[Washington, DC, ................., 186 .] Gentlemen and Ladies, I come Before you to-night Both willingly and cheerfully - more than willing to render my account for the unmeasured kindness received of the american people, and the great confidence reposed in me by the officers and men of the army, during the trials of the past few years. If I have been allowed to perform a work among the armies of my country, withheld from many others, - and have thereby learned facts unknown to them, it is my duty to state them when required.2 If I have been permitted to stand by your loved ones when the trial hour came and their brave lives went out amid the din and smoke of Battle. Or when they lingered, pining in distant hospitals - or by the way side - and the last look was turned upon my face - instead of yours - The last words addressed to me, when they would have been gold, and precious stones to you, the knowledge is not mine, it belongs to you, - to all my country-men if they demand it. 3 Washington, D. C., ,186 In 1861, the first great Blows of organized war fell upon our land. The nation woke from it's dream of peace, at the thunder of wave-washed Sumpter: And the 19th of April found the few loyal citizens of the national capital - your humble speaker among the number, - thrilled and bewildered - by the mad atrocities of Baltimore and straining our gaze across the Potomac, to the very door of Robert Lee.4 But say you, this is an Eastern woman, and we are the west - the great west - whose warriors darkened every mountain - valley - and river - from Minnesota, to the coast of Florida. - We never heard of this woman in our armies - and does'nt she know that the western ladies not only thronged, but created hospitals, stood on fields she never saw - and accomplished great work she never thought of attempting Oh! yes! she knows it well - knew when you did it - and her heart went out to you every hour. 5 Washington, D D., ,186 She read with admiration of your christian deeds, at Cairo - Port Hudson, - Shilo - and Chattenooga. She knows your bright brave record, and her heart bounds with womanly pride, as she recalls it. But not only did your sabers gleam and Bayonets flash on the fields of the North and West, but in the East. The first great blows of organized war fell there - the nation woke from its dream of peace at the thunder of wave-washed Sumpter and from the steps of the National Capitol in 1861 - we were straining our gaze across the Potomac to the very door of Robert Lee.6 for the flash of the guns on Arlington Hights. These never came. But while we watched in our weakness - and prayed in our helplessness -- the scene shifted - - the curtain rose on the other side - and there poured in the armies of the North and West. There stood, not only Penn - New York - and New England - But Ohio - Michigan - Indiana and Illinois. There, all unused to war from homes never invaded - they had hastened all those weary leagues - and stood a Bulwark of defense for a Nations life. 7 Washington D.C. , 186 . And when the Old army of the Potomac sprang into existence, they were of it. Year after year facing the frowning Battlements of Petersburg - Richmond, and Charleston, and the flower of the Rebel army: there I saw them fight and die - and there, with their Eastern comrades their bones whiten in the sand. The field of Virginia are rich with their blood- and the rivers rolling to the Eastern Sea murmur their ceaseless himn of rest. There a little later - There curls of gold - and locks of yel - with the cursed southern dew were wetAnd I need not apologize to this audience, that I, a woman, come to tell you a woman's work. - For if there be a state within the confines of our whole united country that has reason to be proud of the part taken by its women during the rebellion - a state that nobly accepted their services when proffered, - honored their calls. - And grandly casting aside all narrow prejudice and jealousy, acknowledged both privately and publicly its gratitude for the self-sacrificing labors of the holy [band of] [of] sisterhood who toiled in darkness and tears at home or the devoted Band who went down into the valleys of death to lay strength, - health, - and life, on the sacred altar of human liberty - that state is Maine. - While your memories treasure the deeds of a Sampson, - a Mayhew, - an Eaton, Barnum - Jogg - Simpson - McKay- and Walker and I speak these names with reverence as I would put away my shoes on holy ground - while the loving memories of these women, living or dead, - hold dear and honored place in your hearts no other woman - tho' a stranger - and of comparatively little worth need fear to come to your side, and modestly lay some portion of her own little record beside theirs, - if only as coroborative testimony of the great demands of those terrible days.8 Then starved in Andersonville - There- side by side- we found their graves- and marked the spot for you. There, so far away. so pitiful and alone- I laid my hand softly on the sacred earth- and almost felt the mother's great heart beating underneath -for I knew- tho the Blood of her own veins still forced its valves- she had buried it there, in that little grave- a holocaust to love and freedom. I dropped a tear for her who could not go- Blessed the grave in the south she could not see, and come to tell you Be patient with my little 9 Washington, D C., 186 story.- cast aside all that pertains to myself- remembering only the brave men of whom I speak- and when I have done. I will go back. quietly as I came- sorry that I bring only so little to you who have given so much. But friends, my chief difficulty tonight will consist- not so much in what I shall say- and how say it- as in omitting what I cannot say- Oftentimes the events of one day would occupy an hour in the recital and how shall I condense and relate to you- in this little evening, the labors and losses-10 The pleasures and pains of four years of such life?- If I attempt to cover the entire ground, I shall fail to give you a distinct idea of anything- I will therefore limit myself to two or three fields- selecting among the Earlier- Before relief societies were rendered efficient, and before the two great and noble commissions with nither of which was I ever connected found their way directly to the front- that you may the better appreciate the necessity. and worth of your own quiet home labors. during those first great days of trial. War came upon us hasty and terrible- then you and I, and all of us rose up and asked what we could do 11 I was strong- and I thought- I ought to go to the rescue of the men who fell- But I struggled long and hard with my sense of propriety- with the appalling fact- that I was only a woman. whispering in one ear- and the groans of suffering men, dying like dogs- unfed and unsheltered. for the life of the very institutions which had protected and educated me- thundering in the other. I said that I struggled with my sense of propriety- and I say it with humiliation and shame-. Before God and before you I am ashamed that I thought of such a thing. But when our armies fought a Cedar Mountain I Broke the shackles and went to the field12 [Alone -] unconnected with Five days and nights with three hours sleep - a narrow escape from capture ~ and some days of getting the wounded into hospital at Washington brot Saturday Aug. 30th and word that Genl Pope was fighting on the old Bull Run battle ground - had 8000 killed - they said - and the battle still went on. That night was spent in packing supplies, which at day-break in the midst of a heavy rain were placed in freight cars - and with 2 ladies and my attendants I found a place to stand - while we steamed and rattled out of Washington. Our coaches were not elegant - nor commodious - they had no seats - 13 no windows, ~ no platform ~ no steps ~ a slide door on the side was the only entrance and this often higher than my head - For my manner of attaining my elevated position I must beg you to draw upon your own imaginations - and spare me the labor of re-producing the boxes barrels - boards - and rails - which in those days - served to help me up and on in the world - At 10 oclock Sunday our train drew up are Fairfax station. - The ground - for acres - was a thinly wooded slope - and among the trees on the leaves and grass, - were laid the wounded, who were pouring in by scores of14 wagon loads - as picked up on the field under flag of truce. All-day they came and the whole hillside was covered - Bales of hay were broken open and scattered over the ground like littering for cattle. And the sore famishing men were lain upon it. and when night sheet in. In mist and darkness about us - we knew that standing apart from the world of anxious hearts. Throbbing over the whole country - we were a little band of almost empty-handed workers literally by ourselves in the wild woods of Virginia with 3000 suffering, dying men crowded when the few acres within our reach. After gathering up every 15 available implement or convenience for our work, our domestic inventory stood 2 water buckets, 5 tin cups 1 camp kettle, 1 stewpan, 2 lanterns 4 bread knives, 3 plates, and a 2-quart tin dish, and 3000 guests to serve!! You will perceive by this that I had not yet learned to equip myself - for I was no Pallas-ready armed, but grew into my work by hard thinking and sad experience. It may serve to relieve your apprehension for the future of my labors if I assure you that I was never caught so again. For later I became a notable housekeeper. If that may be said of one16 who had no house to keep- but lived in fields- and woods - and tents- and wagons with all out of doors - for a cooking range mother earth for a kitchen hearth - and the winds of Heaven for a chimney. You have head of "adverse winds"- to realize this term in its fullest sense, - you have only to build a camp fire - and attempt to cook something by it. Every soldier will agree with me when I say, that go which so ever side of it you will, - the wind will blow the smoke and flame directly in your face - Notwithstanding these difficulties, within 15 minutes from the time of our arrival we were preparing food and dressing wounds 17 you wonder what - and how prepared - and how administered without- dishes - You, generous thoughtful mothers and wives - have not- forgotten the tons of nicely packed delicacies ever rolling to the front - Huge boxes of these stood beside that railway track - every can - jar - bucket - bowl - cup - or tumbler - when empty, that instant became a vehicle of mercy, to convey some preparation of mingled bread, and wine - or soup - or coffee, to some helpless famishing sufferer- who partook of it with the tears rolling down his bronzed cheeks, and divided his blessings between the hand that fed him and his God-18 But the most fearful scene was reserve for the night. I have said that the ground was littered with dry hay and that we had only 2 lanterns. But there were plenty of candles. The wounded were lain so closely that it was impossible to move about in the dark. The slightest mistep brot a current of groans from some poor mangled fellow in your path. Consequently there were scores of persons of every grade. From the careful man of God who walked with a prayer upon his lips to the careless driver, hunting for his last whip - each wandering about among this hay with an open flaming candle in his hand. The slightest accident, the mere dropping of a light would have 19 enveloped in flames this whole mass of helpless men. How we watched and plead, and cautioned - as we worked, and wept that night. How we put socks and slippers on their cold and damp feet, wrapped blankets and quilts about them. And when we had no longer there to give how we covered them in the hay. and left them to their rest. The slight naked chest of a fair-haired lad caught my eye and dropping down beside him. I bent low to draw the remnant of his torn blowse about him. When20: with a quick cry. he threw his left arm across my neck and wept like a child at his mother's knee. I took his head in my hands and held it until his great burst of grief should pass away. "and you don't know me," he said at length "I am Charley Hamilton. who used to carry your satchel home from school. My faithful pupil ~ poor Charley! That mangled right arm will never carry a satchel again. About 3 o clock in the morning I observed a surgeon with his little flickering candle in hand approaching 21: Washington, D C., ............, 186 . me with cautious step far up in the wood. "Lady" he said as he drew near "will you go with me. Out on the hill is a lad mortally wounded and dying whose piteous cries for his sister have touched all our hearts and none of us can relieve, but rather seem to annoy him by our presence. By this time I was following him back over his bloody track with the great beseeching eyes of anguish on every side looking up in our faces saying so plainly "Don't step on us" "He can't last half an hour longer." said the surgeon as22 we toiled on. he is already quite cold- shot thru the abdomen a terrible wound. By this time his cries became faintly audable to me. Mary- Mary- sister Mary: come oh come: I'm wounded Mary, I'm shot: I'm dying. Oh, come to me. I've called you so long, and my strength is almost gone. Don't let me die here alone. Oh Mary Mary come. Of all lines of entreaty to which I've ever listened (and certainly I've had some experience of sorrows) I think there sounding thru that 23 Washington, D.C.,............................,186. dismal night the most heart-reaching. As we drew near some 20 persons attracted by his cries had gathered around and stood with moistened eyes~and helpless hands wailing the change which would relieve them all. And in the midst stretched upon the ground, lay a scarcely full grown young man~with a graceful head of hair, tangled and matted. thrown back from a forehead and face of livid whiteness. His throat bare- his hands bloody red, clasped above his breast his large bewildered blue eyes turning anxious by in every direction~and ever from24 Between his ashen lips - pealed forth that piteous cry- of - "Mary. Mary come" ~ I approached him unobserved- and motioning the lights away. Knelt by him alone in the darkness- shall I confess, that I intended, if possible to cheat him out of his terrible death agony? ~~ But my lips were truer than my heart, and would not speak the word Brother. I had willed them to do. - So I placed my hands upon his neck- kissed his cold forehead- and laid my cheek against his- The illusion was complete- the act had done the falsehood, my lips 25 Washington, DC., ................., 186 . refused to speak- I can never forget that cry of joy. ~ Oh Mary. Mary, have you come? I knew you would come if I called you. ~ and I've called you so long . ~~~~ I couldn't die without you mary. ~~ don't cry darling-. I'm not afraid to die~~~ And you've come to me ~ Oh: Bless you, Bless you, Mary! ~ ~ And he ran his cold blood-wet hands about my neck ~~ passed them over my face, and twined them in my hair ~ which by this time, had freed itself from fastenings- and was hanging, damp and heavy about my shoulders-26 He gathered the loose locks in his stiff- -ened fingers- and holding them to his lips- continued to whisper thro them "Bless you- Bless you- Mary." And I felt the hot tears of joy, trickling from the eyes I had thought stony in death. ~~~ This encouraged me, and wrapping his feet closely in blankets- and giving him such stimulents as he could take- I seated myself on the ground, and lifted him upon my lap- and drawing the shawl on my own shoulders- also about his. I bade him rest- I listened, till his Blessings grew fainter~ and in ten 27 Washington, DC., ................, 186 . minutes with the choicest of them upon his lips, he fell asleep.~ So the gray morning found us ~ my precious charge had grown warm and was comfortable. Of course the morning light would reveal his mistake but he was calm - refreshed - and able to en- dure it ~ and when finally he awoke - he seemed puzzled for a moment, and - smiling said "I knew before I opened my eyes that this couldn't be Mary.~ I know now that she couldn't get here- But it is almost as good you've made me so happy - "Who is it?" I said it was simply a28 lady, who hearing he was wounded, had come to care for him- He wanted the name- and with childlike simplicity spelled it- letter by letter- to know if he were right "In my pocket"- he said, "you'l find mother's last letter.- please get it, and write your name upon it- for-for. I want both names by me when I die" Will they take away the wounded he asked? yes. I replied. The first train for Washington is nearly ready now". I must go. he said quickly- "are you able"? yes- and I must- I must go. if I die on the way- I'll tell you why- I am my poor 29 mother's only son- and when she consented that I should go to the war- I promised her faithfully that if I were not killed outright- but wounded- I would by every means in my power to be taken home to her alive or dead. If I die on the train, they won't throw me off. and if buried in Washington she can get me. But out here in these Virginia woods- in the hands of the enemy- never. I must go. I sent for the surgeon in charge of the train and requested that my boy be taken. "Oh impossible madam"! he is mortally wounded and will never reach a hospital 30 we must take those who have a hope of life. "But you must take him". "I cannot" "can you Dr guaranty the lives of all you have on that train? "I wish I could" he said sadly. They are the worst cases 50 percent must die eventually of their wounds and hardships" Then give this lad his chance with them- he can only die- and he has given good and sufficient reason why he must go and a woman's word for it Dr you must take him. Send your men for him". Whether yielding to argument or entreaty. I neither knew nor cared so long as he did yeild nobly and kindly any gathering up the fragments of the poor 31 torn boy they laid him carefully on a blanket in the crowded train, and with stimulents and food and a kind-hearted attendant pleaded to take him alive or dead to Armory Square Hospital, tell them he was Hugh Johnson of N.Y. and to mark his grave. The whistle sounded- and the death freighted train moved on. Although 3 hours of my time had been devoted to one sufferer among thousands- it must not be inferred that our general work had been suspended or that my assistants had been equally ineficient. They had seen how I was engaged and nobly redoubled their exertions to32 make amends for my deficiencies- Probably not a man was lain upon those trains, who did not receive some personal attention at their hands.- some little kindness- if it were only to help lift him more tenderly - place a pillow, - or wisp of hay under some broken limb - or Bruised head - fill his canteen with water- or place a few crackers beside him - and by these little acts,- the temper of this entire Body of men was changed- and in the place of complaints, and imprecations were only thanks- and Brave hopeful assurances that they should get along very well-- and as the words of grateful 33 cheer rose up from that moving mass of suffering and doom- I Bowed my head in penetence- and humbly acknowledged the just rebuke upon all past ingratitude. Still there were some bright spots along the darkened lines.- Early in the morning the Provost Marshal came to ask if I could use 50 men.- he had that number who for some slight breach of Military discipline were under guard. and useless- unless I could use them- I only regretted they were not 500- They came- strong willing men: and there added to our original force, and what we had gained incidentally made our number something over 80.- and believe me 8034 men- and three women- will accomplish some work in a day: Our 50 prisoners dug graves- and gathered- and buried the dead- - bone mangled men over the rough ground in their arms~ loaded ears- bult fires made soup- and administered it_ and I failed to discern that their services were less valuable than those of other men. I had previously suspected- and have since become convinced, that a private soldier may be placed under guard- court martialed- and even be imprisoned~ without forfeiting his honor or manliness- That the real dishonor is often upon the gold lace- rather than the army Blue- 35 at 3 o clock the last train of wounded left ~ all day we had known that the enemy hung upon the hills- waiting to break in upon us- hoping to capture forage~ ammunition- and prisoners.~ at 4 o clock the clouds gathered, black and murky- and the low growl of dis- -tant thunder ran over our heads - and mingled with the nimble lightning while illumined the horizon- The still air grew thick and stifled.~ and the very Branches appeared to droop and Bow as if in grief at the memory of the terrible scenes so lately enacted- and the gallant lives so nobly yielded up beneath their shelter- This was afternoon of Monday.~Since Saturday noon I had not lasted food-and had just arranged for that purpose- when of a sudden~the air-and earth-and all about us-shook with one mingled crash of Sod's ands man's artillery. The lightening played-the thunder rolled incessantly, and the cannon roared louder and nearer each minute. Chantilly; with all its darkness and horror, had opened up in the rear. The description of this battle is leave to those who saw and moved in it as it is my purpose to speak only of events in which 9 was either a witness or an actor. Although two miles distant-we knew that that Battle was intended for us and watched the firing as it neared and receded and wailed minute by minute for the rush of the Broken ranks- With what desperation our men fought on, hour after hour in the rain and darkness-how they were overborne and rallied-how they suffered from mistaken orders-and blundered, and lost themselves in this strange mysterious wood-- and how after all with giant strength, and veteran bravery, they checked the foe, and held him at bay. are all proud of records of history and the courage of the soldier who braved death in the darkness of Chantilly- let no man question, 38 The rain continued to pour in torrents and the darkness became impenetrable save from the lightning leaping above our heads; and the fitful slash of the guns- - as valley after valley rang thru the stifled air and lighted up the gnarled trunks and dripping branches among which we ever waited and listened In the midst of this- and how guided no man knows- came still another wagon train of wounded men- and a waiting train of cars upon the track received them ~ Now, nearly alone -for my worn out assistants could work no longer. I continued to administer such food as I had left ~ so you begin to 39 wonder what it could be?- army crackers put into knapsacks. and haversacks. and beaten to crumbs between stones. and stirred into a mixture of wine, or whiskey and water and sweetened with coarse brown sugar ~ not very invling you will think but- I assure you always acceptable - But whether it should have been classed as food- or like the widow Bedolts cabbage - a "delightful beverage", it would puzzle an epicure to determine. - The departure of this train cleared the grounds of wounded for the night; ~ and as the line of fire from its plunging en- -gines died out in the darkness- a strangeSensation of weakness and weariness fell upon me ~ almost defying my almost exertions to move one foot before the other a little sibley tent had been pitched for me in a slight hollow on the hillside but with neither ditch nor drain of any descriptions your imag- ination will not fail to picture its condition ringlets of water had mushed thus it during the last three hours, still I attempt- ted to reach it as is while surface in the darkness was a slight protection from the wheels of wagons and trampling of beasts Perhaps I shall never forget the painful effort which the making of those few roads- and the gaining of that tent cost me How many times I fell from complete exhaustion in the darkness and mud of that slippery hillside I had no knowledge But at last I grasped the welcome canvas- and a well estab- lished brook. which rushed in on the upper side, and out at the opening that served as door met me on my en- trance my entire floor was covered with water, not an inch of dry solid ground. One of my lady assistants had pre- morisly take train for washington~ and the other, worn out by faithful labor, was crouched upon the top of some boxes asleep 42 No such convenience remained for me, and I had no strength to arrange one- I sought the highest side of my tent which I remembered was grass-grown- and ascertaining that the water was not very deep. I sank down- It was no "laughing matter" then- but the recollection of my position has since afforded me amusement I remember myself sitting on the ground- ~ upheld by my left arm my head resting upon my hand, - impelled by an almost uncontrolable desire to lie completely down, ~ and prevented by the certain corretion, that if I did, the waiter would flow unto my ears. 43 How long I balanced between my desires and cautions I have no positive knowledge- but it is very certain that the former carried the point, by the by the position from which I was around at 12 oclock. by the rumbling of more wagons of wounded men- I had slept 2 hours- and Oh: what strength I had gained~ I may never know 2 other hours of equal worth- I sprang to my feel: dripping wet, covered with ridges of dead grass, and leaves- ~ wring the water from my hair and skirts, and went forth again to my work-44 When I stood once more under the open sky the rain had cleared - the clouds were sullenly retiring - and the lightning - as if deserted by its boisterous companions had withdrawn to a distant corner - and was playing quietly by itself For the great volleying thunders of both Heaven and Earth had alike cleared and the silence of the grave had settled down on the fields of Chantilly - and the forests of Fairfax- And thus the morning of the third day broke upon us- drenched weary - hungry- sore-footed - sad- hearted- discouraged- and under orders to retreat 45 Washington, DC A little later,- the plaintive wail of a single fife - the slow beat of a muffled drum- the steady tramp- tramp- tramp of heavy feet-- the gleam of ten thousand Bayonets on the hills - and with bowed heads, and speechless lips poor [Kearney's?] leaderless men came marching thro this was the signal for retreat- all day they came- tired hungry- ragged- defeated- retreating they knew not whither [thy earned meet ?] The enemies cavalry skirting the hills, admonished us each moment- that we must soon decide to go from them or with themBut our work must be accomplished and no wounded men once given into our hands must be left and with the spirit of desperation we struggled on at 3 o'clock an Officer galloped up to me with "miss Barton can you ride"? 'Yes sir' I replied "But you have no ladies saddle" "Could you ride mine"? Yes sir or without it if you have a blanket and surcingle" "then you can risk another hour" he exclaimed and galloped off. at 4 he returned at a breakneck speed and leaping from his horse said "Now is your time" "The enemy is already breaking Over the hills by the train it will go thro unless they have flanked and eat the bridge a mile above us in that ease give a [?] horse for you and you must take your chances of escape across the country in two minutes I was on the train the last wounded man at the station was also on the conductor stood with a torch which he applied to a pile of combustible material beside the track and as we rounded the curve which took us from view we saw the statin ablaze and a troop cavalry dasing down the hill the bridge was uncut and midnight bound us at Washington48 Uncut - and midnight found us at Washington. You have the full record of my sleep from Friday night - till Wednesday morning: 2 hours ~ you will not wonder that I slept during the next 24. On Friday I repaired to armory square hospital, to learn who, of all the hundreds sent - had reached that point~ I traced the Chaplains record and there upon the last page freshly written stood the name of Hugh Johnson. Turning to Chaplain [Jackson?] I asked "Did that man live until today?" He died during the latter part of the last night he replied. His friends 49 Washington, DC 186 searched him some two days ago ~ and they are now taking his body from the ward to be conveyed to the depot. I looked in the direction his hand indicated, and there, beside a coffin, about- to be lifted into a wagon ~ stood a gentleman the mother ~ and sister Mary. "Had he his reason?" I asked Oh: perfectly ~ "And his mother and sister were with him two days ~ "Yes" ~ there was no need of me he had given his own messages- I could add nothing to their knowl -edge of him; and would fain be spared the scene and the thanks - Poor Hugh [thy piteous] prayers reached and were answered, ~ and with eyes and heart full, I turned away and never saw sister Mary.50 There were days of darkness- a darkness that might be felt. The shattered Bands of Pope and Banks - Burnside's weary legions - the men who had followed Fremont over the mountain paths - the reinforcements from West Virginia - and all that now remained of the once glorious army of the Peninsular - had gathered for shelter beneath the redoubts and guns that girdled Washington. The long maneuvering and skirmishing of on the Rappahannock and the Shenandoah had yielded no fruit but this. Pope had been sacrificed. And all the Blood shed from Yorktown to Malvern Hill seemed to have been utterly 51 [*Washington, D C., _______, 186 .*] in vain. Washington was filled with dismay- and all the North was moved as a tempest stirs a forest - Maryland lay temptingly in view, and Lee and Jackson with the flower of the Rebel Army marched for its ripening fields. __ These, however are matter of public history__ But the minor keys, upon which I played my infinitesimal note in the great anthem of war and victory which rang thru the land when these two fearful forces met and closed, with gun-lock kissing gun across the rocky bed of Antietam are yet known only to a few- Who it was that whispered52 hastily, on Saturday night, Oct 13th "Harper's Ferry" - not a moment to be lost" I have never dared to name. In 30 minutes I was timidly waiting the always kindly spoken, "come in" - of my patron saint major now Major General Rucker. "Major" I said, "I want to go to Harper's Ferry, Can I go?"- "Perhaps so." he replied, with a genial, but doubtful expression.- Perhaps so - do you want a conveyance? "Yes" I said. - "But an army wagon is the only vehicle that will reach there with any burden, in safety- "I can send you one of these tommorro morning." 53 [*Washington, D C., _______, 186 .*] I said, "I would be ready." But here was to begin a new experience for me. I was to ride 80 miles in an army-wagon, and straight into battle and danger at that. I could take no female companion- no friend, but the stout working men I had use for. You, who are accustomed to see a coach, and a pair of fine horses, with a well-dressed, gentlemanly driver draw up to your door, will scarcely appreciate the sensation with which I watched to approach of the long - high - white-covered, tortoise motioned vehicle. with its string of little frisky, long eared animals.- with the Broad shouldered54 driver astride - and the eternal jerk of the single rein. by which he navigated his craft up to my door. The time, you will remember was Sunday. the place 7th st. just off Pennsylvania Avenue - Washington City. Then and there, my vehicle was loaded. with Boxes, Bags, and parcels, and last of all, I found a place to sit down with 4 men. I took no saratoga trunk. but remembered, at the last moment to tie up a few articles in a handkerchief. Thus equipped, and seated, my chain of little uneasy animals commenced to straighten itself - and soon Brot us into the 55 [*Washington, D C., _______, 186 .*] center of Pennsylvania Avenue: in full gaze of the whole city in its best attire, and on its way to church. Thus all day we rattled on. over the stones. and dykes, and up and down the hills of Maryland.- at nightfall we turned into an open field, and dismounting built a camp-fire, - prepared supper, - and retired - I to my nook in my wagon - the men, wrapped in their Blankets. camped about me. All night an indistinct roar of artillery sounded upon our ears, waking or sleeping we were conscious of trouble ahead. Before day-break, we had breakfasted, and were on our way.56 you will not infer, that because by ourselves, we were alone upon the road. We were directly in the midst of a train of Army-wagons, at least ten miles in length - moving in solid column.- The government supplies of amunition - food - and medicine for an army in Battle. As we passed on the residents began to tell us of a great - Battle fought last night, they said - a few miles up the mountains. Hastened by anxiety, and excitement, we were urging on, when suddenly, we found our wheels crushing the Bodies of unburied slain- Unconsciously and without searching, we had found a Battle-field - for 57 this ragged-range rising heavily on our right- is south-mountain My poor words can never describe to you the consternation and horror. with which we alighted, and trod, there in that mountains pass. that field of death. There, where we now walked with peaceful feet, twelve hours before the ground had rocked with carnage.- There in the darkness, God's angels of wrath and death had swept, and foe facing foe - freedom and treason grappled,- and the souls of men went out - and there, side by side - stark and cold in death mingled the Northern Blue and Southern Gray. To such of you as have stood in58 the midst or followed in the track of armies and witnessed the strange, mingled and dreadful confusion of recent Battle grounds. I need not describe this field, and to you who never have,- no description would avail. The giant rocks hanging above our heads. seemed to frown upon the scene- and the sighing trees. which hung lovingly upon their rugged edge. drooped low. and wept their pitying dews upon the livid Brows and ghastly wounds Beneath. Climbing hills and clambering over ledges, we sought for some poor form. in which life had still left the power to suffer-- Not one remained and grateful for this. but shocked. and sick 59 of heart we returned to our waiting conveyance. A mammoth drove of cattle designed as rations for our troops was passing at the moment. The officer in charge of which - attracted by our cheerful fire the night previous, had sought our company, and been our guest.- I was scarcely seated in my wagon, when this Officer rode up and said confidentially - "Miss Barton", that house, on the lower side of the road, under the hill, has been taken as a confederate hospital, and is full of wounded Rebels.- Their surgeons have come out and asked me for meat - saying that their men will die for lack of animal food. . I am60 a bonded officer, and responsible for the property under my charge-- What can I do?" "You can do nothing." I said. But ride on ahead- I am neither bonded nor responsible." He was wise, and a word was sufficient. He had a sudden call to the front of his train and dashed forward. Speaking to two of my men I pointed out a large white ox, slightly strayed from the drove, and attempting to graze. (He had been with Sent Pope's army long enough to learn to live off the country.) and directed them to drive him to that house, inside the fence which surrounded it, put up the bars and leave him there, asking no questions. I need not say that 61 it was all performed with wonderful alacrity and the last I saw of the white ox, he had gone completely over to the enemy, and was reveling in the tall grass about the house. Three years later as I stood among the 12,000 graves of Andersonville, filled with the skeletons of the martyrs of freedom, the victims of deliberate starvation, I could not but think how ill that days generosity had been requited. Our wounded, had been taken on to Fredericktown where only the day before Lee marched over the mountain wall. Over the mountains winding down, horse and foot into Fredericktown where Old Barbara Frietchie Bowed with her fourscore years and ten Bravest of all in Fredericktown, took up the flag the men hauled down and the staff in her attic window set, to show that one heart was loyal yet.62 I have already spoken of the great length of an army train, and that we could no more change our position than on of the planets. Unless we should wait and fall in the rear, we could not advance a single wagon. And for the benefit of those who may not understand, I might explain the order of a train. First: ammunition, next food and clothing for well troops and lastly hospital supplies. Thus, in case of a battle, the needed stores for the wounded, according to the slow cautious movements of such bodies must be from two to three days in coming up. Meanwhile, as usual, our men must languish and die. Something 63 must be done to gain time, and I resorted to strategy. We found an early resting place, supped by our camp fire, and slept again, among the dews and damps. At one o'clock when everything was still, we rose breakfasted, fed, harnessed, and moved on, past the whole train,, which like ourselves had camped for the night. At daylight we had gained ten miles, and were up with the artillery in advance even of the ammunition. All that weary, dusty day, I followed the cannon. And nightfall brought us up with the great army of the Potomac. 80,000 men resting upon their arms. 64 in the face of a foe of equal numbers,- sullen, straitened, and desperate. Closely following the guns, we drew- up where they did. Among the smoke of a thousand camp-fires. Men hastening to, and fro, - and the atmosphere loaded with noxious vapor till it seemed the very breath of pestilence. We were upon the left wing of the army and this was the evening rest of Burnsides men. To how many hundreds, it proved the last rest upon earth, the next days record shows. In all this vast assemblage. I saw no other trace of womankind. I was faint, but could not eat, weary but could not sleep, depressed but could not weep 65 so I climbed into my wagon, tied down the cover, dropped down in the little nook I had occupied so long, and prayed God with all the earnestness of my soul, to stay the morrows strife. Or send us victory. And for my poor self, that he impart somewhat of wisdom and strength to my heart, nerve to my arm, and filled my hands for the terrible duties of the coming day, and heavy and sad I waited it approach. Many of you may have never heard the Bugle notes which call to battle "The Kermers Breath whose fearful blast would waken death" But if like us, you had heard them that morning, as they rang thro those valleys66 and echoed from the hundred hills, waking from one sleep, to hasten to another, they would have lingered in your ears, as they do in mine to-night. With my attendants, I sought the hill tops. and as the mist cleared away. and the morning sun broke over Maryland Hights its rays fell upon the dusty forms of 160,000 men. - risen like the old scots from the heather - standing face to face, in solemn sullen Battle line. To Hero borne for Battle strife Or Bard of Martial lay 'twer work ten years of peaceful life One glance at their array. The Battle commenced on the right, and 67 already with the aid of field glasses we saw our own forces, tho led by fighting Joe, overborne, and falling back. Burnside commenced to send cavalry and artillery to his aid. and thinking our place might be there. we followed them around 8 miles - turning into a corn field, near a house and Barn - and stopping in the rear of the last gun which completed the terrible line of artillery in the rear of Hooker's corps that day. A garden wall only separated us. The infantry was already driven back two miles, and stood under cover of the guns We had met wounded men, walking or borne to the rear for the last 2 miles68 and around the old Barn, lay there, too badly wounded to admit of removal - some 300. Thus early in the day, for it was scarce 10 oclock. - We loosened our mules and commenced work -- The corn was high as to conceal the house, which stood some distance to the right - but judging that a path which I observed must lead to it - and also that surgeons must be operating there.- I took my arms full of stimulants and Bandages, and followed the opening. Arriving at a little wicket gate. I found the door-yard of a small house- and myself face to face with one of the kindest and noblest surgeons I had ever met.- speechless- (Dr Dunn of Connoeutville Pa) 69 [*Washington, D. C., ______, 186__ .*] speechless. both for an instant - he at length threw up his hands -- with God has indeed remembered us.- How did you get from Virginia here. and so soon, and. again to supply our necessities.- and they are terrible - we have nothing but our instruments and the little chloroform we brot in our pockets-- have not a Bandage, rag - lint or string - and all there shell wounded men Bleeding to death." Upon the poarch stood 4 tables with an etherized patient upon each a surgeon standing over him with his instruments,- and a Bunch of green corn leaves Beside him for dressings. With what joy.70 I laid my precious Burden down among them,- and thought that never Before, had linen looked so white- or wine so red Oh, Be grateful ladies, that God put it into your hearts, to perform the work you did in those days. How doubly sanctified. was the sacred old household linen, woven by the hands of the sainted mother, long gone to her reward- For you, arose the tender Blessings of those grateful men which linger in my memory as faithfully tonight, as do the Bugle notes which called them to their doom. Thrice that day was the ground in front of us contested, lost and won-, and twice, our men were driven Back under 71 [*Washington, D. C., ________ , 186 __ .*] cover of that fearful range of guns; A little after noon the enemy made a desperate attempt to regain what he had lost.- Hooker Sedgewick - Dana - Richardson - Hartsuff and Mansfield. had been Borne wounded from the field, and the command of the right wing devolved upon General Howard. The smoke Became so dense as to obscure our sight, and the hot sulphurous Breath of Battle dried our tongues, and parched our lips to Bleeding. We were in a slight hollow, and all shell which did not break among our guns in front came directly among or over us.- bursting above our heads or burying72 Themselves. in the hills beyond. A man. lying upon the ground asked for drink. ~ I stooped to give it and having raised him with my right hand was holding the cup to his lips with my left~ when I felt a sudden twich of the loose sleeve of my dress. The poor fellow sprang from my hands and fell back quivering in the agonies of death. A ball had passed between my Body and the night arm which sup- -ported him - cutting thru the sleeve - and passing thru his chest from shoulder to shoulder. There was no more to be done for him. and I left him to his rest. 73 Washington, D C.,............., 186 at 2 oclock my men came to tell me that the last loaf of Bread had been cut and the last cracker pounded. We had 3 boxes of wine still unopened what should they do? "open the wine and give that I said~ and God help us." the next instant an ejaculation from sergeant field. Who had opened the first Box drew my attention and to my astonished gaze, the wine had been packed in nicely sifted indian meal. If it had been gold-dust it would have seemed poor in comparison. I had no words no one spoke..- in silence the men wiped their eyes and resumed their work.74 of 12 Boxes of wine which we carried. The first I when opened were found packed in saw-dust. The 3 last when all else was gone in Indian meal. A woman would not hesitate long under circumstances like these. This was an old farmhouse six large kettles were picked up and set over fires. almost as quickly as I can tell it and I was mixing meal and water for gruel. It occurred to us to explore the cellar. The chimney rested on an arch and forcing the door we discovered 3 Barrels and a Bag, They are full said the sergeant and rolling one into the light found that it bore the mark of Jackson 75 Washington, D C.,............,186 Jackson's Army. These 3 Barrels of flour and a bag of salt had been stored there by the Rebel army during its upward march I shall never experience such a sensation of wealth and competency again from utter poverty to such riches. All that night my 30 men (for my corps of workers had increased to that number during the day) carried Buckets of hot gruel for miles down the line to the wounded, dying where they fell. This time profiling by experience we had lanterns to hang in and around the Barn- and having directed it to be done. ~I went to the house and found76 the surgeon in charge, sitting alone - Beside a table, upon which he rested his elbow. apparently meditating upon a bit of Tallow candle, which flickered in the center. Approaching carefully - I said-¨you are Tired Dr.¨ He started up with a look almost savage- ¨Tired; yes - I am tired. ~ Tired of such heartlessness. ¨Such carelessness.¨ and turning full upon me continued, Think of the condition of things ¨ Here are at least 1000 wounded me. ~ terribly wounded - 500 of whom cannot live Till day light without attention. That 2 inches of candle is a all I have 77 Washington, D C.,.................,186 or can get ~ what can I do. - How can I endure it. I took him by the arm, and leading him to the door, pointed in the direction of the Barn where the lantern at the do During a lecture in the west not very long since. I related this incident - and as I closed a gentleman sprang upon the stage, and addressing my audience exclaimed, ~¨ Ladies + gentlemen ~ if I never have acknowledged that favor. I will do it now - I am that Surgeon"- and so he was -76 the surgeon in charge, sitting alone - Beside a Table, upon which he rested his elbow. apparently meditating upon a bit of Tallow candle. which flickered in the center. Approaching carefully - I said - ¨ you are Tired Dr.¨ He started up with a look almost savage. - ¨ Tired: yes - I am tied. ~Tired of such heartlessness ¨ such carelessness.¨ and turning full upon me continued, Think of the condition of things ¨ Here are at least 1000 wounded men. ~ terribly wounded. 500 of whom cannot - live Till day light without attention. That 2 inches of candle is all I have 77 Washington, D C., ................,186 or can get ~ what can I do. ~How can I endure it. I took him by the arm, and leading him to the door, pointed in the direction of the Barn where the lantern glistened like starrs among the waving corn. What is that? he exclaimed the Barn is lighted I said. - and the house will be directly. Who did it? ~ I Dr. Where did you get them - Brot them with me. How many have you: All you want - 4 Boxes - He looked at me a moment as if waking from a dream Turned away without a word, and never after alluded to the circumstance - But the difference which he paid me was almost - painful78 Darkness brot silence and peace- respite and rest to our gallant men. But as they had risen. Regiment by regiment from their grassy Beds in the morning. So at night the fainting remnant again sank down on the trampled, Blood-stained earth. " The weary to sleep~and the wounded, to die" Thru the long star lit night, we wrought- and hoped- and prayed. But it was only when in the hush of the following day as we gleamed over that vast Aceldana. That we learned at what a fearful cost. The gallant union army won the Battle of Antietam. 