days' duration. His loving young wife, who watched by him day and night, tried to evade an answer; but, rising up in his bed for the first time in weeks, he exclaimed, "You can not deceive me, Dr. Coatsworth has gone." "Yes, he has gone," said his weeping wife. "Then may God help me, for I am a dead man!" They were the last audible words he uttered, and died within three days.

The physicians and nurses had all worked so hard here to save life-precious life, that it seemed cruel to break the lines of labor until all were secure; but military orders are imperative, and we had only healed that the enemy might again wound.

Let it not be understood that I am writing eulogy of my husband; that is not what I intend, and to avoid it, I have taken out many of the most interesting parts of the work. Volumes have been filled with the glorious deeds of men who take life in battle, but where is the pen that has ever become a champion to the self-sacrificing, humane men who save life in the field? And yet, where would be our great victories, or our victors, did the surgeons fail in their duty, and cease to provide the material to secure both? My observation has been, that every good army surgeon performed work enough in the late war to entitle him to the highest honors and the largest pay. Whether these things have been accorded to him, we leave the Government to respond. If they have not become life-heroes, they have certainly been public benefactors to the nineteenth century.

Among the surgeons whom I have personally known to have won these laurels, are the names of Dr. T. R. Austin, of New Albany, Ind.; Dr. Horace Wardner, of Cairo, Ill.; Dr. Hammilton, of Illinois; Dr. Brinton, of Boston; Dr. Bringhurst, Illinois; Dr. Hollister, of Chicago; Dr. Aigner, New York; Dr. Clark, of Chicago, and scores of others, some of whom have settled back into the obscure walks of life, none but the Great Eye above seeing the noble record they made during our terrible civil war.

CHAPTER IX.

MRS. GENERAL WALLACE.

Her Nativity-Early Acquaintance with Mr. Wallace--Mexican War -Judge Dickey: he and Student join the War-Safe Return-Happy Union-War of 1861-"The Oaks"-Colonel Wallace's Regiment — Merited Promotion-Battles he Fought-Mrs. Wallace visits the Field - General Strong - Affecting Incident - Battle of ShilohGallant Lead of Wallace-Seven Kinsmen in the Battle of that dayWallace Falls-His Division Reels-The Enemy takes the Ground— Crushing truth is told his Wife-Cyrus Dickey-Wallace Recovered -He still Lives-Last Hours-Interesting Letters from Mrs. Wallace -Judge Dickey and Family-Costly Ransoms-Citizens of OttawaMrs. Wallace at Home.

THE sad romance of William Wallace, of Scotland, and his beloved Marion, seems almost repeated in the history of Mrs. Ann Dickey Wallace and her gallant, chivalrous, devoted husband. Associated as they were from early youth, reciprocal affection had grown with their growth, and sympathy of tastes and mutual regard had made their lives entirely one. She is a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and the eldest daughter of Hon. T. Lyle Dickey.

At the age of twelve, then a charming girl, and a favorite in a large community, she became acquainted with William H. L. Wallace, a student in her father's law office, at Ottawa, Illinois. The acquaintance of the child and man steadily and healthily ripened into love. The Mexican war came; Judge Dickey raised and commanded company I, in the 1st Regi

ment of Illinois volunteers, and young Wallace accompanied him. After honorable distinction in the service, Judge Dickey, on account of failing health, resigned, and came home. Wallace became adjutant. Through the varied triumphs and trials of the entire campaign, the admiration and interest of the little girl never failed. In 1851, then but seventeen years old, she became a dignified wife, when the laurels of the young soldier were still fresh upon his brow. Wallace was indeed one of "nature's noblemen;" and a union such as this proved to be, seemed all that was necessary to complete and crown their happiness. The esteem in which he was universally held was scarcely excelled by that of his great devotion to the companion of his life. In one of their journeyings East, Mrs. Wallace was on the crowded "gang-plank" of a steamer at New York, when the board slipped from its rest, and in a moment she, with thirty others, was helpless in the waters, ten feet below the deck, with a fast receding tide. Wallace cast himself into the flood, and after a long and desperate struggle with the waves, saved her life at the imminent peril of his own. This added new fibres to a love already "strong as death."

At the very outbreak of the war of 1861, Mr. Wallace felt it his duty to offer his services to our country, and his heroic wife gave her consent. They were then living at "The Oaks," their beautiful suburban home, overlooking the pretty town of Ottawa; and Wallace was engaged in a large and lucrative law practice. No absence from this sweet

seclusion could make it dearer,—no military renown could enrich the laurels that already wreathed their young lives; but the time for individual sacrifice had come, and bravely they stepped forth to duty. She says: "The cruel, cruel separation (self-imposed), the anxious waiting for daily letters, the triumph of victory, the dread of danger, the prayers for peace, and a return-that happy return which never came, but in hoping for which the heart would never tire, -are such as words may not express, but such as your own heart can tell you all."

As they parted, Wallace offered his night-key to his wife, she should hold it, talismanic of his return. Keep it, Will, you may come at any time," was the playful rejoinder, but it concealed not the falling tears; and a few moments later the wife was alone.

"O! would not desert rocks and streams be heaven's paradise to me, when blessed with the presence of my husband! Ah!--Let me go!"

'Twas the language of many a weeping wife whose tears were carefully hidden, lest they alone should unman the soldier's heart.

Wallace was the gallant and admired Colonel of the 11th Illinois Infantry. He commanded at the Villa Ridge and Bird's Point, and for his valuable services there received special commendations from Generals McClellan and Grant. Upon the organization of the renowned army that marched up the Tennessee on a path of unbroken victory, he was placed in command of the brigade which formed the extreme left of Gen. McClernand's corps. After the