Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-17
VOL. XVII. s'a'' Ai'''''
The Hospitals at NashviIIe--The soldiers,
Aid Societies.

Aid Societies.
| A few days ago, the Ohio State Journal
contained Communication from aMack y
(McEwen, formerly local Of the JournaD
regarding the Nashville hospitals, which
furnished SO CHASTITY an account of those
receptacles of sick and wounded, as to be
extremely improbable, to say the least.
Among other structures " Mack charg-
ed that none Of the supplies Of delicacies
and stores sent to the hospitals by the
Soldiers Aid Societies reached the in
mates, but were all appropriated by those
in charge. This charge we knew to be
false, as abundant evidence is on file at the
Soldiers Aid rooms, in this city te disprove
it. correspondent of the Cincinnati
Gazette, noticing this unjust and grossly
unfair report, writes a complete contradic-
ton of its statements from which we
quote:
"Again: " There are in the North thou
sands Of Soldiers Aid Societies." the in
eeption, the object, and the continuation Of
which reflect honor on human nature but
let me tell them, and tell them honestly,
that in nine cases out of ten their dona-
tions are misapplied. Yet I
say and can prove, that the poor sick sol
dier never tastes Of the delicacies, never
sees or feels the soft pillows intended by
the benefeent donors
'eThe Lord have mercy on the poor, lying
soul of Mack provided always that be
was not drunk when he wrote the, above.
If he was drunk his diseased imagination
may have betrayed him into this glaring
falsehood but if sober, he must have med
itated a stab at the very best interest OF
the sick soldier, by preiudieing the minds
and actions of the noble men and women
in the North who have done so much for
the relief of the sick, and whose contri-
buttons, through their agencies, do reach
their intended destiny, as I know, and as
thousands Of those who have been relieved,
will testify.
Why, sir, I speak now of what know,
because see itand hear it. Not one day
has passed since the battle Of Stones river,
but thatI have spent the most of my time
IN one or the other of the hospitals Of this
city, and claim to know of their work.
ings, both internally and externally. Gov
ment makes great provisions for the sick
and wounded Of our army, but when so
many were sent from the battlefelds after
that great battle, Government supplies of
could no. be obtained at once for
the relief of all, and in many cases I have
seen sanitary shirts and drawers and
socks, take the places of the bloody and
rent clothing of the suffering soldier.
And, while Government was supplying the
substantial commissary supplies, the Sani-
tary Commission furnished the more vel
come articles Of fruits and delicate wines,
bandages and lint, pillows and blankets,
in liberal quantities. All honor to the
noble hearts who contributed these neces-
sites and shame and everlasting con-
tempt for him who gets sick at scenes Of
suffering on the field, and then, after the
Lord spared him from sudden dsath from
faintiog turned to lying slandererl
q But Mack found an oasis He
gPf SosPitais ihat under de t6sr t86 oHS fS Gkafs bad
they were angels Says be, I have
visited them, therefore speak what I
know
"Now The truth is there is no such hos
pital in this city. There are Sisters
nurses in some hospitals, and they are
worthy of all commendation. would
not rob them of one title of the praise
which is their due. respect them for
their connection with the most loyal
church in the Union, and love them for
their devotion to our suffering men. But
they are not in charge Of any hospital
here, nor are they the exclusive nurses Of
any hospital, neither are they any more
angelic than many other women who are
here devoting their time and labor to this
work Angels, indeed There is not an
angel on duty as nurse IA all the city.
I doubt if Mack would know one if he
should see it when sober