“But I am responsible for these supplies, and cannot let them go without proper orders.”
The wagons were soon loaded up, and the bales of hay and cotton were soon at the hospital tents. An axe cut the hoops, and the hay went flying into the tents in long even rows with the help of ready hands. An armful of cotton made a good pillow. All night long the work went on. Some with lanterns were searching among the dead for the wounded and bringing them in; others dressing the wounds. No one was idle. The utmost of strength and energy must be put forth at such a time.
But the quartermaster must make his accounts all right, and of course had to enter complaint against Mother Bickerdyke. She was summoned to meet the charge, which she did when she found time to go.
“Mrs. Bickerdyke, you are charged with taking quartermaster’s stores without proper orders and over his protest.”
“Who ordered the tents put up on the college grounds?”
“I did.”
“What were they put up for?”
“To shelter the wounded men, of course.”
“Did you expect these wounded men to lie on the ground?”
“You should have obtained orders.”