Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-10


Crary, our Storekeeper at Stevenson, came
through with the train, and Immediately
returned to superintend the forWaI ling o.
farther supplies. DR.. Barnum and Ness >
Redding and Larrabee had ell come through
to Chattanooga, and other help at Steven
son and Bridgeport was Indispensable.
We also obtained an order for four
more wagons, which was telegraphed to
Stevenson, and the wagons were loaded
and forwarded before Mr.. Cary got
through on his return. During the
battle be sent forward additional supplies,
which were turned back by an order stop
ping all trains, and did not reach Chatta-
nooga before we left the plsce, but crossed
the river and were taken in charge by the
hospital steward Of the 93d o. V. l.,
faithful man, who undertook to get them
through by the route on his side.
Good rooms were secured at Chattanoo-
ga, our stores assorted and arranged for
rapid delivery, before the battle COM
menced. Skirmishing occurred along the
line for several days, and few wounded
men we're brought to the hospitals in the
town. These were supplied with such ar
ticles as they required from our rooms,
and we also sent forward, by every safe
means, limited supply to the temporary
hospitals in the front.
On Saturday, the 18th, the general en-
gagement commenced and continued, sus-
pended at intervals, while changing posi-
tions or falling back, throughout Saturday,
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. During
this time, there was no opportunity Of ma
king even the briefest memoranda, and
the events, of which am giving you this
hurriedly written narrative, may not all
be detailed in the order Of their occur
renee. My brother was severely sick and
had been so,for several days. In fact he was
totally untitled for work, but continuing to
do what he could and continued the gener-
al superintendent Of the work. Not a
great many wounded were sent back on
Saturday, but on Sunday they came in in
numbers, far beyond the ability Of all Of
the medical officers to provide even toler-
ably for their comfort.
At the request of the medical director,
DR.. Barnum took possession of two large
blocks, cleared out the rooms, fitted them
up temporarily for the wounded, supply
ing them with clothing, bandages, and ed
ibles from our room, procured and put up
stores, dressed the wounds Of those most
requiring immediate assistance, and su-
perintended the providing and cooking of
rations for the men. All of the rooms were
soon filed, and by his untiring efforts, from
|. 800 to 1000 were rendered tolerahly COM
Portable. On Sunday, visited all Of the
hospitals and temporary resting places for
the wounded, notifying the officers in
charge of the location of our rooms and
the nature of our supplies, asking them to
send for everything we had, so far as it
was needed. Returning late in the eve
ming, found large church on Main street
where services had been held during the
day, and saw that the steps were crowded
with wounded men. Entering the church,
it was found filled with congregation
from the battle e-feld, crippled with every
variety of wounds, with no medical or other
officer in charge, without food of any kind,
without water, and without even a candle
to shed glimmering light over their des-
titution, silent worshippers in the dark
ness, patient. unmurmuring martyrs in a
noble cause, apparently deserted by all
except Him in whose sanctuary they had
taken refuge Immediately carried con-
centrated beef 10 the residence of DR..
Simms, near the church, a resident physi-
oirn of rebel sympathies, but a generous,
warm hearted man, in whose office we had
some days before found quarters, and where
nv brother superintended the preparation
of soup, while l bought candles and box
of hard bread, had them carried to the
church, and procuring water, distributed
it for the thirsty. Never before had SO
high an appreciation Of "nsture's sweet
restOrer, balmy sleep"
Two-thirds of the occupants Of the
church, some with shattered arms, and
some with other CHASTITY wounds, were
sleeping quietly upon the seats and the
floor, unconscious of their many wounds.
The soup was brought and distributed to
the wakeful, and my brother and DR..
Simms commenced dressing the woun g,
and continued their labors until sheer ex-
haustion compelled them to desist. The
waking men provided for, the sleeping
were allowed to sleep in peace. Ireported
the condition of these men to the Medical
Director, and Medical officers were put in
charge of them, and in the morning
Chaplain took charge of vegetables and
other eatables which sent from the rooms,
aud superintended the preparation of food
for the men. At this time, Monday, the
streets were completely biockaded for
their whole length with army wagons, as
an order has been issued on Sunday for
the whole train to be sent across the river.
This was done apparently to avoid con-
fusion, and to save the train if our forces
should be compelled to eVacuate the place.
The only means Of crossing was one mar
row pOntoon bridge, and for two days the
trains filed all the streets. Our stores
were needed every ywhere, but nobody could
get to our quarters. After applying to
several headquarters, procured an order
for three amy wagons to report at our
rooms for the distribution of stores. And
hastily riding to the different hospitals OBJ
tained approximately the number Of the
inmates, the capacity Of each, and the ma
ture of the articles most needed. The
usual answer, to the question, "What do
you need most ?" was, Everything" q
but almost literally a
truthful answer.
Returning to the rooms, gave general
directions to Messrs. Redding s. Lsrrabee,
who superintended the loading of the wsg-
1ns, and piloted each one when loaded
through the dense mass of teams to its des-
.inatiOn. At frst sight, an apparently
hopeless undertaking, but the words,
q This wagon is loaded with stores for your
comrades, can you make room for
it to pass ?" operated like magic every
Rhere, and in no single instance did find
4 driver who did not promptly and cheer
fully open a way for the supplies, and
.nie0, fO1III anu HvV PuroIIv uIu5, uu5
lrivers all eager TO reach the pontoon
bridge first and secure precedence in cross
ng. In this way we succeeded in getting
good supply, full wagon load each to
he Seminary building and old rebel hos
litals on the hill 20 tba ol5 ,ab01 boo,;I.1