Hospital Life from Jan 1862 till April 2nd 1866 commencing at Western Missouri ending at Madison Wis.
To my surviving comrades in arms this narrative is dedicated.
Respectfully Ole Grimstvedt
Enrolled in Co. C. 12th Wis. Vet. Vol. Infantry, under the name of Ole Olson. My father and the rest of the family not having at that time taken the proper name that we are known by now we learn as we grow older, at least we ought to.
My first introduction
to a Military Hospital was at Western Missouri. It must have been the latter
part of Jan. 1862. Quite a few of our regiment were down with the measles,
and myself amongst them. To get better treatment I was sent to a hospital
which was in a high school or academy building. I remember very little
of my stay here except that I soon got well. I could not have been there
more than a week or a fortnight.
The Dr. in charge was
one Linsfeldt a Swede. He had a fashion of calling things by the plain
English names as for instance, when asking how the bowels moved he spoke
right out plain enough for anybody to understand.
Another disease that
also went the around brought a good many of the boys to the hospital, I
refer to the mumps. Now every body knows that if this decease is not taken
care of serious complications may be the result. Now the Dr. in making
his morning rounds would give his orders in the plainest English language
as to what the different patients was to do. The different expressions
that he used was kept up as, bywords amongst the boys for a long time.
The next I knew about
a hospital was at Union City Tenn. I think I had partaken to freely of
Kentucky green apples before they were ripe. Where we were kept there could
hardly be called a hospital but I was away from the Regiment for a week
or some such matter while they were building a R. R. bridge across the
Ohio river, this was on the Mobile and Ohio R. R. and was to help feed
our army at Corinth. I got back to the regiment when the bridge was nearly
ready and seen the locomotive make the trial trip. Then I knew nothing
about a hospital for a year or until we got to the main army in the rear
of Vicksburg. Dysentery and flux got away with me so that I staid a few
days in our field hospital at a plantation called Magnolia Hall. I was
most of the time in the trenches until the surrender when I was a good
deal under the weather. The regiment went to Jackson but I could not go
with them, but came with other convalescents a week or so later but when
we came back to Vicksburg I had to go to the hospital. It was in tents,
and when I was led down through the tent to my cot I thought it was a dining
room with tables spread with white table cloths, I was pretty near gone.
I don't remember much about my stay here only that I got so I could roam
around quite a bit. I remember seeing the tree under which Pemberton surrendered
to Grant. I don't think that I went over a purpose, but I being there it
was pointed out. To me, I did not know at that time that a chip of that
tree would be of any value to any one. Probably 10 years after the war,
I visited Mrs. George Theobald, "used to be Rosana Powers" she had been
my school teacher, and her brother was with us at Vicksburg, in our Co.
she showed me quite a few trinkets, and amongst others a chip from the
Pemberton tree. I then told her that I had seen the tree and could have
had it all for that matter. She priced that chip very highly. I also used
to go down town clear down to the boat landing, and in fact it strikes
me I were having a good time, especially the days I did not have fever
and ague, it was just this way. I would have the shake in the forenoon
till about 10 then the fever would set in, and after a little I would go
to sleep, this would be regular ever other day. The day I had the ague
I'd miss dinner but at breakfast and again at supper I was all right at
the table. It was a very easy matter to break it, one dose, of quinine
would generally be enough but it returned the 7th 14th and 21st day sure
and that is the way it kept on more or less all summer. I was shivering
with the chills one day sitting in a sunny spot when an old Darky came
to me and said I mustn't set dar hony, De fever would be so much worse,
I found it, was so and done different next time. In my stay at Vicksburg,
I got quite intimate with one Peter D. Farmin of Co D. Our Reg. He was
from Schlisingerville, Washington Co. I think Any how one of the Lake Co's.
Our scope of conversation was not very extensive but we did commence to
relate some of our home experiences among things he told me that all the
land then, was all taken up and fenced and later on that his folks had
only one forty of land, such a thing as pasturing cattle. I had never hear
tell of and could not see how that could be done on 40 acres. But to him
it was plain enough. In the first place thinking they used their neighbors
well across the road, than they had. 10 acres in timber, which I considered
ridiculous to have any thing for timber out of 40 acres, but he said that
10 acres in sugarbush as he called it came in very handy, the fact of it
was the 10 acres was maple timber. The rest of the land was open of course,
now then says I what stock can you keep on 40 acres, Oh! says he we have
a span of horses, 2 cows and a bull dd a bull says I in surprise I should
think you try and be without that, when you have only 40 acres, but his
answer was, Now I tell you a bull comes in very handy some times, a fact
that I could not dispute, but I still thought of the extravagance of keeping
a bull on 40 acres and for only 2 cows. There was another one that I remember
after we became convalescent who was going to his Reg. up the river. Anyway
he was going, up the river. He had come down from Paw Paw Island where
it seems, his personal property was left, he must have staid there are
coming down. He was quite confident that the boat would call at this island
so that he could get his duds. I had my doubts about it and asked him what
inducements there would be for the boat to stop. When he answered I suppose
the d--nd thing might look for wood. This from a man so low that he could
hardly say that much was to me hard language. This same man had a voracious
appetite after a siege of dysentery and sedon got enough, nor half enough.
We were waiting with impatience for our meals one day when he said he was
hungry enough to eat a d--md billed owl another expression that I thought
ill corresponded with physical condition. The before mentioned Farmin got
quite intimate with me, so much so, that he confided to me all about his
best girl, the twain were to be come one blest when this cruel war was
over. Yet having any such arrangements made myself, I was not interested
at all but listened to it because I had to, not so an old fellow who lay
near and could over hear Pete's experience. He cut in with, Pete you have
the stakes set, all that is left is to drive them in. Another time I heard
an Iowa soldier tell how they got water in Iowa which was to go over in
the edge of a slough and sink a well which was not very deep. I wanted
to know if they had no springs, a time, it seems he had never seen. I contended
that must be a Godforsaken country where a person could not get a good
drink of spring water, but he did not agree with me at all. Most every
farmer around here had a living spring supplying him with water when I
went out. Now however it is different, they must drill a well, no matter
how good a drink they have.
I am not sure whether
I got worse or how it was but it must have been along the later part of
Aug or the first of Sep. that I was sent to Memphis. We came in a hospital
boat, and had very nice treatment. At Memphis I was taken to the Gayoso
hospital and got my place on the first floor in what had been a store.
It was a large 3 or 4 story brick building fronting on main street and
the back end within perhaps 20 feet of a bluff 20 or 30 feet high. Next
to our ward on the first floor was the dining room and that I remember
well, the grub was the best that could be found, to me at least, but so
little of it, that I was just as hungry when I went out as when I came
in. This was undoubtedly a wise precaution for had I got all I wanted,
and what I wanted I should have filled a southern grave. I got acquainted
with one man while there his name was Jerome B. Cardiff from Ill., but
to what Regiment he belonged I don't know. He had been in a good many battles.
The Dr., evidently a Frenchman, but the fun of it was he could not speak
plain, instead of messages he would say passes. This tickled Cardiff immensely
I have never heard of
Cardiff since. Another thing about this hospital was legions of rats that
seemed to be everywhere. It was warm and the doors was left open to the
rear, but in no room were the lights turn down for then the rats would
come in droves, and trot around like so many horses fighting and squealing.
At right angel with hospital in the back yard were some old shanties that
were seemingly chuck full of rats. Most any fine day you could have seen
15 or 20 patients in all stages of convalescence each -with a brick- bat
trying to hit Mr. Rat, as he meandered back and forth between those shanties
and the before mentioned bluff. That must have been honey combed through,
and through. I don't suppose they averaged one a day. Even if they chanced
to hit one they were to weak to do any harm.
I speculated on how to
get some more to eat, and one day I managed to get a pass to go out in
town. I bought a loaf of bread and after eating part of it, I smuggled
the rest of it through the guard by having it inside my coat under my arm.
I wanted to save this up for several days, and hid it under the pillow
of course I was not allowed to eat any more then they gave me, no matter
if I bought it myself. I could hide it from the Dr.'s eyes but not so from
the rats nose. Just as soon as the lights were turned down they came in
droves, but instead of dancing a cotillion, and indulging in exercises
of a more vulgar nature, as they formerly did they became very intimate
with my bed. I tried to scale them away, but they returned and became more
aggressive. Being that they kept mostly around the head of my cot I knew
what they were after and particularly when one old fellow more forward
than the rest jumped right up on to the bed close to my head. This was
too much. I knew there would be no peace until that loaf of bread was out
of the way, and to make a dead sure thing of it. I sat up in bed and got
out side of it on short notice, this gave me peace and I slept the sleep
of the Just, and I don't remember of any ill effect of it.
In due course of time
I got to good for the hospital, but not good enough for the front, so I
was sent to the convalescent camp in Ft Pickering were we lived on ordinary
soldiers fare but had a good place to sleep. How long I staid here I don't
remember but I know I was on guard a couple of times any how one evening
as we mere going on guard I felt the fever and ague working in me and knew
it was coming and as it was a cold raw evening. I told the Lieutenant of
my fears. He told me that we should get that fixed. He took me to the Dr.
who gave me a good stiff horn of brandy with plenty of quinine in it, that
warded it off for that time. Once I was put on guard right by the magazine.
It was a gloomy looking, concern something like a lime kiln. It was located
on the side of the road that was cut in the bluff to get down to the river
edge. It did make me feel a little squrmish [sic] when I thought of what
might be if it should burst. I was not inclined to sleep on my beat in
the least that night. The rats were as plentiful here as up in town and
we whiled the time away drowning them out when they crawled into holes.
There were great big tanks pumped full from the river by machinery so we
had plenty of water. I don't remember that I formed any acquaintances while
here.
My next move was to the
Navy Yard at the south of the Wolf river. Here I got a partner bar the
name of E1ias Longberry from Ohio. We took possession of one of the empty
rooms, made a bead [bed?]stead filled it with shavings and settled down
to solid comfort. I remember the very first time us two went on guard the
corporal took our names as a matter of course and when he got to was he
wanted to know how Longberry was spelled (I going then by the name of Ole
Olson it was an easy matter to spell that) Longberry said he did not know
as he could neither read nor write. I was thunder-struck to see a grown
man that could not read, the writing I might excuse. I was not bashful
or modest about it but turned to him with surprise pictured on my face
and said "You cant read? What did you do when you grew up." Oh said he
just as unconcerned as could be. I followed the plow from the time I could
reach the plow handles. So did I says I, and I think the subject was dropped,
but he was to me a real curiosity full grown and not being able to read
nor spell his own name and I thought worst of all not in the least ashamed
of it. Jill refer to this case later on. It was not long before I was moved
again this time to the Officers hospital to serve as guard. While standing
guard at the rear door one night I noticed a lot of cavalry men coming
by in the ally, go up a flight of stairs, and after a bit, come out again
when I was relieved I concluded to investigate what this could be. When
I got up the first stairway there was a long narrow and dark hall with
the faintest glimmer of light at the farther end, when I got there it was
a pane of glass in a door. I rapped and someone looked through and I heard
them say "nothing but a private" and I was admitted. There was a full fledged
saloon. It must have been a "Blind Pig" of the southern kind. I did not
have the least desire for liquor, but not to be considered smaller than
small I called for a glass which was a very small one but the price was
15 cts; the most I've ever paid for a glass of whiskey.
The next night there
must have been hell to pay for the men came streaming out on the run and
quite noisy, and shortly after returned with their sabers when there must
have been a pitched battle, to Judge by the noise and I believe that closed
up the Blind Pig. I think it was the 5th Ohio cavalry that was here at
the time. It could not have been very long before I was promoted to nurse
in one of the wards. I had two in my charge a Lieutenant and a Dr. All
the attendants guards included sat at a common table and to say that we
lived like fighting cocks is to put it mildly. We lived on the top shelf.
