Nurse and spy in the Union Army: comprising the adventures and experiences of a woman in hospitals, camps, and battle-fields

Front matter

3^^

Tine Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant

^HE NURSE * SP'.

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.

CHAPTER II. Pages 29-41

MARCHING ORDERS REMOVAL OF THE SICK A YOUNG PA- TIENT VISIT FROM HIS MOTHER MARCH TO"WARD 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

"WATER FOR THE "WOUNDED COL. CAMERON KILLED — SCENES ON

THE BATTLE-FIELD BURNSIDe's BRIGADE CAPTURE OF GRIF-

FIn's AND RICKETt'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.

O NURSEANDSPY.

Chapter IV. ■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. Arrival At Fortress Monroe The Village Op 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. 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. y

CHAPTER YIL

AtOST FRIEND DEATH OF LIEUTENANT JAMES V. HIS BURIAL

l-THE GRAVE BY NIGHT MY VOAV A SOLDIER-CHAPLAIN

fecOGNITIONS IN HEAVEN DOUBTS AND DISSATISFACTION

CiPTURE OF A SPY MY EXAMINATIONS AT HEADQUARTERS

— Vt DISGUISE AS A SPY 1 AM METAMORPHOSED INTO A

COlTRABAND HIRED AS A COOK BISCUIT MAKING THE

D0c\3r's TEA.

CHAPTER Vni.

MY FIRST\sECRET EXPEDITION MY WORK AMONG CONTRA- BANDS— yCKAXE, SHOVEL AND WHEELBARROW COUNTING

THE GUN\iN A REBEL FORTIFICATION A CHANGE OF WORK

CARRYI^ WATER TO THE REBEL SOLDIERS GENERALS LEE

AND JOHNSiN THE REBEL FORCE AT YORKTOWN A COUN- CIL OF WA^TURNING WHITE AGAIN A :SEBEL SPY LIEU- TENANT V. S\MURDERER ON PICKET DUTY MY RETURN TO

OUR LINES \puT ON UNIFORM AND MAKE MY REPORT.

CHAPTER IX.

EVACUATION OF Y^kTOWN OUR ARMY ON THE DOUBLE

QUICK PURSUIT 0\thE FUGITIVES THE ENEMy's WORKS- BATTLE ON TI^ FIELD A "WOUNDED," AND NOT IN- JURED COLONEL C%YijfG TPIE WOUNDED FORT MAGRU-

DER SILENCED THE \iCTORY WON BURYING THE DEAD

STORY OF A RING — VuNDED REBELS A BRAVE YOUNG

SERGEANT — CHRISTIAN ^lDIERS A SOLDIER'S DEATH-BED- CLOSING SCENES LAST \nRDS.

CHAPTER X.

137-146.

MC CLELLAN S DESPATCH FROM EWELL S FARM — CALL FOR RSN-

FORCEMENTS NEWS FROM NORFOLK DESCRIPTION OF THE

MERRIMAC THE ENGAGEMENT IN HAMPTON ROADS SRST

AND LAST FIGHT OF THE MERRIMAC VICTORY OF THE lONI-

TOR ADVANCE ON THE PENINSULA THE BATTLE SO G A

MUDDY MARCH ON THE CHICKAHOMINY CRITICAL PfSITION

OF GENERAL BANKS THE PRESIDENT'S DESPATCH'S MC-

CLELLAn's REPLY.

CHAPTER XL

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 GI-DES A SICK

REBEL 1 FIND SOMETHING TO EAT MY NW PATIENT

SYMPATHY FOR SUFFERING TALK WITH A YING REBEL

A WILLING DETENTION EXTEMPORIZING A iGHT THE LAST

HOUR SOLDIERS OF CHRIST THE CHAMBE OF DEATH.

CHAPTER XII.

AM I A STOIC? someone's dARLXNG-^OMPLETING MY DIS- GUISE ANOTHER START FOR THE RF^L LINES PEPPERING

MY EYES CHALLENGED BY A PICKF A COCKNEY SENTINEL

GETTING INFORMATION PLENTY ^ BEEF, BUT NO SALT

RICE AND CORN MEAL BREAD pEPARING TO VISIT HEAD- QUARTERS INTERVIEW WITH MA->R MC KEE THE MAJOr's

MISPLACED CONFIDENCE RETUF FOR THE BODY OF THE

REBEL CAPTAIN MY LOOK-OUT'O^ YANKEES NEW ORDERS.

CONTENTS. 11

CHAPTER XIII.

OUR 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 STRONQ ATTACK ■

I ACT AS AN ORDERLY THROUGH THE FLOOD MY RETURN

AND REPORT JOYFUL NEWS >IY 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 XIY.

RENEWAL OF THE BATTLE 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 HIEN IN READINESS TO

MARCH PROMISED REINFORCEMENTS.

CHAPTER XV.

