New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-12
THE uARBARITY OF THE REBELS
The Hospitals nj Holly springs-Promise
by Van Dorm TINT they Should be Pro-
rehabilitation Of the Promise I'm
-:~;ps.aI nudurf


Tue following has been forwarded to tie Head
quarters Of the Army here;
MEDICAL DREcToK, oYyics HoIlr sPhiyes, Mise
Sin: I have the honor to report that remained
behind the advance Of the army for the purpose Of
establishing a large General Hospital at Holly
Springs. took building that had been built for
an Grmory BY the Confederates, consisting Of six
large rooms each $50 feet long and numerous ont
houses, and after three weeks of incessan labor, in
which I was greatly assisted by Surgeon Powers Of
the 7th Missouri Infantry, had everything pre-
pared for 1000.
Tie Acting Medical Purveyor of the southern
rorion Of the department hgd been ordered 20 bring
all his supplies 10 this hospital, which he did, and
on the morning Of the Goth OF December one of the
mort completely finished and extensive hospitals in
the army wis ready 70 receive ns fIek
taken by the Confederate forces under Gen. Van
Dorm.
AZ soon ~ discovered the enemy were in pos
session Of the place, repaired TO the headquarters
Of the Rebel General, near the town, and made IA
formal request that the Amory Hospital should not
be burned entering my solemn pTotes. on the cub
ec as the Confederates had already eel fire to the
railroad depot and comnssary tiort.house, and
bad declared their intentions to destroy all houses
occurred by our troops.
I received the assurance by Gen. Van Dom's Adj
jutani that the Armory Hospital should not be
burned, but that IL would be protected by guard.
Satisfied with this, | returned TO my quarters but
had no. been there AN hour when was informed
thai the building was in flames; and thus this fine
structure, with 1900 hunks. an immense lot Of
drugs and tnrgica apparatus thousands OF blankets,
sheets and bed sacks, was soon IN ashes.
This proceeding in violation Of an express promise
and Of all rules Of civilized warfare 10 an evidence OF
the bsrbariiy and want Of principle in the Coneder
ate officers. Bot this Is not all, an attempt was
made 10 destroy the General Hospital located in the
main ,quare, and which al the time contained over
500 sick.
A onan,ity Of ordnance stores had been deposited
m a building on the next block TO the hospital and
by the order Of Gen. Van Dorm, as stated by the
officer who had charge Of the matter, the barrels of
poyder and boxes contained shell aud cartridges,
were taken out and pied up nearly IN 'front.' OF the
hospital and set FIRE to.
Two medical officers protested against this wanton
act but their requests were treated with contempt,
and before there was time to remove the sick the
walls and windowsoi the hospital were riddled with
ayinR balls and shell, and finally terrific explosion
took place winch shook the entire building, destroy
ing almost every window and door in the establish
mept woundng about twenty men, aud creating
scene OF the widest confusion.
A large number OF buildings on the public square
took fire from the explosion, and il only by the
utmost efforts that the hospital was preserved AS Il
shelter for the men in the night air.
Together with the medical officers who assisted
me IN caring for the sick and wounded on that trying
day, / thought tina, the Rebels had now done us all
the harm In IONeI Out 10 Hhrull Wur W
be added, in manner, | hope never 10 witness
dgain. a Rebel cavalry officer named Brewster
who stated be Lad been detailed by Gen. Van Dorm
10 march OF every sick man tbSt had lot been
paroled," collected together, pistol in hand, abont
$50 sick soldiers, forced them TO rise from their beds
and fell in line, threatening TO ehoot the medical
officer, who expostuated with him, and actually
made the poor fellows, suffering from typhoid fever
pneumonia and diarrLea, start with him on the road
The men fell down in the street, and bad to rise
sQan for fear Of being shot, when they were 80
weak that tie slightest motion was agony. On
being importuned If there anything in the name
of humanity that could be done 10 induce him 10 ttop
his brutal proceedings, he finally consented to let
them alone on receiving paper signed by all the
surgeons present, stating that the men were too slek
to walk aud their removal wac an imposslbiity.
I'cannot speak too highly Of the conduct of DIR. T.
NJ. Powers Of the 9TH Missouri Infantry, after the
capture Of Holly Springs. The efforts OF this able
and accomplished officer for the care Of tie sick
were untIing and from morning ill night he wss
engaged in doing anything that lay in hls POWER to
preserve hospital property, ard make the helpless
beings who were driven from their beds and shelter
AZ comfortable circumstances would allow. DIR.
Reilly, Assistant Surgeon Of the 18Th Illinois lnian-
try, also rendered great assistance by his we'll
directed and efficient endeavOrs.
II X. WIR1Z Surgeon 4. \ A,
Medical Director 18th Army Corps
Lieut. Col Jso. A. RowLIys. A. A. Gen, Gen. Grants
H,n