The Drum Beat/Number 10/The Field Hospital
THE FIELD HOSPITAL.
A general assault was ordered by our commander on the 27th of May. The troops of Gen. Augur's division were formed in line of battle under the cover of the woods, waiting orders. About noon, a terrific cannonading began upon our whole line. For some time this was kept up, and then, with the exception of here and there a gun, suddenly ceased. Our men then moved out from the woods, and no sooner was this done than immediately the works about Port Hadson poured forth a terrible storm of grape and canister, and all imaginable missiles—and, I might say, all unimaginable—mingled with the death-dealing rifle-shots. Great pains had evidently been taken by the enemy to make our approach as difficult as possible. Trees had been felled, and the thick brush left like successive hedges. The ground itself was uneven and broken, so that the line of battle was soon lost, and our men moved forward as they best could. The fire of the enemy was thick and fast, and fearfully effective. It was a short and decisive matter with us. We failed. In the literal, as well as in the moral battle, we may use Carlyle's words: "We rise by a succession of falls."
At this time, our much beloved and much lamented Brigadier-General, Col. E. P. Chapin, of the 116th New York, fell; and several other brave and accomplished officers. Our men took such shelter as they could find, behind trees and stumps, and waited the waning of the day.
We had the good fortune to have, as a medical Director, an energetic and experienced surgeon, one who had seen much service on the Potomac, and knew both what was wanted and where to get it. He had anticipated the sad necessities of the occasion, and provided for them, as far as it was possible. Our first station was about a third of a mile from the battle-field, in the woods, and our Field Hospital was about one mile to the rear. The wounded were now brought in by ambulances, and placed upon cotton in the shade of the trees. Everything was conducted in the most quiet and orderly manner. It was a matter of surprise to me that among hundreds of wounded, suffering men lying there, it was so still. Though constantly passing around among them, with cooling drinks, and soup, and water with which to wet their bandages, I did not hear a single regret or complaint. Never before had I seen such heroism in patient endurance. Aside from the groans of those under the effect of ether, there was only now and then an audible moan. It was on this occasion that the Sanitary Commission came in to supply what even a generous Government lacked, and sent up to Dr. Rauch plentiful stores of wines, rice, &c. During the whole of that afternoon and night, the wounded men were served with as much iced water, coffee, claret, and soup as they could take. There was scanty covering during the night, it is true, for the poor men, exhausted with the loss of blood, and occasionally some one complained of the cold. But every means possible under the circumstances was devised for their comfort.
Richly do these men deserve all that you can do for them; so brave in battle, so patient in suffering. If battles must be fought, may every Division be so fortunate as to have a medical Director as energetic, as thoughtful and provident as Dr. Rauch; and may he have stores to draw from, as full, and as judiciously furnished, as were those of the Sanitary Commission on the Mississippi. Their system is most excellent. May the support it finds be most ample; and may God speed every effort to line with silver the terrible cloud of War!
S. J. S.