Our troops at Pensacola
--Letter from Gen. Bragg.--The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser publishes the following letter from General Bragg, in reply to a communication reflecting upon the treatment of sick soldiers at Barrancas. It will afford pleasure to every heart to know that our sick soldiers in that region are so well cared for: Headq'rs Barrancas, Aug. 16, 1861.
My Dear Sir:
If any army in the field has ever been better supplied with all that is necessary for health and comfort than this one, history does not record the fact.
For the sick we have a hospital unsurpassed in the world for its luxurious comforts and splendid appointments.
It is supplied without regard to expense, with everything that can contribute to the health or comfort of the patients, and is attended by a full corps of the finest physicians the country can afford.
Living in close proximity to this hospital, I see hourly what is going on; receive daily a written report from the chief physician, and on every Sunday pass through every ward, converse with every patient, ascertain every want, and, if practicable, gratify them.--That there may be some cases of suffering unrelieved, I am prepared to believe.
Many men have a prejudices against going into a hospital, and some have come into this one too low to admit of any benefit.
This is against my most positive orders, and is an evil I cannot correct.
Their own officers are to blame for allowing it.
In the good work of Charity I have been greatly assisted by the good people of Alabama living near the railroad.
They have supplied us largely with poultry, eggs, butter, vegetables, and other hospital stores in great abundance.
Our greatest want has been proper attendants.
Cooks and nurses we find it almost impossible to secure in our ranks; but all has been done that could be, and even in that we are improving daily.
A number of good Sisters of Charity have obeyed my summons, and come over from New Orleans and Mobile to supply these deficiencies.
The charge of sick men not being allowed to leave to recover their health is utterly untrue.
Not an application has ever been refused where the medical officers recommend it. My Dear Sir:
Your obliged servant,
Braxton Bragg.
Braxton Bragg.