One of my duties was to carry victuals to my patients that was even better
than what we got at the table, and as my men could not eat it all. I finished
it for them, this I done in the ward not caring the least whether they
seen it or not. To much eating and so little exercise gave me a continuous
headache that I was than unable to account for. Finally one day I asked
my patient the Dr. if he could account for it which he did by saying "You
eat to much, it makes you billious [sic]. And sure as any thing could be
I quit eating more than the regular meals and the headache disappeared.
My wardrobe was not very extensive, however I had change of everything
but pants, and of them too if I count a pair made of some white stuff used
to clothe [Black Slang] with. Peter Clemens of our Co. had got hold of
a bolt of this stuff and sold me a pants pattern. "My brother in law to
bell Hans Grinder who was a tailor from Norway, cut, them and I sewed them
myself but used black linen thread. They were not very large in the first
place, but after they were washed the first time they fit like tights I
must have looked like a scare crow among the attendants who were dressed
up quite nice, the ward master wanted to know if I had no other pants nor
money to buy for, both of which I answered in the negative. I don't remember
I felt in the least put out about it either but I did tell him that if
he could bring me my description roll I'd draw such clothing as would suit,
that never came however and my white pants had to serve for a change. In
taking the tray back to the kitchen one day I met with a serious mishap
the hall ran round a room at right angels and two could meet on the corner
without seeing one another previously. I collided right there and my dishes
was spilled on the floor and of course more or less demolished. One of
the surgeons came just then stopped looked at the wreck and said, You will
have to pay for that young man. Says I, I intend to Had my description
roll come so that I could have been paid off, then I presume they would
have, withheld the amount, but as it was I never heard any more about it.
I was Uncle Sam's loss, and I don't think he felt it. At least I never
had conscientious scruples on that account. It must have been when I was
at the Navy Yards that I used to visit the levee a good deal "for at the
convalescent camp I was to far off and was always on the lookout for broken
apple barrels which sometimes happened. It is needless to say that I managed
to get my share or what I considered so on such occasions. I also took
in the modus operandi of loading the steamers with cotton, two Darkies
on the bale weighing 500# made it walk right along. I triad my hand at
it but though I tried I was just strong as any of them still when it came
to handling cotton bales. I lacked the science to no small merriment of
the black roustabouts who allowed that Sojers from the Norf was not used
to handling cotton which was true and my awkwardness showed it plain enough.
Among duties I had to sweep the hall afor said, now it seamed there was
not brooms enough to go around. At least I did not have any allowed and
one day it was hard for me to find it, I complained to the ward master
who told me I had to look for it. I hunted every where on my floor then
I went up stairs and made a thorough search. On my floor was a closet from
the hall for all such odds and ends and I thought I had found a corresponding
one upstairs, and I opened it without much ceremony but [lo ?] and behold
it was not the missing broom that met my gaze but one of the ladies of
the hospital a Mrs. Jackson sitting very cozily attending to a call of
nature, she didn't seem in the least disturbed but I was and I got away
from there as fast as common decency would permit. It was impossible for
me to surmise that any such arrangements existed upstairs for we had to
go down stairs and out under the ally way for any such business, but that
I had nevertheless committed a crime that would merit summary punishment.
I felt sure but as I seen her at the table the next meal. I concluded that
her modesty was not shocked very much and I commenced to breathe easier,
though for a few days. I did wait for something to turn up in consequence
of my searching for that broom. One day I felt a touch of the bloody flux
coming again. I asked the Dr. as he was making his rounds if he would prescribe
for me, which he did very willingly. I laid the prescription on the mantle
piece, and it must have fallen down in the fire for when I was ready to
go to the dispensary with it, it could not be found. I than went out and
told the druggist my story and added, but cant you give me some thing for
it. "Says he." Why yes if you will take it, of course I would. That medicine
cured me up and I have never had a touch of bloody flux since He was a
fine young man, not much more than 20 and I have an idea he was experimenting
on me but if he could always do so well he would be the most successful
Dr. in the land. One evening a lot of men came and commenced to dig a well
right in the ally in the rear of our building and rather close up to it.
I could not imagine what this was for, but kept watch of them until they
got down probably 4 or 5 feet when they got out an iron bound round lid
this was hoisted up which disclosed a reservoir of fertilizer of the best
kind, a frame work was placed over the hold with pulleys at the top and
buckets one going, up and one going down and the contents were tripped
into a large tight box on a wagon close by. How long this continued I don't
know, but the next morning, the ally looked the same as ever. One thing
is sure there was a good chance to manure some body's cabbage patch. There
was something curious about my meanderings in Memphis. I forgot all about
home and writing to them, but I did. I don't think I wrote once while at
Memphis. How sadly my silence must have made my parents feel not to hear
any thing from me and of course conjuring up the worst that might happen.
But my good days came to an end for one day the ward master read out loud
a long lingo, which boiled down was that I should report to my regiment,
and before leaving this stage of my hospital life. I must take along that
trip to Vicksburg, of course we were furnished transportation and the necessary
rations, and found out what boat to take, there must have been upwards
of a hundred on this boat belonging to as many regiments - not one of whom
did I know or had ever seen before, but they were union soldiers and therein
lay the charm. It was a regular slow poke for sailing and as we had no
escort we tied up every night. Somehow they also chanced to get miserable
green wood which made it so much worse, once we spied a man who seemed
had wood for sale. boat was sent ashore to investigate and we soon tied
up The wood was on land some 20 or 30 feet above the river and we all turned
out to throw down onto the lowest set of from which it was carried a board.
The way that wood flew down was a caution, but when the carrying, commenced
it was a different story them hospital bummers was not of much account.
This boat load of soldiers was in command of a Lieutenant though there
were higher officers aboard. One I remember Col. Clark of McPherson's staff.
As on all river steamers there was a bar, but of course not for private
soldiers. A petition was sent to the Lieutenant to throw it open but he
would not take the responsibility so an appeal was taken to Col. Clark
who ordered the bar to be open, I think every forenoon. I don't think it
was open more than one day, long enough however to make a little hall out
of that boat, and had it not been shut when it was, no further proof would
ever be needed that there is a genuine orthodox hell in existence. One
young man I remember in particular a fine fellow hardly out of his teens.
He was what might be termed Indian drunk with all that that implies. Had
he had his own way he would have cleaned us all out or throw us into the
river, but in order to cool him down good they had him tied up by the thumbs.
When he simmered down and peace reigned once more and there were no more
petitions sent in to open the bar we could stay in the cabin and every
where I had my lodging on a pile of coffee sacks as I thought, but which
proved to be mail sacks for the different divisions for the address was
on slip of paper where it was tied thus McClernands Division Harvey's Division
Sherman's Division and so on. No one seemed to care in the least for these
sacks enclosing so much valuable information from hundreds of homes throughout
the north. And of course no one molested them, still it occurred to me
to be a very loose way to carry Uncle Sam's mail. As before mentioned we
had to tie up every night, and one evening we were at I think Goodrich
landing Arkansas, anyway it was Arkansas shore for I was ashore in the
evening and this was the only time I ever set my foot on Arkansas soil.
We laid alongside of a whopping big barge that was loaded with barrels
of all kinds. It never occurred to me that it was any of my business to
find out what those barrels contained but there must have been a few whose
conscience would give them no peace until the mystery was solved. The next
morning when. I woke up we were under full head way down the river as I
went down to the fire to cook my breakfast, I noticed quite a commotion
in front of one of the wheels. There were two barrels of ale with their
ends stove in and the men dipping it out with their tin cups, of course
I had to sample it the same as the rest of them somehow this did not have
the effect that the open bar had. Possibly there was not so much 40 rods
about it. I heard that they laid it to a Missourian a long lean lank hook
nosed type of a genuine Southerner who to see once was enough, I think
I'd know him even now among a thousand. I never heard anyone got in trouble
on account of the transfer of that ale. Well I got back to the regiment
which I think was in Nov. Eight months later. I went or was carried into
the hospital again, but under circumstances so different from what I had
tried so far that it bears no comparison, I ask the reader to follow me
the next 20 months.
It was on the 21st of
July 1864 that to me stands out more prominent than any other day of my
life though I have now in 1895 [The year this manuscript was written.]
turned my 53d mile post. It was the first day of the battle of Atlanta.
I was in my 22nd year since Jan 15 and in my 2 1/2 years soldering had
been toughened to stand most any thing and besides I was not pampered before
getting into the army either. That is one thing I am thankful for and that
is undoubtedly how I could stand as much as I did.
But to come back to the
hospital or my hospital life, I will not weary the reader with a description
of the battle, How we charged and took Bald Hill. How Pat Cleburns man
took to their heels, something they had not done so far as it is reported.
How we ran over the works and drove them like a flock of sheep, and how
we retreated to the works and there loaded and fired to our hearts content,
until the bullet molded for my special benefit hit its mark.
An able pen could make
a chapter out of this, but I will just commence when I was hit which was
just as I had fired and thrown my gun back preparatory to load. I turned
round and told Capt. (Lieut. then) Jones that I was hit when he told me
to get back to the rear as soon as I could. I staggered back but had not
gone far before I almost gave up, but was met by Geo Fuller and Frank Fenster
who one on each side helped me to the rear. In going back my cap caught
in a dry black oak limb and was pulled of. I stopped and wanted to get
the cap, but my aids would not think of stopping. As we were in anything
but a safe place. That cap I had got from my right hand man John Hinkle
that very morning. It was just like this. When home on Veterans furlough,
I had like the rest to buy a hat which I did, for $4.00. Now a person would
suppose that $400 would purchase a right smart hat, but it seemed not for
it was so completely gone that morning that it would hardly hang on the
head the before mentioned Hinkle must have got a hold of a better hat for
he offered me his old cap as a gift, but figure 12 and letter C which was
of German silver he wanted returned. Poor fellow he did not need them for
he gave up his life for the Union that day and so did my left hand man
Gilbert Baker. We went up the hill side by side in the front rank but after
that I never seen them as we got somewhat scattered going through the woods.
Well I got to the ambulance
but on the way I seen many who had bit the dust and I also seen some that
must have shown the white feather for they lay back to far from the front.
But this did not bother me in the least. I expected to die and I thanked
Providence for not being killed outright, as was Andrew Swanson and John
Hudson of our Co. shot dead by my side while we were lying where I was
when hit. They never knew what hurt them. Arriving where the ambulance
met us we were of course out of range, I remember two that I knew that
were there at the same time, Sergeant E. P. Wood of our Co. and one Broughton
of Co. E. that had been Col. Bryant's orderly, Wood was taken in the ambulance
with me and I had a chance to press his hand, which he returned, but he
was already far gone and must have died soon. Fe was shot in the breast.
Broughton was also severely wounded and died shortly. Wood was one of the
best men in our Co. an upright man in all respects. There were 2 brothers
of them Woods both were corporals it was E. P. and D. C. but I did not
know which was till one of them D. C. sickened and died at Vicksburg. I
cut out the letters on a head board for his grave without any more digression.
I will now describe my lot, and longest pull of hospital life which covered
more than 20 months of time and incidentally 8 states of territory. My
foot was not more than 5, Georgia, Tenn., Ind., Mo. and Wis. but we must
have hugged the shore more or less of Kentucky, Ill. and Iowa, as we navigate
the Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers. Now I will say right here
that hospital life is far different to a wounded man to what it is to a
sick one. In the first place there is a kind of romance in being among
the wounded, which naturally will not be in being sick, than again when
the wound is alright you -feel quite easy and contented. The wounds dressing
once or twice a day is of course a forcible reminder of your condition
but as a rule a wounded man when he is well can take a good deal of comfort
that a sick man can not pretend to get. Arriving at the hospital which
was simply an out doors, I was tenderly laid on mother earth to take such
comfort as could be got out of the situation. A young man (he may have
been a Dr.) pencil in hand came to me. Got my name, Co. and Reg. and with
a hasty glance at the wound pronounced it slightly wounded. This hasty
judgment is easily accounted for, the bullet had gone through the hip it
is true but it lodged under the skin on the other side and I am not now
so sure but I myself considered it only a flesh wound on the front side.