79 Washington, D C .,.................., 186 Friends- it would be different to close my narative, and not allude to the sad Bereavements and gallant deeds. Of other fields. There are fathers, here, mayhap. who saw the pride of their manhood + the hope of their declining years. go bravely + cheerfully forth and return no more forever. Wives, who wept the farewell they could not speak- never to be Broken Till in the land that knows no parting. And mothers. brave, spartan, mothers who held quiet their great hearts-and mighty griefs, and received, as they came flashing Back the terrible Tidings, the first- the second- the last son- and yet she lives to weep- Not for the Italian mother alone sang our lamented Browning.~80 "One dead by the sea in the East- "One dead in the west by the sea- "when you raise a great shout for Italy Free "Let none look at me" I remember 8 months of weary siege searched by the sun~ chilled by the wave rocked by the tempest.~ Buried in the shifting sands.~ wiling day after day in the Trenches.~ with the angry fire of 5 forts hissing thru their forts during every day of those weary months. This was when your brave old regiments stood thundering at the gate of proud rebellious Charleston.~ Charleston,!! leader in the highest crime known to human law- 81 Charleston: whose first great ad of treason startled every civilized nation upon earth, shocked every lover of freedom and human progress~ and thrilled every loyal heart from Behrings strait to the china sea. There. shameless by frowning insolent defiance - with Moultrie on her left- Johnson on her right- and wagner in front, she stood hurling fierce death and destruction full in the faces of the Brave Band who beleaguered her traitorous walls- simpler the watch-dog that crouched before her door~ pierced with shot-and torn with shell~lay mained + bleeding at her feet the tidal waves lapping his wounds- still there was danger in his growl- and death in his Bite.82 One sumer afternoon, this Brave little army was drawn up among the island sands. and formed in line of march- For hours we watched them.- the tide ebbed and flowed. The sun gave its last glare -- slid slowly down the horizon. Kissed the Blushing Billows, and sank amid the foam. A few stars struggled out - dim Twilight came- then the darkness for which they had waited, with the gloom and stillness of death settled down on the gathered forces of Morris Island. Then we pressed forward. and watched again.- long lines of phospherescent light. streamed and shot along the waves ever surging on our right. A little to the left 83 mark that long dark line, moving steadily on -- pace by pace -- across that Broad open space of glistening sand On strait on. toward that Black mass, frowning, and darkling in the distance. Watch - watch - with pulse-less veins and Breathless lips. On - on - God speed their steps. Flash - flash - flash - Moultrie Johnson - Sumpter - Wagner - and every Black pile Blazes, and the Heavens are on fire. Boom Boom - Boom. assured the grand old fleet as it circled into line and poured Broadside after Broadside till the Heavens blazed again -- on on84 On on pressed the little band passing to it's doom. But dark no longer. The foe is met. The muskets blaze. The dark line has changed to a trail of fire. Pressing on scattered now. We watch the flashing of their muskets, as you the fire-flies on your meadows. The walls are reached the torpedoes and the pikes. up up over the parapets into the fort hand to hand, foot to foot -- hilt to hilt. Does any man say that this war showed no bayonet wounds. He did not scale the wall of Wagner. Hand to hand -- and hilt to hilt 85 they wrestle. The great guns of fort and fleet are still, and there in the darkness and mist wait they wait we the weary hour. There, bearing the tall form of his rider, plunged the noble steed of Col. J. J. Elwell of Cleveland. Up the Beech, thro the surf and fire, up - up - under the very walls of the Blazing fort -- and rising in his saddle, his strong voice went up How goes the fight Boys what do you want? Begrimmed with smoke and scorched with flame on the top most parapet appears the form of the intrepid putnan. 86 Reinforcements. Colonel.- in God's name get us re-inforcements. I can hold out 15 minutes longer. Whirled the steed and rider, back down the beech to Head quarters. "Men. Genl. more men your troops are strugling in the fort. Take them. Back again thro the surf and fire - up once more with the welcome tidings. Up ha! what is that? The sides of the fort are black with men - - are there the reinforcements? Ah, would to God - Back out down over torpedo and pike into moat and wave. Sinking - striving 87 fainting, crawling - dying Clan Alpines' Best are backward borne Oh where was Rhoderick then One blast upon his Bugle horn Were worth a thousand men. Slowly down the Beach wends the long line of ambulances and the sands about our hospital tents grow red with the Blood of our wounded and slain. And there side by side with those of fairer hue lay the tawny hand of Africa, which that night for the first time in the history of all the ages had been permitted to strike a lawful organized blow at the fetters which had aye bound him body and soul. That Broad, dark heaving chest and struggling Breath, that great88 patient eye and gapping wound.- Ah; sam that's bad for you, - Yes Miss, I knows it - Dey's too many for us dis time. I'me a going but tank God, my childers free. 40 Months - had our ever accumulating fleet rose and fell upon the tide and tossed upon the Billows of Port Royal harbor. Merchant ships had changed to men of war- and men of war to iron clads. and the pretentious little turrets of the monitor had peeped above the wave, till one continuous line of floating Batteries circled the coast of Carolina. And if ever in the night, their thunders ceased, the strangeness of the quiet startled the camping soldier from his uncertain slumber, and seductive dream of home. 89 But had all this conquered Charleston? Sumpter had crumbled to a shapeless mass of stone and sand. Wagner was ours, and the Swamp-Angel hurled fire and destruction thru her deserted streets every hour of the day and night. Still did she surrender, - was she humbled? - Humbled!! - prouder than ever she sat under her palmetto and Rattlesnake rag, with her haughty face still turned to the sea.- While our wearing armies fought on month after month - Officer and men pouring out their Blood like water for the Holy cause which must not be abandone -, and the great heart cry of the whole country went up. How long - Oh God, how long -90 Suddenly, a whole army is missing - A mighty army gone from sight. An army that fought Battles above the clouds. Where can it be. - Not at Atlanta - not back at Chattenooga. The country is electrified with alternate hope and fear. It may be that Charleston deigns now. an anxious glance. at armies as well as navies. Hark! that strange mingled sound.- a heavy tramp, a clashing of steel, and a ringing rap at her western gate. One glance, and the proud dame recoils in horror and indignation, while far across the old time slave wrought fields of Carolina. Swept the wild march of Shermans men. 91 Did people call them "Sherman's Boys" They might have been Boys when they left home, but they are men now,- warriors, veteran warriors. Ay: veiled and sable clad dame lay by your worthless dignity and look your conquerors in the face. Some kindly critic has said of me that I was visibly agitated when I rose to address my audience, - the critic was right - and why should I not be - when I remember who I am addressing. That among the upturned faces before me - are the very men who did there things. - I. too. am humbled and abashed. How can I speak - what can be added to the glory of a nation92 whose citizens are its soldiers - whose warriors armed and mighty, spring from it's bosom in the hour of need, and peacefully retire when the need is over. A nation which from it's civil walks of life has furnished to it's armies - Captains Colonels - Brigadier and Major Generals, and More than all, the great Captain. the sainted soul. that marshalled and sped our conquering hosts till they wore the victors crown- and he the martyrs. Abraham Lincoln. When the civil North rises in her might, the shadows of her warriors darkens the land. and the Bristling of her steel brightens the Heavens - and when the ground shakes under the tread of her marching armies, well may rebellions cower & traitors tremble. [*Washington, D. C., ________ , 186 __ .*] Some kindly critic has said of me - that I was visibly agitated when I arose to address my audience. - The critic was right and why should I not be - When I remember who I am addressing - - That among the upturned faces before me are the very men who did these things - I too am humbled & abashed - How can I speak -- what can be added to the glory of a nation whose citizens are it's soldiers? Whose warriors - armed and mighty. spring from it's bosom in the hour of need, and peacefully retire when the need is overA nation which from it's civil walks of life has furnished- captains - colones - Brigadier and Major Generals -- and more than all. The great captain - the sainted soul, that - mashelled & sped our conquering hosts -till they wore the victors crown - and he the martyrs Abraham Lincoln. When the civil North rises in her might the shadows of her warriors darkens the land, and the glistening of her steel brightens the Heavens - And when the ground shakes under the tread of her marching armies - well may rebellions cower and traitors tremble -. [*Washington, D. C., _______ . 186__ .*] your own state sent it's scores of Regiments to the field - those grand old Regiments under whose tossing Banners so many of your brave martyrs bled and died - Among whose green shadowy memories your thoughts love to linger till martial pride scatters the tear drop, grief has gathered - And you Bless God, that your good green mountains raised such sacrifices for your country - How they came trooping from cottage and hearth-stone - how they filed down your streets, -and crowded your cars and Boats - in their haste to meet the foe. - How the music of the fife & drum rolled over your heads -- have you forgotten those days - How they stood at the frontfull crowded regiments and Batteries But how came they back. At the end of 3 years in the place of the 1000 - 1500 strong active rudy men with streaming Banners came wearily limping crawling back with a bare shattered flag staff little groups of 150- 100- 80- 45- as the representatives of the Brave old regiments and their gallant dead on a hundred fields. Then your state and your cities met them and the flags rolled out and shout after shout went up and the hoarse throated cannon pealed them fitting welcome. And well they might -- If Paris opened her arms and built triumphal arches for the old guard to pass in what less could do for the remnant of regiments like them. Is one of there men with you still, and if so, do you recognize as you should. The consideration to which he is entitled - do you fully realize all that he has suffered and do you stand as firmly his friend in time of trial as he did yours? Maybe he commits errors possibly he has faults -- perhaps he takes a holliday when you are at work and think he might be. All Bad - Very Bad. perhaps he has a family and gets in your debt -- still worse. But when you cometo settle the account with him - be careful that he doesn't hold a little note against you. for services and injuries which time has not yet outlawed. You paid him?- Oh yes! you paid him well.- Nobly, generously - no people ever so well- But citizen - would you have taken his pay - and done his work. Oh be careful my friends - be generous and noble still -. Remember that of all anguish Our Heavenly Father calls us to endure - none pierces more keenly or wounds more deeply than the sting of ungratitude. - And when at morning and Evening repast, with folded hands and grateful hearts, you Bless God for the Bounties he has spread before you, let your thoughts wander a little - to find if there is not another table near you - with a vacant chair - and less of food upon it - The faces around it paler & thiner -- The fire less bright - and the little pile of wood beside it smaller than it would have been if the Brave Old Regiments had never been called to the field - Citizens remember - that the soldier who won your victories may now claim your protection & your care - & withhold them not. And soldiers - remember each other - as you love a wounded comrade tenderly in the day of Battleshielding him with your arms - so bear and shield each other still. One soldier wronged, is every solder wronged - [*Washington, D. C., _______, 186__.*] One more allusion and I have done - I remember a patriot hero, who bore The flag over the Bodies of his fallen comrades, to plant it on the Blazing hights of Fredericksburg, until both arms fell useless at his side, and the shoulder received the precious Burden the hands could no longer uphold. When planting his foot firmly by the resting staff - his clear voice rang out above the shouts of the charging ranks. The hissing of shot -- and the shrieking of shell. Don't let it fall Boys - don't let it fall - and it did not, and while he lay the armless sergeant in his little hospitalBed in the snow clad camp - his colonel wrapped carefully the tattered silken folds dabbled and died in patriot blood - and sent them home to the Governor of the State with the message that the old Regiment had never lost it's colors - but it had worn them out and wanted more. There with it's scores of companions grouped around the pillars of that State House Hall it hangs tonight. In some noble hall, have you - your own like treasures gathered, and your hearts have heaved with grateful pride and your eyes grown dim with gathering mist as you beheld them. Oh what a consecrated Hall!! At what a price it has been decorated! What granate could you rear that could speak like this - Could the gold and ivory of Solomons Temple -bear price like it? - Go there often - Men and women - take your children there - and from those tattered rags teach them the worth of their Country. Tell them that for every rent they can count -- ten brave lives went out. Ten mothers mourned a son. Ten orphans walk the streets - Ten homes are desolate - And when all this is estimated, tell them that along side of each tattered remnant there should droop another fringed in Black whose center should Bear only the terrible word "starved"and when they ask what caused all this - tell them it was disrespect for the laws of the Country - disloyalty Treason. Procure for them no foreign teachers - send them away to no classic schools - till you have first taken them there and taught them this. That treason is crime Loyalty a virtue. And Eternal vigilence the price of Liberty. Soldiers -- one word with you -- from the old armies of the union -- representatives of nearly every Battle field you are met here tonight.- a type of that vast, that wonderful body of men, to whom our country owes it's life and the principles of human freedom and self government there preservation among the nations of the earth. The volunteer army of the loyal North -- to-day the Grand Army of the United States of America. A mere type - and yet I address you in the same broad and general terms that I wouldthe entire organization could I stand before it you were all comrades -- and the war life of one was the war life of all - and every field where soldiers faught and [fell] died, and battles were lost and won, and the old flag rose and fell upon the breeze was yours. [*Washington, D. C., ________, 186___ .*] Soldiers - a word with you -- from the old armies of the Union, - Representatives of every section, and [nearly] every Battle-field you have met here to-night to commemorate the fall of Richmond, and and celebrate the new salvation of the Nation's life. The history of a country is mainly a history of it's wars,- and you are the men of history. From the first call of the Bugle, till it's closing note died away in the cadence of peace you were a part of that great struggle. You were with Freemont and Lyon in the early West. - With Dupont at Port Royal - with B-Burnside at Roanoak & Fredericksburg, and with the gallant Ellsworth when he fell. You were with the glorious, but ill-fated army of the Peninsular. With Banks at Cedar Mountain with Pope at Manassas, and with McClellan when he hurled back Lee from Maryland. You were with Grant at Vicksburg and Donaldson, your shouts mingled in the thunders of Shilo, Chattenooga, Kenesaw and Atlanta - and your hearts, and your feet kept time with the glorious music when Sherman marched down to the sea. You were with Butler at New Orleans,- and with the old Sea Lion Faragut when he slowed his Engines, and shouted his orders in the iron hail of Fort Jackson & St Phillip. [*with Hancock in the charge*] you were with the lion-hearted Thomas and Rosecrans in the Cumberland. With McPherson - and Howard and Logan in Tenessee - with Meade at Gettysburg,- with the invincible Sheriden in the Valley - and with Kilpatrick Everywhere. You were with Gilmore at Charleston and Olustee.- With Foster at Newberne. With Butler and Terry at Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, & Fort Fisher. With Grant at Cold Harbor, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, and last of all you were with him in his death throttle upon Richmond. The long dreary winter of 64 passed as you lay out upon the snow of Virginia. Four years of ceaseless warfare. In the spring of 1865, the [*and with the imortal Sedgwick when he fell.*]towering blaze of the Carolina pine streams out upon the swinging lines of Sherman's marching legions - bearing northward. The campfires burned low and red in front of Richmond, while the ceaseless watchfires along the Appomattox and the James, threw their pale light athwart the bronzed face of the weary sentinel as he treads his endless beat. The 1st day of April -- will your ears ever again thrill with such call of Bugles, and roll of drums as broke your slumbers on that dawning morn?- Will your eyes look ever on such carnage more. Before you stretching far beyond your gaze lie the entrenchments of Richmond, glistening with Artillery, manned & shotted - and behind them Lee's veteran army trained and desperate. Here an open field, and your You were with the lion-hearted Thomas and Rosecrans in the Cumberland. With Hooker at Chancellorvill. With McPherson and Howard and Logan in Tennessee. With Mead at Gettysburg. With the noble Berry at Fair Oaks and Fredericksburg. With Chamberlain at Five Forks and Spotsylvania. With Kearny at Chantilly. With the invincible Sheriden in the Valley, and with Kilpatrick everywhere.[*Washington, D. C., _______, 186__ .*] unprotected breasts to assault & carry those entrenchments. All day the fight goes on. List the wild shouts of the charging ranks. Wright and Ord are driving them in. Gibbon and Parke are forcing Petersburg. Grant shortens his lines. Night settles down, and ye wait in darkness and gather your dead. Morning once more. Once more the Bugles, and the drums. Once more the thunder of a thousand guns and the rattle of musketry, like the hail of a tornado. Firm as a rock you are holding the East - while Sheridan like an avenging cloud sweeps in from the West - and the work is done.one more night of darkness and death and when the morning of the 3rd of April broke upon your weary, war worn gaze, you had no enemy left to fight. Broken and conquered he has fled in confusion, over the smoking and deserted streets of the Rebel Capitol. The Mecca of the sacred soil waves once more the stars & stripes, Richmond is yours - and the Rebellion ended Soldiers you "fought it out on that line". And now "Let us have peace." Miss Barton desires to express her most [sincere] and heartfelt gratitude to her audience of last evening for the [prle?ance] and [& sympathy] and politeness so generously extended to her. No where have I ever seen an audience under [such a trial bear it so gracefully deeply so much of] similar circumstances display an equal amount [not only of good breading] consideration & refinement, and from none could I have expected such kindness and courtesy. However painful it may be to realize that I have ever disappointed so excellent a people it will be more than compensated by the recollection that they endured & sympathized with my [redsome?] which were greater than I had supposed, and my memory will turn lovingly back to Portland when the seems of many a brilliant success shall have been forgotten.To you men. The strength of the land-- My Brothers -- Let me as a woman who loves her country -- its institutions and its people -- dare address this parting word. To you, because to you only is intrusted the power to do what I would ask. In your hands rests the future well or ill of this dear noble land. To you comes the appeal of the lonely widowed mother, in her desolate home. It may be among the forests of Maine - or from beside her dying embers beyond the Mississippithat you see to it that the fatherless children she is raising in toil and penury shall not like their father fill a martyr's grave. Her country tells her she is weak -- and it's laws make her powerless. She can only raise sons to fill it's armies, and mourn their loss when it's Battles are ended. To you comes her appeal and the cry of her orphan children that you so preserve their rights and liberties, that they may not only live, but live like citizens worthy the great country which gave them birth. Listen once more--: to the low weak voices grown to thunder tones in their multitudes rising from the fields- swamps- river- beds, & prison grounds of every state from Maryland to Texas. Listen tis to you. Brothers see to it -- that we died not in vain. And let me add my voice to the martyr band. See to it Brothers that they died not in vain.Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen and Ladies! It was doubtless unfortunate for both you and me, that I one day rather reluctantly promised my honored friend, Miss Austin, that I would, on this occasion, read a page, or an incident from an army note-book. But I had then, no presentiment that I was to stand before such an assemblage of people, such an array of talent and beauty or I should have been very slow to make the promise. Still a pledge is a pledge, and I am wont to keep mine, once made. And in my selection I have thought t leave the Brilliantthe Sentimental and the grand phases of war-life to the able and the eloquent and have chosen a common days work, like five hundred others. And that early in the war, while my work was small and feeble, thro want of experience and prestege. It is simply a day's march with my own assistants, and how we got to a Battle. South Mountain and Antietam were fought and I had returned to take breath. Both armies rested in the valleys and their cavalry skirted the blue cliffs of Maryland heights. A private message from the G.Ms Dept came to me, which said -- "They will fight again -- can you go -- and what transportation do you want. I answered, "Yes I can go, and I want 3- six mule army-wagons with good drivers. My request was twice granted they gave me 6 and an ambulance, and in the sun and dust of a dry hot October day in Washington I superintended the loading of them and at 2 o clock, ordered my little train to move out, on the same road I had travelled to Antietam.But most honored chairman: I am sadly conscious, that in my rambling, homely story, I have altogether failed to respond to the Beautiful and eloquent sentiment which called me to this platform. "The soldiers of 1861 to 65 - who served in camp - field - and hospital." Those grand old Regiments, whose shadows darkened the land, while their battle-fires flamed out against the Heavens. Where are they now? Ah: many a tall stout fellow Who stood with his comrades then As the music and flag floated o'er him Never trod the old fields again.Far down by the yellow rivers In their cozy graves they rot Strange vines and strange flowers grow o'er them And their far homes know them not. Dead Everywhere On every battle field they lie. In the crowded yard of every Prison-ground. In the dark ravines of the tangled forests. In the mirey poison swamps -- where the slimy serpent crawls by day. And the will o the wisp dances vigil at night. In the beds of the mighty rivers Under the waves of the salt sea In the drifting sands of the desert islands On the lonely picket line, And by road side where the weary soldier laid down with his knapsack and his gun, and his march of life was ended. There in their strange beds they sleep, till the morning of the great Revilie. They sleep And we remember. Ay remember! But all have not left us.But all have not left us! Scattered wide over this vast land are the living remnents [remnants] of that grand old army, who are no less the security and safety of the country today. Than in those terrible hours when each one weighed glory and duty in one hand, and life and death in the other. Thank God. So many live to preserve and enjoy what they fought to rescue. And what a rescue was that! A Nation Saved! Saved to all to civilian and to solider! To Rich and Poor High and low. To man and woman! To friend and stranger. To the New World and the Old To the East and to the West To the North and to the South! To the Democrat and the Republican. To the world and all it hopes to be! We cannot see all this at once. We cannot grasp these mighty issues by one stroke of the mind. But time, and the great Breath of the Almighty, as He issues hismandates of power to coming Generations, will bring it to view. [will make it plain] I believe that in all this work, there has been really no step backward, and there is to be none. The weak must fear, the timid tremble, but the brave and stout of heart will work, and hope - and trust while faith with her unerring finger points backward through the darkness and gloom of the past. To the reflection of God's Beacon light ahead. We cannot always hold our great ship of state out of the storms and Breakers. She must meet and Buffet with them. Her Beams are broad. Her timbers must creak in the gale. The waves must wash over her decks. She must lie in the trough of the Sea, as she does today. But the stars And stripes are above her. She is freighted with the hopes of the world. God holds the helm and she's coming into port.And fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies: For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments: For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time, trans- -porting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyrany [tyranny]. For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended offences: For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and en- -larging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example.should commit on the inhabitants of these states; For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world: For imposing taxes on us without our consent: For depriving us, in many cases of the benefit of trial by jury: already begun, with circumstan -ces of cruelty and perfidy scarce by paralleled in the most barba- -rous ages and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken captive on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the execution -ers of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands. He has excited domestic insurrections among us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhab- itants of our frontiers, the merci- less Indian savages, whose known to our constitution, and unac- -knowledged by our laws: giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation. For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock-trial, from punishment for any murders which theyHe has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to, the civil power. He has combined with others, to subject us to a jurisdiction, foreign rule of warfare is an undistin- -guished destruction of all sexes agaes, and conditions. In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them. He has made judges dependent on his will along for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substancerefusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands. He has obstructed the ad- -ministration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. From time to time of attempts by their legislature, to extend an unwarantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have ap- -pealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjuredthem by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connexions and correspondence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We must. for their exercise; the State, remaining, in the meantime exposed to all the dangers from invasion from without and convulsions within. He has Endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreignersopposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby, the legislative powers, in- -capable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind -- enemies in war -- in peace, friends. We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United colonies, are, and of right Legislative bodies, at places unusu- -al, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved represent- ative houses repeatedly forother laws, for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature - a right inestimable to them, and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together ought to be free and independent States. That they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independentstates, they have full power to levy war, - conclude peace, contract alliances, - establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independ- -ent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to passis a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyrany over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies: and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present king of Great Britainthan to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right; it is their duty, to throw off such government, and toto effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that Governments long established, should not be changed for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience has shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferablegoverned; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likelycreated equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of thestation to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident -- that all men areDeclaration of Independence The United States of America When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equalGentlemen and Ladies- I come before you tonight both willingly and cheerfully. More than willing to render my account for the unmeasured kindness received of the American people, and the great confidence reposed in me by the officers and men of the Army during trials of the past few years. Only sorry that the fullness and grace of the acknowledgment can never equal that of the favors. If I have been allowed to perform a work among the armies of any country, withheld from many others and have thereby learned facts unknown to them, it is my duty to state them when required. If I have been permitted to stand by your loved ones when the trial hour came and their brave lives went out amid the din and smoke of battle, or when they lingered, [?] in distant hospitals or by the wayside and the last look wasturned upon my face instead of yours.- the last words addressed to me, when they would have been gold and precious stones to you, the knowledge is not mine.- it belongs to you - to all my countrymen if they demand it. In 1861 the first great blows of organized war fell upon our land.- the nation woke from its dream of peace at the thunder of wave-washed Sumpter.- And the 19th of April, found the few loyal citizens of the National Capitol, your humble speaker among the number thrilled and bewildered by the mad atrocities of Baltimore and straining our gaze across the Potomac to the very door [*3*] But say you, "This is an Eastern woman from the very shores of the Atlantic -- and we of Pennsylvania were with the West - the great West whose warriors darkened every mountain, valley and river, from Minnesota to the coast of Florida. We never heard of this woman in our Armies, and doesn't she know that the Western ladies not only thronged, but created hospitals stood on fields she never saw, and accomplished great work she never thought of attempting. Oh : yes.- she know it well,- knew when you did it, and her heart went out to you every hour.- She read with admiration of your christian deeds at Cairo, Port Hudson, Shilo, and Chattenooga.- She knows your bright, brave record, and her heart bounds with womanly pride as she recals it. But not only did your sabers gleam, and bayonets flash on the fields of the North and[*4*] West, but in the East. The first great blows of organized war fell there, - the nation woke from its dream of peace, at the thunder of wave-washed Sumpter. And from the steps of the National Capitol in April 1861, we were straining our gaze across the Potomac to the very door of Robert Lee for the flash of the guns on Arlington Heights. These came not -- -- but while we watched in our weakness, and prayed in our helplessness, the scene shifted, and the curtain rose on the other side - and there poured in the armies of the North and West. There stood not only Pennsylvania, New York, and New England, but Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. [*5*] There all unused to war from homes never invaded, they had hastened all those weary leagues, and stood a bulwark of defense for a nations life. And when the Old Army of the Potomac sprang into existence they were of it them. Year after year facing the frowning battlements of Petersburg, Richmond, and Charleston, and the flower of the Rebel Army. There I saw them fight and die, -- and there with their Eastern comrades, their bones whiten in the sand -- the fields of Virginia are rich with their blood - and the rivers rolling to the Eastern Sea murmur their ceaseless hymn of rest. There a little later. Their curls of god and locks of jet With the cursed Southern dews were wetThen starved in Andersonville. There, side by side we found their graves, and marked the spot for you. There, so far away, so pitiful and alone I laid my hand softly on the sacred earth and almost felt the mother's great heart beating underneath. For I knew, though the blood of her own veins still forced it's valves, she had buried it there, in that little grave a holocaust to love and freedom. I dropped a tear for her who could not go, blessed the grave in the East she could not see, and come to tell you. Be patient with my story - cast aside all which pertains to myself, remembering only the brave men of whom I speak and when I have done I will go back quietly as I came. Sorry that I bring only so little to you who have given so much. But friends, my chief difficulty tonight will consist not altogether in what I shall say and how say it, but in omitting what I cannot say. Oftentimes the events of one day would occupy an hour in the recital, and how shall I condense and related to you in this little evening the labors and losses the pleasures and pains of four years of such life. If I attempt to cover the whole ground I shall fail to give you a distinct idea of anything. I will therefore limit myself to two or three fields and I will select among the earlier before relief societies ever rendered efficient, and before the two great [?] commission found their way directly to the front that you may the better appreciate the necessity and worth of your own home labors during those great days of trial.When on the 19th and 20th of April 1861, the Nation [?] on aghast and mourned the stricken and the men of the immortal regiment of men whose [?] first stained the soil and waited with [?] [?]hat closed not and hearts that refused to beat, [?] dead to be borne home "tenderly" I met [?] wounded, bleeding and torn in the [?] of the chambers of the National Capitol to whose rescue they had hastened. From that day onward, till the ship whipped out the bars, and the Old Flag [?] again the roofs and spires of Richmond. I met them still. And now, it is all over. You have honored your [?], and buried your slain, and still, the unsatisfied hearts yearn for yet another world of those so loved and lost, other memories of their gallant deeds and latest days and all unmindful of it's imper- fections you have called for my little record and come to bring it. War came upon us hasty and terrible, then you and I, and all of us rose up and asked what we could do. I was strong, and I thought I ought to go to the rescue of the men who fell. But I struggled long and hard with my sense of propriety, with the appalling fact that I was only a woman, whispering in one ear, and the groans of suffering men dying like dogs, unfed and unsheltered for the life of the very institutions which had protected and educated me, thundering in the other.I said that I struggled with my senses of propriety, and I say it with humiliation and shame. Before God, and before you, I am ashamed that I thought of such a thing. But when our armies fought at Cedar Mountain, I broke the shackles, and went to the field. Five days and nights, with 3 hours sleep, a narrow escape from capture, and some days of getting the wounded into hospital at Washington brought Saturday August 30 and word that Genl. Pope was fighting on the old Bull Run battle ground, had 8000 killed, and the battle still went on. That night was spent in packing supplies, which at day-break in the midst of a heavy rain were placed in freight cars, and with two ladies and my attendants I found a place to stand among the boxes, while we steamed and rattled out of Washington. Our coaches were not elegant or commodious, they had no seats, no windows, no platform, no steps, a slide door on the side was the only entrance, and this often higher than my head. For my manner of attaining my elevated position, I must beg you to draw upon your own imaginations, and spare me the labor or reproduc- -ing the boxes, barrels, boards and rails, which in those days served to help me up and on in the world. This is the kind of conveyance by which your tons of generous offerings reached the field. With this previous freight, these trains through day and night have thundered on over hights [heights] across plains, through ravines, and over hastily built army bridges, 90 feet above the rocky stream beneath. At 10 o clock Sunday, our long train drew up at Fairfax Station, and in ten minutes our barrels and boxes of supplies were ranged along the track.[*12*] At 10 o clock Sunday our train drew up at Fairfax Station. The ground for acrers was a thinly wooded slope, and among the trees on the leaves and grass, were laid the wounded, who were pouring in by scores of wagon loads, as picked up on the field under flag of truce. All day they came, and the whole hill-side was covered. Bales of hay were broken open and scattered over the ground like littering for cattle, and the sore famishing men were laid upon it. And when night shut down in mist and darkness about us, we knew, that, standing apart from the world of anxious hearts throbbing over the whole country, we were a little band of almost empty handed workers, literally by ourselves, in the wild woods of Virginia, with 3000 suffering men crowded upon the few acres within our reach. After gathering up every available [*13*] implement or convenience for our work our domestic inventory stood,- 2 water buckets- 5 tin cups,-- 1 camp kettle,-- 1 stew pan,-- 2 lanterns,-- 4 bread knives,-- 3 plates,-- and a 2 quart tin dish,-- and 3000 guests to serve. You will perceive by this that I had not yet learned to equip myself for I was no Pallas ready armed, but grew into my work by hard thinking and sad experience. It may serve to relieve your apprehension for the future of my labors, if I assure you that I was never caught so again, for later I became a notable housekeeper, if that may be said of one who had no house to keep, but lived in fields, and woods, and tents and wagons, with all out-of-doors, for a cooking range. Mother earth for a kitchen hearth[*14*] the winds of heaven for a chimney. You have read of adverse winds, to realize this term in it's fullest sense, you have only to build a camp fire, and attempt to cook something by it. Every soldier will agree with me when I say, that go which so every side of it you will, the wind will blow the smoke and flame directly in your face. Not withstanding these difficulties within fifteen minutes from the time of our arrival we were preparing food, and dressing wounds -- you wonder what, and how prepared, and how administered without dishes. You generous thoughtful mothers & wives have not forgotten the tons of nicely packed delicacies ever rolling to the front.- Huge loses of these stood beside that railway track. [] ery can, jar, bucket bowl [*15*] cup or tumbler, when emptied, that instant became a vehicle of mercy to convey some preparation of mingled bread and wine, or soup or coffee to some helpless famishing sufferer, who partook of it with the tears rolling down his bronzed cheeks, and divided his blessing between the hams that fed him as his god. But the most fearful scene was reserved for the night. I have said that the ground was littered with dry hay, and that we had only two lanterns, but there were plenty of candles. The wounded were laid so close that it was impossible to move about in the dark. The slightest mistep brought a current of groans from some poor mangled fellow in your path. Consequently there were scores of persons of every grad; from the careful man of God, who walked with a prayer upon his lips, to the careless driver hunting for[*16*] his lost whip, each wandering about, among this hay with an open flaming candle in hand.- The slightest accident, the mere dropping of a light, would have enveloped in flames this whole mass of helpless men. How we watched and plead, and cautioned, as we worked and wept that night -- how we put socks and slippers on their cold damp feet, wrapped our blankets and quilts about them and when we had no longer there to give how we covered them in the hay and left them to their rest.- [] slight naked chest of a fair haired lad caught my eye and dropping down beside him I bent low to draw the remnant of his torn blouse about him - when, with a quick cry he threw his left across my neck and wept like a chi[ld] at his [* Washington, C, 186*] [*16 1/4*] mother's knee. I took his head in my hands and held it until his great burst of grief should pass away. And you don't know me he said at length I am Charley Hamilton who used to carry your satchel home from school. My faithful pupil - poor Charlie. That mangled right arm will never carry a satchel again. About 3 o clock in the morning I observed a surgeon with his little flickering candle in hand approaching me with cautious step far up in the wood.- Lady he said as he drew near will you go with me?-- out on the hill is a lad mortally wounded & dying - whose piteous cries for his sister have touched all our hearts and none of us can relieve, but rather seen to annoy him by our presence-By this time I was following him back over his bloody rack, with the great beseeching eyes of anguish on every side looking upon our faces, saying so plainly don't step on us. He can't last half an hour longer said the surgeon as we toiled on - he is already quite cold- shot through the abdomen -a terrible wound- By this time his cries became faintly audible to me. Mary, Mary: Sister Mary Come, Oh Come, I'm wounded, Mary - I'm shot I'm dying Oh come to me. I've called you so long & my strength is almost gone. Don't let me die here alone. Oh Mary Mary come." Of all tunes of entreaty to which I have ever listened (& certainly I've had some experience of [?]) I think there sounding through that dismal night the most heart- reaching. As we drew near some 20 persons attracted by his cries had gathered around and stood with moistened eyes, and helpless hands, waiting the change which would relieve them all. And in the midst, stretched upon the ground, lay a scarcely full-grown young man with a graceful head of hair, tangled and matted, thrown back from a forehead and face of livid whiteness, his throat bare, his hands bloody red clasped above his breast his large, bewildered blue eyes turning anxiously in every direction, and ever from between his ashen lips, pealed forth that piteous cry of Mary, Mary come. I approach [?] him unobserved, and motioning the lights away I knelt by him alone in the darkness. Shall I confess that I intended if possible to cheat him out of his terrible death agony? but my lips were truer than my heart, and would not speak the word, brother, I had willed them to do. So I placed my hands upon his neck,kissed his cold forehead and laid my cheek against his. The illusion was complete. The act had done the falsehood my lips refused to speak. I can never forget that cry of joy. "Oh, Mary. Mary, have you come?" "I knew you would come if I called you, and I've called you so long. I could not die without you, Mary don't cry darling, I'm not afraid to die, and you come to me. Oh, bless you! Bless you, Mary! and he ran his cold blood wet hands about my neck passed them over my face and twined them in my hair, which by this time had freed itself from fastenings and was hangings damp and heavy upon my shoulders. He gathered the loose locks in his stiffened fingers and holding them to his lips continued to whisper through them, "bless you, bless you, Mary." And I felt the hot tears of joy trickling from the eyes I had thought stony in death. This encour- aged me, and wrapping his feet closely in blankets, and giving him such stimulants as he could take, I seated me on the ground and lifted him on my lap, and drawing the shawl on my own shoulders also about his, I bade him rest. I listened till his blessings grew fainter, and in ten minutes with the choicest of them upon his lips he fell asleep. So the gray morning found us -- my precious charge had grown warm and was comfortable. Of course the morning light would reveal his mistake, but he was calm, refreshed, and able to endure it. And when finally he awoke, he seemed puzzled for a moment, and smiling said "I knew before I opened my eyes that this couldn't be Mary. I know now that she couldn't get here, but it is almost as good, you've made me so happy--who is it?" I said it was simply a lady, who, hearing that he was wounded had come to care for him - he wanted the name, and with child like simplicity spelled it letter by letter to know if he were right. "In my pocket" he said "you will find mother's last letter. Please get it and write your name upon it. For--for I want both names by me when I die." "Will they take away the wounded!" he asked "Yes" I replied the first train for Washington is nearly ready now. "I must go," he said quickly. Are you able? I asked. "Yes" and I must." I must go if I die on the way? I'll tell you why. I am my poor mother's only son, and when she consented that I should come to the war, I promised her faithfully, that if I were not killed outright, but wounded, I would try every means in my power to be taken home to her dead or alive. If I die on the train they will not throw me off, and if buried in Washington she can get me, but out here in these Virginia woods, in the hands of the enemy, never. I must go." I sent for the surgeon in charge of the train and requested that my boy be taken. "Oh! impossible Madam. e is mortally wounded and will never reach a hospital. We must take those who have a hope for life." But you must take him". "I cannot." "Can you, Dr. guar- antee the lives of all you have on that rain?" "I wish I could" said he sadly, "they are the worst cases, nearly fifty percent must die eventually of their wounds and hardships." "Then give this lad his chance with them, he can only die, and he has given good and sufficient reasons why he must go, and a woman's word for it Dr. you must take him." "Send your men for him." Whether yield- ing to argument or entreaty I neither knew nor cared so long as he did yield nobly and kindly, and they gathered up the fragments of the poorboy. And laid him carefully on a blanket in the crowded train, and with stimulants and food, and a kind hearted attendant pledged to take him alive or dead, to Armory Square hospital, and tell them that he was Hugh Johnson of N.Y. and to mark his grave. The whistle sounded and the death freighted train moved on. Although three hours of my time had been devoted to one sufferer among thousands, it must not be inferred that our general work had been suspended or that my assistants had been equally inefficient. They had seen how I was engaged and nobly re- doubled their exertions to make amends for my deficiencies. My assistants were active and faithful--probably not a man was laid upon those trains who did not receive some personal attention at their hands, some little kindness. If it were only to help lift him more tenderly, place a pillow, or wisp of hay under some broken limb or bruised head, fill his canteen with water, or place a few crackers beside him lest he grow faint on the way. And by these little acts the temper of this entire body of men was changed and in the place of complaints and imprecations were only thanks, and brave hopeful assurances that they should get along very well. As the words of grateful cheer rose up from that mov- ing mass of suffering and doom, I bowed my head in penitence and humbly acknowledged the just rebuke upon all past ingratitude. [?] finds us shortly after daylight, Monday morning, train after train of cars rushing on for the wounded and scores and hundreds of wagons bring- ing them in from the field still held by the enemy, where some poor sufferers had lain 3 days already, with no visible means of sustenance. If immediately placed upon the trains and note detained at least 24 hoursmust elapse before they could be certainly in hospi- tal and properly nourished. They were already famishing, weak and sinking from loss of blood, and could ill afford a further entire fast of 24 hours; I felt confident, that, unless nourished at once, all the weaker portion must be past recovery before reaching the hospitals of Washington;- if once taken from the wagons and laid with those already cared for, they would be overlooked and perish on the way. Something must be done to meet this fearful emergency. I sought the various of- ficers on the grounds explained the case to them and asked permission to feed all the men as they arrived before they should be taken from the wagons. It was well for the poor sufferers of that field that it was controlled by noble hearted generous officers, quick to feel and prompt to act. They at once saw the propriety of my request and gave orders that all wagons should be stayed at a certian point, and only move on when every man had been seen and fed. This point secured, I com- menced my day's work of climbing from the wheel to the brake of every wagon and speaking to and feeding with my own hand each soldier until he expressed himself satisfied. To add to the misery of the scene for me. I encountered among them seven young men who a few years before had been my pupils. [?] impart to you who have never known it. And I would not if I could. The shock and heart-breaking sensation of finding myself suddenly in the presence of a mutilated perishing human form, which you by no feature recognize, and catch the [?] of recognition, and watch the musclescontract and the tears fall, and wait in an agony of suspense for the choking voice to return and tell you who he was in the days when you knew and loved him. To attempt to recognize in those wan, distorted features, the bright happy face you were wont to see upturned to your own for counsel and ap- proval. In that blood matted hair, the fair locks you have seen parted smoothly from his mother's hand, or tossing in the wind, as he shouted at his play, and in that dead, old hand hanging at his side, waiting the relief of the surgeon's knife and saw the little boyish fingers your own have taught to trace his name. Imagine seven such scenes crowd- ed into those few hours of confession and horror and you have some suggestion of that day's [?]