Hospital pencillings : being a diary while in Jefferson General Hospital, Jeffersonville, Ind., and others at Nashville, Tennessee, as matron and visitor

Front matter

0DDDDHa3flt, m'li

A DIARY

WHILE IN JEFFEHSON GENERAL HOSPITAL,

Preface

Some one has said " books are our best friends." If this be true, what need is there to offer an apology for presenting one more to the notice of the public ? And yet, as the assertion is true only of those which leave no stain upon the mind, but rather like the insensible action of the sun and dew upon the bleaching linen on the greensward, leave it purer than before, it is well to know what is presented for our perusal.

The inducement which the author had for olFering this little volume to the public was the fact that at the commencement of this four years' war, it was next to imjiossible to obtain any information upon the subject of the duties and trials of women nurses in military hospitals. This fact, together with the terrible stories afloat with regard to such duties and trials, was the cause of her not entering the service two years sooner. The papers were almost silent upon the subject until about this time, when the little which appeared was read with exceeding avidity.

Although this war has eliminated much in the way of musical, poetical and literary talent, yet comparatively little has appeared pertaining to the minutia of hospital service. l)Ut that little has such a charm for the author, that she has hoped her own record of experiences and observations may be received with something of the feeling with which she welcomes others.

VI. FKEFACE.

Indeed she Iia.s some earnest hope of this in the fact that some part of " Hospital PencilHngs " were published in the IVew Covenant^ of Chieai(0. Illinois, where they "" attracted much attention."

Not professing to treat of hospital life as a whole throughout the country, it gives a simple record of scenes and events, just as they occurred from day to day under her own observation. Thus much for the matter.

As regards the manner, if it will have any influence towards softening the point of the critic's stiletto to know that much of it was written in a sick ward, while surrounded by sick and wounded soldiers, momentarily' interrupted with questions, or,in short intervals of leisure between caring for their wants, or after the day's labor was over and the worn nerves called instead for

" Tired nature's sweet restorer,"

he is more than welcome to a knowledge of the fact.

In conclusion, if this little volume will serve to awaken a deeper interest in and a wider a|)preciation of our invalid and crippled soldiers, as

" They are coming from tlie wars, And brinaing- home their scars,"

SO that they shall be benefitted by such interest and ajjpreciation, one more cause for gratitude to the All-Father will be granted

Tiib: Author.

Contents

CHAPTER I.— The Trip to Dixie. Incidents at Louisville Depot. The Judge. Arrival at " City-of-the-Rocks." . 1

CHAPTER II. — Incidents and Personal Histories in Hospitals No. 1 and 8, Nashville, Tennessee. "Wounded." . . 13

CHAPTER III.— Public and Private Buildings of Nashville and their Desecration by " Northern Vandals." Home of Refugees. Incidents. ........ 30

CHAPTER I v.— Assigned to Duty in Small-Pox Hospital. " Sixty Cases of Measles." The Crazy Sergeant. Oswald. Fishing on Dry Ground. Our Dish of Oysters. . . 4:2

CHAPTER v.— Home of Christian Commission. Refugees Home. " A Woman what could Read." "Yankees have Horns." A Confiscated Equipage. A Sermon in Camp. Sherman starts for the Front. Colored School. A Wonderful Secret. A Chaplain's Short-comings. " Colored Preaching." Aunt Nancy 54

CHAPTER VI.— Day of Jubilee. " No Whipping Here" Little Clarke. The White Negro. The Cofiin Measure. " Miss Betty." Ruse with a Maniac. The Secret Messenger. Lecture in the Capitol by Moonlight. • . 70

CHAPTER VII.— A Trip on the Cumberland, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in Charge of an Invalid. The Dark River. Convalescing. Double Rations. Little Ada's Love Feast. South Again. Clay Hospital at Louisville. ... 80

CHAPTER VIII.— Home of Sanitary Commission, Nashville, Tennessee. The Field of Cotton. The Capitol. The Penitentiaiy and the Maniac. An Evening of Incidents. The Neo-ro Dance. Mv little Contra])and. ... 97

