Three years in field hospitals of the Army of the Potomac

Front matter

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Rare Collection

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Introduction

Tins simple story of hospital scenes, and the unpretending sketches of the few brave soldiers to which they allude, is arranged from the meager notes which were hurriedly written at the time they occurred, when there was not the most remote idea of ever preparing them for publication.

The events of the war are "graven as with an iron pen" upon my memory. To preserve some slight memento of them for friends at home, was the primary object of these notes: to gratify the same persons are they now grouped together.

Mrs. Tl.

[JppEB MeRION,

Montgomery County, Peiina..

October 1, 1866.

Chapter 1

Antietani— Hospitals— Frederick City— Virginia— Breaking up of the Hospitals— Moving North with the Army... 9

CHAPTER H.

Battle of Gettysburg— The Wounded— Incidents in Hospital— Sanitary Commission Work— '['lie Flagon " Round Top" >!8

CHAPTER HI.

The Campaign of 18U4- — l'ui-t Royal— White lloits^— Cily Point 58

CHAPTER l\ .

First Visit to Annapolis — .Stories of Starved Men— Burial at Andersonville— Neely's Life in the Dungeon of Castle Thunder — Sergeant Kerker— Captains Wilson and Slielton in the "Iron Cage," in Buncombe County, Tenn.— The Boy and the Flag— Gould's returning Consciousness—Mr. Brown in Danville Prison !)1

(Tii)

THREE YEARS IN FIELD HOSPITALS.

CHAPTER I.

Antietain. — Hospitals. — Frederick City. — Virginia.— Breaking up of the Hospitals. — Moving North with the Army.

When the first sounds of war were heard, and there dimly dawned the startling fact that traitors were imperiling the life of the nation, we all I'emember how thousands rushed to arms at our country's call, eager to proffer aid in this her hour of need. City, village, and country alike gave, as their first offering, their young men, the pride and strength of the land.

The first that our quiet valley knew of the preparation for war, a company was being gathered from about our very doors, — with Col. Hartranft (now major-general — and nobly has he won the double stars, to which his bravery entitles him) as their chosen commander. We saw them as they stood beneath the shade of a spreading tree, with uplifted hand, vowing true allegiance to the best government the world has 2 (9)

ever yet beheld ; unci as that roll now shows, many upon far-off battle-fields have sealed it with their blood.

They followed where Biirnside led ; and all along that way, which occupied four years of these eventful times, we trace their course, marked by the battles in which they so bravely bore their part.

As the soldiers went out from among us, there came the yearning wish to lessen somewhat the hardships of their lonely camp life, especially when sick in hospital or wounded. What each family first began to do for their relatives and friends, soon became general; and thus by uniting together, "Soldiers' Aid Societies" were formed. With all loyal women of the land, I worked zealously in their behalf; - worked, because there was irresistible impulse to do, to act. Anything but idleness, when our armies were preparing for the combat, and we knew not who should be the first to fall, who be called widow, or who fatherless. At length the battle of Antictam came so startlingly near, that it brought before us the horrors and sufferings of war as we had never previously felt it. From our midst six women felt called upon to offer their services, for a few weeks, to nurse the wounded. Though strongly urged to make one of the number, I declined. The idea of seeing and waiting upon wounded men, was one from which I shrank instinctively.

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But when my husband returned, soon after, with the sad story that men were actually dying for food, home comforts and home care; lying by the roadside, in barns, sheds, and out-houses; needing everything that we could do for them, I hesitated no longer, but with him went earnestly to work in procuring supplies of food, medicine, and clothing. Through the kindness of friends and neighbors, we were enabled to take with us a valuable supply of articles that were most urgently required. Fortunately they were hurried through without delay, came most opportunely, and were invaluable. The name of Antietam is ever associated in my mind with scenes of horror. ■

As I passed through the first hospitals of wounded men I ever saw, there flashed the thought — this is the work God has given me to do in this war. To care for the wounded and sick, as sorrowing wives and mothers at home would so gladly do, were it in their power. From the purest motives of patriotism and benevolence was the vow to do so, faithfully, made. It seemed a long time before I felt that I could be of any use— until the choking sobs and blinding tears were stayed; then gradually the stem lesson of calmness, under all circumstances, was learned.