. Still there were some bright spots along the darkened lines. Early in the morning, the Provost Mar. shall came to ask me if I could use 50 men. he had that number, who for some slight breach of military discipline were under guard and useless, unless I could use them. I only regretted there were not 500. They came -- strong, willing men, and these added to our original force, and what we had gained incidentally, made our number something over 80. And believe me, 80 men and 3 women, acting with well direct- ed purpose will accomplish some work in a day. Our 50 prisoners dug graves, and gathered and buried the dead, bore mangled men over the rough ground in their arms, loaded cars, built fires, made soup, and administered it, and I failed to discernthat their services were less valuable than those of other men. I had previously sus- pected, and have since become convinced, that a private soldier may be placed under guard, court, martialed, and even be impris- oned without forfeiting his honor or manli- ness, that the real dishonor is often upon the gold lace, rather than the army blue. At 3 o'clock the last train of wounded left. All day we had known that the enemy hung upon the hills, and were waiting to break in upon us, hoping to capture forage amu- nition and prisoners. At 4 o'clock the clouds gathered black and murky, and the low growl of distant thunders ran over our heads and mingled with the nimble lightning which illumined the horizon. The still air grew thick and stifled, and the very branches appeared to droop and bow as if in grief at the memory of the terri- ble scenes so lately enacted and the gallant lives so nobly yielded up beneath their shelter. This was afternoon of Monday. Since Saturday noon I had not thought of tasting food, and had just arranged a box for that purpose, when of a sudden air, and earth and all about us shook with one mingled crash of God's and man's artillery. The lightning played and the thunder rolled incessantly, and the cannon reared louder and nearer each minute. Chantilly, with all its darkness and horrors had opened in the rear. the description of this battle I leave to those who saw and moved in it, as it is my purpose to speak only of events in which I was awitness or an actor. Although two miles distant, we knew the battle was intended for us, and watched the firing as it neared and receded, and waited minute by minute for the rush of the broken [?]. With what desperation our men fought hour after hour, in the rain and darkness how they were overborne and rallied, how they suffered from mistaken orders and blundered and lost themselves in the strange mysterious wood and how, after all with giant strength and veteran bravery, they checked the foe, and held him at bay, are all proud records of history. And the courage of the soldier who braved death in the darkness of Chantilly-- let no man question. "Though in mist, and in darkness, and fire, they were shrouded, "Yet the souls of the faithful were calm and unclouded. "Their dark eyes flashed lightnings, as firm and unbending, "They stood like the rock that the thunder is rending." The rain continued to pour in torrents and the darkness became impenetrable save from the lightning leaping above our heads and the fitful flash of the guns, as volley after volley rang through the stifled air and lighted up the gnarled trunks and dripping branches among which we ever waited and listened. In the midst of this, and how guided no man knows, came still another wagon train of wounded men, and a32 waiting train of cars upon the track received them. Now, nearly alone __ for my worn out assistants could work no longer ___ I continuedd to administer such food as I had left. Do you begin to wonder what it could be? Army crackers put into knapsacks and haversacks and beaten to crumbs between stones, and stirred into a mixture of wime or whiskey and water, and sweetened with coarse brown sugar. ___ Not very inviting you will think, but I assure you always accepta- ble. But whether it should have been classed as food, or, like the widow Bedott's cabbage, __ as "a delightful beverage" __ it would puzzle an epicure to determine. No matter ___ so it imparted strength and comfort. The departure of this train cleared the grounds of wounded for the night _ and as 33 the line of fire from itss plunging engines died out in the darkness __ a strange sensation of weakness and weariness fell upon me, almotst defying my utmost exertion to move one foot before the other. A little Sibley tent had been hastily pitched for me in a slight hollow upon the hill-side, but with neither ditch nor drain of any description; ____ your imagination will nnot fail to picture its condition. Rivulets of water had rushed through it during the last three hours; __ still I attempted to reach it __ as its white surface __ in the dark- ness __ was a slight protection from the wheels of wagons and trampling of beasts. Perhaps I shall never forget the painful effort which the making of those few rods __ and the gaining of the tent __ 34 cost me __ how may times I fell from complete exhaustion __ in the darkness and mud of that slippery hill-side __ I have no knowledge; but at last I grasped the welcome canvass __ and a well-established brook __ which rushed in on the upper side and out at the opening that served as door ___ met me on my entrance. My entire floor was covered with water; __ not an inch of dry, solid ground. One of my lady assistants had pre- viously taken a train for Washington; and the other - worn out by faithful labor - was crouched upon the top of boxes in one corner, - - asleep. No such convenience remained for me and I had no strength to arrange one. I sought the highest side of my tent, which I remembered was grass-grown __ 35 and ascertaining that the water was not very deep __ I sank down. It was no laughing matter then, but the recollection of my position has since afforded me, great amusement. I rememer myself sitting on the ground, upheld by my left arm, my head resting on my hand __ impelled by an almost uncontrollable desire, to lie completely down __ and prevented by the certain conviction that if I did, the water would flow into my ears. How long I balanced between my de- sires and cautions I have no positive knowl- edge, but it is very certain that the former carried the point, by the position from which I was aroused at 12 o'clock by the rumbling of more wagons of wounded men. I had slept 2 hours, and oh! what strength36 I had gained! I may never know two other hours of equal worth. I sprang to my feet dripping wet, covered with ridges of dead grass and leaves; wrung the water from my hair and skirts, and went forth again to my work. 37 When I stood again under the open sky, the rain had ceased, __ the clouds were sullenly retiring, __ and the lightning as if deserted by its boisterous companions __ had withdrawn to a distant corneer, and was playing quietly by itself; for the great volleying thunder of Heaven and earth had alike ceased, and the silence of the grave had settled down on the fields of Chantilly, and the forrests of Fairfax. ___ Silent, I said and so it was, save the ceaseless rumblings of the never ending train of Army wagons, which brought alike the wounded, the dying, and the dead. And thus the morning of the third day broke upon us. __ drenched __ weary __ hungry __ sore-footed ___ sad-hearted, discouraged and under orders to retreat.38 A little later, __ the plaintive wail of a single fife. The slow beat of a muffled drum __ the steady tramp, tramp, trampt, of heavy feet, the gleam of ten thousand bayonets on the hills, __ and with bowed heads, __ and speechless lips. Kearney's leaderless men came marching through. This was the signal for retreat. __ All day they came, __ tired, hungry, __ rageed defeated, retreating they know not whither. An enemy's cavalry skirting the hills, admonished us each moment, that we must soon decide to go from them or with them. But our work must be accomplished, and no wounded men, once given into our hands must be left. And with the spirit of desperation we struggled on. __ At 3 o'clock an offficer galloped up to me, with "Miss Barton Can you ride?" "Yes sir," I replied. But you have no 39 ladies saddle." "Could you ride mine? "Yes, without, if you have blanket and surcingle." "Then you can risk another hour" he exclaimed, and galloped off. At 4, he returned at break-neck speed, and leaping from his horse, said, "Now is your time." The cavalry is already breaking over the hills, try the train, it will go through, unless they have flanked and cut- of the bridge a mile above us. In that case, I have a reserve horse for you, and you must take your chances of escape accross the country." In tow minutes I was on the train, the last wounded man at the station was also on ___ the conductor stood with a torch, which he applied to a pile of combustible material beside the track. An as we rounded the curve, which took us from view, we saw the[*40*] station ablaze and a troop of Rebel cavalry dashing down the hill. __ The bridge was uncut and midnight found us at Washington. You have the full record of my sleep, from Friday night, till Wednesday morning __ 2 hours. You will not wonder that I slept during the next 24. -- On Friday I repaired to Armory Square hospital to learn who of all the hundreds [we had] sent, had reached that point. I [sought the chaplain's] traced the record and there upon the last page freshly written, stood the name of Hugh Johnson.-- Turning to Chaplain Jackson I asked, "Did that man live until today.-" "He died during the latter part of last night," he replied, his friends reached him some two days ago, and they are now taking his [*41*] body from the ward to be conveyed to the depot"- I looked in the direction his hand indicated, and there,- beside a coffin, about to be lifted into a wagon, stood, a gentleman, the mother, and [s] sister Mary. "Had he his reason"? I asked-- "Oh, perfectly"!-- and his mother and sister were with him 2 days"?-- "Yes"-- There was no need of me- he had given his own messages.- I could add nothing to their knowledge of him, and would fain be spared the scene and the thanks- Poor Hugh! His piteous prayers reached, and were answered, and with eyes and heart full, I turned awa[y] and never saw - Sister Mary[*42*] These were days of darkness.- a darkness that might be felt.- The shattered bands of Pope and Banks Burnside's weary leigons, the men who had followed Fremont over the mountain paths -- The reinforcements from West Virginia- and all that now remained of the once glorious Army of the Peninsular had gathere for shelter beneath the redoubts and guns, that girdled Washington.- The long manoeurvering and skirmishing on the Rappahannock and the Shenandoah had yielded no fruit but this.- [] Pope had been sacrificed [] And all the blood shed from Yorktown to Malvern Hill, seemed to have been utterly in vain.- Washington was filled with dismay, and all the North was moved, [] [*Washington, DC., , 186*] [*43*] As a tempest stirs a forrest Maryland lay temptingly in view, and Lee and Jackson with the flower of the Rebel Army marched for its ripening fields.- There however are matters of public history. But the minor Keys upon which I played my infinitesimal notes in the great Anthem of war and victory which rang thru the land. when those two fearful forces met and closed, with gun lock kissing gun across the rocky bed of Anteitam are yet known only to a few.- Who it was that whispered hastily on Saturday night Oct 13th "Harpers Ferry" not a moment to be lost"-[*44*] I have never dared to name.- In 30 minutes I was timidly waiting the always kindly spoken "come in" of my patron saint-Major, now Maj- General Rucker.- Major I said I want to go to Harper's Ferry-"can I go"?- "Perhaps so"-he replied with a genial but doubtful [he] expression,-perhaps so "Do you want a conveyances-" "Yes"-I said-. I perceived a little shade of good natured [rogue] fun mingling with his smile as he added But an army wagon is the only vehicle that will reach there with any burden in safety- I can send you one of these tomorrow morning"- I said, "I would be ready"- But here was to begin a new experience for me- I was to ride 80 miles in an army wagon, and [*Washington, DC.,_____________, [186]*] [*45*] straight into battle at that.- I could take no female companion-no friend but the stout working men I had use for You, who are accustomed to see a coach and pair of fine horses with a well- dressed-gentlemanly driver. draw up to your door- -will scarcely appreciate the sensation with which I watched the approach of the long,high.-white, covered tortoise-motioned vehicle, with its string of little frisky long-eared animals, with the broad shouldered driver astride- and the eternal jerk of his single rein by which he navigated his craft up to my door.- It might be proper to state that there has existed a remarkably good understanding between myself and the mule creation during the entire wa[y.]- The time you will remember was Sunday--the place-7th street[*48-*] As we passed on, the residents began to tell us of a great battle fought last night, they said a few miles [up] the mountain. Hastened by anxiety and excitement we were urging on when suddenly we found our wheels crushing the bodies of unburied slain. Unconsciously, and without searching we had found a battle field for this ragged range rising heavily on our right was South Mountain. [*56*] ragged range, rising heavily on our right was South Mountain,- and that fallen General.- Reno.- My poor words can never describe to you the consternation and horror with which we alighted, and trod, there, in that mountain pass, that field of death. There,- where we now walked with peaceful feet, twelve hours before, the ground had rocked with carnage. There in the darkness, God's angels of wrath and death had swept,- and foe, facing foe fredom and treason grappled, and the souls of men went out, and there, side by side, stark and cold in death mingled the Northern Blue, and Southern gray. To such of you as have stood in the midst, or followed in the track of Armies[*57*] and witnessed the strange, mingled and dreadful confusion of recent battle grounds. I need not describe this field, and to you who never have, no description would avail.- "Rider and horse friend, foe, in one red burial blent." The giant rocks hanging above our heads seemed to frown upon the scene, and the sighing trees which hung lovingly upon their rugged edge drooped low and wept their pitying dew upon the livid brows and ghostly wounds beneath. Climbing hills and clambering over ledges, we sought for some poor [wretch] farm, in [whom] which life had still left the power to suffer.- not one remained,- -and grateful for this, but shocked and sick of heart, we retained to our waiting [*58*] conveyance. A mammoth drove of cattle designed as rations for our troops was passing at the moment, The officer in charge of which, attracted by our cheerful fire the night previous, had sought our company and been our guest.- I was scarcely seated in my wagon, when this officer rode up, and said, confidently,- "Miss Barton, that house on the lower side of the road, under the hill, has been taken as a Confederate hospital, and is full of wounded Rebels. Their surgeons have come out and asked me for meat,- saying that their men will die for lack of animal food.- "I am a bonded officer and responsible for the property under my charge. What can I do?- You can do nothing.[*59*] I said, but ride on ahead." "I am neither bonded, nor responsible."- He was wise, and a word was sufficient,- he had a sudden call to the front of his train and dashed forward,- speaking to two of my men, I pointed out a large white or slightly strayed from the drove, and attempting to graze.- (He had been with Genl Popes army long enough to learn to live off the country."-) and directed them to drive him to that house, inside the fence which surrounded it,- put up the bars,- and leave him there, asking no questions.- I need not say that it was all performed with wonderful alacrity, and the last I saw of the white ox he had gone completely over to the enemy, and was reveling in the tall grass about the house. [*60*] Three years later, as I stood among the 12000 graves of Andersonvill filled with the skeletons of the martyrs of freedom, the victims of deliberate starvation, I could not but think how ill that days generosity had been requited. Our wounded had been taken on to Frederick-town, where only the day before- "Lee marched over the mountain wall "Over the mountains winding down "Horse and foot into Frederick Town" Where Old Barbary [?]. "Bowed with her fourscore years & ten "Bravest of all in Frederick-Town "Took up the flag the men hauled down "And the staff in her attic window set "To show that one heart was loyal yet" we wouldThere is that old [?] rendered classic by that true [?] act, lay our wounded of South Mountain, and we would fain have [?] with them, in their suffering [?] the fitful sullen growl of distant towns warned us of work ahead [?] made us hasten. The increase of stragglers along the road was alarming, showing that our army was weary, and lacked, not only physical strength, but confidence, and spirit. And why should they not? Always defeated, always on the retreat. I was almost demoralized myself and I had just commenced. I have already spoken of the great length of the army train, and that we could no more change our position than one of the planets, unless we should wait and fall in the rear; we could not advance a single wagon,- and for the benefit of those who may not understand I may explain the order of the train,- first, amunition [ammunition],- next, food and clothing for well troops,- and lastly,- hospital supplies,- thus, in case of a battle, the needed stores for the wounded according to the slow, cautious movement of such bodies must be from two to three days in coming up. Meanwhile, as usual, our men must languish and die, something must be done to gain time, and I resorted to strategy. We found an early resting place, supped by our camp fire, and slept again among the dews and damps. At one o clock[*63*] when everything was still, we rose breakfasted, fed, harnesed, and moved on past the whole train, which like ourselves had camped for the night. [at] At daylight, we had gained ten miles; and were up with the artillery, in advance even of the ammunition. All that weary dusty day I followed the cannon, and, at nightfall brought us up with the great army of the Potomac. - 80,000 thousand men resting upon their arms, in the face of a foe of equal numbers, sullen, straightened, and desperate. Closely following the guns, we drew up where they did, among the smoke of a thousand camp fires - men hastening to and fro, and the atmosphere loaded [*64*] with noxious vapors, till it seemed the very breath of pestilence.- We were upon the left wing of the army and this was the evening rest of Burnsides men. -To how many hundreds, it proved the last rest upon earth, the next days record shows. - In all this vast assemblage I saw no other trace of woman kind. I was faint, - but could not eat,- weary,- but could not sleep,- depressed,- but could not weep. -So, I climbed into my wagon, tied down the cover, dropped down in the little nook I had occupied so long, and prayed God with all the earnestness of my soul to stay the morrows strife, or send us victory, - and for my poor self that the impart somewhat of wisdom, and strength to my heart,- nerve tomy arm, speed to my feet, and fill my hands for the terrible duties of the coming day, and heavy and sad, I waited its approach. Many of you may have never heard the bugle notes which call to battle, "The Kerner's breath, whose people blast would waken death" but, if like us, you had heard them, this morning, as they rang through those vallys [valleys], and echoed from the hundred hills, waking from one sleep to hasten to another, they would have lingered in your ears, as they do in mine tonight. With my attendants, I sought the hill-tops and as the mist cleared away, and the morning sun broke over Maryland Hights, it's rays fell upon the dusty forms of 1000 men risen, like the old [?] from the [?] standing face to face in solemn, sullen battle line. "To hen borne for battle strife" "Or [?] of martial lay " 'twere worth ten years of peaceful life "One glance at their array" The battle commenced on the right, and already with the aid of field glasses, we saw our own forces though led by "fighting Joe, and again the old Brigade overborne and falling back. Burnside commenced to send cavalry and artillery to his aid, and thinking our place might be there, we followed the [?] around eight miles, twining into a cornfield near a house and barn, and stopping in therear of the last gun, which completed the terrible line of artillery, over the hill in the rear of Hooker's Corps that day. A garden wall only separated us. The infantry was already driven back two miles, and stood under cover of the guns. We had met wounded men, walking, or borne to the rear for the last two miles and around the old barn, lays there, two badly wounded to admit of removal, some 300 thus early in the day for it was scarce ten o clock. We loosened our mules, and commenced work, and by this time you know the process. The corn was so high, as to conceal the house, which stood some distance to the right, but judging, that a path which I observed must lead to it, and also, that surgeons must be operating there. I took my arms full of stimulants and bandages and followed the opening. Arriving at a little wicket gate. I found the door yard of a small horse and myself face to face with one of the kindest and noblest surgeons I have ever met, Dr. Dunn of Connoughtville Pa. Speechless both, for an instant, he at length threw up his hands, with God has indeed remembered us, how did you get from Virginia here? So soon. And again to supply ournecessities!-- "And they are terrible" "We have nothing but our instruments and the little chloriform we brought in our pockets. Have torn up the last sheets we could find in this house. Have not a bandage - rag - lint or string. And all these shell wounded men bleeding to death"-- Upon the porch stood four tables, with an etherized patient upon each, a surgeon standing over him with his box of instruments and one with a bunch of green corn leaves beside him. With what joy I laid my precious burden down among them. And though that never before had linen looked so white, or wine so red. Oh, be grateful, ladies, that God put it in Your hearts to perform the work you did in those days. How doubly sanctified was the sacred old household linen, woven by the hands of the sainted mother long gone to her reward. For you, arose the tender blessings of those grateful men, which linger in my memory as faithfully tonight, as do the bugle notes which called them to their doom. Three that day was the ground in front of us contested, lost and won, and twice our men were driven back under cover of that fearful range of guns. And each time brought its hundred of wounded to our crowded ground. A little after noon, the enemy made a desperate attempt to regain what had been lost. Hooker Sedgewick[*71*] Dana, Richardson, Hartsuff, and Mansfield had been borne wounded from the field and the command of the right wing devolved up on General Howard. The smoke became so dense, as to obscure our sight, and the hot sulphurous breath of battle dried our tongues, and parched our lips to bleeding. We were in a slight hollow and all shell which did not break among our guns, in front, came directly among or over us, bursting above our heads ,or burying themselves in the hills beyond. [A poor] A man, lying upon the ground, asked for drink. I stooped to give it, and having raised him with my right hand, was holding the cup to his lips with my left, when I felt a sudden twich of the [*72*] loose sleeve of my dress. The poor fellow sprang from my hands and fell back, quivering, in the agonies of death. A ball had passed between my body, and the right arm which supported him, cutting through the sleeve, and passing through his chest from shoulder to shoulder. There was no more to do done for him and I left him to his rest. I have never mended that hole in my sleeve. I wonder if a soldier ever does mend a bullet hole in his coat? The patient endurance of those men was most astonishing— as many as could be were carried into the barn, as a slight protection against random shot. Just outside the door lay a [man] Michigan soldier wounded in the face. The ballhaving entered the lower maxillary on the left side and lodged among the bones of the right cheek. His imploring look drew me to him, when, placing his fingers upon the sharp protrubrace, he said- "Lady, will you tell me what this is that burns so" I replied, "that it must be the ball which had been too far spent to cut its way entirely through." "It is terribly painful he said, wont you take it out?-- I said I would go to the tables for a surgeon." "No. No." he said, catching my dress. They cannot come to me. I must wait my turn, for this is a little wound." You can get the ball. There is a knife in my pocket Please take the ball out for me. This was a new call. I had never severed the nerves and fibers of human flesh, and I said I could not hurt him so much. He looked up, with as nearly a smile as such a mangled face could assume, saying-- "You cannot hurt me, dear lady. I can endure any pain that your hands can create, please do it." "It will relieve me so much." I could not withstand his entreaty and, opening the best blade of my pocket knife, prepared for the operation. Just at his head lay a starlight orderly sergeant from Illinois, with a face beaming with intelligence and kindness, and whohad a bullet directly through the fleshy part of both thighs. He had been watching the scene with great interest and when he saw me commence to raise the poor fellow's head, and so one to support it, with a desperate effort he succeeded in raising himself to a sitting posture, exclaiming as he did so,-- "I will help do that." And shoving himself along upon the ground, he took the wounded head in his hands and held it while I extracted the ball and washed and bandaged the face. I do not think a surgeon would have pronounced it a scientific operation, but that it was successful. I dared to hop from the gratitude of the patient. I assisted the sergeant to lie down [?], brave and cheerful as he had risen, and passed on to others. Returning in half an hour, I found him weeping. The great tears rolling silently down his manly cheeks. I thought hi effort had been to great for his strength and expressed my fears. "Oh! no, no, Madam," he replied.-- It is not for myself. I am very well, but, pointing to another just brought in, he said, "This is my comrade and he tells me that our regiment is all cut to pieces that my captain was the last officer left and he is dead. Oh! God what a costly war. And his tears burst out afresh. This strong tender man could laugh at pain face death without a tremor, and yet weep like a child over the loss of his comrades and his Captain.At 2 o clock, Mr. Wells came to tell me that the last loaf of bread had ben [been] cut, and the last cracker pounded, we had 3 boxes of wine still unopened, what should they do? "Open the wine, and give that," I said, "and-God help us." The next instant an ejaculation from sergeant [?], who had opened the first box, drew my attention, and to my astonished gaze The wine had been packed in nicely sifted indian meal. If it had been gold dust, it would have seemed poor in comparison. I had no words, no one spoke. In silence the men wiped their eyes, and resumed their work. Of 12 boxes of wine which we carried, the first 1 when opened had been found packed in sawdust -- the three last when all else was gone, in indiean meal. A woman would not hesitate long under circumstances like these. This was an old farm house, six large kettles were picked up, washed and filled with water, and set over fires, almost as quickly as I can tell it, and I was mixing meal and water for gruel. It occurred to us to explore the cellar. The chimney rested on an arch, and forcing the door, we discovered three barrels and a bag. They are full said the sergeant, as he sounded them with his foot, and rolling one into the light, found that it bore the mark of Jackson's Army. There 3 barrelsof flour and a bag of salt had been stored by the Rebel Army during it's march. I shall never experience such a sensation of wealth and competency again from utter poverty to such riches. All that night my 30 men (for our corps of workers had increased to that number during the day.) carried buckets of hot gruel for miles down the lines to the wounded dying where they fell. The time [?] by experience we had lanterns to hand in and around the barn, and having directed it to be done. I went to the house, and found the surgeon in charge sitting alone, beside a table, upon which he rested his elbow apparently meditating upon a [?] candle that flickered in it's center. Approaching carefully, I said "You are tired Dr." He started up with a look almost savage, -- "Tired! Yes. I am tired!" Tired of such heartlessness such carelessness! and turning full upon me, continued, "Think of the "condition of things. Here are "at least 100 wounded men, terribly "wounded, 500 of whom cannot live "till daylight without attention. "That 2 inches of candle is all I have "or can get." "What can do? "How "can I endure it?!" I took him by the arm, and leading him to the door, pointed in the direction of the barn, where the lanterns glistened like stars among the waving corn. "What is that?" he exclaimed"The barn is lighted I said, and the house will be directly." "Who did it?" he asked. "I, Dr." "Where did you get them?" "Brought them with me" "How many have you?" "All you want, 4 boxes." He looked at me a moment, turned away without a word, and never afterward alluded to circumstance. But the difference which he paid me was almost painful. Darkness brought silence, and peace respite and rest to our gallant men: and as they had risen regiment by regiment from their grassy beds in the morning, so at night the fainting remnant again sunk down on the trampled earth. The weary to sleep and the wounded to die. Thro' the long star lit night, we wrought and hoped and prayed, but it was only when in the hush of the following day, as we gleaned over that vast [?] that we learned at what a fearful cost the gallant Union army won the battle of Antietam. Friends it is difficult for [?] close this little narative [narrative] without more special reference to the brave soldiers your own gallant state. want time alone, not lack of knowledge of their noble deeds compels it for my little hour is almost up and your patience wearied. Tomorrow night comes to the relief and if you [?] me until then will try to do more Ample justice to state and section of my country who all through the war I so loved and honored. The soldiers of state in the Union bears a brigher or Belter, [?] than Michigan. And thanks to the [?] liberally of her citizen and the faith [?] of her state officers no state has a [?] better kept. I speak from personal knowledge for [?] stances have become to a very close acquaintance [?] the adjutant General Department of every state in the Union and be assured your own is not excellence you may stand up proudly with the best and feel that thus far you [?] done your duty faithfully to [?] memory of your Friends, it is as I knew it would be difficult to close my narative [narrative], and not allude to the sad bereavements and gallant deeds of other fields. There are fathers here who saw the pride of their manhood, and the hope of their declining years, go bravely and cheerfully forth and return no more forever, wives, who wept the farewell they could not speak never to be broken but in the land that knows no parting. And mothers, brave spartan mothers, who held quiet their great hearts and mighty griefs, and received as it came flashing back the terrible tidings, the first the second, the last son, and yet she lives to weep. not for the Station Mother alone sang our lamented Browning.One dead by the sea in the east. One, dead in the west, by the sea. When you raise a great shout for [?] free. Let none look at me." Follow with me a few month later if you will. I remember 8 months of weary siege scorched by the sun, chilled by the waves, rocked by the tempest, buried in the shifting sands. Boiling day after day in the trenches, with the angry fire of 5 forts hissing through their ranks during every day of those weary months. This was when your brave old regiments stood thundering at the gate of proud rebellious Charleston. Charleston, leader in the highest crime known to human law, -- Charleston! whose first great act of treason, stalled every civilized nation on earth. Shocked every lover of freedom, and human progress, and thrilled every loyal heart from Behring's strait to the China sea. There, shamelessly frowning insolent defiance, with [?] on her left Johnson on her right. And Wagner in front3 she stood hurling fierce death and destruction full in the faces of the brave band who beleaguered her traitorous walls. Sumpter, the watch-dog that stood before her door, pierced with shot and torn with shell, lay maimed and bleeding at her feet,-- the tidal waves lapping his wounds, still there was danger in his growl and death in his bite.-- One summer afternoon this brave little army was drawn up among the Island sands, and formed in line of march-- for hours, we watched them-- the tide ebbed and flowed-- the sun gave its last glare--slid slowly down the horison, kissed the blushing billows,-- and sank amid their foam,-- a few stars struggled out,-- dim twilight came.-- when the darkness for which they had 4 waited with the gloom and stillness of death settled down on the gathered forces of Moris Island. Then we pressed forward, and watched again-- long lines of phospherescent light streamed and shot along the waves-- ever surging on our right,-- a little to the left, mark that long dark line, moving steadily on-- pace by pace, across that broad open space of glistening sand.-- on straight on-- towards that black mass frowning and darkling in the distance.-- Watch-- watch with pulseless veins and breathless lips. -- on-on. God speed their steps.-- flash--flash--flash-- Moultrie--Johnson--Sumpter--Wagner-- and every black pile blazes and the Heavens are on fire.-- -- Boom Boomboom-- answered the grand old fleet as it circled into line and poured it's broadsides till the Heavens blazed again. on-on pressed the little band passing to it's doom. But dark no longer. The foe was met. The muskets blazed. The dark line had changed to a trail of fire--pressing on--scattered now. We watched the flashing of their muskets as you the fire flies on your meadows. The walls are reached. The torpedoes & the pikes. up- up- over the parapets into the fort-- hand to hand-- foot to foot-- hill to hill-- does any man say that this war showed no bayonet wounds? He did not scale the walls of Wagner. Hand to hand, hill to hill they wrestle. The great guns of fort and fleet are still and there in the darkness and mist wait they wait we the weary hour. Slowly down the beech [?] the long lines of wounded and one by one bring their story of disaster. The fort was gained. The center reached bravely they fought but all too few. Vainly they waited braving death for the help that came not. Leader after leader fell. "Clan Alpines best are backward borne "Oh where was Rhoderie then "One blast upon his bugle horn "Were worth a thousand men." Shaw strong. Putnam and Chatfield dead or wounded in the fort the charge had failed, and the night was lost. Then came the hundreds back and the sands about our hospital tents grew red with the blood of the wounded and slain. Western troops were there there leaving the tall form of his bare headed rider with a broken limb, plunged the noble steed of John Elwell of Ohio up the beech through the surf and fire, up-- up-- under the very walls of the blazing fort, and raising in his saddle his strong voice went up. [?] goes the fight boys? What do you want. Begrimmed with smoke and scorched with flame on the top most parapet appeared the figure of the intrepid Putnam "Reinforcements Colonel In God's name, get us reinforcements." I can hold out 15 minutes longer." Whirled the steed and rider, and back down the beach to head quarters. More General - more men - Your troops are struggling in the fort"-- "Take them 1/2 back again, through the surf and fire. up- up once more with the welcome tidings-- up, up, --ha--what is that? The sides of the fort are black with men. "Are there the reinforcements? Ah! [?] to God Back--out--down over torpedo and pike, into moat and wave. Sinking striving, fainting, crawling, dying. "Clan Alpines best are backward home "Oh where was Rhoderick then "One blast upon his bugle home. "Were with a thousand men" Dead and dying Chatfield Rodman Shaw strong and Putnam. [?] too late the advantage cameslowly down the beach went the long line of ambulances. And the sands about our hospital tents grew red with the blood of the wounded and slain. Stricken of the brave 62 and 67 Ohio, and as I plodded through the sand, rain, & darkness many a [?] lip moved in prayer as the fading eye grew strangely bright. "God keep the dear ones in the prairie home." There on the ground among his soldier boys lay Cumminger delirious in his pain. Bury me here friends here in the sands. Don't take me away I have tried to do my duty to my country and my God, bury me here, right where I fell. Back God had still and there comrades, suffering braves and patient lay the wounded of three as brae regiments as ever trod an enemies soil, or faced a rebel gun. The 6, 7, and 10th Connecticut. Something for brave men to do and he saved him. A little farther on- Voris of the 67, pale and unconscious, his bright hair dabling in the sand while from the dark wound in his side slowly ebbed the red tide of life There suffering brave and faithful lay the wounded of three as brave regiments as ever trod on enemies soil- or faced a rebel gun. The 6, 7, and 10th command. And he too lived to fight brave battles & set a dispatch over your wires to one today people who live thro such [?] grow very near to each other.And there side by side with those of fairer hue lay the tawny hand of Africa which, that night for the first time in the history of all the ages had been permitted to strike a lawful, organized blow at the fetters which had aye bound him body and soul. That broad dark heaving chest and struggling breath. That great patient eye and gaping would. "Ah Sam. this is bad for you." "Yes miss. I knows it [?] too many for us dis time. I'm a going "but thank God my childers free." Next followed the long weeks of siege, and where at length the traitor flag no longer flaunted from the parapets of Wagner the first to stand within it's conquered walls. Your own city - General O. L. Monn-- and the 39 Illinois. Men, I thank you for that applause, tis for my friend - a friend tried, and proved amid days and scene when the word friend had a meaning, and a value. Set no one suppose that I passed through four years of field life surrounded every day by the horrors, contingencies and selfishness of war without trials of my own deep and pitiful. In the keenest of there, this officer stood by me and the cause of justice and humanity with the faithfulness of a soldier. The honor of a man, and the kindness of a brother. If only in the present and the future he is as true to you as in the past he has been to his country and his friends no matter by whom sent to you. You are blessed in his comingSome cinical critic said of me day before yesterday that my praises of the Western troops were flattering but fulsome--" Let no person present dare now accuse me of uttering unmeaning praise. The tribute I render to Brigadier General O. L. Mann I render not because of the West-- not because of him,-- not because of you,-- but because of myself-- and the great debt of gratitude I owe, And I will be brave enough to speak it here in your presence and the presence of him to whom it is due-- But to return to our siege-- months was that grand old regiment where banner never fell-- whose courage was coolest when the fire was hottest.