The Wounded of Murfreesboro

Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and other cities are sending or preparing to send hospital stores, and other things forward to Nashville for the wounded of the late terrible battle near Murfreesboro. We think well of this; but a more important thing can be done for them. We have no doubt the most of the wounded would prefer to be sent home. So far as the wounded from [these] parts are concerned, they could be sent to our very doors by steamboats, and if provided with a proper escort would suffer no more, we think, than they are likely to suffer in the crowded city of Nashville. Once at their homes, or even among our people, they would be well cared for. The Ladies of the Aid Society who have done so much in the past, towards providing and sending supplies for soldiers in hospitals, would do much more for them if brought here. Others would also give their kind attention, and our young men and old men, would watch over them if need be, during long weary nights. We are in favor of sending all the sick and wounded home. – The Government would save money by doing so, and what is more the country would thus be saved the lives of very many of its brave citizens, who would otherwise pine away in gloomy, cheerless hospitals. Why can they not be sent home? Will they not be?

– Published in the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville, Ohio, Thursday, January 8, 1863