In fact I have two of them, this was all the medical attendance I got that
day and the next, too. My hip was getting worse right along, and to ease
it I drew my knee up to my chin and to help keep it in that position I
got a round piece of wood under my thigh, this with a sack of oats under
my head fixed me quite comfortable for my first nights rest as a wounded
Union soldier. I happened to lie close to the operating table but was to
much occupied with my own affairs to note much of what was going on. 0nce
however I heard one who became delirious under the influence of chloroform
and he harangued the Dr.'s in good shape. Not a few of his sallies "brought
down the house" I remember him saying, There are Grant and Sherman, (he
may have named others also) they are from West-Point. What of that? I am
from all points. The next morning it was rumored that Hood was coming around
in our rear. Moving of the wounded to another corner of our large hospital
was soon under full headway. At our next stopping place hospital tents
were pitched, and a blanket - shirts and a pair of drawers were issued
to each man at least that is what I got. We soon found out that this was
not the safest place in the world for bullets would hiss uncomfortably
close in the tree tops we were however behind the broad hill and it proved
safe enough. I presume the tent was filled but as to that I could not say.
All I remember is that as the firing increased, (And there was quite a
bit of that July 22 1864 on and around Bald Hill Ga.) all those shot above
the belt took leg bail for security until there was left only 4 myself
and another private. I think minus a leg though I am not sure of that,
a Lieutenant with his leg of above the knee and Col. Reynolds of the 16th
Wis., with his imported leg. He was shot through the thigh, the day before
just at the close of this days battle. When the Drs wanted to amputate
it, he, with Irish wit, begged them to spare it as it was an imported leg.
That imported leg followed Tom to the grave. He got to be pension agent
after the war and when I came to draw my pension, he always exchanged compliments
on the day we share the same bed room, not a few of those skedadling miscalculated
their own ability and would drop in the woods from sheer exhaustion or
loss of blood.
There was a young drummer
of the 25th Wis. Teunis Lawrence (Lange mgr) with whom I had
went to school that came to see me several times that day. It was his duty
to hunt up those lost and try to get them into a place of safety once he
told me a woeful story of how he heard a man moaning in the woods and to
judge by the sound it must have been a regular Goliath. He knew he could
not help him off alone for Tennis was quite small but he concluded to see
him any how. He might give him a drink of mater if nothing, more, but when
he got there low and behold it was a mule issuing his most piteous appeals
for help. One man from Co. E. by the name of James Camp laid by my side.
He had also got the same amount of clothing that I had. He was shot through
the arm. He raised up on his well arm and listened quite a while but finally
scooted of as fast as he could leaving all his goods and chattels behind.
I was not slow and. had no scruples against appropriating all his personal
property to my own use. Though it was a hard task for me to reach over
that much but it was the same old story, "Where ever there is a will there
is a way". In my hospital meandering we met again and I told him of the
haul, but he was willing I should keep it. When the moving commenced I
don't know, but my turn did not come till after dark, and I have had a
great many pleasanter rides since. Fires seemed to be lit all around us,
and the poor driver lost the road, if in fact there was any, but the stumps
and ruts he did not lose and when we reached our destination I was on mother
earth again. I laid there, and listened and listened. The firing especially
musketry was simply enormous. The news came through that General McPherson
was killed, but I cannot remember what effect it had on me. Towards the
last there came quite a body of soldiers marching past the tent just at
my head and I noticed they carried their guns at right shoulder shift and
with fixed bayonets. I judged from that that something serious was in store
and I think the firing slackened of soon. When I woke up in the morning
I found that it was a nice grass plot that was completely covered by men
in the same condition that I was. One of my neighbors who was obliged attend
to a call of nature done so a little to close to me for comfort, and of
course I gave him a piece of my mind. I've been sorry for that since for
if he was not near me he would have been near someone else and I was no
better than the rest. Hospital tents was pitched and cots built with bed
ticks filled with leaves and we settled down to solid comfort. Gen. Leggett
came around to see us and talked quite cheering. It put us in good spirits.
Here my first letter was written to the loved ones at home by Chaplain
Walker, the same office was performed for my neighbor. This was one of
the saddest experiences I had and hard as we were it almost brought tears
to my eyes and does yet, when I think of it though 30 winters has come
and gone since. Instead of the chaplain writing a new letter he got him
to finish one commenced before the battle. It was written in a fine large
hand commencing, to my Dear wife. He now told her that she would never
see him any more. Who can picture the anguish of that wife and perhaps
mother on finishing that last letter from her husband. He was shot through
the breast and must have died soon. He was already far gone, I don't remember
any more about him. After a few days we were moved again locating behind
the 4th Corps as they called it. The hospital was fixed up just as it was
where we left. I had now made up my mind that I should get well, but about
this time the wound commenced to discharge which gave me a genuine scare.
I knew nothing about healing a gun shot wound and I surely thought my time
had now come. Fortunately there was a soldier who had been in Mexico and
he told me that this was all 'O.K.' gunshot wound must be running all the
time until it is healed. (And it is running yet Feb. 8. 1895) and not healed.
And such discharging. It beat all. It would go through the bed tick and
really show a puddle under the cot. It ran me down so I got an appetite
like a saw mill. I could not have been more greedy if I had been on the
march every day or swung the cradle in the harvest field. In the mean time
some thing had to be done for the place on the back side of my hip for
it was black and blue and getting very painful. A mustard poultice was
applied that rotted of all the bruised parts and the bullet dropped out,
a large ugly scraggy looking minnie ball. I lost it on the train coming
to Chattanooga. Pretty soon a new sensation was in store for me. Maggots
got into my wound, or rather into the matter. Every thing of a soggy nature
got fly blowed. My two blankets had been discarded on that account. Had
I been scared when the wound commenced discharging I was no less so when
it pot full of wriggling, maggots. I fully made up my mind that this was
the finishing, touch. I soon found that the little fellows were quite harmless
if tended to in time, a little turpentine would start them up at a lively
rate. They would all try to get to the surface when them were easily disposed
of right. In connection herewith comes a little fun. Our Co., Co. C., had
an extra flag presented to us by I think the headquarter officers for having
the largest number of veterans or getting a certain no. first. I am not
sure which Sam Hocking of Mineral Point, was detailed to carry this flag
and a better man could not be found for that purpose of course the Rebs.
paid their compliments to Sam. One leaden missile struck the hand that
held flag staff, splintered the staff-went through the thigh and lodged
in the other thigh but slightly damaged some thing else on the way. He
was taken to the 4th Division Hospital where they were on the
point of partly fitting him for taking care of a Turkish harem, but on
learning that he belonged to the Third Division they sent him there. Here
wiser councils prevailed and Sam was left to many days of usefulness amply
attested to by the numerous little (they must be big now) that I seen some
time after war. Well Sam lay in another tent not far from me but his wound
made him blind for a time. He could hear but not see me owing to the location
of one of his wounds he was nicknamed 'Bag'. Of course maggots did not
slight him either but was driven off with turpentine as before mentioned.
One old fellow smarter than the rest seemed to slide from under when turpentine
was dealt out, or he may have been a tea to tellar [sic] anyway he held
the fort for a few days in the mean time growing so large that he got crowded
for room. He was not one of your lazy louts that would coddle up and lay
in one position all day, Not he. He would stroll around for health and
recreation but very soon struck the boundary wall, which made Sam howl
with pain for he was in a place that would not stand much hammering with,
and an extra apparatus had to be employed to cause a delivery. Ever after
whenever any one complained of maggots and how large they were getting
the answer would be "Never mind wait till they get to be as big as the
one Bag had.
After a few days I think
tenth of August there was another move this time homewards the 18 miles
to Marietta, I rode in a lumber wagon. The road was none of it the best
(at least I thought so) but the corduroyed part across the Chattahoochee
bottoms was about the toughest river I've ever had. I laid on my back and
the matter would just bubble right up with every jolt. I understood that
I died on the way, but it was a miracle that it was not more. How I lived
through that ride I don't know, but I did and was laid on the ground at
Marietta the same as on two former occasions. The next day we got into
tents and onto cots with tickful of leaves. Our wounds had not been dressed
since the morning the day before, and were in anything but a nice condition
the maggots of course had had a 24 hours picnic. I could not help but have
some fun in seeing how a little German boy carried on when he seen the
maggots. He was shot through the ankle and when the bandage was removed
there were maggots by the Peck. It must have been a new thing to him entirely
for he did carry on like mad, jumping, bouncing on his sound foot and more
than stringing them of, mostly in German Donner-Wetter, ferdamt, and sich
were run of by the yard. He must have been a new comer to judge by his
complexion and a recruit as well. I just laughed and told him that was
nothing, the maggots would not eat him, that they were not dangerous in
the least, and I guess it was not long till he found out I told him the
truth. I've never seen him since. We staid here only a very few days when
we made another move this time to Rome, Ga. We had marched through that
place in coming to the front. We were now taken in hospital care which
was a genuine luxury. Here we were out in the field hospital. It must have
been an extensive affair. One ward consisted of 6 tents set end to end,
and if I am not mistaken there were 6 cots in each tent 3 & 3 on each
side with an aisle in the center. How many Dr.'s there were I don't know
I only seen three, Lucas, French & Everett the last one was ours. Dr.
Lucas in charge of the whole. Dr. Everett was rough as a backwoods man
both in talk and manners but a good and kind hearted man withal, and for
ought I know a good Dr. He would joke with the boys bandy words with them
that was not always fit for the drawing room. Our wound dresser's name
was Cook, Isaac Cook. He was young, and quite small but when it came to
bandy words he was all there. One man lay next to me who I knew could not
stand much (In fact he was quite surly) but for all that a good and brave
soldier. He was shot through the thigh. Something must have been the matter
with the grub one day for we all had a touch of the Tennessee quick step
with most of us all but the step. My neighbor could not get around quick,
and the result was a requisition for clean clothes, of course this was
nothing but the next day we commenced to bandy words again calling one
another, Colonel, Captain General, and uncle, and so on. Finally little
Isaac Cook made the remark that that man (my neighbor) ought to be Quartermaster,
for he drew so much in clothing. This was enough he raised up in bed and
swore that if could get something, to reach him with held show him what
was what for me that knew him so well it was quite rich, but little Isaac
just had a good laugh at him being careful to keep out of reach. I did
not dare to laugh as much as I wanted to. Dr. French had his wife alone
and one day she took a stroll through the wards. It was very warm and we
lay there dressed something like Adam and we in the garden. It seams as
I can see her yet as she stepped into the first tent where I lay, she stopped
look around blushed and smiled and such skirmishing to get covering you
never saw. Finally she walked up the aisle with a kind word for this one
and a smile for that, and she was surely the prettiest woman I ever saw.
You have no idea what a cheering effect it had on the men. One fellow in
the back of the ward was shot in the calf of the leg and got well very
soon or at least thought he did for he was on crutches and came walking
down the aisle proud as a peacock stopping now and then looking around
with silent contempt at us who yet lay there helpless. He was a little
to previous however as he had a back set that came very near using him
up. They said that the guard around the place were Gentlemen of the colored
persuasion and we were somewhat dubious as to there ability. One night
I happened to lay awake I heard a shot fired. I just almost held my breath
to hear another, and sure enough "bang" there it was. My heart just about
stood still for a while for I expected a general fusillade which might
mean death to us if nothing else. But no more shots were heard that night.
