Kate Cumming: A Journal of Hospital Life in the Confederate Army of Tennessee.

June 1.—Mr. Miller called early this morning, and informed me that Mrs. Ogden and the ladies were in a car at the depot. I went down immediately. They were not there, but the sick and wounded were, whom I had seen taken off the cars last night. I asked if there were none to care for them. I was informed that there was no one, and that they had not even had a drink of water. The sun was shining directly upon some of them. An immense train of cars was on the road. I went further down, with the hope of finding Mrs. O., and at almost every step I saw sick and wounded men lying all over the ground. I came up to a group of officers who were having their breakfast cooked. I asked them if they could tell me what this meant. They replied that they had left Corinth in such a hurry that it could not be avoided. I told them that I thought it could, and that the doctors were to blame. To this they made no reply. Perhaps they were doctors, and I do not care if they were.

I at last came up with Mrs. O. and her party. They were almost starving; they had been three days on the cars. Mrs. Woodall sent them some coffee. They were on the way to some place in Alabama. I was introduced to Dr. Childs from Mobile, and several others, but do not recollect their names.

Dr. Hughes has brought his wounded friends up here. Both are very young men, named Curly and Oliver. Mr. C. is badly wounded in the foot, and Mr. O. has lost one of his. Both were wounded by the same shell, while sitting talking to each other, the day before Corinth was evacuated. They are members of Lucas’s Battery, Price’s army.

Mrs. T. was busy last night until 12 o’clock, cooking for the starving soldiers who come begging her for food. This morning she sent her two little boys around the country, requesting the citizens to send in food to the car-loads of men who were at the depot. She then made soup and other things, which she carried to them herself.

I went to church this morning. Service was held in a warehouse belonging to Judge T., as every church in the place has been taken for hospitals. I heard a very good sermon from a Baptist preacher.

May 31 .[Okolona, Mississippi]——I went to the cars this afternoon to see if I could hear any thing of Mrs. Ogden and her party. I met Dr. Wm. Hughes. He informed me that Corinth was evacuated, and that we had saved almost every thing. This move is thought to be a master-stroke; the enemy have been working so long digging intrenchments, losing numbers of lives, and expending millions of dollars, all for nothing. Very little fighting took place. The place was shelled, but scarcely any one was hurt. The evacuation was done so quietly that the enemy knew nothing of it until the last man was out of Corinth. Their march into it must have been very unlike the triumphal march of the Romans into ancient Corinth, for there was nothing for them to exult over save bad water and a desolate place.

Dr. H. asked me if I knew of any place where he could procure something to eat and a night’s lodging. I informed him that I thought Mrs. T. would receive him.

Numbers of men are continually coming, begging for a mouthful to eat, which is very distressing. Some have arrived who were at Booneville. I asked them to give me a correct account of that affair. They informed me that the enemy behaved very well, and gave them all plenty of time to move from the depot before they fired it; that there were some dead bodies in a car near, and they might have been burned, but no lives were lost . Our men got off, as our cavalry came on the enemy and made them run. They informed us that many of our sick doubtless died in the woods, no eye to see them, save the all seeing one of Him who never sleepeth.

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“By fairy hands their knell is rung;

By forms unseen their dirge is sung.”

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The men who imparted this information looked completely exhausted. They said that they had not tasted food for four days, and indeed they looked like it. After dark, while we were on the gallery, a man approached, and asked us to give him something for two badly wounded men under his charge. He desired a stimulant. I had a bottle of wine, which I gladly gave him. Dr. H. found that the wounded men were from Missouri, and old acquaintances, and said that he was too tired to go down and see them, but would do so in the morning.

While at the train this afternoon, I saw a number of men taken off the cars and laid on the platform; some were dead, and others sick or badly wounded. They were wrapped in their blankets, and put down as if they were bundles of dirty rags. No one seemed to notice them. O, how my heart sickened as I looked at the sight! Surely things could be better managed. Some one is to blame for this ill treatment of these brave men.

