OF THE CITY--LOSS OF THE ENEMY--COMPLIMENTARY LETTER--GRANT'S SUCCESS--ATTACHMENT OF HIS SOLDIERS--"FIGHTING DICK"--GOLD LACE--REBEL SUFFERINGS--SIGHTS IN VICKSBURG--INCIDENTS OF THE SIEGE--CAVE LIFE.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
Pages 353-362.
WESTERN GIBRALTAR--THE "LEAD MINERS"--THE PALMETTO EXCHANGED FOR THE STARS AND STRIPES-- ENTHUSIASM OF TROOPS--SUFFERINGS FORGOTTEN--I AM ATTACKED BY FEVER--UNFIT FOR DUTY-- "VICKSBURG IS OURS"--SPIRIT YEARNINGS--"ROCK ME TO SLEEP MOTHER"--IMPOSITION OF STEAMBOAT OFFICERS--GRANT'S CARE FOR HIS MEN--BURSTING OF A SHELL IN CAMP--CONSEQUENCES--SPEECHLESS AGONY--I AM RELEASED FROM DUTY--MY TRIP TO CAIRO--MISS MARY SAFFORD--ARRIVAL AT WASHING-
6
TON.
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--MEDICAL 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--ENTHUSIASTIC GREET-ING--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.
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HOSPITAL TREE AT FAIR OAKS.--Page 191.
NURSE AND SPY.
CHAPTER I.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR--MY HOME AND MY DUTY--I ENLIST IN THE CAUSE--EXCITEMENT AT THE WEST--TROOPS ON THE MARCH--MOBS AT BALTIMORE--TEMPORARY HOSPITALS--UNAVOIDABLE EVILS-- BEGGING FOR COMFORTS--SUPPLIES FOR THE SICK--CAMP HOSPITALS--THUNDERS 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[Pg 18] 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 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 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.
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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--notwithstanding,[Pg 19] 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 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.
[Pg 20]About this time I witnessed the departure of the first western troops which started for Washington. 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 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[Pg 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 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[Pg 22] 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