Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-09-09

with nnabatod zeal and nssiduiiy in behal&pf our
suffering heroes, since the first outbreak Of the
rebellion, and have rendered services that must
forever endear them to the memory of the SOL
dicrs whose gratitude aud prayers they are so
richly entllled to, and which they have the Hatis
faction of knowing are layishly bestowed upon
them;- .tfo,
For the Journal and Statesman.
Mn. .EoKRL-Dear Sir: Having just returned
from City Point, where we had gone on our
mission 10 the sick and suffering, we thought
some account Of our experiences while there
might not prove unacceptable to the readers Of
your valuable paper
City Point is some 260 miles south of Wash
ingtOn, At the junction of the James aud Apo
malux rivers. We started from Washington at
2 o'clock p. NJ, aud arrived there on the even-
ing of the next day, after most delightful trip.
Took the cars for the location of the 18th Army
Corps, which was located 81 miles from the
city of Petersburg. Found kind friends at the
Christian Commission stationed there. After
nights refreshing sleep upon blankets spread
upon the ground in one of their tents, where
the sound of The cannonadng and Smelling at
eve and early morn was most fearful, aud mot
knowing at any moment but those deadly whiz-
zing eholls would burst in upon us, (for there
were several weighing 20 lbs, each sent into the
tent ajj0ining) SO near were we to those fearful
Rebel batteries. We arose feeling truly thank
full for our preservation during the night, and
in company with kind friend Of the Commits
sion, proceeded to visit those points of interest
which were deemed prudent.
We passed Gen. Kinks headquarters; visited
Gen. Ord Mt his headquarters, it being only one
corn field, thickly covered with rife pits from
u,n - n
burg. He seemed very much oppressed with u
sense Of his great aud responsible position, be
being man OF deep thought, and of dguifed
hearing. lie remarked, ,'thGt il would crafty
him To be able to accompany us and point out
the different objects of interest, but that he had
very m0nentOus business on hand, and desired
Major Seward to escort us, with field glass,
which be very kindly did, pointing out each
object Of interest as we passed along Stood on
battery D, which was in the rebelsl possession
only few days before, commanding 6ne of the
best positions 10 attack Petersburg and also one
OF the highest points from which to view the
city The city appeared about the size of Will
mington, aud is said TO have contained some
$4,000 inhabitants We saw distinctly the hour
Of the day, from the seeple of the Town clock,
ami could read the business signs clearly.
The shells were flying thicblY not far from us
on the iats below. We walked on the Railroad
track of the Petersburg aud Richmond road
Visited several Forts that We had taken only
few days before, and fine mansion houses with
beautiful flower gardens, whose inmates had
taken speedy departure, owing to The house
bong thoroughly shelled A large white house
on high emnence to tho left of Petersburg,
where there are supposed to be several batteries
located, was pointed out to us, as the key to
Petersburg and Richmond.
If that house was once tnken n wouid than
be m easy matter to take Richmond but, they
having the advantage of this position, from
which they cease not to pour their deadly VOL
eys upon all who dare approach, cutting our
poor, brave fellows down like grass before the
mower, retain it with deadly struggle.
Near here, also, the different Railroads CON
verge, leading South, from which thoy depend
for supplies. SO no wonder at their persistent,
and continuous defence.
As when natural body begins to die, the
blood recedes from the extremities oonverging
toward the heart, so in like manner with the
Rebels; they find themselves in tho heart of
their dilemma, and it is now their hearts last
thTOes for life But, let IL take longer or short.
er time they are justly doomed--their end must
come But now we must tell you of one of the
most painful experiences (and we have had
many painful ones since tue commencement of
thls war; il was ever our lot to pass through
and which came near being our last. ol the
4lh Of August, while At City Point visiting the
hospitals, &c., DIR. Parrish of Philadelphia, a
most excellent man, who has solo charge of the
blats attached to the Sanitary Commission
located there, senta invitation for the convsles-
cent patients, the over exhausted Sanitary
Relief agents, and ladies who would like to en-
brace the opportunity as a preventive. measure
lot the suslainment of their health, 10 take trip
On their Commission boat up the James river.
we left with party Of some dozen, only one
O'ler Indy beside ourselves, being on board
owing very providentialy to party of some
q gliecn ladies and gents being only 1--WE minutes
"S late for the boat, consequently were left.
We started at half past two p. NJ, up the
beautiful and romantic danes River, along whose
borders the Pine trees grow, rich with their
deep green foliage. We passed the first gun
boat hailed her found all right, proceeded
onward, every moment the scenery becoming
more aud more CAY Neutrality-suspicious. mansions
nsre and there peeping from amongst the thick
Shfubbery, while ever and anon the proud Am.
erlcan Bald Eagle, would soar aloft, Tapping it's
l5rge wings e4ulungly, seeming to say, III have
Inc advantage of you all !" while still further on
Ne observed three Turkey Buzzards, rising high
" 8ir-dsgusting birds who gloat upon the
s-IGasses OF the slain The two specimens of
plrds, reminded us most foreibly of the different
Dul am DEPRESSING. We passed the second
gunDoat, she warned us not that we were 10
uanger, neither do we suppose she considered
we were, as previously other boats had passed
unhaimed; although Rebel pickets were all
along, and in full possession Of every foot OF
ground up the James River. We had proceeded
lali way between the second aud third gunboat
Wa place called Turkey Bend, passed on to q
punt where tue river is very narrow, CONGO
quehuy We were mot great dietaace from the
shore, when US we were all sitting on the how
Of the boat looking 10 tue right shore. contem-
plating and enjoying the cool refreshing breeze
and matchless scenery, We were oil At once
aroused by the sharp cracks Of some five or siS
rifles, iu the hands Of experienced shnrp.shoot.
ers, judging by their aim. The first bali passed
between my sister Mary, and the gentleman
with whom she was conyersiug, grazing her coat
Sleeve lodging in the body OF most estimablS
young man attached 10 the Commission, BY the
name of William Wilson, of New York, who died
ue next day, whilst on his way home
ne was shot through the Liver and Bowels
uauslng him intense pain, the blood from whost
wound spurted on sister Mary's dress, in !
stream when the ball entered.
Inc same ball entered the back Of the chair
upon which he sat, taking the piece out
never shall we forget the words Of this dylns
man, % In bis agony he called "Mother, mother
am dying Oh when shall get sleep.n
Another terrible shot entered the body Of DR.
mayo, Sanitary Commission Agent, Of New York
entering his hip, coming out at his spine, 'twa
reared his spine was broken Another bal
passed within few inches of sister Mary
"uCE quite close to me, passing through thre,
partitions, breaking lantern hanging agains
wv partition, and entered the back OF the heaC
VI, ". we Second Engineer, passing out at his TEN
p,p killing him almost Instantly. His brain
VII TsGe scattered on the deck, an awful, heart
,avAeh'ng ,aag sight Poor fellow, only few mo
w. wens before, he had kindly handed US a chair
H. td torlered his body etnbalmed, and lock o
W. Iis hair, aud were to accompany bis remains /,