Vlll. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.— Jefferson General Hospital, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Assigned to Duty. Gangrene Tents. A Letter and Reply. Sunday Morning Inspection. Funeral Service. A Sing for the Patients. Our Crazy Colonel. Incidents. The First Death in Ward I. The Starving, Patriotic Woman. Christmas Dinner. Sergeant Clarke. Mrs. Partington's Opinion of the Hospital. My own and Rebel Love Letters 119

CHAPTER X.— A New Year's Donation. " Youans and Weuns." Transfer. Our Ladies' Mess. Letter from Guard House. Hospital Boats. Sick and Wounded Union Soldiers turned out of Warm Quarters to make Room for Rebels. Deaths from Same Cause. Small-Pox Patient. " General Sherman's Flanking Machine." A Victim to Incorrect Diagnosis. A Family of Patriots. Sanitary Stores. An Eastern Hospital. Willie's Story. Asleep on Guard. The Grape- Vine Telegraph. Voracious Pigs and Chickens 153

CHAPTER XL — Blessings of the Sanitary Commission. Incidents. The Lesson of Lincoln's Assassination. "Hospital no Place to form Attachments." Supper in the Ward. Effects of Order to Discharge Veterans. Our Flower Gardens. Presentations. Soldier's Library kept Boxed up. " A Rainy Day in Camp." Clerking at Headquarters. Incidents. Last Day in Hospital. Retrospection. . . 184

HOSPITAL PEICILLINGS.

CHAPTER I.

A TRIP TO DIXIE.

*' How they went forth to die !

Pale, earnest thousands from the dizzy mills, And sunburnt thousands from the harvest hills, Quick, eager thousands from the city's streets, And storm-tried thousands from the fisher's fleets^

How they went forth to die !

How ye went forth to save !

O Merciful ! with swift and tireless heed Along the myriad ways of pain and need, With laden hand and ever watchful eye.

Fixed on the thousands going forth to die !

How ye went forth to save ! "

On board the " Gen. Buell,"

Ohio Kiver, April 1, 1864.

Having been duly commissioned and ordered to " report immediately at Nashville, Tenn., for hospital service at the

front," my friend. Miss N O , and myself find

ourselves steaming down the Ohio, between Cincinnati and Louisville.

Thus far we are quite ignorant of the duties of hospital life, though so soon to enter upon them. Our Northern friends have been questioned to little purpose, except that of ascertaining how very little knowledge there is uj)on the subject ; and the paj^ers are equally silent. 1

I HOSPITAL PENCILLINGS.

This fact determines me to keeji some sort of a journal, however imperfect. It will of course necessarily be so, as I must neglect no duty for the sake of scribbling about it.

We have just been seeking information of our gentlemanly escort, Mr. R., of Louisville. He, it appears, has an innate love of humor and a peculiarly dry and quiet way of quizzing people. Here was a fine opportunity. But we determine to ward off the attacks as skilfully as possible with the little knowledge we do possess. He says : —

" Well, ladies, I suppose you are prepared to make bread and gruel, sweep and moj), make beds, dress wounds and lyloiigh ? "

In reply the gentleman was informed that had we not been proficient in each, especially the ploughing, we should never have dared to make application for the situation.

He explained by informing us that one of the Southern refugees, who confessed herself unable to do either of the others, said she " could plough."

" And I suppose you have each brought good knives along with you?" was the next query.

" Knives — oh yes, but for what purpose do you mean ? " And visions of being set to amputate limbs or to protect ourselves against personal assaults flitted through our minds.

" Well, nothing, only you'll have an enormous amount of onions to peel for those boys down there. You can peel those during the night, for you'll hardly have time in the day, that's the way I used to do."

" Did you ? That's pleasant employment. I've practised it considerably myself, but didn't, like you, have the satisfaction of knowing during the grievous operation that I was shedding tears for the good of my country."

Then he wished to know whether in our visits to the sick wards we should " notice only the good looking ones." Upon being informed that we have fully determined to minister to such only as looked as if they were ministers, doctors, lawyers ■or editors, the gentleman seemed satisfied that we were fully fitted for the service. Still he felt called upon to caution us against excessive attention even to such, by relating that one of the class was asked by a lady visitor if she might " comb his hair."

