The National tribune., 1901-09-19

quart We all eat together in the dining
room on the first floor, sitting on wooden
benches at long tables furnished with tin
ware.
We number about 1000.
We have been here u days. To grum-
BILE is a soldiers privilege, and we are
now exercising it. We are allowed only
two hours a day outside the building, and
our fare is limited in quantity and poor
| in quality, as well as lacking in variety,
consisting of bread, boiled beef, tea or
coffee, sour molaSses, and a potato or
onion once or twice week. The citi-
zens and the two city papers are helping US
to make a fuss. One of the papers pub
fishes petition from soldiers here to the
Governors of their respective States ask
| ing an investigation. 1t is known that
| the Government allows a regular ration
to each one of us here, and the citizens
also make donations Of fruit and pastry,
| which never appear on our table, and they
are Indignantly inquiring whose table ap-
propriates their gifts.
By July 81 the descriptive rolls in pos
session of soldiers here, giving name, de-
scription and date of last payment, copied
from the company muster rolls had been
collected and handed to the Pay
master, who is preparing to pay
all who have been furnished with
such rolls. Many. are without them, and
can receive no pay; so they may be heard
lamenting their hard / : and blaming
their company officers neglect. The
great majority are peDniless, and have 10
be content with scant hospital rations,
while their more fortunate comrades may
go to Kraft's and for - cents cat meat
and vegetables galore" with as many
pieces of custard pie as may come within
reach--and no questions asked.
By July % the criticism by newspapers
and citizens of the management Of our
hospital had brought us relief. Our food
has improved in quality and quantity, and
now we are allowed to spend the whole
day outside the building, which privilege
went into effect this morning, and school
boys never rushed from school with more
Zest than we did from our military prison
so considered. Even the cripples forgot
the bullet-holes in their legs and made
the. pavement ring with the clatter Of
| their clutches.
| On July 80 there were in different build
ings in this city about 1000 invaiids
more than half being in our building; but
our number is constantly undergoing
changc-the sick coming in, the well re-
| joining their regiments, the incuraDle be-
ing discharged. Burroughs are no longer
granted. Many Of US find hospital life
irksome, preferring to be discharged or
sent to the front; but we can do nothing
for ourselves; the Examining Surgeon de
| cides what shall bo done, without refer
enc. to our wishes.
Occasionally the Surgeons are outwit-
ted. A soldier in our ward few days ago
| amused us with gymnastic feats, one of
which was throwing his leg out of Joint
| mt will. Today / saw him ready TO leave
for home with his discharge in his pocket
In answer to my question of surprise he
wiEked knowingly and Shaping his leg,
remarked, On, worked the out-of- joint
| racket on the doctor"
Aug. i an order from Drae;Jop+ l.
coin was read. 1t requires all soldiers Mt
nome recovering from sickness or wounds
| 10 report to nearest medical station for
examination. This will disturb many
| claiming to be sick or disabled who are
really having gay and festive lime where
men are scarce, girls plentiful and sol
der boys heroes. Having nothing more
lahorious than picking up a lady's kerr
cflef or carrying her fan, they will now
be called upon to pick up a knapsack and
| carry musket.
Our army under Buell. grouped around
chattanooga is too weak for offensive
movements while maintaining long line
or communication requiring strong detach-
ments, to prevent the enemy from cuttin.
Oh It's necessary supplies. Regiments and
companies on the front are reduced tn one
fourth their original number by sickness
ma extension OF furloughs, condition
the PRESIDENTS order is intended To rem
edy. A letter from my Captain states
that the company watching the enemy
from the hills of Battle Creek is able to
muster only % muskets.
Sept 20 news reaches US from Bueii's
army that is far from being encouraging
| BraSss army is reported as bein: nearer
10 Louisville and Cincinnati than Euell's
and these two cities are greatly alarmed
The citizens have turned out TO work
aay and night on Notifications for de-
sense. Buell. appears to have abandoned
all the territory he had gained, and is
now following Bragg back to rhe Ohio
River. The Government is making extra.
ordinary exertions to hurry men to the
| front. Recruits arriving here are imme-
diately cent forward. and our hospital of.
hciais are gathering all but the cripples