-- Whose step was firmest when the foe was nearest-- and whose shout was ever clearest when it rose above the thunder of the enemies guns a child of your own raising your friends and mine-- and whose name I ever speak with the pride of a loyal woman and the tenderness of a sister. The 39 IllinoisBut this did not close the sieze-- 40 months. But 40 months had our ever accumulating fleet rose and fell upon the tide and tossed upon the billows of Port Royal harbor. Merchant ships had changed to men of war and men of war to ironclads-- and the pretentious little turrets of the monitor had peeped above the wave till one continuous line of floating batteries circled the coast of Carolina. And if ever in the night their thunders ceased, the strangeness of the quiet startled the camping soldier from his uncertain slumber, and seductive dream of home.But had all this conquered Charleston? Sumpter had crumbled to a shapeless mass of stone and sand. "Wagner was ours, and the "Swamp Angel" hurled fire and destruction through her deserted every hour of the day and night. Still did she surrender was she humbled--humbled!!! Prouder than ever she sat under her palmetto and Rattlesnake rag with her haughty face still turned to the sea. While our weary [?] faught on, month after month. Officers and men pouring out their blood like water for the holy cause which must not be abandoned - and the great heart prayer of the whole country went up. How long Oh God how long. Do you fully realize the great part which New York [?] bore in the war. In front of Fredericksburg your state massed 42 regiments. At Gettysburg 48 at North Anna 50 at Cold Harbor 51 at the Wilderness 56 a Spotsylvania 64 and at Petersburg 72. When she rises in her might the shadows of her warriors darkens the land and the bristling of her steel brightens the [?] and when the ground shakes under the tread of her marching armies well may rebellion, cower, and traitors tremble. Yours state alone sent to the field over 50 regiments 20000000 men of soldiers fullcrowded regiments and batteries, but how come they back? At the end of three years, in the place of the 1000 or 1500 strong, active, ruddy men with streaming banners, came wearily limping toiling home, with a bare shattered flag staff little groups of 150, 100, 80 and 45 as the representatives of the brave old regiments and their gallant dead on a hundred fields. Then your state and your cities met them and the flags rolled out, and shout after shout went up, and the hoarse throated cannon pealed them fitting welcome and well they might. If Paris opened her arms and built triumphial arches for the old guard to pass through what less could New York do for the remnant of regiments life there. Is one of there men, with you still? And if so, do you recognize as you should the consideration to which he is entitled? Do you realize all that he has suffered? And do you stand as firmly his friend in time of trial as he did yours? Maybe he commits errors,-- possibly he has faults, perhaps he takes a holiday when you are at work and think he might be-- --All bad, very bad! Perhaps he has a family and gets in your debt, still worse! But when you come to settle the account with him, be careful that he doesn't hold a little note against you for services and injuries which time has not yet outlawedYou paid him? Oh yes, you paid him well. Nobly generously. No people ever so well, but would you have taken his pay and done his work? Oh be careful, my friends, be generous and noble still. Remember, that of all anguish our Heavenly Father calls us to endure none pierces more keenly or wounds more deeply than the sting of ingratitude. And when at morning and evening repast with folded hands and grateful hearts, you bless God for the bounty he has spread before you, let your thoughts wander a little, to find if there is not another table near you, with a vacant chair, and less of food upon it, the faces around it paler and thiner [thinner], the fire less bright. And the little pile of wood beside it smaller than it would have been if the brave old regiment had never been called to the field Citizens remember, that the soldiers who won your victories may now claim your protection and your care and withhold them not. And soldiers remember each other. As you bore a wounded comrade, tenderly on the day of battle shielding him with your arms. So bear and shield each other still. One, is every soldier wrong of men the strength of theThough to do it you organize an army greater & grander than any armed force that ever faced the foes of our glorious Republic. One soldier wronged is every soldier wrong. One more [?] & I have done I remember a patriot hero who bore the flag over the bodies of his falen [fallen] comrades to plant it on the blazing heights of Fredericksburg until both arms fell useless at his side and the shoulder received the precious burden the hands could no longer uphold. when planting his foot firmly by the resting staff, his clear voice rang out above the shouts of the charging ranks the hissing of shot and shrieking of shell. "Don't let it fall boys. Don't let it fall." And it did not. And while he lay the armless seargent in his little hospital bed in the snow clad camp. His gallant colonel wrapped carefully the tattered silken folds, dabbled and dyed in patriot blood, and sent them home to the noble Governor of the state, with the message that the oldregiment had never lost it's colors, but it had worn them out and wanted more. There with it's scores of companions grouped around the pillars of that state house hale it hangs tonight. In some noble hall have you our own like treasures gathered and your hearts have heaved with grateful pride and your eyes grown dim with the gathering mist as you have beheld them. Oh what a consecrated hall at what a price it has been decorated. What granite could you rear that can speak like this? Could the gold and ivory of Solomon's temple bear price like it? So there often men and women take your children there and from those tattered rags teach them the worth of their country. Tell them that for every rent they can count, ten brave lives went out, ten mothers mourned a son, ten orphans walk the streets, ten homes are desolate, and when all this is estimated, tell them that along side of each tattered remnant there should droop another, fringed in black whose center should bear only the terrible word starved. And when they ask you what caused all this, tell them was disrespect for the laws of the country-- displaying treason. Procure for them no foreign teachers send them away to no classic schools till you have first taken them there and taught them this that treason is crime. Loyally a virtue and Eternal vigilence the price of libertyTo you men the strength of the land--my brothers, let me as a woman who loves her country-- it's institutions and it's people, dare address this parting word. To you because to you only is intrusted the power to do what I would ask. In your hands rests the well or ill of this dear noble land. To you comes the appeal of the lonely widowed mother in her desolate home, it may be among the forests of Maine, or from beside her dying embers beyond the Mississippi. That you see to it that the fatherless children she is raising in boil and [?] To you men, the strength of the land. My brothers let me as a woman who loves her country it's institutions and it's people dare address this parting word. To you because to you only is intrusted the power to do what I would ask. In your hands, rests the future well or ill of this dear noble land. To you comes the appeal of the lonely widowed mother in her desolate home. It may be among the forests of Maine or from beside her dying embers from beyondthe Mississippi that you see to it that the fatherless children she is raising in toil and penury shall not like their father fill a martyr's grave. Her country tells her she is weak and it's laws make her powerless. She can only raise sons to fill it's armies and mourn their loss when it's battles are ended. To you comes her appeal and the cry of her orphan children that you so preserve their rights & liberties. That they may not only live, but live like citizens worthy the great country which gave them birth. Listen once more to the low, weak voices, grown to thunder tones in their multitudes rising from the fields, swamps, river beds, and prison grounds of every state from Maryland to Texas. Listen tis to you Brothers - see to it - that we died not in vain. and let me add my voice to the martyr land. See to it brothers that they died not in vain.Michigan - Fredericksburg Shall not fill a martyr's grave. Her country tells her she is weak and it'sthey break, they fly up through the streets of Fredericksburg [?] and pursued. Next followed Massachusetts and the work was done. "Cheer after cheer we gave them. "As only armies can. "Cheers for Old Massachusetts. "Cheers for Young Michigan." On the arch of the rainbow the chariot is gliding. Through the path of the thunder the horsemen are riding. Glide swiftly, bright spirits, the prize is before you. A crown never fading, a kingdom of glory! Need I tell this audience whose mighty voice rang wildest amid the storm. Whose warrior heart turned the tide of Battle that night as it had turned scores before it. That plunging steed that dare devil gallop. That flashing steel and empty sleeve. God save the night for Kearney leads his men. Well may you cheer for never nation sent to Battle a braver man a truer soldier.And now, in conclusion, while expressing my profound sense of the patience and courtesy, with which you have listened to me, permit yet a word of a more general character. While accompanying our armies I, of course passed much more among the rank and file, than among the officers of any grace. And while I would not disparage the many hundreds of noble men, deservedly decorate with stars and eagles, my experience, deepened a conviction, otherwise strong, that in peace, or war, the fate of the Republic is mainly in the hands of the innumerable multitude of our citizens who wear no titles. F. Point, will continue to furnish [?] science, a good deal of arrogance a great [?] of etiquette, and not a little sympathy with our enemies; the ranks of the Regular Army will be largely recruited with needy foreigners strangers to the genius of our institutions. That the safety of the country rests essentially with those who rise from its bosom in the hour of need, and peacefully retire when the need is over. The days of a nation are numbered, when it's common citizens refuse to fight it's battles. In days when a man was more precious than gold, and gold had a fabulous value, the offer of a private soldier was of more worth than the gift of a Captain. Young men enough would take commissions, but who of his own free will would shoulder a musket, and trudge for 2 or 3 years, through all the toils and hardshipsof war, subject every hour to the absolute will of men he knew not, who might be wise men, and might, perchance, be fools? Oh! My friends! There is something sublime in the Patriotism of the man, who would do that, at his Country's call. [?] owe, to him, or to his widow and children after him, a debt you can never repay but you can see to it that you give him no cause to repent of his sacrifice. In the establishment of justice, and protection for all, and aid and comfort for the needy you can show your appreciation. The noble name of charity, the chief virtue of the apostle, has in these last ages sunk down to a synonym of unfeeling coldness and I dislike to use it in this connection, but the institutions of aid, that are springing up all over the land, inadequate though they be, are, next to the sacrifices of our heroic men, the countries proudest decorations. Peace has it's duties as well as ware as important and almost as trying. The government of a nation can have but one essential object--To insure justice and protection under equal laws to all human beings within it's borders. The Government that does not try to do this, had better abdicate at once. A fair field, and no favor, equal protection to all, and exclusive privileges to none, are ideas which commend themselves so to the reason and the conscience, that they need no demonstration. But Governments, especially on a country like ours, do not lead, but follow, the people. Often with unequal steps and slow. You must sometimes tell89 them your [?] very plainly before they will heed you. -[?] have nothing to do with what are called "political questions." - but the moral aspects of [?] subject -are plain, when the ballo[?] cast on election day. are as decisive for weal or woe, as the minnie balls cast on the field of stricken [?]. I [am] have been recently told that good men are getting to [?] from the poles. because they are unpleasant [?]- scenes of noise, and turbulence as well [?] from Antietam, or Gettysburg for they were pleasant and noisy. [The Divine Government is ever on the side of all that is true, and just, and generous and you [?] sides with the Almighty or against him [?] you choose, - but at your own risk. I hold it to be the solemn duty every citizen as a citizen, to study each public question that arises seek diligent truth as light upon it and then neither awed [?] nor blinded by sophistry nor [?] by blandishments nor bought by [?] express his convictions by word and [?] and leave the rest to God. To you men, the strength of the land, my brothers let me as a woman who loves her country- it's institutions and it's people- dare address this parting word. To you, because to you [is intrusted] only is intrusted the power to do what I would ask. In your hands rests the future well or ill of this dear noble land.-- To you comes the appealof the lonely widowed another in her desolate home.-- it may be among the forests of Maine.-- or from beside her dying embers beyond the Mississippi, that you see to it that the fatherless children she is raising in toil and penury, shall not like their father fill the martyr's grave. The laws of her country tell her she is weak, and they make her powerless. --She can only raise sons to fill its armies and mourn their loss when its battles are ended--.-- To you comes her appeal & the cry of her orphan children, that you so preserve their rights and liberties that they may not only live,-- but live like citizens worthy the great country which gave them birth. Listen, once more--!! To the low weak voices, grown to thunder tones in their multitudes rising from the fields-- swamps-- river beds,-- and prison grounds of every state from Maryland to Texas-- Listen! Tis to you: Brothers see to it that we died not in vain-- And let me add my voice to the martyr's land. See to it Brothers that they died not in vain.--When the faithful had fallen, and the combat was ended, A chariot of fire through the dark cloud descended-- Its drivers were angels, on horses of whiteness. And their burning wheels turned On axles of brightness-- A seraph unfolded its doom bright and shining. All dazzling like gold of the seventh refining.-- And the souls that came forth out of great tribulation. Have mounted the chariots and steeds of salvation. On the arch of the rainbow the chariot is gliding-- Through the path of the thunder the horsemen one riding-- Glide swiftly bright spirits the prize is before you. A crown never fading a kingdom of glory.--Andersonville I observe that you have expected me to speak to you of Andersonville. It is but reasonable that you should expect it knowing that I have looked upon it's terrible face. But friends not in the same breath in which I speak of any thing else in the heavens above on the earth beneath would I speak of this. It classes with and was equalled by nothing but the regions below. I have looked over it's 25 acres of pitiless stockader. It's burrows in the earth- -it's stinted stream, it's sentry boxes, and it's dead line and my heart sickened and stood still, my brain whirled and the light of my eyes went out and I said, surely this was not the gate of hell-- but hell itself. And for comfort, Iturned away to the 9 acres of crowded graves and I said, here at last was rest and this for them was the gate of Heaven. Then I saw the little graves marked, blessed them for the heart-broken mothers in the old Northern homes, raised over them the flag they so loved and died for, and lift them to their rest. And there they lie tonight, apart from all they loved, but mighty in their silence, teaching the world a lesson it had never learned, and writing a page in the world's history, so black that it might call upon the horrors of the Inquisition to light it up. Pardon me friends, but if you would ever hear me speak more of Andersonville, let it stand [alone] apart from all else-- a chapter by itself--13,000 dead in one prison. Friends, do you realize how many that is, 300,000 dead in one war, can your imaginations form any picture which will correctly represent that terrible fact? Dead everywhere! On every Battlefield.13,000 men dead in one prison, friends do you realize how many that is? 300,000 dead in one war: can your imaginations form any picture which will correctly represent that terrible fact? Dead everywhere!! On every Battlefield they lie. In the crowded yards of every prison ground. In the dark ravines of the tangled forests. In the misery, poison, swamps, where the slimy serpent crawls by day and the will o-the wisp dances vigil at night. In the beds of the mighty rivers under the waves of the salt sea, in the drifting sands of the desert islands. On the lonely picket line. And by the roadside, where the weary soldier laid down with his knapsack and his gun, and his march of life was ended. There in their strange beds they sleep till the morning of the great revile. They sleep and you remember! Ay remember, and yet there are those who in magnanimity and honesty of soul I believe enjoin upon us, even at this little day, to forget, forgive and forget. Bury the past the Rebellion, and the accursed spirit of treason which led to it. The loyal dead and their slayers all in one common grave, forgive and forget. Who forget?the father, the pride of his soul and the hope of his age. The mother, her darling. The wife her husband-- and the maiden the affianced of her heart. Forgive well that may be. I would not cherish resentment. I never did. I have taken the dying message, and delivered it, and closed the eyes of many a dead soldier in gray. Forgiveness is noble it is divine and poor weak erring humanity can at least strive to attain to it. But forget - Father - Brother - mother wife and maiden - It were insult to ask this at your hands. And be sure that the man who does ask it, has not your cause to remember. Be certain that he has no son lying in Andersonville or Salisbury Millan or Belle Isle. No brave brother gallant form wasting among the charred wrecks of the wilderness. Shilo and Fort Pillow never spread their pall over his hearth stone. He read of the field where they fought and died and calmly slept the nights that you waited in agony with heart bowed down. He is earnest but he has not your stand point to look from. His theory is noble but you cannot reduce it to practiceyou cannot, and so far as rebellion was concerned you have no right to forget. As true loyal citizens of your country, you have no right to forget it's sacrifices or close your eyes to the traitorous spirit which led to them. You who have learned in blood and tears the terrible cost at which the nation has been saved, have to liberties yet to preserve. Ye have treason always to meet and combat you have something to forgive. But nothing to forget, and much to remember as much. And I'd swear by the blood which treason has shed. And I'd vow by the wreck thro' our country it's spread. And I'd swear by the thousands who famished unfed. Died-down in the ditches - wild, howling for bread. And I'd vow by the heroes, whose spirits have fled. And I'd swear by the bones in each coffinless bed. To crush out it's life with wars thundering tread. Wherever it raises it's gaunt Hydra head. One field more and we will sound tattoo. Follow me, if you will, through this 8 months - I remember eight months of weary siege - scorched by the sun, chilled by the waves, rocked by the tempest, buried in the shifting sands, toiling day after day, in the trenches, with the angry fire of 5 forts hissing through their ranks during every day of those weary months. This was when your brave old regiments stood thundering at the gate of proud rebellious Charleston. Charleston, leader in the highest crime, known to human law. Charleston, whose first great act of treason, startled every civilized nation on earth, shocked every lover of freedom, and human progress, and thrilled every loyal heart from Behring's strait to the China Sea. There, shamelessly frowning insolent defiance, with Mouttrie on her left, Johnson on her right, and Wagner in front, she stood hurling fierce death and distruction full in the faces of the brave land who beleagured her traitorous walls. Sumpter, the watch-dog, that stood before her door, pierced with shot and torn with shell, lay maimed and bleeding at her feet, the tidal waves lapping his wounds, still there was danger in his growl and death in his bite. One summer afternoon this brave little army was drawn up among the Island sands, and formed in line of march-for hours we watched them - the tide ebbed and flowed - the sun gave its last glare, slid slowly down the horizon - kissed the blushing billows - and sank amid their foam, a few stars struggled out - dim twilight came - when the darkness for which they had waited with the gloom and stillness of death settled down on the gathered forces of Moris Island. The we pressed forward and watched again- long lines of phospheres- cent light streamed and shot along the waves, ever surging on our right- a little to the left - mark that long dark line, moving steadily on - pace by pace, across that broad open space of glistening sand - on straight on - towards that black mass frowning and darkling in the di- stance - watch, watch, with pulseless veins and breathless lips - on - on - God speed their steps - flash - flash - flash - Moultrie - Johnson - Sumpter - Wagner and every black pile blazes and the Heavens are on fire - Boom - boom - boom - answered the grand old fleet as it circles into line and poured broadsides till the Heavens blazed again - on - on pressed the little band passing to its doom. But dark no longer - the foe was met - the muskets blazed - the dark line had changed to a trail of fire - pressing on - scattered now we watched the flashing of their muskets as you the fire-flies on your meadows. The wall are reached - the torpedoes and the pikes - up - up - over the parapets - into the fort - hand to hand - foot to foot - hill to hill - does any man say that this war showed no bayonet wounds? He did not scale the walls of Wagner - Hand to hand - hill to hill - they wrestle. The great guns of fort and fleet are still and there in the darkness and mist-wait they wait we the weary hour - slowly down the beech wend the long lines of wounded and one by one bring their story of disaster - The fort was gained - the center reached bravely they fought but all too few - Vainly they waited braving death - for the help that came not Leader after leader fell - "Clan Alpines best are backward borne - "Oh, where was Rhoderic then - "One blast upon his bugle horn "Were worth a thousand men." Shaw - strong - Putnam and Charfield - dead or wounded in the fort - the charge had failed, and the night was lost. The came the hundreds back and the sands about our hospital tents grew red with the blood of the wounded and slain. Western troops were there - there bearing the tall form of his bare headed rider with a broken limb, plunged the noble steed of [Chief Qt. Master of the Department of the South] John Elwell of Ohio up the beech, through the surf and fire, up - up - under the very walls of the blazing fort - and raising in his saddle his strong voice went up - How goes the fight boys? - What do you want? Begrimmed with smoke - and scorched with flame - on the topmost parapet, appeared the figure of the intrepid Putnam. "Re-inforcements - Colonel - In God's name, get us reinforcements- I can hold out 15 minutes longer." hirled the steel and rider, and back down the beach to head quarters. Men, General, more men, your troops are struggling in the fort." --"Take them" back again, through the surf and fire - up, up, once more, with the welcome tidings -Up - up - he - what is that? The sides of the forts are black with men. Are these the reinforcements? Ah, would to God. Beck - out - down - over the torpedo and pike, into most and wave - sinking - striving - fainting - crawling - dying - "Clan Alpines best are backward borne - "Ah, where was Rhoderick then - "One blast upon his bugle horn - "Were worth a thousand men. Dead and dying - Charfiled, Rodman, Shaw, Strong and Putnam. Ah, too late the advantage came. Slowly down the beach wend the long line of ambulances, and tho sends about our hospital tents grew red with the blood of the wounded and slain. There were the stricken of the brave 62nd and 67th Ohio, and as I plodded through the sand, rain, and darkness, many a pale lip moved in prayer as the fading eye grew strangely bright - "God keep the deer ones in the prairie home." There on the ground among his soldier boys lay Cumminger, delirious in his paid - "Bury me here, friends, here in the sands - don't take me away. I've tried to do my duty to my country and my God - bury me here - right where I fell. But God had still some - thing for brave men to do - and he saved him - A little farther on - Voris, of the 67, pale and unconscious, his bright hair dabbling in the sand, while from the dark wound in his side slowly ebbed the red tide of life. There suffering brave and faithful lay the wounded of three as brave regiments as ever trod an enemies soil, or faced a rebel gun- the 6 - 7 - and 10th Connecticut. And there side by side with those of fairer hue lay the tawny hand of Africa which, that night, for the first time in the history of all the ages had been permitted to strike a lawful, organized blow at the fetters which had aye bound him body and soul. That broad, dark heaving chest and struggling breath, that great patient eye, and gaping wound - "Ah, Sam, this is bad for you." "Yes, miss. I knows it - deys too many for us dis time - I'm a going - but thank God my childers free." Next followed the long weeks of siege, and when at length the traitor flag no longer flaunted from the parapets of Wagner, the first to stand within its conquered walls was that grand old regiment- where banner never fell - where courage was coolest when the fire was hottest - whose step was firmest when the foe was nearest - and whose shout was ever clearest when it rose above the thunder of the enemies guns - a child of your own raising, your friends and mine, and whose name I ever speak with the pride of a loyal woman - and the tenderness of a sister. THE 39 - ILLINOIS. ----- The following is also inserted here - Next followed the long weeks of siege and when at length the traitor flag no longer flaunted from the parapets of Wagner the first to stand within its conquered walls were those of your own state - Ay, your own City, General O.L. Mann, and the 39 Illinois. -------- Men, I thank you for that applause, 'tis for my friend, a friend tried and proved amid days and scenes when the word friend had a meaning, and a value. Let no one suppose that I passed through four years of field life, surrounded every day by the horrors, contingencies, and selfish- ness of war, without trials of my own deep and pitiful. In the keenest of these, this officer stood by me and the cause of justice and humanity, with the faithfulness of a soldier, the honor of a man, and the kindness of a brother. If only in the present and the future he is as true to you, as in the past, he has been to his country, and his friends, no matter by whom sent to you, you are blessed in his coming. Some cinical critic said of me day before yesterday, that my praises of the Western troops were flattering but fulsome. Let no person present dare now accuse me of uttering unmeaning praise. The tribute I render to Brigadier General, O. L. Mann, I render not because of the West, not because of him, not because of you, but because of myself, and the great debt of gratitude I owe, and I will be brave enough to speak it here in your presence and the presence of him to whom it is due. But to return to our siege - Washington, D. C. 186 A soldier of the Legion lay dying in Algiers. There was a lack of womans nursing, There was dearth of woman's tears-- But a comrade stood beside him, as the life blood ebbed away And bent with pitying glances to hear what he might say-- The dying soldier faltered - as he took his comrade's hand I never more shall see my own - my native land -- Take a message - and a token to some distant friends of mine For I was born at Bingen - fair Bingen on the Rhine. Friends - These few lines from the beautiful pages of Mrs. Norton over which - from our childhood days, our hearts have softened- and our eyes grow dim- contain nearly the entire spirit - and form at once - perhaps - the most fitting text of all I have to say. We gave the warm tender tears of our youth, to the touching recital of the woes of this foreign lad - who nither thought our thoughts - nor spoke our language - - But, that he died a stranger - among strangers - with no near loved one to receive his dying messages- smote the rock and opened the fountains of our hearts. But it was reserved for the dire shock of later years- to waft this distant picture to our own shores- and convert its single shadow-- into 300.000 stern realities---drawn from every home and hearth-stone.--cottage and palace of our own loved land. This shock brot [brought] a whole nation to its feet.- And not only every man- but every true and loyal woman sought the place assigned her, and cheerfully took up the burden she was best fitted to bear. How she bore it is to be forever written by the proud pen of American history.-- While 300.000 brave sons and brothers- on distant fields - in weary camp - hospital - and prison - on the toilsome march - or the lonely picket line - breathed out the last dying message - too often also - only to the midnight dews - and the moaning winds. It is of these, friends, I would speak - for it was these, I attempted to reach - and in the little ways I might administer to. If the deer privilege of performing the last sacred act - taking the message and the token - of your loved ones - was richly granted to me - while it was withheld from you - it is my duty to come at your call and tell you of the scenes among which I saw them. And if,- in the course of my remarks, - you chance to feel that the positions I occupied were rough and unseemly for a woman - I can only reply - that they were rough and unseemly for men. But under all, lay the life of the nation. I had inherited the rich blessing of such health - and strength of constitution- as is seldom given to woman - and felt that some return was due from me and that I ought to be there. And if there are not apology sufficient - then - "My father was a soldier - and even when a child "My heart leaped up to hear him tell of struggles fierce and wild." And if it seem out of place - or far fetched - that a woman of the east from the sorry - long divided - and oft repulsed old army of the Potomac - should seek to bring her war- stories to the gallant and ever victorious west - and tell them in the ears of the noble ladies whose patriotism accomplished what she never could - They will pardon - if not for herself - still for the memory of that soldier father - who - long years before her eyes or yours saw the light - had followed with bare bleeding feet - the wild marches of Mad Anthony - and with his boy arms helped to best back the savage foe - and establish the future boundaries of these your beautiful homes.- And when a little child upon his knee - he told me that as he lay helpless in the tangles marshes of Michigan - the muddy water that oozed up from the track of an officer's horse saved him from death by thirst. And that a mouthful of a lean dog that had followed the march saved him from starvation. When he told me how the feathered arrow quivered in the flesh -and the tomahawk swung over the white man's head - he told me also with tears of honest pride of the great and beautiful country that had sprung up from those wild scenes of suffering and danger. How he loved these new states for which he gave the strength of his youth.- And if I his daughter - tell war-stories to the people of the west - they will not accuse me of arrogance or presumption, but in their generous hearts will forgive a taste cultivated under the naration [narration] of their own early history. And will comprehend how a woman's heart should turn warmly and lovingly to a soil once reddened by her father's blood. Naratives [Narratives] of battles - as they are found in histories - and official reports - are all wonderfully alike.- There is the same intricate and incomprehensible machinery of divisions -- Brigades -- regiments -- Battalions and squadrons --- of right centers and left wings. There are some attempts to flank some other incompre- hensible mechanism -- and to prevent being flanked. The same advancing in echelon - and falling back - extending and contracting - whirling --- charging ---- deploying and enfalading. A perfect chaos - intelligible to few, and interesting to still fewer.----- Where the natural eye can discern no single human being - or scarce a sign of human presence. For the individual soldier - and what he does - sees -- feels -- or thinks -- in those dread hours of leaden vain and iron hail -- or in the re-action which follows the excitement of battle - is alike beneath the dignity of an official report - of the solemnety of a general history. Leaving all this - I propose to offer you this evening - a few scattering incidents -- illustrative of that inner life so strangely skin to death which is familiar to those who do the actual and unseen labor - and which contrasts equallly with the dry official skeleton - and with the pomp and blazonry of war. And if my own personality should appear oftener - than may seem compatible with perfect good taste - I assure you - it is not from any desire to magnify mine office - but solely because the little I have seen is more deeply impressed my memory, than anything I have heard. In another lecture I have spoken of Antietam - and its ever memorable September 17 - not the Antietem of 1867 - with its Holiday dress -- its dry speeches its Hamlet with Hamlet left out -- its brevets- bravado -- and but the Antietam of 1962 - with its 8 miles of field and flood and fire its morning call to arms -- its day of strife -- and its night of death. Thenfollowed the six weeks of rest to the army -- and unrest to the country -- for in those days, every man felt himself fully competent to comprehend the situation - and dictate if he were not called to direct. And I, too, in my littleness and weakness felt that something more remained for [?] to do - and asked for 3 armyh wagons - to proceed again to Harper's Ferry - where Rumor predicted the forces would next engage. My request was twice granted. They gave me six, and an ambulance, and in the sun and dust of a dry hot October day in Washington, I superintended the loading of them, and at 2 o'clock ordered my little train to move out on the same road I had travelled a few weeks earlier to Antietem. There may be those present who are curious to know how 8 or 10 stout - rough men - who knew nothing of me - received the fact that they are to drive their teams under charge of a lady. This question has been so often asked me privately, that I deem it proper to answer it publicly. Well: a little only - not to say disdainfully - the various expressions of their faces afforded a study. They were not soldiers - but civilians in Government employ. Drovers - butchers - hucksters - mule-breakers. Probably not one of them had ever passed an hour, in what could be terms - ladies society - in his life. But every man had driven thro the whole peninsular campaign - Every one had taken his team unharmed out of that retreat - and sworn an oath never to drive another step in Virginia. They were brave and skillful - understood their business to perfection - but had no art - They said, and looked, what they thought - and I understood them at a glance. They mounted - and followed their leader - and I followed them. As early as 4 o'clock, they turned into a field - formed a circle, and prepared to camp. I sent for the leader and inquired his purpose. With some surplus of English he assured that "He wasn't going to drive in the night." I replied that he "could drive till night, and he would find it for his interest to do so." and I said no more. By some course of reasoning he seemed to arrive at the same conclusion -- for after a few minutes consultation with the men, - who stood grouped about their wagons - cracking their long whips, as a kind of safety valve to their smothered indignation, they drew their teams out into the road, and moved on, at a speed by no means retarded by their late adventure - and with the full measure of human perversity - they not only drove till night, but far into it. But as they were moving in the right direction - and working off their surplus energies - I did not interfere with them. They evidently wanted to drive a little while after they had been ordered to stop - But I was not disposed to gratify them, and about 9 o'clock, getting weary of their fun,- they halt beside a field, and announced their intention of camping for the night. They had 8 days dry rations of meat and bread in their feed boxes - upon which they expected to subsist - cold = and with little cooking. While they were busy with their animals, with the aid of my ambulance driver, a fire was kindled (these were the days when fence rails suffered) and I prepared a supper, which I now think wold grace a well spread table - but as I had no table I spread my cloth upon the ground, poured the coffee and sent my driver to call the men to supper. They came - a little slowly, and not all at once - i.e. they did not come upon me with a rush - but as I cordially assigned each one his place - he took it - and I took my seat with them - and ate, and chatted as if nothing had happened. They were not talkative - but respectful - ate well and when through retreated in better order than they came. I washed my dishes and was spending the last few months by the broad bed of coals - for it was chilly - when I saw this whole body of men emerge from the darkness and come towards me. As they approached, I received them graciously - and invited them to sit by the fire. They halted - reminding one of a band of Brigands - with the red glare of the embers lighting up their brown - hard faces and confronting me in silence - awaited their spokes-man. It was, of course, their leader George - whose coal black hair and eyes would well befitted the chief of a Banditti- as they waited - I again invited them to sit by the fire. "No thank you" he replied - "we didn't come to warm us -we are used to the cold" -- "But" - he went on slowly, as if it were a little hard to say - "But we come to tell you that we're ashamed of ourselves" - I thought honest confession good for the soul - and did not interrupt him. "The truth is" - he continued - "In the first place we didn't want to come" "There's fightin ahead - and we've seen enough o that for men who don't carry no musket - only whips - and then we never seen a train under charge of a woman afore- and we couldn't understand it - and we didn't like it - and we thought we'd break it up - and we've been mean and contrary all day - and said a good many hard things - and you've treated us like gentlemen. We hadn't no right to expect that supper from you - a better meal than we've had in two years - and you've been as polite to us as if we'de been the Gineral and his staff. And it makes us ashamed - and we've come to ask your forgiveness. We shan't trouble you no more." My forgiveness was easily obtained. I reminded them that as men - it was their duty to go where there country had need of the, - as for my being a woman - they would get accustomed to that - and assured them - that so long as I had any food, I should share it with them. That - when they were hungry and supperless - I should be - that if harm befel them - I should care for them - - if sick. I should nurse them - and that under all circumstances, I should treat them like gentlemen. They listened silently - and when I saw the rough wollen coat sleeves drawing across their faces - it was one of the best moments of my life. Bidding me "good-night" they withdrew - excepting the leader - who went to my ambulance - hung a lighted lantern in the top - arranged - arranged the few quilts inside for my bed - assisted me up the steps - buckled the cancas down snugly outside - covered the fire safely for morning - wrapped his blanket about him, and laid down on the ground a few feet from me. At daylight, I became conscious of the presence of low voices, and stifled sounds - and soon discovered that these men were endeavoring to speak low and feed and harness their teams quietly - not to disturb me. On the other side - I heard the crackling of blazing chestnut rails - and rattling of dishes - and George came with a bucket of fresh water - to undo my buckle door latches - and announce that breakfast was nearly ready. I had cooked my last meal for my drivers - These men re- mained with me six months thro frost -- and snow -- and march -- and camp -- and battle -- bursed the sick -- dressed the wounded -- soothed the dying -- and buried the dead -- and if possible grew kinder and gentler every day. On reaching Harper's Ferry, Lee's army had slipped away- and Genl. McClellan had decided to follow them. Our Army was in the act of crossing the pontoon bridge at Berlin when we came up with it -we joined - and crossed with them - and I found myself once in the endless train of a moving army. If time permitted, I should like to tell you of those grand old marches down beside the Virginia mountains following the lead of Pleasantons Cavalry skimishing ahead - finding the enemy every day - those bright autumnal days - and at night the blaze of a thousand camp-fires lighting up the forest tops - while from 10,000 voices rang out the never ending chorus of the Union Army. "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave While we go marching on." And thus on, day after day, no one knew whither - till the rich autumn tints whitened in the frosts of an approaching winter and the merry brooks that laughed and leaped in the noon-day sun- snuggled quietly into their beds at night - under blankets of crystal. - On and on (we were Burnsides Army now) till finally we found ourselves beside a broad muddy river, and a little canvas city grew up in a night upon its banks. And here we sat and waited "while all the world wondered." Ay: it did more than wonder! it murmured - it grumbled - it cried shame shame - to sit there and shiver under canvas - cross over the river - and occupy those brick houses on the other shore. The murmurs grew to clamor - and were fast deepening into disgrace. Our gallant leader heard them and his gentle heart grew sore - he looked upon his army that he loved as it loved him - he looked upon those fearful nights beyond -- carelessness or incapacity at the capitol had baffled his best laid plans - till time had made his foes a wall of adament - for Secure - the Rebel's watchful care had firm defences made - Brestwork and rampart work were there and bristling pelssedo - Where nature well with craggy brow her fences had begun The beetling cliff is frowning now, with many a gaping sun If ere security might lie in steel assent of mountain high In leveled gun and palssedo - and marksman's sim from ambuscade - The Rebel troops in safety lay - on Frederic's hight - that dreadful day. Finally, one soft, hazy, - winter's the army prepared for an attack - But here was neither boat nor bridge - and the sluggish tide rolled dark between. Hooker & Franklin were right and left - but here in the center come the brave men of the silvery haired summer- Drawn up in line - they wait in the beautiful grounds of the stately mansion whose owner - Lacy - had long sought the other side, and stood that day aiming engines of destruction at the home of his youth and the graves of his household. There on the second portico I stood and watched the engineers as they moved forward to construct a pontoon bridge#10. from the lower edge of the garden terrace to the sharp bluff on the opposite shore. A few boats were fastened and the men marched quickly on with timbers and plank. For a few rods it proved a success, and scarcely could the impatient troops be restrained from rending the air with their shorts of triump. On march the little band with brace and plank but never to be laid by them. A rain of musket balls has swept their ranks - and the brave fellows lie level with the bridge - or float down the stream. -------- No living thing stirs on the opposite bank - no enemy is in sight - whence comes this rain of death?- Maddened by the fate of their other sieze the work and march onward to their doom - for now, the balls are hurtling thick and fast - not only athehe bridge, but over and beyond to the limit of their range. Crashing through the trees - the windows and doors of the Lacy House, - and ever here and there, a man drops in the waiting ranks - silently as a snow flake and his comrades bear him in for help - or back for a grave. There on the lower bank under a slouched hat stands the man of honest heart and genial face that a soldier could love and honor even thro defeat- The ever trusted gallant Bunrside [Burnside] - Herk: that deep toned order rising above the heads of his men - Bring the guns to beat and shell them out. ----- Then rolled the thunder and the fire - for two long hours the shot and shell hurled thro the roogs - and levelled the spires of Fredericksburg. Then the little band of engineers resumed its work - but ere ten paces of the bridge were gained - they fell like a grass before the scythe.-- #11. For an instant all stand aghast then ran the murmurs - the cellars are filled with sharp-shooters - and our shell will never reach them - ------ But once more over the heads of his men rose that deep turned order "Man the boats" Into the boats like tigers sprang the 7th Mich Row!! Row!! - ply for your lives boys - and they do. But mark them fall some into the boats - some out - other hands sieze the oar and strain and tug with might and main -- Oh! how slow the seconds drag - how long we have held our breath-- Almost across - under the Bluffs - and out of range - Thank God -they'll land - ------ Ah yes - but not all - mark the windows and doors of those houses above them - see the men swarming from them armed to the teeth and ru'sh to the river.- ------ They've reached the bluffs above the boats -- down point the muskets - Ah! that rain of shot and sheet of flame. ------ Out of the boats waist deep in the water; straight thro the fire - up up the bank the boys in blue - grimly above - that line of gray - Down pours the shot - up up the Blue - till hand to hand like fighting demons they hand and wrestle on the edge. Can we breath yet? No! still they struggle - Ay yes - they break - they fly - up thro the street and out of sight - pursuer and pursued - It were long to tell of that night crossing - and the next terrible day of fire and blood - when Battle broke o'er field and grove - Like a resistless flood. And on thro living ramparts clove Where life and death in masterly strove In agony and blood.When Battle borke O'er field and grove Like a resistless flood And on, thro living ramparts clove Where life and death for mastery strove In agony and blood - ---- Where serried squadrons charged and fell Before devouring fire And hissing shot - and blazing shell Sent like some blasting bolt from hell Heaped one vast funeral pyre. ----- Where slaughter strewed the purple plain With torture and dismay Till strength seemed weak - and valor vain And grim - and gasping with the slain Full many a hero lay - ------ The rose - above our conqueror's tones The wailings of despair And mangled flesh and shattered bones And oaths - and curses - shrieks and graons [groans] Commingled wildly there. ------- For victory fled our banner bright Upon that dreadful day Oh! let me call the shades of night - To drown in black the morning light And shield forever from your sight The horrors of the fray. -------- But fearful as were the great events of those days - among their unwritten history are thousands of lighter incidents - existing only in the memories of those who witnessed, as truly illustrative of the hour, as the 40 solid shot - and mortar shell which pured the lurid light of day and the pale glimmer of the night thro a single roof. ------ At 10 o'clock of the Battle day when the Rebel fire was hottest - the shot rolling down every street- and the bridge under heavy cannonade - a courier dashed over- and rushing up the steps of the Lacy House- placed in my hand a crumpled bloody slip of paper a request from the lion-hearted old surgeon on the opposite shore- establishing his hospitals in the very jaws of death. The uncouth pencilling said -"come to me - your place is here." The faces of the rough men working at my side - which 8 weeks before had flushed with indignation at the very thought of being controlled by a woman, grew ashy white as they guessed the nature of the summons- and the lips which had cursed and scouted in disgust trembled as they begged me to send them- but save myself I could only permit them to go with me if they chose- and in 20 minutes we ere rocking across the swaying bridge- the water hissing with shot on ither side. Over into that city of death- its roofs riddled by shell- Its every church a crowded hospital - --- Every street a battle-line - ---- Every hill a rampart - ---- Every rock a fortress- ----- And every stone wall a blazing line of forts. Oh what a day's work was that! How those long lines of blue- rank upon rank, charge over the open acres - up to the very mouths of those blazing guns and how like grain before the sickle they fall and melt away.An officer stepped to my side to assist me over the debris at the edn [end] of the bridge. While our hands were raised in the act of stepping down - a piece of an exploding shell - hissed thro between us- just below our arms - carrying away a portion of both the skirts of his coat and my dress - richo - along the ground a few rods from us like a harmless pebble upon the water. The next instant - a solid shot thundered over our heads a noble steed bounded in air- and with his gallant rider rolled in the dirt not 30 feet in the rear- Leaving the kind-hearted officer- I passed on alone to the hospital. In less than a half hour he was brot to me dead. I mention these circumstances not as specimens of my own bravery - oh! no I beg you will not place that construction upon it, for I never professed anything beyond ordinary courage- and a thousand times prefer safety to danger. But that those among you, who have never seen a battle may the better realize the perils thro which these brave men passed - who for four long years bore their contries' [countries'] bloody banner in the face of death - and stood, a living wall of flesh and blood between the invading traitor and your peaceful homes. In the afternoon of Sunday - an officer came hurriedly- to tell me that in a church across the way lay one of his men- shot in the face the day before. His wounds were bleeding slowly and the blood drying and hardening about his nose and mouth, he was in immediate danger of suffocation. (Friends this may seem repulsive to you- but I assure you that many a brave and beautiful soldier, has died of this alone). Siezing a basin of water and sponge I ran to the church, to find the report only too true. Among hundreds of comrades- lay my patient. For any human appearance above the shoulders - it might as well have been any thing else as a man - hither sight, nor speech- no flesh visible -- all encased in one solid crust. Im knealt by him and commenced with fear and trembling, lest some unlucky movement close the last aperture for breath. After some half hours labor, I began to recognise features - they seemed familiar - with what impatience I wrought - finally my hand wiped away the last obstruction. An eye opened - and there to my gaze was the sexton of my own old home church - He is alive and well and scarcely carries a scar. I have remarked that every house was a hospital. Passing from one to another during the tumult of Saturday- I waited for a regiment of infantry to sweep past on its way to the hights. Being alone- and the only woman visible, among that moving sea of men, I naturally attracted the attention of the old veteran Provost Marshal - Gen'l Patrick, who mistaking me for a resident of the city, who had remained in her house until the crashing shot had driven her into the street - dashed thro the waiting ranks to my side - and bending down from his saddle, said in his kindest tones - "You are alone- and in great danger madam- do you want protection?" Amused at his gallant mistake I humured it by thanking him, as I turned to the ranks, and adding that I believed myself to be the best protected woman in the United States. The soldiers near me caught my words, and responding with "that's so - that's so" - set up a cheer. This in turn was caught by the next line and so on, line after line, till the whole army joined in the shout, no one knowing what he was cheering at, but never doubting there was victory somewhere. The gallant old general, taking in the situation, bowed low his bared head, saying, as he galloped away - "I believe you are right, madam." It would be difficult for persons in ordinary life, to realize the troubles arising from want of space merely for wounded men to occupy when gathered together for surgical treatment and care. You may suggest that "all out of doors" ought to be large and so it would seem, but the fact did not always prove so. Civilized men seek shelter in sickness, and of this, there was ever a scarcity. ----- #16. 