" Yes — you — may,'' meekly resiDonded the sufferer, " but it will be the thirteenth time to day."

Evening.

Just at sunset we passed North Bend, and had a glimpse of the tomb of President Harrison. The remains of Mrs. Harrison have within the last thirty days been laid by the side of the old hero. The place was pointed out by Dr. S., of Louisville, who is a second cousin to Mrs. Harrison. He informed us that the brother of his grandfather received a grant of all the land lying between the " Big and Little Miami," and extending back sixteen miles from their mouths. 4500 ' acres of this was willed to the grandfather of the Doctor and about the same to the mother of Mrs. H.

Dr. S. also informed us that he was the only one in Louisville who voted for Lincoln. That the polls were twice declared closed, and the clerk with oaths refused to record his vote, when the son of one of our Generals — I regret having forgotten the name — peremptorily ordered it done ; when an A. and L. and a long black stroke was dashed upon the record. The baser sort had all day threatened hanging him upon the back porch, but at the close of the day most of them were safely intoxicated.

The Doctor has the sad trial of losing a son, who had by the offer of military emolument been drawn into the Confederate service. He was wounded or taken sick and carried to

Ohio, where a brother took care of him till his death. The father wished him brought home, and funeral services performed, but the military authorities of Louisville forbade it, as similar occasions had drawn out crowds of two or three thousands of secession proclivities. Then he was buried in Ohio, but when the citizens of the 103'al little tOAvn learned that he had been in the Confederate service, they obliged Dr. S. to remove the body. That such staunch loyalists should suffer innocently is one of the saddest features of this rebellion.

In the course of conversation this evening we were informed by the Doctor that we were to pass the next day within seven miles of Mammoth Cave. And he spoke of the subterranean streams and mills in the vicinity, and of the blind fishes in tlie waters of the Cave.

" Yes," said Mr. R., in his usual serious way, " and I believe that is where your people go a craw-lishing ! "

The Doctor replied in the affirmative, but in a tone which excited my curiosity. Here was a chance to add to my rather meagre stock of knowledge in natural history, and with the anxiety of a reporter for something out of which to manufacture an item, I inquired what kind of fish those were — if that was the name given to those blind fishes in the cave. To my astonishment a universal lauo^h si'eeted me from the trio. An explanation followed ; and it seems that the same or something similar to what at the North we find in creeks and ditches, and call fresh-water crabs, there bear the name of craw-fish. And moreover as those crawl backward, they have attached a meaning to the term, so that when a man " puts his hand to the plough and looks back," he is said to have " gone a craw-fishing." So, like that notable traveller in Pickwick Papers, I can make a note of the discovery of a new kind of fish of the skedaddle genus. Hallicarnassus was decidedly wrong in thinking one can sail around the world in an armchair. He shonld have considerately assisted that big trunk down stairs, and benignly seconded Gail's eiforts to go abroad and see the world, for peradventure she might learn something even about craw-fish.

Saturday, April 2.

Reached the " City of the Falls " in the night. Left the boat about six this morning, took a hasty breakfast at the " National," then a hack for the depot, calling at the office of Provost IMarshal to secure passes on train to Nashville. Am pleasantly impressed with Louisville. A pretty green plot in front of private residences, even if quite small, with linden, ailanthus and magnolia trees, are peculiarities of the city. It is too early for the foliage of the trees to be seen, but the deep green, thick grass and the blossoms of the daffodil are ' in striking contrast to the snow I saw in the latitude of Chicago and Buffalo only day before yesterday.

The cars are now so crowded with soldiers en route for " tlie front," that it is quite difficult for citizens to find passage. Some have to wait several days before they can find an opportunity. Only one car is appropriated for this use^ and ladies w4th their escort always have the preference. Thus gentlemen who are alone are liable to be left. As we were leaving the " National " this morning a gentleman rushed out and inquired if we were going to take the Southern train, and if there was only one gentleman to the two ladies. He " begged pardon — knew he was a stranger — -wished to go to l>owling Green — his wife was sick and he had written her he would be home to-day. If the ladips would be so kind as to pass him along, and if the gentleman would step with him into the office he could convince him, through the keeper of the " National," that he was a man of honor," 2 b HOSPITAL PENCILLINGS.

