Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-09


Extract from Letter on the BaftIe-F1eidl
This battle (Antietam) has been the most san
culinary of the war, and the only one fought with
visible design and upon military principles. The
arrangement of our corps-the overlooking posi-
ton of the commanding General--the sending
into action the right and left divisions-the
closing up of the center--and finally success,
exctes bewildering admiration and carries the
mind to the great fields of Austerlitz and Wag-
ram, fought by Napoleon. OF all this have /
spoken The heart history of such conflict
purchased by the lives and blood of twenty thou
sand men, must be found in the hospitals. War
has its glories, but it has its thousand demons
in these human tortures, that make the eye-balIs
ache. the heart bleed. the lips palsy, aud the
brain reel. The sight is at first positively unen-
durable The life blood of some is still trickling
away in silent calmness, while the discovered
limbs and maniac brain Of others give rise TO
sounds God grant may not again witness.
But We mothers who here seek son, wives
husband, or sisters brother, or sons father.
know and be consoled that even here the hand
OF mercy is watchful, and better care is bestowed
upon your loved ones than might at first seem
possible. 1t in the hospital where rested the
gallant Hooker that learned the history of those
mythical words, so often seen and so little under
stood. IS. T.--lS6O.-X-" Anything alternating
the sufferngs and saving the lives of our soldiers
is national blessing witnessed some aston
ishing results from this article.
1t is we'll known the effect OF burnt gunpow-
der and excitement is thirst, which, added to the
loss Of blood in the wounded, creates the neees-
sity of reviving stimulant In this particular
hospital the physicians allowed their patients to
drink Plantation Btters, otherwise called
S. T.-ls60-X, and although the wounded are
most numerous here-this division having opened
the fight at in the morning-the men were
mostly composed. and there was very little faint
ing The article acts upon the stomach and the
nerves in a most incomprehensible manner, supe-
rior to brandy, and without subsequent stupefy
ing reaction. 1t originated in the West Indies,
composed of the celebrated Calisaya Bark, Roots,
Herbs, &c, all preserved in st. Croix Rum, the
s. T.-le60-X being secret ingredient, not
yet revealed to the public. 1t is principally
recommended for want of appetite, diserdered
liver, intermittent fevers, stomachc difficulties,
&c. ! understand it somewhat known in
the Southern States previous to tie war, and it
appears agent of Jefferson Davis recently
applied to the propiietors Tor the privilege to
make it for hospital purposes during the war. to
which they made the following reply:
NV YORK, Jan Is. 1862.
Mr. Agenf of. DC
Dear Sir-In reply to your communication
offering fifty thousand dollars for the recipe and
right 10 make the Plantation B.tters for your
hospital purposes during the war. ~e beg to say
| your price is liberal one, considering it would
cost nothing to comply, and that otherwise we
can derive no revenue from the Southern States;
but, sir, our duties to our Government and our
ideas of consistency would not allow to enter
tain il. although it might please TO assuage
the sufferings OF your misguided followers
We rem iin, very respectfully. yours,
p. H. DRAKE & Co.
These gentlemen give the history Of certain
ingredients of their article for over two hundred
years-showing that, through all changes Of the
medical profession and its practitioners strength,
composure and cheerfuIness have been derived
from these sources DIR Woods, in the Wash.
ington hospitals, informed me that one patient
was fast sinking and crazy. and bad not slept an
hour for two weeks until the Plantation Bitters
came TO his knowledge. when one davis trial gave
him nights rest and lie was now fast recover
ing. l am surprised our Government has not
equaIed Jefferson Davis in energy, and adopted
this invaluable article in all our hospitals. The
weak soldiers cling to ii like brother. As lay
member. can bear witness that it is ''good to
take" and affords energy and life than
anything ever tried. success to the Plantation
| Bnters.
But | have digressed. In my next | shall
speak of gathering in the wounded, burying he
dead, sc. NICODEMUS.
il0-dl meo1& S2teow