DAILY INTELLIGENCER, [ATLANTA, GA], November 4, 1863, p. 1, c. 2
Griffin, Ga., All Right!
If there is anything on earth I love, it is an
industrious, grateful, benevolent, and patriotic people.
Industry, gratitude, benevolence and patriotism, make a truly
great and good people.
Knowing this to be true, I cannot forbear
expressing my sentiments to the ladies of Griffin. Ever true and
patriotic to our cause, they are acting nobly their part in the
great struggle for Southern independence. When we come to make up
the history of our country, then those bright deeds of the ladies
of Griffin will be registered on its pages, and will there stand
as everlasting memorials of their gratitude and kindness.
These kind ladies visit the hospitals every day, and by their
soft words and bewitching smiles, cheer the drooping min of the
sick and wounded soldier. They also bring along with them
niceties of every kind and description, such as are best adapted
to the nature and cases of the sick and wounded. This is not a
now and then occurrence, but every day they come to see the sick
and wounded, and furnish such things and nourishments as they may
need. to speak all in a few words, they have done much and are
still doing all in their power to render the sick and wounded
comfortable, and to ensure, if possible, a speedy recovery. Many
of the sick and wounded soldiers are far away from home and
kindred, where they cannot even hear from them. O! how dear
these kind and affectionate ladies must feel to them! True, there
is no kind mother of affectionate sister to wipe the tears from
their eyes; to soothe them in their sorrows, to comfort and
console them in their pains and distresses; but yet these kind
ladies are ever ready and willing to administer to their wants and
necessities. Language fails me to express my sentiments to these
kind and endearing ladies, and of their noble, patriotic and
generous deeds. Suffice it to say they are all right, and have
done, and are still doing all in their power for the comfort and
improvement of the sick and wounded soldiers. Heaven will smile
upon them for these generous deeds, and though, at times, their
sorrows may be great and many, yet they will, in due season, reap
the reward which they so nobly merit.
It gives me great pleasure to know that when I write home to
my dear companions and friends, I can tell them of the noble,
patriotic and kind deeds of the ladies of Griffin, Ga.
Ladies, believing that you will receive the reward which you
so nobly and justly merit, I now return you, not only my thanks,
but the thanks of all who have been inmates of any of the
hospitals in the city, for your kindness and attention. I speak
for all, and I know they will say amen to all I have said. You
have acted the part of mothers and sisters to us, and we shall
ever feel grateful for it. When we leave you and are far away on
the tented field of battle, then will we cherish the fond
recollection of you and your noble deeds. In the hour of battle
the recollection of you and your kindness will nerve and buoy us
up to acts of more noble daring. Your acts of kindness will never
be forgotten by us. Flowers may bloom and fade away, but these
acts of kindness, like the bright morning star, shall still
continue to burnish forth till the last day. Soon you will all be
lying in the silent slumbers of death, but these acts of kindness
will remain on the pages of history, and succeeding generations
will boast of you, and point their children to your great and
illustrious deeds with much pleasure and joy.
May the blessings of heaven rest on you and all who, like you,
are true to our cause! May you live a long and prosperous life!
Then, when you come to die, may you shout triumphantly over both
sin and the devil--in heaven may you find a home at last!
Quintard Hospital, Bunk 122, Oct. 29, '63.