The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-02-20
FROM OUR SAMOAN coRREsPoNpENT.

Hospitals for Samoan SOIdiers-..An
| Angel of Mercy...A Touching Incl.
dent-..Samoan Courtesy and Kind.
ness.
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES,
Australia, Dec. 81. 1888.
Dear Neighbour:
Perhaps no truer evidence of the
bravery, the fortitude. the loving faith
fulness of Samoan character can be
had than is any day to be observed in
the military hospital camp in Apia.
My first visit was paid the night after
a battle, and new subjects were being
constantly added to the already large
number of wounded in the tents.
Yet from all those suffering warriors,
some of whom were in the very
agonies of death, not'a murmur, not o
groan was heard. Surgical operations
were being performed on every side,
wounds were being cleansed and
dressed, still no sound escapde the lips
of those who suffered.
The hospital tents were constructed
with the spars and sails Of the English
and American men-of-war, and were
erected in the grounds of the British
Consulate. Straw mats of native
make, covered with "tappa cloth, p
"tappa cloth" is strong and durable
fabric made by the natives from the
fibre of cocoa trees, were the beds
the wounded lay upon. The fitful
light of numerous oil lanterns suspen-
ded FROM the ridge-rope of the tents
shone upon two rows of manned men
and women in each pavilion.
Nurses--native women, relatives of
the wounded--attended them night
and day. Here and thele, I saw tears
glistening in the eyes of some aged
women, leaning over the PROSTATE
form of husband, brother or son.
Priests and missionaries, of antago-
nistic creeds, cooperating harmonious
ly in their ministrations upon the dy-
ing; French Sisters of Mercy nursing
and comforting some dusky warrior
az his spirit fled into the world where
is no horrible war and strife. But who
is that woman clad in dark gown,
moment here, bending over the form
of man trembling in the last agony,
and whispering some soothing word in
his fainting ear then kneeling be-
side brave young woman who went
into battle with her brothers, and who
is now giving up her life for the cause
she espoused but o few hours ago.
who she is? Indeed, it seems that she
is wanted at every hand: the hope
full cases smile gladly when she comes,
the nurses give way reverently at her
approrch, and dying mems eyes are
sllffused with a softer light when she
touches the fevered brow with her
soft white hand. Who is it, that
everyone welcomes so eagerly at every
turn? Mrs. de Coetlogan, the wife of
the British Consul, an English gentle
women. No wonder that her footsteps
are hailed with blessings, her kindly
acts received with loving alteration,
for she it is who has been foremost in
caring for the wounded in the Samoan
war. From the first she has given her
time and strength to the care of those
who have fallen in battle, and so the
whole people have grown to love her
above all others.
It was remarkable the number of
wounds received in the shoulders by
Malietoa's men while storming the fort
at Laulii nearly three-forths of all the
subjects brought into the camp from
that engagement suffered such wounds,
the firing having been above them,
sending the bullets straight down
through shoulders and breast.
An horrible accident, which taxes
belief sorely, came to my knowledge a
day or two after the battle of Laulii.
A young womanAscarcely more than
girl in years-belonging to Malietoa's
army was seriously wounded in the
engagement, and was brought to her
home in Apia for surgical treatment.
Shortly after her arrival the head of
her brother, Tamasese soldier, was
brought into town, and through the
intercession of family friend, was
taken to the wounded girl. This was
considered by the natives an except
ional kindness, and so it was, according
to tile usages of Samoan warfare. At
first I did not credit the story, but to
satisfy, myself about it, went, some
hours later to the hut in which the girl
Law wounded, and there [ found her
reclining upon a mat, caressing the
bloody head of her slain brother No
heed did she pay to her surroundings,
but Law there silently fondling and
kissing the dead face of her loved one.
l have met no people in the world
so kind and C ,urteOus as the Somoans.
This seems sweeping statement, but
my varied experiences there enable ME
to make it in all sincerity. / have been
thrown into close contact with all classes
of them and in all sorts of circumstan-
ces. Day and night, in time OF battle,
I have taxed their hospitality and
friendship to q great degree in the per-
formance of duty at different places on
the Island, and everywhere kindness
and assistance were gladly rendered
without thought of reward. Time and
space would fail me to relate q half OF
all could say of their friendly acts.
One incident will family illustrate
their treatment of me whenever was
in need of help: On the 18th of Novem-
ber it became necessary for me to so
from the Nipsic at Saluafaata to conf
municate with parties in Apia-tWelve
miles distant taking small boat set
out about nightfall, but before half the
distance had been covered a considera
BILE souall overlook me and checked
the headway of the boat, drenching me
pretty thoroughly the while. The six
stout sailors in the crew had rough
time theremainder ofthe pull, and just
before reaching Apia we encountered
another and more severe squall which
set us back again; the rain came down
so heavily that, although / knew I
was in the harbor, / was unable to see
the beacon lights on and could not hear
the breakers from the reefs until fairly
nnnn them. This Obliged me to CLAY