Mr. R. referred the mutter to the ladies. They decided to take under their protecting wing the lone gentleman and see him safe home if the interview with the landlord, with whom Mr. R. was fortunately acquainted, should prove satisfactory. It was so, and Mr. Moseby — not the guerilla as himself informed us — entered the hack. He had " taken the oath of allegiance," he said, and "lived up to it, but had a right to his own thoughts."

Upon arriving at the depot found the ladies' car locked, and we were left standing by it while the two gentleman looked after the baggage. Mr. R. was not to accompany us farther. Soon an elderly, pale-looking man, with a white neck-tie, came up, who asked if we each had a gentleman travelling with us. We hesitated and evaded the question. This was being in too great demand altogether. It was not even included in Mr. R.'s list of our duties. He "was really hoping we had not, and that one of us would take pity on an old man and pass him along."

His fatlierly look and manner banished selfishness, and he was told to wait until the gentlemen returned, and we would see about it. As they did so Mr. Moseby stepped up and cordially shook hands with the old man, calling him " Judge." But all Southerners are styled judges, captains, colonels or generals, thought I, and this one is an honest old farmer nevertheless. As Mr. M. assured us that he was " all right," and a " man of honor," I told him he might occupy half of my seat in the car. But it was not long before I found that my poor old farmer was no less a personage than Judge Joseph R. Underwood, one of the most noted men and pioneers of Kentucky. He has been Judge of the vSupreme Court of that State six years, a United States Representative for ten years and a Senator for six.

A spruce little Captain came througli to examine military passes before the cars started. Quite a number of citizens were left as usual, and as we were moving otF I heard one young man exclaim in desperation that he would '' go right back to the city and marry." The gentlemen congratulated themselves upon their good fortune, and the subject elicited the following incidents :

A gentleman of Mr. M.'s acquaintance could get no admission to the cars, no lady would take him under her care, and he asked the bai{2:ao-e aijent if he mis^ht fjet in the baeofa^e car. That finictionary said he had orders to admit no one.

"• Then you'll not give me permission, but if I get in will you put me out ? "

No answer was made, but the agent walked away, and the man, thinking like children, that " silence gives consent," entered tlie baggage car and remained.

Another gentleman, a merchant of Bowling Green, by name F — C — , could get no chance to ride. But fortunately having on a blue coat, in desperation he stepped up to a man with the two bars on his shoulder who was putting his soldiers aboard, and said with a pleading look and tone :

"• Captain, can't you lengthen out my furlough just two days longer ? "

'•No," said the Captain, in a quick authoritative tone, " you've been loafing 'round these streets long enough, in with you," and he made a motion as if he would materially assist his entrance if he didn't hurry.

" Well, if I must I must, but its hard, Captain."

" No more words," was the short reply, " in with you."

Another was related by an eye witness. A lady who was travelling alone was about stepping into the car, when a gentleman, who was trembling with anxiety lest he should be left, stepped up and offered to take her box. He did so, and stepping in behind was allowed a seat by her side, cautiously

« HOSPITAL PENCILLINGS.

retaining the box. He bad two comrades equally desirous of securing a passage, wbo bad seen his success. One of them step2:)ed to the car window and wbis2)ered him to pass out the box. It was slyly done, and the gentleman marched solemnly m with the weighty responsibility. The box went through the window again, and again walked in at the door, until it must have been thoroughly " taken in " as well as the guard.

Just out of the city we passed a camp and saw soldiers lymg under the little low " dog tents " as they are called, and in the deep, clay mud, while only a few rods distant was a plenty. of green sward. Any officer who would compel his men to pitch tents where those were ought to be levelled to the ranks.

