Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1900-09-06
SURGEONS RECOLLECTIONS.
DR.. Melcher of Chicago Writes
About the Battle.
Springfield, Mo, Loader.Democrat:

l U" IlllOWlHg reCnl ieCtlUnS bY DIR. y.
II. Melcher, of Chicago, wuo was at the
battle of Wilson Creek with General
Scigel, will he interesting at this time,
30 years after the battle was fought
DIR. M"lcher was on tn" battle fir d all
day and after the conflict was over
brought the body of General Lyon TO
Springfield aud turned it over to Major
Schoffl"ld. When the Union army re-
treated, DIR. Melcher ana others were
left in charge OF the wounded of the
Union army. The other surgeons left
one by one until DR.. Melcher alone re-
mained to look after the men in the
hospitals staying here until Fremont
left here in November, 1861.
august TO- 1861, was day ever to bo
remembered by the tizens of Spring
Held, when Lyon and more than a
thousand American soldiers Of both ar
mics gave their life blood at Wilson
Creek in defence of what they thought
was right Many nundr"ds more lay
manglrd and bleeding, aud a trail Of
blood extended many miles north and
south from the battlefield.
From about nine o'clock constant
stream of BADLY wounded soldiers pour
ed into tho formerly quiet village. The
large new court house was filled TO
overfowing. Tue Bailey house on
South Street was packed full and tho
church opposite and still they came.
Wounded and dying soldiers were ten
derby laid side by side along the streets
by lhrir comrades as the very best they
could do Before all the wounded had
been dressed for the first time the large
sApply OF medical stores, provisions
and appliances in the basement OF the
court house were all taken to the Con-
federate camp and the many hundreds
4 of Union soldiers were thus deprived Of
4 every thing that would alleviate their
sufferings.
Tho deaths averaged more than one
an hour for - hours, many from lack
of nOurish ment and stimulants. In
vain did that grand old man, General
Sterling Price, order the hospital stores
returned. In vain did the big hearted
Enmet Mcdonald urge certain officers
not to disgrace their cause by such con-
duct, the result being that few of the
least important, but nothing of any
immediate value was returned. Then
the women of Springfield with their
hearts full of love and tender ness for
the suffering soldiers came with pre-.
pared food and with gentle hands as
sisted with every means in their power
to soolh the dying soldier and relieve
tho pain Of the suffering. Several lives
and limbs we're saved by their aid.
Some of them continued their service
; for moro than 100 days. Notable
among these devoted women, who,
think, are still living, were Mrs. Mar.
Gus BOYD and her two young daug Oh ters
Mrs Graves with her daughter, Mrs
Jenkins and daughter, the Logan sis
tprs, Mrs. Boal, Mrs. Jameson, Mrs.
dlICHlluHi "loo bOhilO w oNNAOS AVA u
2 Lindenbauer, Mrs Crenshaw and many
others whose names have passed, at
| present, from my recollection. In 4
few days many hundreds of Confederate
wounded were brought in and private
: houses we're filled to overfowing. Ther
it seemed that every woman in Spring
, field had a mission to fulfill and faith
fully did they 90 their duty.
Ten or twelve DAYS after the battle
e Dr. Russell, one of the principal Con
federate surgeons and myself, decided
after careful estimate, that there were
: not less than / 900 wounded soldiers il
: Springfield. At that time the more Sc
i riously wounded COntederates had sue
cumbpd to their injuries, been taken t,
their homes by friends, or still remain
ed in the temporary hospital at the BIZ
f spring on the battlefield.
Some days after the battle, arrange
ments were made, by permission o
General Price, with Mes>rs. Hensle
u and Camphell, so that we obtained
O daily supply Of flour and beef and Gen
q eral Price in person went with me I
the place where the Union prisoner
we're guarded and allowed me to selec
y as many from among them as ] deeme
Il necessary for cooks and nurses.
4 Seven Union surgeons bad been dc
tailed to remain and care for the wouT
ded. One left the first night Tn
s, others got away as soon AS opportun
a ty afforded and in September l was th
70 only one remaining with our boy
Valuable advice and assistance vi
rendered by Confederate Surgeons Rui
L. sell, Boone and Payne. After repeate
n letters to General Fremont, urging III
N necessity for supplies and receiving I
answer, I addressed letter to Colon
j" }. b. wyman, 18th Illinois infantr
We stationed al Rolla and employed Re
m Mr., Powell, Mr.. Jenkins son-In-law,
T. carry it through in person. This
NJ succeeded in doing early in October al
about the sth Of October, the followiI
g letter with smbulances and suppl
~ arrived.
1 Headquarters Post at ROlls, Oc,oL