From the Richmond Daily Whig, 8/8/1861
The General Hospital - The new Alms House, on the northern suburbs -
for the present styled "The General Hospital," is now occupied by more than two
hundred and fifty wounded Federal prisoners. Only two Confederate soldiers
remain in the building - the others having been removed to private hospitals or
residences. We visited this "General Hospital" on Tuesday afternoon and walked
through the various wards. The majority of the prisoners seemed convalescent and
free from pain, but there was enough of suffering manifested in the groans of
some, and the compressed lips and dejected countenances of others to render the
scene worthy the contemplation of Abraham Lincoln and his advisors - the
infamous authors of this atrocious war. Those who were only slightly wounded
were strolling listlessly about the porches or reclining on their pallets - some
of them smoking pipes and others reading tracts and conversing. We observed a
couple playfully engaged in fencing with pieces of laths. The Sisters of Charity
were moving from room to room, exemplifying their mission of humanity, by
ministering to the wants of the helpless patients. They also attended to the
distribution of the evening meal, which consisted of a bowl of nice coffee and a
slice of fresh wheaten-bread to each man. A negro boy passed us with a plate of
toast for one of the patients. The attention of the surgeons, assistants and
nurses, to the inmates of the Hospital, could scarcely be more constant and
generous, were the patients our own gallant soldiers; but human suffering levels
all distinctions, and the treatment of a prostrate and bleeding foe is, at
least, in this part of the world, governed by the dictates of magnanimity and
mercy. Nevertheless, it seems strange that men who, but a short time since, were
willing and eager to participate in the plunder of our city and the murder of
our people should now be the recipients of such kindness. If their consciences
are not made of impenetrable stuff, this treatment should overwhelm them with
shame and remorse.
The Alms House is admirably adapted for the purposes of a Hospital. It is
well ventilated and delightfully situated upon an eminence commanding an
extended, picturesque and refreshing view of rural scenery. The stud partitions
between many of the wards have been lathed, but not yet plastered. The
circulation of air is thereby promoted - an advantage not to be lightly
estimated in an institution of this kind, at this season. Altogether, it may be
safely remarked that, so far as the building and its comforts are concerned, the
wounded Yankees and Hessians are better provided for than a majority of the sick
and wounded Confederate soldiers quartered in the city hospitals.
We found that some of the prisoners were religiously inclined. They were
asking for bibles and hymn-books from a benevolent gentleman, who was looking
after their spiritual welfare. Had they devoted more of their time to the "word
of God" and heeded its teachings, they would never have engaged in such a
murderous and villainous enterprize as the invasion of Virginia. We conversed
briefly with a number of prisoners, and whilst some were sullen, the majority of
them were respectful and communicative, professing to be in favor of "peace" and
deprecating the deception which led them into the service, protesting that they
only volunteered to protect Washington. They may be sincere, but we are of
opinion that the vigilance of the guard should not only not be relaxed, but that
additional sentinels should be posted around the building.
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