May 29. [Okolona, Mississippi]—In company with a lady, I visited the General Hospital. Dr. Caldwell has improved much since my last visit here, as he granted us permission to go through it, and has condescended to have one lady—Mrs. Woodall—in his hospital. I was introduced to her, and tendered my services, but she did not accept them. I should not think that it was possible for her to do one third part of the work necessary. I am told that there are no less than two thousand patients in the place.

Quite a number of new buildings have been erected—large wooden sheds, well ventilated, and capable of holding from twenty-five to thirty patients each. The part which we visited looked very well, but there is certainly room for improvement . We were shown the bread which the patients eat; it was black and sour; but as Mrs. W. has been here but a few days, she has not had time to improve matters. It is said that an improvement is visible already.

We met a young man from Alabama at the doctor’s office, by the name of Harry Gordon. He was attending his captain, who was very sick, and was acquainted with my brother, whom he had seen a few days before. We met many of our old patients in the hospital, who were delighted to see us. There is a great lack of shade-trees, and it is a serious want.

It is impossible to learn any thing relative to our army at Corinth.

It is reported that the Federals have taken Booneville, burned the depot, captured two hundred of our men who were very sick, and that quite a number of sick were burned. This last I scarcely think possible, I can not think that the enemy are capable of any thing so cruel. Rumor is busy with her many tongues. I am anxious to learn the truth. Mrs. Ogden is about ten miles beyond Booneville; I hope nothing has happened to her.

May 28.—Arrived at Okolona yesterday. I am staying at Judge Thornton’s. The place is much changed since we were last here; it is filled with refugees, and sick and wounded soldiers. Mrs. T. has every corner of her house filled with the latter. I am informed that all private dwellings in the place are in the same condition.

Two ladies came from Corinth with me. The cars were very much crowded. I heard a gentleman, who sat near me, recite a poem to his friend, and say that he hoped that our people would be imbued with the same patriotic spirit that was in it . I took the liberty of asking him what it was. He informed me that it was the Battle of Killiecrankie, and could be found in Aytoun’s “Lays of Scottish Cavaliers.” This gentleman was from Missouri, and had been with the army of General Price during its campaign in the West. The tales he related of the sufferings of these gallant men were heartrending. For weeks they marched through frost and snow, with scarcely any thing to eat; the wounded and sick were left on the road-side, and if cared for it was by mere chance. The men scarcely know what to do with themselves now, as they are in heaven compared to where they had been. He told me that in visiting the hospitals in Memphis, when he saw the great care which was bestowed upon our men, contrasted with the scenes which he had witnessed in the wilds of Missouri and Arkansas, it made him sad. He related one incident which affected him more than all others. A man was dying— one of the noblest looking that he had ever seen. A lady was bending over him causing him to repeat the Lord’s Prayer, as he had doubtless done a thousand times, when a child, at his mother’s knee. The whole scene was one of the most impressive that he had ever witnessed. He said that he had never been so deeply impressed with the grandeur and beauty of this prayer. I could have listened all day long, hearing him tell of the daring exploits of Price and his gallant army.

The weather is oppressively warm, and I do not feel very well; but hearing that John Morgan was to pass, I could not resist the temptation of seeing so great a lion; for he is one of the greatest of the age. I was introduced to him by Mrs. Jarboe. I remarked to him that I regretted returning home without seeing Kentucky; that I had left home with the intention of seeing Cincinnati before I went back. He spoke very hopefully, and said that I would be there soon, as ere long the way would be open for all southerners. I then stated that I hoped to hear much of him, and the good that he would do our cause. He replied that he wished that he might hear of himself twenty years hence. I answered that if prayer would save him, he would be preserved, as I knew that many were offered up for him, along with those for the rest of our brave defenders. He is extremely modest. I paid him one or two compliments—deserved ones—and he blushed like a schoolgirl. He has a fine, expressive countenance; his eye reminded me of a description of Burns by Walter Scott. He related one or two of his adventures, and his eyes “fairly glowed with animation.” He told us about a train of cars which he had captured in Tennessee, and that the ladies on the train were as frightened as if he intended to eat them. He said, “You know that I would not do that.” He related a very amusing adventure he had had lately at Corinth. He made a call on General Buell in disguise. In the course of conversation with General B., he informed him that John Morgan was in Corinth. General B. answered that he knew better; that he knew where he was; he was in Kentucky. Morgan has great command over his features; can disguise himself, and go where he pleases without being discovered.

