"The lady I mean, has a son who is an officer in the army."
"They both have sons who are officers in the army. Don't be afraid; you are among friends."
"Friends" might mean Union or it might mean Rebel; so I accepted no amendments, but adhered to the main question:
"This officer is a lieutenant, and his name is John."
"Well," said she, "they are both lieutenants, and John is the name of both!"
I knew my man too well to be baffled. I continued: "He is in the second regiment of the Senior Reserves; and is now on duty at ----."
"Oh," said she, "that is my brother!"
At once I told her what we were. She replied, with a wonderful light of welcome shining in her eyes:
"If you are Yankees, all I have to say is, that you have come to exactly the right place!"
Food, Shelter, and Hosts of Friends.