The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-05-11
The smallpox Hospital.


Correspondence Of the Nashville Union.l
SMALLPOX HOSPITAL No. II, /
Nashville, May 9, 1864
Permit me through your columns to
say a word in favor Of this institution.
"A Hospital" the very name causes
ashudder to pass over every soldier who
contemplatos a sojourn within its
limits.
1t is a universal impression through
the army that to be sent to a hospital
is equivalent to long and tedious
sickness, if not death itself And am
sorry TO sag that my experience had
led me to endorse this opinion.
But about three weeks since was
taken with the smallpox, and compelled
TO take up my quarters in this hospital
where I have had an opportunity of
seeing the inside practical workings Of
hospital l came here with all that
dread and fear that ] had when well
expected to be crowded into a tent
with motley gathering of all classes.
l Of course knew that the Doctors would
prescribe for me. But I imagined a
parched tongue with no one to adj
minister to my wants. ] imagined my
self hungry with no one near to answer
my call
Ny mind conjured up every idea that
could tend to make me miserable.
But 10" my surprise ] was con-
Quoted into the presence of Or France
tho gentlemanly Surgeon in charge of
the Hospital, And contrary to my
expections was treated well and every
arrangement was made for my comfort
by DR.. France, who in my opinion, de-
serves some mark of appreciation for
his untiring efforts to make comfort
able the unfortunate victims that come
under his charge
My case being very critical one, the
Doctor ordered that be placed in
tent by myself, but being dcranged for
about eight days / had but little OPP
portunity ofjudging ofmy quarters
But when reason again assumed its
sway / was better And contrary to
my expectations ] found myself in a
comfortable bed, in good tent, with
tight board floor, and a good fire place
and every thing to make me comfort
able.
On enquiry I found I was in the
fourth division of the Hospital, and
under the charge of DR.. Connover, of
TrentonSN J., and the very mention
Of his name sends thrill of gratitude
through my heart. DR.. Connover is
one of natures noblemen"-a man
with big heart and Doctor who I'M
understands his profession to letter,
and am confident that every person
in his division will join with me in say
ing that he was untiring in his efforts
to administer to the comfort of all I'M
der his charge And while doing jus
tice to the Doctor must not forget
Charlie Couch, of the l02d Ohio Vol
unteer Iniastry, who was assigned as
my nurse. He was ever kind, and al
though was deranged and made much
trouble, he was ever gentle with me,
and for seven or eight nights he watch
ed over me without moments sleep
and for his care and attention l owe 8
debt of gratitude which will be hard to
repay. And to Mrs Pettis, who had
charge Of the nurses in this division, l
must render my sincere regards. She
was ever present to administer 70 my
wants, and my verdict is endorsed by
every person in the division that her
main object was to alleviate the suffer
ings of those under her charge. And
every patient who has been the recipi-
ent Of her favors, all cheerfully &C
knowledge that Mrs ?. has but one OBJ
jeet in view, and that is to do good.
As 1 conceded, in the opening of my
article, was prejudiced against Hospi-
tails have now to withdraw all my
charges, and confess that my opinions
are changed Perhaps may not be
very good judge, yet I am willing to
stake all my hopes and my reputation
asan officer, that Hospital No. l / is con-
Quoted as near right as any Hospital in
this army. have mentioned the names
of certain officers because they were
more intimately connected with my
case, yet l am happy to say that Dr..
Henderson, Campbell Hall, Ruke, Grit
q fths, and Briggs, also enjoy the entire
confidence of those over whom they
have charge. And in doing justice TO
this Hospital it would be invidious TO
make distinctions; and cannot forget
10 remember the Ward Masters Of the
divni in which was situated Ward
Master" Barbour, and Assistant Ward
Master" Bumgarner, were ever atten-
tive to my wants Hardly moment in
the day but what they were inquiring
into my condition, and soon Is come
to recover / had an opportunity Of
learning from the nurses the qualifea-
tons Of these officers, and they ell en-
dorsed my opinion, that fsey ssere tie
right men IN the right plaes"
/ could continue to write 10 lEuda-