Nurse and Spy in the Union Army: comprising the adventures and experiences of a woman in hospitals, camps, etc

Front matter

Engraved T>y G-eo E ■ V^ IX THE ONION ARMY: COMPRISING The Adventures and Experiences of a Woman in Hospitals, Camps, and Battle-Fields. By S. EMMA E. EDMONDS. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. |)nblisl;cb Iro subscription onlg Ig W. S. WILLIAMS & 00., HAETTOED, OOTTN. JONES BROS. & CO, PHILADELPHIA AND CINCINNATI. 18G5. «5rrrf* According to Act ofCongress in the tear 1864, 33n ID. 0. DJillioms $t Æomparm In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, For the District of Connecticut. Printed By Williams, Wiley 4 Waterman, Hartford, Conn. So % Bisk anil Satonit&si) BoUurs of ibe string of tl)e |Jo torn ac, ©Mjs Walnut Is Respectfully Inscribed BY ©It* g, ut It ot. E1MHISIIEITS. PORTRAIT Engraved on Steel by G-eo. E. Ferine, N. Y. IMsgnises and. other Scenes, Drawn and Engraved on Wood toy R. O'Brien, New Yorli.

PAGE. PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR, Frontispiece. HOSPITAL TREE AT FAIR OAKS, 17 CATERING FOR HOSPITALS, 94 DISGUISED AS A CONTRABAND 113 MAKING HOE-CAKE FOR A SICK REBEL 153 ACTING ORDERLY ON THE BATTLE-FIELD, 178 RIDING FOR LIFE, 217 DISGUISED AS FEMALE CONTRABAND, 263 PLAYING POSSUM PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. No apology is necessary for adding one more to the numer ous " War Books" which already fill a large space in American Literature ; for, to the general reader, nothing connected with the Rebellion can be more interesting than the personal experi ences of those who have been intimately associated with the different phases of military life, in Camp, Field, and Hospital. The " Nurse and Spy " is simply a record of events which have transpired in the experience and under the observation of one who has been on the field and participated in numerous battles — among which are the first and second Bull Run, Wil liamsburg, Fair Oaks, the Seven days in front of Richmond, Antietam, and Fredericksburg — serving in the capacity of "Spy" and as "Field Nurse" for over two years.

While in the "Secret Service" as a "Spy," which is one of the most hazardous positions in the army — she penetrated the enemy's lines, in various disguises, no less than eleven times ; always with complete success and without detection. Ilcr efficient labors in the different Hospitals as well as her arduous duties as "Field Nurse," embrace many thrilling and touching incidents, which are here most graphically described. NURSE AND SPY. Should any of her readers object to some of her disguises, it may be sufficient to remind them it was from the purest mo tives and most praiseworthy patriotism, that she laid aside, for a time, her own costume, and assumed that of the opposite sex, enduring hardships, suffering untold privations, and hazarding her life for her adopted country, in its trying hour of need.

Chapter I

Pages 17-2S. COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR MY HOME AND MY DUTY 1 ENLIST IN TOE CAUSE EXCITEMENT AT THE WEST TROOPS ON THE MARCH MOBS AT BALTIMORE TEMPORARY HOSPI- TALS UNAVOIDABLE EVILS BEGGINO FOR COMFORTS — SUP- PLIES FOR THE SICK CAMP HOSPITALS THUNDER STORMS IN CAMP A DYING OFFICER SOLDIERS IN THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS PREPARATIONS FOR THE ADVANCE. CHAPTER H Pages 29-11. MARCHING ORDERS REMOVAL OF THE SICK A YOUNG PA- TIENT VISIT FROM HIS MOTHER MARCH TOWARD MANASSAS COLLECTING SUPPLIES FATIGUES OF THE MARCH PREPA- RATIONS FOR BATTLE A CAMP PRAYER MEETING DIVISIONS DETAILED MY PLACE ON THE FIELD " RATHER CLOSE QUAR- TERS " A BATTLE SUNDAY SKULKING FROM THE FIELD.