We found the men, who had so bravely fought, still scattered over the hardly-contested field. At this time, 6th of October, 1862, they were all under some kind of shelter. A sad want of suitable food and medical stores was still felt; and though both were forwarded as rapidly as possible, yet it was insufficient to relieve the distress.

At that early day in the history of the war, we found our noble United States Sanitary Commission here, doing a vast amount of good. From their store-room were sent, in every direction, supplies to relieve the greatest suffering. And to it, strangers as we were to them, we daily came for articles which we found, in our visits to the hospitals, were most urgently needed, and which our own more limited stores could not furnish. They were as freely given to us for distribution, as they had been in like manner intrusted to them by friends at home. The Montgomery County delegation occupied one room in a house adjoining the "German Reformed Church Hospital." In this uncomfortable, little place, crowded with boxes and swarming with hospital flies, the six ladies continued their labors during the day, waiting and working faithfully among the wounded. And so dividing their number that part went daily in the ambulance, which was furnished for their use, to look after and prepare food for those in the country that urgently required it, while the remainder attended to the same kind offices for those who were in town. Of the six who at that time volunteered their services, one remained in the hospital for two years;

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two others, from that date until the close of the war, were known as reliable, valuable helpers.

Added to this fatiguing kind of labor, there seemed no limit td the numbers who came looking after their dead and wounded, the "loved and lost." From that little room persons were constantly aided in their search for missing friends, food furnished at a time when it was almost impossible to buy at any price, and they directed to lodgings in the town or elsewhere.

Among these was a young wife, whose frantic grief I can never forget. She came hurriedly, as soon as she knew her husband was in the battle, only to find him dead and buried two days before her arrival. Unwilling to believe the fact that strangers told her — how in the early morning they had laid him beside his comrades in the orchard, she still insisted upon seeing him. Accompanying some friends to the spot, she could not wait the slow process of removing the body, but, in her agonizing grief, clutched the earth by liandfuls where it lay upon the quiet sleeper's form. And when at length the slight covering was removed, and the blanket thrown from off the face, she needed but one glance to assure her it was all too true. Then, passive and quiet beneath the stern reality of this crushing sorrow, she came back to our room. The preparations for taking the body to Philadelphia were all made for her, and with his remains she left for her now desolate home.

My imperfect notes of this date are filled with names of terribly wounded men, who are scattered over the entire extent of the field, recalling most vividly scenes that can never be forgotten. Those were fortunate who were in barns, where they were sure of a little hay or straw upon which to rest their shattered limbs, while many of the others lingered a few days, with no bed nor pillow other than a knapsack or piece of clothing. And then — the weary marches over, their last fight ended, they closed their eyes, and sank to rest. Upon one end of the piazza, at Locust Spring, lay Lieut. Williams, of Connecticut. For three weeks he lingered in intense suffering, and then passed from earth. That same piazza had been thickly strewn with the dying, and the wounded, ever since the battle. In the house were several officers, all seriously wounded. The barns were crowded with the sufferers; among them Lieut. Maine, of the 8th Connecticut — nursed by his wife, patient and gentle, while life lasted. In one of the tents was a zouave; a shell had torn his chin and fractured the shoulder; both legs broken; the fingers of one hand partly gone, — yet he is cheerful, and thinks he got off well. Near him lay a young boy, from Union, Centre County, Penna., wounded in the chest badly, but, as his surgeon said, not fatally. His

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thoughts, Bleeping and waking, were of home. He was constantly repeating, "Oh, take me to my mother." And when I told him that I would do all I could for him, that I knew many persons in Centre County, he brightened up and quickly said: "Then you will take me to my mother." Of his wound he never seemed to think, but at each visit we saw that he was fast passing beyond our care; and in a few days, repeating, while life lasted, the same words, he "fell asleep," and so went to his "long home." In a miserable little loghouse near the Potomac, thirty men lay upon the floor, ill with fever; some had a little straw, but no pillows were to be found ; at that time it was unavoidable, but their food was hardly fit for well men ; medicines very scarce; — tins house the counterpart of many others, both as to occupants, food, etc.

