The National tribune., 1892-06-16

when the cabins we're vacant and warm, and
have seen them driven into open cattle-cars. IN
freezing weather. and that before they had
been cleaned Of the filth from their recent lead
of stock But for Geld -booded. unnecessary
suffering, the incident that ! am about to re-
late has left the most lasting impression on nay
mind.
The battles around Atlanta. and especially
Jonesboro, had filed the hospitals with
wounded men Of every degree of severity; but
after some months Of care and treatment
hundreds of them were able TO walk about,
visit their various camps, etc, bat were not oy
any means fs for duty.
The second election Of Abraham Lincoln
was approaching. and many were clamorous for
furloughs TO 90 home to vote, especially to llil-
nois and those States which would not allow
their men to vote in the field. So one day the
wards of the various hospitals were electrified
with the order: "Furlough all men able TO
travel who will not he ft for duty in 80 days"
A charge of the whole rebel Con .ederacy would
not have esused greater excitement In our
hospital. Second Division, Fourteenth Corps,
the order was 10 furlough only those able to
walk four miles as it was reported the rebels
had torn IN that much of the track.
Nv good or bad fortune was TO receive little
communication from headquarters ordering
me TO take charge of the first section. l had
had much bitter experience in being sent on
EuCl eAfOdlttc8e NltHOub lOON. Huf9So VI OtSSA
help for the relief or comfort Of those in charge,
20 i WIS particular to stipulste that they be
supplied with cooked rations and help to look
after the many who still needed care; all of
which was solemnly promised. So in time we
were Of for the first objective point OF our long
journey. Chattanooga.
Somewhere. / should Judge half way between
the two points, our train stopped at little sta
ton when we received orders to unload, which
rflr Tonp aud rvn raa f3n cheer
full intelligence that it was 10 miles TO the next
station and we must walk.
NV first lockout was for the rations After
sthorough investigation | was kindly informed
that none had been sent. The nurses and other
help were then inquired for, with the same re-
suit. "Prsy for those that despitefuily use
you n wouldn't st the case ut all; but there
was no help for it By this time it was ight
and the men were clamoring for something to
eat. / hadn't the power Of multiplying the
loayes and fishes even If / had had a small
supply TO start on. Incidentally / learned that
there was car load Of supplies on a side track
belonging 70 the Sanitary or Christian Com
mission. and destined for the froat. BY elo-
cuent plesding ] persuaded them 10 let me
have some crackers ard condensed beef The
next question was cooking-utcnsiis.
There was a regiment Of troops st this point
guarding tie railroad 20 prevent the rebels
from tearing II up again. Bat they were not
loaning complexities
As good luck wculd have e. I ran across a
friend Col Archer, Of the 18th lows, who was
acquainted With the officers Of the regiment
spoken o. snd ~ his guaranteeing their safe
return, we soon hs9 all the kettles We wanted.
There were plenty OF wiliiag hands 10 get
wood and water and in a very short time gal
Ions of soup, more pslatahle than the most
fasiidious diner at Delmonicos ever tasted,
was ready for distribution. BY this time the
soldiers OF the camp began 10 IN bend from their
selfsbuess. ard tia cups were offered IN abun-
dance. We hsd willing workers among those
who were able, and all were soon supplied, and
the borrowed kettles returned.
By this tine it Was nearly 9 o'clock, but for
tunately pleasant weather and bright moon
light Tie orders were Fall in for the next
station" Those who were sound ia their legs
were required 10 help those who had little or
nc use Of theirs. We were cautioned to keep
close together as the rebels were not only
watching for opportunities OF tearing up the
track. but picking ur all stragglers. The fear
OF that had good influence over many who
insisted that they could 90 no further All
night long We cOaxed, aad scolGed, and helped,
sometimes IS & crBtch, sometimes as a pack
mule. carrying something too heavy for its
owner. and Just as the first gray streak Of dawn
began 20 glimmer the last worn-out miserable
threw himself Oh the platform al the railroad
for food were OF no avail; there was none.
But sbout or 8 O'Clock train backed along
side the station, and we were of for Chatta-
noog2.
] CO not know what the policy of the author
ities was for unloading the men at various
points, as Chattanooga, Nashville. and Louis
vile. but that was the way il was done. My or
ders were TO 20 TO Chattanooga, and then return
TO my post Of duty at Atlanta. But next morn
Ing. after reaching Chattanooga, meeting Med
3cal Director high in authority, he blandly in
formed me that ] was the very man he was
hunting ior, and to be ready in 10 minutes "a
90 with q hospital train TO Nashville. j was
ready. The men had been well cared for a;
Chattanooga, and were in good spirits We
reached Nashville quite late in the day, and
the men were pretty well wornout. at once
reported TO the Medical Director the number
and nature OF my charge aud what they re-
ouircd. He coolly Informed me that he could
DO nothing for them and that they would have
20 60 into Zoldcoffer Barracks. ] was as
founded and indignant ] told the doctor the
men were not bounty jumpers or criminals o.
any kind; that they were brave men, had beer
20 the front, and had done their duty; thai
most Of them had been wounded, and many
OF them stiil had unhealed wounds; all were
delicate from long confinement in hos
pital, and were illy-prepared to endure the ex
posure Of such place. His reply was that ht
saw no help Tor it; but If they would 20 there
for supper be would see what could be done
sfterward.
Thousands Of our Western men know wha
Zollicofier means, bat for Others ! would sa,
that the building was originally erected for |
hotel enormously large, covering nearly hal
O block. and four or FIVE stories high, will
numerous and large openings for windows, bu
totally destitute Of sash or glass. The Govern
ment had taken il for barracks or rendez
vous for troops going to the front. Winter an,
GUNNER, rain or shine, regiment after regi
ment had been crowded into the dismal place
II 1t had ever been cleaned in all that time, /
didn't show x at the time Of nv introd uctiol
to it. The floors reeked with every variety O
eth. and every nook and corner swarmet
with vermin.
During my parley with his highnees, tn
Medical Director, the men had been patientl,
standing in the street. When / reported tn
result OF the conference, they swore big roun
oaths tbst they'd sleep in the street befor
they'd 20 into such an Internal den. By
little coazin., and repeating the promises of th
officer referred to, persuaded them TO 20 ther
Tor supper. and then all would be made right
j had learned that there were hundreds c
empty beds IN the general hospital, and ha
no doubt that the business would be arrange
satisfactorily. Cravings in the region Of th
belt plate, or where it should be- gradual
eyercame their scruples, as they had had moth
ing 10 eat since leaving Chattanooga. So th
mighty doors were swung open, and close
again, when all had entered, to stay close
til next day. After having done the best
Then hurry .ng back to the Medical Director