From the Richmond Whig, 7/24/1861
PROVIDING FOR THE WOUNDED. - The Committee appointed at the
citizens meeting, Monday afternoon, to provide for the comfort of the soldiers
wounded in the battle at Manassas, were in session yesterday, ____ing and
maturing the necessary arrangements. A large number of citizens came forward and
proposed to receive the wounded into their homes, as far as they could,
respectively, accommodate them - some, proposing to take fifteen or twenty, and
none less than two. This disposition seems universal among the community. On
conference, however, with Dr. DeLeon, Surgeon General, of the Confederate Army,
it was deemed best to establish a temporary hospital to which the badly wounded
could be conveyed and cared for. This arrangement would secure more frequent and
regular surgical attendance as it would be impracticable for the surgeons to
traverse the city and enter private residences as often as it would be
desireable to visit the patients of this class.
Accordingly, a sub-committee was appointed to select a
suitable place for the hospital. In discharge of this duty, the committee fixed
upon the St. Charles Hotel, now untenanted, and in an interview with the
proprietor, Mr. Ro. H. Dickinson, that gentleman, with a generosity worthy of
the occasion, tendered the use of the Hotel, for the purpose indicated, without
charge. The general committee accepted the offer, with the approval of Dr.
DeLeon, who is earnestly co-operating with them - Every convenience for the
proper accommodation of the wounded will be, or has already been provided, under
their joint auspices.
Another committee was appointed to secure the services of
nurses, books, and attendants. Mr. Chas. Bates was appointed Chairman of this
committee, and requested that citizens who desire to volunteer their services,
or to offer those of servants will report to him, this forenoon, at his place of
business at the Second Market, Shockoe Hill. Of course, it is desireable that
the most experienced and capable should undertake to this service, and, if
necessary, liberal compensation will be allowed to nurses specially employed.
The collecting committee have been quite successful, as we
knew they would, notwithstanding the heavy drafts upon the reduced resources of
our citizens. There need be no apprehension, however, of collecting or
contributing a larger sum than may be required for the specific object, as the
surplus, if any, can be handed over to the treasurer of the Soldier’s Aid
fund.
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