T saw for the first time to-day, fortifications, stockades, riflepits, and mounted cannon at the bridges. We passed over the battle-ground of Mumfordsville, and saw the burnt fences and tlie levelled trees which were to obstruct the march of our troops, and the building which was used by them as a hospital. In the deep cut passes one sees suddenly the picturesque tigrire of a negro soldier, far above upon the heights, who with shining uniform and glittering bayonet stands like a statue, guarding the portals of liberty. At the fortifications are sign-boards upon which are printed in large letters, " Please a drop a paper," while perhaj^s half a dozen hands point to it as the train whirls j^ast. Some papers were thrown out. There were other things which had for our Northern eyes the charm of novelty. A half respectable or squalid farm-house, with a huge chimney upon the outside, and with a huddle of negro quarters. Also negro women with turbans upon their heads, working out of doors, and driving teams — in one case on a load of tobacco, while driving a yoke of oxen. The total absence of country school-houses, and the squalid and shiftless apjDearance of the buildings and people

HOSPITAL PENCILLINGS. . V

at the depots, are in striking contrast to the neat little towns of the Northern and Eastern States. The scenery is fine, much of the soil good, and the water-power extensive. Nature has dealt bountifully with Tennessee and Kentucky, but the accursed system of slavery has blasted and desolated the land, and both races, black and white, are reaping the mildewed harvest.

I find my honorable companion very entertaining and instructive. I am indebted to him for many items of interest, both concerning the early settlers, and also the modern history of tlie places we pass. His personal history is full of interest, and is one more proof that early poverty is not necessarily a barrier to honor and position. The Judge was given away by his parents to an uncle, who educated him, gave him five dollars and told him he must then make his own way in the world. Another uncle lent him a horse, and he set out to seek his fortune as lawyer and i^olitician. He has in trust the fortune of an eccentric old bachelor, which is known in "Warren County as the Craddock fund. Three-fourths of this is used to educate charity children, while the other fourth pays the Judge for his care of the fund. His friend Captain C, while upon his death-bed, sent for the drummer and fifer to ])lay tunes in the yard, and from those selected such as he wished played at his funeral. He was buried with military honors.

" ]Muldroughs-Hill " which we saw, is a long ridge extendinir about one hundred miles from the mouth of Salt-Eiver to the head of Rolling-Fork. It was named from an early settler who lived twenty miles from the others, and was farthest west. Rolling-Fork is a tributary of Salt-River. The origin of the term " going up Salt- River " originated at a little place we passed, now called Shepherdsville. It has only four or five himdred inhabitants. But in its early days its salt licks supplied all the Western coiuitr}^ with salt, and was a growing aspirant for popularity, as it invited so much trade. It was a rival of Louisville, but unlike that, made no provision for its future well-being, but depended on its present worth alone. " Thus," moralized the Judge, " do we often see two young men start out with equal advantages, and find afterward that one became a Shepherdsville, and the other a Louisville." Now there is a bridge at Shepherdsville guarded by cannon, then there was no bridge and ferry-boats were used. It was not a smooth stream, and to cross, one must row up the river some one hundred rods before heading the boat to the opposite shore. Owing to the rapidity of the current, it was hard rowing, and great strength was needed. There were those engaged in the making of salt who were called kettle-tenders, and who for the most part were a low, rough set, being often intoxicated and quarrelsome. Two of these having a fight, the victor finished with the triumphant exclamation of

" There, I've rowed you up Salt River !"

Lincoln's birth-place is near this, in the adjoining County of Larue — although this was not the name at the time of his birth. And how little did the mother of Lincoln think, as she taught him the little she knew of books, that the people in the vicinity would ever have cause to exclaim of him, in relation to his rival for the Presidency, as they do of the successful politician — " he has rowed him up Salt Eiver !"

There is a little river called " Nolin," which waters his birth-place. It was so named from the fact that in the early settlement upon its banks a man named Linn was lost in the woods, and never found. He was probably killed liy the Indians. But the neighbors searched for several days, and at night met at a place upon its banks, calling to each other as they came in, " No Linn," — " No Linn, yet."

