Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-01-27


we're in our beds at niue o'clock at night. We
could not go to the city unless We had pas
without running the risk Of being escorted to the
Central Guard House by the patrol guard, which,
by the way, was not so very risky, providing one
beh' we'd himself properly.
| visited the Harwood Hospital, which is stua-
ted about one mills east Of Mt. Pleasant and | re
gret that cannot give 10 good an account Of that
place, as Of the hospital where we stayed. But it
had then just received a large influx Of patients
larger than there were accom- modations to receive
aud they we're withou; efficient organization con.
sequenty there was much complaint aud consider
able suffering. The tents we're without floors and
many Of them had no beds. The very sick we're
suffering greatly fer want Of care. was told
that the men were not allowed TO dig bitches
around their tents to prevent the water from
soaking into them in rainy weather, out Of respect
to the rich proprietor of the land but think, if
trse, it was because floors Of boards we're soon o
be procured which would render such desecration
of the soil unnecessary There was, II is true,
much complaint at one time at this hospital, but
| have heard less since. The tent we occupied
was always dry, clean and neat. All the tents
had good hoors and the tents themselves we're of
thick, stout material, having fly, or extra root, to
each one, so that, in the hardest rain storm, not
even MET could be felt 10 the inside The head
surgeon and hospital steward were gentlemen in
every sense Of the word and highly respected by
all in the hospital. Everything was quiet and The
best of order prevailed.
1t would be impossible for me to eRumerate the
many kindnesses We received from benevolent
hands during our stay here but there is one that
will not forbear TO mention. Let il not be sup
posed that the many charitable acts Of which We
hear so much, are all that is done for the benefit
if the soldiers. Multiiudss Of benevolent ladies'
who would shrink from having their names made
public, constantly employ themselves in minister
ng to the sick and wounded soldiers, giving free
" of their own resources whatever can conduce to
the comfort Of the sufferers, without expecting
cent in return. They deserve the eternal graft
tude of the soldiers who are the recipients o
their kindneses, and doubtless they will get it.
Scarcely day passed that some one Of these la
dies, on their errands Of mercy did not come in
to the ward with something to give the men.
Perhaps it might be nothing more than an apple
apiece or peich, or perhaps it might be some
favorte book that some one had expressed wish
TO read. Very often they brought in tracts to
distribute among the mes, and | never knew a
case where ons refused to read them some
| times they gave stationery to those destitute Of
iunds to enable them 10 write Of their whereabouts
and condition to their friends. Let il not be said
that the North are ungraelu to their soldiers
and hope the soldiers will dot prove insensbe
Of gratitude in return.
1t was my good fortune to receive an invitation
/ from one of these sisters Of ehirity-lOr such in
deed they all we're, though they belonged to no
ordef,-to visit h'r residence IN the city, which
gladly accepted. Her h4,bAnd was bsoksel.-
sr and hewsp, per dealer, and he willingly fur
nished his numerous soldier visitors with all the
reading they desired. Books, historical and dcti-
iious aud periodicals Of every description, lay
upon lis counter, which without money or price,
we're freely proasred US to read. Ofen has this
lady accidentally heard Of some particular want
Of SINE sick soldier in a hospital and with as
much promptness as if he was h,r own son, she
procures the desired article, whatever il may be,
and hastens to the sufferers relief. On one oc-
casion she took soder who was scarcely this
side of eternity to her house, nursed and :ook
care of him till he was well and able to return to
his regiment. Now he is doing duty in the field,
when but or her kindness, it is more than prob
able that be would have been forever lost to Uncle
Sum and all the rest OF the world A day spent
with these folks considered as second only to a
visit at home.
But at last the time came for US TO leave the
hospital. Ths order was sent 10 for every well
man to be sent to his regiment, and those still
conyalescent were to be sent to this camp.
supposed that was going straight to my rsgi-
ment, hut instead of that found that | was book
ed for this camp, so justly famed for misery and
uncleauness. Although had been expecting
for several weeks TO leave the hospital, l confess
when the time came my patriotism was hardly
sufficient to overcome all reluctance to leave.
Ny health was still somewhat delicate, and |
must leave my comfortable bed, TO exchange it
for rubber blanket and the damp ground. My
warm, comfortable tent must exchange or the
contemptible shelters" Of the field. NJ books
and papers, which had been my amusement for
many day must be given up for the musket,
and in place Of reading by warm stove, should
have drilling, marching and picke,ng, with hard
tack and sal, horse for my daily grub Soldiers
are sometimes accused Of trying to "play of "
from duty, and appeal to you II the temptation
is not strong at time like this.
On thi, occasion guard was stationed around
the camp to prevent any from skulkiDg away. who
we're SO disposed but, think p,his prscau,lon was
unnecessary. The night previous 10 going away
dtiuly northwest storm set ina kind Of wealth.
sr which is the most disagresab soldisrs-and
coming as it did at this particular time, il seemed
to render our departure superlativsly unpleasant.
But the boys we're bound 10 be merry In spite o.
tn, gloomy prospects before them. They laughed