Chapter XXV (2)

How incessantly the rain poured down! Now and then the ambulance would drive on the side of the road, stopping to let the infantry pass. Poor fellows! wet and begrimed with mud, plodding with blankets and knapsacks strapped on their backs, and guns on their shoulders; troublesome accompaniments at any time--far more so now in the driving rain. At the foot of the hills we would frequently be obliged to halt, sometimes for an hour, awaiting the passage of the artillery over the brow of the ascent. The Federal troops were close in the rear. The horses strained and pulled, but the mud was so deep and heavy that the wheels became clogged, and I looked anxiously up, expecting to see some huge cannon, impelled by its weight, return to the base of the hill. Frequently the soldiers would be obliged to wade through the deep ruts of mud on the hillside, and give a new impulse to some wavering piece, assisting the horses, and pushing the weighty gun-carriage with united strength.

In the rain sat the staff officers on their dripping horses; and, giving orders from the ambulance window, the old general urged on the men. I wondered at the patience, the kindness with which he spoke to all; rapidly and cheerily to the staff officers: "Ride on, and see what obstructs the road;" and in a tone of sympathy, through the rain, to the straggling soldier: "Keep up, men, keep up." "We camp near, do we?" he called out in clear tones to the inspector. And the men raised their drooping heads and pressed forward at the encouragement in the well-known voice. I see the power of kindness with these men, dear J----. There are few general officers in the Confederacy so well-beloved by their men as General P----, yet he is only kind and perfectly just.

That night we stopped beyond Water Valley, at a house where the poor hostess tried to make us comfortable, and gave us much of her company, telling us that she was "cousin to Stonewall Jackson's wife and Hill's wife;" but she "reckoned they did not know it, and wouldn't think much of it, if they did." She brought in a large baby, and sat down by the general's side, telling him that she was going to name that baby after him. The general was as affable as usual; but I frequently turned to the window to conceal my amusement.

Suddenly I was startled by her turning quickly to me, and asking if I "would ever think her any kin to Stonewall Jackson's wife and Hill's wife." Never having seen either of the above-named ladies, I conscientiously answered I did not know as I should.

Wakened by the bugle call the next morning, I hastily arose, and in a few moments was ready to depart. We had proceeded but five miles when an aid-de-camp rode up, and told General P---- that General Pemberton wished him to return to Water Valley immediately, as the Federal forces were quite near, and the Confederate soldiers must make a stand. We alighted and sat a few moments in a negro cabin. Then the general mounted and rode toward Water Valley, followed by his staff officers. The lady and myself proceeded on with the wagons beyond Coffeeville, where the train halted and prepared to camp for the night. As yet I had not heard from M---- since he rode off with the general, and I scarcely knew what to do. The soldiers were thrown out on picket duty around the trains, as a Federal force was also to the left of us, near the little town of Charleston. Heavy skirmishing was going on at Water Valley, we were told. As no house was near, the gentleman who had charge of the lady and myself told us that he would put up a pleasant tent, and make us quite comfortable. So a tent was pitched on a little hillock near, and I rested comfortably during the night. Early in the morning we were on our way, the remainder of the army having come up. At length we reached Grenada in safety, yet sorely pressed by the Federal troops.

Thus you see, dear J----, that I am unlucky enough to be identified with some retreat or threatened city. From Memphis, or over the greater distance that separates us, we can span our love; and through all, I am

Yours.

THE END.

D. APPLETON & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS.

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Hon. GEORGE BANCROFT, LL.D., New York.

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Hon. JEREMIAH S. BLACK, U. S. Attorney General, Washington, D. C.

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Hon. ERASTUS BROOKS, New York.

EDWARD BROWN-SEQUARD, M.D., London.

JOHN ESTEN COOKE, Esq., Richmond, Va.

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Hon. CHARLES S. DAVIES, LL.D., Portland, Me.

RALPH WALDO EMERSON, Concord, Mass.

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Pres. C. C. FELTON, LL.D., Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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CHARLES L. FLINT, Esq., Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, Boston, Mass.

JOHN W. FRANCIS, M.D., LL.D.

Prof. CHANDLER R. GILMAN, M.D., College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

Prof. HENRY GOADBY, M.D., State Agricultural College of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.

HORACE GREELEY, Esq., New York.

GEORGE W. GREENE, Esq., New York.

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Prof. CHARLES W. HACKLEY, D.D., Columbia College, New York.

Hon. JAMES HALL, Cincinnati, Ohio.

GERARD HALLOCK, Esq., editor of the "Journal of Commerce," New York.

Prof. A. W. HARKNESS, Brown University, Providence, R. I.

JOHN R. G. HASSARD, Esq., New York.

CHARLES C. HAZEWELL, Esq., Boston, Mass.

M. HEILPRIN, Esq., New York.

RICHARD HILDRETH, Esq., author of "History of the United States," &c., New York.

Rev. THOMAS HILL, President of Antioch College, Ohio.

Hon. GEORGE S. HILLARD, Boston, Mass.

J. S. HITTELL, Esq., San Francisco, Cal.

JAMES T. HODGE, Esq., Cooper Institute, New York.

Prof. L. M. HUBBARD, D.D., University of N. C., Chapel Hill, N. C.

Rev. HENRY N. HUDSON, author of "Lectures on Shakespeare," &c., Litchfield, Conn.

Prof. S. W. JOHNSON, Yale College, New Haven, Conn.

J. C. G. KENNEDY, Esq., Washington, D. C.

Hon. JOHN B. KERR, late U. S. Minister to Central America, Baltimore, Md.

Rev. T. STARR KING, San Francisco, Cal.

CHARLES LANMAN, Esq., Washington, D. C.

CHARLES G. LELAND, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa.

Prof. JAMES R. LOWELL, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

R. SHELTON MACKENZIE, D.C.L., Philadelphia, Pa.

Rev. H. N. MCTYEIRE, D.D., editor "Christian Advocate," Nashville, Tenn.

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Prof. E. R. PEASLER, M.D., New York Medical College, New York.

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GEORGE SCHEDEL, Esq., late British Consular Agent for Costa Rica, Staten Island, N. Y.

Prof. ALEXANDER G. SCHEM, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn.

Hon. FRANCIS SCHROEDER, JR., late U. S. Minister to Sweden, Paris.

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, U. S. Senator from New York, Auburn, N. Y.

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Rev. J. A. SPENCER, D.D., author of "The History of the United States," &c., New York.

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GEORGE TICKNOR, LL.D., Boston, Mass.

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We esteem it the best and most comprehensive Cyclopaedia that has yet been issued from the press of this or any other country.--_News, Savannah, Ga._

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End of Project Gutenberg's My Cave Life in Vicksburg, by Mary Ann Loughborough

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