The Judge has carried lead in his body for over fifty years, received in the war of 1812. He was in the battle on the Maumee river called Dudley's defeat. The regiment, under Dudley, had crossed the river to take cannon of the enemy, which they succeeded in doing, but instead of returning they pursued them two or three miles, leaving a few behind to protect the captures. But a detachment of the enemy passed around in their rear, retook the cannon, and when the regiment returned, their retreat was cut off, and all were taken prisoners and obliged to run the gauntlet. About forty were, killed in running the gauntlet. The Judge saw that the line of men which had formed at a little distance from, and parallel with the river, had a bend in it, and that if he ran close to the guns they would not dare fire for fear of hitting their own men. The Indians were armed with guns, tomahawks, and war clubs. In that day the gun was accompanied with what was called the " wiping-stick," which was a rod made of hickory notched, and wound with tow, and used to clean the gim. He escaped by receiving a whij^ping with some of those sticks. It was the last gauntlet ever run in the United States.

During the trij) I had quite a spirited but good-natured discussion upon the condition of the country, with Mr. M., who I found is really a strong rebel sympathizer. He w^orships Morgan since his late raid into Ohio, and secretly cherishes his picture in his vest pocket. Just before reaching Bowling Green, where we were to separate, the fatherly old Judge took a hand of each in his own, and with moisture in his eyes and a tremor in his voice, said :

" My children, you represent the two antagonistic positions of the country, and like those, do not rightly understand each other, on account of sectional prejudices. And now let an old man who has watched the growth of both sections, who has, as he trusts, fought for their good in the field, the desk, and senate, join your hands in the grasp of good fellowship, and oh, how sincerely I wish that I could bring also together tlie North and South in one lasting peace !"

Soon after, he pointed out his residence — the cars stopped, and we parted with our pleasant friends.

Reached the " City of the Rocks " about liA^e, this P. M. Shall wait to see more of it, before making note of impressions.

CHAPTER II.

Nashville, Tenn., Thursday Evening, April 7.

The present week, thus flir, has been to me, full of new and thrilling experiences.

On Sabbath, the day after our arrival, I entered an ambulance and visited a camp for the first time. The company consisted of three, besides myself — Rev. Dr. D., a young theological student who is passing vacation here, and Miss T. The day was warm and springlike ; the hyacinths, crocuses, and peach trees in blossom. It was the camp of the 7th Pennsylvania C'avalry, and situated upon one of the hights overlooking the City. The tents were white, the soldiers well-dressed, the uniform bright and everything tidy. A new and gaily painted banner pointed out the tent of the Colonel. As we entered the grounds, that gentleman, with the Major, met us cordially, a seat was prepared for the ladies at the opening of the Colonel's tent, while a huge box in front served for a speaker's stand. The bugle then summoned such as wished to listen, and service was held by the two gentlemen of our party. Books and papers were afterward distributed, for which the soldiers seemed eager. The Colonel informed us that the Regiment had just been reorganized, and new recruits filled the vacant places in the ranks, made so by the heroes, who fell at such battles as Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and Chickamauga. There is a long list of such inscribed upon this banner, of which they are justly proud.

On Monday, visited a hospital for the first time. Was ac- 3 com2-)aniecl by Mrs. E. P. Smith, Mrs. Dr. F. and my travelling comjmnion Miss 0, beside the driver. As the ambulance halted, we saw through the open door and windows the homesick, pallid feces raised from the sick beds to greet us with a look of pleasure. Upon entering, almost the first object was that of a dying boy. His name was John Camplin, of Co. G. 49th Illinois Vols. He was a new recruit of only seventeen, and tlie victim of measles. He " did'nt want to die," but, after the singing of such hymns as " Rock of Ages," and " Jesus lover of my soul," he grew more resigned. I took the card which hung in a little tin case at the head of his bed, and copied the name and address of his father. The dying boy had been watching, and he then with difficult speech asked me to write to his people and tell them "good bye," and that he was " going home." I tried to obtain a more lengthy message to comfort them, but speech was soon denied nd reason wandered. He died a few hours after, and the sad tidings was sent next day.