New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-05-02
Treatment Of soidiers-A Reform Needed
Cor,,spond,nce Of The N. 7. Tribune.

ARMoRv SQUARE HOSPITAL W AshtNUioNs N'l
April q, 1863 }
Those who sit by the bedside of the sick soldier,
or listen in the quiet hours of hospital life to their
talk with each other, must often be panied by the
recital Of instances of tyranny and cruelty, which
the private relates of bis superior officers; and one
inquiries why such things are permitted, and why
redress is not obtained by reporting the guilty one to
higher POWERS, the answer is given with mingled
patience and hopelessness, " Soldiers must bear
their lett is no use for them to complain or an
other SAYS, Z" The only remedy for private, when
The abuses become too great 10 be borne 10 Tor Inn
30 shoot his officer in the first battle Alas that
entertainments should be uttered by men who be-
fore they entered the army, were good and law
abiding citizens. Said one soldier, Our Captain
had treated his men so badly that he told his Colonel
that he wac afraid to 20 into battle for Tear they
the,t him The Colonel advised him not 10 fear,
but TO change his conduct and he did, ana now be ~
ons Of the best of Captains, and his men AL IKE
hin." Men come into the service wearing epanlets'
who little know how TO use their power. Wen ior
them, if experience teachee them before IL ID 700
late.
One would hesitate 10 repeat the instances o.!
cruelty and incompetence in officers which soldiers
have to relate; but think If men who assign
commissions could hear one-half that tue soiders
cav, they would feel that 1t was great crime 10
give military authority 10 any but humane men, The
private who lie ruined for life, in mind and body. by
the discipline of his commanding officer, has q
Judgment in the Court of Heaven against the Gov
ernOr or ruler who placed the bad man an power
over bin! In the new enrolment, which al oii-
zsns must share, let as pray that men who have
hearts end oOns,iencss. and military ability, and
men who know what it ia 70 be soldier, VIII be
those who are iutrusted with commissions, and TINT
the question Does he know how to treat his men ~
will be more important than "Wll his appointment
increase my chances for reelection "
Nothing but faithful and conscientious use Of the
appointing power the soldiers OF our ar
mics from suffering many "a deep and outrageous
wrong and the people should be awake TO Tn, fact,
aud see TO it, that good men only should have the
Gves and welfare Of soldiers at Their disposal Many
noble souls 20 to fill up cur army, ana heaven
record alone ehall tell what unnamed Eer0es have
done and saaered in silence. One such Is near M
now, whose hollow cough threatens to finish HI
DAYS unless relief comes soon. How unwilling la
has been 10 weld to disease! Three times bis sur
geons have tried TO send him from the field 10 Tn,
lospi.a and three times he has escaped and re-
turned 10 duty. So much did he suffer frcm rheuma
tim. that if he lay down Inc could not rise without
assistance and so he would down, but leaned
against tree 70 sleep! II you wish to cheer him,
tell him that you think lie will be able to go and
fight again bul ii you wish 10 deal truthinlly with
him, tell him that lie must 50 home, 1t Is bis only
chance for life He comp ains not, and boasts not;
accident alone revealed 10 me the unwilliDgness
with which he has yielded 10 disease which cebars
bin from all hope OF fighting this wicked Rebellion
We hear much of corruption aud decentralization
In the people and in the army, and we all bitterly
feel the effects Of treason and incompetence In places
where we had a right to expect better things.
There is another side Of the picture which II is
pleasanter AM perhaps wiser, TO contemplate, and
let us not forget or 10 thank God, that tins
war las brought ont brave, loyal souls in all ranks
who show the highest virtues OF which humanity Is
capable II the worst Of our nature is developed by
terrible war, SO also is the best The trial, as by
fire. brings out the texture and quality Of sonis, that
shine all toe respondent because of lie dark
background by which they are surrounded. Many
will never show in this world beyond the rank Of
private, be known to fame, 20 the country for
(which they die; and their reward waits for them.
btany (hRpEGly for our Cause occupy places Of i'm
p, prtsnt trust. One such know, not far from the
p ivate, of which just spoke. Cheeruly he spends
Iii e and energies, daily oyertasking bis strength,
re. signing without regret ease, fortune, comfort,
an position, asking and caring only 10 fill faithfully
bis place in the great work of to-day, winch shall
red his countryhis country, that he Rays he has
-" Ktsk TO survive And as you listen to his
in l. unfalteriDg tones, and look into bis clear,
LEI lchlDg eye you feel that he knows what he
~ yt and that with bis whole SOIL be il too
II IA ok God for such souls. whose presence alone
err a .es confidence, hope, and trust in the to
wi &c b tksy have sworn fealty. H. c. /.