1200 men were crowded into the Lacy House, which contained but 12 rooms. They covered every foot of the floors and porticos- lay in the stair landings - A man who could find opportunity to lie between the legs of a table thought himself rich - he was not likely to be stepped on. In a common cupboard with four shelves 5 men lay, and were fed, and attended. 3 lived to be removed - and 2 died of their wounds. Think of trying to lie still and die quietly, lest you fall out of a bed six feet hight. ------ Among the wounded of the 7th Mich. was on Wriley Faulkner, of Ashtabula, County, Ohio - a mere lad, shot through the lungs - and to all appearance dying, when brot in - he could swallow nothing- breathed painfully, and it was with great difficulty that he gave me his name and residence. He could not lie down, but sat leaning against the wall in the corner of the room. I observed him closely as I hurried past from one to another, and finally thought he had ceased to breath. At this moment another man with a similar wound was taken in upon a stretcher by his comrades - who sought in vain for a spot large enough to lay him down - and appealed to me. --- I could only them them that when that poor boy in the corne [corner] was removed they could set him in his place. They went to remove him - but to the astonishment of all, he objected- opened his eyes, and persisted in retaining his corner, which he did for some (2) weeks, when finally, a mere little white bundle of skin and bones - for he gave small evidence of ither flesh or blood - he was wrapped in a blanket and taken away in an ambulance to Aquia Creek to Washington, with a bottle of milk punch in his blouse - the only nourishment he could take. On my return to Washington - three month's later - a messenger came from Lincoln Hospital to say that the men of Ward #17. 17 wanted to see me. I returned with him - and as I entered the ward 70 men saluted me. Standing such as could, others rising feebly in their beds, and falling back - exhausted with the effort. Every man had left his blood in Fredericksburg - Every one was from the Lacy House. My hand had dressed every wound- many of them in the first terrible moments of agony. I had prepared their food in the snow and winds of December and fed them like children. How dear they had grown to me in their sufferings - and the 3 great cheers that greeted my entrance into that hospital ward were dearer than the applause - that sounded sweeter than the voice of Iosiphine. I would not exchange their memory for the wildest hurrahs that ever greeted the ear of Conqueror or King. When the first greetings were over and the agitation had subsided somewhat, a young man walked up to me with no apparent wound, with bright complexion and in good flesh. There was certainly something familiar in his face, but I could not recal him, until extending his hand with a smile he said - "I am Wriley Faulkner of the 7 Mich. I didn't die and the milk punch lasted all the way to Washington." It will be remembered that the Rebel Army occupying the hights of Fredericksburg previous to the attack, was very cautious about revealing the position of its guns. Consequently as the engagement became general on Saturday morning, their range must be obtained. The first shots were high - crossed the river - crashed thro our house of wounded - and fell like hail among the reserves stationed about us. Of course, the reserves fell too, and were brot in for medical care. ------- As I stood near the Eastern entrance a man apparently fainting was taken in by his comrades, and lain upon the floor. A piece of shell had struck him near the ankle. At a glance I discovered that an artery was severed, and #18. he was rapidly sinking. The surgeons had nearly all been ordered over into the City, and of the few who remained, not one was attainable. Making a tournequet of my handkerchief, I succeeded in arresting the flow at the first trial, gave the poor fellow some stimulant, and left him to rest and wait for better skill. He chanced to lie near the passage leading from one room to another, and in the course of an hour as I passed by, I felt my dress held firmly by some obstruction. Terrified, lest it was caught on the helpless foot of some broken limb, I turned, to find this poor fainting man revived, and holding on with all his strength to the skirt of my dress. He could not speak aloud, but the tears were sliding queitly [quietly] down his brown, dust covered cheeks. As I knelt to learn his wishes, he whispered faintly - "You saved my life." I smoothed back his tangled hair - wiped his face and replied cheerfully - that that was no matter, - Did he want any thing? "No." An hour later as I passed the same thing occurred, and I was again informed in faint whispers that I had "saved his life." And so on, day after day, until he was removed - whenever I came within reach of him I could feel my dress slipping gently thro his fingers, and as often as he dared - he arrested me with the same four little words -- "You saved my life." Never seemed to want anything, and never said anything but this. In all the confusion, I nither learned his named nor told him mine - he was taken away to hospital with others, and the cir- cumstance nearly forgotten, when one early spring day - after my return to Washington, as I sat buried in the mass of accumulated correspondence, I heard a limping foot-step in my hall, and a rap at my door. I hastened to open it, and there, leaning upon his crutch, stood my hero of the four words, and before I could recover from my surprise sufficiently to speak - he broke silence with - "You saved my life." The soldier may well be reticent, for his is a life of work, not words. The world reads him in his glorious deeds - #19. and the veteran of the Union Armies finds an example he may well follow - for the man of the fewest words in all America - Is the soldier who wears three stars. Friends- One evening is very little time and I must crave your pardon for the rapid journey of time I compel to make. While I pass from the old field of Fredericksburg in '62 to the later days of '64. The terrible slaughter of the wilderness and Spotsylvania turned all pitying hearts and helping hands once more to Fredericksburg. And no person who reached it by way of Belle Plain while this latter constituted the Base of Supplies for Gen'l Grant's Army can have forgotten the peculiar Geographical location, and the consequent fearful condition of the country immediately about the landing, which consisted of a narrow ridge of high land on the left bank of the river. Along the right extended the river itself. On the left, the hills towered up almost to a mountain hight. The same ridge of high land in front at a quarter of a mile distant, thro which a narrow defile formed the road leading out, and on to Fredericksburg, 10 miles away, thus leaving a level space or Basin of an area of a fourth of a mile, directly in front of the landing. Across this small plane all transportation to and from the army must necessarily pass. The soil was red clay. The ten thousand wheels and hoofs had ground it to a powder and a sudden rain upon the surrounding hills had converted the entire Basin into one vast mortar bed, smooth and glassy, as a lake, and much the color of light Brick dust. The poor, mutilated starving sufferers of the wilderness were pouring into Fredericksburg by thousands - and all to be taken away in army wagons across this 10 miles of alternate hills - and hollows - stumps - roots -and mud. The Boats from Washington to Belle Plain freighted down, with fresh troops and back with supplies for the front. While the wagons from Fredericksburg to Belle Plain loaded #20. down with wounded men and back with supplies, and the exchange was transacted on this narrow ridge called the landing. I arrived from Washington about noon of the 8th with such supplies as I could take. It was still raining. Some members of the Christian Commission had reached an earlier Boat and being unable to obtain transportation to Fredericksburg had erected a tent or two on the ridge and were evidently considering what to do next. To early or quite all of them the experience and scene were entirely new. Most of them were clergymen - who had left at a day's notice - by request of the distracted fathers and mothers - who could not go to the relief of the dear ones stricken down by thousands, and thus begged of him in whom they had most confidence and best loved, to go for them. They went, willingly, but it was no easy task they had undertaken. It were hard enough for old workers who commenced early and were inured to the life and its work. I shall never forget the scene which met my eye as I stepped from the boat to the top of the ridge. Standing in this plain of mortar mud were at least 200 six mule army wagons, crowded full of wounded men waiting to be taken upon the boats for Washington. They had driven from Fredericksburg that morning. Each driver had gotten his wagon as far as he could, for those in front of, and about him, had stopped. Of the depth of the mud, the best judgment was formed from the fact, that no entire hub of a wheel was in sight, and you saw nothing of any animal below its knees and the mass of mud all settled into place perfectly smooth and glassy. As I contemplated the scene, a young intelligent, delicate gentleman, evidently a clergyman, approached me, and said anxiously- but almost timidly - "Madam - do you think those wagons are filled with wounded men?" I replied that they undoubtedly were -and wait- ing to be placed on the Boats then unlading. "How long must they wait?" he asked. I said, that "judging from the capacity of the Boats, I thought they could not be ready to leave much before night." "What can we do for them?" he asked still more anxiously. I said - "they were hungry and must be fed." #21. For a moment his countenance brightened - then fell again, as quickly as he exclaimed. "What a pity! We have a great deal of clothing and reading matter, but no food in any quantity excepting crackers." I replied that I had coffee and that between us I thought we could arrange to give them all hot coffee and crackers." "But where shall we make our coffee?" he asked, as he gazed wistfully about the bare wet hill side. I pointed to a little hollow beside a stump and said - "There was a good place for a fire - and any of this loose brush would do." "Just here," he asked. "Just here, sir." He gathered the brush manfully and very soon we had some fire and a great deal of smoke, two crotched sticks, and a crane, if you please, and presently, a dozen camp-kettles of steaming hot coffee. My helper's pale face grew almost as bright as the flames - and the smutty brands looked blacker than ever in his slim white fingers. Suddenly a new difficulty met him - "Our crackers are in barrels, and we have neither basket nor box - how can we carry them?" I said "aprons would be better than ither" - and getting something as near the size and shape of a common table-cloth as I could find, tied one about each of us, fastening all four of the corners to the waist, and pinned the sides, thus leaving one hand for a kettle of coffee and one free to administer it. Thus equipped, we moved down the slope and 20 steps brot us to the abrupt edge which joined the mud, much as the bank of a canal does the black line of water beside it. But here came the crowning obstacle of all. So completely had the man been engrossed in his work, so delighted as one difficulty after another vanished and success became more and more apparent, that he entirely lost sight of the distance and difficulties between himself and the objects to be served. If you could have seen the expression of consternation and dismay depicted in every feature of his fine face as he imploringly exclaimed - "How are we to get to them."#22. "There is no way but to walk to them." I said. One more look as much as to say - "And are you going to step in there?" I allowed no time for the question - but in spite of all the solemnity of the occasion, and the terribleness of the scene before me, I found myself striving hard to keep the muscles of my face all straight, and the corners of my mouth would draw into wickedness, as with a backward glance I saw the good man tighten his grasp upon his apron and take his first step in military life. But - thank God - it was not his last. I believe it is recorded in Heaven the faithful work performed by that Christian commission minister thro long weary months of rain and - dust - and summers suns - and winters snows. The sick soldier blessed - and the dying prayed for him - as thro many a dreadful day he stood fearless and firm among fire and smoke note made of brush - and walked calm, and unquestioning, through something redder and thicker than the mud of Belle Plain. The early first soldier learned to view subjects from a stand point so different from that of the civilian friend, who went late to serve him in his necessities, that they were frequently at a loss how to comprehend each other. I recollect an incident of this nature which occured at Point of Rocks when our army was pressing Petersburg in '64. The soldiers had lain in the trenches - soaked with water thro one-half the seaon, till the buring suns of summer had dried the mud to the hardness of brick. And now they were scorching and baking and blistering thro the other half. An old veteran soldier, from a western Regiment, had obtained leave to come down to the hospital and commission tents, in the hope of making some very obviously necessary addition to his wardrobe. I had been making the rounds of the hospital tents - and for a moment stepped into the commission quarters, when this tell, sunburned, honest-faced soldier stepped in after me, and approaching the agent, said - "He should like to get a pair of stockings." The agent replied with great kindness, that he was very sorry he could not oblige him, but they were out of stockings, ex- #23. cepting some very fine ones, they had saved for dead men. If you could have seen the look of puzzled astonishment which spread over that old veteran's face, as he strove to compre- hend the meaning of the reply. He looked at the agent - at me - at his own turtle-backed feet, innocent of stockings for months, until finally giving it up, he breaks out with - "Stockings for dead men," and turning on his heel, stalked out of the tent, no richer, and apparently no wiser than he entered - doubtless back to the camp and trenches in disgust, and the young agent, who had been from home only a fortnight, and had never learned by observa- tion that men could lie quietly in their graves without stockings and shirts was just as deeply puzzled to comprehend the astonishment of the soldier, and stood gazing after him in silent wonder as he strode away. From their different stand-points, nither could get a glimpse of the others thoughts any more than the good lady could understand how the war should increase the price of candles. "Candles higher!" she exclaimed - "Why bless me, do they fight by candle light?" No person present has forgotten the heart sickness, which spread over the entire country, as the busy wives flashed the dire tidings of the terrible destitution and suffering of these same wounded of the wilderness to whom I have attended, as they lay in Fredericksburg. But you may never have known how many hundred fold, those ills were augmented, by the unfortunate detail of improper heartless, unfaithful officers, to the immediate command of the city upon whose action and decisions depended entirely the care, shelter, food, comfort, and lives of that whole city of wounded men. One of the highest officers I found there, is since a convicted traitor. And another little dapper Captain of 21, quartered with the owners of one of the finest mansions in the town, boasted that he had changed his opinion since entering the city in his present capacity the day before - "That it was, in fact, a pretty hard thing for refined people like the citizens of Fredericksburg, to be compelled to open their houses and admit these dirty - lousy - common soldiers #24. and he was not going to compel it. This I heard him say, and waited till I saw he made his words good, and did not compel it, till I saw, crowded into one old sunken hotel, lying helpless upon its bare, wet, bloody floors, 500 fainting men hold up their cold - dingy bloodless hands, as I passed, and beg me in Heaven's name for a cracker to keep them from starving - and I had none, or to give them a cup that they might have something to drink water from, if they could get it, and I had no cup; and could get none. Till I saw 200 - six mule army wagons in a line - ranged down the main street to head-quarters- and reaching so far out on the wilderness road, that I never found the end of it. Every wagon crowded with wounded men, stopped, standing in the rain and mud, wrenched back and forth by the restless hungry animals all night, from 4 o'clock in the afternoon till 8 next morning, and how much longer I know not. But at that hour, as I passed for the last time down the fearful line, the dark spot in the mud under many a wagon, told only too plainly where some poor fellow's life had dripped out in those hours of dreadful darkness. A few of the faithful sanitary had reached, but they were powerless. A few volunteer surgeons had arrived, but they were also power- less and the work grew upon their hands, and the weight upon their hearts. Every door in the city, both stores and dwellings, barred like night, the haughty occupants holding baracade within, and rejoicing at the suffering without - no order issued to open a house or take therefrom. The railroad and canal leading from the city, both closed and only our half vanquished and fighting army between the rebel forces, and that city of helpless men, and no word had gone to Washington of all this. I remember one man there, who would set it right - if he knew it - who possessed the power, and who would believe me if I told him. I commended immediate conveyance back to Belle Plain, with difficulty I obtained it, and four stour horses with a light army wagon took me ten miles at an unbroken gallop, thro field and swamp, #25. and stumps and mud to Belle Plain, and a steam tug at once to Washington. Landing at dusk, I sent for Henry Wilson, Chairman of the Military Committee of the Senate. A messenger brot him at 8 - saddened and appaled, like every other patriot, in that fearful hour by the weight of woe, under which the nation staggered, groaned and wept. He listened to the story of suffering and faithlessness, and hurried from my presence, with lips compressed, and face like ashes. At ten he stood in the War Department. They could not credit his report - he must have been deceived by some frightened civilian - no official report of unusual suffering had reached them. Nothing had been called for by the Military authorities commanding Fredericksburg. Mr. Wilson assured them that the officers in trust there, were not to be relied upon. They were faithless, overcome by the blandish- ments of the wiley inhabitants. Still the Department doubted. It was then he proved that my confidence in his firmness was not misplaced, as facing his doubters, he replied: "One of two things will be done: Ither you will send some one to-night with authority to investigate, and correct the abuses of our wounded men at Fredericksburg -- or the senate will send some one to-morrow." This threat recalled their scattered senses. At 2 o'clock in the morning, the Qt. Master Gen'l and Staff galloped to 6th Street wharf under orders- at 10 they were in Fredericksburg. At noon, the wounded men were fed from the food of the city, and the houses were opened to the dirty-lousy soldiers of the Union Army. Both railroad and canal were opened - in three days, I returned with car loads of supplies. No more jolting in army-wagons. And every man who left Fredericksburg by boat or car- owes it to the firm decision of one man, that his grating bones were not dragged 10 miles across the country, or left, to Bleach in the sands of that traitorous city. 25-a You may have expected me to speak to you of Andersonville. It is but reasonable that you should. Knowing that I have looked upont its terrible face. But, friends, not in the same breath in which I would speak of any thing else in the Heavens above, or the earth beneath, would I speak of its. It classes with, and was equaled by nothing bu the regions below. I have looked over its 25 acres of pitiless stockade, its burrows in the earth, its stinted stream, its turfless hillsides, shadeless in summer and shelterless in winter, its wells and tunnels and graves, its 7 forts of death, its ball and chains, its stocks for torture, its kennels for blood-hounds, its sentry boxes, and its dead line, and my heart sickened and stood still, my brain whirled, and the light of my eyes went out, and I said "surely this was not the gate of hell, but hell itself, and for comfort, I turned away to the 9 acres of crowded graves, and I said, here at last was rest, and this to them was the gate of heaven. Then I saw the little graves marked, blessed hem for the heart- broken mother in the old northern homes, raised over them the flag they loved, and died for, and left them to their rest. And there they lie to-night, apart from all they loved, but mighty in their silence, teaching the world a lesson of human cruelty, it had never learned and writing a page in the worlds history so black, that it might call upon the horrors of the Inquisition to light it up. But before leaving this subject, there is one name I ought to speak. A cherished name - held warm and lovingly in 10,000 crushed and bleeding hearts. A name on which the Andersonville mother drops her greateful tears, and lays it away beside that of her dead, darling boy. And next to that of his own lost son, the tender father folds it to his heart. A brave boy, who stood firm and faithful in that hell of torture, till 13000 comrades fell dead at his feet, and with an arm withered by starvation, but invulnerable thro' high and holy purpose, he recorded every name, and secretins his record, at the risk of the little life he had left, staggered into our lines and laid it at the feet of a weeping people. 25-b What a work - many have nobly - but the greatest act our country knows, is, that a mere boy should have defyed death - and bid disease stay its ravages - till he could wrench from oblivion, the last record of 13,000 martyred dead. It is this boy's name I would speak - DORANCE ATWATER! Remember the name, friends - for it is destined to live in history when hundreds far more familiar shall have passed away - DORANCE ATWATER.#26. Friends - had this, our late contest been an ordinary war, by which we had merely acquired new territory, established a disputed boundary - settled a feud - retaliated an insulr - or secured the uncertain claim of some aspiring ruler - tho' it had been waged at its own fearful cost, it were, perhaps - even now - before the graves are green - time to stop speaking of it. Put the subject aside for a whistle so dearly bot - we could not afford to blow it - and to be forever laid away - as a memento of our inexperience and folly. But ours has been no ordinary war - We have no more territory - Our boundaries are not changed - All insults and injuries avenged Have been the outgrowth - rather than The cause of war. And it is a great public question if the position of our chief ruler has been strengthened beyond that of his predecessors. Notwithstanding all this - and although it has cost Three Thousand millions of treasure and 300.000 noble lives to weight down the opposite scale- balance only with the little word "Victory." Still we can afford not only to blow whistles, but to sound golden trumpets from the four corners of our free land, till their notes ring our against the blue dome of Heaven. Europe make war, and deluges her land in blood, and but for the morning and evening Bullitin [Bulletin], and the rise of a few articles of import, we, as a nation should never know it. But our recent contest - tho- but the struggle of an infant, as compared with hers - rattled the moss grown stones of her old ived towers - She has looked well to her household since - Added new space to her chariot of Liberty - and new speed to her car of progress. Still, it is not abroad, that the great work of our was was accomplished- but at home - among our own people, and it has been confined to no class, or condition, color, or sex. All have been touched and taught by it, and so far-reaching are its effects, so great must be the results, that as yet, it is scarcely possible to commence #27 an estimate. Thus in speaking of the war, so far from regarding my subject as old, I feel that it is so new, so crude and undeveloped, that I am unable to grasp, and clearly comprehend even its first pages, much less to do it justice. As I reflect upon the mighty and endless changes which must grow out of its issues, the subject rises up before me like some far away mountain summit, towering peak above peak - rock above rock - that human foot has never trod, and eveloped in a hazy mist, the eye has never penetrated. A hazy subject you may suggest - Ay! hazy, indeed, and please bear in mind that I do not attempt to make it clear. That,- time, and the great breath of the Almighty, as he issues his mandates of power to coming generations- can along accomplish. I said that the result of our late contest has been confined to no class, or condition, color or sex, - not only have all been touched and taught by it, but all have been strengthened and advanced. In the whole work there has been no step backward, and there is to be none. We cannot always hold our great ship of state out of the storms and breakers. She must meet and buffet with them. Her beams are broad - Her timbers must creak in the gale Her waves must wash over her decks She must lie in the trough of the sea as she does to-day - But the stars and stripes are above her She is frightened with the hopes of the world - God holds the helm And she's coming into port. The weak must fear - the timid tremble - but the brave and stout of hear will work - and hope - and trust. While faith with her unerring finger points backward thro' the darkness and gloom of the past to the reflection of God's Beacon lights ahead. She may sail many days in the mist with the fog-bells for her only music- but what of that? #28. She has floated four years - not only in mist - but darkness and blood with nither rudder - nor compass - and made land at last. And not only this- but she came in with her decks laden to the waters edge with the rent shackles- and broken bonds of a whole races of slaves. Then from off her blood stained slippery decks, came limping, crawling- weeping for joy, three million of their - God's poor neglected - long abandoned - late-remembered - down-trodden children of the dust, and stood, shouting Hozannah's beneath the broad folds floating above them- Tasting for the first time the sweet fruits of the tree of liberty which grew beneath- and lo- on every swarthy bondman's brow, God had set the sacrificial seal of perpetual freedom- That seal - addrop of the life - Blood of Abraham Lincoln. After this- shall our faith grow weak and our hearts weary? Shall confidence fail, and trust wax dim. Shall we forget who rules the wave, and guides the storm - and panic struck - give up the ship? When she struggles and groans in the angry breakers of political faction, and foes assail, and the pirate lurks in her wake- Shall our coward hearts grow faithless, and a craven crew abandon her to the wreckers? Heaven forbid- still, as in the old days, thro' seas of blood, she rode triumphantly- so may she sail- so must she sail- out-and-in- voyage after voyage - Generation after Generation - Century after Century, till she has brot and laid to rest and shelter under the shadow of her waving stars the weary, down-trodden- and oppressed of every nation - name - and race - of this - our God's green earth. Stand by her- oarsmen and seamen- Strengthen her timbers- Bind her keel- Trim her sail. And trust in the Pilot of her helm. Of the manner in which ye shall do this, it is not my purpose to speak. Note attached to Pg. 14. Soldiers - Comrades. Six weeks after Antietam it was rumored that you would meet Lee's army next at Harper's Ferry, and I asked for 3 army wagons to go and meet you. -------#29. This I leave to you the men of my country- to whom alone, is intrusted this holy charge. Oh receive it as such- and be faith- ful to your trust. But of the social ills, and personal sufferings, which have grown out of this, our first great struggle, as a nation, I know you will trust me to speak- remembering how keenly I have felt them all. And in doing this, I must turn back once more, to the brave men who have brot us through- those grandold armies where the martyrs died. Those regiments whose shadows darkened the land, while their battle fires flamed out against the Heavens- Where are they now-? Oh, where! Now that the work is done. The war ended- peace smiling on your homes- the nation saved- new laurels on her brow- new jewels in her crown. The country rich - prosperous - powerful and happy. Where they who have done it? "Ah many a tall stout fellow- "Who stood with his comrades then "As the music and flag floated o'er him "Never trod the old fields again. "Far down by the yellow rivers "In their oozy graves they rot "Strange vines, and strange flowers grow o'er them "And their far homes know them not." ------- And where the 10,000 loved ones dearer than life, whose muffled sighs, smothered the snap of the heart-strings as they bade them go, and waited, darkly till doubt was sunk in despair, and the cold waters of desolation swept over the frail freighted bark. ------- All over our fair land I find them waiting - weeping - watching - not the return of the loved form they gave us, but the sure and silent coming of Him who died to save. Shall I tell you of one of these? #30. One bright winter morning, something more than a year ago, I was walking thro the streets of a thriving western city. Noble carriages rolled past me- the sidewalks were alive with bright beautiful faces- and nimble footsteps. Long plumes nodded gaily, and rich furs, and glossy beavers, and satins, and diamonds flashed in the sunlight. Happy voices rang out on every side, until it seemed a species of ingratitude to remember, even, that the world was made up of anything but beauty, plenty and happiness. Meditating, wondering at the marvelous growth of their great cities and states of a day- infant giants as they are- my attention was suddenly arrested by the figure of a singularly attired, wierd [weird] looking little boy, with a basket on his arm, standing in front of a bakery. A soldier's cap and pantaloons, in which his tiny form seemed nearly lost- and the faded light blue cape of a storm beaten over- coat, with the once bright buttons, still striving to adorn its tattered edge, reaching to his knees, completed the uniform of the little shivering hero. He stood perfectly motionless, evidently unconscious of any presence, save the large-warm- nut-brown loaves within the window. As I could not pass such a picture, I stopped and asked - if he were hungry. "Not very" he said, hesitatingly, "not very - but Annie is." "Who is Annie?" I asked. "My little sister." "Have you no father and mother?" "Father was killed at Chattenooga, and ma' sick." (His voice trembled a little). "No brothers?" I asked. "I had three brothers" (and his little voice grew smaller and trembled more) "but they all went to the war. Willery was shot in the woods when they were all on fire." (He meant the Wilderness). "And Carlie, he starved to death in Andersonville. And Jamie, he was next to me- and he went for a Drummer Boy and died in hospital. And then there was only Ma and I and Annie. Annie was a baby when#31. they went away and Ma's grown sick, and Annie's often hungry and cold, for I can't always get enough for her. I pick up chips and wood, but ma doesn't like me to ask for food. She says it's a bad habit for little boys to learn. And the tears slid quietly down his child cheeks, wan and care worn. I went home with him, far on the out skirts of the city, long beyond the reach of sidewalks, thro alternate frost and mud. I went home with him, far on the out skirts of the city, long beyond the reach of sidewalks, thro alternate frost and mud. A cheerless room, and as we entered a thin hectic woman, partly rose from her bed to greet me. Her story was only a confirmation of what I heard. Her boys enlisted first and earl, and the father partly to try to be hear them, and partly thro the dread of the draft which he could not meet, followed them. One by one they had met their fate - One by one her idols broken - One by one her hopes had died - Till with bleeding feet and breaking heart she had trodden the wine press alone. As she talked on quietly and tearfully, baby Annie stole out of her hiding-place, and was peering wistfully into the basket. And the little military guardian drew up to my side with simple child- like confidence, as he said - "This was Jamie's cap and cloak. They sent them home from the hospital when he was dead- but they didn't send Jamie home." "Nor Willery - nor Charlie?" I said. "No. Nor papa. There's only ma and I and Annie. That's all." And these were more than there would be long - poor child - for already the pale messenger waits at the gate and his wierd [weird] shadow falleth ever nearer. Friends- this is neither a picture, nor a bit of romance. But a simple true - and alas - too common fact of my own gathering. Is the war ended? Is there no work left for a prosperous country and a rich and happy people to perform? The soldier is quick to hear - and feel. Four years of thundering cannonade have not dulled his ear to the feeblest wail of his dead comrade's child. He is doing his duty nobly, like a man, like #32. a soldier. Everywhere I find them contributing of their little wages for this holy purpose. This is noble and right, but shall they work alone? Is the soldier, who has braved danger, and death, and sacrificed health and strength for his contries [countries] life, and saved it, the only man who has cause for gratitude. Was he the one most benefited? Do the murmuring voices of the martyrs, swelling thro the sod - "Feed my little ones" - appeal to him alone. Let us see how he has been benefited. He has given to two to four the best years of his life. Left home and friends and business, for a soldiers peltry pay - suffered hunger and thirst - stood shelterless under sun and rein - frost and snow -waded in southern swamps- Prisoned with malaria - Crazed by sun-strokes Starved in prison - Been eaten with scurry - and rotted by gangreens - given up his limbs - been riddled thro and thro with shot - and after all this - comos home!! Does the citizen think this a health giving process? That there men have grown stronger by hardships and more able to endure? Does he think they will live the longer? I believe it is but a fair estimate to conclude that every man who has passed thro our war and returned, has sacrificed ten years of his life. That thro ills engendered, he will die ten years earlier. Not that this will occur in each individual instance - but it will average this. You, citizen, sitting before me, what sum would you be willing to take in exchange for the ten last years of your life, come when they may and seal the bargain to-night. What would it cost the United States Treasury to make a million and a half such arrangements as that to-day? Citizens remember - that the soldier who won your victories may now claim your protection and your care and withhold them not. And soldiers - remember each other. As you bore a wounded comrade#32. tenderly, in the day of battle - shielding him with your arms - so bear and shield each other still. The neglected necessities of your disabled comrades all thro the land seeking in vain for bread and work, and the unseen tears of the widow and orphan - call upon you - weary tho you be - to organize (if need be) for mutual protection and humanity and stand by each other. I realize the difficulties you will meet in attempting this. The public will not understand you - they will distrust your motive. Then you must make your motives so apparent - so open - and honest that they cannot be misunderstood. For humanities sake, you must make them purely benevolent and not political. I speak now of your organization. As men, I would not have you indifferent to political questions or action. I hold it to be the solemn duty of every American citizen to examine carefully each public question that arises, seek diligently for truth and light upon it, and them, nither awed by power, nor blinded by sophistry, nor brought by bribes, express his conviction by word and vote, and leave the rest to God. ------- Do this soldiers, and the more your motives are investigated. Whatever else, strive to be patriots. I will trust the future of any intelligent country, whose men are patriots, be their politics what they may. ------- But the public is cautious even to jealousy. People declare themselves afraid of the effect of organizations of men in a community or country. Ah soldiers! You and I can remember, many of you to your sorrow, when the American people had no fear of organizations of men, though banded together in thousands, and armed to the teeth. The only fear the public knew then, was that men would not organize. Then men stood close at your back - trembling in their boots #34. crying go - go - in God's name go to the front. Never hear, if you fall, we'll take care of your family - trust them with us - they shall never want. If you return disabled, it shall be our pride and glory to care for you. Go and tho' you return, shattered and in tatters, it shall be to the guardian care, and rick inheritance of a grateful people. You listened and trusted and with a burning kiss on the pale cheek of mother - wife - and child - hastened to stand in the ranks of organized men. None but your enemies feared you then and well it might be so for you returned not till you took back with you the flag of the whole republic - washed in your blood of every stain - its white as unsullied as the angels robes, and its blue as pure as Heaven - and the stars which sparkle in the azure above not more God's stars than they. Friends - let us look boldly and honestly into the present, and see how these solemn pledges are being redeemed. The soldier has fought the good fight But have we kept the faith. Look at them standing every where among us (perhaps I in my journeys see more of them than you) disabled and helpless, weak and destitute, pointing with one hand to their war-paths and their wounds, and with the other, to a feeble wife, a broken mother, or a band of hungry homeless children. Skeleton men came out of Belle-Isle, and Andersonville, to find their wives dead, the little home sold for debt, and their children paupers. And paupers they are to-day, while a scared, limping, one-armed father grinds an organ in the streets. And men in patent leather boots, who never saw them flash of a musket on the field trip nimbly past, or mutter as they scornfully toss him a penny - "What nuisances these vagabonds are!" Ah friends! If he had only seen their brave men as I saw them, falling like the stately oak - rolling in the dust and blood, while the thunder and fire of two armies crashed over them - he#35. Wait, citizens, and answer me - To whom do you owe it, that your wife and children have a home, or you a contry? To whom, but this "vagabond" to whom has been doled out a penny in contemptous charity - was it for this that he left home - and foot sore and weary - endured the long march. The scorching suns of southern summers - or The pitiless rains - and snows - and bitter cold of dreary winter For this, that he thirsted in wounds - raved in hospital - For this that under the sod thro the whole southern land - in the swamps of Louisiana - And the dark and blood ground of Kentucky - The valleys of Virginia, and The prairies of Texas - at Antietam - Gettysburg - Wagner - Shilo - and Atlanta - that their bones lies bleaching, while their orphans cry for bread. Oh, shame upon us - pity for us - that we thus forgot - forget our faith - forget our pledges - forget our solemn vows to God - and man - woman and child - forget the glorious pages of the past written all over in blodd - and run wild and mad, after some new theme or theory, or political bauble. "Played out" they say. I fear this nation will play out if it is not more true and just. A people that pensions its foes, before it rewards its defenders, cannot strengthen. Every man in this country, ay, and every woman, who looks upon a needy soldier, or a soldier's suffering family, and does not attempt relief repudiates the National debt. In charity, I must believe, that as a people, we mean to do justly, but we are hasty, impatient, forgetful, and need to be reminded. And much as we may fear the effect of organizations among us, our very neglect is driving the soldiers to it - we are compelling them to organize in self-defence, (and not only are you the men of history, but to a great extent you are the men of the present generation, stern #36. duties devolve upon you. Duties both to your comrades and your country.) And Soldiers - I for one do not fear you - God knows my heart. From the first call of the Bugle, I have been the soldiers' friend, for he was the friend of my country. It was little I could aid - but much that I trusted, and honored and thro' the dark days of 61 -2 -3 - and 4, my hope for the preservation and life of the nation rested where it rests to-day. In the truth - the patriotism - loyalty and fidelity of the men who bled under her banners, who when the holy charge was entrusted to their keeping, proved faithful, and equal to the trust. Men who fought four years for the freedom of mankind, and suffered, for the same cause for which the tears of Gethsemene fell, and the groans of Cavalry rose. And citizens, brothers, my trust is also in you, that you will lay your stout active hands, beside theirs less strong and full, and when they would strengthen the weak, and rest the weary and keep holy their pledges to their martyred comrade, that you will keep to bring them tenderly under the shadowy folds of the dear old flag, whose unshattered shaft, your own trusty right hands will hold - ever - pointing to the Heavens. 