The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-05-06


from the Rev. Dr. Gere, Chaplain of the
U. S. A. General Hospital at York, Pa.
Mr.. Gere is so we'll and favorably known in
this community, and the letter contains such
interesting statements of the Hospital
where he is laboring, that we publish it
entire.
The Hospital at York.
.SirS Some weeks since / read note
in your eXcellentpaper correcting from per-
Sonal observation, the veryimperfect descrip-
tion of this Hospital given in the third Re-
port of the committee of Maryland U. 5.
| Christian Commission. You have the
thanks of many for presenting some simple
facts respecting an institution called into
existence for the relief of sufferers by the
most unprovoked and wicked war which
darkens the pages of history. 1t may tend
to draw toward them larger dividend of
the uneXampled liberality of a loyal people,
whose hearts and hands, whilst they can
not go to the field of battle themselves, are
open to sustain and comfort the brave men
who hare gone and laid upon our countrys
altar, all things dear, and life itself, to pre-
serve intact the rich Inheritance secured
in the Providence OF God, by the vaIor and
blood Of our forefathers.
Our Hospital is in most pleasant and
healthy location, and occupies an enclosure,
just on the southern edge of the Borough,
a little upwards Of eight hundred and nine
ty feet square. Its buildings varying some
what in width and heigth, in the aggregate
are 300 feet in length-exclusive of a large
number Of tents, and Of the eigth ward,
which occupies two floors of the the capa-
cious Odd Fellows Hall, and will accom-
date hundred patients. Your readers will
readily perceive how much like Female
Seminary, to which the. Report referred to
assigns the Hospital, are its real surround
ing. / think there is no Seminary build
ings even in sight of it. Accuracy in such
cases may be Of some Importance, aud this
cannot we'll be reached by mere conjecture
The entrance which is tastefully arched,
is painted sea-green, and fronting with the
gate, the first in long line of buildings, is
the 'offcer of the days room, surmounted
by black, frowning, though powerless, fan
cy six FOUNDER. Passing then a range of
Offices handsomely "labeed," with lofty
shaft in 'front.' from which floats our Nation
al banner, and at the head of another long
line of barracks, we have the Office of our
able Executive. Its gable end is decora-
ted by the stars, and the stripes fare
down in bright colors upon the roof of the
portico, whilst majestic gilded eagle
perched upon three divergent, representa-
tive guns, resting in the upper point of the
; angle spreads its shining pinions above
The design is striking and the effect fine.
: Our walks are being reconstructed and
, bordered with green turf, and the wide
space between the rows of buildings has
T; been graded, scientifically laid out, border
/ ed also with green turf and planted with
' flowers, shrubs, evergreens and forest trees,
: which, stimulated by the bountiful April
+, showers, and the very fertile soil seem to
t have suffered little by the change from their
S original bed, and are rapidly developing
] their native foliage.
In the centre Of this ornamented circle q
: fountain is constructed, supplied with ex-
\ cellent water, which also is distributed by
g hydrants at convenient distances through
the campus. The buildings, whether repa-
pered, painted, or washed, have renewed
their coating outside and in, and in bright,
sunny day are painfully white. The outside
u of the Chapel and second ward is sea.green,
: and so we'll ordered are our police and san
e itary arrangements, that all are kept pro-
s verbally neat and clean. The new laundry,
S substantial and we'll proportioned build
9 irg now approaching completion, is up-
wards of 100 feet in length, and a valuable
Y acquisition.
s What you have said so we'll, and in few
r words, need not repeat, only, judge that
s with tents and all, accommodations might
n be found for more than $500 patients, al
n though we have at present, but about 800
n (eight hundred.) Such is the general eff
j. feet the whole upon the men that they
a often exclaim "This ought to be kept as a
I soldiers home" [ doubt not they appre-
f, ciate it the more, as all the substantial and
useful, all the fancy, art, science, and taste
n exhibited, all the hand and head work ac-
o complished, are but the development ofthe
:, talent inside of their own temporary dwell
s ing place. Led on and supported by the
d economical and energetic commandant oil
d the Post, vast aggregate has been effect
y ed within our own military family, for their
! convenience and comfort.
] cannot tell you how deeply we are IN
+ debted to that Heaven originated institu-
! tion, the Christian Commission, for rich
d supplies of religious reading-books, tracts
and periodicals, besides numerous articles
t to relieve the physical wants of our brave
d patient, suffering men. We have now an
d extra meeting in progress, which we trust
S by the blessing Of God, will resultin much
: good Some have returned to the Lord
3 during the Winter, and we are looking for
many more
t The legitimate out-croppng, the crown.
S ing crime of treason, the assassination OF
: our excellent President, Abraham Lincoln,
the Nations favorte, has affected us deep
: ly. Some, who have ranked under the same
. rebel banner, and by implication arefellow-
, conspirators and "particeps criminis, T"
f shrink from their responsibility, and now,
: ",cere al,oays loyal alsoays Union.'
, May the Lord put speedy end to the de-
} vastating war, and sweep from the land the
last vestige of the foul spirit which instiga-
ted and SO long sustained it.