Not wishing to begin my work by complaining, or reporting to the surgeons these daily-recurring annoyances, I struggled to hold my own and to break down opposition by patient endurance.  But one morning the “last straw” was added to my burden.  I found my Georgia soldier apparently dying,—­breathing heavily, and as cold as death already.  His comrade was in great distress, but ready to do all in his power, and together we went to work in earnest.  I sent for brandy and a box of mustard.  Pouring through the white lips spoonful after spoonful of the stimulant, rubbing hands, arms, and legs with mustard, applying plasters of the same, as well as bottles of water, to restore warmth to the body, I soon had the satisfaction of seeing a faint color tinge the cheeks and lips,—­the clammy sweat superseded by returning warmth.  Working earnestly, thinking of nothing but the human life that hung in the balance, I failed to observe the presence of the most disagreeable of the female nurses, who was standing, with “arms akimbo,” looking on, until, with an insulting leer, she remarked, “It seems to me ye’re taking great liberties for an honest woman.”  Paralyzed with surprise and indignation, I knew not how to act.  Just then the surgeon in charge of the ward, who had been summoned, appeared.

After a hasty examination, “Madam,” said he, “you have saved your patient.”

Leaving the case in his hands, I fled to my room, resolving never to enter the hospital again.  Forthwith I wrote my resignation, and demanded transportation back to Alabama.

Meantime, the comrade of the sick man had reported to the surgeon the whole matter.  The next morning I received a visit from Surgeons McAllister, Minor, and ——­ (whose name I am sorry to have forgotten), of the ward I had fled from.  A letter had been received from Dr. Little, of Richmond, whose name I had given as reference.  The ill behavior of the nurses having come to the knowledge of the surgeon in charge, he at once acted with his usual promptness and decision.  The obnoxious women had already been discharged and furnished with transportation to Mobile; the men who had aided and abetted them were ordered to their regiments.  I was urged to remain, on my own terms, and offered a position of trust, responsibility, and honor,—­my authority to be second only to that of surgeon in charge in general matters; in the wards, to that of the ward surgeons.  Under these circumstances I could not refuse to withdraw my resignation.

The next day the work of reorganization commenced.  Then and there I was invested with full power and authority, and received from Dr. McAllister assurances of entire confidence and thorough co-operation, which were accorded in the highest degree during the whole term of my service in the Buckner Hospital, and the prestige of which gave me great advantages in other fields of labor.

Aside from profoundest love of “the Cause,” and (as I firmly believed) the inspiration which directed my efforts to serve it, I had nothing to offer.  “With all my soul, with all my heart, with all my strength,” I was ready to serve; but this would have availed little had not my right to do so been officially acknowledged, had I not acquired power to follow out the dictates of reason and heart for the benefit of my patients.