei a''enu9u
to than in the hospital! Why, am told, that when
they get away, they will not come back. Sir, say
that this is libel upon the men who have fought
and are still ready to fight the battles of our coun
try. SIR, when they able they will return. All
they ask is, that their country will treat them with
that humanity which is due them, that they may
still be able perform their duties to their country
left at my room this morning, youth, mere
STRIPPING, member of that renowned regiment the
Sth Georgia. He was the first to enter the service
of the Confederate States in my district he has
been in every battle with his regiment, and fought
where it was not engaged lie has never once
been home, nor looked on the face of his father
or mother since the war began l am told he will
be utterly unable to go back to the army until cold
weather. He has never asked furlough of his
country yet his application to go home has been
refused | am told that 1t has become such source
of annoyance to the department that they were OBJ
lged to cease giving furoughs-yes, sir, because it
is source of annoyance! Really, think that be-
fore we call for more troops, we had better make
provision for taking care of those we have.
~. ol,,t;nr 70