The darkies had just fired at a shadow or something, which was no more
than lots of white soldiers done often enough. After a while I "with a
good many others" got gangrene in my wound the only remedy which was burning
out with bromine I was carried to another ward for that purpose where there
was a kind of consultation. Dr Lucas being present. He did not say any
thing but just shook his head. Good thing I did not knot the meaning of
that then. Then ignorance is bliss tis folly to be wise. The burning out
process was some thing of which once in a life time is enough but my wound
came out clean as a whistle. The field hospital being broke up we were
all moved into town and lodged in different buildings. I was taken into
a large hall over a store. I believe it had been used for a City or Town
hall, 45 cots were placed in here. It was the first one brought in and
chose the cot next to the south window in the corner. A fellow by the name
of Armstrong from Washington Ia. came next to me so that the two were neighbors
for quite a while. This Armstrong had his leg of below the knee. He was
quite well educated and had been on detached service clerking most of the
time, but singularly enough he said that he managed. This time he was brought
up for a good. He was a fine jovial fellow, and could lay on his cot read
novels and clean tobacco all day. I can't remember any time about the Dr.'s
here but I do our wound dresser and nurse. The latter was a regular curmudgeon
from Peoria Ill. and we soon got to detest him in every way showing our
manners on every occasion. By right we should have had a spittoon a piece
but it seems they were short on cuspidors so that Armstrong and I had to
go snucks on one. This was placed half ways between us for I was getting
jealous of my rights and a half a share in a spittoon was one of them.
Armstrong was there buried in his novel sitting all around it and when
the nurse grumbled he swore that he could not hit so far of (It being one
of the. small kind to) and of course I would not let it go hairs breadth
beyond the center line, for that matter the spittoon might be at the antipodes
for all the real use I had for it. Another source of annoyance was the
corporal each man was provided with one, and oyster cans were generally
promoted to corporal. We most always when full to the rim set them behind
the leg of the cot. The nurse being very forgetful would in sweeping or
fussing around trip the corporal and that functionary would have a good
delivery. The nurses good-humor was not increased thereby. I was not then
aware that I should be promoted to corporal ere I got out of the hospital.
It was probably the irony of fate. I am ashamed to say that the tricks
played on that nurse by Armstrong, and myself were numerous and kept him
in hot water most all the time. It strikes me that he either resigned or
was transferred before we left there. It would be nothing strange if he
did. This has set me thinking how mean patients can be and at the same
time not be liable to a breach of discipline, and entitled to the best
of care. It is easy to see how hard it would be to give patients the loving
care they ought to have when doings were carried on in this wise. Fortunately
we, Armstrong and myself needed no care particularly and I presume that
was the reason we never cared what the nurse thought of us. Our wound dressers
name was Winder a down east Yankee of the genuine blue belly kind tall
spare in flesh and a regular hatched face, but he could tell stories and
chew tobacco. He was an expert at begging tobacco, of course he didn't
levy on me but my partner had to use strategy. I know he had a fashion
of handling a very small piece when the wound dresser was expected so as
to excite his pity when there was so little. Still Winder would furnish
reading matter when Armstrong's plug would become quite small after a bite
or two. This tobacco begging of Winder used to put me in mind of Mit Mathews
out on Dukes Prairie. It was before the war when every body smoked plug.
Now Mathews used to run a thrashing machine and used to tell us how he
managed it when amongst the Irish. They would beg a pipeful and as they
generally had one with a home made bowl that would hold somewhere between
a quart and a half a peck it simply meant the cutting up the biggest share
of the plug. To obviate this he had his tobacco cut up into small bits
and when approached for a pipefull would fish one out of his pocket swearing
like the army in Flanders that that was the size of his pile. Not being
a consumer of the weed my self I am unable to say that this home made pipe
arrangement for begging purposes was a peculiarity with Irish alone. But
if it was their showed a piece of sagacity that never got public credit
for. One thing happened here showing how jealous authorities are in small
matters, or as the Norwegians has it, "De smaa Tyve honger man men de store
lader man lobe" They will hang the small thieves while the big ones they
let go. While we were in tents shortly after I'd had the gangrene we were
paid of and I got the snug sum of $200.00. Now it became a question with
me how to take care that money. I had pocketbook but where should I keep
it for the most I had on during the day was shirt and drawers and some
times not that much necessity is the mother of invention and I thought
of making a kind of pouch to put my pocket book in than have this to a
string around my neck wear it as kind of a "Fetish". But of what should
I make that pouch and band It must have been an evil genius that whispered
to me to get a pillow case for making it out of. Sure enough the next time
the clothes were changed there was a pillow case to little brought back
but it was not noticed. We soon moved so I had to defer making it till
our next stop this I did but had no sooner commenced cutting it up till
the nurse wanted to know what I was about. I was not careful enough never
thinking that they would molest me when they must know that the stuff had
not come from there, for we had not been there long enough to have the
bed clothes changed. I told the nurse as it had not come from this hospital
he need not bother about it but he evidently considered himself personally
a guardian for all of Uncle Sam's property and made quite a racket about
it, but I stuck to my story which was also very evident. Went off and I
sure had the ward master to deal with. My plea was the same and I was finally
left alone but the fuss made over the pillow case would have done credit
to a thousand dollar boodle. By this time Sherman was chasing Hood up from
Atlanta and at one time he could not have been very far from Rome. Indeed
it was reported that he could be seen hovering around in the Highlands
only a few miles of. I noticed that soldiers mostly formed partners like
2 and 2. There were 2 in this ward that was most always together, one was
quite young with his left arm of above the elbow the other an oldish man
belonging to the 20th Ill. He was shot in the foot some way.
I believe in the heel but could walk quite well with a cane They would
be out all day only coming in for their meals and the time Hood was near
by would come in with some awful stories how they had seen the Rebel army
not very far of. How we would all be captured but that them two had found
a cave in which to hide where no one could find them.
We were improving slowly
and crutches began to be discussed for I knew that crutches was wanted
before I could navigate. One day a whole armful was brought in home made
of Georgia pine and long enough for giants. I never having used such before.
I knew nothing about the proper length but commenced to navigate around
on the floor with them as they were after a while I got bolder and concluded
to go on an exploring expedition down stairs. Nothing short of a miracle
kept me from going head long down the entire length of that stairway, and
if I had I should never have seen Wis. again.
After getting them down
to the proper length and getting the hang of them. I maneuvered around
quite freely, going down stairs and even round town. Right under our ward
was the commissary and I used to go down in there and eat hard tack and
sugar all I could fill up. I do not remember that our grub was particularly
short but neither was my appetite. One day I went to see Lewis Paul of
our Co. who had been wounded June 15. His thigh was broken and not very
well spliced. I told him that was clean out of patience with my wound,
thought it time that it was healed up and I'd get well. He contended that
all that was needed was for me to quit dressing it so a scale could be
formed and it would soon be well. It did not work that way however. I kept
on dressing (in fact I had to) for 4 years more. Then let up for 20 years
then resumed dressing and am at it still. Here I heard direct from the
Reg. I think it was Sever Chestelson that came in to the hospital. About
the first of Nov. I made another move. This time to Chattanooga, and we
rode in box cars too. For wounded men to ride in box cars and over such
roads, part of which had been torn up every week and rebuilt in the most
hasty scanner was anything but a pleasure trip but I stood it first rate.
For the 3d time I was through Kingston where the spur from Rome connects
with the main line. I went through on foot the 6th of June going to the
front. There was a young man who paid out his last penny and then offered
his pocketbook for 25c. It must have cost 75, I bought it and have got
it yet but it has been on the retired list for a number of years. We got
to Chattanooga I think in the night. Towards morning we were run out on
a side track remaining there all day. They must have been repairing the
turning table or something for I counted no less than 60 locomotives standing
on a curve a few rods from our car. It was a beautiful sight. We staid
here a couple of weeks these 2 weeks I think my wound made better progress
than at any corresponding time before. Us wounded ones were now among sick
ones and that may have been the reason that grub was slimmer than before,
but Oh! so good. I seemed hungry all the time. I used strategy to get more
than my share but my pouch like Oliver Twist cried for more. I chose supper
time to spring my nefarious plot, for as it was a deed of darkness, that
time being the best. The modus operandi was this. The kitchen was at one
and of the ward, our nurse would come alone with the ration on a plate,
but instead of at once commencing to eat. I'd hide it as soon as his back
was turned, and when the next one came along I looked hungry and honest
and got another dose. Enough for a saint. It was a feast for a King, but
there was still an other task in order to cover up all the tricks and be
ready for another haul the question was how to get shet [sic] of that extra
plate I would bide my time and when I thought every thing was favorable.
I'd lean down an spin it a long so that it would stop quite a distance
from me after a while a plate or two would be found under a bed and someone
would be getting a going over for not bringing back the plates as they
were used. There must have been very few in this ward that was wounded
and singular enough. I can't remember any one from our ward in Rome Ga.
One of the nurses was an oldish fatherly looking fellow who undoubtedly
tried to do what was right, I remember one of the patients calling for
pickles. He undoubtedly craved it bad. But the nurse answered, No, you
must not have pickles and as a reason added, (for you are such bad caisis
[sic]). One tall fellow diagonally across the aisle from me was very low
and not expected to live but one evening he got up standing straight and
said, I have prayed to the Almighty that my life would be spared till my
dear brother could come but it seems he won't. That made a deep impression
on me. A young fellow just down from the north came into our ward. He had
the measles but had caught cold when the measles struck in and he was a
dead boy very shortly. I could not help but to think of where I'd have
been if I'd got the measles where I could not have as good care as I had
at Western Missouri. One day I got on to my crutches walked out past the
kitchen and had a good view of the renowned Look Out Mountain with the
Tennessee river at its base. It is really the only time I've seen Look
Out Mountain. Ohio and some other soldiers voted in the hospital, but us
from Wis. could not. (I should have added I did no try for extra rations
except at long intervals, so as not to Kill the Goose that laid the golden
egg.
To Nashville we went
in hospital cars and feeling quite well this was a trip fit for a king.
Nothing happened on the way except that our car jumped the track just as
we got over the White Side River. This is one of the highest bridges down
south I looked down at the guards but they looked like small boys.
[Jan 29th 1896] Just
had a conversation with Gilbert Anderson, (Gudbrand Daklen) of Moscow.
He was in Co. E., of the 15th Wis. and guarding that R. R. bridge. The
White Side river, when I went across. He seen the car leave the track.
It was in the after noon, there was a sharp curve as they approached the
bridge coming from Chattanooga There was a long freight train and over
2 hospital cars hitched on behind. The train was run to fast and when our
lone coupled passengers come along the fore most cars jumped and careened
over on one side breaking the wheels. Two of which came down Kerslam. It
barely escaped tipping over while if it had it would have been all day
with us the bridge was 138 feet high. The train went on leaving the hospital
arrangement. They telegraphed back to Chattanooga 27 miles of when the
wreckers came out and along in the night we pulled out. This may be so.
He staid there. He staid there 3 weeks and no other accident of that kind
happened so it must be my car. He said it looked horrible when one side
commenced raising up. He heard that the engineer was discharged.
Col. Bryant's Hostler
came through the car he was very near gone from sickness of some kind.
I thought then that it was strange. This man had had a fierce time of it
never any exposure but sickness overtook him and now he was at deaths door.
I think he died shortly afterward. If the ride on the hospital cars was
a good one, the ride from it to a hospital in Nashville was exactly contrary.
