The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-01-11
CHAPTER XIII.
Field HOSPITAL. Sixth Corps.

Field Hospital, Sixt, Corps.
My head ached so abominably
when first opened my eyes that
was compelled to close them again,
merely realizing dimly that | looked
up at something white above me,
which appeared to sway rs though
blown iently by the wind. My crop
Ing hand, the only one appeared
able to move, toll me ! was lying
upon a camp-cot, with soft sheets
about me, and that my head rested
upon a pillow. Then | passed once
more into Inconsistencies, but this
time 1t wss asleep.
When | once more awakened the
throbbing pain had largely left my
hot temples, and saw that the sway
Ing white canopy composed the roof
OF large tent, upon which the
golden sunlight now lay in checkered
masses, telling ms the canvas had
been erected among trees. faint
moan caused me to move my head
slightly on the gratefully soft pillow,
and ! could perceive long row of
cots, exactly similar to the one
occupied. each apparently filled,
stretching away toward an opening
that looked forth into the open air.
A man was moving slowly down the
narrow aisle toward me, stopping
here and there to bend over some
cufferer with medicine or CHEEKY
word. He wore short white jacket.
and was without cap, his head of
heavy red hair most conspicuous
object. AS he approached en-.
deavored to speak, but for the moment
ny throat refused response to the ef-
fort. Then | managed to ask feebly:
Where am ~
The blue eyes in the freckled. boy
ish face danced good-humoredly, and
he laid a big red hand gently upon
my forehead.
Field hospital. Sixth Corps" he
said, with strong Hibernian &C
cent. An how dc ye loike it, John
ny?"
Better than some others I've seen"
managed to articulate family. Who
Eong"
"Divil wan OF us knows" he ad.
nitted frankly. but your fellows did
The retratin'."
1t was an old, old story to all Of us
by that time, and ! closed my eyes
YEARLY. content to ask no more.
have no way of knowing how long
rested there motionless although
awake, my eyes closed to keep out the
painful glare. my sad thoughts busted
with memory Of those men whom |
Ead seen reel and fall upon that
stricken field we had battled so vainly
TO save. Once | wondered, with sud.
den start OF fear, II had lost a limb
II was to be crippled for life. the
one thing dreaded above all else
Feeling feeb!y beneath my bed-cloth.
ing tested, as best could each
limb. All were apparently intact, al.
though my left arm seemed useless
and devoid OF feeling. broken nc
doubt, and heaved sigh of genuine
relief. Then became partially
aroused 10 my surroundings by a
voice speaking from the cot next
mine.
you lazy irish marine!" It cried
petulantly, that beef stew was to
have been given me an hour ago"
Sure, sor," was the soothing reply
1T wasn't to be given yer honor TIL
two o'clock"
Well, it's all OF three now"
"Wan-thirty, on mo sowl, sor,"
That first voice sounded oddly
familiar. and | turned my face that
way, bu. was unable to perceive the
speaker.
~ that Lieutenart Caton?" | ssked
doubtfully.
Most Lssuredly It is" quickly
And who are your
Captain Wayne OF the Confederate
Army"
"Oh, Wayne? Glad you spoke. but
extremely sorry TO have you here
Badly hurt"
Not seriously, think. No limbs
missing, anyhow. but exceedingly
weak. Where did they get your" -
I'm the side. musket ball. but ex
tracted. ! would he all right II that
lazy Irish scamp would only give me
EGh enough to eat. BY the way
Wayne. Of course ] never got the
straight OF It. for there are half.a.
dozen stories about the affair flying
around. and those most interested will
not talk, but one of your special
friends. Ind to my notion most
charming young woman, will be In
here TO see me sometime this after
noon. She will be delighted to meet
you again, I'm sure"
One Of mr. friends?" ] questioned
credulously. yet instantly thinking
= Edith brennan "A young worn
a."