The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-08-25

Gle Of butter, -four, chickens, or any Of
the things l had for tho sick, was
spared.
was left twenty four hours with
forty.eight sick and wounded men,
without anything at all for them to eat.
As soon as ] cnuld get to General SEQ
fields headquarters, q mile out of town,
| informed him of the sacking of the
hospital. He respectfully referred my
paper to General Sherman, asking that
l be given everything 1 needed for my
patients. l At once repaired to GeDer-
al Sherman's headquarters, the excu.
tive mansion.
Although my experience with Gen.
eral Sherman differs materially from
that of the many gray coats who came
in contact with him during the war,
without hesitation or reservation
state that to me, individually, and to
my men he was kind and considerate.
Of course, he required that show him
that was in straits, and that my men
sorely needed help. This being done,
General Sherman ordered at once that
his medical director supply me with all
needed medical stores, similar orders
being sent to the qusrtermaster and
cOmmissary generals. 10 short time
l drew from these departments every
thing necessary to render my sick and
wounded comfortable. At the same
time, without solicitation on my par, he
ordered the provost marshal to the
post, Gen. William Hawley of the
Wisconsin cavalry. to furnish me with
q guard of eight men to protect Brown
Hospital from further depreciation.
These men were placed under my spec
cial control, AMI orde:s given them
strictly to obey me. "ss though q I'm.
ion officer" /" all probability l am
the only rebel ..tficer who. whilst in a
gray uniform. had squad Of Federal
soldiers aMl marched them through
the streets H. his command during the
Civil War. Although nearly fifty
years ago, I distinctly remember the
sensation created when marching these
men up and down the streets Of Mill
edgeville, amid the jee.s and cheers of
the Yankee soldiers as they would call
out my squad, Hep. hep, hep" at
each step. These men had to be re.
lieved from duty twice a day with a
fresh squad and to me was delegated
the duty of marching them to and from
relief. To their credit be it said that
these men rendered faithful service
and obeyed my every command.
General Hawley's headquarters was
in Governor Browns office in the old
Capitol Building, directly opposite the
State Library. One afternoon, visit
ing his Office | noticed a great many
soldiers in the library destroying the
books. After mutilating them with
their knives or swords, they would
make q pile Of the books aud set fire to
them. As 1 came up General Hawley
was standing looking on. Seeing me
greatly troubled as witnessed such
wanton destruction, he asked me, if
there was any book in the lot want
ed. Ifso, he'd pick it out and give it
to me. l asked him if he would allow
me to take what books l wanted. To
this he readily assented. l called my |
man, and he and l hauled three loads !
Of books, when Hawley said:
Doctor, I'll not put you to all this
I'll place you in possession.
Take the whole library and do what
you please with it."
Thanking him, l said:
General, l am powerless and can.
not stop these men. l cannot keep
hem out, unless you give me some
mole men to guard the place as at the
hospital. Or" l suggested. may 1
not take two of my men from the hos.
,ital guard and place them heres"
To this be said:
mo, sir, I'll give you two extra men
lay and night. only you must come
vice q day and once at night to see
hat these men do their duty, and when
We are gone the books are yours to do
g you please with them"
As long IS Sherman's army remain
d in Milledgeville, Provost Marshal
1awley furnished me day and night
nth guards to protect the library. So
ar m I know. not another bOuk of the