The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-05-29

really sustained no shock whatever by the
wound; III fact, during the excitement of
the conflict / did not realize that l was
wounded until | observed that my left
|. boot was filling with blood. / at once
took from my pocket a bandage, and re-
| moving a piece from the roll, tied it firmly
around the leg above the wound; this par
tally stopped the flow of blood. 1t was
not great while, however, until the leg
refused to perform its duty.
When Preached DR.. 'Biser he looked me
over little, frightened the bandage, placed
me in an ambulance with two soldiers who
were wounded quite as severely as l, and
we were driven to the field hospital.
IN THE HOSPITAL.
Arriving there. l was met by Dr. Buell.
my Brigade Surgeon, who expressed great
joy at seeing me. He said that news had
reached him that / was killed, but, upon
the contrary, he found me strong and Wig
orous.
He at once stripped the leg and made
an examination. His first remark was:
well, Colonel, you have a beautiful
wound: the bone has not been injured"
told him that his report was very sat
isfactory, rnd for him to leave me quiet
for a time until others who were worse
hurt received attention. In a short time
Maj. Pinckney j. Welsh. who commanded
the 5Gth H., was brought to the hospital
The Major had been shot through the left
arm and through the body near the left
hip. He was suffering considerable pain,
but bore up manfuly.
Night was coming on, every Surgeon
was busy, and the number of wounded was
constantly increasing. | made inquiry for
some able-bodied man of my brigade, and
soon soldier reported TO me. / gave him
instructions to 90 at once TO our camp and
bring over my headquarter tent, my per-
sonal baggage, bedding, etc, and my mess
chest, provisions and coiored cook, and
also to bring Maj Welsll's baggage.
Upon inquiry found that the arrange
ments of the hospital were very limited
for cooking and serving food to the great
crowd Of men who had so suddenly been
thrown together, and my aim was to try
to relieve the embarrassment
While lying quietly waiting events,
gentleman IN citizens clothing came to
me, notebook in hand. He was a newspa-
per correspondent from st. Louis; his mis-
sion was to make up the lists of killed and
wounded. In a brief conversation with
him i requested him to be careful to nut
me down in the list of slightly wounded.
and not to make the mistake of entering
my name in the list of killed, in accord
ance with the rumOr afioat after the bat
tie. lie assured me that my wishes should
be complied with, that he recognized the
fact that | really was alive. and he would
not Kill me off in his dispatches | have
no doubt he made a correct report but il
happened that on the morning Of Nov 90
one of the great morning papers of ST.
LOUIS had my name in the list of killed.
My people at home were terribly shocked
at tins report; but as other papers placed
me IN the list of wounded, they took hone.
and were soon informed as to the truth of
the matter.
In good time my headquarters wagon
drove INTO the hospital camp, bringing my
belongings. Betsy. the colored cook. and
Two colored men came along. Every old
soldier will remember how soon we could
set up tent and go to housekeeping. 1t
required only few minutes for my tent
TO be pitched and everything put in order.
two cots set up and Mai. Walsh and nv
SER established for the night. Betsy Sc
iected place for her kitchen, the men
punt a lire, brought water and generally
lent a hand
l informed Betsy that we would keen
an open house. and that the doctors would
nave the liberty to eat with us at their
pleasure. Betsy was most competent
ana einclent person, tirelcss in her efforts
TO contribute to the comfort of all around
her She won golden opinions of every
one who observed her work.
MAJ Welsh, poor fellow, suffered very
severely for some time; his sleep was trou-
bled, and he rested but little for several
nights.
As for myself. while had a hole
through my thigh about eight inches long,
which, of course, totally disabled the leg.
was otherwise well and strong, and felt
very much Disguised at the idea that I
would be compelled to lie still for a couple
OF months until nature could do its work