Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-11-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
woMAN.s WORK. IN THE WAR.
A NARRATIVE OF PERSONAL EXPE-
RIENCE.
INCIDENTS OF HOSPITAL LIFE.

Hitherto have refrained from speaking
of particular individuals, but there were
several in whose history, feel assured, the
public will take especial interest, and there
fore give them briefly as possible.
STORY OF A NEW YORK SOLDIER
Among the first who came under my hands
among my new prOteges was young man
from Wayne county, New York. His name
was Frederick Sd, and he at once claim
ed my attention peculiarly, by his intense
desire to be neat and clean, while at the
same time exhibiting the utmost reluctance
to give trouble. He was modest and refined
in manner; betrayed great thoughtfuIness
and sympathy for others, and was the most
grateful creature for any little MADNESS
have ever seen. Within few days that
followed his arrival marked improvement
became apparent. | took great pains to IA
cilitate his recovery as rapidly as possible,
and had the pleasure of at last seeing HIM
walk about the hospital, aided by his staff.
He seemed both cheerful and full OF hope,
thought, and had no idea but that he
would soon be well. 1t seemed impossible
to anticipate what followed.
One afternoon l went to the hospital, and
found all my patients apparently doing vely
well. The day was very warm, and some OF
them sat upon the steps, enjoying the bright
ness and Iroutv of the early sprinr. Fred.
: was amonp these and nodded smilinplv
.t me- os nasscd into tbe buildinp. was
cnrrrinp same ittln rrtreshmcnt TO a moor
woundcd boy who Law ut the extreme end
OF the church and when | returned oLser-
we'd Fred. nt his berth watching for me. As
came near him he hcoon r,.luctontIv to pre-
fer n request
Il have some letters want answered" ne
said timidlv "Tbcv have laid for some
time UNANSWERED and tbe folks ot home viii
I've very anxious. If 1t isn't too much trou-
blc-l am so nervous yet-I wouId like
hate to trouble Won. but"
| SAW his hesitation. and came chcerfully
to his oid TO Inc surr I will write os
many AS YOU like. and no trouble at all.n |
answered. "You shall dictate. and | will
write for Won. inst rs soon ns | can oct thc
materials.'i
He thanked me gratefully. and Looked so
relieved. as | started for INV portfolio. that
t;I, tl'n IiyoIiost ,la.s,,r, =, ppt,rI;,,r L;n,
this SLIGHT assistance lie was oll ready for
ma, ON nv rntrrn and sot down npor him
while he armed with hi, letters bcoon TO
dictate Three or four .vrre writrrn r1nidlv
I was charmed with his tonr and manner
his letters were so honeful and comfnrtinG
for those for whom tbrv wrrp intended Rni
they were very short When had finished
his writinr ncrIormcd thc same service for
one or tw0 others md thcn cor,ieI them to
the office myself fearful of delay otherwise
and knovinu thn Inpg;po onyirt, of tLo
friends far away who oSyi4nsIv watched and
waited for news from the absent ones
When went to the Losn;toI nt = LATER
hour. | found Fred sleepino os pcocefully
rs a little child. with one hand Under his
cheek knew his mind wos ot rrst and
with sympathy dccp and sincere. left him
to visit Others in different wards
This WAS ON Friday and that nigLt a
most friobtful storm visited PoIncah
was nearly sufTocoted Inv soot from the fall
inu of NV chimney and r.rght y severe cola
by the rain beatino into 6rokon window
Every metallic roof in town wos Ifted from
its place and thrown off Inv tLc violence of
the wind A largc amount of nr,nertv WINS
DESTROYED and n Great deal or uthrr iniurv
done.
The first glance from nv window. as soon
as day dawued upon that terrible nioht
showed me the hosnital strinned of It's sfee-
pie. Icould also discover that the windows
were broken. and at once bastened away,
filled with fears for the comfort of the poor
sufferers in whom | took so deru an interest
The first sound that erected my ears were
moans of pain from every quarter Nearly
every window had been shattered, the glass
falling upon and cutting some, while many
had been drcnchcd with rain. The men
who had intlamatorv rheumatism were sut-
fering tortures, and amongst the worst cases
was Fred. Sd. His right side from his
shoulder down, was very painful: while his
throat was so swollen and painful It's to ren.
der him almost unable to swallow ANYTHING.
scarcely know how | got through that
day. \ few DAYS previously had secured
an assistant in the person of Miss Smith,
who was faithful. good and kind. She
worked indefatigably, day and night, and
but for her, on that miserable day. | fear
few of the sufferers would have had prompt
attention. DR. D. and his steward were
good and faithful also. but they were nearly
worn out. NV cold now BEGAN to show its
effects so painfully thai I wos torced IN retire
to my room Letore the dav was half over
Alter two davs of Great SUFFERING I made
a hasty toilet and started for thr 6nsnitnI :
DIR. d. and Mis- were Lusv NJ tLe fnrtLcr
end as 7 entercd bmt tbe st.,,ard -, seine
me came fnrword w;tL a nact agc and II