Chapter III

Pages 41-51. WATER FOR THE WOUNDED COL. CAMERON KILLED SCENES ON THE BATTLE-FIELD BURNSIDE's BRIGADE CAPTURE OF GRIF- FIn's AND IltCKElT's BATTERIES REBELS REINFORCED THE PANIC AND RETREAT THE WOUNDED AT CENTERVILLE MY RECONNOISSANCE AN INSANE WOMAN ON THE FIELD HIDING FROM THE ENEMY RETURN TO THE WOUNDED EXPECTATION OF CAPTURE ESCAPE FROM THE REBELS MY WALK TO ALEX ANDRIA FOOTSORE AND WEARY ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON LETTERS FROM DEAD SOLDIERS' FRIENDS. Pages 55-70. WASHINGTON AFTER BULL RUN DEMORALIZATION OF THE ARMY SICK SOLDIERS— HOSPITAL SCENES EXTRACTS FROM MY JOURNAL SYMPATHY OF SOLDIERS FISHING FOR THE SICK A FISH-LOVING DUTCHMAN REORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY A VISIT TO THE PICKETS PICKET DUTIES AND DANGERS THE ARMY INACTIVE MC CLELLAn's ADDRESS MARCHING OR- DERS AGAIN EMBARKATION OF THE ARMY FOR FORTRESS MONROE THE CROWDED TRANSPORTS— DESCRIPTION OF THE MONITOR — HER BUILD, ARMAMENT, TURRET AND ENGINES.

Chapter V

Pages 71-82. ARRIVAL AT FORTRESS MONROE THE VILLAGE OF HAMPTON VISITING THE CONTRABANDS ARRIVAL OF FUGITIVES A REAL "CAMP MEETING" FEEDING THE NEGROES CAMP MISERIES MULES MISS PERIWINKLE'S MULES THE COQUET- TISH, THE MORAL, THE HISTRIONIC, AND THE PATHETIC MULE OUR JACK LINES OF LOVE MY BOX AND PRESENTS A THREE-STORY CAKE A SERENADE AND SURPRISE PARTY" ; GOOD AND BAD CHAPLAINS THE MORALS OF THE ARMY • SLANDERS ABOUT SOLDIERS.

Chapter VI

Pages 82-97. THE MARCH TO YORKTOWN SCARCITY OF SUPPLIES CAMP COOKERY DIFFERENT CHARACTERS IN THE ARMY ARRIVAL OF TRAINS CHANGE OF CAMP TRYING TO SHELL US OUT THE OLD SAW-MILL— A CONSTANT TARGET ASSAULTS ON OUR OUTPOSTS A REBEL APPEAL YORKTOWN AND VICINITY THE SITUATION BALLOON RECONNOISSANCES PROF. LOWE ON HIGH— REBEL VIXENS— A CURIOUS VISIT— A STRANGE HOST- ESS SHE TRIES TO KILL ME 1 WOUND HER AND CAPTURE A PRISONER— A CONVERSION— THE SECESH WOMAN BECOMES A FEDERAL NURSE. CONTENTS.

Chapter VII

Pages 97-109. A LOST FRIEND DEATH OF LIEUTENANT JAMES V. HIS BURIAL THE GRAVE BY NIGHT MY VOW A SOLDIER-CHAPLAIN RECOGNITIONS IN HEAVEN DOUBTS AND DISSATISFACTION CAPTURE OF A SPY MY EXAMINATIONS AT HEADQUARTERS MY DISGUISE AS A SPY 1 AM METAMORPHOSED INTO A CONTRABAND HIRED AS A COOK BISCUIT MAKING THE DOCTOR'S TEA.

Chapter VIII

Pages 110-121. MY FIRST SECRET EXPEDITION— MY WORK AMONG CONTRA- BANDS PICKAXE, SHOVEL AND WHEELBARROW COUNTING THE GUNS IN A REBEL FORTIFICATION A CHANGE OF WORK CARRYING WATER TO THE REBEL SOLDIERS GENERALS LEE AND JOHNSON THE REBEL FORCE AT YORKTOWN A COUN- CIL OF WAR TURNING WHITE AGAIN A REBEL SPY LIEU- TENANT V.'S MURDERER ON PICKET DUTY MY RETURN TO OUR LINES 1 PUT ON UNIFORM AND MAKE MY REPORT.

