The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931 Page: 141

Through Texas and Northern Mexico in 1846-1847 141
JOURNAL OF A TRIP THROUGH TEXAS AND NORTH-
ERN MEXICO IN 1846-1847
II
WILLIAM A. McCLINTOCK
Gov. Hospital, San Antonio, 1st October.
I have been very sick, but am much better today, and still better
tonight. While at Memphis, I did not believe there could be any-
where else, so much ignorance, carelessness, and mismanagement
in an hospital as was there, But this surpasses it in those respects,
with the addition, of the most damnable unfeeling inhumanity
that ever disgraced the officers, Surgeons, and souldiers, of any
civilized country. But I will not horrify your feelings with detail
of suffering and neglect which if told, would scarce be believed by
those who have not been an eye witness. These scenes, I have the
opportunity to fly from, and save my feelings many a painful trial,
but humanity, (of which I yet have a little remaining) forbids -
by remaining, I may alleviate and soothe the sufferings of some
poor wretch. The two Overleys reached here today, both very
sick. I had to get up and walk a mile to report them, and make
provision for their horses. I then learned that my Reg. has left
Lavaca, and is now on its march to join Gen. Taylor at Camargo.
When and where I will be able to join it, I know not. I have
thought of trying to get some situation in the forage, commis-
sariat or some other department, that would be at once, more proffit-
able and less onerous than my present situation. I have no idea
how this will succeede; for I'm here an entire stranger, without
friends, influence, or money. This 1 believe: that I have capacity
not below mediocrity. I know, I have made friends of all whose
friendship and interest I wished, and farther, I have become less
proud and more politic; without, as I flatter myself, sacrifising in
any instance my independance. I yesterday, received a letter from
Pa and Robert jointly, also one from Uncle Easton, commenced
in Harrison, and finished and mailed at Henderson. His con-
tained some news that surprised me a little at first, but I soon con-
cluded it was all a hoax.
The destination of my Reg. is Montera [Monterrey], and not