The sick soldiers.
We have heard that armies lose more men by sickness than by actual conflict, a fact which is undoubtedly true of the
Northern forces sent in mid-summer to a hot Southern climate.
There is also sickness among our own men, though not to as great an extent, nor of as serious a character.
And a season is approaching which, in some of our more Southern camps, will undoubtedly be trying even to Southern constitutions.
We refer to this subject now that measures may be taken in advance to promote as much as possible the health of our troops and to mitigate the severity of disease where it cannot be avoided.
It is impossible that men like those who compose the mass of our Southern volunteers, should leave homes of plenty and comfort, and be exposed to such hardships as those which soldiers are called upon to endure, without great hazard of health and life.
A lady correspondent from
Yorktown, deputed to visit the camps and hospitals, says that everything is being done as fast as possible to relieve the condition of the sick, some of whom she reports as having no bed but the bare ground, but that it requires still greater expedition to place them all in the position of comfort which their necessities require.
No one who has the good of his country at heart, or sympathy for suffering humanity in his bosom can hesitate to do all in his power for the sick and suffering among our soldiers.
We suggest that the various organizations which have been raised here for this purpose should keep before the community the means by which one and all may contribute to this important object.