Chapter IX

Pages 122-137. EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN— OUR ARMY ON THE DOUBLE QUICK PURSUIT OF THE FUGITIVES THE ENEMY'S WORKS A BATTLE ON THE FIELD A "WOUNDED," AND NOT IN- JURED COLONEL CARRYING THE WOUNDED FORT MAGRU- DER SILENCED THE VICTORY WON BURYING THE DEAD STORY OF A RING WOUNDED REBELS A BRAVE YOUNG SERGEANT CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS A SOLDIER'S DEATH-BED CLOSING SCENES LAST WORDS. X. Pages 137-H6. MC CLELLAN'S DESPATCH FROM EWELL'S FARM CALL FOR REIN- FORCEMENTS NEWS FROM NORFOLK DESCRIPTION OF THE MERRIMAC THE ENGAGEMENT IN HAMPTON ROADS FIRST AND LAST FIGHT OF THE MERRIMAC VICTORY OF THE MONI- TOR ADVANCE ON THE PENINSULA THE BATTLE SONG A MUDDY MARCH ON THE CHICKAHOMINY CRITICAL POSITION OF GENERAL BANKS THE PRESIDENT'S DESPATCHES MCclellan's REPLY.

CHAPTER XL

Pages 147-1G0. ANOTHER DISGUISE 1 BECOME AN IRISH PEDDLER FEVER AND AGUE A NIGHT OF SUFFERING IN THE SWAMP RETROSPEC- TION LOST IN THE SWAMP CANNON MY GUIDES A SICK REBEL 1 FIND SOMETHING TO EAT- — MY NEW PATIENT SYMPATHY FOR SUFFERING TALK WITH A DYING REBEL ■ A WILLING DETENTION EXTEMPORIZING A LIGHT THE LAST HOUR SOLDIERS OF CHRIST THE CHAMBER OF DEATH.

CHAPTER XII.

Pages 161-173. AM I A STOIC? SOMEONE'S DARLING COMPLETING MY DIS- GUISE ANOTHER START FOR THE REBEL LINES PEPPERING MY EYES CHALLENGED BY A PICKET A COCKNEY SENTINEL ■ GETTING INFORMATION PLENTY OF BEEF, BUT NO SALT RICE AND CORN MEAL BREAD PREPARING TO VISIT HEAD- QUARTERS—INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR MC KEE THE MAJOR'S MISPLACED CONFIDENCE RETURN FOR THE BODY OF THE REBEL CAPTAIN MY LOOK-OUT FOR YANKEES NEW ORDERS. CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIII.

Pages 173-186. OCR COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHICKAHOMINY PORTER'S SUCCESSES DESPATCHES TO THE PRESIDENT HIS REPLY HANOVER COURT HOUSE TERRIBLE STORM AND FLOOD HOPES OF THE ENEMY A SUDDEN AND STRONG ATTACK I ACT AS AN ORDERLY THROUGH THE FLOOD MY RETURN AND REPORT JOYFUL NEWS MY OWN DISASTER SCENES IN THE OLD MILL WAITING ON THE WOUNDED MY SUFFER- INGS BY THE ROADSIDE A HARD-HEARTED CHAPLAIN A STUMBLING BLOCK.

CHAPTER XIV.

Pages 1S6-196. RENEWAL OF THE BATTLE-1— VICTORY FOR THE FEDERAL ARMS ADDRESS TO THE ARMY MORE DESPATCHES MY BATTLE TRO- PHY — PONY REB'S PERFORMANCES THE HOSPITAL TREE TOUCHING SCENES BISHOP SIMPSON THE CROSS AND THE FLAG AFTER THE BATTLE DELAYS BY STORMS, FLOODS AND MUD MC CLELLAN'S CALL FOR MORE MEN IN READINESS TO MARCH PROMISED REINFORCEMENTS.

CHAPTER XV

Pages iy7-20G. LEAVE OF ABSENCE VISIT TO THE WILLIAMSBURG HOSPITALS EFFECTIVE PREACHING YORKTOWN REVISITED — LONGINGS— WHITE HOUSE LANDING TIRED OF IDLENESS PREPARATIONS TO RETURN TO DUTY— STUART'S CAVALRY RAID A TRAIN FIRED INTO FAIR OAKS GROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE EN- EMY TRYING TIMES ON THE PENINSULA THE ENDURANCE OF OUR SOLDIERS LABORS OF MR. ALVORD. Pages 207-219. CHANGE OF BASE ACROSS THE PENINSULA EVACUATION OF WHITE HOUSE THE MOVEMENT BATTLE OF MECHANICS- VILLE GAINES' MILL A REPULSE MC CLELLAN's DESPATCH HOSPITALS IN DANGER CONVALESCENT OFFICERS LENDING MY HORSE A LOTTERY INSPECTING FARM STOCK CATCHING A COLT DANGER OF CAPTURE RIDING FOR LIFE BETWEEN TWO FIRES.

