August 11.—A few days ago we received orders to pack up for a move. We were told to send the worst wounded to the Coweta House. As we have learned to do every thing with dispatch, all was ready for removal in a very short time. The cars were waiting for us, and the wounded who could be moved were put aboard. They disliked being left so much, that many pretended they were better than they really were. After every thing was in readiness, about dark, I went to the Coweta House to bid the patients good-by. The men had been sent from the Bragg, Gamble, and our hospitals. The galleries, halls, and rooms were full, and there were no nurses, no lights, and nothing to eat or drink, not even water. I met Dr. Wellford, who had gone over for the same purpose as myself. Never were two persons more joyfully received than we were. One poor boy was crying like a child. Dr. W. came back home with me, and we procured some of the nurses, and, taking some of the rations which we had cooked, and making a quantity of toddy, we carried all over. The men did not eat much, but the toddy seemed to revive them. We had also taken candles with us. I remained as long as I could be of any service. I believe Dr. W. was there till 12 o’clock that night .
The next morning I went to see them, and found they had no breakfast; and there was little prospect of their getting any. No one seemed to have them in charge. I was told that Dr. Smith, one of the surgeons of the place, was to take care of them, but he was not there then.
I heard no little grumbling, which was not much wonder. Many said they did not care how soon the enemy had them; that they could not use them worse than our own people had done.
I looked around, and discovered that there were no dishes, and no utensils in which to cook, even if we had any thing to cook. There were no changes of clothing for the men, and no rags for their wounds. I told Mrs. W. the plight the men were in, and she said she would remain with them and run the risk of being captured. We sent for Dr. Hughes, and he gave his consent for her to stay. I then asked him to send at least a change of clothing for the men who had left our hospital. He said he could not without orders. He left us, and after awhile some clothes were sent, and a lot of eggs and butter. The steward came, and asked us what kind of dishes we wished. I gave him a list, and he tried to get them, but was unable to do so, as they were packed away in boxes, which were in the car, and could not be got at.
Sallie (a little girl who was in the hospital with us) and I got on one of the box-cars along with the ladies of the Gamble Hospital, Miss Rigby and Mrs. Dr. Wildman. We were just about starting when we were informed that our hospital would not leave before next morning. Sallie and I got off, and remained all that night at Mrs. Dougherty’s, who, as usual, was very kind.
Mrs. W. stayed at the Coweta House, and by daylight next morning she came to me in great distress, saying she had not slept any all night, she had been kept awake by the groans of the men. And on trying to get something for them for breakfast, and finding nothing, had become sick at heart, and sick in reality. I sent over a large can filled with edibles, and Mrs. D. sent a nice breakfast for about six. I then went to the hospital, and, between us, we managed to get enough food for all. The men from the Gamble Hospital had been provided for; but there were not more than six or seven of them, so their things did not add much to the stock on hand.
I resolved not to leave Mrs. W., as she was quite sick. I told the post surgeon I would like to remain, he informed me that I could not please him better than by so doing; that he had been disappointed in procuring the assistance of some of the ladies of the place. He expected Dr. Smith would have taken charge of the patients before that time, and see that they were properly cared for. There had been some misunderstanding about the matter. In the hurry of evacuating a post, as was the case with us, oversights are unavoidable. Dr. Wible had issued an order to the surgeon in charge of each hospital to turn over, for the benefit of the patients, medicines, liquors, and money, which order was complied with. Such is the strict discipline in our medical department, that, as he did not specify any of the other necessaries, they were not left. The mistake was not found out until too late to retrieve it, as every thing had been packed up and sent off on the cars.
Dr. Gore, who remained a little while after the hospitals left, gave us a large box full of things which had been sent to him as a donation for the wounded. There were some nice wines and many other useful articles in it. Dr. Gore did his best to induce the citizens to lend us their assistance.
As many men as could be spared were sent around to the citizens, asking them to send us cooked provisions. Drs. Devine and Wellford were to be left as long as there was no sign of the approach of the enemy.
I spent the most of the day going around among the people, begging them for the loan of almost any thing. Mrs. Berry gave me a wash-boiler; Mrs. Dr. Redwine, a wash-tub; and Mrs. McKinly, a negro woman, to wash, and a small tub in which to bathe the men’s wounds.
Dishes of all kinds being very scarce, I could not even borrow any. By dinnertime the people commenced sending in all kinds of good things to eat, but we were in a dilemma, as we had nothing on which to put them. We managed after awhile to have them stored away until they would be consumed. We had to economize, as we were not certain when we would get any more. Mrs. Brooks intends sending food to six, which will be a great help.
I am completely worn out, as the day has been very warm. We do not know the moment the enemy may be on us, but we will have to make the best of it if they come. Our clothes have all gone with the hospitals, so we have nothing but ourselves to care for now.
Mr. Moore remained to help take care of the wounded, and he has done his part in procuring food; he has got a friend to send us some milk.