Part of the way they must have commenced to pave the streets and only got
to putting in the largest rocks, say 5 or 6 inch in diameter, for as yet
there was no fillings of any kind. The hospital was on the 3d story and
by going to the window I got a good view of the town including the Zollicoffer
House. It stood out in bold relief gloomy enough but I was not near enough
to see the million and a half of lice that kept guard over the structure.
Some of my comrades here I venture to say got quite intimate with them
or they with you for there is nothing stuck up about an army louse. but
perhaps the ones reared in the Zollicoffer House were more tony [sic] than
those out in the country camps. One peculiarity about this hospital was
cleanliness, not but what all hospitals were clean, but this was more so
while at other places they never washed the floors more than 5 times a
week here it was every morning. Up to this time the hospital livers had
been mainly from the ranks, but the short while I staid in Nashville learned
me that I was now among general hospital bummers who was there to stay.
There was also more complaints of every thing than I ever heard before
though to me it was alright. The fare came in for its share of complaint.
I remember one here who had quite a gift of gab harangued us on the insufficiency
of vegetables and canned goods, someone ventured the excuse that possibly
they did not have it here when he became really eloquent and would up with.
I tell you they have more concentrated milk in the store house than a mule
can pull. Now I wasn't much in English at that time but I could hardly
repress a smile for I knew he meant condensed milk.
Quite a young fellow
with his leg of above knee lay beside me. He was redheaded and looking
at me one day he said, "You've got red hair". I pleaded guilty and reminded
him of the fact that he was in the same boat, which he did not deny. It
put me in mind of one of my cousins before the war. He also had red hair,
redder than mine, but he looked at me and said. Du he raut haar du men
eg he de sossi. (You have red hair but I have it this way). Well the neighbor
of mine had a bad stump Gangrene had eat of the flesh so that the bone
was protruding. The first and only time I've seen a man's thigh bone which
isn't very large. He was taken out one day and had a reamputation. I don't
know whether he stood it or not. Here I met a member of the 15th Wis. for
the, first time. One Andrew Peterson, but to what Co. he belonged I don't
know. He was a newcomer and had joined the Reg. at Strawberry Plains, when
he found that I was a Norwegian he became very friendly and we indulged
in speaking my mother tongue something I had not done for months. He also
had his complaints but it was liquids he contended this place was deficient
in He mentioned another place far above this. They got their Black berry
Vine Every day. He meant wine. There could not have been much strength
in the Vine. He gave me a full report of the 15th from Strawberry Plains,
but became really eloquent when giving the details of the battle of New
Hope Church the 27th of May when they all got scattered to the 4 winds.
I think way in the night but will not be positive. He heard Captain Grinager
holler "Rally Rally!", but my hero was not in a rallying- mood for he told
me Eg ga Fau i boadi Rali aa alt sammere which in plain English
means that rallying and everything else might go to the Devil for all of
him.
My next move was by hospital
boat down the Cumberland and up the Ohio to Evansville Indiana where I
staid till spring. I think I spent here the best winter of my life. The
ride on the hospital boat was a real pleasure. I was on the first floor,
and my cot so that I could look out upon the river and view the different
crafts, that sailed up and down except a week or so when there was to much
ice. The grub was good and plenty of it and we had all the liberty we could
wish, in fact some had more than they ought to have had. This was a 3 story
building built for a marine hospital. There were 3 Dr.'s Johnson, Thompson
and Schultz, but who was in charge I don't know but it strikes me that
it was Johnson. They had one floor a piece and would go the rounds once
a day, but one by turn would be what they called officer of the day and
stay there the 24 hours. Dr Thompson was a very fine slow going gentleman
who had very little to say. Besides these we had, in our ward a Dr. Miller.
He was a Kentuckyian and a full fledged Dr. but had got on a spree and
enlisted in the 91st Indiana and served as a private all through. I could
not make out what this man was at first for he wore a gray suit of citizens
clothes all the other soldiers I'd seen so far was dressed in blue of course
but I soon found out. He was a fine large well built fellow but so pale
I had never seen a well man so pale. One day he told me what the matter
was. I think it was after the fall of Atlanta that some blood vessel in
his nose burst. Says he I tried I tried all the remedies that I knew of
than I went to the Brigade surgeon and he done all he could for me, but
to no avail, then I went back of the camp and sat down in the water to
die, but all at once it stopped. The doctoring was simply now to gather
blood. He was called in for consultation on different cases and was told
to go into the dispensary and help himself to anything he wanted. The talk
and actions he indulged in sometimes showed that he could be one of the
boys. The nurse for our ward was named Johnson, Robert Johnson, of the
80th Indiana the highest aim of his life seemed to be, to be the first
one when grub was dealt out. He would carry it all on a large tray and
to be sure of being No. one, would set the tray at the head of the stairs
leading into the basement where the cooking was done. He would be on the
quivive right before meal time and on the first signal would make
a lunge for that tray. It could not have been worse if the house had been
on fire. He was shot in the left breast at the battle of Resaca and contended
that he carried the ball yet. Dr Miller did not dispute him, but he told
me that it was all nonsense him carrying that ball it had simply glanced
off. And I thought so too. He was to active for a man carrying an ounce
of lead near his heart Lone of the patients lived close by but was quarantined
on account of the small pox in his family. The cars had run over his foot
and it was cut of even with the leg. The quarantine was raised and he came
to us but the scars were plainly visible yet but I don't remember that
any one was afraid of it. He was going to sue the R. R. Co. for $50000
damages for his foot. A lawyer had promised to prosecute for the half.
He claimed negligence of some kind. We had some fun one morning with a
young fellow, not so young but what he had married before he enlisted,
and now came the results. He lived close by the hospital but took his meals
with us. He had been wounded and was now using one crutch. This morning
he was in a stew running in and out looking for Dr. Johnson who was wanted
to help his wife during a crisis. Dr. Miller offered his services to no
small amusement for all the rest of us but it was no go he must have Dr.
Johnson who also came around in good season, but it was a "She boy". There
was a case from Patsy Co Indiana something like this Dr Miller affair.
A Judge Pitchard had got his son appointed to West Point where he graduated
but that was all. He never amounted to any thing. He enlisted and was a
terror to all the officers in the Regt either one of whom he could have
learned all they finally did learn, and more too. He kept them continually
in hot water but they managed to keep him on detached service most of the
time but drink would get away with him so he would be returned to the Regt.
only to be sent of again, at first opportunity. It is hard to imagine a
meaner situation than to be in command of a person whose education is far
ahead of the commander and who gloated over it showing it on every occasion.
There were open grates
for coal and two old codgers in our ward used to keep the fire up all the
time one before and one after midnight. One of them Morrison from Ill.,
had the task of cleaning and filling the lamps throughout the building.
The other, Kelly, I don't think had a job. The chaplain would come around
every Sunday morning and distribute religious reading of which I remember
New York Observer a very large paper. Quite a number were sick and not
of the wounded of which I remember one John A Craw from Michigan. He was
an oldish man who had evidently enlisted late in the war if indeed he was
not drafted and was quite green on military affairs. He made inquiry one
day what that description roll was that he heard so much talk of. Miller
undertook to enlighten him and all kept mum for we knew something would
come worth listening to. Miller hadn't got far before we could have broke
out especially on seeing how attentive Craw was but it was finally laid
on to thick even for Craw and we all busted. There was a revival meeting
kept up close by several nights and not a few got religion amongst them
a young fellow from New York. They were discussing his case in our ward
one day when some one said that he was to easily affected as he could not
read and was quite young at that. This was an eye opener to me and I blurted
out "Cant he read?" Why I never saw but one grown person before (Elias
Longberry) who could not read and that was in Memphis. Old Morrison our
camp cleaner seemed just as much surprised and spoke up "You haven't You've
seen me. I can't read I dropped that subject like a hot potato. I had seen
that man take his papers on a Sunday morning just as regular as I did,
but it seems he had other uses for them. Another time I got my foot in
it. They were talking about a boy and a girl and incidentally remarked
that she rode behind him on the same horse when I let fall the remark that
such a performance I had never seen. That was enough I never heard the
last of it. It would be? Here you man that never seen a girl ride behind
a boy on the same horse. It seems down there this is a common thing. Until
after the battle of Nashville I was the only Norwegian at the hospital.
Among the wounded brought in there was one Hans H. Danielson from Good
hue Center. Good Hue Co. Minn. belonging to I think the 5th Minn. He was
brought into our ward and Dr. Thompson called my attention to the fact
that he was one of my countrymen. The Hoosiers and Kentuckyians knew very
little about Norwegians, and as for New Yorker of which there were a few
they had never seen one in their lives. They supposed the Norwegians were
something like Eskimos, coming from the ice bound north of Europe. This
Danielson was wounded in the leg somewhere, and here it was amputated.
He always contended that had he had proper treatment his leg could have
been saved perhaps. I seen him again at Prairie du Chine. The Wis. soldiers
who were anxious to get home would not wait for their turn but simply wrote
the Governor and forthwith would come an order for their transfer. Quite
a number went home this way, but I could see no use for it so long as my
wound needed medical attendance and I preferred to let nature take its
course as it were and take my trip home by stages as the authorities saw
fit and I got home that way in good season. We had here an insane soldier
that was quite an attraction. He was in a room all by himself chained by
one foot to the floor but the chain was plenty long for comfort. Ladies
and Gentlemen would come down from town to have a look at him, and also
to talk with him, but his answers would generally be to smutty and filthy
to be listen to. He came with us on the hospital boat from Nashville and
well do I remember the first evening aboard. He made a racket so that there
was no peace for the wicked and not much for the righteous. The soldiers
were mad enough to have pitched him over board could they have got at him.
He would get up and throw the bad clothes and cot around to the eminent
danger for all that was near him. Finally to keep him in bounds he was
strapped down to the bed stead He could then use his mouth only which he
did in good shape finally letting every body know that he had done something
requiring a general cleaning up. It was the first crazy man I had ever
seen. He was finally sent to a soldiers asylum near Washington. I had been
wanting to send home some of my money and here for the first time I felt
able to go to the express office Dr. Thompson kindly furnished me an ambulance
to take me to town possibly a mile away. Along in the winter a Steamboat
blew up on the Tennessee river killing and wounding a good many. Some of
the scalded ones came here and a hard lot they were indeed, wounded man
were no comparison to them. One fellow I remember in particular had his
sister come there to see him. When they got around by themselves (near
us). He was not of the God fearing kind either but would curse and swear
in his misery enough to shock an old soldier.
The latter part of March
or the first part of April '65 I made the longest move yet clear to Jefferson
Barracks, Mo. It was another pleasant ride on the hospital boat. The hospital
accommodations here must have been immense, for not only were barracks
proper turned into a hospital but 3 if not 4 long one story structures
were put up besides and all were full. The Christian commission and the
Sanitary commission Ladies were quite prominent here 2 of whom seemed to
run things in our ward lying down on the bed with the clothes on was not
tolerated and as for, Card playing, "'Why" you might just as well invite
Nick from Hades. He wouldn't been more unwelcome than a deck of cards.
But Dominoes however they were all O.K. Now most of you know that quite
a game of Euchre can be indulged in with dominoes and we soon got on to
that racket, and we played euchre right along with them. Lynx eyed maidens
of uncertain age looking on, but mum was the word. It was the most peaceable
game of euchre that anyone has indulged in those who could get around would
go out into the woods and have the genuine stuff. I remember 2 of them
on crutches who went out regularly every morning after breakfast and likewise
after dinner coming back right before mealtime they came along on the veranda
right in front of me so I had a chance to notice them and moreover we could
hear the regular "Clickety Clack" when the hour arrived. One day a young
Swede came to me with a letter to read. He had gone through every one of
the wards but no one could he find to read his letter. The reason was that
it was written with German or Danish letters. Now it happened that when
I commenced to learn to read writing, I practiced on some letters father
had written and thus I learned to read the Danish. Well I could read it
but I could not understand it but he understood it all, and was than the
happiest man in Jefferson Barracks. I was now able to meander around quite
freely on crutches even going down to the bluff overlooking the boat landing.