On the same road were several places filled with wounded rebels ; in their hurried flight, they had been left by thousands, and now had to be provided for. The Kpiscopal church in the town had also been taken for their use. The rest of the churches, and half the houses in the place, were crowded with our wounded troops.

Going into the hospital one evening, I found, lying upon a stretcher near the door, Win, P. C, of the 12th New York State Vols., "the only son of his mother, and she was a widow." To my question, if I could do anything for him, he replied: "Not now; he was waiting for the surgeon to attend to him." A few hours later, when taken from the operating table, I found him perfectly calm and quiet; after making him as comfortable as could be done for the night, promised to care for him on the morrow. When I first wrote to his mother, it was only to tell her he was wounded. The following day was a decided change for the worse, and he thought he could not live. Even then, it was not upon his own sufferings and death that his mind dwelt, but upon his absent mother and sisters. He would constantly exclaim, "This will kill my mother: oh, break it gently to her." After messages to them, would ask that some portion of Scripture be read to him, and the prayers which he named repeated with him. Thus occupied, the hours fled too rapidly, as we felt that each moment was precious to him who was upon the brink of that unknown river, whose crossing must be alone. By his lonely bedside, I wept bitter tears for the home so darkened, the light of a mother's life departed, and the sorrowing sisters of whom ho spake. Conscious almost to the moment of his departure, he calmly and trustfully passed "into the spirit land." Upon the evening of the same day, 18th of October, 1862, with my husband and a lady friend, we accompanied the detachment of his own regiment which carried his body to the grave. In the Lutheran church-yard, with the solemn burial-service of the Episcopal Church,

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Mr. Holstein committed his remains to the grave. "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust." Soon after came the most touching letter of thanks from his sister. I thought then, as I still think, that those kindly words amply repaid me for the little I had done for him, or all I could do, for other soldiers, in the future. A few months afterward. we stood again heside his open grave ; this time, at the request of his sister, that we should once more look upon the hody we had placed there, and know that it was indeed her brother. Painful as it was, her request was complied with to the letter ; the body, disinfected, was prepared for reinterment. With my husband as its escort, the homeward journey was taken ; at length reached XJtica, N. Y., in safety; then, his last request complied with, carried by loving hands to its final resting-place. Again came words of thanks, dearer far to me than any earthly treasure.

While the army rested in the vicinity of Sharpsburg, in addition to the wounded, scores of fever-patients came pouring in ; some new regiments went down by hundreds. About this time the wounded were gathered up from the numerous scattering hospitals, and sent to " Smoketown " or "Frederick City." As the short supply of medicine, food, and clothing continued, we left, when the party of six went home. Going directly to Philadelphia, came to the house of a relative as

IS THREE YEA11S IN FIELD HOSPITALS,

the wedding-party of a dear friend was about proceeding to the church ; with the family, wo stood around the chancel, as our beloved Bishop Potter pronounced the words which made the twain one; and then, as the guests returned to the house, for a few moments mingled with the crowd. But think of the contrast! Only yesterday walking among, and waiting upon the mangled, brave defenders of our country's flag ; men who were in want of suitable food, lying upon the hard ground ; needing beds, pillows, clothing, covering, — is it any wonder that I turned away, sick at heart, coldly calculating how many lives of noble men might have been saved with the lavish abundance of the wedding festivities which I saw? Of the wedding, I knew nothing more ; but quietly withdrew to an upper room. Prom thence sent notes, imploring help for the wounded, to friends throughout the city : so prompt and abundant was the response, that in forty-eight hours we were on our way back to Antietam, with boxes of medical stores, valued at one thousand dollars. Delicacies, clothing, etc., all selected to meet the wants as we represented. Wo were again most warmly welcomed by our friends, the surgeons, under whose direction our labors had heretofore been carried on. The supplies, as they said, were in many instances a perfect "Godsend," as we had articles which it was impossible to obtain there. This time, our location was a better

