Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-19
lEAtract from Letter on the Bsttls-Field.l


This battle (Antietam) has been the most san
culinary Of the war, aud the only one fought with
visible design and upon military principles. The
arrangement of our corps--the overlooking posi-
ton of the commanding General-the sending
into action the right aud left divisions-the
closing up of the center-and finally success,
excites bewiIdering admiration. and carries the
mind to the great fields of Austerlitz and Wag
ram. fought by Napoleon Of all this have !
spoken. The heart history of such conflict
purchased by the lives and blood of twenty thou
sand men, must be found in the hospitals. War
hast glores. but it has its ten thousand demons
in these human tortures that make the eyeballs
ache, the heart bleed, the lips palsy, and the
brain reel The sight is at first positively unen-
durable. The life blood of some is still trickling
away in silent calmness, while the discovered
limbs and maniac brain of others give rise To
sounds God grant NAV not again witness.
But. We mothers who here seek son. or wives
husband. or sisters brother. or sons father,
know aud !c AcoHsoled that even here the hand
OF mercy is watchtul and better care is bestow ed
upon your loved ones than might at first seem
possible. Ii was in the hospital where rested the
gallant Hooker that learned the history of those
mythical words, so often seen and 20 little under
stood, rs. T.--ls60.-X." Anything alternating
the suiierngs and saving the lives of our soldiers
is national blessing witnessed some aston.
| ishing results from this article
| 1t is well known the effect OF burnt gunpow
der and excitement Is thirst, which. added to the
| loss OF blood in the wounded, creates the neces
sity of reviving stimulant. In this particular
hospital the physicians allowed their patients to
drink Plantation Bitters, otherwise called
| S. Tt sou, and although the wounded are
most numerou, here--lhi- division having opened
| the fight ~ ; in the inorring-the men were
mostg composed. ana there was very little faint
| ing. The article acts upon the stomach and the
nerves in most ncomprehen-ible manner, supc-
rior to brandy, and without subsequent stupefy-
ing reaction. II originated in the West Indies,
composed of the celebrated Calisaya Bark, Roots.
| Herbs, &c. all preserved in St. Crox Rum, the
s. -ls60-X being secret ingredient. not
vet revealed to the public. Ii is principally
recommended for want of appetite, dissrdered
liver intermittent feyers, stomachic difficulties
&c understand it was somewhat known in
the Southern States previous TO the war, and i,
appears an agent of jefferson Davis recently
applied 10 the propretors for the privilege to
make il for hospital purposes during the war, to
which they made the following reply:
NV YoRK, Jan. 10. 1862.
Mr.. - Agent Of dc:
Dear Sir-ln reply TO your communication
offering fifty thousand dollars for the recipe and
right 10 make the Plantation Bitters for your
hospital purposes during the war" ~e beg to say
your price Is liberal one, considering IL would
cost Us nothing TO comply. and that otherwise we
can derive revenue from the Southern States
but. sir, our duties TO our Government and ouI
ideas of consistency would not allow TO enter
tain il. although il might please us 70 assuags
the suferings of your misguided followers.
We remain, very respectfully yours,
P. H. DRAxE x Co.
These gentlemen give the history of certain
ingredients Of their article for over two hundrec
years-showing that. through all changes Of the
medical profession and ts practitioners, strength
, composure and cheerfulness have been darivec
from these sources. DR. Woods in the Wash
ngton hospitals informed me that one patien
|. was fast sinking and crazy and bad not slept u
hour for two weeks. until the Plantation Bitter
came to his knowledge. when one DAYS trial CAV
: him a nights rest, and be was DOW fast recover
ing I am surprised our Government has no
equaled jefferson Davis in energy. and sdop,e
! this invaluable article 10 all our hospitals Tn
weak soldiers cling 70 il like brother. Assls
member. can bear witness that IL IL good q
take" and affords more energy and life thai
anything ever tried. Success TO the Plantation
Bilters.
But | have digre.sed In ny neXt l shall
!, speak Of gathering in the wounded, burying ~
dead. &c. NlCopEAus
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