Here on the side of the parade ground facing the river was the flag staff
and a sundial put up they said by Gen. R. E. Lee when he was a young Lieutenant
in 1840 both he the sundial and the Flag staff enclosed by an iron fence.
One fellow lying right by me was quite a case. He was a German and had
while guarding the R. R. between Nashville and Murpheesburrough
been shot in the head. From that time he had lost all remembrance of every
thing along time for getting his own name and where he was from but it
came back to him gradually by piece meal. He still lacked the name of his
intended something he studied over night and day when any one asked him
how he was hurt, he would answer, "Why I am shot in the head with a cannon.
That would bar any further questioning. One day a fellow came to me to
read a letter he got from his little sister. She had wrote the address
too and it seemed that she was afraid that there would not be space enough
for she had commenced in the upper left hand corner as follows "To William
Yingling. To Jefferson Barracks. To St. Louis Missouri." but in so fine
a hand that the whole did not occupy more than three square inches in fact
it looked at first glance as if there were no address at all, but a second
look revealed it plain enough and that is how the letter came through alright.
He engaged me to write answer which I did a week or so after. I had forgotten
all about the letter and wanted to read it once more so as to know what
to answer but it had gone the way of all flesh, but if I had forgotten
he hadn't but could repeat it almost verbatim. He was another "who could
not read" but that kind did not excite my curiosity any more. During my
soldering I acted private secretary on several occasions and of I course
got quite intimate with some. On one occasion it was not merely a friendly
letter but one of a more tender kind in fact a genuine love letter. This
Yingling belonged to the 3 Iowa and was taken prisoner at Shilo when they
were drive through their camp he came right by the subtler and grabbed
2 cans of oysters. He was taken prisoner and finally came round to Washington,
here he had $l.00 a day extra for nursing in the small pox hospital "Says
I had you had the small pox, "No" wasn't you afraid of catching it? "No"
I only wished it would have lasted longer. The two ladies turned in to
learn him to read, and he used to come and show me what progress he was
making. I have no doubt but what he can both read and write by this time.
It is with kindly remembrance I think of those ladies even if they would
not allow me to lie on the bed with my clothes on, for one of them presented
me with a Chinese puzzle that I have got yet I remember an old German not
far from me. He was one of the old fashion kind. Dutch all over and one
day he wanted to write a letter but got stuck the very first thing he could
not spell, barracks. Pen in hand he looked around to see if any one there
could help him out of the dilemma. He finally spied a cavalry man who generally
went by the name of Missouri and began "Mizzouree Mizzourie Mizzouree Kavalrilt
Missourie" attention being finally called he sang out, Well, what do you
want. How do you spell Bricks, How do you spell Bricks, Why B-r-i-c-k-s
of course I thought any d--md fool would know that. "No No, Barracks Barracks
Jefferson Barracks" H--l why didn't you say so in the first place and he
spelled it for him and the German scribe went on his way rejoicing not
in the least put out by Missouries churlishness. Along in the spring we
got a lot of Andersonville prisoners taken during the Atlanta campaign.
I remember one in particular, Ole K. Hanson a sergeant of Co. A. 15th Wis.
He was from Chicago and on crutches for he had been shot 3 times in the
same leg. My but they were a hard looking lot and the stories they would
tell would make our hair stand on end. Us wounded would consider ourselves
(and were mostly by others too for that matter) a grade higher than mere
sick ones. But compared to the Andersonville prisoners our services and
sufferings was like a drop in the bucket and the difference does not get
smaller in my mind as the years go. Henry Wirtz evidently had not provided
tonsorial artists for their faces looked Oh! horrors, more fit for a brush
scythe than a razor. Mine went the rounds it was a tough one or it would
not have stood the racket. The 3rd and last hospital boat ride I think
the latter part of April brought me to old Wis. at Prairie du Chien the
next oldest if not the very oldest place in the state. Here I spent the
summer of '65, and I look back on it as the pleasantest part of my life.
I had no cares of any kind plenty to eat and drink and all the liberty
I wanted and pretty good company most of the time. True I was yet on crutches.
My wound was discharging quite freely and needed dressing every day but
I always had hopes of ultimate recovery and being otherwise healthy I looked
forward to a good time in the future. The war being over there were no
restrictions to our coming and going, of course passes. Would be granted
to go home on but the time was not looked after very closely and I think
quite a number took French furloughs of an indefinite length. Dr. Kelly
who was in charge was a fine old gentleman a head taller than all the rest
large pleasant smooth shaven face with a double chin and last, but not
least, a bay window that would have done credit to a Saloon Keeper
of 15 years service. The hospital was in what had been Swift Hotel a 3
story frame building right back from lower town. I was put in the second
story and the first thing I did was to lie down in bed with my clothes
on I wanted to test them, for I knew about what the rules were. I had not
long to wail The nurse very politely told me to undress or get of the bed,
but I didn't do either, he went for reinforcement bringing the ward master
a Sergeant of a Minn. Regt. A hot discussion followed. I was mad and did
not try to conceal it and I presume he was too but had sense enough not
to show it as much as I did. The upshot of the whole controversy was that
I was transferred to ward one on the lower floor. This had been the ladies
parlor of the hotel and a better place I could not have chosen. Now a few
words more about this ward master. He was unfortunate enough to belong
to a Regt. that got into a place where they all got sick and a great number
of them died, and to finish it off was with an expedition that was ignominiously
surrendered. It strikes me it was the Gun Town affair under Gen. Sturges.
He (my Sergeant) had as much to do with that as the man in the moon. He
went where he was ordered, and so we all did but the rank and file had
to share the disgrace of a thing they could not help. This sergeant had
to hear from others as he did from me what a good for nothing Regt. he
belonged to, and how little, in fact nothing he had done for his country,
and he was helpless, for us wounded fellows were Cock of the Walk
just now to say anything derogatory to us was next to treason. Weren't
we old soldiers? Had not we smelled powder and come back battle scarred
veterans. Our appearance spoke louder than words and we felt our oats accordingly.
I owe that sergeant an apology for my rudeness to him. This discrimination
is also carried on as to disabilities, man with an arm of can strut around
with his empty sleeve feeling proud as a turkey gobbler in a barn yard
especially among ladies is he the high Cock a lo rum for he left
his right arm at Gettysburg. The empty sleeve what poesy woven around that.
Now as a matter of fact the man with the leg in the grave is far worse
of when it comes to fight the battle of life and win bread for wife, and
children, but still worse of is the man struck a midship. He may
navigate just as poorly as the man with the wooden leg and endure a great
deal more suffering but he can't hardly claim a place among the wounded
heroes. He looks hale and hearty. His wound do not show. I've been through
the mill I know where of I speak. If you have noticed it the same rule
holds good as to battle fields .3 There was a time not long ago when it
looked as though the battle of Gettysburg was the only battle of the war.
The states who had soldiers there vied with one another in erecting costly
monuments showing where their troops were located. In all there must have
been spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for monuments on the Gettysburg
battlefield. Of course the soldiers who were there feel proud as they ought
to, but they know they were not there from choice, they were ordered there
others were not and consequently were not there. I never could see the
justice of taxing the property of Old Lind who was killed Bakers Creek."
If he left any" towards a monument showing posterity where the 2nd Wis.
Inf. stood on the 1st, 2nd or 3d of July as the case might be but that
is exactly what was done when money was appropriated here in Wis. I was
forcibly reminded of this discrimination on battle fields, when one day
Col. Warner and I compared notes regarding our wounds. Col. Warner carries
an empty sleeve. After getting the nature of my wound and at what battle
I also wanted to know at what battle. He was wounded (His empty sleeve
spoke for it self). He answered Deep Bottoms, a place I had never heard
of. When he half apologetically as I thought said that it was a battle
with a very small place in history but of great importance to him just
so the loss would have been no greater had he lost it at Gettysburg But
Oh! my the glory would be anchanced ten fold. But to return to ward one,
such a time as we had there that summer. I can remember most every one
in the ward for we got quite intimate. Each 2 and 2 formed kind of partnership
and would be to gather more or less. There was a Fiddler named Mills Dick
Mills shot in the knee but he could walk with the aid of a cane, and a
German by the name of Schaller, John Schaller wounded through the ankle
using one crutch. These two were chums. What they could have in common
I never could see Mills was fine featured of middle size unmarried as far
as we knew and quite good looking. While S. was the exact opposite tall
heavy raw boned with a face full of nasty pimples and the foulest mouth
of any one there. He was married but a person would not think so. Co. judge
by his talk. He used to boast of a prospective buggy ride the 2 were to
have in company with a couple of fast ones from McGregor, but he would
always wind up with. It is all cut and dried between Dick and I only it
is not decided whether to take a double rig or a rig a piece. This was
repeated so often that I think the whole thing went up in smoke at least
we never had a report of that ride. Here as in Jefferson Barracks was a
lad nurse who kept kind oversight in the ward. Her name was Miss Adelaide
Leavitte a very fine woman possibly 30 years of age with a strong nerve
and she must have it in that crowd. I don't think she had charge
of more than that ward though I will not be positive. She was in expert
checker player and liked to play with the boys, but the more advanced bloods
monopolized her company. One day when I was alone in the ward she bantered
me for a game I was quite bashful about it and said I did not know much
about checkers, but she insisted and we commenced. She must have taken
me at my word and played reckless for it was not long before she was in
a fair way to be skunked, or as she called it, being sent on the road to
Chicago and skunked she was. None of us wished to play any more. I quit
when my credit was up I could not have skunked her any more. There was
quite an influx of soldiers from other hospitals. They would be furloughed
home. The hospitals broke up and them ordered to report to Prairie du Chine.
Thus we got a good many from Harvey hospital at Madison most of them came
to stay till their discharge could be made out. Such a one was the late
Peg Leg from Black Earth. I was called in to interpret for him but nary
a word could I get out of him. He was mum as an oyster I was vexed at this
and so was others and I studied how to make him talk the chance came one
day when he was in bed with his clothes of. I took one of those large syringes
holding about a pint full of ice cold water when another pulled of the
clothes. I let him have it from below with all the force I could muster
right amidships that opened his head. He just let me know that had he been
5 and 20 years of age he would have given me a good dressing or to use
his own words Va eg fun aa tjnge aur eg sku ha sunska deg eg. I
didn't doubt that a bit but I was even with him and we had peace after
that. Shortly after he got his discharge a couple of men had to carry him
upstairs where he got his pay, but down stairs he slid on his but letting
the crutches down before him. When I was discharged next year I heard that
he had been home to my parents, but he could then talk for 2. He mentioned
my name from Prairie du China but seemed to bear me no ill will on account
of the douche bath. The first time I seen him after that was in the winter
of '69. It was in Black Earth and I bantered him for a horse trade. Of
course he had to examine my animal which was a small fiery mare and possibly
a little off on a load. He looked at her in the moonlight. Jumping around
on his Peg, but before I could say 'boo' he turned to me and let me know
that it was useless for me to say anything for he could see that she was
balky "Eg see de pan hen na at h a bauki". Thus ended my horse trade
with Peg Leg and we never renewed our acquaintances from Prairie
du China either, but talk why he could talk a mans leg of. The sewerage
had not been as complete at Swifts Hotel, as at Simons, and it taxed their
ingenuity to find means to carry of what could not be kept round the home.