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one, near the Lutheran church, occupying part of a house devoted to fever-patients. A narrow entry separated our room from the one where twenty men laid upon the floor. Here, in one corner, was a graduate of Yale College; his opposite neighbor, a young lawyer, from near Pittsburg, who was an only son; next to him, upon the floor, the son of a Presbyterian clergyman; the rest of the occupants, Eastern and Western men, indiscriminately mingled. All privates. But all, far superior to the same number from any portion of the rebel ranks that I have ever seen.

The next house was filled in like manner: soon after we came, and before the names and faces of the men were familiar, I went there, carrying some nourishing food. A Pittsburg colonel had just requested that I would find some of his regiment, if possible, that he could not trace. As I opened the door, and asked, "Are there any from Pennsylvania here ?" a number replied in tlie affirmative; but the one nearest me sank back gloomily upon his handful of straw, murmuring : "Well, as I am from Massachusetts, I suppose that means that we are not to have any of that nice supper." I quickly corrected his mistake, and explaining my errand, told them the supper was for all: there could be no distinction of States, where all the soldiers needed care. Tims early was I taught a lesson I never forgot.

It was but a few days until they were all moved into our house, and this same Massachusetts soldier, Mr. B., was one that required more kindness and attention than any of the others, during the short time he lived. In the same room was Jim C, a boy of nineteen, belonging to the 32d Massachusetts Yols. ; he had been very ill with fever, but was thought convalescent; but owing to some imprudence, there was a relapse, and he sank rapidly. When he knew there was no hope of his recovery, his greatest comfort seemed to be to have the Scriptures read to him ; recognizing my voice, called : "Oh, pray for me! I have sinned, have sinned; but I repent, and 'believe in God the Father/" etc. "Jim, who taught you the Creed?" "I don't know; but I want to say it all;" so it was repeated with him; and again, with the earnestness of a child, the Lord's Prayer was uttered. He listened with the closest attention, as different passages were recited to him; and would frequently interrupt the reading, saying: "Yes, I do believe; say that over again." It was a most affecting sight, the dying boy begging God's forgiveness of. his sins, that he might be "taken up," as he expressed it ; and then his body laid in the earth without a fear. The few days he lingered were all thus spent, and when death was near, almost to the last moment that consciousness remained, and his voice could be heard, prayers for pardon were upon his lips. The evening of the 24th of October, 1862, he

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suddenly and peacefully died. Early the following morning, wrapped in his blanket, he was given a soldier's burial in the little church-yard.

■'Leave hi Trust hii i to God's watching eye; to the hand that made l

At this time our valued friend, Mrs. E . . . . , who had been the directing power among the party of six, and who returned with us to Sharpsburg, had unmistakable symptoms of camp fever. She was taken home as quickly as possible; the attack at first seemed a light one, until an unlooked-for relapse brought her within the very shadow of the "dark valley," and she appeared sinking beyond all human skill. But prayers were heard, and answered, and a life so precious spared to be the sunlight of her husband's home, and a blessing to all around her.

Her sister, "Miss Lizzie," then came to assist: from this period almost to the close of the war, she was my excellent co-worker. Among the wounded at Antietam, Gettysburg, and in Virginia, her kind ministrations will be long remembered.

The 26th of October the army, which had been resting for more than a month in the vicinity of the battle-field of Antietam, took up its line of march southward ; by the evening of the same day their camping-grounds were nearly all vacated. The 30th of the month, the

22 THBEE YEARS IN FIELD HOSPITALS,

last of the troops were moving, and the town looked deserted ; but in the hospitals the duties continue the same, and cases of the deepest interest are daily found. Of the numbers wo had known upon our first arrival, many had gone to their "dreamless sleep" by the side of comrades who had early fallen ; and we now saw many hillocks in the little inclosures, where a few weeks ago lonely graves were found.

