Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-06-23
The work 81 the Sanitary and ssh-
or sissnas-.Inseressing Par.
ticulars.
wnrK HousH, June 18th, 1864.


Editor Rn9and Herald: presume few |
items from this celebrated place would |
interest some OF your many patrons
This is to-day, though it probably will
not be tomorrow, Grants base OF sup
plies and rendezvous for the wounded
and sick. The Pamunkey, very narrow |
and tortuous, is for over a mile below |
the wharf, literally covered with barges,
schooners, tugs and steamboats,. Some
are laden with forage and provisions,
and others are bringing in reinforce
ments and carrying of the wounded ON
their return. The shore presents the
same lively and business-like aspect
In one direction may be seen the large
tents of the Sanitary Commission With
their immense stcciesi IN another direc.
ton those of the Christian Commission,
and still further beyond those of the va
rious state agencies and special relief
associations, while in the rear, acres are
covered with the hospital tents of the
different corps. WheIa / arrived last
Sabbath, the wounded here numbered
over SIX 'hor sand, and it was impossi-
Die 10 ..pply all their wants. More act
~ and efficient help is constantly and
urgently demanded. l wish / could de-
scribe the realities the extent and char
acter of the labors of the Sanitary COM
mission; but one might as well attempt
to convey an idea of colors to man
| born blind. No person who has not wit
messed and become familiar with the
magnitude and value of its labors, can
comprehend the sphere of its operations.
The headquarters or central depot of
supplies are at the wharf, where two
barges and two steamboats, are crowded
with the stores. Each corps then has
its separate tents, with certain number
| of men assigned to perform their various
duties. One detachment distribute food
such as soup, soft crackers, canned
fruits, punch, lemonade and other deli
| tdNlCcs hhoULSl SSb supply thSIl "liii
clothing, such as drawers, shirts, stock
| ings, Shoes slippers and the like. An
other detachment dress wounds and as
sist the surgeons as far as possible ;
and another distribute stationery and
write letters, to which duty your hum
BILE correspondent was assigned. While
in the discharge of my duties to-day 1
met with many curious and affecting in
cidents. Should / describe them all |
could easily fill column in your paper.
The satisfaction | have experienced
while performing my duties has fully
remunerated me for all my labor and
trouble Never did laborer receive
better hire. Nothing has surprised me
more than the cheerfulness and fortitude
| of our wounded soldiers, 1t is wonder
! full with what patience they will lie up
on the ground for days, and endure the
most excruciating sufierings. While |
was visiting one of the hospitals of the
Fifth corps l saw poor fellow who had
both legs and one arm amputated.
was writing a letter for comrade, and
seeing that he looked so cheerful, said
to him playfully, "The 'rebs' gave you a
hard rap this time" Eyes" he replied
with the most perfect nonchalance, "they
gave me big dose. that's fact" An.
other, sublime example of patience
think worthy of record. While / was
writing letters in one OF the tents of the
Ninth corps, | saw little colored boy
whose right leg had been amputated
He was a servant of an officer, ant
while in battle was severely wounded
He was lying en- the ground, with only
little box for a pillow, when the ward
master came in with mattress and of
fered it to him. He declined taking it
and said, Pass it long, perhaps some
de oders wants it more than do.''
Nearly all the wounded have been re
moved to Washington, and our labor
are comparatively light. We expect t.
evacuate the place tomorrow.
l ought to mention the fact that sew
eral philanthropic ladies have rendered
us great assistance; some work in tn,
culinary department, while others entel
the hospitals and act as nurses. Should
L have leisure when we arrive at tn,
James will drop you another missive
H. B. S.