The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-09-15
CHAPTER iii.
IN THE HOSPITALS-DANGER OF CAPT
URE- WASHINGTON IN CONFUSION.
MCCLELLAN TAKES COMMAND

ID.
Once more I started in the direction of
Centerviiie. | had not gone more than a
few rods before | heard the CHATTER OF
horses hoofS. ] stopped and looking in
the direction OF the fire ! had lust quilted
] saw a squad of cavalry ride up to the
woman, who still sat there. Fortunately
] had no horse to make noise or at
tract attention, having left mine at the
hospital with the intention of returning
Immediately.
1t was evident 10 my mind that those
were the enemy's cavalry, and that it
was necessary for me to keep out of sight
if possible until they were gone Then
the thought came to me that the woman
at the fire knew no better than To tell them
that | had been there few minutes be
fore. Happily, however, ! was near Il
fence, against which there were great
piles of brush, and as the night was be
coming very dark and it was beginning 10
rain thought could remain undetected
al least, until morning.
My suspicious proved TO be correct
They were coming toward me, and com
polling the woman 10 come and show
them the direction | had taken. | de
cided to crawl under one of those brush
heaps, which did, and had scarcely done
SO when up they came and stopped over
against the Identical pile in which was
concealed.
One of the mon said See here, old wo
man, arc you sure that she can tell US if
we find herr" "Oh, yes; she can tel, you,
I know she can, was the woman's reply.
They would GO away little distance and
then come back again. BY and by they
began TO accuse the woman of playing Il
false game. Then they swore, threatened
10 shoot her, and she began 10 cry. All
this was an interesting performance,
admit but ] did not enjoy il Gui'e 50
much. in consequence of being rather nm
comfortably near the performers. At last
they gave il up as "A hopeless case and
rode away, taking the woman with them
and | was left in b.issfui ignorance OF the
mystery which they wished me To un-
ravel, and for once in my life | reioiced at
not having my curiosity" gratified.
AMONG THE DYING.
remained there until the last echo of
their retreating footsteps had died away
in the distance. Then | came forth very
cautiously and made my way to Center
vile, where the interesting Intelligence
awaited me that MIR. and Mrs. b had
gone, and had taken my horse. surprising
that had been taken prisoner.
The village of Centerviiic was not yet
occupied by the rebels, so that | might
have made my escape without any fur
Their trouble; but how could 90 and leave
a soul 10 give them drink of water
must go into that stone church once
more, even at the risk of being taken
prisoner did So and the cry Of Water"
water, was heard above the CroanS OF
the dying. Chaplain B had told Them
before leaving that they would soon be i'm
the hands OF the enemy; that the army
had retreated To Washington, and that
there was no possibility of removing the
wounded.
There they lay, calmly awaiting the ap-
preach OF their cruel captOrs. and ap-
parentiy prepared TO accept with resigna-
ton any fate which their cruelty might
suggest. Oh. how brave those men were
What moral courage they possessed
Nothing but the grace OF God and a right
appreciation Of the great cause in which
they had nobiy fought and bled cou Id
reconcile them TO such sufIerngs and
humiliation.
They all urged me to leave them. and
not subject myself TO the baTbarouS treat
ment which would be likely TO receive if
should he taken prisoner, adding: IF
you do stay the rebels will not let you do
anything for us. One of the men said
DIR. E has only been gone a little
while. He extracted three balls from nv
leg and arm, and that, too, with his pen
knife. ! saw u balls which he had taken
from the limbs of men in this hospital
lie was determined TO remain with us.
but We would not consent for we knew he
would not be allowed TO do any more for
us alter the rebels came, and you must go.
too, and go very soon, or they viii be here f"
a MASSACHUSETTS SOLDIER.
After placing water within the reach of
aS many as could use their arms and
giving some 10 those who could not. /
turned 10 leave them, with feelings that |
cannot describe, but ere ! reached the
door feeble voice called me back II
was mat OF a young officer from Massa-
chuSetts. He held in his hand "A gold
locket, and as he handed il 10 me he
SAID: VIII you please open it," | did
so, and then held il for him TO take a last
look at the picture which it contained.
lie graSped IT eagerly and pressed il 10
his lips again and again.
The picture was that of lady of rare
beauty, with an infant i'm her arms. She
seemed scarcely more than a child her
sell. On the opposite side was printed
her name and address. While ne still
gazed upon IL with quiyering iiD. and
stood there waiting for some tender mes
sage for the loved ones, the unmistakabie
tramp OF cavalry was heard in the street
A moment more and had snatched the
focket from the hands of the diving man
and was gone
The streets were full of cavalry. but moi
near enough To discover me as the nigh,
was exceedingly dark and the rain came
down IN torrents. One glance was s,;fIi-
Gent TO convince me that | could moi es-
cape by either street. The only way WAS
10 climb fence and 90 across lots which
] immediately did, and came out on the
Fairfax road about mile from the vii
iage, and then started for Washington ON
the double quick"
did not reach Alexandria until noon
the next day, almost exhausted and my
shoes Literally worn off my feet HAVING
walked all the way from CenterviiIe i'm The
rain, without food, together with want oI
sleep and the fatigue OF the past week
caused me TO present rather an interest.
ing appearance. | remained there tw,
days before could persuade my limbs I,
bear the weight Of my body / then mad,
my way 10 Washington where | found m,
friends quite anxious lest had fallen INF,
the hands OF the enemy.
SCENES IN WASHINGTON.
A number of men from whom had re
celYed packages, money, etc. before 90
ing into battle, and who reached Wash
ington two days before | did had come +
the conclusion that they had taken ;
pretty sure way Of sending those Dreciou.
things TO Richmond and therefore NV ar
Ilvai was rather an important event. an,
was greeted with a hearty welcome.
My hrSt duty was 10 attend TO thos,
dying soldiers requests. which did i'm
:nediateiy by writing 10 their friends an,
Inciosing the articles which / had re
ceived from the hands Of those loved one
who were now cold in death
Washington at that time presented :
picture strikingiy illustrative of miIitar,
life IN its most depressing form. To rs
the words of Capt. Noyes: There wer
ri.ar.~ H.