St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-06-18
GEN. H00KER,s VISIT 70 THE ifos
"S E41AA. =
F;om he n: 7. Ht1ald. :. -
=. GencraI Hooker YESTERDAY IN aan..

"4ta Doctor Sim, Medical director Of the
corps, visited the Sd CORPS hospital, spend:
ing nearly the entire day in visiting, eoi.-.
versing with and cheering the wounded
and sick soldiers. The General arrived st
the hospital, all unannounced and u1.t; +
tended except as above, at. about eler;c.n;7
O'Clock in the forenoon, and was cccup:ed
until four P. n in ,tnakinx.the rouods. -
-, A NOBLE. INCIDENT. o. ;
In. this thorough visitation numberless
instances occurred showing .ibc greatneeaas +
and yet the beautiful tenderness of th::
Generals heart and his deep sympathy
with his troops. I have time to relate
but one or two. Approaching the bed
side Of a severely wounded, man, aftera
few; minutes cheerful conversation with
him, the General asked him what he cd
do for him to make him more comfortable
and, happy. After moments thought:
the man put his hand in his breast and
pulled out crampled document and hand
ed i to the General wi,t,a burst Of tea.s.
saying, "0h. sir, my family: is st4rvins.;
home, and I can get no money tc2 send
them Through some mistake il Tie ). mus ul
ter rolls Of my company, .IFhave had no
pay for five months: This paps: shows
the fact. If you can assist me ia getting
the pay that is due me shall never for
get to thank you." The General took tho
document, but without looking at it ask
ed the man, allow long did you sayit was
since you were paid?' 1'.five months,
.sir,"' was the reply, ..and5 my wife writes
me that she hassno food for the children.
and no money to procure them clothins.
II their wahts-were supplied I shouldn't
mind my wounds" Without saying a.y-
thing more the General pulled his pocket
book out from his pocket, aud, counting
out three twenty-dollar bills aod one ten;
handed them to the man, saying, Il have
not just the change, and walked on. The
poor fellow looked al the money in bewil:
derment, and then sazed*at the retrestiaE
form of the General with watering ewes.
bis feelings SO overpowering him that he
could not articulate word OF thankA.s
cried out some of- tie patents In. he
neighboring beds who had witnessed .tL4
proceeding. 3: 8 <: :, =.
On entering ore elong .angcof tents,
occu lied by forty or fifty patients, one oi
the men. recognizing tie General, called
! out, "Thrce cheers for General uooker.'
The General quickly checked tie outburst,
quietly remarkipg, "Not here y Eou may
shout for me on tie battle field OF any
where else; but don't cheer use here. I
only came here to see that you arc ali we'll
taken care Of" t<s@ -.
Throughout all the hospital, and among
all those eighteen hundred patients, The
General got no word Of complains. = The
men expressed themselves we'll cared for,
and perfectly satisfied with the arrange,
ments made for their caznfor:. The visit
Of their Commanding General shed a full.
ness Of light and checrf illness throusho,;.
the extensive establishment, the rcmem.
brance Of whic! will ever. remain with
those unfortunate men, who, racked with
pain, we're the recipients Of his deep aud
heartfelt sympathy. 49,.