The National tribune., 1885-10-22
A Rough Hospital.

To THE EDITOR: "Pack up, pack up, pack
up" with its accompaniment, was blown forth
from brigade headquarters on the morning of
Oct IL, 1862, as Robinson's Brigade took up
its line of march for Poolesvlle to help to over
awe Stuart, who, with his cavalry, was frolic-
ing around McClellan's well-equipped and
drilled army. This bugle call fell for the first
time on the ears Of the Hist Pa. as they lay in
Camp Prescott Smith, near Fort Albany. The
regiment had but recently taken the field, and
as yet was not Injured to the hardships of camp
life. Many of the boys daily fell in for qui-
nine; were excused from. camp duty. and gave
evidence of being worsted in the battle Of life.
At the same time an Orderly from headguar
tiers hastily rode from camp to camp repeating
the order to pack up, and, further, giving orders
for all extra baggage to be turned in, and the
sick to report to the doctor to be sent to a hos
pital. In less time than it takes to write it
tents were struck and the well filled knapsacks
of the new soldiers were SUNG and the regi-
ment drawn up in line waiting the order for
ward.
Of Co. E there were seven guinine chaps,
sick ish- looking fellows, sad and detected, that
sat upon their knapsacks, watching, waiting,
wishing they were anywhere or anything but
soldiers. Other companies and regiments were
equally we'll represented on the sick list, and
altogether we-fOr / was one of them-were a
disconsolate looking set of fellows. The brigade
formed, and with colors flying and drums beat
ing moved on, leaving the sick to wait the ar
rival of an ambulance train. The day passed,
and yet We waited the morrow dawned, and
we were yet Oh our old camping ground wait
ing for the promised ambulances to bear US to
haven of rest-a hospital. Sick ana disneart-
ened by the neglect we were receiving, we in
the forenoon hailed with JOY the approaching
ambulances, and were taken in just in time to
escape what proved to be the first of a drilling,
cold rain that lasted several days.
About noon we arrived at the Third Corps
Hospital, on the bank of the Potomac, about
one mile south of Alexandria. Imagine our
disappointment when we found that the hos
pital consisted only of wall tents and that these
were not only crowded, but far too few to &C
commodate the sick that were arriving. The
wind was strong from the north, and the rain
continued to fall. We we're halted not before
tent, but in open space, some distance from
shelter, and dOggedly obeyed the order to Get
out" We got out, and stood in the rain. Soon
a ration Of bread only was served. There was
no shelter for large number. Towards night
we were told we must do the best VIC could.
What could we do? Seven of US had five tent
cloths. With them we pitched a tent and pro-
curing little straw, crawled into our hospital
tent The ground was soaked, so were our
clothing, and we we're chilly and sick At night
Il quote from my journal-bread and coffee
was served. For three days and nights the rain
continued to fall and our rations were only
bread, bean soup, and coffee or tea. Geo. Huff
was very sick, and only once during these three
days were we able to procure a call from q
doctor.
As the storm passed of the gloom of the posi-
tion was dissipated by the shining of the sun,
and the whole camp or hospital assumed more
cheerful aspect. Soon, under the efficient super
intendence of DR.. J. G. Fisher more tents were
erected, assistant doctors and nurses were pro-
vided, and notwithstanding tent is cold
place in which to pass even Virginia Winter,
the comfort and the care was such that of our
company only Huff died. one was discharged,
and five, including myself, returned again to
duty.-WM. E. LoRING, Santa Rosa, Cal.