Men on full rations and good appetites show it more ways than one. The
first arrangement was a box on a stone boat drove into the river the trapdoor
opened and let the fishes have it. This worked well enough until the number
of soldiers increased so that the stone boat had to go to the river every
day then the people of lower town protested against it as a nuisance. The
country being open every where's there could be no objection to crossing
the R. R. below town. The very first time the new route was tried being
Sunday they had a serious mishap. There being no crossing the chain broke
just as soon as they got the box well on to the track. While they were
gone for a new chain, a wild train came along and whether they did notice
the box or wanted to show how smart they were is not known but no down
breaks was whistled and the result was a demoralized stone boat and a slightly
besmeared engine, that route was not tried any more but they went through
lower town in the night. They could stand the smell but not the sight I
don't know who drank the Mississippi water below that I knew I did 2 years
before that but we aid not than have a Swift hospital at Prairie du Chine
at least I did not know it. The dining room was a tremendous affair occupying
the first floor of an entire wing. If my memory serves me right there were
4 tables seating 50 on each side, the crutch brigade having reserved seats
in front. There was still quite a space along the west side in the north
end of which was a smaller table, at which ate hospital stewards, ward
masters and sich. An insane soldier (A Dane) came with us from Jefferson
Barracks. He was kept in the basement till he could be sent to Washington
but was brought up to take his meals with us. The bill of fare did not
suit him however for he looked around and spying this small table he went
right over and helped himself carrying back such as he wanted for all of
which he was lustily cheered. He was served different after this. Yes and
this reminds me that we had grumblers about the grub here to though I thought
it was plenty good enough I got all I wanted. It was at times a standing
them, for discussion. It was generally compared hospitals where they came
from Harvey hospital being one of them One fellow a Norwegian who had been
at Harvey harangued the crowd out side one day. There was enough of his
nationality so that he held forth in that language. according to him it
must have been a regular wedding feast right along there and particularly
in the line of special diet for says he, Der va no slik spesle diet,
with quite an intonation on the word Slik This had to be heard, the
speaker seen and the Norse language understood in order to get the good
of it, but boiled down it meant that the special diet at Harvey was simply
perfection Most of you remember that the hospital fare was divided up into
a great many of grades. There were special diet, Light diet, Chicken diet,
Half diet Full diet, and so on. The first three were the same only different
hospitals using different names. Being well I was on full diet all the
time since I was wounded but I remember the lower grades from Gayoso. In
this dining room we had a ball once. The tables was removed and there was
plenty of room to dance of course myself and others enjoyed it as spectators
sitting on a platform erected for us up by the Fiddlers. We sat there mustering
the dancers ladies in particular one came in for more than ordinary comment.
She had bright red hair what there was of it for she had her head closely
shingled but she was a buxom girl and an A No. 1 dancer, A German by the
name of Lewis Bindler gave us a good deal of fun. He was shot through the
hips somehow but it was long since healed and he could walk quite spry.
He had however a fashion of running out one of his hips at every step.
Dance he must and we had our fun looking at him in his different movements.
Who engineered this ball, I don't know but it strikes me that Dr. Kelly
was at the bottom, of it, anyhow he took a lively part dancing so the sweat
ran off of him. We also had religious services in the dining room one Sunday
afternoon conducted by an Episcopalian minister. This same Beidler came
very near bringing down the house during the services. He was sitting on
the front seat at the farther end from the door and wanting to go out he
marched the whole length between us and the minister it would have been
all right if he had not that morning got on a pair of very tight fitting
white pants and with that hip seemingly sticking out at every step worse
than ever and his body bent forward every time to correspond made a sight
ludicrous in the extreme and especially under solemn circumstances like
that. After we got out back to our ward a Missourian commented upon it
saying. That old Satan came very near starting us all roaring, which was
true. This dining room our ward a couple of stairways a Hall out doors
and the reading room emptied into a kind of central hall or rotunda. A
drum was beat when meals was ready. We were all on the quivive and about
the time of the second stroke that hall was full. I had no use for the
crutches but just surged along with the crowd All had to go through one
door to the dining room and here is where the fun come in there was a regular
Jam and the cripples could not hold there own. Finally Dr. Kelly took a
hand posted himself in the door way looking over the crowd ordering them
back and letting one at a time past that bay window of his. The crowding
was nothing but pure cussedness [sic]for we got all we wanted whether first
or last served. A Lieutenant also on crutches came along and tried to organize
all the cripples into a squad, by whose orders or for what purpose I don't
know but we were in ranks only once and that was the last time I've been
in ranks under command. This Lieutenant seemed to be a regular dude and
was tested accordingly. One Shaw, (Myron A. Shaw) a brother of Josh Billings
"whose name is Shaw" editor of a paper up in the woods some where sent
sketches of hospital life in which this Lieutenant figured somewhat rather
towards the ludicrous the paper came back to the hospital and was read
by everybody the Lieutenant included I presume. Printing apparatus was
procured and Mr. Shaw, being a practical printer got out blanks of the
different kinds for the hospital. He was a fine fellow and not wanting
to soil his clothes had on an apron as most mechanics have. An old Irish
girl named Ann, Old Ann we called her, brought down the house on account
of that apron one day. His office was opposite to us across the hall and
he was running back and forth not thinking of anything there being quite
a crowd in our ward when old Ann spoke up. Mister Sha, I thought it was
to late in the season for rams to wear aprons now I don't think he heard
the last of it. Not when in Swifts hospital at least. Here my father came
to see me which was very pleasant indeed. In August I went home on a furlough
I think there was nothing left of those Georgia crutches but a came by
this time, and that is as far as I've got yet though 30 winters will soon
have rolled over my head since I took my first lesson on crutches, the
cane seems to freeze to me for life. I went back promptly on time, but
as usual we were out in good season on going to Black Earth where I took
the train. It was 9 A. M. and here came the accommodation rumbling along.
I could see no use staying in Black Earth till passenger came when I could
get off so much earlier I did not know what it meant to ride 70 miles on
the accommodation. When we got to Mazomanie another caboose was put on
but both got chuck full of girls going to Sauk Co to pick hops they went
as far as Spring Green. Well the girls, "bless their dear hearts" filled
the caboose, while we had to betake ourselves to the roof, for this was
an accommodation train you know. Accommodate the ladies. The train was
in charge of a man probably 60 and he looked as if would not stand much
parleying with. There was an arm chair of the old fashioned kind with the
words 'Keep Out' in plain letters inside of the back. Of course I kept
out, but not so an Army Surgeon that got on soon. He took possession as
though was made for him. I was anxious to see the outcome of this for I
had a lurking suspicion that the chair belonged to the conductor, and sure
enough. I didn't wait long as soon as the train was under way the conductor
came aboard and spying his chair occupied he very politely told the Surgeon
that he must give it up which he wasn't exactly prepared to do, some more
words followed and the conductor told him that the benches was what the
Co. furnished and if he did not take them held give him a stop over ticket
for the passenger, but he betook himself to the benches, and the chill
between them was visible to the naked eye. To me it was a treat to see
an army officer taken down that way for I well knew that the past few years
his work had been law in dealing with his inferiors. Now this Surgeon was
no worse than the average, but give a person absolute command over his
fellowman and there is danger that the best of us will be over-bearing.
Before the war it would only have taken the least kind, of a hint for him
to vacate that chair and he would probably have apologized in the bargain.
But he had now had his own way so long that he had forgot to be a gentleman
even. In connection with this I must relate what happened in our Regt.
I think at La Grange we had in our Co. a tailor from Norway who were engaged
a good share of the time to make over clothing for the officers as well
as privates. In fixing a coat for Major Strong needed some silk twist that
he did not have but told the major that Billy Lean of our Go had some.
He was forthwith sent to get some but Billy knew his rights and was just
the boy to show it. He told Hans to tell Major Strong that when sent down
25c he could have a skein of that silk twist and the quarter was soon forth
coming. Now Major Strong I don't suppose ever dreamed of confiscating but
instead of trying to buy it as he should have done he demanded it supposing
a private soldier would trust to his honesty to give him a fair compensation.
His sense of fitness was blunted by commanding. I am not so sure but what
the same rule holds good in civil life particularly in Ecclesiastical orders
Those put over us think they of a right should command in every thing.
Well we worried along till about Wrights ferry when we side tracked and
seemingly stopped for good. Everybody went up to an old abandoned home
to pick plums. It was an accommodation train sure enough A rumbling in
the direction of Prairie du Chine told us that a train was coming and when
it had passed we pulled out very leisurely however. I stopped of at Lower
town and had got very near to the hospital when the regular passenger came
thundering along I had gained perhaps 5 minutes and had also had a few
adventures. Then the tomatoes got ripe there was tomato eating to beat
every thing. At first they were served on the table but finally a large
box was hauled into the yard, and we helped out selves A large basin was
filled washed and we fell to, when it was empty some one said lets have
some more oysters. It was tomatoes first and tomatoes last something like
hash in the boarding house. Hash for breakfast, hash for dinner, hash for
supper. Hash we wondered where all the tomatoes came from but they told
us that the hospital had 3 Acres in tomatoes. I thought even 3 Acres would
not hold out at that rate but I had a chance to see our tomato patch when
I wondered if they had taken any. Time was killed in various ways. Those
who could walk was of course every where's most every evening you could
see a squad around a camp fire exchanging yarns from army life. Once I
remember we heard a shot fired the bullet quite spent coming right over
us. Every one who had been under fire heard the ball and dodged while most
of the others did not notice it. Sitting round a campfire was second nature
and we did not care for smoke blowing in our eyes either. There was a few
in our ward that would do a good deal of bumming coming in at all hours.
To catch them all kinds of contrivances was resorted to such as piling
tables and chairs before the doors and the like causing a racket when they
came in. All was taken in good nature. I don't remember of any one being
real mad, except Peg Leg when got the douse bath. There was some drinking
but not very much. Dr Kelly caught one, one day rather the worse for liquor
when he (the Dr) suggested he was inebriated where up on he answered in
his maudling way. No Doc Not, Not, inebriated but slightly beer rated which
answer pleased the Dr. so much that nothing more was done The ladies employed
in the hospital was not what might be called beauties it was a good thing
they were not. The cook when I came there "named Alice" was a great big
200 pounder with an arm that could fell an ox. The way she carried on one
day was a caution. She was mad at Dr. Kelly she sailed around with a large
butcher knife in her hand swearing that she would drop his guts right on
de floor. He wisely kept away till it blew over. When I think she was discharged.
The next chief cook was married while in the hospital. Once a fellow came
along to give so many lessons in penmanship for $2.00. Girls were engaged
to sell scholarships at a certain commission, and the one selling the most
was to have a certain premium. Of course I had a chance to buy but for
several reasons I did not. One reason was that I knew I'd never learn to
write that way besides I was to stingy to throw away that much money for
fun alone most of all my wound was discharging and was so offensive that
I was ashamed to be amongst other than soldiers. When all was sold I asked
the grand daughter of a fanning mill maker, one who wanted me to buy if
she sold enough. "Yes she snapped and no thanks to you either." Right back
from the hospital was the school house where religious services were held
every Sunday and evenings several times I heard Alfred Brunson the pioneer
preacher of Wis. One evening a young fellow was to preach. Brunson was
in the audience the young man felt his inability to do the sermon justice
with Brunson in the audience and said as much ere beginning Brunson there
upon put on his hat and piked down the aisle saying Now fire away. He was
not going to be in the way. Danielson "mentioned at Evansville" was her
on crutches of course a few of the crutch brigade went to the upper town
depot one day, but I think D. was the only one with a limb off. We were
down around the elevator and while there seen a hog that had one of his
hind feet amputated below the gambrell joint. The stump seemed to be healed
up nicely and in walking he would make motions with that foot as if it
was alright but would not set it on the ground. Of course we had fun over
it, and I don't know who it was that sane out. Here Hans is your partner.
