Honor to whom honor is due.
About the last named of these institutions, I would add that it was the first hospital established during the war. It is under the supervision of Mr. Ganbin (a Frenchman) and his wife, (a Scotch woman.) Mr. Ganbin, as the steward of this institution, has done much for our suffering soldiers, and by his native sangfroid and his untiring watchfulness has gained the respect, and I might say the affection of every patient who has been fortunate enough, if I may so speak, to come under his charge. His time and money have been given freely in the good cause. With a self-sacrificing generosity that would do honor to the bravest of his ancestors who came, fought for, and helped to win our independence in the good old times when we had a Washington, a Jackson, and a Henry in our once happy America. As for Mrs. Ganbin, I need only say that the land ‘"o'cakes and buther Scots"’ has never produced or sent forth a more benevolent or amiable-hearted lady, having all the tenderness and unshaken courage of her race when charity beckons her to her work. She makes herself the esteemed of all those to whom her comforting hand is stretched forth. She has worked single-handed and alone since June last, and I assure you her task has been an arduous one. I say with the old adage, ‘"honor to whom honor is due,"’ and for my part, should Heaven spare me in times to come, I hope often to look with pride to the days of ‘ "Auld Lang Syne,"’ when I was sick, and had that greatest of all comforts to the sick — a sympathizing friend to care for me.
I believe it is only right and just that the people of this State, and of others, should be made acquainted with those who are most zealous in the discharge of their duties to their sick soldiers, and on his this account I send you these few lines, in order that I may do my share of what I consider a bounden duty.
A Patient.
