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Reminiscences of Dr. William Read, Arranged From Notes and Papers (Part III) The battle ceased with the approach of night, both armies exhausted by fatigue and the heat of the daya deep morass lying between them. They lay down, man and horse, just where they halted; Washington and suit lay upon the field. It was generally understood the battle was to be renewed at the dawn of day. Dr. Read, with his servant, rode on to the left of the line, seeing, in a few instances, regimental surgeons officiating, and administering to some wounded soldiers, and hearing the groans and cries of some men who had crawled, or been brought off into the rear. They reached a wagon which stood in an inclined situation, having the fore-wheels shot away; this position afforded a comfortable shelter to the two adventurers; their horses being tied to the wagon, lay down likewise. They had been rode seventy or eighty miles that day; but, being the finest horses in the army, they bore it well, and were not in the end hurt. At the dawn of day they heard the shout of victory"the British are gone!" Dr. Read mounted, and rode down the hill which bounded the morass, and, observing several men entering the low ground to cross over, he did so also. The bog was very deep, and required the utmost effort of his and his servant's horse also, to get through it. As objects became visible, he saw several dead soldiers in the bog, mired to the waist, and probably shot. On the opposite side he saw an officer lying a few yards from the morass, nearly cut in two by a cannon shot; he was alive, and spoke, implored Dr. Read to lift him to a tree which stood near, alleging that he had been all night trying to do so, "that he might die easy." The clotted blood was piled up several inches on his front, and it had ceased to flow. Dr. Read, with the assistance of his servant, essayed to lift him tenderly, and stepping backwards, they placed him against the tree. The blood now began to flow perceptibly, and in all probability terminated his life; they heard him utter a few words of thankfulness, and proceeded on. At the summit of the hill, dismal, indeed was the scene; there lay fifty or sixty British grenadierssome dead, some alive, calling for "help!" "water!" uttering the most dreadful and severe imprecations on "the rebels." Dr. Read and his servant ran down the hill, and found plenty of water; with his servant's hat he administered many draughts of water to these poor, famished soldiers; it was busy occupation for an hour. Dr. Read now found himself embarked in the business in a most remarkable manner; he proceeded to dress wounds an apply bandages. Tearing off shirts from the dead, he made bandages, and applied them; to the best of his skill, for remedying hemorrhage. Some country people and negroes coming to the field of carnage, Dr. Read enlisted their feelings, and hired them to assist in lifting and turning these wounded men, and, at length, in procuring wagons and straw to remove them to the court-house. In all this arduous undertaking, and work of humanity, he was greatly assisted by his servant, Peter Houston, who, until his death, must have felt it the sweetest solace of his life. They succeeded in moving twenty-one grenadiers, all with broken legs, or muscles so lacerated as to render them helpless. Dr. Read, seeing no medical aid come to him, proceeded to amputate wherever the patient would consent to the operation. In these operations he was aided by lint and bandages being sent, he knew not from whence, and every article of nourishment. Dr. Read continued to dwell in the court-house, sleeping, when he was enabled to sleep, in the Judge's bench. There he was observed by sundry groups of officers, who came riding around on a tour of observation, and his name enquired into. His servant sometimes entered into full explanations whence he was, and his motives, &c., and all he would say was, "at his own expense." This explanation must have had an effect, as on the third day he received from the Secretary a special commission, which gave him rank in the medical department, and extra rations and forage. This circumstance fixed Dr. Read in the medical department, whereas, he had left Georgia with an intention of obtaining a company of horse, or foot, and serve in the line. No crusader ever set out for Palestine against the crescent with more sincerity than did he in devotion to the cause of freedom; but the above circumstance changed his purpose, and gave a more settled turn to his mind. On the fourth day of his care of the wounded grenadiers, two medical men came out of New York, and relieved him from the arduous duty. He explained to these gentlemen the nature and circumstances of the several cases, his amputations, &c.; to which they coolly observed, that "he had only given so many subjects to the Chelsea Hospital." Dr. Read then repaired to a house where lay a British officer, severely wounded through the groins, and in a dying condition. He barely spoke, and pointed to his wound. Dr. R. witnessed, on this occasion, the