13,000 dead dead in one prison; friends do you realize how many that is? 300,000 dead in one war: Can your imaginations form any picture which will correctly represent that terrible fact? Dead everywhere!! On every battlefield they lie -- In the crowded yards of every prison ground - In the dark ravines of the tangled forests - In the poison, swamps, - Where the slimy serpent crawls by day- And the will-o-the-wisp dances vigil at night - In the Beds of the Mighty Rivers - Under the waves of the salt sea - In the drifting sands of the desert island; On the lonely picket line and by the roadside, where the weary soldier laid down with his knapsack#37. and his gun, and his march of life was ended. There in their strange beds they sleep, - till the morning of the great revillie. They sleep - and you remember! Ay remember - and yet there are those - who in magnanimity - and honesty of soul I believe enjoin upon us, even at this little day, to forget - forgive and forget bury the past - the Rebellion, and the accurred spirit of treason which led to it - the loyal dead, and their slayers all in one common grave. Forgive and forget -- Who forget? The father - the pride of his soul - and the hope of his age - the mother - her darling. The wife her husband - and the maiden the affianced of her heart. Forgive - well that may be - I would not cherish resentment - I never did - I have taken the dying message, and delivered it, and close the eyes of many of dead soldier in gray - forgiveness is noble - it is devine - and poor - weak erring humanity can at least, strive to attain to it. But forget - Father, brother, mother, wife and maiden - it were insult to ask at your hands - and be sure that the man who does ask it, has not your cause to remember. Be certain that he has no son lying in Andersonville - or Salisbury - Millen or Belle Isle. No brave bother gallant from wasting among the charred wrecks of the wilderness. Shilo and Fort Pillow never spread their pall over his hearth-stone. He read of the fields where they fought and died - and calmly slept the nights that you wailed in agony with heart bowed down. He is earnest but he has not your stand point to look from. His theory is noble but you cannot reduce it to practice - you cannot. And so far as rebellion was concerned, you have no right to forget. As true, loyal citizens of your country, you have no right to forget its sacrifices or close your eyes to the traitorous spirit which led to them. You have learned in blood and tears the terrible cost at which the nation has been saved, have its liberties yet to preserve - You have treason always to meet and combat - you have something to forgive - but nothing to forget - and much to remember - ay much. #38. And I'de swear by the blood which treason has shed - And I'de vow by the wrecks thro our country its spread - And I'de swear by the thousands who famished unfed - Died down in the ditches - wild - howling for bread - And I'de vow by the heroes, whose spirits have fled - And I'de swear by the bones in each coffinless bed - To crush out its life, with were thundering tread - Wherever it raises its gaunt Hydra head - -------- I know that most of you are aware that I come to you almost direct from Washington - that it is my home - and you would like to hear me say how I think matters are tending there. If you have followed me thro' the evenint, you have perceived that I have few doubt of the final result of any great national question which may present itself - that it will be right and on the side of freedom and justice for all. But it is doubtless equally true that if all portions of our country were as faithfully and ably represented as South Bend - the doubts might be diminished, and the results increased. In one vast gorgeous hall, are gathered daily - one-third of a regiment of a man, from every portion of our great country - to make - mend and test the laws we are to live by. Men of every grade and quality of character. The stong [strong] and the weak. The firm and the faltering. The cool, calm statesman - and the hot and impatient politician. the patriot, who would buy his countries weal, with his life if need be, and the truckler, who would barter its birthright for a mess of pottage. All gathered there, one strange struggling sea of contend- ing hatures, conveying to the eye of the spectator no conception of system - sir or purpose. In front of and presiding over all this, sits a man of no giant frame but of active muscle - clear eye - well formed head - and genial face - correct in judgment - sound in principle - quick to#39. discern - and prompt to set. At once, the patriot, the statesman - the scholar - the Christian and the gentleman - Schuyler Colfax, the speaker of the house. There he sits - day after day - calling order out of chaos - It is strange - as you watch - how your confidence grows - his word seems law - and yet, there is nothing to fear - for even his opponent knows that his decision will be fair and honest, while you feel that his casting vote will be ever on the side of right and justice. And ever by his side, the modest lovely sister worthy of the Brother. Ladies you have much to be proud of, for no person at the capitol ever for a moment doubts the intelligence - hospitality, accomplishments and lady-like graces of the women of Northern Indiana. But friends before we part, let us turn back once more in grateful reverence to the noble men whose through suffering and death have given us a country to be governed. (Loose pages - put in proper place.) [from War Lecture 13,000 men dead in one prison, friends do you realize how many that is? 300,000 dead in one war! Can your imaginations form any picture which will correctly represent that terrible fact? Dead everywhere!! On every Battlefield they lie, in the crowded yards of every prison ground, In the dark ravines of the tangled forests, in the mirey, poison, swamps where the slimy serpent crawls by day and the will-o-the wisp dances vigil at night, in the beds of the mighty rivers, under the waves of the salt sea, in the drifting sands of the desert islands, on the lonely picket line and by the roadside, where the weary soldier laid down with his knapsack and his gun, and his march of life was ended. There in their strange beds they sleep, till the morning of the great reville. They sleep and you remember: ay remember, and yet there are those, who in magnamimity, an honesty of soul I believe enjoin upon us, even at this late day, to forget, forgive and forget. Bury the past, the Rebellion, and the accursed spirit of treason which led to it, the loyal dead, and their slayers all in one common grave, forgive and forget,- Who forget? The father, the pride of his soul and the hope of his age, the Mother, her darling? the Wife her husband and the maiden the affianced of heart. Forgive, well that may be. I would not cherish resentment. I never did. I have taken the dying message and delivered it, and closed the eyes of many a dead soldier in gray. Forgiveness is noble, it is divine, and poor weak, erring humanity can at least strive to attain to it. But forget, father, brother, mother, wife and maiden, it were insult to ask this at your hands, and be sure that the man who does ask it, has not your cause to remember. Be certain that he has no son lying in Andersonville or Salisbury, Millan or Belle Isle, no brave brother's gallant form wasting among the charred wrecks of the Wilderness. Shilo and Fort Pillow never spread their pall over his hearthstone. He read of the fields where they fought and died, and calmly slept the nights that you wailed in agony with2. heart bowed down. He is earnest, but he has not your standpoint to look from. His theory is noble but you cannot reduce it to practice, you cannot, and so far as rebellion was concerned you have no right to forget. As true, loyal citizens of your country, you have no right to forget its sacrifices or close your eyes to the traitorous spirit which led to them. You who have learned in blood and tears the terrible cost at which the nation has been saved, have its liberties yet to preserve. Ye have treason always to meet and combat, you have something to forgive, but nothing to forget, and much to remember, Ay much. And I'd swear by the blood which treason has shed, And I'd vow by the wrecks thro our country it's spread, and I'd swear by the thousands who famished unfed, Died down in the ditches, wild, howling for bread. And I'd vow by the heroes whose spirits have fled And I'd swear by the bones in each coffinless bed To crush out it's life with wars thundering tread Wherever it raises it's gaunt Hydra head. War Lectures 1866-8 Schuyler Colfax(Loose pages to be put in proper place when found.) I know that most of you are aware that I come to you almost direct from Washington, that it is my home and you would like to hear me say how I think matters are tending there. If you have followed me thro the evening, you have perceived that I have few doubts of the final result of any great national question which may present itself, that it will be right and on the side of freedom and justice for all. But it is doubtless equally true that if all portions of our country were as faithfully and ably represented as South Bend, the doubts might be diminished, and the results increased. In one vast gorgeous hall, are gathered daily, one third of a regiment of men, from every portion of our great country, to make, mend and best the laws we are to live by, men of every grade and quality of character, the strong and the weak, the firm and the faltering, the cool, calm statesman, and the hot and impatient politician, the patriot, who would buy his countries weal with his life if need be, and the truckler who would barter its birthright for a mess of pottage, all gathered there, one strange, struggling sea of contending natures, conveying to the eye of the spectator no conception of system, aim or purpose. In front of and presiding over all this, sits a man of no giant frame, but of active muscle, clear eye, well informed head, and genial face, correct in judgment, quick to discern and prompt to act at once, the patriot, the statesman, the scholar, the Christian and the gentleman, Schuyler Colfax, the speaker of the House. There he sits, day by day, calling order out of chaos. It is strange as you watch how your confidence grows, his word seems law, and yet there is nothing to fear, for even his opponent knows, that his decision will be fair and honest, while you feel that his casting vots will be ever on the side of right and justice. And not only are the men of South Bend thus honored in their choice, but ladies, you too are represented at court, and oh! so nobly. For there presiding 2. presiding even over the presider is the mother, worthy of the son, and eer by his side, the modest, lovely sister worthy of the Brother. Ladies you have much to be proud of, for no person at the capitol ever for a moment doubts the intelligent, hospitality, accomplishments, and lady-like graces of the women of Northern Indiana. But Friends, before we part, let us turn back once more in grateful reerence to the noble men who through suffering and death have given us a country to be governed. Those grand old regiments.CHARLESTON. One field more and we will sound tattoo. Foolow me, if you will, through this 8 months- I remember eight months of weary siege- scorched by the sun, chilled by the waves, rocked by the tempest, buried in the shifting sands, toiling day after day in the trenches, with the angry fire of 5 forts hissing through their ranks during every day of those weary months. This was when your brave old regiments stood thundering at the gate of proud rebellious Charleston. Charleston, leader in the highest crime, known to human law. Charleston, whose first great act of treason startled every civilized nation on earth, shocked every lover of freedom, and human progress, and thrilled every loyal heart from Behring's Strait to the China Sea. There, shamelessly frowning insolent defiance, with Mouttrie on her left, Johnson on her right, and Wagner in front, she stood hurling fierce death and destruction full in the faces of the brave lads who beleagured her traitorous walls. Sumpter, the watchdog, that stood before her door, pierced with shot and torn with shell, lay maimed and bleeding at her feet, the tidal waves lapping his wounds, still there was danger in his growl and death in his bite. One summer afternoon this brave little army was drawn up along the Island Sands, and formed in line of march. For hours we watched them, the tide ebbed and flowed, the sun gave its last glare, slid slowly down the horizon, kissed the blushing billows, and sand amid their foam, a few stars struggled out, dim twilight came, when the darkness for which they had waited with the gloom and stillness of death settled down on the gathered forces of Morris Island. Then we pressed forward and watched again, long lines of phospherescent light streamed and shot along the waves, ever surging on our right - a little 2. to the left, mark that long dark line, moving steadily on, pace by pace, acr across that broad open space of glistening sand, on, straight on, towards that black mass frowning and darkling in the distance, watch, watch, with pulseless veins and breathless lips, on- on- God speed their steps- flash- flash- flash- Moultrie- Johnson- Sumpter- Wagner and every black pile blazes and the Heavens are on fire. Boom- boom- boom- answered the grand old fleet as it circles into line and poured its broadsides till the Heavens blazed again, - on- on pressed the little band passing to its doom. But dark no longer, the foe was met, the muskets blazed- the dark line had changed to a trail of fire, pressing on, scattered now we watched the flashing of their muskets as you the fire- flies on your meadows. The walls are reached, the torpedoes and the pikes, - up - up - over the parapets- into the fort- hand to hand- foot to foot- hill to hill- does any man say that this war showed no bayonet wounds? He did not scale the walls of Wagner, hand to hand- hill to hill they wrestle. The great guns of fort and fleet are still and there in the darkness and mist-wait they, wait we, the weary hour. Slowly down the beach wend the long lines of wounded and one by one bring their story of disaster. The fort was gained, the center reached bravely they fought but all too few. Vainly they waited braving death- for the help that came not Leader after Leader fell- "Clan Alpines best are backward borne- "Oh, where was Rhoderic then- "One blast upon his bugle horn "Were worth a thousand men." Shaw, Strong, Putnam and Charfield, dead or wounded in the fort, the charge had failed, and the night was lost. Then came the hundreds back and the sands about our hospital tents grew red with the blood of the wounded and slain.3. Western troops were there- there bearing the tall form of his bare headed rider with a broken limb, plunged the noble steed of John Elwell of Ohio, Chief Quarter Master of the Department of the South, up the beach, through the surf and fire, up- up- under the very walls of the blazing fort- and raising in his saddle his strong voice went up;- "How goes the fight boys? What do you want?" Begrimmed with smoke and scorched with flame, on the topmost parapet, appeared the figure of the intrepid Putnam. "Re-inforcements, Colonel- In God's name, get us reinforcements. I can hold out 15 minutes longer." Whirled the steed and rider, and back down the beach to headquarters. "Men, general, more men, your troops are struggling in the fort." --Take them." Back again, through the surf and fire, up- up, once more, with the welcome tidings. Up- up. Ha! What is that? The sides of the forts are black with men. Are these the reinforcements? Ah, would to God. Back, out, down over the torpedo and pike, into moat and wave, sinking, striving, fainting, crawling, dying. "Clan, Alpines best are backward borne- "Ah, where was Rhoderick then- "One blast upon his bugle born "Were worth a thousand men. Ah, too late the advantage came. There were the stricken of the brave 62nd and 67th Ohio, and as I plodded through the sand, rain, and darkness, many a pale lip moved in prayer as the fading eye grew strangly bright. "God keep the dear ones in the prairie home." There on the ground among his soldier boys lay Cumminger, delirious in his pain- "Bury me here, friends, here in the sands, don't take my away. I've tried to do my duty to my country and my God. Bury me here, right where I fell." But God had still something for brave men to do, and he saved him. 4. A little farther on, Voris of the 67th, pale and unconscious, his bright hair dabbling in the sand, while from the dark wound in his side slowly ebbed the red tide of life. There suffering brave and faithful lay the wounded of three as brave regiments as ever trod an enemies soil, or faced a rebel gun, the 6-7 and 10th Connecticut. And there side by side with those of fairer hue lay the tawny hand of Africa which, that night, for the first time in the history of all the ages had been permitted to strike a lawful, organized blow at the fetters which had aye bound him body and soul. That broad, dark heaving chest and struggling breath, that great patient eye and gaping wound. "Ah, Sam, this is bad for you." "Yes, Miss. I knows it- days too many for us dis time- I'm a going- but thank God my childers free." Next followed the long weeks of siege, and when at length the traitor flag no longer flaunted from the parapets of Wagner, the first to stand within its conquered walls was that grand old regiment, where banner never fell- whose courage was coolest when the fire was hottest- whose step was firmest when the foe was nearest- and whose shout was ever clearest when it rose above the thunder of the enemies guns- a child of your own raising, your friends and mine, and whose name I ever speak with the pride of a loyal woman, and the tenderness of a sister. THE 39 ILLINOIS. -------- The following is also inserted here. Next followed the long weeks of siege and when at length the traitor flag no longer flaunted from the parapets of Wagner, the first to stand within its conquered walls were those of your own state, Ay, you own City, General O.L. Mann, and the 39th Illinois. --------------5. Men, I thank you for that applause, 'tis for my friend, a friend tried a proved amid days and scenes when the word friend had a meaning, and a value. Let no one suppose that I passed through four years of field life, surrounded every day the horrors, contingencies, and selfishness of war, without trials of my own deep and pitiful. In the keenest of these, this officer stood by me and the cause of justice and humanity, with the faithfulness of a soldier, the honor of a man, and the kindness of a brother. If only in the present and the future he is as true to you, as in the past, he has been to his country, and his friends, no matter by whom sent to you, you are blessed in his coming. Some cinical critic said of me day before yesterday, that my praises of the Western troops were flattering but fulsome. Let no person present dare now accuse me of uttering unmeaning praise. The tribute I render to Brigadier General C. L. Mann, I render not because of the West, not because of him, not because of you, but because of myself, and the great debt of gratitude I owe, and I will be brave enough to speak it here in your presence and the presence of him to whom it is due. But to return to our siege. [War Lectures Ill. Lincoln] (Loose pages- find proper place) How can I speak? What can be added to the glory of a Nation whose citizens are its soldiers, whose warriors, armed and mighty, spring from its bosom in the hour of need, and peacefully retire when the need is over? a nation, which from its civil walks of life has furnished to its armies, captains, colonels, brigadier and major generals, and more than all, the great Captain, the sainted soul, that martialed and sped our conquering hosts till they wore the victor's crown, and he the martyrs. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. When the civil North rises in her might the shadows of her warriors darken the land, and the bristling of her steel brightens the Heavens. And when the ground shakes under the tread of her marching armies well may rebellions cower and traitors tremble. Your own state sent its scores of regiments to the field, those grand old regiments under whose tossing banners so many of your brave martyrs bled and died, among whose green shadowy memories your thoughts love to linger, till martial pride scatters the tear-drop, grief has gathered, and you bless God that your good green prairies raised such sacrifices for your country. How they came trooping from cottage and hearthstone, how they filed down your streets and crowded your cars and boats in their haste to meet the foe, how the music of the fife and drum rolled over your heads, have you forgotten these days? how they stood at the front, full [From War Lectures] GENTLEMEN AND LADIES -- I come before you to-night both willingly and cheerfully - more than willing to render my account for the unmeasured kindness received of the American peiple and the general confidence reposed in me by the officers and men of the army during the trials of the past few years. If I have been allowed to perform a work, among the armies of my country, withheld from many others, and have thereby learned facts unknown to them, it is my duty to state them when required. If I have been permitted to stand by your loved ones when the trial hour came and their brave lives went out amid the dim smoke of battle, or when they lingered, pining in distant hospitals, or by the way side, and the last look was turned upon my face - instead of yours - the last words addressed to me, when they would have been gold, and precious stones to you, the knowledge is not mine, it belongs to you, to all my country-men if they demand it. In 1861, the first great blows of organized war fell upon our land. The nation woke from its dream of peace, at the thunder of wave washed Sumpter, and the 19th of April found the few loyal citizens of the national capitol - your humble speaker among the number - thrilled and bewildered by the mad atrocities of Baltimore and straining our gaze across the Potomac, to the very door of Robert Lee. But you say, this is an Eastern woman, and we are the west - the great west - whose warriors darkened every mountain, valley and river from Minnesota to the coast of Florida. We never heard of this woman in our armies, and doesn't she know that the western ladies, not only thronged, but created hospitals - stood on fields she never saw - and accomplished great work she never thought of attempting. Oh, yes! she knows it well - knew when you did it - and hear heart went out to you every hour. She read with admiration of your Christian deeds at Cairo - Port Hudson - Shilo and Chattenooga. She knows your bright brave record, and her heart #2. bounds with womanly pride, as she recalls it. But not only did your sabers gleam and bayonets flash on the fields of the North and West, but in the east. The first great blows of organized war fell there - the nation woke from its dream of peace at the thunder of wave - washed Sumpter and from the steps of the National Capitol in 1861, we were straining our gaze across the Potomac to the very door of Robert Lee for the flash of the guns of Arlington Hights. These never came, but while we watched in our weakness and prayed in our helplessness, the scene shifted - the curtain rose on the other side- and there poured in the armies of the North and West. There stood, not only Penn- New York - and New England but Ohio - Michigan - Indiana and Illinois. There, all unused to war- from homes never invaded, they had hastened all those wary leagues, and stood a Bulwark of defence for a Nations life. And when the old army of the Potomac sprang into existence, they were of it. Year after year, facing the frowning battlements of Petersburg, Richmond and Charleston, and flower of the Rebel Army: there I saw them fight and dis- and there, with their Eastern comrades there bones whiten in the sand. The fields of Virginia are rich with their bleed, and the rivers rolling to the Eastern Sea murmur their ceaseless hymn of rest. There a little later - There curls of gold - and locks of jet - With the cursed Southern dews were wet. Then starged in Andersonville - there - side by side - we found their graves - and marked the spot for you. There, so far away, so pitiful and alone - I laid my hand softly on the sacred earth, and almost felt the mother's great heart beating underneath - for I knew - the the blood of her own veins still forced its valves - she had buried it there, in that little grave - a holocaust to love and freedom. I dropped a tear for her who could not go - blessed the grave in#3 the south she could not see, and come to tell you. Be patient with my little story - case aside all that pertains to myself, remembering only the brave men of whom I speak - and when I have done - I will go back quietly as I cam - sorry that I bring only so little to you who have given so much. But friends, my chief difficulty to-night will consist - not so much in what I shall say - and how I say it - as in omitting that I cannot say. Oftentimes the events of one day would occupy an hour in the recital and how shall I condense and relate to you in this little evening, the labors and leases, the pleasures and pains of four years of such a life. If I attempt to cover the entire ground, I shall fail to give you a distinct idea of anything - I will therefore limit myself to two or three fields - selecting among the earlier - before relief societies were rendered efficient, and before the two great and noble commissions, with nither of which was I ever connected, found their way directly to the front - that you may the better appreciate the necessity and worth of your own quiet home labors during those first great days of trial. War came upon us hasty and terrible - then you and I, and all of us rose up and asked what we could do. I was strong, and I thought I ought to go to the rescue of the men who fell. But I struggled long and hard with my sense of propriety - with the appalling fact that I was only a woman, whispering in one ear, and the groans of suffering men dying like dogs - unfed and unsheltered for the life of the very institutions which had protected and educated me, thundering in the ether. I said that I struggled with my sense of propriety - and I say it with humiliation and shame - before God and before you I am ashamed that I thought of such a thing. But when our armies fought on Cedar Mountain, I broke the shackles and went to the field. Five days and nights with three hours sleep - a narrow escape from capture - and some days of getting the wounded into hospital at Washington brot Saturday, August 30th, and word that Gen'l Pope was fighting on the old Bull Run Battle ground - had 8000 killed - they said - and the battle still went on. That night was spent in packing supplies, which at day-break in #4 the midst of a heavy rain were placed in freight-cars and with two ladies and my attendants I found a place to stand, while we steamed and rattled out of Washington. Our coaches were not elegant nor commodious, they had no seats, no windows, no platforms, no steps - a slide door on the side was the only entrance and this often higher than my head. For my manner of attaining my elevated position, I must beg you to draw upon your own imaginations, and spare me the labor or re-producing the boxes, barrels, boards, and rails, which in those days, served to help me up and on in the world. At 10 o'clock Sunday our train drew up at Fairfax Station. The ground for acres was a thinly wooded slope - and among the trees on the leaves and grass, were laid the wounded, who were pouring in by scores of wagon loads, as picked up on the field under the flag of truce. All day they came and the whole hill side was covered. Bales of hay were broken open and scattered over the ground like littering for cattle, and the sort famishing men were lain upon it, and when night shut in, in mist a and darkness about us, we knew that standing apart from the world of anxious hearts, throbbing over the whole country, we were a little band of almost empty handed workers literally by ourselves in the wild woods of Virginia, with 3000 suffering men crowded upon the few acres within our reach. After gathering up every available implement or convenience for our work, our domestic inventory stood 2 water buckets - 5 tin cups - 1 camp kettle - 1 stew pan - 2 lanterns - 4 bread-knives - 3 plates - and a 2 quart tin dish - and 3000 guests to serve. You will perceive by this, that I had not yet learned to equip myself for I was no [palace], Pallas. ready armed, but grew into my work by hard thinking and experience. It may serve to relieve your apprehension for the future of my labors if I assure you that I was never caught so again - for later I became a notable house-keeper, if that may be said of one who had no house to keep - but lived in fields, and woods and tents and wagons with all our of doors - for a cooking range - mother earth for a kitchen range - and the winds of Heaven for a chimney.#5. You have read of "adverse winds" to realize this term in its fullest sense, you have only to build a camp fire and attempt to cook something by it. Every soldier will agree with me when I say that go which so ever side of it you will, the wind will blow the smoke and flame directly in your face. Notwithstanding these difficulties, within 15 minutes from the time of our arrival we were preparing food and dressing wounds. You wonder what - and how prepared and how administered without dishes. You generous, thoughtful mothers and wives, have not forgotten the tons of nicely packed delicacies ever rolling to the front. Huge boxes of these stood beside that railway track - every can, jar, busket, bowl, cup or tumbler, when empty - that instant became a vehicle of mercy to convey some preparation of mingled bread and wine, or soup or coffee to some helpless famishing sufferer, who partook of it with the tears rolling down his bronzed cheeks, and divided his blessings between the hand that fed him and his God. But the most fearful scene was reserved for the night. I have said that the ground was littered with dry hay, and that we had only two lanterns - but there were plenty of candles. The wounded were laid so closely that it was impossible to move about in the dark. The slightest mistep beet a torrent of groans from some poor mangled fellow in your path. Consequently there were scores of persons, of every grade, from the careful man of God who walked with a prayer upon his lips, to the careless driver, hunting for his lost whip, each wandering about, among this hay with an open flaming candle in his hand. The slightest accident, the mere dropping of a light would have enveloped in flames this whole mass of helpless men. How we watched and plead, and cautioned, as we worked, and wept that night. How we put socks and slippers on their cold damp feet, wrapped blankets and quilts about them, and when we had no longer these to give, how we covered them in the hay and left them to their rest. The slight naked chest of a fair-haired lad caught my eye, and dropping down beside him, I bent low to draw the remnant of his torn blouse about him - when with a quick cry he threw his left arm across my neck and wept like a child at his mother's knee. #6. I took his head in my hands and held it, until his great burst of grief should pass away. "And you don't know me" he said, at length, - "I am Charley Hamilton, who used to carry your satchel home from school." My faithful pupil - Poor Charley! that mangled right arm will never carry a satchel again. About three o'clock in the morning, I observed a surgeon with his little flickering candle in hand, approaching me with cautious step far in the wood. "Lady" he said, as he drew near, "will you go with me" "Out on the hill is a lad, mortally wounded, and dying, whose piteous cries for his sister, have touched all our hearts, and one of us can relieve, but rather seem to annoy him by our presence. By this time I was following him back over his bloody track, with the great beseeching eyes of anguish on every side, looking up in our faces, saying so plainly - "Don't step on us" "He can't last half an hour longer" said the surgeon, as we toiled on - "he is already quite cold - shot through the abdomen - a terrible wound." By this time his cries became faintly audable to me. "Mary, Mary, sister Mary! Come, oh come to me. I've called you so long, and my strength is almost gone. Don't let me die here alone. Oh, Mary, Mary, come!" Of all tones of entreaty to which I've ever listened (and certainly I've had some experience of sorrows) I think here -sounding thro that dismal night, the most heart-reaching. As we drew near some twenty persons attracted by his cries, had gathered around and stood with moistened eyes, and helpless hands, waiting the change which would relieve them all. And in the midst stretched upon the ground lay a scarcely full grown young man, with a graceful head of hair, tangled and matted, thrown back from a forehead and face of livid whiteness. His throat bare- his hands bloody red, clasped above his breast, his large bewildered blue eyes turning anxiously in every direction - and ever from between his ashen lips paled forth that piteous cry of "Mary, Mary come" I approached him unobserved and motioning the lights away, knelt by him alone in the darkness. Shall I confess, that I intended, if possible to cheat him out of his terrible death agony. But my lips were#7. truer than my heart - and would not speak the word brother - I had willed them to do. So I placed my hands upon his neck, kissed his cold fore- head, and laid my cheek against his. The illusion was complete, the set had done the falsehood my lips refused to speak. I can never forget that cry of joy. "Oh, Mary, Mary, have you come? I knew you would come if I called you - and I've called you so long. I couldn't die without you, Mary, don't cry darling, I'me not afraid to die, and you've come to me - Oh! bless you, bless you, Mary." And he ran his cold blood-wet hands about my neck - passed them over my face, and twined them in my hair, which by this time, had freed itself from fastenings, and was hanging, damp and heavy about my shoulders. He gathered the loose locks in his stiffened fingers, and holding them to his lips - continued to whisper thro them - "Bless you, Bless you, Mary." And I felt the hot tears of joy, trickling from the eyes I had thought stony in death. This encouraged me, and wrapping his feet closely in blankets and giving him such stimulants as he could take, I seated myself on the ground, and lifted him upon my lap, and drawing the shawl on my own shoulder, also about his, I bade him rest. I listened till his blessings grew fainter, and in ten minutes with the choicest of them upon his lips he fell asleep. So the gray morning found us, my precious charge had grown warm and was comfortable. Of course, the morning light would reveal his mistake, but he was calm, refreshed, and able to endure it, and when finally he awoke he seemed puzzled for a moment, and smiling said - "I knew before I opened my eyes that this couldn't be Mary - I know now that she couldn't get here, but it is almost as good - you've made me so happy - "Who is it?" I said it was simply a lady, who hearing he was wounded, had come to care for him. He wanted the name- and with childlike simplicity spelled it - letter by letter - to know if he were right. "In my pocket" he said -"you'l find mother's last letter, please get it, and write your name upon it - for - for I want both names by me when I die. "Will they take away the wounded," he asked? Yes, I replied, the #8. first train for Washington is nearly ready now." "I must go, "he said quickly -"Are you able?" Yes - and I must - I must go, if I die on the way - I'll tell you why - I am my poor mother's only son - and when she consented that I should go to the war - I promised her faith- fully that if I were not killed outright, but wounded - I would try every means in my power to be taken home to her - alive or dead. If I die on the train they will not throw me off, and if buried in Washington she can get me - but here in these Virginia woods, in the hands of the enemy - never - I must go." I sent for the surgeon in charge of the train, and requested that my boy be taken. "Oh, impossible madam!" he is mortally wounded, and will never reach a hospital - we must take those who have a hope of life. "But you must take him." "I cannot." "Can you, Dr., guarantee the lives of all you have on that train?" "I wish I could," he said sadly, they are the worst cases - 50 percent must die eventually of their wounds and hardships." Then give this lad his chance with them - he can only die - and he has given good and sufficient reasons why he must go - and a woman's word for it - Dr. you must take him - send your men for him." Whether yielding to argument or entreaty, I nither knew nor cared so long as he did yeild, nobly and gently, and gathering up the fragments of the poor torn boy, they laid him carefully on a blanket, in the crowded train, and with stimulants and food and a kind-hearted attendant, pledged to take him alive or dead to Armory Square Hospital, tell them he was Hugh Johnson of N.Y., and to mark his grave - the whistle sounded - and the death freighted train moved on. Although three hours of my time had been devoted to one sufferer among thousands, it must not be inferred that our general work had been suspended, or that my assistants had been equally inefficient. They had seen how I was engaged and nobly redoubled their exertions to make amends for my deficiencies. Probably not a man was lain upon that train, who did not receive some personal attention at their hands - some little kindness - if it were only to help life him more tenderly - place a pillow - or wisp of hay under some broken limb - or bruised head -#9. fill his canteen with water - or place a few crackers beside him - and by these little acts, the temper of this entire body of men was changed- and in the place of complaints, and imprecations were only thanks, and brave hopeless assurances that they should get along very well, and as the words of grateful cheer rose up from that moving mass of suffering and doom, I bowed my head in penetence, and humbly acknowledged the just rebuke upon all past ingratitude. Still there were some bright spots along the darkened lines. Early in the morning the Prevost Marshal came to ask if I could use 50 men. He had that number who for some slight breach of Military discipline were under guard and useless, unless I could use them. I only regretted they were not 500. They came - strong willing men - and these added to our original force, and what we had gained incidentally made our number something over 80, and believe me, 80 men and three women will accomplish some work in a day. Our 50 prisoners dug graves and gathered and buried the dead - bore mangled men over the rough ground in their arms - loaded cars - built fires-made soup and administered it, and I failed to discern that their services were less valuable than those of other men. I had previously suspected - and have since become convinced, that a private soldier may be placed under guard - court-martialed - and even be imprisoned without forfeiting his honor or manliness. That the real dis-honor is often upon the gold lace, rather than the army blue. At 3 o'clock the last train of wounded left. All day we had known that the enemy hung upon the hills- waiting to break in upon us - hoping to capture forage - ammunition - and prisoners. At 4 o'clock the clouds gathered, black and murky, and the low growl of distant thunder ran over our heads, and mingled with the nimble lightning which illumined the horizon. The still air grew thick and stiffled, and the very branches appeared to droop and bow as if in grief at the memory of the terrible scenes so lately enacted and the gallant lives so nobly yielded up beneath their shelter. This was afternoon of Monday. Since Saturday noon, I had not #10. tasted food, and had just arranged for that purpose - when of a sudden - the air and earth - and all about us - shook with one mingled crash of God's and man's artillery. The lightning played, the thunder rolled incessantly, and the cannon roared leuder and nearer each minute. Chantilly: with all its darkness and horror, had opened in the rear. The description of the Battle, I leave to those who saw and moved in it, as it is my purpose to speak only of events in which I was ither a witness or an actor. Although two miles distant, we knew that the Battle was intended for us and watched the firing as it neared and receded, and waited minute by minute for the rush of the broken ranks. With what desperation our men fought on, hour after hour, in the rain and darkness, how they were overborne and rallied, how they suffered from mistaken orders and blundered, and lost themselves in the strange mysterious wood - and how after all with giant strength, and veteran bravery, they checked the foe, and held him at bay, are all proud records of history. And the courage of the soldiers who braved death in the darkness of Chantilly, let no man question. The rain continued to pour in torrents and the darkness became impenetrable, save from the lightning leaping above our heads, and the fitful flash of the guns, as volley after volley rang thro the stifled air, and lighted up the gnarled trunks and dripping branches among which we ever waited and listened. In the midst of this - and how guided no man knows - came still an- other wagon train of wounded men - and a waiting train of cars upon the track received them. Now, nearly alone, for my worm out assistants could work no longer, I continued to administer such food as I had left. Do you begin to wonder what it could be? Army crackers put into knapsacks and haversacks, and beated to crumbs between stones, and stirred into a mixture of wine, or whiskey and water, and sweetened with coarre brown sugar - not very inviting you will think - but I assure you always acceptable. But, whether it should have been classed as food, or like the widow Bedott's Cabbage - a "delightful beverage," it would puzzle on epicure to determine#11. The departure of this train cleared the grounds of wounded for the night, and as the line of fire from its plunging engines dies out in the darkness, a strange sensation of weakness, and weariness fell upon me, almost defying my utmost exertions to move one foot before the other. A little sibley tent had been pitched for me in a slight hollow on the hill-side, but with nither ditch nor drain of any description, your imagination will not fail to picture its condition. Rivulets of water had rushed thro it during the last three hours, still I attempted to reach it, as its white surface in the darkness was a slight protection from the wheels of wagons and trampling of beasts. Perhaps I shall never forget the painful effort which the making of those few rods - and the gaining of that tent cost me. How many times I fell from complete exhaution, in the darkness and mud of that slippery hill-side, I have no knowledge. But at last, I grasped the welcome canvas, and a well-established brook, which rushed in on the upper side, and out at the opening that served as door, met me on my entrance. My entire floor was covered with water, not an inch of dry solid ground. One of my lady assistants had previously taken train for Washington, and the other, word out by faithful labor, was crouched upon the top of some boxes asleep. No such convenience remained for me, and I had no strength to arrange one. I sought the highest side of my tent, which I remember was grass-grown and ascertaining that the water was not very deep, I sank down. It was no "laughing matter" then - but the recollection of my position has since afforded me amusement. I remember myself sitting on the ground - upheld by my left arm my head resting upon my hand - impelled by and almost uncontrolable desire to lie completely down - and prevented by the certain conviction, that if I did, the water would flow into my ears. How long I balanced between my desires and cautions, I have no positive knowledge - but it is very certain that the former carried the point, by the position from which I was aroused at 12 o'clock, by the rumbling of more wagons of wounded men. #12. I had slept 2 hours - and, oh! what strength I had gained. I may never know two other hours of equal worth. I sprang to my feet, dripping wet, covered with ridges of dead grass, and leaves - wrung the water from my hair and skirts, and went forth again to my work. When I stood once more under the open sky, the rain has ceased - The clouds were sullenly retiring - and the lightning - as if deserted by its boisterous companions, had withdrawn to a distant corner - and was playing quietly by itself. For the great volleying thunders of Heaven and earth had alike ceased, and the silence of the grave had settled down on the fields of Chantilly, and the forests of Fairfax. And thus, the morning of the third day broke upon us, drenched - weary - hungry - sore-footed - sad-hearted - discouraged - and under orders to retreat. A little later, - the plaintive wail of a single life - the slow beat of a muffled drum - the steady tramp - tramp-tramp of heavy feet - the gleam of ten thousand bayonets on the hills - and with bowed heads, and speechless lips, poor Kearney's leaderless men came marching through. This was the signal for retreat - all day they came - tired - hungry - ragged - defeated - retreating - they new not whither - they cared not wither. The enemies cavalry skirting the hills, admonished us each moment, that we must soon decide to go from them, or with them - but our work must be accomplished - and no wounded men once given into our hands must be left - and with the spirit of desperation - we struggled on. At three o'clock and officer galloped up to me, with - "Miss Barton, can you ride?" "Yes sir," I replied. "But you have no ladies' saddle - could you ride mine?" "Yes sir, or without it, if you have blanket and surcingle." "Then you can risk another hour" he exclaimed and galloped off. At 4 he returned at break-neck speed - and leaping from his horse, said "now is your time." "The enemy is already breaking over the hills - try the train - it will go thro, unless they have flanked, and cut the bridge a mile above us. In that case I've a reserve horse#13. for you, and you must take your chances of escape across the country. In two minutes I was on the train - the last wounded man at the station was also on. The conductor stood with a torch which he applies to a pile of combustable material beside the track, and as we rounded the curve which took us from view - we saw the station ablaze - and a troop cavalry dashing down the hill. The bridge was uncut - and midnight found us at Washington. You have the full record of my sleep - from Friday night till Wednesday morning - 2 hours - you will not wonder that I slept during the next 24. On Friday, I repaired to Armory Square Hospital, to learn who, of all the hundreds sent, had reached that point. I traced the chaplains record, and there, upon the last page freshly written stood the name Hugh Johnson. Turning to Chaplain Jackson, I asked - "Did that man live until to-day?" He dies during the latter part of last night, he replied. His friends reached him some two days ago - and they are now taking his body from the ward to be conveyed to the depot. I looked in the direction his hand indicated - and there, beside a coffin, about to be lifted into a wagon - stood a gentlemen, the mother, and sister Mary. "Had he his reason?" I asked - Oh! perfectly - "And his mother and sister were with him two days." "Yes." There was no need of me - he had given his own messages - I could add nothing to their knowledge of him, and would fain be spared the scene and the thanks. Poor Hugh - thy piteous prayers reaches and were answered - and with eyes and heart full, I turned away, and never say sister Mary. There were days of darkness - a darkness that might be felt. The shattered Bands of Pope and Banks - Burnside's weary legions the men who had followed Fremont over the mountain paths - the reinforcements from West Virginia. and all that now remained of the once #14. glorious army of the Peninsular has gathered for shelter beneath the redoubts and guns that girdled Washington. The long manoeuvering and skirmishing on the Rappahannock and the Shenandoah had yielded no fruit, but this Pope had been sacrificed and all the blood shed from Yorktown to Malvern Hill seemed to have been utterly in vain. Washington was filled with dismay, and all the North was moved as a tempest stirs a forest. Maryland lay temptingly in view, and Lee and Jackson with the flower of the Rebel army marched for its ripening fields. These, however, are matters of public history. But the minor keys, upon which I played my infinistesimal note in the great anthem of war and victory which rang thro the land when these two fearful forces met and closed, with gun-lock kissing gun across the rocky bed of Antietam, are yet known only to a few. Who it was that whispered hastily on Saturday night, October 13th - "Harper's Ferry" - "not a moment to be lost" I have never dared to name. In 30 minuted I was timidly waiting to the always kindly spoken "come in" of my patron saint mayor - now Mayor General Rucker. "Major" I said - "I want to go to Harper's Ferry, can I go?" "Perhaps so," he replied, with a genial, but doubtful expression. "Perhaps so, do you want a conveyance?" "Yes," I said. "But an army wagon is the only vehicle that will reach there with any burden in safety - I can send you one of these to-morrow morning." I said - "I will be ready." But here was to begin a new experience for me. I was to ride 80 miles in an army wagon, and straight into battle and danger at that. I could take no female companion,no friend, but the stout working men I has use for. You, who are accustomed to see a coach, and a pair of fine horses will a well-dressed gentlemanly driver draw up to your door, will scarcely appreciate the sensation with which I watched the approach of the long - high - white covered - tortoise motioned vehicle, with its string of little frisky long-eared animals - with the broad shouldered driver astride - and the eternal jerk of the single rein, by which he navigated his craft up to my door.