As I sat thus, buried in thought, a distant sound broke the silence, sending a thrill of terror to my heart.  It was the tramp of many horses rapidly approaching.  “Alas! alas I the enemy had come upon us from the rear.  Our brave defenders were surrounded and their retreat cut off.”

I knew not what to expect, but anxiety for my patients banished fear.  Seizing a light-wood torch, I ran up the road, hoping to interview the officers at the head of the column and to intercede for my sick, perhaps to prevent intrusion into the wards.  To my almost wild delight, the torch-light revealed the dear old gray uniforms.  It was a portion of Wheeler’s Cavalry sent to reinforce Roddy, whose meagre forces, aided by the volunteers from Newman, had held the Federals in check until now, but were anxiously expecting this reinforcement.

The men had ridden far and fast.  They now came to a halt in front of the hospital, but had not time to dismount, hungry and thirsty though they were.  The regimental servants, however, came in search of water with dozens of canteens hung around them, rattling in such a manner as to show that they were quite empty.  For the next half-hour, I believe, I had almost the strength of Samson.  Rushing to the bakery, I loaded baskets with bread and handed them up to the soldier-boys to be passed along until emptied.  I then poured all the milk I had into a large bucket, added a dipper, and, threading in and out among the horses, ladled out dipperfuls until it was all gone.  I then distributed about four buckets of water in the same way.  My excitement was so great that not a sensation of fear or of fatigue assailed me.  Horses to the right of me, horses to the left of me, horses in front of me, snorted and pawed; but God gave strength and courage:  I was not afraid.

A comparatively small number had been supplied, when a courier from Roddy’s command rode up to hasten the reinforcements.  At once the whole column was put in motion.  As the last rider disappeared, and the tramping of the horses died away in the distance, a sense of weariness and exhaustion so overpowered me that I could have slept where I stood.  So thorough was my confidence in the brave men who were sure to repel the invaders that all sense of danger passed away.

My own sleeping-room was in a house situated at the foot of the hill.  I could have gone there and slept securely, but dared not leave my charges.  Sinking upon the rough lounge in my office, intending only to rest, I fell fast asleep.  I was awakened by one of the nurses, who had come to say that I was needed by a patient whom he believed to be dying, and who lay in a ward on the other side of the square.