When the train left, the men gave him three cheers. He looked abashed, and blushed again. Mrs. Thornton said that she had rather see him than any of our great men.

May 27.—We are all packed up, and intend leaving this morning. Mrs. Glassburn and nearly all the ladies are going to Brookhaven. I intend going to Okolona, and there remain until I learn in which direction the army will move.

We have seen many sad sights and much suffering since we came to this place; still, I shall ever look back on these two months with sincere gratification, and feel that I have lived for something.

The surgeons, one and all, have proved themselves kind and attentive to the brave men whom they have had under their care. The hospital is in perfect order, ready for the reception of patients. I visited Corinth Hospital this morning; they were not thinking of leaving, and had quite a number of wounded men. There I met Mrs. Palmer of Mobile, who had a son in the Twenty-first Alabama Regiment. She had visited the camp the day before with refreshments for the soldiers. She informed me that there were numbers of sick yet in camp, and if we left, she could not conceive how they could be moved.

May 26.—This morning I visited Mrs. Williamson and Mrs. Crocker, who came from Mobile with us. They are in a hospital at the Corinth House. I saw a Mrs. Newsom. I do not recollect that I was ever more struck with a face at first sight than hers. It expressed more purity and goodness than I had ever seen before, and reminded me of a description of one I had seen in a poem. It was

“A face whose every feature telleth

How light they feel this earthly clod;

A face whose holy beauty showeth

Their walk is ever close with God.”

As I looked upon her, I felt that the verse connected would not be misapplied to her heart:

“A heart that is a casket holy,

With brightest jewels garnered there;

Gems that sorrow’s hand hath polished;

Richer gems than princes wear.”

I asked Mrs. W. who she was. She informed me that she was a rich widow from Arkansas, and had surrendered all the comforts of home to do what she could for the suffering of our army. She had been with it from the commencement of the war, and had spent a great deal of money. Mrs. W. also informed me that her face did not belie the goodness and purity of her heart; and that she was a Christian in the truest sense of the word. I hope that we have many such among us. I can not imagine why it is that I have heard so little about her. Is it because goodness and beauty are so common that Mrs. N. is not worth talking about, or is it that we do not properly appreciate what is good and lovely? As soon as Miss Nightingale went to the Crimean war, the whole world resounded with her praises; and here I have been nearly two months, and have scarcely heard Mrs. N.’s name mentioned.

Sunday, May 25.—A bright, beautiful day, but very cold. We have been compelled to have fires in our rooms. Last evening I saw the ubiquitous chieftain, John H. Morgan. He is colonel of a Kentucky regiment, and one of the bravest and most daring of men. It was late when I saw him; so could not judge of his appearance. He had a crowd of admirers following him; he is fairly worshiped. Dr. Smith has just been telling us that he would not be surprised if we had to leave Corinth at a moment’s notice, as there is danger of being shelled at any time. For some days back, stores have been moved to the rear in large quantities, which he thinks indicates an evacuation, or important move of some kind.

May 23.—Have had two very nice men here, wounded—a doctor and a captain. They are friends of Mrs. G. Dr. Smith sent them to Rienzi, where the Mobile ladies are. Mrs. G. visited them, and came back perfectly delighted with the hospital arrangements there. She says that Mrs. Ogden is an excellent manager. I am glad of this, as she has had a great deal of opposition from surgeons, as all of the ladies have who have desired to go into hospitals. I can not see what else we can do, as the war is certainly ours as well as that of the men. We can not fight, so must take care of those who do.

