Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-05-09


afforded and the qualification expressed BY
the men, it would have amply rewarded the
donors, and I think have silenced the cav
Tiers. For some days after the battle
clothing could not be washed. In many
cases the patients only shirt became so
saturated with blood as to be uncomfortable
and was thrown away. Such 1 found was
the condition of a patient Of whom l took
charge who had suffered amputation of the
arm neal the shoulder, and whom found
wrapped only in his army blanket. / had
issued every shirt I could procure, and
only procured one for him through your
agent.
Every pound Of dried fruit for our
wounded men, for the five weeks remain
ed at the Division Field Hospital came
from the same source. So Of potatoes and
of other articles which contributed essen
tally to the improvement and comfort Of
our wounded men. But are not articles
intended for the sick sometimes used by
the surgeons and nurses2 Ipresume they
are sometimes. Every barn has its rats,
| and the farmer who stacks his grain or
| places it in his barn expects them to eat
| some of it. Uncle Sans barn is not an
exception, and q real army rat will eat as
much as any other. But, from careful in
v~estigation, 1 feel assured that the proper
ton ofthe whole mount contributed which
is thus diverted from its proper destina-
tian is very small indeed, and the great
care exercised on this point is constantly
iessening the amount Of loss. The loss is
not greater than any benevolent enterprise
in other fields must anticipate. But after
II - - 49, n.A -Sn fhau mt
with such care as the Government gives ?
1 answer that I believe in many severe and
doubtful cases, where the result often turns
upon slight causes, life is saved and health
restored through your aid. But what
though it were not sol What if your
gifts only aided and cOmforted but did NOT
save life. Will the women of Ohio, the
mothers, wives, daughters and sisters who
have sent their fathers, husbands, sons
and brothers to the BaIn aud VINO Know
bv this time, that a portion of them may
constantly be expected to be sick Uia they
leave them to recover as they best can.
upon such providing as may barely save
, life. Is it not enough that they are de.
prived ofhome and Of the presence Of those
who should long to minister to their wants
and will they not show by their acts wha.
is true, If they are true women, mat they
think no sacrifice too great which prOmis
es to benefit or comfort the absent ones.
Those whom Providence spares from
sending to this war any beloved frienC
should feel this with double force, and theJ
should be among the most liberal anC
CnegrIT or your Contributors.
None need fear that too much will b,
done. If you could stand as it was ny
fortune to do at Stone River, within hear
ing Of the carnage Of battle when for eigh
hours, a thousand men went down every
hour on our side alone, and could you havu
seen q thousand Of the wounded brough
back to one Division General Palmer
Hospital with every form Of injury which
the missiles of death can infict and Their
have felt how imperfect any arrangement
are, where such numbers are to be proVide'
for, you would not think that surgeon
were exacting in their urgent calls upol
your stores.
Other such battles must ensue, and TO
many things We shall need We must still
rely upon you and your host OF allie
among the large hearted women Of Ohio.
Very truly, yours, A. g. HART,
Surgeon 4Ist Reg. D, Y.