The little hospital in our house continues full. When a soldier dies, his vacant place upon the floor is soon filled by another; and thus the number remains the same. D — g, from Pittsburg, an orphan, with only an elder brother to grieve for him, was a case that seemed particularly hard. "Leave of absence," at the right time, might possibly have saved his life ; but his furlough came a few hours after death had released the suffering body from sorrow and disappointments.

Mr. B., the Massachusetts soldier, mentioned some time since, was now extremely ill : as I was busied in waiting upon them, one Sunday morning, he inquired if I would write home for him, as he dictated ; and replying that I certainly would, he directed me whore to find his little writing-case, preferring that his own paper and envelopes should be used, that his wife might recognize his writing upon them. In a calm, composed manner, • speaking so clear and distinct that the surgeon involuntarily paused in his work to listen, he gave the part-

ARMY OP THE POTOMAC. 2-i

ing messages to wife and children ; wished a lock of his hair cut for his wife, while he was living; then, taking a ring off his finger, it was inclosed, as he directed, to his little daughter; after disposing of other keepsakes to his children, added : that their likenesses, with his wife's, that had so often comforted him in hours of sadness, and weary marches, though dimmed with the smoke and dust of battles, would be buried by his side. This was all he- had of his distant home — pictures that were so dear, that oven when life was gone, they must not be separated from him. Then, giving instructions as to the final disposition of his property, and the education of his children, ho commended them, in a few earnest words, to the loving care of their Heavenly Father. As he directed, I closed the. letter, and kept it until a few days later, when another was added to it, to say that the patient sufferer was at- rest. Death, to him, was not unlooked for, though it came suddenly; as I was reading to him in the evening, he fell asleep, and never more wakened upon earth. In the morning we found his lifeless body, wrapped in his blanket, lying in the entry near our door, — the same resting-place that his fellow-soldiers had found. The first coffin that we knew used in the hospital was made for Mr. B., of rough boards — the remains of our packing-boxes. His request was faithfully carried out, and the pictures placed beneath his folded hands.

24 THREE YEAKS IN FIELD HOSPITALS,

Our party having for some time consisted of Mr. II., myself, and friend, we stayed until the town was deserted ; the few that were left being taken to " Smoketown " and " Locust Spring." Our services no longer required, wo went home the last of November; staying there only long enough to arrange about the forwarding of supplies to us, as we should need them in the hospitals. Another trip to Antictam and Harper's Ferry, and Mr. H. returned, ill with the fever; fortunately, it was not a serious attack. We remained there only long enough to nurse him through it, when our trips to the hospitals at Antietam and Frederick City were resumed. While in the latter place, our home was the house of a well-known loyal family. They felt, what we at the North knew nothing of, that loyalty meant life was at stake, homes deserted, property destroyed, and the friends of early, happier years, all given up,— for what ? devotion to the country, and the flag !

As "Stonewall's" mem marched through the town, they manifested their contempt for the "Starry Flag" by trailing it in the dust, at their horses' feet, as they rode along. Our friends, pained to know of their ill deeds, and unwilling to look upon the disgraceful act they were powerless to prevent, closed their doors and windows, that they might be out of sight. Their old neighbors pointed them out to the rebels, as they passed exultingly through their streets, as hated Unionists.

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But their joy was of short duration ; soon driven out by our forces, and many prisoners taken, a long line of the captured were marched by their door. Now was their hour of triumph ; the flag which had been so cautiously concealed, and sacredly guarded, was brought from its hiding-place, and secured to the staff. Mrs. J , an elderly lady, a Virginian by birth, determined they should again pass under the flag they had dishonored.

"In her attic window the staff she set, To show that one heart was loyal yet. She leaned far out on (he window-sill, And shook it forth with a royal will."

