“‘Why, no, ma’am; we wanted them to go and take the fort.’
“‘But when it was taken, you were in too great agony to know or care for it?’
“‘O, no, ma’am,’ they replied, with flashing eyes. ‘There was a whole lot of us wounded fellows on the hill-side, watching to see if they would get the fort; and when we saw they had it, every one of us who had a whole arm, or leg, waved it in the air, and hurrahed till the air rang again.’”
This is from a letter by Miss M. E. Breckenbridge, a lady who laid down her life for the sick soldiers.
Pudding and Milk.
Under Dr. Vanderkieft’s supervision, in Sedgwick’s corps, there was one of the noblest self-sacrificing women of the army of the Potomac. This lady was unwearied in her efforts for the good of the soldiers.
While at Smoketown Hospital, there was a poor, emaciated soldier, whose weak and pitiable condition attracted her attention. He could retain nothing on his stomach. Mrs. Lee—for that was the lady—had tried all the various dishes for which the meagre hospital supplies afforded materials, but nothing afforded the patient relief and nourishment, until one day, in overhauling the stores, she found a quantity of Indian corn meal.
“O, I have found a prize,” she cried, in delight.
“What is it?” inquired the little fellow detailed as orderly.