The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-08
NURSE AND spy.
The Adventures Of a Woman
in Hospitals, Camps and
Battlefelds. 30
BY S. EMMA E. EDMONDS.
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.

BY S. EMMA E. EDMONDS.
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS.
The services of Emma EdmOnds, the
! famous Union nurse and spy, are here
related by herself in a manner that has
| seldom been surpassed in narratives o.
the dramatic sort by women. native OF
New Brunswick. but full Of sympathy
with the principles for which the Union
armies fought, she entered the service OF
the Government. Her efficient labors in
the different hospitals, as well as her
arduOuS duties field nurse and as
Orderly, embrace many thrilling and
graphically described She was chosen
for secret work While acting as a spy,
which is one of the most hazardous posi-
tons in the army the author penetrated
the enemy's lines III various DISCUSSES no
less than II times, always with complete
success and without detection. She has
told of the doings of McClellan's army, OF
the Seven Days, Malvern Hill, and the
retirement to Harrison's Landing.
| The enemy followed the army with a
small force, and occasionally threw few
shells at the ear-guard, but were quickly
dispersed by our batteries and gunboats,
and on the evening of the Sd of July the
entire army reached the Landing.
The troops presented a most distress
ing appearance as they drew up in line
and stacked their guns at Harrison's Bar.
| The rain had been pouring down most OF
| the night and was still drenching the
DOOR battle worn. fOot-Sore soldiers. and
| turning the roads into beds Of mortar, and
the low. marShy ground at the Landing
into such condition that it was impossl-
bic to get along dry ShOd. except for those
who rejoiced in the possession of high
boots
The aggregate of our entire losses in the
seven days battles from the Goth Of June
to the 1st of July. inclusive, was ascer-
tanned. after arriving al Harrison s Land
ing. to be 1920; namely ,5S2 killed;
7, 700 wounded, and 5,953 missing.
On the Fourth OF July the following
address was issued TO the troops by Gen.
Mcclellan:
HEADQUARTERS, Army of the Potomac,
A. 1862.
Soldiers OF the Army OF the Potomac:
Your achievements of the last 10 days
have illustrated the vaior and endurance
Of the American soldier. Attacked by
superior forces and Without hope OF rein =
forcements, you have succeeded in chang
ing your base of operations by flank
movement always regarded as the most
hazardous Of military cxpedients You
have saved al! your material. all your
trains and all your guns, except few
lost in battle. taking in return guns and
colors from the etiemy. Upon your march
you have been assai!ed day after day with
desperate fury by mcff Of the same race
and Nation ski'ifuiiy massed and led.
Under every disadvantage OF number. and
necessarily of position also, you have in
every conflict beaten back your foes with
enormous slaughter.
your conduct ranks you among the
celebrated armies OF history. No one will
now question that each of you may al
ways with pride say: Il belong to the
Army of the Potomac You have reached
the new base complete in organization
and unimpaired in spirit. The enemy
may at any moment attack you. We are
prepared To meet them. ] have person
ally established your lines. Let them
come, and we Will convert their repulse
into a final defeat. Your Government is
Strengthening you with the resources of
great people.
"Ol this. our Nations birthday, we de-
clare To our foes who are enemies against
the best interests 81 mankind, that this
army shall enter the Capital of the so
called Confederacy; that our National Con-
stitution shall prevail, and that the Union,
which can alone insure internal peace
and external security to each State, must
and shall be preserved cost what ii may
in time. treasure, and blood
OLD AcQUAINTANcEs.
About "a week after we arrived at Fiar-
ri5o.l'5 Landing d number Of our absent
ones Joined US. among whom were Mr..
aud Mrs B Nellie Jack my wound
ed darky friend from Williamsburg Hos
pitai. and last and least OF all came that
pusiilanimouS coward. Col. 49,. whom |
had assisted n carrying from the
field at the battle OF williamsburg,
and whom Dr. F. had ordered back
To his regiment under penalty of being
reported 10 his superior officer. The
day after the arrival OF this individual ]
received q message requesting. me to APP
pear at the Headquarters Of the regi-
ment | started Immediately. and found
To my establishment that II was this Col
onei who desired an interview with me.
He had been gone on furlough ever
since the battle of Williamsburg, and had
played his cards so well that he had been
promoted to the command Of tire brigade
lie had also MANAGED. by false represen-
tationS. To have the following notice in.
se-ted in the leading new5Rapers of bis
native State; viz, Col. was severely
at the hattie OF Williamsburg
while gallant!y leading desperate charge
on the enemy's works ard was carried
from the field. hut no sooner had the
Surgeons bound up his wound than the
noble and patriotic Colonel returned again
To his command and led his men again
and again upon the foe. until the day was
won: when he sank upon The ground. eX
hausted from loss Of blood and fatigue
and was carried the second time by his
men from the field"
The paper in which this false statement
was published found its way TO camp, and
DIR. E replied to il, somewhat chang
ing the EDITORS sentiments with regard TO
the conduct Of the noble and patriotic
Colonel lie (the Colonel had now re