Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-11-20
LETTER No. II.
CAMP.IN CuLPEPPER County, Va,
i


to think about, We have been rejecting how ma
ny occasions We have had to admire the wonder
full herOism of the soldier Of this army, the ada
mnntine stoicsm, the great and long-exercised
powers of physical endurance, and the faculty
of adaptabiity to circumstances upon which he
is daily and hourly obliged to rely in campaign
Ing apd camp. Continually are these manly
Irnits developed to exempNly in him the true
soldier, who fights not with physical courage
solely, but with All intellectual perception of high
and noble duties, with an understanding Of his
sublime purposes, and of the momentOus results
to aow from his efforts. He shoulders bis rifle,
not merely because he made a contract to- fight
and it IS his profession, but because he views ii
as q high obligation because it is due to him
self, to his country, to humanity, to his God he
sees in his purpose not the flight Of rebels mere
| ly, the destruction of the enemy and the acqui-
siton Of victory, but he looks upon these field
scenes only as u means Of restoring peace, con-
querng treason, advancing eventually the cause
of humanity, and casting freedom broad. cast
over territory ferlilized for this product by the
blood of heroes which has been 30 literally diff
fused
He is a hero at all times. and under all cir
cumstancqs; we see his qualities shining out
brightly, not only on the field where he exposes
himself aud turns his breast to the iron hail,
bursting with fury from the black storm-cloud
of treason, and stand unanchingly awaiting the
rapid charge; not in camp or on tue march,
where dscomiorts only annoy bat We look to
the Field Hospital after an engagement, to furn-
ish the true essence OF heroism ii il some old
barn, decrepid clubhouse, or spot of ground Sc
lected as the depot for the wounded, that is left
to teach us the fortitude of man. There scenes
and incidents there that unfold at the first
glance, comprehensive chapter that speaks in
eloquent and positive terms of the amount of
bravery and stoicism that can find capacity for
their play in the humnn heart. One can there
witness how many aud acute pangs patriot
may endure without murmur being ex,orted q
groan may be- emitted, but il oozes out passively
like the blood from his wounds it comes out
without emphasis, under protest, and as though
he were ashamed Of the utterauoe. Hundreds
Of manned are lying around, ambuances are
still disgorging their CHASTITY freight, stretchers
are depositing their single subjects, many come
limping up, pale and weak, the rude operating
tables are being erected, the medical men in
green sashes arc passing from one to another,
nurses are busy in their line, hospital knapsacks
are emptied Of their stores Of lint, baDdages and
chlorOlorm. The heroes upon the bare floor are
looking upon these movements, awaiting their
turn with uuselfsh patience. The Surgeon at
last approaches, and Is saluted pleasantly, allu-
sion being made to slight wounds and other mi-
nor consequences. There is no regret expressed
by the patient, though pain extreme may be de-
picted on their counenauoe. We see little de-
spondency, all try to be cheerful, the pipe ever
present, is produced and a smoke INDUCED in af-
ter the dressing. No queruOus growlings, unless
some inconsistent person should run against
lame limb.
Well do we remeuIber the scene at the hospital
near Gettysburg on tue evening OF the I'D OF July,
when it was announced that our victory WAS
complete aud the enemy on the run. The wound
ed forgot their pains in the general joy at tho re-
suit; we saw hosts of officers and men who had
assisted to achieve that victory, bringing off with
them enduring and unsightly marks Of the en-
gagement, who expressed themselves perfectly
satisfied to contribute the need of flesh and bone
which had been required Of them to aid in the
affair. Two Brigade commanders met one had
received serious wound about the elbow joint,
the other had been weakened by the loss of blood
| from come weighiy piece of shell impinging rath-
er f0rcibly upon his nose and head the one ap-
pretending the loss of nm arm, remarked to Us,
that he WAS perfectly willing to make the sacri-
fee, since the enemy were in retreat the other,
believing that his profile was too badly battered
up ever to regain its former symmetry, did mot
sigh over the matter, but philosophcally remark
ed, that the victory was worth the cost
In the grove which stood by stream, were
hundreds of little tents, which partially shelter
ed many of the victims Of that loog fight. I'm
der one laid an officer of our Regiment who had
ever been unselhshy patriotic his wound he
knew TO ne inOftht win luce phle from the up
proach OF death, and pain excrucating in the
extreme, he seldom gaze vent to grOan, but
bore his sufferings like the soldier he was, and
declared his readiness to lie in the cause, say
ing that he had offered himself Us a willing sac
rifce for his country, and had been accepted
On the 4th, the nations birthday Of freedom,
he died as he had liyed-a patriot.
They die as unoomplainingly as they suffer,
all considerations of self being merged in their
interest for country.
What sublime Instances Of moral courage do
We everywhere sec in such paces2 human nature
is capable of 10 greater. Thousands Of wound
ed have we seen, and never have we failed to be
impressed with the stamina which iOrbids the
exhibition of emotion, though the mind might
be the sufferer from the violent tension they
regard il uusoidierly to show by positive utter
anoe that their wounds give them pain more
than once have We remarked to some young lad
whose injuries required attention that would be
apt to occasion pain, "now my boy, act like II
soldier, and don't groan |" and it has ha d the
desired effect, force of mind was gathered for
the trial, and stoical indifference assumed
Never was there q class of men demanding the
attention Of physician or surgeon, more patient
than the soldier, sick or wounded, and more
| grateful for the slightest favor bestowed. Give
him cup of water when he is wounded, and the
act will establish itself in his memory, to be re-
vived continually as evidence of the goodness
of the human heart. Dress his wounds prompt
ly, and he will regard you his best friend. AT
distance from home, and out of reach of gentle
feminine mnistrations, he resigns himself to the
care of the rougher sex, and looks forward hope
/ fully to cure though no bed, even of hay OF
I straw invites him to rest nor pleasant room to
mpart a sense Of comfort; though some old
' tenement receives the wounded form, or hos
q pital tent with its bare white walls offers no
! agreeable surface for the eye 10 rest upon, and
j no delicacies such his appetite Graves, are at
l. his command, still he is patient and bears eve
Q rytbDg adverse with cOmmendable philosophy
n Hispractioal tuition in the severest of schools
4 has, taught him to suffer without complaint, he