CHAPTER XVII.

Pages 219-233. WITHDRAWAL TO MALVERN HILL THE SOLDIER'S LAST WATCH TROWBRIDGE's GRAVE SCENES IN A HOSPITAL CAPTURE OF THE WOUNDED A NOBLE SURGEON LINE OF BATTLE HARD FIGHTING THE ENEMY REPULSED HUNTING FOR FOOD IN A FARM-HOUSE PERILOUS POSITION SECURING THE SPOILS RELIEF OF THE FAMISHING SUBLIME SCENE ON THE MARCH GENERAL KEYES GUN-BOATS ARRIVAL AT HARRI- SON'S LANDING SAD CONDITION OF TROOPS OUR LOSSES MC CLELLAN'S ADDRESS TO THE ARMY

CHAPTER XVIII.

Pages 233-248. RETURN OF OLD ACQUAINTANCES THE WOUNDED COLONEL I VISIT WASHINGTON MILITARY DISPLAY EPAULETS ARISTOC- RACY SPIRIT OF JOHNNY BULL SOLDIERs' FREE LIBRARY CONTRABAND CAMP NEGRO TESTIMONY PATIENT CHARLEY PAINFUL POSITION BROTHER'S LAST CONVERSATION— RETURN TO THE ARMY CHRISTIAN COMMISSION GENERAL HOWARD'S SPEECH. CONTENTS. 13

CHAPTER XIX.

Pages 249-260. MY CONSTANT COMPANION DISPELLING THE BLUES GENTLE NELLIE FACES IN THE HOSPITAL ASLEEP AND AWAKE MY HORSE AGAIN AT HARRISON'S LANDING IMPATIENT TO MOVE DISSATISFACTION IN THE ARMY — RETREAT FROM RICHMOND RETURN TO NEWPORT NEWS — SUSPICIOUS QUARTERS — SEARCHING THE HOUSE AND FINDING REBEL SOLDIERS THANKS TO THE ARMY OUR ARRIVAL AT ACQUIA CREEK.

CHAPTER XX.

Pages 261-273. POPE'S ARMY A GENERAL S REQUEST AGAIN A CONTRABAND ENTERING THE REBEL LINES AS A SPY MY ESCAPE TO THE FEDERAL LINES IN PERIL KEARNEY KILLED CRAWLING THROUGH THE WOODS BURIAL OF A PICKET LOOKING FOR A GENERAL MR. NEGATIVE MC CLELLAN AND POPE THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM A TOUCHING DEATH-SCENE AN IN- TERESTING PATIENT BURIAL OF A FEMALE SOLDIER.

CHAPTER XXL

Pages 273-285. AFTER ANTIETAM SURGEONS ON THE FIELD THE HOSPITALS LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DWIGHT MORTALLY WOUNDED A BRU- TAL SURGEON A WOUNDED CAPTAIN AGONY FROM THIRST CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS PRAYING AND FIGHTING FOPS ON THE FIELD A REBEL PROGRAMME PENNSYLVANIA TO BE STRIPPED CAMP LIFE DAILY ROUTINE BURIAL SERVICES. Pages 2S6-296. A MILITARY EXECUTION THE PREPARATIONS THE DEATH HARPER'S FERRY OLD JOHN BROWN CONTRAST ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA CONDITION OF THE ARMY A DREARY RIDE A GREEN GUARD SEEKING SHELTER A GUERRILLA FIGHT MY HORSE KILLED PLAYING POSSUM MY POCKETS PICKED A NARROW ESCAPE RETURN TO CAMP AN INTERESTING MEETING.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Pages 297-308 MC CLELLAN REMOVED HIS ADDRESS BURNSIDE IN COMMAND ON THE MARCH MY RIDE OLD BATTLEFIELDS SAD SIGHTS "YANKEE SKULLS" " BONE ORNAMENTS" FALMOUTH SHELLING FREDERICKSBURG PONTOON BRIDGES OCCUPATION OF THE CITY AIDE-DE-CAMP DREADFUL SLAUGHTER A GAL- LANT MAJOR STRANGE SIGHTS DARK NIGHT DEATH OF GENERAL BAYARD SOMEONE'S PET RECROSSING THE RAP- PAHANNOCK.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Pages 309-318. AFTER THE BATTLE SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED GENERAL BURNSIDE'S ORDER " STUCK IN THE MUD " HOOKER IN COM- MAND WESTERN CAMPAIGN CAVALRY RECONNOISSANCE ANOTHER DISGUISE AGAIN IN DIXIE A WEDDING PARTY IN A TRAP REBEL CONSCRIPT ON THE MARCH— A REBEL CAPTAIN A FIERCE ENGAGEMENT PAYING A DEBT OF GRAT-' ITUDE AGAIN UNDER THE OLD FLAG. CONTENTS. 15

