CHAPTER V.

Courier service.

New Duties. —­ Battle approaching. —­ Deserters and Scouts. —­ A Providence. —­ Position and Forces of the Confederates. —­ Orders to prepare to move. —­ My New Position. —­ March to the Battle-field. —­ Federals off their Guard. —­ Care of the Confederates against Desertion. —­ Council of War. —­ A Dreary Night. —­ Awfulness of War. —­ The Fight opened. —­ Beauregard’s Address. —­ The First Dead. —­ Detour. —­ Camp of 71st Ohio Volunteers. —­ Failure of Strategy. —­ General Johnson killed. —­ Death concealed. —­ Furious Fighting. —­ Horse killed. —­ Sad Scene. —­ Rebels gaining. —­ Struck by a Shell. —­ Another Horse killed. —­ The Wounded Cavalryman and his Horse. —­ Sleep in the Camp of the 71st Ohio. —­ Startling Reveille. —­ Result of First Day’s Battle. —­ Victory for the Rebels. —­ Arrangements for Second Day. —­ Bloody Scenes. —­ Grant’s Attack. —­ Rebels fall back. —­ Fluctuations of the Day. —­ General Hindman blown up. —­ Retreat determined on. —­ Leaving the Field. —­ Horrors of the Retreat. —­ Sleep among the Dying. —­ Reach Corinth. —­ Resolve 138

CHAPTER VI.

Hospital service.

Wounded arriving. —­ Care of my own Men. —­ Appointment as Assistant-surgeon. —­ Discharge from Rebel Army. —­ Dreadful Scenes. —­ Sickness. —­ Nurses. —­ Stoicism. —­ Military Murder of a Deserter. —­ No Pay. —­ Go to Mobile. —­ Spirit of the People on the Way. —­ Met at Depot. —­ No Means of Escape. —­ The Stagnant City. —­ Surveillance of the Press. —­ Forced Charity.  —­ In charge of a Hospital. —­ Selma. —­ Kindness of Ladies. —­ Piano. —­ Artesian Wells. —­ Model Hospital. —­ Furlough to Richmond. —­ Rigid Discipline. —­ Disappointment. —­ Bitter Thoughts. —­ Crinoline and Volunteering. —­ North asleep 175

CHAPTER VII.

My escape.

Obstacles in the Way of Escape. —­ Farewell to Selma. —­ Gold versus Confederate Scrip. —­ An unnamed Friend —­ Conscription Act. —­ Swearing in a Regiment. —­ Soldier shot. —­ Chattanooga reached. —­ Danger of Recognition. —­ Doff the Military. —­ Transformation. —­ A Bivouac. —­ A Retired Ferryman. —­ Conscience versus Gold. —­ Casuistry. —­ Embarkation and Voyage. —­ Pistols and Persuasion. —­ An unwilling Pilot. —­ A Night-reverie. —­ My Companion’s Pisgah. —­ Selim. —­ Secession a destructive Principle. —­ Practical Illustration. —­ A third Night in the Rocks. —­ Home and the Welcome. —­ The Dying Deserter. —­ One more Move—­but how? —­ My loss and Selim’s Gain. —­ Off for Home. —­ Federal Officer and Oath of Allegiance.  —­ Plea for Treason. —­ Sanctity of an Oath. —­ Resume.  —­ Home 196

THIRTEEN MONTHS IN THE REBEL ARMY.