The joke was to grim for Hans Danielson who was of a religious turn of
mind and old enough to look at the stern realities of life more than we
did. One young fellow of the 38th Wis. who had lost his leg at Petersburg.
He could not have been more than 16 or 17. He was getting well very fast
first he used two crutches then a crutch and a cane than one crutch only.
He could however get around on the floor aided only by the cane. But he
was active, the caperings that he done on foot showing of that stump was
fun for us all and seemed to be fun for him too. The loss of his leg wasn't
much to him then. My chum was a German by the name of Herman Winda from
I think near Watertown. He was shot through the thigh, and had an ugly
limb. We used to go together to a park on the prairie and take enjoyment
by our selves. One day we went to the bluff expecting to climb it a niece.
When we got to the first terrace we had a long rest and splendid view but
thirsted for more and up we went going zig zag until we were on top and
could look over into Iowa and also back into the country a good ways for
the bluff is highest where it breaks off. We spied a farm house it must
have been a mile inland and after resting a long time we concluded to go
there for dinner which we did, but I think we paid for our dinner though
I am not sure. We went back the highway down the ravine and struck' our
hospital garden where the "oysters" were raised. It was this time I seen
that there was plenty left. We must have traveled 3 or 4 miles on this
tour. Girls were plenty in town and those who had money to spend and were
so inclined were not without their "best girl" 'One Purdy' had chosen such
wee bit of a one and so young looking besides that we used to call her
Purdy's 10 year old. So many came there during the summer that we could
not have them al1 at the hospital but lots of those who could walk were
sent up to Ft. Crawford to sleep. It was reported that it was regular bedlam
let loose up there and I've no doubt but it was Ft. Crawford was on a beautiful
spot a flat large enough for the building and parade ground than sloping
to all sides. It was an historic place as well for it was here Jeff Davis,
then a Lieut., eloped with the daughter of Zachary Taylor. I was shown
the house and even the window she came out of. There was still remnants
of the stockade used it must have been during the Black Hawk War. I have
now related all I can think of from my 5 months stay at Swifts Hospital,
the reader mast be the judge as to whether it is interesting or not. To
me it is at least, and I will now take my last trip this time to the Post
hospital at Camp Randall. It was the 20th of Sept. 1965, that I took up
my abode here for a six months siege or until the 2nd of April 1866. The
11th of Nov. 1961 I moved in there for the first time to move out, 2 months
later, the 11th of Jan 1862. And now after an abscesses of 3
years and 8 months except a night or two when home on veterans furlough
in April 1864. I am back again. What a change in the country, in the camp
and last but not least in my self in that time. Life here was mere transient,
some coming and some going all the time. The camp had undergone a great
change in that time. The old mess house was gone, root and branch. The
barrack in which was spent my maiden soldering was no more neither was
there a tent to be seen. The hospital was a two story unpainted structure
200 feet long with a hall and a stairway in the center near which was also
the dispensary. I think it was only the lower story that was occupied during
my stay here, the kitchen and the dining room was on the east side. The
Surgeon in charge was one Dr. W. G. Greenleaf
I think from New Jersey,
they said he had a glass eye (anyway one of them did not train with the
other) which made the boys refer to him as "old peal eye" was placed in
the south ward, but when we got to be fewer into the north, the only one
occupied. As before mentioned the ward was 200 feet long with a chimney
built from ground up right in the center A large box stove half ways toward
the ends on each side of the chimney furnished the heat. There was some
of the most reckless firing I've ever seen many a time I seen those stovepipes
red hot up to the elbow and a couple of lengths toward the chimney. The
floor was not very solid and the pipe's would work apart, but as long as
they were straight after one another the smoke would go right along and
look just like a log. I seen them at times inches apart. But let one of
the ends come ever so little to one side and the spell would be broken.
No one seemed to have the least idea that we might set the house afire
with such recklessness At least I didn't. There are few who knew it and
fewer will believe it but I was actually engaged as clerk in the Dr.'s
Office as soon as I got there. But there was no monuments connected therewith
nothing but the honor and that was almost like what the Irish Justice wanted.
Nothing but silence and little of that It was nothing but honor and little
of that. Yes and we had a polling place there in November then I was one
of the Clarks of election. It must have been when Gov. Fairchild was elected
the first time. Thirty three votes were polled and all Republicans but
one a German with his right arm of near the shoulder. We should not have
known who that solitary Democrat was could he have handled his ticket but
having but one hand he brought it almost open in fact it had to be refolded.
There was a Captain Harris who acted as chairman and I remember one of
the inspectors an old German by name of Rombery. He was well posted and
had been on the Town board in civil life. The next day they commenced talking
about getting pay for running the election precinct. I had no idea of such
a thing the honor was enough for me. An effort was made but we never got
any thing.
This was my third vote.
The first in the spring of '63 at Memphis voting for a Justice of the supreme
court. Than at home in 1864 at Town meeting and now at the Fall Election.
I don't remember how it was, or turned out, with this clerkship I did not
remain in it long and I could not have been dismissed to make room for
another for the same party was in power right along. Just thought of one
thing during that election. There was one man in the ward to sick to come
down, some one suggested to take the voting machinery up there "body and
breetches" but the plan was abandoned and we were short one of an absolute
full vote. There was a young fellow by the name of Clarke who had sense
enough to go to school while he yet was in the harness so to speak. He
attended the Business College. I thought some of that too, but one thing
was my wound was not healed up but discharging quite freely and another
thing I thought I had to little foundation to build on and besides I expected
to be a well man in course of time. I have been sorry many times since
for not following Clarkes example. In the ward we were divided in two squads
one around each stove. My cot was in the N. W. corner I belonged to the
north stove. We always had the smallest crowd with us so we called that
the Senate and the other the Assembly. The toughest cases brought in belonged
to Hancocks Veterans Reserve Corps. Those that came here were Pennsylvanians
from Philadelphia. They must have come to do guard duty and of course some
of them landed in the hospital. There was one Barton who must have been
quite intelligent but poor fellow suffered from a loathsome disease the
result of to much intimacy with fallen women. He seemed to be the leader
of the Assembly. In discussing the different Generals he was against the
other eastern soldiers, on McClelland. He didn't think much of him Most
of them eastern fellows though stuck up for Little Mae. There was a span
of horses belonging to the Hospital Those horses changed names as often
as they changed drivers which was quite often for the men would be discharged
right along It was some times Grant & Sherman at other times Mead and
Burnside and so on. We used to come and go at all hours day and night for
most every one had something attracting him up town generally a piece of
calico enclosing a piece of female loveliness. If nothing else there was
the saloon. There was a crowd who used to go away and come back together
and this kept tip for a long time. Finally one Sunday morning I concluded
to go with them and see what they found to do. We went right through town
down King street and past the N. W. Depot where they turned into a German
Saloon called for their beer and sat down to chaff. One fellow called for
a glass for me to which I drank and soon after went back to town for I
could see nothing to detain me there. I thought to my self that there was
a great many ways of taking comfort. There was a few who would get into
trouble when out nights and they would come back all bunged up they were
of course as innocent as could be Now I always thought that they themselves
were to blame. A person is not apt to be molested when he goes about his
business unless there is money at stake which there could not be with returned
soldiers waiting for their discharges. One night quite late I met a crowd
on University street that stopped me but they soon said "He is not the
one" and I came on to camp in peace. There was a cavalry man from Colorado
who had fallen off his his horse and stove up his hip pretty bad. He was
in great misery but instead of using "Rev. Mums Salve" which is to bathe
oneself with patience held lay there groaning and cursing all day long.
One day he asked the steward a Mr. Fehan. If it would not be a great deal
better if he was dead. When Fehan answered. There is no doubt but that
your early decease would be a great benefit to the community at large but
as to it benefiting you why I am not prepared to say, I think he was discharged
while I was there. We had another ease there that bore the rather prominent
name Zachary Taylor, he was badly pockmarked, cross eyed, and a hard looking
customer generally. He had a little stronger appetite than the rest of
us, or else he did not forage as much out side any how he generally fell
short of a good filling. One day there was hash and in great plenty. As
soon as it was found that there would be some to spare it was "pass the
hash to Zach Poor Fellow. He filled clear up to the top but Pass the hash
to Zach kept on until he could stand it no longer and exclaimed, I don't
want any more hash. When I want it you wont give it to me. I here formed
a partnership with one of the 3d Wis. with whom I've kept up correspondence
ever since. He was a newcomer but could read English papers and understand
them as well as I could who had been to school and moreover had been in
this country since 8th year. He had lost his leg at Averysburrough N.C.
Him and I used to see who could eat the fastest and if he was among the
first at the table and I came last he would jump up just as soon as I came
through the dining room door, he was through. Of course he hadn't said
grace very long nor read the bill of fare. It was of course the same with
me when I happened to be No. 1. Lone thing happened at this hospital that
didn't make as much of an impression on me as I think ought to have done.
During the time that the latest Regiment occupied Camp Randall there was
one of those poor fallen women who plied her nefarious practice. It was
said she wore men's clothes and was in consequence nicknamed Tommy. She
had been away for some time but now all of a sudden turned up again. It
must have been in the fall for I heard them say she kept herself in the
empty barracks, one fellow quite unblushingly told us how she had satisfied
him but that there was plenty to go around. It got to be colder and she
moved into a one story stone house on the south side of the Mineral Point
road on the first raise of ground after it leaves the Monroe road. There
was one of the old fashioned open chimneys the fire even with the floor
here she had fire and some straws on the floor. It was late one evening
I had been up town and was just gone to bed. when I heard such an unearthly
noise. Some one in dire misery. It came nearer and nearer and we knew it
was a human being brought into the hospital. Some of the boys who went
out to see told us it was Tommy The Colorado Cavalryman allowed that he
could now get his piece roasted for she was burning up. While asleep her
clothes or rags rather had caught fire and she ran burning across the camp
ground probably 80 or 100 rods but fell down exhausted when she came near
the hospital She died before morning. Sad indeed that a life should be
led in shame and end thus. She was undoubtedly in her child hood some mothers
darling but now a castaway ending her young life in untold misery. What
a commentary on civilization that such can exist. But what shall we say
of those who to satisfy their brutish just would consent to embrace the
likes of her. We can only say that however high they may hold their heads
among their fellowmen before the bar of God they are no better than she
was. It is getting on towards spring men are discharged right along, very
few are left of those that were here when I came Sep 20. '65 Just one thing
more regarding my self. I had to make a contrivance for carrying the drawers
and I simply cut a hold near the top and run the suspenders through. I
had practiced this a long time and when I was amongst hundreds of them
it would not be noticed but now there being so few I had mutilated every
pair in the hospital. It was noticed and reported to Dr. Greenleaf who
instituted an investigation but I was not found out. It commenced to be
hinted that those who were not discharged would be transferred to Detroit
as this Hospital was to be broke up. Those who wanted to be discharged
had to make written application for it. Though I was receiving a soldiers
pay $18.00 pr. mo. with board and clothing and not knowing what I could
make if turned adrift from Uncle Sam. I still made up my mind to apply
for my discharge. This I got in due season dated I think April 2nd 1866
After having served as a soldier 1603 days
Gentle Patient reader you have now followed me through the different hospitals that I frequented. I have given you an unvarnished sketch of hospital life as it applied to me. I've got my pay applied for a pension and will now go back to my parents that I left 4 1/2 years ago. I don't know what to go at. I have been quite saving of my money and am now glad of it for I shall need every penny I bid you all an affectionate.
Perry Dane Co. Wis. March 31, 1895
From the Wisconsin Historical Society,
AUTHOR Grimstvedt, Ole, 1842-
TITLE Ole Grimstvedt's hospital life, 1895.
: MAD 4 /16/C1
CALL NO. Wis Mss 34S