The rebels could only threaten, as they moved on, that if again in possession of the city, they and their home were doomed. Some months after this had occurred, I stood by that attic window as she related the story, and pointed out how defiantly she had waved it over them. Its weight was as much as I could raise, and yet, in the excitement, my friend was all unconscious of it. It was long after, before I saw or heard of Whittier's "Barbara Frietchic," — that charming story, so told that it will live for ages to come ; and have often wondered whether his original and my friend were the same. In visits to the hospitals, collecting and distributing articles needed among the wounded, 3*

TJIHEK YKAKS IN FIELD HOSPITALS.

the time was occupied until the battle of Fredericksburg.

Soon after as possible, we went to Virginia, and remained in the Second Corps Hospital, near Falmouth. Army life taught, perhaps, all who were in it many useful lessons. I never knew before how much could be done, in the way of cooking, with so few utensils. We thought we had some experience in that line at Sharpsburg, but here the conveniences were still fewer. When we commenced, a little "camp-stove," very little larger than a lady's band-box, fell to our lot, upon which to prepare the "light diet," as it is termed. Three articles — a coffee-pot, a half-gallon tin-cup, and a small iron-boiler — were the sum total of kitchen furnishing: we soon learned to manage nicely ; by beginning in time, were always ready at the tap of the drum. For several weeks, seventy men were daily supplied with all the "light diet" they required, prepared upon it; our soldier assistants worked admirably with it ; — and gradually, from the Sanitary Commission and friends at home, this department was fitted for work ; an abundance of delicacies could be made with the condensed milk and fresh eggs, which were regularly forwarded to us ; bread and biscuit were also sent, with farina, wines, butter, dried fruits, etc., so that the men fared well. Penn Relief, Reading, Pottstown, Danville, and some portions of Montgomery County,

ARMY OV THE POTOMAC. 27

were the sources from which our supplies, at this time, principally came. From the commencement until the close of the war, they never wearied in well-doing; but worked on devotedly, as only those could whose hearts were in it. The memory of them, and their good deeds, will ever be lovingly cherished by those whose hands were made the channel through which this stream of life-sustaining gifts flowed.

"We still depended entirely upon home-supplies for our own use; frequently, during that winter, our bread was four or five weeks old ; we never called it stale even then, though at home we would think it unfit for the table in as many days. Several trips were made to Washington, to purchase bread for us; at length, at the request of the surgeon in charge, we drew army rations, and were spared much trouble. Our dwelling was a little "Sibley" tent, whose only floor was the fragrant branches of the pines — giving additional care to our attentive "orderly," in its frequent renewing; there, while fully occupied, the winter slowly wore away. The deep mud, and impassable roads, cut by the army, precluded travel ; no chaplain, that / ever saw, came to our camp until the roads were in good order: men sickened and died, with no other religious services, save the simple Scripture reading, and prayers, which I was in the daily practice of using for them; and which invariably were received with a pleasant "thank you," and adding: "We are always glad to see you, and have you read to us."

A boy, belonging to the H8th P. V., George S.

L whose home was in Centre County, Penna.,

was very low from hemorrhage ; his nurse came to ask if / would try to induce him to cat ; he had refused all food that had been offered, and it was important that his strength should be kept up: I prepared some article as directed by the surgeon, and took it to him ; when I entered the tent, he was lying with closed eyes, and a face colorless as the canvas above him ; I spoke, telling him that I came, at the surgeon's request, to feed him, that ho was not to speak or make any exertion— merely swallow what I gave him. The blue eyes opened wide, scanned my face steadily for a moment ; possibly satisfied with the scrutiny, no objection was made, and he really enjoyed the slight repast. I told him at such an hour I would be there again, and would prepare his food and drink. For two weeks, all he ate was what I gave him; during that time was a very decided change for the better, and ho could now converse without danger. The week preceding the battle of Chancellorsville, we were obliged to go home for a short time ; but left, to carry on the work, my valuable assistant,- Miss P. When George found we expected to leave, he cried bitterly, exclaiming that "lie knew he should die, if I left him;" and thanking, and blessing me for my care.