The National tribune., 1893-06-08

terested in that narrative that
/ would like to tell more of what ! know.
When the din of battle had ceased in the
| Valley it was discovered that the once-bab-
bling brook had suddenly been drained, the
| dry canteen was everywhere to be found,
the old oaken bucket of our hospital we'll
was a thing of the past, and the sweep
had been declared "off." No medicines, no
dressings, no rations, was the awful fact that
had to be faced. The poor helpless and
| hapless Surgeon was, while in the midst of
these serious reflections and the manned
and dying, ordered by the departing superior
to remain and take care of all that were
| found living when the morning should come
so the writer had great contract on his
| hands.
| But daybreak found 200 pounds Of living
| flesh and bone moving-the larders and
stomachs all empty; but we had stragglers
| and finds" and OF both articles there were
many. We utilized them at once, and by 10
a. m. the hapless Surgeon had organized
a company of foragers from the struggling
boys, and ordered abroad to bring in sheets,
bed-clothing and provisions in abundance.
BY 2 p. m. one of the most picturesque
trains reported in camp that it has ever been
my fortune to see-wagons in variety brood
mares, lop-eared mules, serving Uncle Sam
side by side faithfully and well. Old
"Blossy and her skipping calf came behind
a wagon that day without much coaxing of
the rope, and the younger cow with the older
calf followed hard by with frightened stare,
scolding the boys for their impertinence
and opportunities. Many an empty stomach
was surprised that evening with veal broth
and fresh milk, and many an old fellow owes
the fact of his existence to-day to the finds
M hat To- ha-f L.; nd
Providence had sent us water, and the boys
had supplied the sheeting. scribe was
found and put to work to take an inven-
tory of all that had come into camp with
the first train, and it was discovered that
nearly all Of the necessities and a great
many of the luxuries of life had arrived
But we had no bread.
A school for training nurses had to be
organized at once; and while the unwounded
men were all in line, the names taken with
company, regiment, and rank, preparatory
to the selection of nurses, the fact became
apparent that this field of industry was
fully covered by the men placed on our roll,
and the details were promptly made, the
nurses were sent to search the hooks and
corners of the entire camp for possible neg
lected and wounded men, and before day
break of the 10th we had a list of all, and
every wounded man, however slight the
wound, had received at least the best atten-
ton the circumstances would afford.
Que of the details was that of two milers
who were instructed to take possession of a |
small country grist-mill that had been found
and reported down On the creek, at the |
mouth of our now babbling brook The |
foragers were instructed to take supply of |
cereals to the mill the first thing after day |
light the next morning; and so the team |
moved off promptly and came back loaded |
with almost everything, including women,
young and old, white and bronzed. with |
willing hands, needles and thread and a
supply of old domestic materials that made
the Surgeons heart leap with joy. These
good women were not hard to conscript. and
only needed gentle hint that Uncle Sans
boys meant business. Having found brick
and bricklayers, we soon had fine, large.
brick Out-aven that was wondrous in the
eyes of our female help; but brace of
bakers had been one of our details, and
luxury for those who could eat was amply
assured. Henceforth we had the best of
biscuit, Spring chicken, and roast shoat ga
lore; and it was decided by unanimous
standing vote that the best bread came from
our new oven that had ever been eaten in
that locality. We had apples and apple
dumplings, peaches and peach-coblers.
Our millers, after supplying -four and
cornmeal in abundance, began supplying fish
to our hearts content. Thus fed, nursed,
and cared for our wounded for the most
part got along fairly well, and those others
who were not wounded decided that "the
last was better than the first"
The captured women remained with us
until honorably discharged, going home of
evenings in style in captured carry -alls and
escorted by brave "soger boys" They did
noble work, and several romances might
have been written later of the boys who re-
turned TO the same locality to be made per-
manent prisoners, and sentenced for life in
the service of the aprons and the apron
strings not consumed in the care of the
wounded.
Our dead were laid quietly and decently
away, with many q tear shed by scrrowing
comrades; and thus time passed until the
Doth Of October, 1862, when the critters"
were returned to their owners, the women
sent to their own homes, the blankets
and coverings returned, as far AS possible, 10
their righttul owners, and camp was broken.
1t has never been my good fortune to visit
that Perryvlle locality in these intervening
years, but have often wished to thank the
people referred to for their many kind acts.
We appreciated their aid in the day of our
X. CRAWFORD, George Ii.
Thomas Post, s, Chicago. Ill.