June 24.—My brother writes that the army is now south of Marietta, and as it passed through that beautiful city the people cheered them on, and seemed perfectly hopeful of success, expecting them back soon as conquerors. He also says that the army is in fine spirits, and that they get plenty to eat, and have coffee and sugar; but says they are all certain that it is General Bragg who is getting them so many good things.
Another of the brave youths of Mobile, Ben. Scattergood, has fallen a martyr for his country. He was a member of Garrety’s battery, and was killed instantly, near Resaca.
All the churches, with the exception of one, have again had to be taken for hospitals, and the young ladies’ college besides. We have two very large sheds put up; one is on the court-house square. I like them very much for wounded, and the patients are all perfectly delighted with them. They have board roofs and tent-cloth sides, so as to be raised up or let down, as circumstances may require. They are twelve feet in width, and one hundred feet in length, with bunks arranged on each side, with an aisle in the center about five feet wide. I think this is the best arrangement that can be made for wounded in summer. They are well ventilated, and have none of the inconveniences of tents. Post Surgeon Wible has always been an advocate of them, and these have been put up at his suggestion.
A few weeks ago an article appeared in one of the papers of this place complimentary to the hospitals here. The editor said that, when the hospitals first came, there was great prejudice against them, on account of the sickness of which the people were afraid they might be the cause. But the reverse effect has been produced; that never, since Newnan was a town, had it been more healthy, more quiet or pleasant as a place of residence. After complimenting all in them, he ends with a deserved one to the sick and wounded soldiers who from time to time filled them, saying that, by their quiet, unobtrusive conduct, urbane manners, and dignified bearing, they have convinced the most skeptical that southern soldiers and gentlemen are synonymous terms.
