The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-03
NEW SERIES-NO. ,r5S4,

hospitals IN and around the city found ninety
nYe soidiers and officers from Minnesota, nearly
all OF WhOm We're wounded or sick.-a few 7
found detailed for hospital duty who were
Tuesday afternoon took the train "a for Muur. Y
freesboro, where the sick and wounded of the
Eighth were known to be, and reached there
about dark. On examining the books of the
Medical Director, found there were sixty Min
nesotians in the two hospitals, including two
oficers-all save one, Of the Eighth Reei-
ment. had previously seen several of
the woqnda Of this regiment tSe in the ho
Wednesday, / found all the mon, and was
happy to find them all in good spirits, and
nearly all doing well. The hospital buildings
of Murfreesboro' though none Of them erected
for hospitals, are all comfortable; and under
the watchful eye Of Gen. Van Cleve, are In most
excellent condition. l. jsbtiw sgsy ga,ltl
started back for Nashville, with the intention
of proceeding to Franklin;. but on reaching
Nashville, could obtain no promise Of train
under two or three days. AS the medical Off
GERS of Nashville, and also the officers of the
Sanitary Commission, were confident that we
had no Minnesota men there, and as the time
was approaching when / must set my face home
WdIo, cuSdScU Guc ccTtlccS VI Ht ulcuu,
j. Emo, Esq, who is State Agent for Illinois,
and also an officer of the Sanitary Commission,
to visit Franklin and Columbia, so soon as the
train should pass, and send me the names and
cases of any that he might find there. From
his eminent business talents, and singular fidel-
ity of character, know he will prosecute the
matter better than could have dOne had I
succeeded in getting there. l have not yet
heard from him. - If, - In. r..., y. r..
I should have gone from Murfreesboro to
Chattanooga; but the medical staff of the for
mer place assured me that there had been O
general cleaning out" of the Chattanooga hos
pitfalls, little before the late battles; and that
I would not find Minnesota man there, in
general hospital. This representation, together
to go there; but that no one might, BY any
probability, be overlooked, or neglected, OBJ.
tanned q pledge from the Rev. VIM. Earnshaw,
chaplain of the U. s. A., who was Just starting
to Chattanooga, to make thorough overhaul
ing of the hospitals, and send me the result -
also, to secure, at once, any assistance that he
might find necessary. From his large expe-
all sorts of army work, / feel assured that he
will not fail to find any men that may be there.
/ have not, since, heard from him.
Thursday evening I left Nashville and came
to Galatin, where found the 18th Regiment
though not all together. as they were scattered
along the road for several miles, guarding
tunnels and bridges. This Regiment Is in fine
condition, there being but twenty-five men in
the Regimental Hospital. and few of these of
a dangerous character of disease. There heinz
no General Hospital at this point, the sick can
not, of course be as well cared for as are those
around Louisville and Nashville; but I am
persuaded that very few Regimentnl Hospitals
are in better condition, nor the patients more
comfortable. They had just received liberal
donation from the Sanitary Commission at
Louisville, and from that source can, any day.
receive anything that may be necessary to their
comfort. All the officers seemed to be doing
their duty well and had occasion to observe
especially, the active devotion of the Surgeons
and Chaplain to the wants of the hospital.
Friday morning took the train for Louis
vile, and arrived there about dark. On exam.
1nation, found that in nay absence at Nash
vile, seventy eight men had been sent round
from Nashville, by river, to the hospitals of
Louisville. These, for the most part, 1 had
missed and to see and converse with them
all. required the whole of Saturday.
Late Saturday night, took the train for St,
Louis, and reached there Sunday p M. In all
the hospitals around st. Louis, including JEFF
ferson Barracks, l found sixty.three men, A
few of these, however, had previously seen
in the hospitals around Louisville. 1t should
also be borne in mind that the 9Th Regiment.
now in st. Louis, keeps up no Regimentai
Hospital, but sends its sick directly to the
General and Post Hospitals. The Sixth Is rap
idly regaining its wonted vigor; but several of
its men are so broken down by their summer's
exposure at Helena, that they will not return
to active duty. Many still have ague, and are
unfit for service.
Having shaken hands with all the patients in
and around st. Louis, on Wednesday morning
the 18th inst, l turned homeward, and reached
st. Paul without accident, "let, or hind-
rance.'
As the result of my observations. have n
report that have Travelled over two thnns.nJ
miles,-have seen and shaken hands with three
hundred and eighty-eight Minnesota soldiars'
have distributed seventy dollars amon1 thnses
whose pay has been long delayed, and have had
the happiness Of cheering many "var.worn
veteran" by telling him of Loved ones at
home, and assuring oil, that Minnesota wouid
never I0rget her soldiers. Our wounded men
ries and many q wounded man M CHARGED
me 70 say, on reaching home, that /" Minneso-
u Snail never be ashamed fher soldiers!n
Inc hospital system has now developed into
magnificent proportions, and in the perfection
OF us appliances, may challenge criticism. New
er, IN the history of the world, has there been
sucn boundlees liberality in providing for the
government, itself. IL more than princely in it's
Money has scarcely been counted,
even by millions lin the erection and fur.
nishing Of hospitals; and private munifcence
has enabled the Sanitary and Christian Com
missions to vie with each other in not only ne.
spending to, but actually anticipating, every
call Of distress. Nothing that the sick or
wounded soldier can desire is beyond his reach.
If he Is able to communicate his wishes to the
agents Of either of these commissions.
The list of sick and wounded which hare.
with transmit includes, think, very neariv
every sick or wounded man of the State IN 10.
pitais where I have been. dare not say thst
/ have found sc1y one for the hospital records
are ofDen defective, a. have proved. Neither
can Say that eve,y nonss Il correctly written q
nor the regiment and company always correct.
ly given. But were l to repeat the Operation.
I have NO idea that I coud make It more cor.
have the honor to subscribe myself &
= -s Your obedjent servant 81 49,
.1y ags q T. NCMA6TERA rs
Commissioner Of the State Of Minnesota. I,