appalling circumstance of this gentleman's servants, a male and female, reasoning on the sharing of his silver, camp equipage and watch, which he evidently understood. While Dr. Read stood listening to this scene, he was accosted by an officer of rank, who, after enquiring if "he was Dr. Read?" desired that he would go immediately to Englishtown, and take charge of Col. Wessen, who lay there in a wounded condition. He did so, and found that gentlemen in a most deplorable state. He had received a wound from a cannon ball, which, striking his neck, he being in a stooping position, raked along the spine, tearing away clothing, skin and integuments, and muscles, to its extremity. He lay all night on the field of battle, supposed to he dead; but, being alive next morning, he was carried to Englishtown, about three miles distant. There Dr. Read found him attended by three of his artillery men, in a very sunken situation, while they appeared only to wait for his death. Dr. Read, with care and exertion, immediately undertook the case; by examining the wound, declared it not mortal, but capable of remedy. By his manner and cheering language, he raised the drooping spirits of the wounded man and his attendants, cleansed and dressed his wounds in such a manner as to revive hope, and afford ease and comfort. The patient was a large, heavy man, and difficult to manage; the suppuration of his wound was prodigious, and required four dressings in the day and night. In all this Dr. Read found his servant eminently useful; lint and dressings were sent in by some persons in the country in abundance, and many articles of nourishment. On the fourth day, Gen. Washington, with a number of officers, rode up to this nursery scene; Gen. W. alighted, and, enquiring for Dr. Read, was informed of the condition of the wounded Colonel. The General accosted him tenderly, and prevailed on him to take a tonic dose prepared for him, ending with telling him to obey the orders of his surgeon, and get well, "I cannot spare such officers as you are." Col. Wessen evidently improved after that day, and was more tractable. Dr. Read had the satisfaction of seeing his patient recover in twenty-three days, so far as to be conveyed away on a litter on men's shoulders. It is a remarkable circumstance, that thirty years after this scene, Dr. Read being in the town of Ipswich, in Massachusetts, met a gentleman who knew Col. Wessen, and who had heard him speak of "a young surgeon from the far South, who attended him, and saved his life." The Colonel had died an old man a few months previously. Some interesting circumstances took place during this attendance, one of which we will relate. In walking out to enjoy a little fresh air, he met a chaise driving towards him, when suddenly he saw it guided out of the road, and turn over with a crash. He ran up, and saw two ladies on the ground; they appeared much disordered and disconcerted, the horse struggling with the entangled harness. He first lifted the old lady, the daughter had got up, and appeared in great confusion; he then seized the horse, disentangled the harness, and righted the chaise. Some civilities passed, some thanks were made, but with coldness and ceremony. It, however, became necessary for him to assist the ladies into the vehicle, and lead the horse around to the road. The ladies then seemed to rally their good feelings, and invited him to their house, which appeared in view. The mother and daughter, Mrs. and Miss English, became talkative and civil; Mrs. E. said she had an aversion to the American rebel officers, and did not wish to meet one, which was the reason of her turning out of the road in which she met with the disaster. Many gallant and reconciling things were exchanged, and the parties became acquainted. The old lady inquired of Dr. Read in what manner, with most security, she could put away her plate and wine. He advised her; but said, of the wine, madam, I should be apt to be a plunderer myself, as I have a patient in town whose life might be saved by a few bottles. Dr. Read took leave of the ladies, and that evening a, dozen of old Madeira was sent, of which Col. Wessen benefited, and it was greatly instrumental in restoring him. Dr. Read now received orders to repair to Princeton, where the general hospital was fixed. There he found a dismal scene; a typhus fever prevailed to a fatal degree. Out of twelve medical men, five or six had died, others retired, and the department left to a German surgeon. Dr. Read took charge of the hospital, and endeavored to remedy the disorder, but in vain; five or six patients died daily. The attendants refused to do the duties assigned them; an awful scene of superstition prevailed. The duties all devolved on Dr. Read and the German, aided by a Scotch lady, the matron, with a few women, not one of whom would go into the hospital after night. At length Dr. Read was attacked with the fever, and underwent a severe illness; his first and second attendant died, and he was left to an Indian woman. In a state of delirium he ordered the sick all to be carried out