I think as soon as surgeons discover that ladies are really of service, that prejudice will cease to exist. The patients are delighted to have us, and say that we can cause them to think of the dearest of places to them now—home.

Miss Marks is a little better, and has been sent to Okolona. The other two ladies who were sick have returned to Mobile.

Every corner of the hospital is clean, and ready for patients. The last of my patients died this morning. He was a German, named Ernest; was wounded at Shiloh. He wandered a good deal in his mind; but just before he died he sent for Dr. Smith, and requested him to write to his wife, and send her all the money he had. She lived on Magazine Street, New Orleans.

One of the saddest sights witnessed are two Federals, who have been here since the battle of Shiloh. One has had his arm, the other his leg amputated. They are seventeen and eighteen years of age, respectively. They look very pitiful, dying among strangers, far away from their homes and relatives. They have been cared for the same as our own; but that is not all that is wanted. They need sympathy, and of that character which it is impossible for us to extend to them, as they came here with the full intention of taking all that is dear to us. They may have been conscientious, and thought that they were doing their duty, but we are of a different opinion, and it will be some time before we change. They will soon die; both are religious. I never look at them without thinking of the thousands of our poor men who are in the same condition in the North. I do sincerely trust that they are as well treated as these poor fellows have been.

Dr. Nott, with several other surgeons, has examined the hospital. He looked well. He has lost a son in the war.

May 22.—No battle occurred yesterday. Every one is confident that if the enemy would only fight, we would whip them soundly. They are digging intrenchments eloser and closer, and could shell Corinth at any hour. Some are not more than two and a half miles from us. We are beginning to feel a little nervous at the prospect of a shell waking us up some morning; certainly not a pleasant one to contemplate.

A prisoner is here, who eats at the table with us. He is a Presbyterian minister. He makes some very provoking remarks. Dr. Smith has advised us to take no notice of them, and say as little as possible. This appears hard, as nearly every one at the table has suffered some wrong at the hands of him and his people; nearly all their homes are in the hands of the enemy.

Dr. Sizemore has just received word of a young brother who has died in a northern prison, and of the ill treatment of the chaplain of his regiment, an inoffensive old man of more than seventy years, who had gone with the regiment more as a father than any thing else. This old man was imprisoned as if he were a common felon. Dr. S., knowing all this, has to endure the presence of this man, and see him treated as if he were one of our best friends. I must say that we are carrying out the commands of our blessed Savior; and how proud I am of it! May we be enabled to do the same to the end; and, above all things, not to retaliate upon the innocent, for God has said, “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay.” I was seated next to the prisoner to-day. He says that he is an Englishman. I would like to think that he is telling an untruth, as few Englishmen side with tyranny. But I expect that he has been long enough with the Yankees to imbibe some of their barbarous notions. He expressed the opinion that the southern people were not united. I remarked that if he would go through the state of Mississippi alone, he would change his mind, as I believed that if the men did not fight, the women would. But there will be no need of the latter, as the men will not fail to do their duty.

We requested Dr. Smith to permit us to pay him back for the impertinent remarks he had made to us. He granted permission, and stated that he would reprimand us in his presence. As soon as the foe made his appearance, some of the ladies commenced on him. Dr. S. said, “The ladies are very hard on you.” He replied with a very submissive air, “If it pleases them, I have no objection.” Mrs. Glassburn, who was at the head of the table, observed, “It does not please us; but I will tell you what will: when we know that every Yankee is laid low in the ground, then we will be pleased indeed.” He made no reply, and must have felt the force of the remark. At any other time it would have been a barbarous one; but at the present it was charitable, and one that we all felt, if realized, would not only be a blessing to us, but to humanity.