“My son Peter, during the evening after the battle, had been conveyed to the hospital. As soon as Gen. Anderson could do so, he started to find him. He found young Whit-comb with my son, whom the General had sent earlier to look after him; also, old Ham, who was in the rear during the engagement, not far from the hospital. When the General entered, Peter recognized and greeted him, but added:
“'General, my time has come. When I go, that will be the last finger but one. My mother's dream; O! how true! how true! This is not unexpected to me, my dear General.
“I have been waiting for it. This morning, when I found what our orders were, I committed my soul to God, and felt this to be my time.'
“The General said to him that he thought there was a chance for him to get well.
“'No, no,' replied Peter; 'I may linger some time. The doctor thinks there is a chance for me; but, no; I am sure this is only the fulfilling of my mother's dream.'”
At this recital the old man wept and walked out of the room. Very soon, however, he returned, and continued:
“Why should I grieve? I will soon see them all. I am very sure that I will meet my good and brave family again in a better world.”
“Amen!” said Dr. Adams.
Uncle Daniel said: “Peter always believed there was something in his mother's dream; and while Gen. Anderson was trying to encourage him, old Ham spoke up:
“'Marsa Gen'l, dey's no use. I tell you dat dream am a fac'. It is, sho', an' Marsa Peter he know it. I 'terpret dat for him; 'deed I did. I not fool on dat. But, den, we mus' take keer ob him. I 'spec' he go home an' see he mudder and fader. I 'spec' me better go wid him and tend to him. Don't you fought so too, Marsa Gen'l?'