The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-09-05
The Sick and Wounded Soldiers;

Mr.. EDIToR,-Will you please publish
the following extracts from letter written
by the Secretary of the Union Aid Society,"
who is now in Vicksburg.
We hope the women of Burlington and
vicinity will respond heartily and prompt
ly to this appeal, and that we shall find
our room OVERLOOKING with good things for
the soldiers on tomorrow afternoon. If
the ladies of our city can do no more they
can certainly give us the influence of their
names and twenty-five cents, or it's equiv.
alent in sewing. as'
Remember, my fellow countrywomen,
that it is for US, that we may enjoy peace
and happiness in our own homes; and that
tree Of Liberty. rather than under the
death dealing Upas of Slavery, that all this
suffering is endured. "a. ~.
18th. = -
This morning early, I started with Mrs.
Wlttenmyer on her errand of love- The
first hospital we visited was an old hotel
Mrs. w. talked with every soldier, took
the names of those that wanted her to
write to their friends, and spake 80 cheer
fully that many raised on their elbows and
watched every movement she made.
confess my heart almost sank within me-
SO much suffering I had never witnessed
before. One poor fellow seemed so grate-
full while Mrs. w. was talking with him.
When she asked if he had a mother, he
turned away and his whole frame shook
with weeping. When he gained little
self-control he exclaimed, 20, my poor
widowed mother. have been 30 wicked
but she raised me better" Then he went
on in q heart-rending manner. Mrs. W.
tried to comfort him, pointed him to the
Saviour; told him no doubt his mother
prayed for him. He wept anew, besought
Mrs. w. to pray for him, as he felt himself
in the jaws Of DEATH" s
o! l thought, as I watched that NOBLE
uontdn going from one to another, breath.
ing words of comfort and hope, if those
who doubted her could only see her now.
One man said to me, "You ladies have
no idea how refreshing it is to US to see
you. Most of us have been two years and
over in the service, and you are the first
loyal women we have SEEN" Another In
teiligent looking man, but very much
wasted with illness said: "This Is better
than too weeks OF doctoring."
But must come to the stern reality that
now demands our attention.
We find four thousand sick men here,
the army gone on an expedition to Little
Rock, and all these sick men are left with
out supplies. Therei is nothing for thembut
army rations.
My heart aches to see sick men, not abe
to set up, eating potatoes and hard bread,
and looking as i they had no heart for
anything.
But there is nothing here-not even med
icine; and such a cry for quiniIe you nev-
or heard. Men who have had the chllIS
would give almost anything il they cona
get quinine, but it is not to be had. IS
Medical Director told us he was sick anu
discouraged, so much to be done ana ~
little to do with. L..
wish the women Of Iowa could see uS
| scenes / have witnessed to-day. me.
hearts would bleed, am sure, and tney
| would arouse themselves to renewed eAe,
tons. One thing is certain, many Draw
hero will go down to his grave premature
ly, unless they can have Sanitary stores. :,
Cannot something be dones wouiu
write for hours end hours, il could ronss
the women Of Iowa to the necessity staring
US in the face.
Tell the women Of Burlington how tne
case stands. They are brave and patriouss
and will do much. All the country arounIi
needs a thorough waking up. l pray uS Sa
to nerve the hearts and strengthen 'ne
hands of our liberal Iowa women.