The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-11-26
MS HOSPITAL VISIT
The Stranger Who Inspected the
Federal Quarters.
NE cHEERED A FEW PATIENTS

But the Secret Of the Unknown 0so'
tore Influence Did Not Dseems A.
parent Until the Next Day and Afts'
He Had Taken His Departure.
It was in the spring of 1862, wheE
etonewall Jackson, marching down thu
Shenandoah valley. had won q bril-
uant victory over General Banks
whom he drove north until the friend
" Potomac interp0sed its screen and
Ne found safety and care for his sick
and wounded In the hospitals Of Fred
s1iek.
A new nurse had been assigned to
enc Of the hospitals the day before the
battle-a Massachusetts, woman named
Charlotte Mckay, widowed and made
ehndless within a single year. The
patients she had under her care were
mostly Federals Of course. but there
was q good sprinkling of wounded
GOBfederates who were prisoners of
War
OuC uuy, JuSL ulOSl ulllICh NAAACS SAN
chief surgeon entered Mrs. McKay's
ward, accompanied by a stranger. The
man had the appearance Of a student
His head was bent and his brows were
drawn together. with two deep lines
between 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
to take in everything. His grizzled
beard showed that he was no longer
young, but his step and bearing were
elastic and vigorous.
"Dr. .Janeway is from louisiana" ex-
planned the chief as lie introduced the
stranger. He had to abandon a large
sugar plantation there when the war
broke out because of his loyalty. He
was Il surgeon in the Crimean war and
30 fs interested in. seeing how we do
things here"
' The stranger ehattcd genialIy with
The nurses and the surgeon. discussed
their operating facilities. compared
them with, those OF the Crimea. ques-
toned them about the rations Of the
prisoners and accepted a steamtng cup
of. hot soup from the nurse.
The prisoners were watching and lis
fening to all that passed, in strong con-
trust to- the sulien Indifference they
had shown before. One young Virgin.
ian, tall aud muscular. looked as II he
were. about to spring from his cot.
THAT boy looks like he came from
near my place." observed the southern
Unionist. May l speak to him?"
"Yes. doctor; you may talk to any Of
them"
With a c~uriously 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
der. He returned in a moment.
II was mistaken. A chance resem.
blance deceived me. The man says he
Is 'hankering for a drink nurse.
told him ] would ask you for it."
The wounded man drank the water.
stretched out OIL his side and appeared
to sleep. while the two surgeons went
on to another ward and presently left
the building. Mounting his horse, DR.
Janeway babe a cordial goodby to the
chief, bowed with deep respect to the
tvo. 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 II
some excellent joke unknown to theiI
attendants had raised their courage.
did you know the gentleman who
was here yesterday" Mrs. Mckay
asked the hoy soldier The lad grinned
upat her and replied"
"Yes, matam."
'sYOu did. Who washer
ut was Stonewall Jackson. ma'am."
The nurse stared. then she said:
You're. making fun OF me. Pryor
General Jackson here i'm the midst Of
our armtes!"
ut wouldn't he the first time," re
torted the boy, nettled by her unbelief
More than once. when he hadn't just
the scout he wanted at hand. he has
gone Oh bis own errands."
"But what II be should be recog
Afze6.
WHO'S to recognize him? None o.
yeap fohss. for those who would know
Him are Sighting. not nursing the sick
And none Of ours. for they wouldn'
sell If they saw him. Reason he spok'
70 me yesterday was cause wa
showing too much interest. I'm n o
Is foot cavalry ma'am. He wantet
TO- know just how We was bein' treat
ID, and 80 he came to see."
we try to do the best Ne can to
yca, Pryor"
YES, ma'am. told him 10. View
Deen treated a heap better than We 81
nected to be. But It's tough to be
1sisoner, you know. And that va
1tonewall Jackson. "-YOuth's Compal
An.
Nothing Gratis.
"You can't get something for nothin
ID this life"
&Vrn. ~ .1~hks ron1ioN fhp 31Onm