The Shasta courier., 1867-11-09
COURIER
From the Downieville Messenger.
DEVOTION TO DUTY.

On the 18th day of January, 1868, there
came to the hospital No. %, Nashville,
Tennessee, in a train of ambulances from
the battle fields of Murfreesboro. a severely
wounded soldier named Moses T. Kelley.
of Co. D." 18th Ohio. A ball had pass.
ed through his ankle, and for want of sur.
gical appliances in the field, erysipelas had
set in, rendering the wound much swollen
and painful. 1t was often remarked in the
army that injuries ofthe hands or feet. when
the small bones were dislocated, were very
dangerous-m fatal even than ches;
wounds. Kelley had a hard time of it. de.
spite the skill Of DR.. Herr, the surgeon OF
his ward, and it was many weeks before he
was able to move about the wards supported
with crutches.
As soundness and strength became some
what restored, Kelley grew restless and
eager to rejoin his regiment, of which he
was proud, and which was then daily ex
| pecting to advance upon the rebels at Chat
| tannOga.
Meanwhile Kelleys amable character
charmed all his acquaintances. He was
young, ardent, literally educated, and very
social, with high predominatng moral senti-
ments. His wavy, auburn hair, large blue
eyes and cheerful smile were welcome objects
OF sight wherever he appeared and his clear,
musical voice was often heard advocating the
strictest integrity in morals, and the strong
est love of country and humanity Shaking
his foot to give it exercise, he would report
its daily increasing strength and soon leav-
ing one crutch after the other. he seized his
musket and hob5led away to join his regi-
ment.
A few weeks after Kelley appeared again
at ba pf n. IL. a..
ing received rebel bullet in his breast while
standing on picket. The ball entered near
the collar bone, passed through his left lung
and lodged beneath the shoulder blade. from
which cOncealment it could not be extracted
and its presence caused much delay in the
healing of the wound.
While recovering, Kelley became more
than before the priced friend of all. He de-
clared that the puncture of his lungs by
rebel bullet only increased his vocal pow ers.
and be assisted in getting up music class
which was provided with glee books, and,
on leisure evenings, used to practice patriotic
pieces in the dining room.
One day while Kelley was exercising to
prepare for duty in the field, the ball became
loosened from its retreat, passed down the
muscles of his arm, and lodged at the elbow
Kelley ran to DR.. Myers with the announce
ment-"l have that bullet now Just where
| want it" The surgeon skilfullv extract
ed the old offender by an incsion which soon
healed, and the heroic boy again donned his
war harness. As he bade adieu to each of
his numerous friends, he exhorted them to
live usefully, to stand up for the flag, and
80 to remember those in bonds as bound with
them"
Kelley's friendship for myself and sister
was strong. We had enjoyed his society and
support, and now admired his heroic resolu-
ton to rejoin his regiment-an example
which could not initiate because of "Spe-
cial Order No. %, !" from Gen. Rosecrans.
which detailed me to report for duty to the
surgeon in charge of hospital No. %.
During the last days of November, 1863,
the battles of Lookout Mountain and Chick.
amauga were fought, in which over fifteen
thousand rebels were killed and wounded,
and nearly as many patriots. A hospital
train of cars in charge of our energetic sur.
geon, |. A. Myers had for some time been
running from the seat of war to Nashville.
and now extra cars were put on the track.
and the Nashville Medical Department was
ordered to prepare for the reception of 6 900
patients into their thirty-two general hospi-
tails.
Surgeon Hornor. whose kind heart and
business ability had won the esteem of the
Medical Director, had been promoted to
take charge of the College Hill hospital on a
pleasant eminence two miles south of the
State House. Here was large building
used by the rebels for gun factory. two
churches, the elegant high school building.
and several residences-all comprising hos
pital No. l. and occupied by over thous
and patient and scores of attendants-the
latter including myself and sister, whom the
partiality and orders of Major Hornor had
transferred from No. % with him to this
enlarged field of labor and usefulness.
The 9th day of November, 1868. was
followed by cold, clear moonlight night. At
two o'clock in the morning, sixty ambu
lances, their white canvas coverings re-
hectlng the full moonlight, came meandering
up the hill from the hospital depot. and
discharged 800 mangled soldiers at our doors
The requisite refreshments and bedding had
oeen made ready, and all were carefully
"ashea IN warm water, their wounds dress
eu py the surgeons and nurses, themselves
clad 10 clean clothing furnished by the San
itary ana Christian Commissions. RECALLED
win nicely prepared food and preserved
fruits from the same sources. and nut to rest
IL n,, 1,a'IfaSses ana spring beds provided
ME attending to the details of reception
was iiiequentiy aceosted in surprised tone
oy soluiers VINO had been patients at Hospi-
tai %, and the mutual recollection -, ~
hailed with delight After ali We're cora m
fully disposed of l went to make a tonr
through the wards, to see that nothing need
On the second floor of the long gun facto.
ry lay in four straight, parallel rows of ron
bed-steads, over two hundred patients~
now wrapped in fitful slumber. or still moan.
ing with sleepless pain. | had proceeded
but half way through the CHASTITY arrav
when patient at the farther end of the room
who was sitting bolstered up in bed. beckon.
warmly grasped my hand, while Aood
of tears coursed down his swollen cheeks
His beautiful hair and intellectraI forol,