#15 The time, you will remember, was Sunday. The place - 7th Street, just off Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington City. Then and there, my vehicle was loaded, with boxes, bags, and parcels, and last of all, I found a place to sit down with 4 men. I took no Saratoga trunk - but remembered, at the last moment to tie up a few articles in a handkerchief. Thus equipped, and seated, my chain of little uneasy animals, commenced to straighten itself, and soon brot us into the center of Pennsylvania Avenue - in full gaze of the whole city in its best attire- and on its way to church. Thus all day we rattled on over the stones and dykes, and up and down the hills of Maryland. At the night-fell, we turned into an open field, and dismounting built a camp-fire, prepared supper, and retired - I to my nook in my wagon - the men, wrapped in their blankets, camped about me. All night an indistinct rear of artillery sounded upon our ears, waking or sleeping, we were conscious of trouble ahead. Before day-break, we had breakfasted, and were on our way. You will not infer, that because by ourselves, we were alone upon the road. We were directly in the midst of a train of Army-Wagons, at least, ten miles in length - moving in solid column - The government supplies of amunition - food - and medicine for an army in battle. As we passed on the residents began to tell me of a great battle fought last night - they said - a few miles up the mountains. Hastened by anxiety, and excitement, we were urging on when, suddenly, we found our wheels crushing the bodies of unburied slain. Unconsciously, and without searching, we had found a battle-field, for this ragged-range rising heavily on our right is South Mountain. My poor words can never describe to you the consternation and horror,with which we alighted, and trod, there in that mountain path, that field of death. There, where we now walked with peaceful feet, twelve hours before the ground had rooked with carnage. There in the darkness, God's angels of wrath and death had swept, #16. and fee facing foe - freedom and treason grappled - and the souls of men went out,and,there, side by side, stark and cold in death, mingled the Northern Blue and Southern Gray. To such to you as have stood in the midst or followed in the track of armies and witnessed the strange, mingled and dreadful confusion of recent battle grounds, I need not describe this field, and to you, who never have, no description would avail. The giant rooks hanging above our heads, seemed to frown upon the scene, and the sighing trees, which hung lovingly upon their rugged edge, drooped low and wept their pitying dews upon the livid brows and ghastly wounds beneath. Climbing hills and clambering over ledges, we sought for some poor form, in which life had still left the power to suffer. Not one remained and grateful for this, but shocked and sick of heart we returned to our waiting conveyance. A mammoth drove of cattle designed as rations for our troops was passing at the moment. The officer in charge of which, attracted by our cheerful fire the night previous, had sought our company, and been our guest. I was scarcely seated in my wagon, when this officer rode up and said confidentially - "Miss Barton," that house, on the lower side of the road, under the hill, has been taken as a confederate hospital, and is full of wounded Rebels. Their surgeons have come out and asked me for meat - saying that their men will die for lack of animal food. I am a bonded officer, and responsible for the property under my charge- "What can I do?" "You can do nothing," I said. But ride on ahead. I am nither bonded nor responsible." He was wise, and a word was sufficient. He had a sudden call to the front of his train and dashed forward. Speaking to two of my men, I pointed out a large white ox, slightly strayed from the drove, and attempting to graze. (He had been with Gen'1. Pope's army long enough to learn to live off the country). and directed them to drive him to that house - Inside the fence which surrounded it - put up the bars - and leave him there, asking no#17. questions. I need not say that it was all performed with wonderful alarcity. and the last, I saw of the white ox, he had gone completely over to the enemy - and was revelling in the tall grass about the house. Three years later as I stood among the 12,000 graves of Andersonville, filled with the skeletons of the martyrs of Freedom, the victims of deliberate starvation, I could not but think how ill that days generosity had been requited. Our wounded, had been taken on to Fredericktown, where only the day before - Lee Marched over the mountain wall - Over the mountains winding down - Horse and foot into Frederickstown - Where old Barbarie Fretchie - Bowed with her four score years and ten - Bravest of all in Fredericktown - Took up the flag the men hauled down And the staff in her attic window set - To show that one heart was loyal yet. I have already spoken of the great length of an army train, and that we could no more change our position than one of the planets. Unless we should wait and fall in the rear, we cold not advance a single wagon. And for the benefit of those who may not understand, I might explain the order of a train. First - Ammunition - next food - and clothing for well troops. and lastly hospital supplies. Thus, in case of a battle, the needed stores for the wounded, according to the slow cautious movements of such bodies, must be from two or three days in coming up. Meanwhile, as usual, our men must languish and die. Something must be done to gain time and I restorted to strategy. We found an early restin place - supped by our camp-fire, and slept again among the dews and damps. #18. At one o'clock, when everything was still, we rose, breakfasted, fed, harnessed, and moved on, past the whole train, which like ourselves had camped for the night. A daylight we had gained ten miles, and were up with the artillery in advance even of the ammunition. All that weary, dusty day, I followed the cannon, and nightfall brought us up with the great Army of the Potomac. 80,000 men, resting upon their arms in the face of a foe of equal numbers, sullen straitened and desperate. Closely following the guns, we drew up where they did, among the smoke of a thousand camp fires. Men hastening to and fro, and the atmosphere loaded with anxious vapor till it seemed the very breath of pestilence. We were upon the left wing of the army, and this was the evening rest of Burnsides' man- to how many hundreds it proved the last rest upon earth, the next days record shows. In all this vast assemblage, I saw no other trace of womankind. I was faint, but could not weep. So I climbed into my wagon, tied down the cover, dropped down in the little nook I had occupied so long, and prayed God with all the earnestness of my soul, to stay the morrows strife, or send us victory. And for my poor self, that he impart somewhat wisdom and strength to my heart- nerve to my arm and fill my hands for the terrible duties of the coming day. And heavy and sad I waited its approach. Many of you may have never heard the Bugle notes which call to Battle "The Kerners Breath Whose fearful blast would waken death." But if like us, you had heard them that morning, as they rang thro those valleys, and echoed from the hundred hills, waking from one sleep, to hasten to another, they would have lingered in your ears, as they do in mine tonight. With my attendants, I sought the hill-tops, and as the mist#19. cleared away, and the morning sun broke over Maryland Hights, its rays fell upon the dusty forms of 160000 men, risen like the Scots from the heather, standing face to face, in solemn sullen battle line. To Here borne for battle strife Or band of martial lay 'tower worth ten years of peaceful life One glance at their array. The Battle commenced on the fight, and already with the aid of field glasses we saw our own forces, the led by fighting Joe, overborne and falling back. Burnside commended to send cavalry and artillery to his aid, and thinking our place might be there, we followed them around 8 miles, turning into a cornfield, near a house and barn and stopping in the rear of the last gun which completed the terrible line of artillery in the rear of Hooker's corps that day. A garden wall only separated us. The infantry was already driven back two miles, and stood under cover of the guns. We had met wounded men, walking or borne to the rear for the last, two miles, and around the old barn, lay there, too badly wounded to admit of removal, some 300, thus early in the day, for it was searee 10 o'clock. We loosened our mules and commeneed work. The corn was so high as to conceal the house, which stood some distance to the right, but judging that a path which I observed must lead to it, and also that surgeons must be operating there, I took my arms full of stimulants and bandages, and followed the opening. Arriving at a little wicket gate, I found the door-yard of a small house, and myself face to face with one of the kindest and boblest surgeons, I have ever met (Dr. Dunn of speechless, both for an instant- he at length threw up his hands- with- God, indeed has remembered us- How did you get from Virginia here, and so soon, and again to supply our necessities, and they are terrible- we have nothing but our instruments and the little chloro-form, we brot in our pockets- have not a bandage, rag, lint or string, and all these shell wounded men bleeding to death. #20 Upon the porch stood four tables with an etherised patient upon each, a surgeon standing over him with his instruments, and a bunch of green corn leaves beside him for dressing. With what joy I laid my precious burden down among them, and thought that never before, had linen looked so white- or wine looked so red. Oh, be grateful, ladies, that God, put in into your hearts, to preform the work you did in those days. How doubly sanctified was the sacred old household linen, woven by hands of the sainted mother, long gone to her reward. For you, arose the tender blessings of those grateful men which linger in my memory as faithfully to night, as do the bungle noted which called them to their doom. Thrice that day was the ground in front of us contested, lest and won, and twice, our men were driven back, under cover of that fearful range of guns. A little after noon, the enemy made a desperate attempt to regain what he had lost, -Hooker, Sedgewick, Dans-Richardson- Hartsuff and Mansfield had been borne wounded from the field, and the command of the right wing devolved upon General Howard. The smoke became so dense as to obscure our sigh, and the hot sulfurous breath of battle dried our tongues, and parched our lips to bleeding. We were in slight hollows, and all shell, which did not break among our gums in front, came directly among or over us, bursting above our heads, or burying themselves in the hills beyond. A man, lying upon the ground, asked for drink. I stopped to give it and having raised him my right hand, was holding the cup to his lips with my left- when I felt a sudden twitch of the loose sleeve of my dress. The poor fellow sprang from my hands, and fell back quivering in the agonies of death. A ball had passed between my body and the right arm which supported him, cutting thro' the sleeve, and passing thro his chest from shoulder to shoulder. There was no more to be done for him, and I left him to his rest.#21 At two o'clock my men came to tell me that the last loaf of bread had been out, and the last cracker powdered, we had 3 boxes of wine, still unopened, what should they do? "Open the wine and give that," I said, and "God help us." The next instant, an ejaculation from Sergeant Field, who had opened the first box, drew my attention, and to my astonished gaze, the wine had been packed in nicely sifted Indian meal. If it had been gold dust, it wold have seemed poor in comparison, I had no words. No one spoke - in silence the men wiped their eyes, and resumed their work. Of 12 boxes of wine, which we carried, the first nine when opened, were found packed in saw-dust. The last three, when all else was gone, in Indian meal. A woman would not hesitate long, under circumstances like these. This was an old farmhouse, six large kettles were picked up, and set over fires, almost as quickly as I can tell it, and I was mixing the meal and water for gruel. It occurred to me to explore the cellar. The chimney rested on an arch, and forcing the door, we discovered 3 barrels and a bag. They are full said the sergeant, and rolling one into the light, found that it bore the mark of Jackson's Army. Those 3 barrels of flour, and a bag of salt, had been stored there by the Rebel army during its upward march. I shall never experience such a sensation of wealth, and competency again - from utter poverty to such riches. All that night, my 30 men (for my corps of workers had increased to that number during the day) carried buckets of hot gruel for miles down the line to the wounded, dying where they fell. This time, profiting by experience, we had lanterns to hang in, and around the barn, and having directed it to be done - I went to the home, and found the surgeon in charge, sitting alone, beside a table, upon which he rested his elbow, apparently meditating upon a bit of tallow candle, which flickered in the center. Approaching carefully - I said - "You are tired, Dr.!" He started up with look almost savage - "Tired! Yes- I am tired - tired of such #22 heartlessness, "such carelessness." And turning full upon me continued - "Think of the condition of things. Here are at least 1000 wounded men, terribly wounded - 500 of whom cannot live till day light, without attention. That two inch of candle is all I have - or can get - what can I do - How can I endure it?" I took him by the arm, and leading him to the door, pointed in the direction of the barn where the lantern glistened like stars among the waving corn. "What is that?" he exclaimed. "The barn is lighted," I said - and the house will be directly. "Who did it?" "I, Dr." "Where did you get them?" "Brot them with me." "How many have you?" "All you want - 4 boxes." He looked at me a moment - as if waking from a dream, turned away without a word, and never after alluded to the circumstance - but the deference which he paid me was almost painful. (During a lecture in the West, not very long since, I related this incident, and as I closed a gentleman sprang upon the stage, and addressing my audience, exclaimed - "Ladies and gentlemen - if I never have acknowledged that favor, I will do it now, I am that surgeon" - and he was.) Darkness brot silence and peace - respite and rest to our gallant men. But as they had risen, regiment by regiment, from their grassy beds in the morning - so at night the fainting regiment again sank down on the trampled blood-stained earth. "The weary to sleep - and the wounded to die." Thro the long star-lit night, we wrought and hoped and prayed, but it was only, when in the hush of the following day, as the glanced over that vast Aceldama, that we learned at what a fearful cost, the gallant Union Army won the Battle of Antietam. Friends, it would be difficult to close my narrative, and not allude to the sad bereavements and gallant deeds of other fields.#23 There are Fathers here, mayhap, who saw the pride of their manhood and the hope of their declining years, go bravely and cheerfully forth and return no more forever. Wives, who wept the farewell they could not speak, never to be broken till in the land that knows no parting. And mothers, brave, spartan mothers, who held quiet their great hearts, and mighty griefs, and received , as they came flashing back the terrible tidings, the first - the second - the last son - and yet she lives to weep. Not for the Italian mother alone, sang our lamented Browning - "One dead by the sea in the East - "One dead in the West by the sea - "When you raise a great shout for Italy free "Let none look at me." I remember eight months of weary siege, scorched by the sun - chilled by the wave - rocked by the tempest - buried in the shifting sands - toiling day after day in the trenches - with the angry fire of five forts hissing thro their forts during every day of those weary months. This was when your brave old regiments stood thundering at the gate of proud rebellious Charleston. Charleston!! leader in the highest crime known to human law - Charleston! whose first great act of treason startled every civilized nation upon earth, shocked every lover of freedom and human progress - and thrilled every loyal heart from Behrings strait to the China Sea. There shamelessly frowning insolent defiance - with Moultrie on her left - Johnson on her right, - and Wagner in front - she stood hurling fierce death and destruction full in the faces of the brave band who beleagured her traitorous walls. Sumpter, the watch-dog, that crouched berfore her door, pierced with shot, and torn with shell - lay maimed and bleeding at her feet - the tidal waves lapping his wounds, still there was danger in his #24 growl, and death in his bite. One summer afternoon, this brave little army was drawn up among the island sands, and formed in line on march. For hours we watched them - the tide ebbed and flowed - The sun gave its last glare - slid slowly down the horizon - kissed the blushing billows, and sank amid the foam. A few stars struggled out - dim twilight came - then the darkness for which they had waited, with the gloom and stillness of death settled down on the gathered forces of Morris Island. Then we pressed forward and watched again - long lines of phospherescent light streamed and shot along the waves ever surging on our right. A little to the left - mark that long dark line, moving steadily on - pace by pace - across that broad open space of glistening sand. On straight on, toward that black mass, frowning and darkling in the distance. Watch - Watch - with pulseless veins, and breathless lips. On - on - God speed their steps. Flash - flash - flash - Moultrie - Johnson - Sumpter - Wagner - and every black pile blazes and the Heavens are on fire. Boom - boom - boom - assured the grand old fleet as it circled into line and poured broadside after broadside till the Heavens blazed again - on - on - pressed the little band passing to its doom - but dark no longer. The foe is met - the muskets blaze - the dark line has changed to a trail of fire - pressing on - scattered now - we watch the flashing of their muskets, as you the fire-flies on your meadows. The walls are reached, the torpedoes, and the pikes - Up - up - over the parapets - into the fort - hand to hand - foot - to foot - hilt to hilt . Does any man say that this war showed no bayonet wounds - He did not scale the walls of Wagner. Hand to hand - and hilt to hilt - they wrestle - the great guns of fort and fleet are still, and there in the darkness and mist, wait #25. they - wait we the weary hour. There bearing the tall form of his rider, plunged the noble steed of Col. J. G. Elwell, of Cleveland. Up the beech, thro the surf, and fire - up - up - under the very walls of the blazing fort - and rising in his saddle, his strong voice went up. - How goes the fight, boys - what do you want? Begrinned with smoke and scorched with flame, on the topmost paraphet appears the form of the intrepid Putnam. Reinforcements - Colonel - in God's name - get us reinforcements - I can hold out 15 minutes longer. Whirled the steed and rider, back down the beech to Headquarters - "Men, Gen'l, more men, your troops are struggling in the fort. Take them. Back again, thro the surf and fire, up once more with the welcome tidings. Up - ha! What is that? The sides of the fort are black with men - are these the reinforcements? Ah, would to God - Back - out down, over torpedo and pike into moat and wave - sinking - striving -fainting -crawling - dying Clan Alphines' Best are backward home - Oh, where was Rhoderick then - One blast upon his bugle horn Were worth a thousand men. Slowly down the Beach wends the long line of ambulances, and the sands about our hospital tents grow red with the blood of our wounded and slain. And there, side by side, with those of fairer hue, lay the tawny hand of Africa, which that night for the first time in the history of all ages, had been permitted to strike a lawful, organized, blow, at the fetters which had aye bound him body and soul -- That broad, dark, heaving chest, and struggling breath of that great patient eye, and gapping wound - Ah, Sam, that's bad for you - Yes, miss, I knows it - Dey's too many for us dis time - I'm a going, but thank God, my chiders free - #26. 40 months - had our ever accumulating fleet rose and fell upon the tide and tossed upon the billows of Port Royal Harbor. Merchant ships had changed to men of war - and men-of-war to iron clads - and the pretentious little turrets of the Monitor had peeped above the wave, till one continuous line of floating batteries circled the coast of Carolina. And if ever in the night, their thunders ceased, the strangeness of h the quiet startled the camping soldier from his uncertain slumber, and seductive dream of home. But had all this conquered Charleston? Sumpter had crumbled to a shapeless mass of stone and sand - Wagner was ours, and the swamp angel hurled fire and destruction thro her deserted streets every hour of the day and night. Still did she surrender - was she humbled? Humbled!! prouder than ever she sat under her palmetto and Rattle-snake rag, with her haughty face still turned to the sea - While our weary armies fought on month after month, officier and men pouring out their blood like water for the Holy cause which must not be abandoned - and the great heart cry of the whole country went up - How long - Oh, God - how long. Suddenly a whole army is missing - a mighty army gone from sight - an army that fought battles above the clouds - where can it be - not at Atlanta - not back at Chattenooga - The country is electrified with alternate hope and fear - It may be that Charleston deigns now an anxious glance - at armies - as well as navies. Hark - that strange mingled sound - a heavy tramp - a clashing of steel - and a ringing rap at her western gate - one glance - and the proud dame recoils in horror - and indignation,while far across the old time slave wrought fields of Carolina, swept the wild march of Sherman's men. Did people call them "Sherman's Boys." They might have been boys when they left home, but they are men now - warriors, veterans, warriors - Ay, veiled and sable clad dame lay by your worthless dignity and look your conquerors in the face. (Loose pages- find proper place) How can I speak? What can be added to the glory of a Nation whose citizens are its soldiers, whose warriors, armed and mighty, spring from it's bosom in the hour of need, and peacefully retire when the need is over? a nation, which from its civil walks of life has furnished to its armies, captains, colonels, brigadier and major generals, and more than all, the great Captain, the sainted soul, that martialed and sped our conquering hosts till they wore the victor's crown, and he the martyrs. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. When the civil North rises in her might the shadows of her warriors darken the land, and the bristling of her steel brightens the Heavens. And when the ground shakes under the tread of her marching armies well may rebellions cover and traitors tremble. Your own state sent its scores of regiments to the field, those grand old regiments under whose tossing banners so many of your brave martyrs bled and died, among whose green shadowy memories your thoughts love to linger, will martial pride scatters the tear-drop, grief has gathered, and you bless God that your good green prairies raised such sacrifices for your country. How they came trooping from cottage and hearthstone, how they filed down your streets and crowded your cars and boats in their haste to meet the foe, how the music of the fife and drum rolled over your beads, have you forgotten these days? How they stood at the front, full #27. Some critic has said of me - that I was visibly agitated when I arose to address my audience - The critic was right and why should I not be - when I remember who I am addressing - That among the upturned faces before me are the very men who did these things - I too am humbled and abashed. How can I speak - what can be added to the glory of a nation, whose citizens are its soldiers? Whose warriors, armed and mighty, spring from its bosom in the hour of need - and peacefully retire when the need is over. A nation, which from its civil walks of life, has furnished - captains - colonels - brigadier and Major Generals - and more than all - The great Captain - the sainted soul - that marshelled and sped our conquer- ing hosts - till they wore the victor's crown - and he the martyrs - ABRAHAM LINCOLN When the civil North rises in her might, the shadows of her warriors darkens the land - and the glistering of her steel brightens the Heavens. And when the ground shakes under the tread of her marching armies, well may rebellious cower and traitors tremble - Your own state sent its scores of Regiments to the field - those grand old Regiments under whose tossing banners so many of your brave martyrs bled and died - Among whose green shadowy memories your thoughts love to linger till martial pride scatters the tear drop grief has gathered and you Bless God - that your good green mountains raised such sacrifices for your country. How they came trooping from cottage and hearth-stone - how they filed down your streets - and crowded your cars and boats in their haste to meet the foe. How the music of the fife and drum rolled over your heads - have you forgotten those days - How they stood at the front full crowded regiments and batteries - but how came they back. At the end of 3 years in the place of the 1000 - 1500 strong - active rudy men with streaming banners - came wearily limping crawling back - with a bare shattered flag staff - little groups of 150 -100 -#28. 80 - 45 - as the representatives of the brave old regiments and their gallant dead on a hundred fields. Then your state - and your cities met them - and the flags rolled out and shout after shout went up - and the hoarse throated cannon pealed them fitting welcome - And well they might - If Paris opened her arms and built triumphal arches for the old Guard to pass in what less could she do for the remnant of regiments like these. Is one of these men with you still, and if so, do you recognize as you should, the consideration to which he is entitled - do you fully realize all that he has suffered, and do you stand as firmly his friend in time of trial as he did yours? May be he commits errors - possibly he has faults - perhaps he takes a holiday when you are at work -and think he might be - All bad - very bad. perhaps he has a family and gets in your debt - still worse - But when you come to settle the account with him - be careful that he does not hold a little note against you for services and injuries which time has not yet outlawed. You paid him? Oh yes! You paid him well - nobly, generously, no people ever so well - But citizen - would you have taken his pay - and done his work? Oh, be careful my friends - be generous and noble still! Remember that of all anguish, our Heavenly Father calls us to endure - none pierces more keenly or wounds more deeply - than the sting of ingratitude - And when at morning and evening repast - with folded hands and grateful hearts - you Bless God for the bounties he has spread before you, let your thoughts wander a little - to find if there is not another #29 table near you - with a vacant chair - and less of food upon it - The faces around it paler and thinner - the fire less bright - and the little pile of wood beside it smaller than it would have been if the brave old Regiments had never been called to the field. Citizens remember that the soldier who won your victories may now claim your protection and your care and withhold them not. And soldiers - remember each other - as you bore a wounded comrade tenderly on the day of battle, shielding him with your arms - so bear and shield each other still. One soldier wronged - is every soldier wronged.$30. One more allusion and I have done - I remember a patriot hero, who bore the flag over the bodies of his fallen comrades, to plant it on the Blazing Hights of Fredericksburg - until both arms fell useless at his side - and the shoulder received the precious burden the hands could no longer uphold - when planting his foot firmly by the resting staff his clear voice rang out - above the shouts of the charging ranks - the hissing of shot - and the shrieking of shell - "Don't let it fall, boys, don't let it fall!" And it did not - and while he lay the armless sergeant in his battle hospital bed in the snow clad camp - his colonel wrapped carefully the tattered silken folds dabbled and died in patriot blood and sent them home to the Governor of the State - with the message that the Old Regiment had never lost its colors - but it had worn them out and wanted more. There with its scores of companions grouped around the pillars of that State House Hall it hangs to-night. In some noble hall, have you - your own like treasures gathered - and your hearts have heaved with grateful pride, and your eyes have grown dim with gathering mist as you behold them. Oh, what a consecrated Hall!! At what a price it has been decorated! What granite could you rear that could speak like this - could the gold and ivory of Solomon's Temple bear price like it? So there often - Men and Women - take your children there - and from those tattered rags rags teach them the worth of their country. Tell them that for every rent they can count - ten brave lives went out - Ten mothers mourned a son - Ten orphans walk the streets - Ten homes are desolate - And when all this is estimated, tell them that along side of each tattered remnant there should droop another fringed in black, whose center should bear only the terrible word "starved." And when they ask what caused all this - tell them it was disrespect - for the laws of the country - disloyalty, treason. Soldiers - on word with you - from the old armies of the Union, representatives of nearly every Battle-field you are not here to-night - a type of that vast, that wonderful body of men, to whom our country owes its life, and the principles of human freedom, and the self-government, there preservation among the nations of the earth. The volunteer army of the loyal North - to-day the Grand Army of the United States of America - A mere type - and yet, I address you in the same broad and general terms that I would the entire organization, could I stand before it, you were all comrades - and the war life of one was the war-life of all - and every field where soldiers fought and died, and battles were lost and won - and the old flag rose and fell upon the breeze was yours. You were with the lion-hearted Thomas and Rosecrans in Cumberland - with Hooker at Chancellorville, with McPhearson and Howard and Logan in Tennessee - with Meade at Gettysburg - with the noble Berry at Fair Oaks and Fredericksburg - with Chamberlain at Five Forks and Spotsylvania - With Kearny at Chantilly - with the invincible Sheridan in the Valley, and with Kilpatrick everywhere. #31. Procure for them no foreign teachers - send them away to me classic schools - till you have taken them there - and taught them this. That treason is crime - Loyalty a virtue - And Eternal vigilence the price of Liberty. Soldiers - a word with you - from the old armies of the Union - Representatives of every section, and every battle-field you have met here to-night to commemorate the fail of Richmond, and to celebrate the new salvation of the Nations' life. The history of a country in mainly a history of its wars - and you are the men of history - from the first call of the Bugle, till its closing note died away in the cadence of peace you were a part of that great struggle. You were Freemont and Lyon in the early west - with Dupont at Port Royal - with Burnside at Roanoke & Fredericksburg - and with the gallant Ellsworth when he fell - You were with the glorious, but ill-fated Army of the Peninsular - with Banks at Cedar Mountain - with Pope at Manassus and with McClellan when he hurled back Lee from Maryland. You were with Grant at Vicksburg and Donaldson - your shouts mingled in the thunders of Shilo - Chattanooga - Kenesaw - and Atlanta and your hearts and your feet kept time with the glorious music when Sherman marched down to the sea. You were with Butler at New Orleans - and with the old Sea Lion - Farragut when he slowed his engines and shouted his orders in the iron hail of Fort Jackson and St. Philiip. You were with the lion-hearted Thomas in the Cumberland, with McPhearson and Howard and Logan in Tennessee, with Meade at Gettysburg - with the invincible Sheridan in the Valley - and with Kilpatrick every- where. #32. You were with Gilmore at Charleston - and Olustee - with Foster at Newberns - with Butler and Terry at Bermuda Hundred - Petersburg & Fort Fisher - with Hancock in the charge - and with the immortal Sedgewick when he fell. With Grant at Cold Harbor - the Wilderness and Spotsylvania, and last of all you were with him in his death throttle upon Richmond. The long dreary winter of '64 passed as you lay out upon the snows of Virginia - Four years of ceaseless warfare - In the spring of 1866, the towering blaze of the Caroline pine, streams out upon the swinging lines of Sherman's marching legions - bearing northward. The camp-fires burned low and red in front of Richmond - while the ceaseless watch fires along the Appomattox and the James, threw their pale light athwardt the bronzed face of the weary sentinel as he treads his endless beat. The 1st day of April - will your ears ever again thrill with such call of Bugles and roll of drums as broke your slumbers on that dawning morn? Will your eyes look ever on such carnage more. Before you, stretching far beyond your gaze, lie the entrenchments of Richmond, glistening with Artillery, manned and spotted and behind them, Lees veteran army, trained and desperate. Here an open field, and your unprotected breats to assault and carry those entrenchments All day the fight goes on - List the wild shouts of the charging rank - Wright and Ord are driving them in - Gibbon and Parks are forcing Petersburg - Grant shortens his lines - night settles down, and ye wait in darkness - and gather your dead. Morning once more - once more the bugles, and the drums, once more the thunder of a thousand guns, and the rattle of musketry, like the hail of a tornado, form as a rock you are holding the East, while Sheridan like an avenging cloud sweeps in from the West, and the work is done. One more night of darkness and death and when the morning of the 3rd of April broke upon your weary, war worn gaze you had no enemy left to fight. Broken and conquered he has fled in confusion - over#33. the smoking and deserted streets of the Rebel Capitol - the Mecca of the sacred soil waves once more the stars and stripes. Richmond is yours - and the Rebellion ended. Soldiers you "fought it out on that line"- And now "Let us have peace." #34. To you men - the strength of the land - My brothers, let me, as a woman, who lives her country, its institutions and its people, dare address this parting word to you, because to you, only, is intrusted the power to do what I would ask. In your hands rests the future well or ill of this dear noble hand - to you comes the appeal of the lonely widowed mother, in her desolate home - it may be among the forests of Maine, or from beside her dying embers, beyond the Mississippi, that you see to it that the fatherless children she is raising in toil and penury, shall not like their father fill a martyrs grave. Her country tells her she is weak - and its laws make her power- less, she can only raise sons to fill its armies, and mourn their loss when its battles are ended - To you - comes her appeal and the cry of her orphan children - that you so preserve their rights and liberties, that they may not only live, but live like citizens worthy the great country which gave them birth. Listen one more - to the low weak voices - grown to thunder tones in their multitudes - rising from the fields - swamps - river beds - and prison grounds of every State from Maryland to Texas. Listen - tis to you. Brothers, see to it - that we died not in vain - And let me add my voice to the martyr band - See to it brothers, that they died not in vain.#35. Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen & Ladies: It was doubtless unfortunate for both you and me, that I one day rather reluctantly promised my honored friend, Miss Austin, that I would, on this occasion, read a page, or an incident from an Army Note Book. But I had then, no presentiment that I was to stand before such an assemblage of people, such an array of talent and beauty, or I should have been very slow to make the promise. Still a pledge is a pledge, and I am wont to keep mine, once made. And in my selection I have thought to leave the Brilliant, the Sentimental, and the grand phases of war-life to the able and the eloquent, and have chosen a common day's work, like five hundred others, and that, early in the war, while my work was small and feeble, thro went of experience and prestige. It is simply a day's march with my own assistants, and how we got to a Battle. South Mountain and Antietam were fought, and I had returned to take breath. Both armies rested in the valleys, and their cavalry skirted the blue cliffs of Maryland hights. A private message from the Q.M.'s Dept. came to me, which said - "They will fight again - can you go - and what transportation do you want?" I answered - "Yes, I can go, and I want 3 -six mule army wagons with good drivers"- My request was twice granted they gave me 6, and am ambulance and in the sun and dust of a dry-hot October day in Washington, I super- intended the loading of them, and at 2 o'clock, ordered my little train to move out on the same road I had travelled to Antietam. #36. But most Honored Chairman! I am sadly conscious, that in my rambling, homely story, I have altogether failed to respond to the beautiful and eloquent sentiment which called me to this platform. "The soldiers of 1861-to-65 - who served in camp - field - and hospital." Those grand old Regiments, whose shadows darkened the land, while their battle-fires flamed out against the Heavens, Where are they now? Ah! may a tall stout fellow, Who stood with his comrades then As the music and flag floated o'er him Never trod the old fields again - Far down by the yellow rivers - In their cozy graves they rot Strange vines, and strange flowers grow o'er them And their far homes know them not. Dead Everywhere - On every battle field they lie - In the crowded yards of every Prison-ground In the dark ravines of the tangled forests - In the miry poison swamps - where The slimy serpent crawls by day - And the will-o-the-wisp dances vigil at night In the beds of the Mighty Rivers Under the waves of the Salt Sea In the drifting sands of the desert islands On the lonely picket line, and by the road where the weary soldier laid down with his knap- sack and his gun, and his march of life was ended. There in their strange beds they sleep, till the morning of the great Bevilie - They sleep - And we remember - #37. Ay remember! But all have not left us But all have not left us! Scattered wide over this vast land are the living remnants of that grand old army, who are no less the security and safety of the country to-day, than in those terrible hours when each one weighed glory and duty in one hand, and life and death in the other - Thank God - So many lives to preserve and enjoy that they fought to rescue - And what a rescue was that! A nation saved! Saved to all - To civilian and to soldier To rich and poor - High and Low - To Man and Woman To Friend and Stranger - To the New World and the Old To the East and to the West To the North and to the South - To the Democrat and the Republican - To the World and all its hopes to be - We cannot see all this at once - We cannot grasp these mighty issues by one stroke of the mind - But time, and the great breath of the Almighty, as He issues His mandates of power to coming Generations, will bring it to view - will make it plain. I believe that in all this work, there has been really no step backward, and there is to be none - The weak must fear - the timid tremble, but the brave and stout of heart will work and hope and trust while faith with her unerring finger points backward through the darkness and gloom of the past #38 To the reflection of God's Beacon light ahead. We cannot always hold our great Ship of State out of the storms and breakers - She must meet and buffet with them - Her beams are broad - Her timbers must creak in the gale - The waves must wash over her decks She must lie in the trough of the Sea, as she does to-day But the stars and stripes are above her - She is freighted with the hopes of the world - God holds the helm And she is coming into Port -War Lectures 20-11 Washington D. C. _____, 186. WORK AND INCIDENTS OF ARMY LIFE BY CLARA BARTON. GENTLEMEN AND LADI'ES, I stand before you to night both willingly and unwillingly - more than willing to render my account for the unmeasured kindness received of the American people, and the great confidence reported in me by the officers and men of the army, during the trials of the past four years - but regretting more than you can know my inability to perform more acceptably the new to which you invite me. If it has been my lot to relieve suffering strengthen the weak, and revive the fainting it has been you, who have sup- plied my hands for the work they sought to do - and now when it is all over, and you ask of me, a relation of the scenes in which I have shared my sense of gratitude forbids denial, --- If I have been allowed to perform a work among the armies of my country withheld from many others, and thereby, have learned facts unknown to them it is my duty to state these when required -- If I have been privileged to stand by your loved ones when the trial hour come, and their braves lives went out amid the din and smoke of battle, or when they lingered pining in distant hospitals on by the wayside, and their last book was turned upon my face instead of yours, their last words addressed to you - - the secret is not mine when it is demanded of me. I must give it up. If it has been my lot to look over those great burial places of our country dead with their acres of skeleton filled graves, and witness for myself the terrible circumstances among which they welcomed death neither is this knowledge mine it belongs to you, to all my country men if they demand it - - I have by the very circumstances the servant of the people who have sacrificed so much. But friends, my chief difficulty to night will consist, not altogether in what I shall say and how say it, but in omitting what I cannot say - often times the events of one day would occupy an hour in recital and how shall I condense and relate to you in 2. in this little evening, the labors and losses, the pleasures and pains of four years of such life - - If I attempt to ramble over the whole ground, I shall fail to give you a distinct idea of anything. I will therefore limit myself to two or three fields in detail, and I will select among the earlier, before organized aid came to the relief of the soldier - before the two great, and noble commission found their way directly to the front that you may the better appreciate the necessity and worth of your own quiet home labors during those days, and during the war, and better known just how your supplies reached the needy ones. After saying that the war found me a resident of Washington City, and that the attack of the Baltimoreans upon the Old Mass- 6th Regt April 19th 1861, sent to us few loyal residents of the National Capitol 30 wounded men, among who I recognized my own earlier associates, that we found their wounds and fed them, and strove to do the same for others as they came to our defense. Let me pass on without comment over the first year - commencing with the battle of 2d Bull Run and the wounded of Fairfax Station which point I sought by rail the day after the defeat of General Pope - I had just returned from the battle of Cedar mountain when as labored five days without sleep or food (worthy the name ( barely escaped capture and were gathering the wounded in hospitals at Washington when, on Saturday afternoon word came that General Pope was fighting on the Old Bull Run battle ground - had 8000 killed and the battle still went on - That night was spent in packing supplies, which at day break in the midst of a heavy rain were placed in freight cars, and with ladi'es, and my attendants I found a place to stand among the boxes while we steamed and rattled out of Washington - Our Coaches were not elegant or commodious they had no seats, no windows, no platforms, no steps, a slide door on the side, was the only en- trance and this higher than my head, for my manner of attaining my elevated position, I must beg of you to draw upon your own imaginations and spare me the labor of reproducing the boxes, barrels, boards, and rail, which in those days, seemed to help me up - and on in the world, We did not criticize the unsightly helpers, and were only thankful that the stiff springs and sideing track did not quite jostle us out3. at the door on the opposite side. This deisnption need not be limited to this particular trip or train, but will suffice for all that I have known in Army life. This is the Kind of conveyance by which your tons of generous gifts have reached the field with this precious freights-these trains through day and night, sunshine and rain heat and cold have thundered on over heights across plains through ravines and over hastily built army bridges 90 feet above the rock stream beneath. At 10 oclock Sunday our long train drew up at Fairfax Station the rainy morning had grown to a misty drizling day, unpleasant with the best of surroundings, and in ten minutes our barrels and boxes of supplies were unloaded and ranged along the track. The ground for acres was a thinly wooded slope, and among the trees on the leaves and grass, were laid the wounded who were pouring in by scores of wagon loads, as picked up on the field under flag of truce. All day they came and the whole hill side was covered. Bales of hay were broken and scattered over the ground like littenings for cattle, and the sore famishing men were laid upon it and when night shut down in mist and darkness about us we knew that standing apart from the world of anxious stricken hearts throbbing over the whole country we were a little band of almost empty handed workers, literally by ourselves in the wild woods of Virginia with 3000 suffering dying men crowded upon the few acres within our reach After gathering up every available implement of convenience for our work our domestic imentory stood 2 Water-buckets 5 tin cups - 1 camp kettle 1 stew pan 2 lantens 4 bread knives - 3 plates and 2 quart tin dish - and 3000 guests to serve - You will perceive by this that I had not yet learned to equip myself for I was no Pallas ready armed, but grew late my work by hard thinking and sad experiences. It may possibly seem to relieve your momentary apprehension for the future of my labors, if I assure you that I was never caught so again for later I became a notable house- keeper if that might be said of one who had no house to keep but lived in fields and woods and tents, and wagons with all out of doors for a cooking range nother earth for a kitchen hearth, and the winds of Heaven for a chimney. 