The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-01-23
A Nurses Story.

The following account of hospital
and camp duty during the late war is
taken from Mrs. Mary A. Livermore's
book, My Story of the War;
Z" 1t was a miserable place, although
at that time, and in that locality, the
best probably that could be done. The
cots were placed inside the tents, on
the unpacked ground. The soil was so
dropsical that wherever one trod it
sank under ones weight, and one i'm
mediately stood in little pool of
water. The legs of the cots stood on
small, square pieces of board, which
alone kept them from sinking into the
moist earth. The weather was warm
as July in our climate, although it
was April, and the atmosphere was
dense with gnats, small flies and every
other variety of winged insect. The
hospital swarmed with large, green
flies, and their buzzing was like that of
a beehive. The men were hushed to
the stiffness of death. They had been
sick long while and had utterly lost
heart and hope. Many of them did
not even lift their hands to brush away
the flies that swarmed into eyes, ears,
nose and mouth.
Il walked through the oozy, muddy
aisle to the end of the connected tents ;
but not even the rare sight of woman
among them induced man to speak,
few even to turn their heads.
wanted to break this apathy, to see a
little life kindled in these disheartened
fellows. saw that | must create lit
tie sensation among them. So, taking
stand in the center of the tents, |
called to them, in a cheerful, hearty
tone, Boys! do you know you are to
be got ready to 90 North in day or
two?' This brought up a few heads,
and caused little additional buzzing
from the flies, which were brushed
away that the men might hear better
This hospital is TO be broken up by
day after tomorrow | continued, 'and
you are to 90 to ST. Louis, and perhaps
to the Chicago hospitals. The Getty
of Memphis" is on its way down here
for you. BY next Saturday at this time
YOU will be almost home. Isn't this
tiptOp newsY
81 had reused them now. There
was a general waking up at the sound of
the words almost home They had
lost mental stamina in their protracted
illness and needed the tonic of a great
hope or the influence of stronger
mind excited upon them. After the
first shock of surprise was over, the
men gathered their wits and preeipi-
tated questions upon me in slow,
sick, drawing, semi-articulate fashion, a
dozen speaking at time: 'Where'd-
you-come-from?' Who-told-yo
SOP What you -down-here-
for?' / had aroused their curiosity,
and fastened to answer their ques-
tions as they had asked them-all
at once. | had gained an advantage
and fastened to follow it up.
as Now, boys, expect to stay here
till this hospital is broken up; and if
you would like to have me, am going
to stay here with you. l have lots of
good things for you. The folks at
home have sent me down here, and
have given me everything that you
need--eggs, tea, crackers, white sugar,
condensed milk, lemons, everything
and your surgeon wants you to have
them. He has told me what each one
of you can have. Now, my boy turn
ing to the man nearest me, if you
could have just what you wanted, what
would you ask for?' He was a married
man, as old as myself, but at that time,
in his miserable weakness and discour-
agement, mere puiing, weeping baby.
1t was an effort for him to think or
decide; but finally he settled on a slice
of toast, a poached egg and tea. !
brought out my spirit lamp, bottle OF