103. The Yankee Wounded
By B. ESTVAN (1863)
I TOOK a great interest in the fate of the poor wounded
prisoners in the hospitals at Richmond, firstly, because, owing
to the animosity which prevailed
against the Yankees, I fancied they would not be much cared
for; and, secondly, because I was aware, that, even with the
best intentions, the Government could not do much for so
many as thirty thousand wounded men. Richmond, at that time,
had the appearance of a great hospital. Every public building
was filled with the sick and wounded. Many of the patients
had never been in action. Bad food, insufficient clothing, and
want of proper attention had brought them into a state of
disease. Two surgeons to attend upon six hundred patients
were all I found in one hospital; happily, among the prisoners
there were a few medical men, who did what they could to
alleviate the suffering of their comrades. I shuddered at the
spectacle I had to witness; the wounds of many had not been
attended to, and their clothing was stiff from clotted blood. I
did what I could to improve their condition, I went from bed to
bed, promising to exert all my influence in their favor, and many
a poor fellow looked me his silent thanks.
I called upon General Winder to represent the case of these
unfortunate men. Whilst every attention was paid to our own
wounded and sick by the inhabitants, the unfortunate
prisoners were allowed to rot and die. General Winder could
not withstand my appeal, and promised me his assistance. I
then appealed to the German and Irish population to come
forward and do something for the poor prisoners, and in a few
hours that appeal was responded to. I myself sent everything I
could spare from my ward. robe. Many a bottle of wine and
parcel of lint, prepared by German ladies, now found their way
to the hospitals, and the Irish population, with their natural
good nature, brought all the linen they could spare
to the surgeons of the prisoners. When it is considered that
the persons who did this ran the risk of being arrested by the
secret police, the very smallest gifts rank as great sacrifices, for
even a glance of pity at a poor sick enemy would have brought
them under the suspicion of being traitors to their country. In a
few days some sort of system was introduced into the
prisoners' hospital. The sick were attended to and waited upon,
received changes of linen, and were cheered with the hope of
recovery. Many a tear rolled down their pale checks, and many
a blessing was bestowed on me on the day when I took leave
of them, and I left with the conviction that I had preserved the
life of many a brave fellow.
After the seven days' fight before Richmond, hundreds of
wounded, friend and foe, were brought into Richmond, where
for a long time they were left exposed to a broiling sun upon
the platform of the railway station. I went with a friend of mine,
Captain Travers, son of an admiral in the Confederate fleet, to
the station, to render help. Owing to the destruction of the
Merrimac, Captain Travers was out of employment, and was in
plain clothes. Captain Travers was a fine-looking man, had
travelled far, and was a perfect gentleman. When we reached
the station, the greatest confusion prevailed; groups of
wounded lay in all directions, a number of benevolent ladies,
with their black servants, were distributing tea, coffee,
chocolate, and broth, to the wounded.
However, I soon observed that they took no notice of many of
the sufferers. Some one touched my spur, and on looking
down, I beheld one of those ghastly faces which can never be
forgotten. It was that of a stately-looking soldier of the enemy,
in full uniform.
"You are a German officer,"he said. "Yes, comrade,"I replied;
and his eye brightened. "Then I beg of you, most earnestly,"
he said, "to get me a cup of coffee."Both Travers and myself
immediately went up to a lady who belongs to one of the best
families of the South, and who had just passed the poor fellow
by, without taking any notice of him. 11 Madam St. Clair,"I said,
"will you give me a cup of coffee for a wounded man ? ""Oh,
certainly,"she said, and her servant handed me a cup. I
hastened back, but whilst I was stooping down to give it to the
wounded man, some one pulled me by the sleeve, and to my
astonishment, it was Mrs. St. Clair, who, in a harsh voice,
asked me if I was aware I was helping a miserable Yankee. "
No, madam,"I replied, "I do not know that, but I know that he
is a brave soldier, as is proved by his wounds."At the same
time I gave this prejudiced woman a look of scorn, which made
her beat a hasty retreat, and I then gave the coffee to the
wounded man. Tears ran down his furrowed, sunburnt cheeks,
and having somewhat recovered himself, he whispered to me, "
I am a Swiss; I served for ten years in the Kabermatter regiment
at Naples, but never thought I should die in such a hole as
this."I endeavored to console him as best I could.
Captain Travers now arrived with a basket of strawberries, and
pressing some between his fingers, put them into the poor
fellow's mouth. Whilst thus occupied, a man seized him by the
arm, and said, "I arrest you."It was one of the police agents.
Captain Travers drew himself up to his full height, "On what
ground?"he said. "Because you are helping the enemy,"he
replied, "and all the ladies here are
talking about it.""If it is your intention to arrest me, you can
do your vile work at the American Hotel, where I am staying.
My name is Captain Travers."As if he had been bitten by a
snake, the miserable wretch started back, pleaded duty and the
instigation of the ladies as his excuse, and went away.