Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-23
HANcocK,s HUMANITY.
Gtvin0 Up HIS Quarters at Harrison's
Landing that Wounded Might be Shell
tered

Gtvin0 Up HIS Quarters at Harrison's
Landing that Wounded Might be Shell
tered.
To the Editor OF the Sun.
SIR: After the battle of Malvern Hill the
Union army, you viii remember, went to
Harrison's Landing. 1t would be useless
for me TO attempt description OF that fear
full night. Hundreds Of wounded laid upon
the hard fought field and heard their
more fortunate comrades as They crept away
in the darkness. The night fed, the morn
iug found our army of brave fellows at Har-
rison's Landing; confusion reigned supreme.
Regiments were looking for brigades, COM
panies for regiments, and hosts OF strag-
elers, rank and file, for their several COM
mands. Following close came the process
sion of the manned and wounded.
Ambulances and army wagons,
filed with suffering humanity, poured
in one continued stream down
the narrow roads, seeking shelter and pro.
lection from the cautiously advancing and
exultant foe. But shelter was not easy to
find. What was but few hours before
vast expanse of ripening grain was now
shallow sea of mud, alive with thousands OF
broken down, dispirited men. What
.next?" was the question asked; but who
could answer it?
Soldiers become philosophers very easily,
and few circumstances ever prevent them
from taking advantage of every available
object to make themselves comfortable.
The sun dried up the mud, order grew out
of chaos, city sprung up like magic in
few hours. The past was forgotten. The
future would be solved when it became the
present.
Now began the task. The sick and
wounded needed instant care and shelter.
With the exception of the mansion of the
owner of this vast estate, there were but few
houses in the vicinity of the camp, and they
were occupied by the various headquarters.
Toward one of these houses, evidently the
former house of one of the managers of the
estate, wendell my way, followed by small
train of ambulances loaded with what wound
ed men had been enabled to pick up dur
ing the night. I halted in front OF the
building, and addressed theg guard on duty at
the door. My questions as
to the locality of my brigade
were useless. While speaking an officer
made his appearance; to him appealed, and
tGl1 MIN naQ numDer OF WOubuoo WIZ
were suffering for want of attention, and
who needed immediate shelter. He shook
his head at my remarks, and expressed his
sorrow for the poor fellows. Sympathy was
all he had to give them. At that moment
another officer appeared upon the scene. His
manner convinced me at once of his rank.
sWhat is this hear about the wounded,
Doctor?o
He recognized my rank by my sash tied
fast to my waist. few moments explana-
ton solved the difficulty.
"Bring your wounded in here, doctor, this
will do for temporary hospital We will
find other quarters p and turning to the
officer at his side, he said: "Captain, tell
the men to saddle up. Leave what you can
for the doctor, and report to me at -
headquarters"
raised my bat as he passed me on his
way to his horse that stood saddled close by,
and my heart went out to him in gratitude
and thanks.
This officer was Gen. Winfield Scott Han
cock. Respectfully, G. F. SIMPSON,
SOL BROAD ST., NEWARK, N. j.