The boys in white : $b The experience of a hospital agent in and around WashingtonWheelock, Julia S. (Julia Susan)
History
The boys in white : $b The experience of a hospital agent in and around Washington
Wheelock, Julia S. (Julia Susan)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Hospitals
Cold and windy. This morning went again to St. Paul’s. To my surprise
I found young Clark still living, but another poor sufferer had
passed away before him; he had just breathed his last. His mother,
who was with him when he died, was then making preparations to
take the body of the poor boy to her home. As I could render no
assistance, I left these scenes of mourning and grief, and went to
other hospitals. In visiting five, I found a large number whose names
were added to my list. This cold weather is causing much sickness.
Another of our boys--Henry Tenyck, of the 5th, for whom I have felt
a deep solicitude--is no more. In one of the hospitals I saw a man
who had been accidentally shot through the lungs, for whose recovery,
his physician says, “there is no hope.” Sad sights are an everyday
experience. Death is at work, as the lone ambulance on its way to the
“silent city” too plainly tells. Soon after returning home from a tour
through the hospitals, a gentleman called, who was in search of a sick
son, and wanted to know if I could give him any information in regard
to him. As soon as the name--Frank Rowley--was mentioned, I recognized
it as the name of one of the boys whom I had “stolen” a few days before
from old “Camp Misery,” and, donning my hat and shawl, I accompanied
the anxious father to the hospital where his son was. That joyful
meeting of father and son I shall never forget. As the young man caught
a glimpse of his father on his entering the room, he sprang up in bed,
and, with extended arms, exclaimed, “Oh, my father! my father!” while
the tears chased each other in quick succession down his pale cheeks.
In a moment they were clasped in each other’s arms, and both weeping
for joy. I left them to enjoy their visit without interruption. The
evening has been devoted to letter-writing for soldiers.
_December 15th._
A terrible battle has been raging all day at Fredericksburg, but no
particulars have been received. We can only hope and pray that the God
of battles may speed the right.
Have visited four hospitals: took clothing, wine, and fruit. I first
went to Prince Street Hospital, with some clothes for Monroe, of the
Sixteenth, another of our noble, patient boys, who is as brave under
sufferings as amid the dangers of battle. For months he has lain upon
his narrow cot, much of the time suffering intensely from a severe
wound in the thighs, yet never uttering a word of complaint. We hope
the crisis is passed, as he seems to be convalescing, though yet very
low.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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