The Nashville Daily Union

A Pleasant Time.

Such a time comes occasionally, even in a Military Hospital. Such a time we had in General Hospital, No. 3, on the evening of the 5th inst., when the convalescing patients of the wards concluded to make known to Surgeon R. Wallace their appreciation of his moral qualities, tender feelings and professional skill, purchased and presented to him, by Mr. J. B. Nickerson, the most costly Major's shoulder-straps which could be obtained in this city.

On presenting the present in behalf of the respective patients to their beloved Surgeon, Mr. Nickerson remarked, Dr. Wallace: These your patients this evening present this costly and appropriate present to you, not for what it cost, not that we think you need anything from our hands, but because we wish in this way to make known to you our respect for you.

We are from different loyal States—some from States not loyal! Not long since at home, we enjoyed all the blessings of life, friends, sisters, mothers, wives and lovers; here these blessings we have not.

You came to us a stranger, and you have been more than a mother, father, sister and brother, because you have done for us what they could not do here.

Dr. Wallace remarked:

—Citizens once, then soldiers, now patients and forever the equal of kings—do you know what it is to be conquered? I hope the Union army, the national forces or no soldier therein, will ever realize what it means to be as near conquered as I am at this time. I have been in danger by sea and on land, but never have been so overcome as on this occasion. The soldiers of the Union army compose the Judges on the Bench of the Supreme Court of the United States. You are executing the laws, and your opinions I respect. Your beautiful present I shall keep in grateful remembrance of you. Your actions to me speak louder than words, and to you I hope always to be able to perform my duties.

A Patient of Hospital No. 3.