CITIZENS VISITING IN CAMP AND THE SICK SOLDIER.
THE SICK SOLDIER.--Exposure, irregular and unwholesome diet, constant
changing, uncomfortable lodgings and many other things caused soldiers
to contract diseases which often terminated in death. Notwithstanding
everything was done for the poor sick soldier that could be done under
the circumstances, he missed the affectionate attentions of loved ones
at home. On account of inadequate facilities to furnish the necessary
means the unfortunate victim was often neglected.
SURGEON’S CALL.--While in camp every morning at a certain hour
Surgeon’s call was announced by the beating of the drum. Sick soldiers
in camp who were able to walk were required to report to the doctor
for treatment and to be excused from duty. Such as were not too sick
remained in camp and were treated at their tents, and soldiers who
were very sick were sent to a hospital. Soldiers sick in camp generally
received scant sympathy and poor attention. A soldier though who was
known to be faithful in the discharge of duty if unfortunately became
sick was cared for by his friends.
In every command there were soldiers who were experts in playing off
sick, and of course such were not respected. There was always some
one ready to ridicule the sick squad reporting. When the drums beat
sometimes a wag would cry out. “Come up dead” or “Come up and get your
Dovers powders or Camphor and Opium pills.” Soldiers really sick have
been known to throw away medicine given them and take their chances.
SIMPLE MINDED SICK SOLDIER.--In a certain regiment a simple minded
soldier who was really sick would slowly make his way to the doctor’s
tent and when asked “what is your trouble?” he would invariably give
the same answer, “The same old complaint, ‘Sumption.’” The doctor would
excuse him and he would return to his tent, lie down and suffer as much
with homesickness as with the disease itself.
Many a poor soldier lost his life in camp, in a hospital, on the march
or on the battlefield, who would have rallied from a very slight
indisposition that developed into a fatal disease could he have been
transferred to his home.
DESPONDENT, SICK SOLDIER.--After serving in the army for about a year
a soldier was stricken down with a severe spell of sickness and sent
to a hospital to recuperate. Having a horror for hospital life he
plead earnestly with the physician in charge to recommend the issuing
of a furlough for him to return home. He was informed that he was too
weak and must wait until he got able to travel. The next day he told
the doctor that he was getting worse and weaker and plead with him
to allow him to go before the board to meet in a few minutes in the
hospital, but received no encouragement. A few minutes later a message
came summonsing some other sick soldiers in the same room to appear
before the board. He had about given up in despair when another message
came ordering him to report to the board at once. He obeyed the order
without delay, and had scarcely gotten inside of the door when the
chairman said, “Give him fifty days.” He returned home one beautiful
Sunday morning. A good mother saw him slowly approaching the house and
seeing his uniform, it occurred to her that the stranger was a soldier
and for the sake of her own boys in the field she would treat him as
well as she could. Being pale, weak, emaciated, reduced almost to a
skeleton and nearly exhausted, he with difficulty climbed up the steps
that lead up to the door. As soon as he got inside of the door his
mother and sister assisted him to a chair, thinking they were helping
some poor unfortunate soldier unknown to them. Finally they recognized
him but did not know whether to rejoice or weep for it looked very much
like his life was fast ebbing out. In a few weeks he was well again and
returned to the army.
VISITING.--Soldiers very much enjoyed a visit from friends at home, and
a visitor after getting in camp and located among the friends he was
especially visiting was regarded as guest of the soldiers and treated
with deference by all he chanced to meet. Soldiers were always ready
for some fun and any incident outside of the common broke the monotony
and gave them a change. Citizens with few exceptions after their first
experience enjoyed a joke even at their expense. If a citizen passed
through camp wearing a long tailed coat or plug hat, some one would
tauntingly cry out, “Come down out of that coat or come out of that
hat, I know you are in there I see your legs,” and the boys would
repeat until the poor fellow got through and of course the citizen felt
relieved when the boys quieted down. The boys meant no disrespect and
the citizens generally took it all good naturedly.
PORTLY GENTLEMAN.--At one time a portly gentleman passed through
camp and as soon as he came in sight a soldier cried out, “Here he
comes: and here he comes” was repeated along the line. Finally the old
gentleman chagrined, stopped, pulled off his hat and politely asked
the boys what he had done, they promptly told him that he had stolen
their big bass drum and swallowed it. The good natured old fellow
caught on to the joke and told the boys that their drum should be
returned and he was permitted to pass on enjoying the laugh as much as
any of them.
LADY VISITORS.--A lady visiting in the camp always had a refining
influence upon the soldiers who were pleased to have an opportunity to
treat such a visitor as an honored guest. The mere announcement that
lady visitors were expected would cause soldiers to get busy and police
the camp making everything around the tents look tidy and attractive.
The conduct and conversation of the soldiers were always improved by
visits of the ladies. Unfortunately though their visits were few and
far between times. There was in the valley of Virginia a beautiful
young lady who acted as a courier for some of the officers and was said
to sometimes pass through the lines where a man would not be allowed
to go, and to return bringing valuable information. She was a graceful
horseback rider and created a sensation when she rode along the lines.