CHAPTER XXV.

Pages 319-330. APPOINTED DETECTIVE 1 VISIT LOUISVILLE SECESH ACQUAINT- ANCES SEEKING EMPLOYMENT PEDDLING REBEL SPIES ACTING AS CLERK TRAPPING SPIES START FOR VICKSBURG PRO-SLAVERY TROOPS CRUELTY TO NEGROES VISITING HOS- PITALS TOUCHING SCENES AN ARMLESS SOLDIER PATIENT SUFFERING TRIUMPHANT DEATH RALLY ROUND THE FLAG WESTERN CHAPLAINS SOLDIERS' TESTIMONY EFFECT OF PRAYER IN BATTLE — CARRYING THE WOUNDED.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Pages 331-340. A UNIONIST FROM THE REBEL ARMY HIS TESTIMONY SOUTH- ERN HOSPITALS PATRIOTISM FEMALE RECRUITING CRINO- LINE " SWEET LITTLE MAN " CONFEDERATE SYSTEM — NORTH AND SOUTH CONTRASTED REBEL IMPRESSMENT BROTHERS' CRUELTY DYING FOR THE UNION FATE OF A TENNESSEE PATRIOT ON THE MISSISSIPPI INVISIBLE ATTRACTION AN IMPORTANT QUESTION MORAL SUBLIMITY CONTRABANDS JU- BILEE.

CHAPTER XXVII

Pages 341-353. ARRIVAL AT VICKSBURG ITS SURROUNDINGS GRANT'S ARMY ASSAULT ON THE REBEL WORKS THE SEVEN COLOR-BEARERS PEMBERTON'S HARANGUE IN THE TRENCHES — SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED PEMBERTON'S PROPOSED CAPITULATION GRANT'S REPLY TERMS OF SURRENDER OCCUPATION OF THE CITY LOSS OF THE ENEMY COMPLIMENTARY LETTER GRANT'S SUCCESS ATTACHMENT OF HIS SOLDIERS "FIGHT ING DICK" GOLD LACE REBEL SUFFERINGS SIGHTS IN VICKSBURG INCIDENTS OF THE SIEGE CAVE LIFE. Pages 353-362. WESTERN GIBRALTAR— THE "LEAD MINERS "—THE PALMETTO EXCHANGED FOR THE STARS AND STRIPES ENTHUSIASM OF TROOPS— SUFFERINGS FORGOTTEN 1 AM ATTACKED BY FEVER UNFIT FOR DUTY "VICKSBURG IS OURS " SPIRIT YEARN- INGS "ROCK ME TO SLEEP MOTHER" IMPOSITION OF STEAMBOAT OFFICERS GRANT'S CARE FOR HIS MEN BURSTING OF A SHELL IN CAMP CONSEQUENCES SPEECH- LESS AGONY 1 AM RELEASED FROM DUTY MY TRIP TO CAIRO MISS MARY SAFFORD ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Pages 362-373. REVIEW OF HOSPITAL AND CAMP LIFE QUESTIONS ANSWERED BEHIND THE SCENES BLESSED- EMPLOYMENT LIVING PAST SCENES OVER AGAIN MY MOST IMPORTANT LABORS— MOTHER AND SON STRANGE POWER OF SYMPATHY HERo's REPOSE OFFICERS AND MEN THE BRAVEST ARE KINDEST GENERAL SEDGWICK BATTLE SCENES MR. ALVORd's DESCRIPTION VOLUNTEER SURGEONS HEART SICKENING SIGHTS AN AWFUL PICTURE FEMALE NURSES SENTIMENTAL PATRIOTIC MEDI CAL DEPARTMENT YOUNG SURGEONS ANECDOTES.

