New-York tribune., 1880-06-27
ONE PHASE OF THE CITIL VAR.
Colonel Meoorem q. rae otnesnmaa Esquire,

Colonel MeGoras IN TIE Ctucinmaa EsTriyy:
I went one day, just after LonRstreet abandoned
certificate to the papers of brother officer who had
rendered his resignation, on account OF total dss:
ability, arising from wounds and injuries received
his office. 1t was about the dinner hoar. pushed
my way past servant and fuukeys to his private
sion. SION There. in richly-fufnished room, stood .
table loaded with more than the deliea-
ces Of any Sa one season, SON ..atr saTyosy T"sry
were dishes and dishes of vegetables great cut
glass stands we're heaped with fruits, whle dishes
to match were filed with canned peaches and other
tempting vands 1t was dinner fit for a k.ns.
The liquids had not been overlooked. There stood
on II sidebOard bottle Of the splendid wbiskey
furnished to the Medical Department, and q couple
of bottles of wine. The Doctor was not there. bay-
ing halted in lower room to wash and touch up
his toilet. About the time I had completed the
survey indicated here he entered. i was seated in
easy chair, and retained my seat. He elared at
me moment. Then he growied o voice meant
to be very fierce:
what do you want here ~
came to sec you Sir about signing the ceSti E,
signed by his RegmeAtal. Brigadier and Division
Surgeons. and you seem to delay it out of spIrt OF
pure cusSedness. The Captain is pc3t. You have
Low detained HIM here two weeks Tor no other rea-
son conceivable to me than to show how near and
devili>hy cruel you can be: IL you don't sign the
papers shali mepsre history Of the case, and
carry u 10 General Burnside In person.
The old ruflan stared at me IN silent and blank
aniaznnent as 1 arose and walked out Of the room.
lie signed the certificate, and it was promptly sent
To tie Captain through the regular channels, and
worthy and brave officer got out of the battered.
ruined, half-starved town and to his family
barely in time to save his life II was
y common habit Of this Chief Surgeon 90
abuse both officers and men, who would
endure his abuse in the most scandaous
language. ! stood in his Office one day for an
hour waiting for tmid lieutenant to get las turn
to talk with the medical magnate He had rail-
ing around the portion of the he occupied. aad
the most cOntemptible hunkev ever beheld in
charge of the entrance gate. Not a soul Of all the
poor fellows who came but was rouAdly cursed aud
abused, though sOme of them were on crutches,
the RESULT Of recent wounds; They had been
starving in hospital while this old brute, and
the other heedless and cruel brutes about head
quarters had been devouring the decacies sent for
their relief by the ton, from friends at home and
by the grand relief associations which sprung up
to meet the great emergency.
often wonder that tho officers of the line and
the men under them endured these outrages with
comparative indifference. Were it to do again /
donbt If the gourmands. rutians and thieves would
fare as well OFF as little harmed as they did
Inc true story of che Quartermaster, Commissary
and Me,lcal departments has some deep and DAMN
lug shades of rascality and cruelty in It's lines