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 ENDURANCB

OF OUR SOLDIERS LABORS OF MR. ALVORD.

CHAPTER XYI.

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 XYHI.

RETURN OF OLD ACQUAINTANCES — THE WOUNDED COLONEL 1

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.

Mr 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.

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

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.

14 NUKSE AND SPY.

CHAPTER XXIL

286-296.

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 XXin.

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 XXIY.

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 XXY.

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

PBAY'ER IN BATTLE — CARRYING THE WOUNDED.

CHAPTER XXVI.

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.

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.

CHAPTER XXYIII.

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 SxVFFORD — ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON.

CHAPTER XXIX.

REVIEW OF HOSPITAL AND CAMP LIFE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

BEHIND THE SCENES BLESSED EMPLOYMENT LIVING PAST

SCENES OVER AGAIN MY MOST IMPORfANT 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.

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.

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 FOB 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 cryino' " 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;

18 MY HOIvIE MY DUTY.

most liappy and prosperous nation the sun ever shone upon. The contemplation of this sad picture filled my eyes with tears and my heart ^Yith soriTow.

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 parents 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 intention, 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 / 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 E N L 1 S T IN THE CAUSE. 19

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 ecjuipments, 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 excitement of the battle scenes, or in other words, be a ''Field Nurse."

The great West was stirred to its center, and began to look like a vast military camp. Recruiting 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 industry, and war became the theme of every tongue.

20 TROOPS ON THE MARCH.

About this time I "witnessed the departure of the first western troops which started for Washington. The regiments were drawn up in line — • fully equijoped 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 leavetaking — 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 Spangled 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 feelings 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 firins; 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 prepared 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 impossible to prepare suitable, or comfortable, accommodations 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

22 TEMPORARY HOSPITALS.

individuals — but after investigating tlie matter, we find that tliey are all owing to a combination of circumstances entirely beyond tlie control of those individuals — and it requires time to bring about the desired results. This has been my experience 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 department, 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 sufi'er — 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 unspeakably from want of proper nourishment, I was speaking upon this subject one day to Chaplain 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 heg for them. We decided to go to Georgetown first and if we succeeded there, to canvass Washington. So we started, and commenced operations by calling first upon a clergyman'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 introduced 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

24 SUPPLIES FOR THE SICK.

kept a drug-store near by ; slie 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 invitation 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 cam^ pouring down upon us, and the hospitals were soon crowded 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 " Missionary 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 privilege 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. 25

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 assistant 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 detailed 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

26 TERRIFIC THUNDER STORMS.

thunder-storms come, wliicli 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 hurricane— ^lifting the tents from the ground, and throwing everything into wild confusion. I have seen a dozen men stand for hours around one hospital, 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 penetrated them all, and by the time he was carried to a house, a quarter of a mile distant, he was completely 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 arrived just in time to see him die. He was unconscious 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 returning reason. He looked up suddenly, and

A DYING OFFICEK. 27

seeing his Avife standing weeping, lie beckoned her to come to liim. 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 Avas 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.

Mrs. B. was desirous of visiting some of the public buildings in Washington and wished me to accompany her. I did so, but found that it was almost impossible to get along through the crowded streets. The gallant troops were coming in by thousands from every loyal State in the Union. The Capitol and White House were common places of resort for soldiers. Arms were stacked in the rotunda of the one and the lobbies of the

28 THE GRAND ARMY.

other, while our " noble boys in blue " lounged in the cushioned seats of members of Congress, or reclined in easy chairs in the President's Mansion. Camps of instruction were prepared near the city, while every hillside and valley for miles around was thickly dotted with snow white tents. Soldiers drilling, fatigue parties building forts, artillery practicing, and the supply trains moving to and from the various headquarters,: presented a picture deeply interesting. As I rode from camp to camp and contemplated that immense army concentrating its force on the banks of the Potomac, and saw with what zeal and enthusiasm the soldiers entered upon their duties, I could but feel assured of the speedy termination of the conflict, and look forward with eager anticipation to the day when that mighty host would advance upon the enemy, and like an overwhelming torrent sweep rebellion from the land.

Chapter II

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.

MARCHING ORDERS received to-day-^-two days more, and the Army of the Potomac will be on its way to Bull Run. I find this registered in my journal July 15th, 1861, without any comment whatever. But I do not require a journal to refresh my memory with regard to the events of those two days of preparation which followed their announcement. The Army of the Potomac was soon to meet the enemy for the first time — a great battle was to be fought. Oh, what excitement and enthusiasm that order produced — nothing could be heard but the wild cheering of the men, as regiment after regiment received their orders. The possibility of a defeat never seemed to enter the mind of any. All the sick in camp now were to be sent to Washington, clothes changed, knapsacks packed, letters written home, packages sent to the express office, etc. After all was done, everything in readiness, and the sick men tenderly laid in the ambulances, Mrs. B. said :