Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-08-27
The Carnage at Malvern Hin.

From General Fitz John Portcr's ac-
count Of the last of the Seven Days
Battles in the August 'cHthvy we
quote the following: "Whilc taking
Mcaghcr's brigade to the front, cross
ed portion Of the ground over which
a large column had advanced to at
tack ", and had fair opportunity Of
judging OF the effect Of our fire upon
the ranks of the enemy. 1t WAS some
thing fearful and sad to contcmplatc;
few steps could be taken without
trampling upon the body Of a dead or
wounded soldier, or without hearing
pitcous cry, begging our party TO be
careful. In some places the bodies
were IN continuous lines and in heaps.
In Mexico had seen fields of battle
on which our armies had been victori-
Gus. and had listened to pitful appeals;
but the plcaders were not OF my coun-
trymcn then, and did not. rs now,
cause me to dcploro the effects of a
fratricidal war.
"Sadder still were tho trying scenes
| met in and around the Malvern
house, which at an early hour that day
had been given up to the wounded,
and was soon filled with our untortun-
ate men, suffering from all kinds of
wounds. At night, after issuing orders
for the withdrawal of our troops. |
passed through the building and the
adjoining hospitals with my senior
medical officer, Colonel George ii. Ly-
man. Our object was to inspect the
actual condition of the men, to ar
range for their care and comfort. and
to cheer them as best we could. Here,
rs usual, were found men mortally
wounded by necessity left unattended
by the surgeons, so that prompt and
proper care might be given to those in
whom there was hope of recovery. 1t
seemed rs if the physician was cruel
to one in doing his duty, by being mcr-
ciul to another whose life might be
saved.
"Whlc passing through this impro-
yised hospital heard of many sad
cases. One was that of the major of
the Twelfth New YORK Volunteers, q
brave and gallant officer, who was be-
licvcd to be mortally wounded. While
breathing his last, rs was supposed, Il
friend asked him if he had any mes
sages to leave. He replied. Tell my
blended herself my boy, and my flag.
gone, and wucn told that we had been
successful he said, God bless tho. old
ia and tell back apparently dead.
For II long time he was mourned as
dead. and it was believed that he had
expired with the prayer left unfinished
on his closing lips Though still an
invalid, suffering from II wound then
received, that officer recovered to re-
new his career in the war, and now,
for recreation, engages in lively con-
tests OF political warfare.
'Dn the occasion of this visit we fire.
qucntly met with scenes which would
melt the stOutcst heart: bearded men
pitcOusly begging to be sent home;
| others requesting that II widowed moth
| er or orphan sisters might be cared
| for; more sending messages to wife or
| children, or to others near and dear to
them. We saw the amputated limbs
| and the bodies of the dead hurried out
of the room for burial. On every side
we heard the appeals of the unattend-
ed, the means Of the dying. and tho
/ shricks Of those under the knife of the
| surgeon. We gave what chser We
could, and left with heavy hearts.
| There was no room then for ambitious
hopes OF promotion; prayers to God
for peace, speedy peace, that our days
might be thereafter devoted to efforts
to avert another war, and that never
again should the country DO afflicted
with such scourgc, filled our hearts rs
We passed from those mournfulscenes. "