Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1863-04-24

and were at once distributed to the support
of our aching heads. well remember that
as received mine cried--it was childish,
perhaps, but l couldn't help it. Our diet,
too, was somewhat improved after Mrs.
Whittenmeyer's visit, which I supposed was
occasioned by the interspersion Of what she
had provided. wish the ladies of every
Soldiers Aid Society in the State might be
permitted to see something Of the blessings
resulting from the efforts of the Sanitary
Commission. think they would all be
quickened in their exertons could they wit
hess no greater an exemplifcation than that
exhibited by the distribution of pillows in
our Regimental Hospital.
lam REMOVED TO THE POST HOSPITAL.
One day learned that the regiment was
under orders to leave Helena for down the
river. was so in hopes that by the time
the regiment should be ordered away to be
able to accompany it, that my disappoint-
ment was very great when was told that
was to bo sent to the Post Hospital in Helena.
1t was very trying to be separated from my
friends and 60 out as it were from home to
the abode of strangers, however superior the
latter might be. December 10th the ambu.
lance called for me and l was carried to
Ward No. 4, Post Hospital, Helena, distan-
ced about four miles from our camp. On
the Goth the regiment broke camp and went
aboard transport for a downstream trip.
found my new quarters very much superior
in all respects. The Hospital was located in
what was formerly Methodist Church--a
very comfortable brick building. The ac-
commodations here were very good; each
man being furnished with a cot, straw bed,
and pillow. DR.. Pease, the Surgeon in charge
Of this Ward, was kind d-hearted, atfable
gentleman, and gave his patients good atten-
ton--something not always true Of army
surgeons. The greatest fault to be found
was the insufiiciency Of nurses, which objec-
ton | believe can be properly urged against
our hospitals pretty generally. Two nurses
cannot properly care for seventy five sick
men some must be neglected--in fact all,
more or less. The benifcence of the Sani-
tary Commission was here again exemplilied.
From this source those whose necessities re-
quired were furnished with shirts, drawers,
handkerchiefs, etc; besides, in the way of
diet, many little things were provided not
otherwise procurable.
A DEATH IN HOSPITAL
In the army death loses its solemnity.
had seen of late so many of my comrades,
one after another, close their eyes in that
eternal sleep, that the going out Of human
life had become matter of but little concern
to me. So it was with all-,so far as | could
judge. have seen nurses so Indifferent as
to lay out corpse the while whstling Yankee
Doodle. Notwithstanding this hardness of
heart familiarity with death had given me,
my sympathies were much excited one day
by the death of young fellow, member of
some regiment Of Missouri infantry. His
cot was near mine. He was rather tall,
slim man, very much emaciated, and had
been dclirious from my arrival. 1t was with
difficulty that he was kept upon his cot, and
he would as frequently as possible get up
and set on the side Of his bed or in chair,
and stare in his wild, vacant way about the
room, begging that imaginary fiends be pre-
vented from harming him. was shocked
one day by the nurse remarking to me. in a
very petulant manner, that he wished " that
thing over there would die !" | expressed
my surprise at SO heart!ess a wish, when lac
explained it by saying that lie can never
get well, and he's nothing but bother and
a nuisance to the whole Ward" Ono day
an Illinois Cayalryman, tall and athletic,
came in and sat down by this sick mans cot.
1t was his brother. Thus the brothers, the
Infantryman and the Cavalryman, the Mis-.
sourian and the Illinoisan, had met. The
next day the Cavalryman came again and
took up his patient, loving watch. But q
brothers care even could avail nothing now.
The sick man sank rapidly, and his soul
went out on that long, eternal fight, so qui-
city that it seemed it had not flown. The
wish of the nurse was granted" that thing
over there was dead!" The Cavalryman.
with elbows on his knees, buried his face in
his hands and sobbcd and wept as if the
death dart had shot away even his own
strong heart. The nurses came, prepared
the body for the grave, and bore it off to the
dead house 20 await interment. Still the
brother sat-hour after hour-in his immoy.
able attitude-facing that vacant place against
the wall. With an effort he seemed finally
to regain his self possession; when, getting
up from his seat, he stood moment, then,
in dignified, soldierly manner walked out
from the hospital bearing alone the burden
Of his great grief. He mounted his horse,
rode rapidly away, and saw him no more.
In my hospital career have seen many
deaths, but never one that so affected me as
this. Perhaps it was because it reminded
me of home, where they mourn the dead.
lam SENT UP THE RIVER.