Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-02-06
Comfortable Cars for the Sick and
Wounded Soldiers.

By recent letter from MIR. FELTON, to Dr.
Harris Of the United States Sanitary Com
mission, we observe that the comfort of the
sick aud wounded is to be more closely con-
sidered than heretofore in their transporta-
ton from place TO place, over the railroad.
The popular President of the Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore Road has Sc
cured to himself the profoundest gratitude
of not only the suffering troops but also of
their numerous friends and relatives, whose
anxieties are measuraby relieved by the
prompt, humane and patriotic action of Mr..
FELTON, as shewn in his letter as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, WuNlSGToN AND BALTIMORE
K. r. Co.. Philadelphia, January 27, 1868.
! ELISHA HARRIS, NJ. d., U. ). SANITARY Com
mission :--DEAR SiR--Your favor of Janu-
AIRY 23d, in reference to the fitting up Of cars
for the transportation Of the sick and woun-
ded from our armies is before me
will. as you request Immediately assign
one or more Of our most spacious and easy
motioned cars, to the purpose you desire.--
These cars we will at once fit up with broad
tread wheels, so that they can pass through
from Washington to New York without
changing the sick and wounded at Philadel-
phia. We will do this, as we feel confident
that the good people Of Philadelphia who
have certainly not been behind any city in
the Union in their care of the volunteers in
our army, will on reflection, allow the trac k
which has been begun on Broad street, for
the purpose Of connecting this road with the
Philadelphia and Trenton road, to be finish.
I'd. The work on this track has been
stopped, but | cannot for moment believe
that the noble people who have gratuitously
fed and nursed the whole army on its way
South, will allow the small minority who
wish to prevent the Broad street connection
to carry out their plans, and thus oblige oul
brave fellows who are returning home sick
aud wounded, to be transferred by night and
in storms. in exposed and uncomfortable
vehicles through our city, instead Of being
carried through without change and in pro-
per hospital cars fitted up for the purpose
When our people once understand tha
this minority is hinderiug so humane a work
they will not allow so small a number to tar
nish the good name which our city bears il
] every hamlet in our country where a soldie
has been enlisted /, therefore, say, and
think, with certainty, that the direct con
nectlon through our city, to which you refer
I will be made as soon as we can make Ou
! people understand that part OF the obiec
to be attained by that connection is the com
Portable transfer Of our sick and wounded
soldiers, so worthily sought by you.
, We will put upon our cars the raised roo
t for ventilation, and prepare them with al
that is necessary for the passage through tn
cily--beieving that there will be no f1rthe
impediment here when our people see no,
o reasonable thing is asked OF them
r II we fail in pertecting the street eonnec
tions, few months will enable as to transle
the cars across the river on the deck OF
a ferry boat, and in the meantime we will en-
. deayor to seek out some other way of tran
erring them around the city.
Yours, S. NJ. FEr.ToN,
Prest. p W. and b. II. II.