of town, and deposited in the farmers' barns. Although illegal and unwarranted, it was done, and it pleased God that the measure succeeded, as no new case ensued, and no death happened after. Dr. Read's case terminated in an abscess of his arm, and resulted favorably. On his recovery, he was surprised at being told of his orders respecting the sick, being unconscious of it, but rejoiced at the happy consequences. At Princeton it was Dr. Read's good fortune to obtain of Mrs. Livingston a chamber, and a closet as an office, which gave him an opportunity of accommodating the young soldier, Marquis Lafayette, on a very cold night, when not a bed or blanket elsewhere could be had; and, on another occasion, of lodging Col. Tatnall, of Georgia, and his lady and daughter, who were passing through, prisoners of war on parole, on their way to embark for England. Washington lay at winter quarters at Morristown, and a general hospital was ordered at Brunswick. Dr. Read, dismissing the hospital at Princeton, went on to Brunswick to seek employment. Dr. Scott was the principal, and he being ordered to appoint an assistant, was on the look-out for some surgeon who might suit his purpose, and act in concert. Many were the offers made him by medical men of high standing, who were driven from various cities by the British army, some leaving their stations from principle. Dr. Read arrived at the time of this contest for preference, and saw little or no prospect of employment for himyoung and a stranger, far from home and friends and resources; but, being one evening in company, in a large mess, accounts were brought of a battle at Spotswood and that a wounded soldier lay in a dangerous situation, and wanted surgical aid. No one offered to go; the distance was twelve miles from Brunswick, the weather extremely cold. Dr. Read enquired: "Will none of you senior surgeons go?" Nobody consented. At length he said, with an asseveration, "that if he could get a guide he would go." It was reasoned against by several, both medical and officers of the line, and Dr. Read was told that the thing was impossible, and counselled him not to attempt it; he, however, persevereda hardy carman, who knew the way, was obtained, who undertook the business for a promised reward. The whole country being covered with snow, no road could be discovered. The guide was excessively clad, and rode a fine horse of his own; Dr. Read was comfortably clad, and made no addition to his clothing, except a linen shirt over his body linen (at the suggestion of his landlady). Several gentlemen, learning the chivalric undertaking of a young Southerner, came to advise and take leave of him; they advised him to keep speaking to the guidehe did so, frequently enquiring if "he was sure of the way," as nothing was to be seen except the white expanse of snow for miles. At length, having accomplished about eight miles of the way, the man ceased to reply, on riding up to him, he was stillsenselessdead. Dr. R. led the horse to a house now in view, when the inhabitants pronounced that he was cold-struck, and that all was over. Dr. Read obtained another guide, and made the ride, found the wounded man bleeding, a ball having passed deep into the muscles of his thigh, and taken a direction around the bone, and which he extracted. The thigh bone was broke; he set it with great difficulty, having very little assistance. Dr. R. then became so exhausted as to be nearly insensible, when be was beckoned by a little girl to follow her, she taking up his saddle and bridle; he followed her into a room, where he found a gentleman and lady, and child, in a warm chamber, the only room in the house which had window shutters, or a door. The gentleman said something civil to him, and pointed to the floor, before the fire-place; Dr. Read sat down, and was helped to a bowl of chocolate, scarcely conscious of anything he did, or what was said to himfell backwards, was covered by the humane inhabitant of the chamber, and fell asleep. The good man felt his pulse, and was satisfied that he was alive, and let him lay undisturbed until he awoke in the morning, quite refreshed. Dr. Read found that his horse was safe, being taken away and cared for by some fellow-soldier of the wounded man, who likewise moved him from the cold and dreary house where he lay; he saw the man some months afterwards, a tolerable cure. A day or two after this occurred, Dr. Scott appointed the several applicants for office to meet him. Dr. Read had travelled back to Brunswick, on the track he went as his guide; he repaired to the meeting, when Dr. Scott, hearing the several merits and pretensions, which were of the first character, said: "Where is the young Southern man who went to the wounded soldier lately?" Dr. Read replied, "I am he." "Then you are my man, I like such hardy enterprise and zeal for the service." (From Documentary History of the American Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, pp. 248-293) Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 248c Date: various |
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