Report of the Irish Ambulance Committee of Dublin, for 1870.

  • Irish Ambulance Committee of Dublin.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Irish Ambulance Committee of Dublin, for 1870. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    77/100 (page 69)
    movements, and give us the benefit of his great experience. During the day various rumours were afloat that the Prussians were not far distant, and a corps of 2,000 French were quickly marched out to meet them, hut nothing occurred up to four o’clock to justify the report. However, on Monday morning news reached here that the Prussians had arrived at Pacy, and that an engagement had taken place; soon after this one of our small ambulance waggons came into town laden with some of the wounded from Pacy, amongst them were the command- ant of the Franc-tireurs, whose right arm was shot away, and a soldier who had lost a leg by a cannon ball. Our officer, Dr. Woodlock, who had charge of the ambulance, had the wounded removed to an hospital, where all attention was paid them. In an hour after our two waggons arrived laden with more wounded and accompanied by a large number of French soldiers. At nine o’clock, p.m., wre received notice that one of our ambu- lances would be required next morning to accompany a large force of the Franc-tireurs who were goingto meet the Prussians. Accordingly, I had a waggon fully equipped, and detailed Drs. Ryan and Maguire to take charge of it, with two students and four men to assist. They left here at eleven o’clock in perfect order, and had instructions if more assistance was required it should be sent them. During the whole of yesterday this town was in a great state of excitement. Large numbers of troops were pasing through, and rumours were circulated that several engagements between the French and Prussians had taken place convenient, but up to eleven o’clock last night nothing reliable reached here, nor was there any word of our ambulance which left with the soldiers in the morning. This morning I despatched a student on horseback to Pacy, but have not yet received any intelligence. Monsieur Bourse will proceed to Tours to make arrangements for our future operations. Having so efficient a staff, so many waggons and horses, it is quite possible we will be attached to a large army, probably that under the command of Bourbaki in the north. The warm feeling of the French towards us is daily increasing. Words cannot describe the enthusiasm of the people of this town when they saw our waggons laden with their dear wounded. Large