Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-11-04
SheperdAwn nCont,W Virginia.
Jackson, Inspector of Fed
eral Hospitals.

eral Hospitals.
1t was in the spring OF 1862, when
Stonewall Jackson, marching down the
Shenandoah Valley, had won brilliant
victory over General Banks, whom he
drove north until the friendly Potomac
interposed its screen. and he found safety
and care for his sick and wounded in the
hospitals OF Frederick.
A new nurse had been assigned to one
OF the hospitals the day before the battle
"a Massachusetts, woman named Char
lotte Mckay, widowed and made childleSS
within single year. The patients she
had under her care were mostly Federals,
OF course, but there was good sprink-
ling of wounded Confederates who were
prisoners of war.
One day, just after dinner time, the
chief surgeon entered Mrs. McKay's
ward accompanied by stranger. The
man had the appearance OF a student.
His head was bent and his brows were
drawn together, with two deep lines be-
tween them, as if he had spent long,
thoughtful hours at his desk; and his
eyes, the color of blue steel, swept the
ward with a keen glance that seemed 10
take in everything. His grizzled beard
showed that he was no longer young
but his step and bearing were elastic and
vigorous.
doctor Janeway is from Louisiana, J."
explained the chief, as he introduced the
stranger. "He had to abandon a large
sugar plantation there when the war
broke out, because of his loyalty. He
was surgeon in the Crimean War, and
so is interested in seeing how we do
things here"
The stranger chatted genially with the
nurses and the surgeon, discussed their
operating facilities, compared them with
those OF the Crimea, questioned them
about the rations OF the prisoners, and
accepted steaming cup Of hot soup from
the nurse. The prisoners were watching
and listening to all that passed, in strong
contrast TO the sulIen indifference they
had shown before. One young Virginian,
tall and muscular, looked as if he were
about 10 spring from his cot.
"That boy looks like he came from
near my place." observed the Southern
Unionist. "May speak 10 him ?"
"Yes, doctor; you may talk TO any OF
them"
With a curiouSIy quick and noiseleSS
step The visitor reached the bed, and
converSed for a moment in tones that
were inaudible to all but the young SOL
dier.~ He returned in moment.
al was mistaken chance resem-
blance deceived ME. The man says he
is hankering for drink nurse. told
him would ask you for il"
The wounded man drank the water,
stretched out on his side, and appeared
to sleep, while the two surgeons went
on TO another ward, and presently left the
building. Mounting his horse, Doctor
Janeway bade cordial good-by to the
chief, bowed with deep respect 10 the
two women, and rode slowly out OF the
hospital grounds.
The prisoners were in better spirits the
next morning. A laugh passed from time
to time. 1t was almost as if some excel
lent joke unknown 10 their attendants
had raised their courage.
"Did you know the gentleman who
was here yesterday ?" Mrs. Mckay
asked the boy soldier. The lad grinned
up al her and replied
'Yes, ma'am."
"You did ? Who was he ?"
at was Stonewal Jackson, ma'am."
The nurse stared then she said:
YOU'RE making fun Of me, Pryor.
General Jackson here in the midst OF our
armies !"
at wouldn't be the first time, retorted
he boy, netted by her unbellet. More
than once when he hadn't just the scout
he wanted at hand, he has gone on his
own errands."
"But what if he should be recognized y
"Who's 10 recognize him ? None oi
your folks, for those who would know
him are fighting, not nursing the sick
And none OF ours, for they wouldn't tell
if they saw him. Reason he spoke TO me,
yesterday, was cause was showing toe
much interest. Pm one OF his loot cav
airy ma'am. He wanted to know just
how we was bein' treated, and so he
came to see."
1--WE try to do the best we can for you,
! Pryor"
Eyes, ma am. told him so. We've
been treated heap better than we ex-
pected to be. But it's tough TO be a pris.
oner, you know. And that was Stone