4. You have read of adverse winds to realize this turnin its full- wet sense you have only to build a camp fire and attempt to cook something by it. There is not a soldier within the sound of my voice, but will sustain me in the assertion that go which so ever side of it you will, the wind will blow the smoke and flame directly in your place. Notwithstanding these difficulties with fifteen minutes from the time of our arrival we were preparing food, and dressing wounds. You wonder what and how prepared and how administered without dishes. You generous thoughtful mothers and wives have not forgotten the tons of preserves and fruits with which filled our hands. Huge boxes of those stood beside that railway track - every can, jar, bucket, bowl cup or tumbler, when emptied, that instant because a vehicle of mercy to convey some preparation of mingled bread and wine or soup or coffee to some helpless famishing sufferers who partake of it with the tears rolling down his broozed checks and divided his blessings between the hands that fed him and his god. I never realized until that day how little a human being could be grateful for - and that days experience also taught me the utter unworthlesness of that which could not be made to contribute directly to our necessities. Of what real value was that which would not save life? the bit of bread which would rest on the surface of a gold eagle was worth more than the coin itself. But the most fearful scene was reseemed for the night- I have said that the ground was littened with dry hay and that we had only two lantens but there was plenty of candles the wounded were laid so close that it was impossible to move about in the dark- the slightest misstep brought a torment of groans from some poor mangled fellow in your path Consequently here were scenes of persons of all grades from the careful man of god who walked with a prayer upon his lips to the care- less driver hunting for his lost whip each wandering about among this hay with an open flaming candle in his hand. The slightest accident the men dropping of a light would have enveloped in flames this whole mass of helpless men. Now we watched and pleaded and cautioned as we worked that and5. wept that night - how we put socks and slippers upon their cold damp feet- wrapped your blankets and quilts about them, and we had no longer these to give , how we covered them in the hay, and left them in their nest. The slight, naked chest of a fair haired lad caught my eye and dropping down beside him, I bent ow to draw the remnant of his torn blouse about him, when with a quick cry he threw his left arm across my neck and burying his face in the folds of my dress wept like a child at his mothers knee- I took his poor distressed head in my hands and held it until his great burst of grip should pass away-- And you do not know me? he said at length- I am Charley Hamilton who used to carry your satchel home from school- my faithful pupil poor Charley-that mangled night arm will never carry a satchel again: About 3 oclock in the morning I observed a surgeon with his little flicking candle in hand approaching me with cautions step far up in the wood- Lady he said: as he drew near- will you go with me but on the hills is a poor distressed lad- mortally wounded and dying his piteous cries for his sister have touched a our hearts and none of us can relieve but rather seem to distress him by our presence. By this time I was following him back over his bloody track, with great beseeching eyes of anguish on every side looking up in our faces saying as plainly dont step on us- He cant last half an hour longer said the surgeon as we toiled on he is already quite cold- shot through the abdomen a terrible wounde-By this time his cries became greatly audible to me Mary ! Mary sister Mary come -Oh come Iam wounded Mary Iam short I am dying- Oh Come to me- I have called you so long and my strength is almost gone- Don't let me die here alone- Oh Mary: Mary come! Of all tone of entreaty to which I have ever listened- and certainly I have had some experience of sorrow I think these- sounding through that dismal night- the most heartrending - As we drew near- some twenty persons- attracted by his cries had gathered around- and stood with moistened eyes- and helpless hands waiting the change which would relieve them all and in the midst- stretched upon the ground- lay a scarcely full grown an with a graceful head of hair- tangled and matted- thrown back from a forehead and a face of livid whiteness - his throat was bare- his hand bloody red- clasped above 6. his breast-his large, bewildered blue eyes turning anxiously in every direction, and even from between his ashen lips pealed that piteous cry of Mary-Mary-come-I approached him unobserved, and motioning the lights away, I knelt by him alone in the darkness--Shall I confess that I intended if possible to cheat him out of his terrible death agony? but my lips were truer than my heart, and would not speak the word brother I had willed them to do. So I placed my hands upon his neck. Kissed his cold forehead and laid my cheek against his. The illusion was complete, the act had done the falsehood my lips refused to speak--I can never forget that cry of joy, "Oh May! Mary! have you come? I knew you would come if I called you and I have called you so long. I could not die without Mary- don't cry darling, I'm not afraid to die-and you came to me- Oh bless you! bless you May-and he ran his cold blood wet hands about my neck, passed them over my face, and twined them in my hair, which by this time had freed itself from fastenings and was hanging damp and heavy upon my shoulders. He gathered the loose locks in his stiffened fingers and holding them to his lips continued to whisper through them-bless you, bless you Mary! And I felt the hot tears of joy trickling from the eyes I had thought stony in death--This encouraged me, and wrapping his feet closely in blankets and giving him such stimulants as he could take I seated me on the ground and lifted him on my lap-and drawing the shawl on my own shoulders also about his-I bade him rest. I listened til his blessing grew fainter and in ten minutes with them upon his lips he fell asleep--So this gray morning found us, my precious charge had grown warm, and was comfortable--Of course the morning light would reveal his mistake -but he had grown calm and was refreshed and able to endure it, and when finally he awoke, he seemed puzzled for a moment and smiling said, "I knew before I opened my eyes that this couldn't be Mary, I know now that she couldn't get here but it is almost as good you've made me so happy. Who is it? I said it was simply a lady, who hearing that he was wounded had come to care for him. He wanted the name--and with child-like simplicity spelled it letter by letter to know if7. he were right--In my pocket he said you will find mother's last let- ter-please get it and write your name upon it for-for-I want both names by me when I die--"Will they take away the wounded?", he asked. "Yes", I replied, "The first train for Washington is nearly ready now. "I must go", he said quickly---"Are you able?", I asked.-- "I must go if I die on the way--I'll tell you why, I am poor moth- ers only son, and when she consented that I should come to the war- I promised her faithfully that if I were not killed outright, but wounded, I would try every means in my power to be taken home to her dead or alive. If I die on the train, they will not throw me off- and if buried in Washington-she can get me, but out here in the Vir- ginia woods in the hands of the enemy-never-I must go. I sent for the surgeon in charge of the train and requested that my boy be tak- en--"Oh impossible madam-he is mortally wounded and will never reach a hospital-we must take those who have a hope of life--"But you must take him"-"I Cannot-can you Doctor guarantee the lines of all you have on that train? "I wish I could", said he sadly-they are the worst cases, nearly fifty per cent must die eventually of their wounds and hardships." "Then give this lad his chance with them-he can only die and he has given good and sufficient reasons why he must go-and a woman's word for it Doctor-you take him-send your men for him"- whether yielding to argument or entreaty, I neither knew nor cared so long as did yield nobly and kindly. And they gathered up the fragments of the poor torn boy-and laid him carefully on a blanket in the crowded train and with stimulants and food and a kind hearted attendant, pledged to take him alive or dead to Armory Square Hos- pital and tell them he was Hugh Johnson of New York-and to mark his grave---the whistle sounded and the death freighted train moved on. Although three hours of my time had been devoted to one sufferer among thousands, it must not be inferred that our general work had been suspended or that my assistants had been equally inefficient. They had seen how I was engaged and nobly redoubled their exertions to make amends for deficiencies-probably not a man was laid upon those cars who did not receive some personal attention at their hands- some little kindness, if it were only to help lift him more tenderly 8. place a pillow or wisp of hay under some broken limb or bruised head, fill his canteen with water, or place a few crackers beside him lest he grow faint on the way---And by these little acts the temper of his entire body of men was changed and the place of complaint and imprecations were only thanks and brave hopeful assurances that they should get along very well--and as the words of grateful cheer rose up from that moving mass of suffering and doom-I bowed my head in penitence, and humbly acknowledged the just rebuke upon all past ingratitude. This finds us shortly after day-light Monday morning, train after train of care rushing on for the wounded and scores and hundreds of wagons bringing them in from the field still held by the enemy, where some poor sufferers had lain three days already, with no visibile means of sustenance. If immediately placed upon the trains, and not detained, at least twenty-four hours must elapse before they could be certainly in the hospital and proper- ly nourished. They were already famishing, weak and sinking from loss of blood and could ill afford a further entire fast of twen- ty-four hours--I felt confidenet that unless nourished at once, all the weaker portion must be past recovery before reaching the hos- pitals of Washington-if once taken from the wagons and laid with those already cared for, they would be overlooked and perish on the way--Something must be done to meet this fearful emergency. I sought the various Officers on the grounds, explained the case to them and asked permission to feed all the men as they arrived before they should be taken from the wagons--It was well for the poor sufferers of that field that it was controlled by noble hearted, generous officer, quick to feel and prompt to act. They at once saw the propiety of my request and gave orders that all wagons should be stayed at a certain point and only moved on when every one had been seen and fed. This point secured, I commenced my days work of climbing from the wheel to the brake of every wagon speaking to and feeding with my own hands each soldier until he expressed himself satisfied. Still there were bright spots along the darkened lines- Early in the morning the Provost Marshall came to ask me if I 9. could use fifty men, he had that number, who for some slight breach of military discipline were under guard and useless-unless I could use them-I only regretted there were not five-hundred. They came- Strong willing men; and these, added to our original force and what we had gained incidentally, made our number something over eighty- and believe me eighty men and three women, acting with well direct- ed purpose will accomplish some work in a day--Our fifty prisoners dug graves and gathered and buried the dead, bore mangled men over the rough ground in their arms-loaded cans-built fires-made soup- and administered it--and I failed to discern that their services were less valuable than those of other men. I had previously suspected and have since been convinced that a private soldier my be placed under guard, court-martialed, and even be imprisoned without forfeiting his honor or manliness, that, the real dishonor is often upon the Gold Lace rather than the army blue--At three o'clock the last train of wounded left-all day we had known that the enemy hung upon the hills and were waiting to break in upon us, hoping to capture, forage ammunition and prisoners. At six o'clock the clouds gathered black and musky, and the low growl of distant thunders with the nimble lightning which illuminated the horizon--The still air grew thick and stifled, and the very branches appeared to droop and bow as if in grief at the at the memory of the terrible scenes so lately enacted and the gallant lives so notably yield up beneath their shelter. This was afternoon of Monday--Since Saturday noon I had not thought of tasting food, and we had just drawn around a box for that purpose-When of a sudden! air and earth and all about us- shook with one mingled crash of God's and mans' artillery---The lightning played and the thunder rolled incessantly and the cannon roared louder and nearer each minute. Chantilly with all its darkness and horrors had opened in the rear. The description of this battle I leave to those who saw and moved in it--As it is my purpose to speak only of events in which I was a witness or actor. Although two miles distant, we knew the battle was intended for us, and watched the firing as it neared and receded and waited minute by minute for the rest. 19. With what desperation our men fought hour after hour in the rain and darkness-how they were overbourne and rallied, how they suffered from mistaken orders, and blundered, and lost them- selves in the strange, mysterious wood-and how after all-with giant strength and veteran bravery, they checked the foe and held him at bay-an all proud record of history-and the courage of the soldier who braved death in the darkness of Chantilly let no man question- "Though in mist and in darkness and fire they were shrouded Yet the soul of the faithful were calm and unclouded, Their dark eyes flashed lightnings as firm and unbending- They stood like the rock that the thunder is rending." The rain continued to pour in torrents, and the darkness because impenetrable save from the lightning leaping above our heads and the fitful flash of the guns-as volley after volley rang through the stifled air and lighted up the gnarled trunks and dripping branches among which we ever waited and listened. In the midst of this-and how guided no man knows-came still another wagon train of wounded men, and a waiting train of cars upon the track received them--This time-nearly alone-for my worn out assist- ants could work no longer-I continued to administer such food as I had left. Do you begin to wonder what it could be? Army crackers put into knap sacks and haversacks and beaten to crumbs between stones, and stirred into a mixture of wine or whiskey and water, and sweetened with coarse brown sugar. Not very inviting you will think, but I assure you always acceptable-but whether it should have been classed as food, or, like the Widow Bedotts Cabbage as "a delightful beverage" it would puzzle an epicure to determine-no matter-so it imparted strength and com- fort. The departure of this train cleared the grounds of wounded for the night-and as the line of five from its plunging engines died out in the darkness-a strange sensation of weakness and weariness fell upon me, almost defying my utmost exertion to move one foot be- fore the other. 11. A little sibley tent had been hastily pitched for me in a slight hollow upon the hillside-but neither ditch nor drain of any description-Your imagination will not fail to picture its condi- tion. Rivulets of water had rushed through it during the last three hours. Still I attempted to reach it-as its white surface, in the darkness, was a slight protection from the wheels of wagons and the trampling of beasts. Perhaps I shall never forget the painful effort which thie making of those few rods, and the gaining of the tent cost me- how many times I fell from complete exhaustion, in the darkness and mud of that slippery hillside. I have no knowledge! but at last I grasped the welcome canvas--and a well established brook- which washed in on the upper side and out at the opening that served as door, met me on my entrance--my entire floor was cov- ered with water-not an inch of dry, solid ground. One of my lady assistants had previously taken train for Washington and the other-worn out by faithful labors-was crouched upon the top of some boxes in one corner fast asleep0 no such convenience remained for me, and I had no strength to arrange one. I sought the highest side of my tent which I re- membered was grass grown, and ascertaining that the water was not very deep--I sank down. it was no laughing matter then- but the recollection of my position has since afforded me amusement. I remember myself sitting on the ground, upheld by my left arm, my head resting on my hand-impelled by an al- most uncontrollable desire, to lie completely down-and pre- vented by the certain conviction that if I did the water would flow into my ears. How long I balanced between my desires and cautions I have no positive knowledge-but it is very certain that the former carried the point by the position from which I was a- roused at twelve o'clock by the rumbling of more wagons of wounded men. I had slept two hours, and Oh! what strength I had gained! I may never know two other hours of equal worth- I sprang to my feet dripping wet covered with ridges of dead grass and leaves, wrung the water from my hair and skirts, 12. and went forth again to my work. When I stood again under the sky, the rain had ceased- the clourds were sullenly retiring-and the lightning, as if de- serted by its boisterous companions, had withdrawn to a distant corner and was playing quietly by itself--for the great vol- leying thunders of Heaven and Earth had settled down on the fields of Chantilly and the forests of Fairfax---silent--I said so and it was, save the ceaseless rumbling of the never ending train of army wagons, which brought alike the wounded, the dying and the dead. And thus the mroning of the third day broke upon us- drenched-wearly-sorefooted-sadhearted-discouraged and under orders to retreat. A little later, the plaintive wail of a single fife, the slow baet of a muffled drum, the steady tramp-tramp-tramp-of heavy feet, the gleam of ten thousand bayonets on the hills and with bowed heads, and speechless lips poor Kearney's leaderless men came march- ing through. This was the signal for retreat. All day they came, tired hungry, ragged, defeated, retreating they knew not whither. The enemies calvary skirting the hills admonished us each moment that we must soon decide to go from them or with them.-But our work must be accomplished, and no wounded men-once given into our hands must be left and with the spirit of desperation we strug0 gled on. At three o'clock an officer galloped up to me with "Miss Barton can you ride?" "Yes Sir", I replied, "But have you no saddle?" "Could you ride mine?"--"Yes -or without-if you have blanket or surcingle". Then you can risk another hour", he exclaimed and gal- loped off. At four o'clock he returned at a break neck speed, and leaping from his horse said, "How is your time. The cavalry is already breaking over the hills, try the train, it will go through unless they have flanked and cut the bridge a mile above us. In that case I have a reserve horse for you, and you must take your chances of escape across the country. In two minutes I was on the train the last wounded man at the station was also on - The conductor stood with a torch which he applied to a pile of combustible material beside the track - and as we rounded the course, which took us from view, we saw the station ablaze, and a troop of Rebel Cavalry dashing down the hill. The bridge was uncut and mid-night found us at Washington-- You have the full record of my sleep from Friday night till Wednesday morning, two hours -- You will not wonder that I slept during the next twenty-four hours -- On Friday I repaired to Armory Square Hospital to learn who of all the hundreds sent, had reached that point-I sought the chaplain's record - and there upon the last page freshly written stood the name of Hugh Johnson - turning to Chaplain Jackson I asked - Did that man live until today - "He died during the latter part of last night," he replied - his friend reached him some two days ago - and they are now taking his body from the ward to be conveyed to the depot -- I looked in the direction his hand indicated and there beside a coffin about to be lifted into a wagon stood a gentleman - the mother - and sister Mary -- Had he his reason? I asked -- Oh perfectly! and his mother and sister were with him two days! Yes, -- there was no need of me - he had given his own messages I could add nothing to their knowledge of him - and would fain be spared the scene and the thanks - Poor Hugh! thy piteous prayers reached and were answered and with eyes and heart full I turned away and never saw - sister Mary! These were days of darkness - a darkness that might be felt - The shattered bands of Pope and Banks-Burnsides weary legions the men who had followed Fremont over the mountain paths - the reinforcements from West Virginia and all that now remained of the once glorious army of the Peninsular, had gathered for shelter beneath the redoubts and guns that girdled Washington The long manoeuvering and skirmishing on the Rappahannock and the Shenandoah had yielded no fruit but this -- Gen. Pope's boastful words had turned upon him like causeless curses and all the blood shed from Yorktown to Malvern Hill, seemed to have been utterly in vain -- Washington was filled with dismay -- and all the north was moved as a tempest stirs a forest. These however are matters of Public History -- But the minor keys upon which I played my infinitesimal notes in the great anthem of war and victory that rang through the land when those two fearful forces met and close with gunlock kissing gun across the rocky bed of Antietam - Are yet known only to a few -- Who whispered hastily on Saturday night Oct. 18th Harper Ferry - not a moment to be lost, I have never dared to name. The famishing men of Cedar Mountain and Fairfax had taught me the folly and wickedness of remaining quietly at home until reporters and journalists told us that a battle had been fought and thousands of our men lay dying on the field without foot or nursing. I had determined to anticipate trouble and meet it halfway at least. In thirty minutes I was timidly waiting the always kindly spoken "Come in" of my patron saint Major now Maj. General Rucker. Major I said I want to go to Harpers Ferry -- Can I go? He turned upon me the same pleasant smile he always gave me - now uncommonly full of meaning and replied - I see no reason why you cannot -- Do you want a conveyance? "Yes," I said -- An army wagon is the only vehicle that will reach there with any burden in safety -- I will send you one tomorrow morning - I said I would be ready -- I need not tell you that that night brought no sleep -- But this was to be a new experience. I took no saratoga trunk, but remembered at the last moment to tie up a few articles in a handkerchief - Thus equipped and seated, my chain of little uneasy animal commenced to straighten itself, and soon brought us into15. the center of Pennsylvania Avenue, in full gaze of the inhabitants of the whole city-in their best attire and on their way to church. Thus all day-we rattled on over the stones and dykes and up and down the hills of Maryland. At nightfall we turned into an open field, and dismount- ing, built a camp fire prepared supper and retired-I to my nook in my wagon, the men wrapped in their blankets, about me--All night an indistinct roar of artillery sounded upon our ears, waking or sleeping, we were conscious of trouble ahead, but it was well for our rest that no messenger came to tell us how death revelled among our brave troops that night-- Before daybreak, we had breakfasted and were on our way- You must not infer, that, because by ourselves we were alone upon the road--We were directly in the midst of a train of army wagons at least ten miles in length-moving in solid column, the govern- ment supplies of ammunition, food and medicine for an army in battle. Weary and sick from their late exposures, and hardships, the men were failing, and falling by the wayside, faint, pale and often dying-- I busied myself as I rode on hour by hour in cutting loaves of bread in slices and passing them to the pale, haggard wreck as they sat by the roadside, or staggered on to avoid capture-and at each little village we entered, I purchased all the bread its in- habitants would sell- Horses as well as men had suffered and their dead bodies strewed the wayside-- As we passed on the residents began to tell us of a great battle fought last night-they said-a few miles up the mountain and that a General was killed- Hastened by anxiety, and excitement we were urging on, when suddenly, we found our wheels crushing the bodies of unburied slain. Unconsciously, and without searching, we had found a battlefield-for this ragged range rising heavily on our right, was 16. South Mountain and that fallen General-- My poor words can never describe to you the consternation and horror with which we descended from our wagon, and trod-there in that mountain pass-that field of death. There, were we now walked-with peaceful feet, twelve hours before the ground had rocked with carriage-there in the dark- ness-God's Angels of wrath and death had swept-and foe facing foe, freedom and treason grapped and souls of men went out, and there, side by side, stark and cold in death mingled the Northern Blue and Southern Grey-- To such of you as have stood in the midst, or followed in the track of armies and witnessed the strange mingled and dreadful confusion of recent battle grounds-I need not describe this field- and to you who have not description would never avail-- The giant rocks hanging above our heads-seemed to frown upon the scene and the sighing trees which hung lovingly upon their rugged edge drooped low and wept their pitying dews upon the livid brows and ghastly wounds beneath- Climbing hills and clambering over ledges we sought in vain for some poor wretch, in whom life had still left the power to suffer-not one remained and grateful for this, but shocked and sick of heart, we returned to our waiting conveyance-a mammoth drove of cattle designed as rations for our troops, was passing at the moment. The officer in charge of which attracted by our cheerful fire the night previous, had sought our company and been our guest- scarcely was I seated in my wagon when this officer rode up-and said, confidently Miss Barton, that house on the lower side of the road under the hill has been taken as a Confederate hospital and is full of wounded rebels. Their surgeons have come out and asked me for meat-saying that their men will die for lack of animal food--I am a bonded of- ficer, and responsible for the property under my charge--What can I do? You can do nothing I said but ride on ahead-I am neither bonded nor responsible-He was wise and a word was sufficient.17. He had a sudden call the the front of his train and dashed forward - Speaking to two of my men - I pointed out a large white ox slightly strayed from the drove and attempting to graze -- (He had been with Genl. Pope's army long enough to learn to live off the country) and directed them to drive him to that house inside the fence which surrounded it - put up the bars, and leave him there, asking no questions - I need not say that it was all performed with wonderful alacrity - and the last I saw of the white ox he had gone completely over to the enemy, and was reveling in the tall grass about the house. Three years later as I stood among the 12,000 graves of Andersonville filled with the skeletons of the martyrs of Freedom, the victims of deliberate starvation, I could not think how ill that days generosity had been requited -- Our wounded had been taken on to Fredericktown, where only the day before: "Lee marched over the mountain wall Over the mountains wandering down Horse and foot into Fredericktown Where Old Barba Frietchie - Bowed with her fourscore years and ten Took up the flag the men hauled down And the staff in her attic window set - To show that one heart was loyal yet - The increase of stragglers along the road was alarming, showing that our army was weary and lacked not only physical strength but confidence and spirit. And why should they not -- always defeated - always on the retreat - I was almost demoralized myself and I had just commenced. I have already spoken of the great length of the army train and that we could no more change our position than one of the planets, unless we should wait and fall in the rear: we could not advance a single wagon - and for the benefit of those who may not understand - I may explain the order of the train first - ammunition next food and 18. clothing for well troops - and lastly hospital supplies - thus in case of a battle the needed stores for the army, according to the slow, cautious movement of such bodies must be from two to three days in coming up -- Meanwhile as usual our men must languish and die - something must be done to gain time - and I resorted to strategy. We found an early resting place, supped by our camp fire, and slept again among the dews and damps -- At one o'clock when everything was still we arose - breakfasted - harnesses - and moved on past the whole train, which like ourselves had camped for the night - at daylight, we had gained ten miles and were up with the artillery in advance even of the ammunition. All that weary dusty day I followed the cannon, and nightfall brought us up with the great army of the Potomac 80,000 men resting upon their arms in the face of a foe equal in number, sullen, straightened and desperate - Closely following the guns we drew up where they did - among the smoke of a thousand camp fires - men hastening to and fro, and the atmosphere loaded with noxious vapors, till it seemed the very breath of pestilence, we were upon the left wing of the army, and this was the evening rest of Burnside's men-to how many hundreds it proved the last rest upon earth - the next day's record shows. In all this vast assemblage I saw no other trace of womankind - I was faint, but out not eat - wary, but could not sleep - depressed, but could not weep -- So I climbed into my wagon, tied down the cover, dropped down in the little nook I had occupied so long, and prayed God with all the earnestness of my soul to stay the morrow's strife, or send send us victory - and for my poor self-that he impart somewhat of wisdom and strength to my heart - nerve to my arm-speed to my feet, and fill my hands for the terrible duties of the coming day-and heavy and said I waited its approach. Many of you may have never heard the bugle notes which call to battle- "The Kerner's breath whose fearful blast would waken death" --- but if like us, you had heard them this morning as they19. rang through those valleys and echoed from the hundred hills-waking from one sleep to hasten to another they would have lingered in your ears, as they do in mine to-night, -- with my attendants-I sought the hill tops and as the mist cleared away - and the morning sun broke over Maryland Heights its rays fell upon the dusty forms of 160,000 men - risen - like the "Old scots from the heather - Standing face to face in solemn sullen battle line- To hero born for battle strife Or bards of martial lay Were worth ten years of peaceful life- One glance at their array The battle commenced on the night and already with the aid of field glasses we saw our own forces-though led by fighting Joe, overborne and falling back. Burnside commenced to send cavalry and artillery to his aid-and thinking our place might be there, we followed them around eight miles, turning into a cornfield near a house and barn-and stopping in the rear of the last gun, which completed the terrible line of artillery, which ranged-diagonally in the rear of Hooker's army that day-a garden wall only separated us. The infantry were already driven back two miles, and stood under cover of the guns- The fighting had been fearful, we had met wounded men, walking or borne to the rear for the last two miles-but around the old barn lay there-too badly wounded to admit of removal - some 300 thus early in the day-for it was scarce ten o'clock. We loosened our mules and commenced our work. The corn was so high, as to conceal the house, which stood some distance to the right-but-judging that a path which I observed must lead to it, and also that surgeons must be operating there-I took my arms full of stimulants, and bandages and followed the opening. Arriving at a little wicker gate, I found the dooryard of a small house-and myself face to face with one of the kindest and noblest surgeons I have ever met, Dr. Dunn of Conneautville, Pa., 20. Speechless both, for an instant, he at length threw up his hands with "God has indeed remembered us-how did you get from Virginia here?-so soon-and again to supply our necessities! And they are terrible-we have nothing but our instruments and the little chloroform we brought in our pockets-have torn up the last sheets we could find in this house-have not a bandage-rag-lint or string-and all these shell wounded men bleeding to death" -Upon the porch stood four tables, with an etherized patient upon each - a surgeon standing over him with his box of instruments-and a bunch of green corn leaves beside him. With what joy I laid my precious burden down among them, and thought that never before had linen looked so white, or wine so red--Oh! be grateful ladies, that God put it in your hearts to perform the work you did in those days - how double sanctified was the sacred old household linens woven by the hands of the sainted mother long gone to her reward -- for you, arose the tender blessings of those grateful men, which linger in my memory as faithfully tonight, as do the bugle notes which called them to their doom. Thrice that day was the ground in front of us contested, lost and won and twice our men were driven back under cover of that fearful range of guns - and each time brought its hundreds of wounded to our crowded ground. A little after noon, the enemy made a desperate attempt to regain what had been lost-Hooker, Sedgwick, Dana, Richardson, Hartsuff and Mansfield had been borne wounded from the field and the command of the right wing devolved upon General Howard, -- The smoke became so dense, as to obscure our sight-and the hot sulphurous breath of battle dried our tongues, and parched our lips to bleeding. We were in a slight hollow and all shell which did not break among our guns, in front, came directly among or over us- bursting above our heads or burying themselves in the hills beyond. A man lying upon the ground asked for a drink-I stooped to give it, and having raised him with my right hand, was holdingthe cup to his lips with my left, when I felt a sudden twitch of the loose sleeve of my dress the poor fellow sprang from my hands and fell back quivering, in the agonies of death - A ball had passed between my body - and the right arm which supported him - cutting through the sleeve, and passing through his chest from shoulder to shoulder. There was no more to be done for him and I left him to his rest - I have never mended that hole in my sleeve - I wonder if a soldier ever does mend a bullet hole in his coat? The patient endurance of those men - was most astonishing as many as could be wore carried into the barn, as a slight protection against random shot - just outside the door lay a man wounded in the face - the ball having entered the lower maxillary on the left side, and lodged among the bones of the right cheek - his imploring look drew me to him - when placing his fingers upon the sharp protuberance, he said Lady will you tell me what this is that burns so -- I replied that it must be the ball which had been to far spent to out its way entirely through - It is terribly painful he said won't you take it out? I said I would go to the tables for a surgeon "No! No!" he said, catching my dress "they cannot come to me, I must wait my turn for this is a little wound! You can get the ball, there is a knife in my pocket - please take the ball out for me." This was a new call -- I had never severed the nerves and fibers of human flesh - and I said I could not hurt him so much - he looked up, with as nearly a smile as such a mangled face could assume saying - "You cannot hurt me dear lady - I can endure any pain that your hands can create - please do it, -t will relieve me so much." I could not withstand his entreaty - and opening the best blade of my pocket knife -- prepared for the operation -- Just at his head lay a stalwart orderly sergeant from Illinois - with a face beaming with intelligence and kindness - and who had a bullet directly through the fleshy part of both thighs - he had been watching the scene with great interest and when he saw me commence to raise the poor fellow's head, and no one t support it, with a desperate effort he succeeded in raising himself to a sitting posture - exclaiming as he did so, "I will help do that" - and shoving himself along upon the ground he took the wounded head in his hands and held it while I extracted the ball and washed and bandaged the face. I do not think a surgeon would have pronounced it a scientific operation, but that it was successful I dared to hope from the gratitude of the patient. I assisted the sergeant to lie down again - brave and cheerful as he had risen, and passed on to others. Returning in half an hour I found him weeping - the great tears rolling silently down his manly cheeks - I thought his effort had been too great for his strength -- and expressed my fears -- "Oh! No! No! Madam," he replied - "It is not for myself I am very well - but - " pointing to another just brought in, he said, "This is my comrade and he tells me that our regiment is all out to pieces - that my captain was the last officer left - and he is dead." Oh! God - what a costly war - This man could laugh at pain face death without a tremor, and yet weep like a child over the loss of his comrades and his captain. At two o'clock my men came to tell me that the last loaf of bread had been out and the last cracker pounded. We had three boxes of wine still unopened - what should they do? "Open the wine - and give that" I said, "And God help us." The next instant an ejaculation from sergeant Field, who opened the first box, drew my attention, and to my astonished gaze the wine had been packed in nicely sifted indian meal - If it had been gold dust, it would have seemed poor in comparison - I had no words - no one spoke - in silence the men wiped their eyes, and resumed their work. Of twelve boxes of wine which we carried the first nine when opened had been found packed in sawdust - the last, when all else was gone - in indian meal. A woman would not hesitate long under circumstances like these. This was an old farmhouse - six large kettles were picked up - washed and filled with water, and set over fires almost as quickly as I can tell it and I was mixing meal and water for gruel. 23. It occurred to use to explore the cellar--The chimney rested on an arch - and forcing the door we discovered three barrels and a bag "They are full", said the sergeant, as he sounded them with his foot-and rolling one into the light found that it bore the mark of Jackson's army-These three barrels of flour and a bag of salt-had been stored by the Rebel Army during its march. I shall never experience such a sensation of wealth and competency again-From utter poverty to such riches. All that night my thirty men (for our corps of workers had increased to that number during the day) carried buckets of hot gruel for miles down the line to the wounded dying where they fell. This time we had lanterns to hang in and around the barn, and having directed it to be done-I went to the house, and found the surgeon in charge sitting alone, beside a table, upon which he rested his elbow apparently meditating upon a tallow candle that flickered in its center- Approaching carefully-I said, "You are tired Doctor" -- He started up with a look almost savage -- "Tired Yes! I am tired- tired of such heartlessness-such carelessness!" -and turning full upon me continued- "Think of the condition of things-Here are at least 1000 wounded men, terribly wounded-500 of whom cannot live till daylight without attention--That two inches of candle is all I have or can get"-"What Can I do? How can I endure it?" I took him by the arm, and leading him to the door, pointed in the direction of the barn-where the lanterns glistened like stars among the waving corn. "What is that?", he exclaimed. "The barn is lighted," I said, "And the house will be directly." "Who did it?" he asked, "Where did you get them?"-- "I brought them with me." "How many have you?" "All you want four boxes." He looked at me a moment-turned away without a word, and never afterward alluded to the circumstance. But the deference which he paid me was almost painful. Darkness brought silence, and peace, respite and rest 24. to our gallant men-and as they had risen regiment by regiment from their grassy beds in the morning, so at night the fainting remnant again sunk down on the trampled earth. The weary to sleep-"and the wounded to die". Through the long starlight night we wrought and hoped and prayed - but it was only when in the hush of the following day as we glanced over that vast aceldama-that we learned at what a fearful cost, the gallant Union Army won the battle of Antietam. "When the faithful had fallen, and the combat was ended A chariot of five through the dark cloud descended And its burning wheels turned on axles of brightness A seraph unfolded its doors bright and shining, All dazzling like gold of the seventh refining! And the souls that came forth out of great tribulation Have mounted the chariots and steeds of salvation-- On the arch of the rainbow the chariots is gliding Through the path of the thunder the horsemen are riding Glide swiftly-bright spirits-the prize is before you- A crown never fading-a kingdom of Glory. And now in conclusion, while expressing my profound sense of the patience and courtesy, with which you have listened to me, permit yet a word of a more general character. While accompanying our armies I-of course passed much more among the rank and file-than among the officers of any grade- And while I would not disparage the many hundreds of noble men deservedly decorated with stars and eagles, my experience, deepened a conviction-otherwise strong-that-in peace or in war this fate of the Republic is mainly in the hands of the innumerable multitude of our citizens, who wear no titles. West Point will continue to furnish some science-a good deal of etiquette, and not a little sympathy with our enemies, the ranks of the Regular Army, will be largely recruited with needy foreigners - strangers to the genius of our institutions - but the25. safety of the country rests essentially with those who rise from its bosom in the hour of need-and peacefully reture when the need is over. The days of a nation are numbered when its common citizens refuse to fight its battles. In days when a man was more precious than gold-and gold has a fabulous value-the offer of a private soldier was of more worth than the gift of a captain. Young men enough would take commissions, but of his own free will, would shoulder a musket and trudge for two or three years- through all the toils and hardships of war, subject ever hour to the absolute will of men he knew not-who might be wise men, and might perchance be fools! Oh! my friends-there is something sublime in the patriotism of the man who would do that, at his country's call. You owe to him-or to his widow and children after him-a debt you can never repay-but you can see to it that you give him no cause to repent of his sacrifice. In the establishment of justice,and protection for all- and aid, and comfort for the needy, you can show your appreciation. The noble name of charity-the chief virtue of the apostle- has in these last ages sunk down to a synonym of unfeeling coldness and I dislike to use it in this connection:but the institutions of aid, that are springing up all over the land, inadequate though they are, next to the sacrifices of our heroic men-the countries proudest decorations. Peace has its duties as well as war-as important and almost as trying. The government of a nation can have but one essential object- to insure justice and protection under equal laws to all human beings within its borders-The government that does not try to do this, had better abdicate at once. A fair field, and no favor, equal protection to all, and exclusive privileges to none-are ideas which commend themselves so to the reason and the conscience, that they need no demonstration- But governments-especially in a country like ours do not lead but follow the people. 26. Often with unequal steps and slow-you must sometimes tell them your mind very plainly before they will heed you--I have nothing to do with what are called "political questions" but the moral aspects of the subject are plain, when the ballots case on election day are as decision for weal or woe as the the minni balls cast on the field of stricken battle. I am told that good men are getting to shrink from the polls, because they are unpleasant places-scenes of noise-and turbulence, as well shrink from Antietam or Gettysburg for they were both unpleasant and noisy. I hold it to be the solemn duty of every citizen-as a citizen to study each public question that arises-seek diligently for truth and light upon it, and then neither awed by power-nor blinded by sophistry-nor seduced by blandishments-nor bought by bribes-express his convictions by word, and vote,and leave the rest to God. To you men the strength of the land, my brothers-let me as a woman who loves her country, its institutions, and its people, dare address this parting word-to you-because to you only is intrusted the power to do what I would ask. In your hands rests the future well or ill- of this dear noble land-to you comes the appeal of the lonely widowed mother in her desolate home-it may be among the forests of Maine-or from beside her dying embers beyond the Mississippi-that you see to it- that the fatherless children she is raising in toil and penury- shall not like their father fill the martyrs grave. The laws of her country tell her she is weak-and make her powerless-she can only raise sons to fill its armies, and mourn their loss, when its battles are ended-to you comes her appeal and the cry of her orphan children-that you so preserve their rights, and its liberties, that they may not only live-but live like citizens worthy the great country which gave them birth. Listen, once more-to the low weak voices grown to thunder tones in their multitude-rising from the fields, river beds-and prison grounds of every state from Maryland to Texas. Listen 'tis to you Brothers, see to it, that we died not in vain-and let me add my voice to the noble martyr band.27. Brothers! See to it that they died not in vain.