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CHAPTER IV.

A PEACE-LOVING PEOPLE.

Loyal Ladies Beautiful Girls-Battle-Flags-Cupid rallied-Entrée to the Army-Streets running with the Blood of War-Bridge of Sighs-En Route-The Sisters-Mrs. Porter-Picket Duty on the Train-Bird's Point-Cotton-Fields-Colonel Bird's Plantations, 1,000 Acres each-Sunrise on the Mississippi—“ Dat's hisself sure, when he's well"-Fort Holt-Dr. Bringhurst-A Perilous Passage-Past Danger-Pleasant Memories.

CHICAGO made me proud of her during those dark, threatening days. She seemed like one vast army of heroes. The loyal ladies would congregate, and plan, purpose, and execute. Sociables, matinées, and conversaziones were abandoned, and work took the place of pleasure. Havelocks were made by the thousand; lint picked by the bushel; sheets, towels, pillow-slips, etc., manufactured in hundreds, as if by magic. Beautiful girls, clustered and grouped together, would work through the long day, and often through the night, upon the above articles, and upon silken battle-flags; the latter so soon to be returned to them from the battle-field, consecrated with heart-histories more tender and thrilling than words can ever convey. Sisters, wives, and parents trembled with apprehension lest their turn would come next, to part with favorite brother, son, or honored companion. That the noblest of our land were called to defend

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COURT HOUSE.

CHICAGO.

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