Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-24
On u,he soIdIer,, Cbristmas Dinner.


We publish the following letter il reply to |
that Of Colonel sentsr which recently ap-
peared in eur columns, in order that both |
sidss Of the question may be heard:
-As USITEb srATFs GENERAL HosPITAL,l
CLEvELAND, ONO, December 2Sd, lsss-
EDlToEs LEADER There eppsars in your !
columns of Yesterday a letter from Colonel |
Senter, Of this city. We also received an
ANONYMOUS letter from some one individual |
who claims to speak for the "public." Each
of the above communications convey the
idea that We can easily dispense with hay
ing Christmas dinner, and allow the contri-
buttons which the people feel disposed to
donate, to be given to the poor Of the city.
We ere obliged to Colonel Senter for the
handsome compliment he pays the manage
ment Of this hospital, but there are some as
sertiens in his letter which We believe call
for correction.
The rrice of a ration at this post is l44
cents; for this allowance We have to support
every soldier in the hospital. We have no
| other means whatever for procuring food
aad lights for tho patients. All the little
4 delicacies which are necessary for the sick
| and wounded must be furnished from this
fund. Beyond this We dare not go, nor have
we received any material aid from tho "Pub-
Iie." We would here say that all United
States Hospitals receive the same rations,
although the price varies according to local
ity.
The Aid Society gavs Us Fourth Of July
dinner, and the many thanks that the Socie-
ty received from the inmates Of the Hospital
were sufficient proofs Of their gratitude.
am authoritatively informed that the only
donations we have received from the people
during the past two months are one bushel
Of apples, and bowl one half full Of jelly.
If ali the gifts in tie way of eatables were
put together, with the exception Of the
Fourth of July dinner,) they 'ooHld not suffice
for one meal for the soldiers here. Messrs.
Editors, this is not so in other cities. Even
in the South, in Kentucky, Virginia,
and Missouri, the people, although suffering
from secession in their midst, provide din
ners for the hospitals in their vicinity. By
looking at the Louisville, st. Louis, Phila-
deIpbia, Washington and other city papers,
you will find simular calls to that made BY
our efficient Chaplain, and by again refer
rirg to these papers, after the Holidays,
YOU will find that those calls have been
, nobly responded to.
We don0t wish to appear before the public
as paupers, begging for q stray piece Of
turkey upon Christmas day. Thanks to the
able management of our Surgeon in charge,
} and Steward, we always have enough that Is
, good and palatable to eat. The soldiers OF
this hospital are worthy men, many were
tenderly raised, and all Of them, think
NAV safely say, have been accustomed to an
r observance of the Holidays.
| By a recent order from headquarters
furlouRhs are practically impossible to be
had, and the soldiers must, although near
r their homes, remain in hospitals. No mat
ter how pleasant we may endeavor to make
this hospital, to them, at times when long
| 20 kbasr ~ numaf
place Of restraint. These noble men would
il asked, respond: As Colonel Senter says
give your bountieg to the poor and needy
but would it be right to ask those who have
given their comforts, their health and theil
Iife's blood, for their country to also again
J., deny themselves and fOregO the joys Ol
y Christmas. There are sent to their respec-
tive regiments in the fel d, from this hosPits
an average of neTly one hundred men pei
1 month. These men go back to the held viii
!. Impressions that have been stamped upoI
their minds by the conduct eff the people TO-
wards them at home, they communicate
their feelings to their comrades, and
8 the influence Of such visit as called for by
l. our Chaplain would bo unbOundsd even i
n We we're able from fourteen cents per day t
rive the soldiers a dinner. such as should b'
3 eaten by them. Would net this be suficien
,, reason for the public manifesting their In
terest in this project?
The Aid Society have always exhibited
praiss-worthy disposition to do all for US il
% their power, and when called upon havs fur
a nished the required assistance. We knoV
y that they have all that they can attend to II
the broad field they have chosen and TO
" this reason We have not called upon then
n during the past nine months, except on tn
: 4th Of July.
Be ured, sirs, that whatever aotioi
the pubic may take in this matter, tn
70 soldiers will have a Christmas dinner
e They shall have one even il th
IS officers are called upon to furnis
A it from their own means ns they have don
- heretofore. Upon last Thanksgiving GU
/ Steward furnished dinner worthy Of th
+ occasion. May he have the same reason 70
n. being generous upon every ThanksgiYin
as upon the last.
In conclusion, allow me to say, that II
is poor you always have with you, but the sic
IL wounded and needy soldier who has Perille
~ all for his country is q worthy recipient G
the gifts of Angels.
. Yours respectfully,
l. A. QUKTRELL, Secretary!