#5
Captain
Charles H. Weygant's Experiences on the Field Post-Battle
“The
thick foliage caused dark shadows to fall upon these acres of mangled
bleeding human forms. Away down through the trees flickering lights
could be seen, the reflections of which fell with ghastly effect upon
the corps of surgeons who, with coats off and sleeves rolled up, were
gathered at, or moving rapidly to and fro about the amputating
tables. After a moment's hesitation at the edge of the woods I
resolved to attempt to pick my way through towards where I hoped to
find the objects of my search, but as I moved on among those, for the
most part, prostrate men, their groans and piteous appeals for help
appalled me. Several in a state of delirium were shouting as if upon
the battlefield, and others, believing I was a surgeon, besought me
to stop just a moment and bind up the wounds from which their
life-blood was ebbing. Presently a man I was about stepping over,
sprang to his feet, shook in front of me a bloody bandage he had just
torn from a dreadful, gaping wound in his breast, and uttered a
hideous, laughing shriek. This sent the hot blood spurting from his
wound into my very face. Then he threw up his arms as if a bullet
had just entered his heart, and fell heavily forward across a poor
mangled fellow, whose piercing wails of anguish were heart-rending
beyond description. I could endure no more, and wheeling about,
hurried over the wounded and dying to the open field again, and
returned to the regiment, glad that I had informed no one of my
intended errand of mercy, for I was heartily ashamed of the weakness
which had caused me to turn back.”
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| Captain Charles Weygant |
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