he was brought off the field. She can dress their wounds in very many cases, which is far more preferable to that of the male nurses; because, to the credit of our sex be it said, they can dress wounds more tenderly than men. We have often heard the remark made by patients, that one woman in a hospital was worth a dozen men, on account of her knowledge in regard to their every want, and her tact in supplying them. There are the various stimulants she can prepare to suit them; the little pads and pillows to relieve the wounded parts from the mattress, which naturally becomes hard from several days' using; slings for the broken arm or foot, to support them when walking around; crutches can be padded; haversacks made ready, to put their rations in when they start back to face the enemygiving them an extra lunch, if she has it to spare, from the invalid's safe. Another very essential office she can fill -with propriety, and which will add greatly to the comfort and health of the inmates-by assisting the wardmaster in directing and seeing that the wards are in every respect kept strictly clean; also the beds, bedding and the patients' linen. And I might go on and enumerate a thousand and one things that a lady can do in a hospital, and then not be done; that is, if she is there for the one particular objectthe benefit of the soldier. If, on the contrary, she places herself there merely for pastime, and to court the favor of the bomb-proof officials, she had better never go inside of the walls of a place where hundreds of emaciated objects of mercy are looking to her for that which will, in a great degree, change their condition for the better. She will be a nuisance, a hiss, and a make-game for the whole crowd whom she serves, in mockery of that which is really necessary to be done in such a place. She can visit their wards. at every spare moment, join in their pleasant conversation, read to them, sing for them, write to loved ones at home, encourage their religious inclinations by conversing on the

all important subject, and sitting in their midst during a sermon from the christian chaplain, which all hospitals were favored with. She can easily learn how to approach them, and in what tone to direct conversation—not hesitating to join in their innocent jests, which are often got up between them; and on your entering, more than one voice will call out for your decision, and you must be careful to give an opinion suitable to all parties, and you will not be apt to leave without receiving a pressing invitation to come back soon; for some of these bad boys will be sure to impose on me while you are gone. And last, but not least, she can stand by the couch of the dying hero, receive his blessing on herself and loved ones at home, and give him words of cheer while he is crossing the cold Jordan of death-not hesitating to leave your own weary couch at the hour of midnight, or later, and go to such an one after his spirit has fled from the suffering body, and the lids, which perhaps his intense suffering forbade their closing for days and nights, have been sealed in death, and cut a tress from his war honored brow, and enclose it in a letter to friends at home. They will cherish it more than all the gold of the Indias. Keep his little relicts until you can send them safely home.

Some perhaps will be ready to ask, "Can a woman do all this, and continue for four years in the constant performance of the same, without body and mind becoming impaired ?" Experience answers in the affirmative; and many other offices too tedious to weary the reader with. And she will be happy every day of her life, because she knows others are made happy by her feeble efforts; and that she has the approval of a righteous God, who has given her strength sufficient to her every demand. And though we did not get our requisite amount of sleep, yet our health was not in the least impaired.

We would only add, that should there ever be another

call for aid in so great a work, let no one take another's word in regard to filling a place of so much need and great magnitude; but all who can do so, take lessons from experience, and learn thereby whether any good can be accomplished by the weaker sex-hoping that they may be more efficient than was the humble participant in the late struggle for a just and righteous cause, whose hopes are blighted, and its people downtrodden and sorely oppressed.

CHAPTER VIII.

On Monday morning, May the 22d, 1865, my husband and myself, after having all things in readiness, together with a good store of substantial edibles, kindly furnished us for our journey by some of our lady friends, took passage in a wagon (generously furnished to us by our ever true friend, Captain Kiddoo, and his noble lady,) which soon placed us at the depot at Cuthbert, Georgia. There we were without a dollar, except Confederate; and of course, to use the common phrase, that was "played out." Some friend to the financial department having opened my trunk in my absence from my room on Saturday night, and took all the available money we had saved from our earnings before leaving Memphis, we were moneyless. This was a dilemma in which we had never before been placed. Not a dollar!--and we near a thousand miles from home; and all the means of conveyance in the hands of the Federals, who were tyranizing over us in every possible way. Our imaginations were anything but pleasant under such circumstances, as we did not know whether we would be allowed transportation or not. However, as go ahead we must, we intended trying what we could do. My husband being a paroled soldier, was all right. But as a Rebel

woman, according to orders, I was not permitted to go on Government transportation. But when the train arrived for Macon, I went aboard and took my seat, not knowing but that I should be put off on first sight of the gallant and loyal guards, or the conductor. Soon the conductor came around collecting the fare from the passengers. On his approaching me, I presented to him a letter of introduction which had been given to me at Cuthbert by Colonel Gault, petitioning him the indulgence of the Federal authorities, and asking them to pass me, as I had been engaged in services, etc., and had met with the misfortune of being robbed on the eve of my departure. After looking over it carefully, the conductor politely returned it, saying, “All right, madam." I thanked him with a light heart, feeling all safe to Macon, where I would trust to good fortune to get on further.

On reaching Macon, and claiming our baggage, we discovered that one of our trunks was missing-the same one that had been broken open. We put up for the night with a kind lady from our own State. My husband went back to Cuthbert, found the trunk, and returned on the evening train. We took shelter for that night under the car shed, as it was a long walk from the depot to our friend's house, and I was wearied from hunting up my last, and few remaining patients, being anxious to know how they were quartered before taking my final leave of them. I found them comfortably situated in the Ocmulgee Hospital-Federals and Confederates all together, and also surgeons and nurses of both sides. They were in fine spirits, hoping soon to be able to go to their own homes in Texas and Arkansas.

We lost no time in having everything ready for the morning train of the 25th, which would take us to Atlanta, Georgia. I flattered myself that I would have no trouble to get passage, as I was on board before the crowd had

gathered; but before the cars were opened there was considerable of a little army there, all eager to get home. When the words, "All aboard!" sounded, of all the rushes I ever witnessed, I think that was the greatest. The old adage, "Everybody for themselves," was strictly adhered to. The car doors were completely clogged, and blocked up, at times, so that none could pass. I began to think that my chance to get on before the words "All right" were given was bad indeed. My husband, having to get our baggage on board, could not help me. But we proved the truth of the saying that "Where there is a will, there is a way;" and just as I was about giving up in despair, who should step up to my assistance but our gallant friend and soldier, Major J. J. Murphy, of Memphis, Tennessee, like ourselves, bound for home. Most assuredly I appreciated his kind assistance in finding a seat for me, which was out of the question for some time, and I was expecting to have to stand, when a gentleman said to me, "Can't you get a seat, madam?" "Not yet,' said I. He replied, "Well, if there are any Tennesseeans on the train you will soon get one." I then asked him if he was a Tennesseean, for I felt as though I was lost from all friends at that time. (As yet I did not know whether my husband was on board or not.) "I am," was his reply. "I am glad to know it," said I. He responded, "I can appreciate your feelings, having been from home a long time myself. I have been a chaplain in a Tennessee regiment. My name is Cherry. What is yours?" I gave him my address. "Are you not from Memphis," said he. I told him I was. "Oh, I guess you are the very lady I am looking for. The boys at the Ocmulgee Hospital informed me that Grandmother Smith was on her way to her home in Memphis; and I was anxious to see you that I might send a letter to my sister, Miss Mary C. Cherry. You will find her next door to Asbury Chapel. Please