August 13.—This morning the same young man came and asked us if we were going to the table, or would we have our meals brought to us. We concluded to try the table, as it would save trouble; it was set in a small room, and around it were seated officers of all ranks; they were convalescent.
I have met our old Corinth friend among the patients, Dr. Devine; he was very much pleased to see me, and said, as we were strangers here, if there was any thing he could do for us, not to hesitate one moment in asking him, for it would give him great pleasure to assist us in any way.
The house we are in is a frame building, such as is usually put up for summer use, at watering-places. It has a hall through the center, and rooms each side.
Dr. Bemiss called early in the morning and took us through the hospital. It is situated in a valley, and is one of the most lovely spots I ever beheld; I told Dr. B. it put me in mind of a picture I had seen of the “Dream of Arcadia.” All around it had an air of perfect tranquility; it seems to me if the men get well any place they will here.
The hospital covers about thirty acres of ground, abounding in mineral springs, and in nice shady nooks.
We visited the wards; there are only three, although there are accommodations for five hundred patients; they are composed of tents, which are very tastefully arranged. Each ward is separate, having a wide street in the center, shaded by magnificent trees.
At present the hospital is filled with patients, a few of whom are sick enough to be confined to their beds; they are mostly chronic cases, sent here for the benefit of the water.
As we have never been in a hospital for chronic cases, we do not know how we shall like it; it always seemed to me that, do what we will for them, they would not get well. No one, unless those who have been waiting on sick men, can have the least idea how depressing it is not to see them recover; it has many a time made me quite melancholy, and I have known it to have the same effect on the surgeons.
Mrs. W. and I are going to do what is best suited to our taste—see that the men receive the food prepared for them. We will now have plenty of time to read and talk to them.
We were much pleased at the kind manner which Dr. B. exhibited for all; he spoke to the men with as much feeling as a kind father would to his children.
We came to one man who had been very sick, and Dr. B. told us that he scarcely ate any thing, but there was a kind of corncake which he wished, and no one could make out what kind it was. On his explaining, we understood that he wished corn meal batter-cakes; we had them made for him, and he ate them with a great relish. Dr. B. was delighted, and said that after all there was no one like a woman to take care of the sick.
As this has been a watering-place, there are quite a number of small wooden houses on it, which are set apart for various purposes. Each ward has one connected with it, where are put the lowest patients. One is a linen and ironing-room, of which a man has charge; besides, there is a woman who does the mending and part of the ironing.
The patients and attendants have their washing and ironing done in the hospital. I wonder what “head-quarters” would say if this were known. It seems strange that in one hospital can be done what is unlawful in another.
We visited the wash-house; as yet it has nothing but the “canopy of heaven” for a covering, if I except some very fine shade-trees, and tents in which to put the clothes in case of rain. Water is supplied from a “branch.” Mr. Love, a soldier, and his wife have charge, and are responsible to the man in the linen-room for the clothes. Near the wash-house is a bathing-house; the water for it is supplied from the same branch.
There is also a place for dyeing comforts, as the latter are made out of cotton in its pure state, which soils very easily. Then there is a quilting-room, where these comforts are made, after being dyed. All of this is under the superintendence of the man who has charge of the linen-room.
There is also a fine bakery, and a convalescent kitchen, in which are large boilers for cooking. The convalescent dining-room, which is new, is covered and open at the sides. A horn calls the patients to their meals, which has quite a romantic sound, like old feudal times.
We next visited the kitchen, where the diet for the very sick is prepared; in which are four stoves and as many cooks, besides a head one, who takes charge of every thing. There are no less than two hundred and fifty patients fed every day from this kitchen. From it the convalescent officers’ table is supplied—a thing that in Chattanooga (not head-quarters this time) Dr. Stout would on no account permit. Although the officers had a separate table and separate rooms, their diet was the same as the convalescent privates.
Dr. Bemiss has come up to Dr. Stout’s standard of having the hospital as well supplied as any hotel in the South. There is a profusion of all kinds of good things— fowls, vegetables, and fruits of all kinds; but there is one thing lacking, and an important one—milk. The doctor says he intends getting some cows.
The head cook sees that each nurse is provided with what is prescribed on the diet-list for the patients. The surgeons put down on their books what kind of diet they want, and the head nurse copies it, and hands it to the steward, who makes a register of the number of men. The head cook has a list of the articles which come under the different classes of diet, and distributes them accordingly.
We were introduced to the chief matron. She does not visit the wards, but attends to seeing the delicacies prepared for the sick.
We thought we had seen all of this excellent hospital, but found we were mistaken; for it has a reading-room, in which are books and papers. The chaplain, Mr. Green (the one I met on the cars), intends having a chapel put up, and I think the place will then be complete.
Take the hospital altogether, I do not see how it could be more perfect; but Dr. B. tells me that there is a much better one at Catoosa Springs, some few miles distant; Dr. Foster is the surgeon, and his wife and niece matrons.
General Bragg is in this hospital sick. He has his head-quarters at Dr. Gamble’s house, which is near here. Mrs. B. is with the general.