CHAPTER XXX.

Pages 374-384. CLOSING INCIDENTS PROFESSOR LOWE'S BALLOON FITZ JOHN PORTER'S ADVENTURE HIS UPWARD FLIGHT RECONNOITERING FROM A DANGEROUS POSITION COOL COURAGE ENTHUSIAS- TIC GREETING AN EARNEST INQUIRER A BAPTISM IN THE ARMY PREACHING BY MOONLIGHT A MAGNIFICENT SCENE A WEDDING IN CAMP GAY TIMES A CONTRAST HOSPITAL IN WINCHESTER SPIRIT OF REVENGE SABLE HEROINE A WHITE DARKEY COLORED SOLDIERS CONCLUSION. HOSPITAL TREE AT FAIR OAKS.— Page 101. NURSE AND SPY

Chapter I. Commencement Of The War My Home And My Duty

1 ENLIST IN THE CAUSE EXCITEMENT AT THE WEST TROOPS ON THE MARCH MOBS AT BALTIMORE TEMPORARY HOSPI TALS UNAVOIDABLE EVILS BEGGING FOR COMFORTS SUP PLIES FOR THE SICK CAMP HOSPITALS THUNDER STORMS IN CAMP A DYING OFFICER SOLDIERS IN THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS PREPARATIONS FOR THE ADVANCE. EARLY in the spring of 1861, I was returning from the far West, and as I sat waiting for the train which was to bear me to my adopted home in New England, and was meditating upon the events which had transpired during the past few months, the record of which was destined to blacken the fair pages of American history, I was aroused from my reverie by a voice in the street crying " New York Herald — Fall of Fort Sumter — President's Proclamation — Call for seventy-five thousand men !" This announcement startled me, while my imagination portrayed the coming struggle in all its fearful magnitude.

War, civil war, with all its horrors seemed inevitable, and even then was ready to burst like a volcano upon the MY HOME — MY DUTY. most happy and prosperous nation the sun ever shone upon. The contemplation of this sad picture filled my eyes with tears and my heart with sorrow. It is true, I was not an American — I was not obliged to remain here during this terrible strife — I could return to my native land where my pa rents would welcome me to the home of my childhood, and my brothers and sisters would rejoice at my coming. But these were not the thoughts which occupied my mind. It was not my inten tion, or desire, to seek my own personal ease and comfort while so much sorrow and distress filled the land. But the great question to be decided, was, what can I do ? What part am i" to act in this great drama ?

I was not able to decide for myself — so I carried this question to the Throne of Grace, and found a satisfactory answer there. Five years previous to the time of which I write, I left my rural home, not far from the banks of the St. John's River, in the Province of New Brunswick, and made my way to the United States. An insatiable thirst for education led me to do this, for I believed then, as now, that the "Foreign Missionary " field was the one in which I must labor, sooner or later. I came here a stranger, with but little to recommend me to the favorable notice of the good people, except a letter from the Pastor of the church to which I belonged, and one from my class-leader — notwith- I ENLIST IN THE CAUSE. standing, I found kind friends to help me in all my undertakings, and whether in business, education, or spiritual advancement, I have been assisted beyond my highest expectation.

I thank God that I am permitted in this hour of my adopted country's need to express a tithe of the gratitude which I feel toward the people of the Northern States. Ten days after the President's proclamation was issued, I was ready to start for Washington, having been employed by the Government, and furnished with all the necessary equipments. I was not merely to go to Washington and remain there until a battle had been fought and the wounded brought in, and then in some comfortable hospital sit quietly and fan the patients, after the Surgeon had dressed their wounds ; but I was to go to the front and participate in all the excite ment of the battle scenes, or in other words, be a ''Field Nurse." The creat West was stirred to its center, and began to look like a vast military camp. Recruit ing offices were filled with men eager to enroll their names as defenders of their country— and women were busily engaged in preparing all the comforts that love and patriotism could suggest, for those who were so soon to go forth to victory or to death, while the clash of arms and strains of martial music almost drowned the hum of indus try, and war became the theme of every tongue.

