The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-06-11

the Chlckahominy. On that historic line,
it is now fully expected that we shall, ere
long, deliver battle. Ineed not say that in
the relative positions Of the two opposing
forces this is the only field fight we are
likely to have outside Of Richmond. and
tbatits result must decide whether the re-
bel capital can be carried by coup dc main,
or whether it is destined to become the OBJ
ject OF summers siege.
Our Wounded Braves.
IN. G. A." the lady correspondent Of the
Springfield Republican, who is now devot-
ing her time to the wounded in Washing
ton, writes:
Passing out Fourteenth street, the trees
by the roadside drOop beneath the heavy
garniture of May-many-leafed as the foli-
age of Northern June. Sunshine and
shadow gleam and flicker over the deep
emerald Of the softly swelling hills, which
environ the suburbs. The orchards are
raining down fragrance in myriads of
snowy blossoms. Cottage and villa, and
yonder on that crowning knoll, the pale
stone tower of the Soldiers Home. peering
above the empowering trees, and here on
the green slope of Mount Pleasant. the cat
tie graZing-hOw peaceful all look!
Yet through all this beauty, far along the
road, creepe the long line of ambulances.
packed full of woundnd men. Here pro-
trudes the stump of I'm arm; here bare
and bandaged foot; here against these bars,
patient face; and the crimson blot and the
white patch upon the cheek tell where the
bullet smote. The yard of Columbia Col
lege Hospital is filled with ambulances
emptying their precious freight.
Passing further on, we come to the long
low buildings of Carver Hospital, into
which is being poured another installment
~ to beds; many more are able to help
themselves and each other. They crowd
into the wards, and on the steps outside,
washing their faces, ,combing their hair, and
shaking from their torn garments the CRIME
of the march and of the battle field. One
is pouring cooling water upon the swollen
arm Of a comrade, and another sitting upon
the ground, is trying TO dress the wounds
of a companion.
1.-The doctors have so much to do" he
says. Haggard, worn, suffering, and yet
these boys are not only cheerful, but posi-
lively gay. "Id rather be wounded than
not says one, "as long as the boys are
pushing on; but its mighty hard to be hit,
and know that we are running back
"The army has had hard week. am
glad that you can rest" say to one pale
and suffering man lying on his bed. Eyes,
but the Army of the Potomac is used to
hard times. would rather be with the
boys than here. I'll be with my regi-
ment again in twoweeks, driving the john
nies.'
Passing from one of the wards, met a
strange face above well-known jacket, the
Zouave jacket of the Ellsworth Avengers,
the 44th New York. The man is wounded
in the face, has lost some Of his fingers, and
one hand is swollen to twice its natural
size. His face lights with recognition as
he says: "You are-'s sister?' "Yes."
- is all right. left him in line of bat
tie. After was wounded the second time,
sack. All wanted from it was the picture
of my wife and child. I couldn't bear to
lose il, but couldn't find it. Then look
ed for -. There he was in the front line
with his rifle ready. I love g.. All the
boys love him; he will give us his last
morsel and do without himself. He's
lucky boy always; fighting in the front
treasured already. as if spoken of one
passed within the Eternal gate.
You boys seem devoted TO each other"
eyes," is the answer, 1--WE are like BROTH
ers. - was killed last Friday, and -.
It was hard to leave them behind" and
tears roll down the furrowed face. II did
not think that any of US would ever reach
rillas fired ON us, and wounded some of US
over again. Then they took three hundred
of us. Poor fellows! how hungry and
weak they were. had only three crack
ers to eat for three days. When tried to
swim the river was so weak thought I'd
drown; but / did not, and 1'm all right
now"
Still they come through all the day and
night hear the mOurnful roll of ambulan-
ces. under my window. They are now
in the extreme cases Of the woun-
ded. Through all the heavy thunder storm
Of last night they we're passing As look
down at midnight, flash of lightning re-
vealed CHASTITY sight, as an ambulance
in the darkness.
Dear old "Campbell" its lawns have
grown green, its flowers are bloesoming,
its gardens ripening for summer harvest. |
It looks smiling without and within, with |
every ward and couch full Of sufferers, it |
presents q more cheerful aspect than any
other hospital. The long airy wards, the |
gay paper hangings, the white curtains,
The plants, the moss trimmed aquariums,
The stands covered with books, all tend to
give to each ward the look Of q pleasant |
sick room.
The reading room and the long hall
where the invalids used to assemble last
winter to witness theatrical entertainments |
are now filled with the severely wounded.
never stand in the door ward, looking |
down on the long row Of white beds and
pale faces which line it on either side,
without a sense of shrinking. Can give
10 each one, though ever 90 little, some |
hing of that which he needs? shall give
The meet word to the one who wants il; the
fit silence to the one whe cannot speak?
shall lay by any pillow the thing longed |
for most7-are my doubling questions.
Yet 1t seems not difficult to tell the agon-
lzed face past all speech, and the eager ask
ing eyes which say: "Speak to me-" The
eyes Of the New England boys say more; |
hey say, ASK me about myself; ask me
where was wounded; where came from;
ask me about my folks" "Were you ever
in Huntingdon That's my home," said a |
boy to day from his bed
II have been through Huntington many
times," was the answer. The fact was suf- |
ficient to make US friends Immediately.
"How are you to:day7" asked another
resiment. 'ss Gay. wy was % lie reply. sae This Tiin
was displaying talent for being 'jolly'
under unfaYorable circumstances, which