The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-08-05
In the Camp.
From the N. Y. Sunday Times.

completely abandon ceremony and form
acquaintanceship much more rapidly on
the fed. You know men, if may so
express it, before you have seen them, and
you yourself make equal demands of good
fellowship from others. What soldier, or
officer indeed, stands on any ceremony in
asking from cOmrade, even when meet
ing him for the first time, the help which
he needs at the moment, be it in the form
of drop of brandy, cigar, sheet of
letter. paper, pen; nay, even amongst of.
ficers, the loan of money.
Not long since, for instance, when
was standing writing in my only room, an
officer entered, a perfect stranger to me,
mentioned his name, and gave me in the
most frank manner the reason of his being
there.
have not been out of my clothes for
several days." said he, "nor have had
chance of making even the most needful
toilet l have now an hour at my disposal,
ard hearing that brother officer had his
quarters here, could not resist the desire of
entreating Your hospitality"
With the greatest pleasure, replied.
snake yourself quite at home. Quick,
Peter! Fetch water, soap, towel, and
everything else"
My stranger friend was soon in full ca
reer, and continued my writing When
he had done, he found coffee and bread
and-butter set before him. He had
piece of cheese of his own, which he adj
ded to his meal. Then we separated, per-
haps never to meet again.
What mere natural than that we should
turn to each other for such small services
with the entirest good faith !? But of
truth, we should look in vain for the same
good fellowship in trivial, everyday life.
Now let me give you sketch of
OUR OLD HEAD SURGEON
had lately occasion, under very sor-
rowtul circumstances, to visit him. He
was not personally stranger to me, for
had formerly served in the same regiment
with him; but it seems that l understood
very little Of his real character. I knew
him only as taciturn, disagreeable old
fellow of grabbed temper so much so,
indeed, that l had already said, "He is a
pretty kind of doctor to send into the
field"
Now, however, he appeared to me quite
a different man. There was an animation
in his eye, kind of magnetic life, might
call it, which electrified, as it were, all
who came under his influence. He was
now exactly in his proper element, NOV
ing about amongst the wounded, who were
being constantly brought in. l never be-
fore saw the mere situation perform such
miracle on man. Heart, human SYM
pathy, tender companion, and true relig-
ion, together with the keen insight and
experience of his profession, seemed to
rule every thought and action, and to give
expression to his countenance. One Of
the assistant surgeons, who saw my COM
bined establishment and admiration as I
watched his movements, whispered, in
passing, SIS it not "a wonderful transfer
mation?"
stood beside a poor fellow who had
just been brought in severely wounded by
ball in the breast. His eyes ceaselessly
followed the old head surgeon. There was
straining anxiety in his looks which / in
terpreted as fear of death, and PRESENT.
ment of its near approach. After little
while, the old surgeon came up to the
wounded man. In moment he cut off
his uniform, and laid bare the terrible
wound. The poor fellow stared wildly in
his face without word. The doctor
stroked his cheek tenderly, and said, "Be
of good courage, my child"
The wound was very speedily dressed.
sis tia dangerous wound, doctor!" ask
ed the poor soldier, in tremulous voice.
"Pray to God, my son, and He will
help thee!" said the surgeon, in voice
that, seeming to come from another world,
touched the most holy chords of the inner
most being.
It seemed as if the anguish of his death
stricken soul was at once dispersed A
profound calm stole over his features. He
pressed warmly the hand which the sur
geOn put forth towards him moment
later clasped his own in prayer and his
spirit had departed
1t was impossible for me to conceal my
emotion. A tear of tender compassion
was in the veterans eye also, but the next
moment he waa busy with another wound
ed man.
There was at no great distance a poor
fellow, frightfully injured in the lower part
of the face, who could not speak, yet was
most anxious to attract the doctors atten-
ton, but his turn to be attended was not
yet come. The ambulance soldiers were
bringing in the wounded, and the old sur
geon, sending rapid glance along the
CHASTITY rows of bleeding and death-like
men, showed no preference. The poor
fellow, therefore, had to wait.
In few seconds, however, he was kneel-
ing by his side, the wounded man making
frightfully Intellectual efforts to speak.
.'Dont exert yourself, my son." said the
doctor; II perfectly understand you.
Now, quietly shut your eyes and take a
moments rest. Be assured of my being
beside you, and of my neglecting nothing. y
The poor fellow was, as it were, magnet
lied. All his disquiet was gone. He closed
his eyes, but he never more opened them
in this world.
A soldier, whose thigh was fearfally
| shattered, had, in the meantime, been
brought in and placed on a mattress. The
wounded limb had already been partially
dressed and bound up, but the blood still
| flowed on every side. He lay bemOaninp