TROOPS ON THE MARCH. About this time I witnessed the departure of the first western troops which started for Wash ington. The regiments were drawn up in line — ■ fully equipped for their journey — with their bright bayonets flashing in the morning sunlight. It was on the principal street of a pleasant little village of about a thousand inhabitants, where there was scarcely a family who had not a father, husband, son, or brother in that little band of soldiers who stood there ready to bid them farewell, perhaps for years — perhaps forever. A farewell address was delivered by the village Pastor, and a new Testament presented to each soldier, with the following inscription : " Put your trust in God — and keep your powder dry." Then came the leave taking — but it is too painful to dwell upon — the last fond word was spoken, the last embrace given, then came the order " march " — and amid the cheers of the citizens — with banners proudly floating, and the bands playing " The Star Span gled Banner," they moved forward on their way to the Capital.

On looking back now upon the scenes of that morning, notwithstanding I have looked upon others much more thrilling since then, yet I cannot recall that hour without feelino-s of deep emotion. While I stood there and beheld those manly forms convulsed with emotion, and heard the sobs of those whom they were leaving behind, I could only thank God that I was free and could go forward and work, and was not MOBS AT BALTIMORE. 21 obliged to stay at home and weep. A few hours more, and I, too, was on my way to Washington. When I reached Baltimore I found the city in an uproar — mobs were gathered in the streets and the utmost excitement prevailed : and as the crowded cars moved through the city toward the depot, the infuriated mob threw showers of stones, brickbats, and other missiles, breaking the windows and wounding some of the soldiers.

Some of the men could not forbear firing into the crowd — notwithstanding their orders were to the contrary — however, it had a.good effect, for the mob soon dispersed ; they probably had not forgotten the Sixth Massachusetts and the Pennsylvania troops which had passed through a short time before. The cars soon reached the depot, and started immediately for Washington — where we arrived in due time — weary, and in great need of food and sleep. Soon after reaching Washington I commenced visiting the temporary hospitals which were pre pared to receive the soldiers who arrived there sick. The troops came pouring in so fast, and the weather being extremely warm, all the general hospitals were soon filled, and it seemed impossi ble to prepare suitable, or comfortable, accommo dations for all who required medical attention.

There are many things in connection with this war that we are disposed to find fault with, and we think the blame rests upon such and such TEMPORARY HOSPITALS. individuals — but after investigating the matter, we find that they are all. owing to a combination of circumstances entirely beyond the control of those individuals — and it requires time to bring about the desired results. This has been my ex perience with regard to the hospital department. After walking through the streets for hours on a sultry southern day in search of one of those temporary hospitals, I would find a number of men there delirious with fever — others had been sun struck and carried there — but no physician to be found in attendance. Then, I would naturally come to the conclusion that the surgeons were all slack concerning their duty — but upon going to the office of the Surgeon in charge of that de partment, would find that a certain number of surgeons were detailed every morning to visit those hospitals, and were faithfully performing their duty ; but that the number of hospitals and patients were increasing so fast that it required all day to make the tour.

Consequently the last ones visited were obliged to wait and suffer — without any blame attaching to the surgeons. Then another great evil was to be remedied — there were thousands of sick men to be taken care of — but for these the Government had made no provision as regards more delicate kinds of food — nothing but hard bread, coffee and pork, for sick and well, alike. The Sanitary Commission had not yet come into operation and the conse- BEGGING FOR COMFORTS. 23 quence was our poor sick soldiers suffered un speakably from want of proper nourishment. I was speaking upon this subject one day to Chap lain B. and his wife — my constant companions in hospital labor — when Mrs. B. suggested that she and I should appeal to the sympathies of the ladies of Washington and Georgetown, and try our hand at begging.

I agreed to the proposal at once, and wondered why I had not thought of it myself — among all my schemes for alleviating the sufferings of these men, it had never entered into my head to beg for them. We decided to go to Georgetown first and if we succeeded there, to canvass Washington. So we started, and com menced operations by calling first upon a clergy man's wife. We made inquiry there with regard to our prospects of success, and the sentiments of the ladies generally upon the war question, and finding that the majority were in our favor, we started again quite hopefully — but not until the lady above mentioned had given us an order on her grocer to the amount of five dollars. I gave Sister B. the credit of that, for I had intro duced her as the wife of the Rev. Mr. B., chaplain of the 7th.

