Chapter V: Courier Service

New Duties. -- Battle approaching. -- Deserters and Scouts. -- A Providence. -- Position and Forces of the Confederates. -- Orders to prepare to move. -- My New Position. -- March to the Battle-field. -- Federals off their Guard. -- Care of the Confederates against Desertion. -- Council of War. -- A Dreary Night. -- Awfulness of War. -- The Fight opened. -- Beauregard's Address. -- The First Dead. -- _Détour_. -- Camp of 71st Ohio Volunteers. -- Failure of Strategy. -- General Johnson killed. -- Death concealed. -- Furious Fighting. -- Horse killed. -- Sad Scene. -- Rebels gaining. -- Struck by a Shell. -- Another Horse killed. -- The Wounded Cavalryman and his Horse. -- Sleep in the Camp of the 71st Ohio. -- Startling Reveille. -- Result of First Day's Battle. -- Victory for the Rebels. -- Arrangements for Second Day. -- Bloody Scenes. -- Grant's Attack. -- Rebels fall back. -- Fluctuations of the Day. -- General Hindman blown up. -- Retreat determined on. -- Leaving the Field. -- Horrors of the Retreat. -- Sleep among the Dying. -- Reach Corinth. -- Resolve 138

CHAPTER VI.

HOSPITAL SERVICE.

Wounded arriving. -- Care of my own Men. -- Appointment as Assistant-surgeon. -- Discharge from Rebel Army. -- Dreadful Scenes. -- Sickness. -- Nurses. -- Stoicism. -- Military Murder of a Deserter. -- No Pay. -- Go to Mobile. -- Spirit of the People on the Way. -- Met at Depot. -- No Means of Escape. -- The Stagnant City. -- Surveillance of the Press. -- Forced Charity. -- In charge of a Hospital. -- Selma. -- Kindness of Ladies. -- Piano. -- Artesian Wells. -- Model Hospital. -- Furlough to Richmond. -- Rigid Discipline. -- Disappointment. -- Bitter Thoughts. -- Crinoline and Volunteering. -- North asleep 175

CHAPTER VII.

MY ESCAPE.

Obstacles in the Way of Escape. -- Farewell to Selma. -- Gold _versus_ Confederate Scrip. -- An unnamed Friend -- Conscription Act. -- Swearing in a Regiment. -- Soldier shot. -- Chattanooga reached. -- Danger of Recognition. -- Doff the Military. -- Transformation. -- A Bivouac. -- A Retired Ferryman. -- Conscience _versus_ Gold. -- Casuistry. -- Embarkation and Voyage. -- Pistols and Persuasion. -- An unwilling Pilot. -- A Night-reverie. -- My Companion's Pisgah. -- Selim. -- Secession a destructive Principle. -- Practical Illustration. -- A third Night in the Rocks. -- Home and the Welcome. -- The Dying Deserter. -- One more Move--but how? -- My loss and Selim's Gain. -- Off for Home. -- Federal Officer and Oath of Allegiance. -- Plea for Treason. -- Sanctity of an Oath. -- _Résumé_. -- Home 196

THIRTEEN MONTHS IN THE REBEL ARMY.