Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-12

The last number of the Sanitary Re-
porter gives us something that may well
be reproduced for the benefit Of those who
meet encouragement from the thoughtless
and hssty words Of the soldiers whom
they are trying to comfort and cheer in
the hospitals. Below we copy from its
columns:
AN OFFICERS OPINION AND WHAT BECAME
OF IT.
The Sanitary Commission is hum6ug
IL has done no good and nsUer riI!"-This
was the remark of an officer lately who
had been in this hospital for some time
sick snd perhaps can serve the cause of
humanity and the country in no better
wey than by repeating the conversation
which then took place, and give the re-
suits. You think so do your What was
the matter with you when you came here2"
"Diarrhes and scurvy." "Whst was the
first thing done for you when you came
here ?" "I had a warm bath and clean
clothes-but what has that to do with the
Sanitary Commission ?" "Never mind,
we will see. Are you better than when
you came in ?' "Yes, nearly we'll"
"Whst has cured your "The vegetables,
I believe" 'tDO you know where the veg
etables came from2" "No." HYou were
in the COmmisssry room to-day and ad-
mired the stock Of vegetables, pickles,
cabbage, cans of fruit bottles Of wine
and cordisls, did you not ?" AYES, but
why ?" "No matter why; want you to
look at the shirt and drawers you have on,
then go through the hospital and zee one
hundred and twenty-five men with clean
shirts drawers, sheets and pillow cases
then 60 into the linen room and will show
you enough more to change every man and
every bed, and the whole Of it came from
the Sanitary Commission. All the picked
come from them, and they are ready to
furnish as much more if Ineed it, and yet
you say, without knowing what you talk
about, that the Sanitary Commission is a
humbug2 II It'll had not been for this Com
mission you and the rest of those in this
hospital from the Army Of the Potomac,
who have been suffering from seurvy
would be as badly off as you were when
you came in. You have abused an associs-
tion which has put comfortable clothes on
you, has provided the vegetables you need.
ed to cure you, and has done the same for
thousands besides you" "Doctor, never
knew these things beforel I have heard
that all they did was for the benefit of the
8 urgeons about the hospitals; but, to tell
you the truth, never inquired. There is
an Aid Society in our place, and l have
discouraged my sisters from having any
thing to do with it-but no such word shall
come from me sgsiu."
He was cured Of his folly, humbled and
shamed-for 1t was at the dinner table that
the conversation took place, and 1 was glad
that others were present. This is not a
solitary instance. have had to contend
with Just such perverse Ignorance for the
past two years, but this was 30 striking a
,ase that thought it might do good to fur
nish it for publication in the Reporter.
The Commission has aided and blessed me-
n my work ever since November, 1861, and
say again as have said before ;-"tha
10 instrumentslity within my KNOWLEDGE
las done SO much real good for the service
!s the United States Sanitary Commis-
ion" BENZ. WOODWARD.
Surgeon 22d Ill Vol. in charge.
J. 8. GENERAL HosPITAL,
TULLAHoMA, Tenn, Nov. IL, 1858.
To all friends Of the cause We would saw !
hat copies of the Sanitary Reporter for
his montb nan he had oE o,,v ,ao-,r 7. =