Then I suggested that we should separate for a few hours — she to take one street and I another, so that we might sooner get through the city. My next call was at a doctor's mansion, but I did not find the lady at home ; however, I learned that the doctor in question SUPPLIES FOR THE SICK. kept a drug-store near by ; she might be there ; went, but found no lady ; thought fit to make my business known to the doctor, and the consequence was, half a dozen bottles of blackberry wine and two of lemon syrup, with a cordial in vitation to call again. So prospered our mission throughout the day, and at the close of it we had a sufficient supply of groceries, brandy, ice, jellies, etc., to fill our little ambulance; and oh, what a change those little delicacies wrought upon our poor sick boys. We were encouraged by that day's work, to continue our efforts in that direction, and finally made Dr. W.'s store a depot for the donations of those kind friends who wished to assist us in restoring to health the defenders of our beloved country.

Typhoid fever began to make its appearance in camp, as the burning sun of June came pouring down upon us, and the hospitals were soon crowd ed with its victims. It was then that my labors began in earnest, and as I went from tent to tent, ministering to the wants of those delirious, helpless men, I wondered if there ever was a " Mis sionary Field " which promised a richer harvest, than the one in which I was already engaged ; and oh, how thankful I was that it was my privi lege to take some small part in so great a work. I shall notice, briefly, the manner in which the hospitals are conducted in camp. There are large tents furnished for hospital purposes, which will CAMP HOSPITALS. accommodate from twenty to twenty-five men. These tents are usually put up in the most pleasant and shady part of the camp ; the inside is nicely leveled, and board floors laid, if boards can be procured, if not, rubber blankets are laid down instead.

Sometimes there are straw ticks and cot bedsteads furnished, but not in sufficient quantity to supply all the hospitals. Along each side of the tent the sick are laid, on blankets or cots, leaving room to pass between the beds. In the center of the tent stands a temporary board table, on which are kept books, medicines, et cetera. The hospital corps consists of a surgeon, an assist ant surgeon, a hospital steward, a ward-master, four nurses, two cooks, and 'a man of all work to carry water, cut wood, and make himself generally useful. The immediate care of the sick devolves upon those four nurses, who are generally detail ed from the ranks, each one being on duty six hours without intermission. The surgeons visit the patients twice every day, oftener if required ; the prescriptions are filled by the hospital steward, and the medicine is administered by the nurses.

The nurses are usually very kind to the sick, and when off duty in the hospital, spend much of their time in digging drains around the tents, planting evergreens, and putting up awnings, all of which add much to the coolness and comfort of the hospital. Draining the grounds is a very important part of hospital duty, for when those terrible TERRIFIC THUNDER STORMS. thunder-storms come, which are so frequent in the south, it is morally impossible to keep the tent floors from being flooded, unless there are drains all around the tents. Great excitement prevails in camp during those tempests — the rain comes down in torrents, while the wind blows a hurri cane — lifting the tents from the ground, and throwing everything into wild confusion. I have seen a dozen men stand for hours around one hos pital, holding down the ropes and tent poles to prevent the sick from being exposed to the raging elements.

In one of those storms, I saw a tent blown down, in which one of our officers lay suffering from typhoid fever. We did our best to keep him dry until a stretcher could be procured, but all in vain. Notwithstanding we wrapped him in rubber blankets and shawls, yet the rain penetra ted them all, and by the time he was carried to a house, a quarter of a mile distant, he was com pletely drenched. He was a noble fellow and I love to speak of him. Mrs. B. and I remained with him alternately until he died, which was five days from that time. We sent for his wife, who ar rived just in time to see him die. He was un conscious when she came, and we were standing around his cot watching every shadow which the sable wing of advancing death cast upon his features, and eagerly looking for a single ray of re turning reason.

He looked up suddenly, and A DYING OFFICER. seeing his wife standing weeping, he beckoned her to come to him. Kneeling beside him, she bent her ear close to the lips of the dying man. He whispered distinctly, " I am going — the way is bright, don't weep — farewell !" A little later he was asked, " What is the foundation of your hope of Heaven ?" His face was calm and beautiful in its expression, and his splendid dark eyes lit up with holy confidence and trust, as he replied, "Christ — Christ!" These were his last words. Glorious words for a dying soldier. He lingered a few hours, and then quietly and peacefully breathed out his life. So passed away one of the most exemplary men it has ever been my lot to meet, either in the army or elsewhere. The same day, the sorrowing widow, with the remains of her beloved and noble husband, started for her northern home ; and that christian patriot now sleeps in a beautiful little cemetery near the city of Detroit, Michigan, having rendered up his life a willing sacrifice for his country.