Litchfield enquirer., 1863-02-12
Communications.

1 SLputt1tAS1tkAUAkp zs l .-~~~~~-~-,~>~-~>~-e~ 1 sSr. We copy the following letter from tn
 Waterbury American, having no wish to publisl
 it as written For the Eseu1RrE," after seeinl
 it in two other papers:
 TEN DAYS AMONG THE CAMPS AMI HOSPITALS, IN THE VICINITY or WASHINGTON. sss se. l MR. EDITOR :--I have just returned from ,. visit to the "defenses' of Washington ane Alexandria. The reports brought by gentle
 men who had reeently visited these, and the
 army of the Potomac, were ssos variant from
 each other, tlsa4 l deslred to see and hear. fol myself. Especially did desire to. See the s'boys" of our glorious Mountain County
 Regiment" With this qualification. I went to
 see the sick, and not the well. to say word of
 kindness and encouragement to the weak and
 suffering, and if possible aid them in their dis
 tresses. l find myself more than paid by my journey, after visiting in the numerous hosp tals, and in the convalescent camps, some
 25,000 or 3o000 men. There were of these
 some ls,000 or 2e,000 in the convalesce Ut
 camps. Not all of these are sick. Paroled
 prisoners, awaiting exchange, are placed in
 these camps. In my own mind, from what could learn, divided the soldiers in these
 camps into three classes, viz: about 10000
 S.chir rl-, rho fo 1,, Int
 about 5,e00 paroled prisoners awaiting ex
 change. and abeu: 4O00 in the various stages of convalescence, many of whom ought to be discharged and sent home. The medical de- pertinent of the convalescent camp was not we'll managed, from whose fault know not. It was stated to me by high oficer.of one of the Conn. Regiments, that at the time the camp contained 24.000 persons there were but three surgeons on the ground. and that soldiers actually died from want of attention because they had no acquaintance near them we'll enough to seek cut and bring the surgeon to them. When there were so few among so many. one would not know in what tent in that vast camp to find surgeon, as they were called here and there and every where This is crying evil. It seems to me that the chief medical director ought to know and remedy these evils. No blame can rest on the Government. for men of all parties army as comfortable aud efficient as military service will admit. make this remark gene -al and emphatic. If men in camp or in hos oital, suffer unusual hardsllips. it is from the ncompetency, and sometimes from the dishon ssty of officers, high and low. and not from ack of supplies and appropriations from the Government. Late and pending Court mar
 als of high officers, throw light upon this subject. In word. there arc too many "seces- :ionists" yet among the army to allow our cause | Q succeed, live were,i in our officers, az fear ully in earnest as the rebels if our officers .ause, the rebellion would be squelched in a month. The people of the North have res bonded noblv in treasure and in blood. It is ,ha officers that have ruined all so far. Never nave soldiers in the worlls history, fought more bravely than ours, or suffered more hero clly. Our President is honest, earnest and anxious for the country's welfare, but Aesitates loo anueh. He dare not strike 'Jacksonian' , blows wish Congress would vote him knife, and throat cutting powers, and also vote him the resolution to uss them. Prompt, en- ergetic actiou, and bold, stunning blows will cure all the evils of past action.
 But Aggression aside. The RegineLtal and General Hospitals in and around Washington are generally in excellent order. and the pa tiepts are well cared for. Friends at home may feel comforted in this regard. The charm of home affection, and the gentle kindnesses of blood relationship about the sick bod must ever be absent in the hospital. but all other real wants are here we'll attended 10. All sorts of diseases are seen in these hospitals And as one goes round from ward to ward and places his hand upon the fsverish brow, feels the fatterng and, quickened pulse. speaks a word of kindness! to the unfortunate sufferer and notes how the emaciated countenanca lights up with joy at such expressions of sym pathy, the heart of the benevolent now swells with emotion, and he is glad to have made a journey of hundreds of miles to have imparted to the suffering one gleam of comfort ad wise all visitors to our Regiments to visit above all things the sick. and comfort the afflicted. Itis the best proof the sol,iier has, that we who remain at home. sympathize with those who are fighting our battles. Let every que who can go and see our soldiers. It cheers them to see q face. from home, and nerves them to do their duty.
 As battle was impending near Fredericks burg, when I was st Washington, could no, gst . pass to go farther than Fairfax Conr.
 House, some 20 miles from Alexandria. whicl, I much regretted, as it .hindered me seeing the brave "Woodbury boys'' in the. ,5th and sth
 Conn. Vols. The battle did, not come of on account of the interference of Providence,
 lprobably fur some good rsason.) andrI did
 not see the "Woodbury boys at Falmouth. II slept in camp the night of the terrific storm