Franklin County: "Four Hospitals for Wounded Soldiers," by Unknown, January 2, 1914
Summary: In 1914, Kauffman's Progressive reprints this 1862 article that describes the hospitals in the Greencastle area, commenting that all wounded are treated alike, including Southerners, and that Southerners admit that Northerners treat prisoners better.
There are four large hospitals filled with the wounded, viz: The Seminary, Union Hotel, Church and Court House, The patients, of course, are not so comfortably, situated as they would be at home, still they are better off than might have been expected. The inmates of these numbered nearly 100, but a good many have since been removed to Frederick, Maryland, and other places. But two or three persons at a time were permitted to visit the hospital, our party seperated, and a few of us went to the Seminary, while the rest visited the Union and other places. On the first floor, there were probably twenty-five men lying on mattresses and beds made on the floor. Some were wounded in the arms, others in the legs, some in the mouth, while others were wounded in the more vital parts of the body. How they looked can be better imagined than described. It was the most awful sight we ever witnessed. In one corner was a Pennsylvanian; next him a volunteer from Ohio, or Indiana, they were brought in from the field.
No regiment or state distinction is made-all are treated exactly alike. In some of the hospitals there are a few Confederates, they too, secure the same treatment. This is an illustrious example for the Southern to fellow. The Rebels acknowledge that we are kinder to them, than the chivalry are to our wounded in their hands. The men were all glad to see us. Papers were distributed among them, and they expressed themselves highly pleased that the ladies of Greencastle had remembered them. Up to the morning of the 30th ulto., not over ninety Federals had died including those killed on the battlefield.
In times of peace, Winchester must have looked beautifully, especially in summer. The long rows of shade trees on the walks, the magnificient private residences, the stately public buildings, the showy yards, all cause the visitor to look on the old town with admiration. What, with gas works, water works, &c., it makes fair pretentions to a Southern city.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: "Four Hospitals for Wounded Soldiers," unknown author, printed in Kauffman's Progressive, January 2, 1914, originally appeared in the "Greencastle Pilot" Volume 3, No. 12, April 2, 1862; edited by James W. M'Crory
