St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-09-03
1LETTER from MRS. sWIssHELM.

LETTER from MRS. sW1ssHELM.
=, -. S.=s
j WASHINGTON, Aug. goth, 1863. e
I On Monday afternoon, com
Ing home from tie Department in the
car,, / moi dfslhe minnesota First,,
Co. &. l had seen him before at Center
Hospital ard now sent word by him to
Massachusetts cavalry man that his shoes
were waiting for him. I had got him
such pair as he wantcd week, before
and could not get them sent. - told
me- there were othei Minnesota men there
who had never had anything from any
commission a man from Maryland and a
Pennsylvanian Who; needed Z clothing to
take the place Of that lost in battles,
marches or sickness. l told him to make
a<list and bring to me. At the Jadic-
larry Square Hospital I saw New Eng
laud man who has lately been brought
from Gettysburg and talked with him a
good while about the treatment the people
Of Pennsylvania gave the wounded SOL
diers. He was enthusiastic in describing
the libcrality and kindness of the people
generally. Told Of the house he had been
in for six weeks, filled with wounded who
were nursed and provided for at the ex-
pense Of the host. and of other houses he
knew Of that had been Glled with wound
ed who had every comfort provided by
the private bcnevolence Of their entertain
ers, Of people who deprived themselves
and families of butter and fruit to send
them to the sick. He could not tire talk
ing Of the great-heartedness of the people
in Gettysburg and vicinity, and you may
suppose l was glad to listen.
Then there was another poor fellow, all
wasted to shadow, who lay and looked
up to me with his great, pleading, gray
eyes, as I tried TO- encourage him. The
nurse from that ward had come to my
room that day and got a bottle Of Wild
cherry brandy for him, and two others,
and I always like to find out very soon
what becomes Of bottle of brandy. He
thought it had done him good and he
wants more when that is done God bless
the great, warm.hearted people who never
tire supplying the wants of these suffer
ers! I feel so guilty that cannot bet
ter apply their gifts. 1t is so hard to get
the right thing to the right man in the
right time. # 1 had more order and sys.
tenn 1 could do, better, but I cannot get
the order. -
\. The First Minnesota is Or
dercd to New York, mhete the 5th Wis
cousin and several other Western regi-
ments have gone, whether they are to en-
force the draft or 90 South is not known
I suppose Minnesotians have. sent stores
and FUNDS to some one here for the use
Of her soldiers, and l will try to sec some
of our State people aud learn to help any
stray who may be lett in hospital and need
assistance. <Th. best possible care should
lie taken of every shred of that glorious
old true and shattered "First." The two
who were here this evening, Joseph Nc
Donald, Of Otscgo below Monticello, cor
poral, and Morris L. Leonard, both Of Co.
G, are fine specimens OF manhood, full of
courage and anxioas to join the regiment.
Says one : "The old First has stood a
good deal and those who are 1eft'oof it can
stand a good deal more" The name of
the "First Minnesota" is spoken here
with hush of reverence. i, ..;.,.
At the house of friend, l
met Mrs.. Sampson, of the Maine Rellet
Association, lately returned from Gettys-
burg, where she was with the wounded
for six weela& She; too, gives most
glowing account of the kindness Of the
Pennsylvania people. I y =
JANE G. swIssHELM.
=!