Chapter I: Front Matter

Engraved by Geo. E. Perine, N. Y.

ENGRAVED FOR THE NURSE & SPY.]

NURSE AND SPY IN THE UNION ARMY:

COMPRISING

The Adventures and Experiences of a Woman
in Hospitals, Camps, and Battle-Fields.

By S. EMMA E. EDMONDS.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.

Published by Subscription only by
W. S. WILLIAMS & CO., HARTFORD, CONN.
JONES BROS. & CO., PHILADELPHIA AND CINCINNATI.
J. A. STODDARD & CO., CHICAGO, ILL.
1865.

Entered According to Act of Congress in the year 1864,
By W. S. Williams & Company
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States,
For the District of Connecticut.

Printed by Wiley, Waterman, & Eaton, Hartford, Conn.

To the
Sick and Wounded Soldiers
of the
Army of the Potomac,
This Volume
Is Respectfully Inscribed
BY
The Author.

EMBELLISHMENTS.

PORTRAIT Engraved on Steel by Geo. E. Perine, N. Y. Disguises and other Scenes, Drawn and Engraved on Wood by R. O'Brien, New York.

PAGE.

PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR, FRONTISPIECE.

HOSPITAL TREE AT FAIR OAKS, 17

CATERING FOR HOSPITALS, 94

DISGUISED AS A CONTRABAND, 113

MAKING HOE-CAKE FOR A SICK REBEL, 153

ACTING ORDERLY ON THE BATTLE-FIELD, 178

RIDING FOR LIFE, 217

RELIEF FOR THE FAMISHING, 228

DISGUISED AS FEMALE CONTRABAND, 263

AN INTERESTING PATIENT, 272

PLAYING POSSUM, 295

PAYING A DEBT OF GRATITUDE, 316

BURSTING OF A SHELL IN VICKSBURG, 358

PUBLISHERS' NOTICE.

No apology is necessary for adding one more to the numerous "War Books" which already fill a large space in American Literature; for, to the general reader, nothing connected with the Rebellion can be more interesting than the personal experiences of those who have been intimately associated with the different phases of military life, in Camp, Field, and Hospital.

The "Nurse and Spy" is simply a record of events which have transpired in the experience and under the observation of one who has been on the field and participated in numerous battles--among which are the first and second Bull Run, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, the Seven days in front of Richmond, Antietam, and Fredericksburg--serving in the capacity of "Spy" and as "Field Nurse" for over two years.

While in the "Secret Service" as a "Spy," which is one of the most hazardous positions in the army--she penetrated the enemy's lines, in various disguises, no less than eleven times; always with complete success and without detection.

Her efficient labors in the different Hospitals as well as her arduous duties as "Field Nurse," embrace many thrilling and touching incidents, which are here most graphically described.

Should any of her readers object to some of her disguises, it may be sufficient to remind them it was from the purest motives and most praiseworthy patriotism, that she laid aside, for a time, her own costume, and assumed that of the opposite sex, enduring hardships, suffering untold privations, and hazarding her life for her adopted country, in its trying hour of need.

In the opinion of many, it is the privilege of woman to minister to the sick and soothe the sorrowing--and in the present crisis of our country's history, to aid our brothers to the extent of her capacity--and whether duty leads her to the couch of luxury, the abode of poverty, the crowded hospital, or the terrible battle field--it makes but little difference what costume she assumes while in the discharge of her duties.--Perhaps she should have the privilege of choosing for herself whatever may be the surest protection from insult and inconvenience in her blessed, self-sacrificing work.

The moral character of the work,--being true to virtue, patriotism, and philanthropy--together with the fine embellishments and neat mechanical execution--will, we trust, render it an interesting and welcome visitor at every fireside.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Pages 17-28.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR--MY HOME AND MY DUTY--I ENLIST IN THE CAUSE--EXCITEMENT AT THE WEST--TROOPS ON THE MARCH--MOBS AT BALTIMORE--TEMPORARY HOSPITALS--UNAVOIDABLE EVILS--BEGGING FOR COMFORTS--SUPPLIES FOR THE SICK--CAMP HOSPITALS--THUNDER STORMS IN CAMP--A DYING OFFICER--SOLDIERS IN THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS--PREPARATIONS FOR THE ADVANCE.

CHAPTER II.

Pages 29-41.

MARCHING ORDERS--REMOVAL OF THE SICK--A YOUNG PATIENT--VISIT FROM HIS MOTHER--MARCH TOWARD MANASSAS--COLLECTING SUPPLIES--FATIGUES OF THE MARCH--PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE--A CAMP PRAYER MEETING--DIVISIONS DETAILED--MY PLACE ON THE FIELD--"RATHER CLOSE QUARTERS"--A BATTLE SUNDAY--SKULKING FROM THE FIELD.

CHAPTER III.

Pages 41-54.

WATER FOR THE WOUNDED--COL. CAMERON KILLED--SCENES ON THE BATTLE-FIELD--BURNSIDE'S BRIGADE--CAPTURE OF GRIFFIN'S AND RICKETT'S BATTERIES--REBELS REINFORCED--THE PANIC AND RETREAT--THE WOUNDED AT CENTERVILLE--MY RECONNOISSANCE--AN INSANE WOMAN ON THE FIELD--HIDING FROM THE ENEMY--RETURN TO THE WOUNDED--EXPECTATION OF CAPTURE--ESCAPE FROM THE REBELS--MY WALK TO ALEXANDRIA--FOOTSORE AND WEARY--ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON--LETTERS FROM DEAD SOLDIERS' FRIENDS.

CHAPTER IV.

Pages 55-70.

WASHINGTON AFTER BULL RUN--DEMORALIZATION OF THE ARMY--SICK SOLDIERS--HOSPITAL SCENES--EXTRACTS FROM MY JOURNAL--SYMPATHY OF SOLDIERS--FISHING FOR THE SICK--A FISH-LOVING DUTCHMAN--REORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY--A VISIT TO THE PICKETS--PICKET DUTIES AND DANGERS--THE ARMY INACTIVE--MCCLELLAN'S ADDRESS--MARCHING ORDERS AGAIN--EMBARKATION OF THE ARMY FOR FORTRESS MONROE--THE CROWDED TRANSPORTS--DESCRIPTION OF THE MONITOR--HER BUILD, ARMAMENT, TURRET AND ENGINES.

CHAPTER V.

Pages 71-82.

ARRIVAL AT FORTRESS MONROE--THE VILLAGE OF HAMPTON--VISITING THE CONTRABANDS--ARRIVAL OF FUGITIVES--A REAL "CAMP MEETING"--FEEDING THE NEGROES--CAMP MISERIES--MULES--MISS PERIWINKLE'S MULES--THE COQUETTISH, THE MORAL, THE HISTRIONIC, AND THE PATHETIC MULE--OUR JACK--LINES OF LOVE--MY BOX AND PRESENTS--A THREE-STORY CAKE--A SERENADE AND SURPRISE PARTY--GOOD AND BAD CHAPLAINS--THE MORALS OF THE ARMY--SLANDERS ABOUT SOLDIERS.

CHAPTER VI.

Pages 82-97.

THE MARCH TO YORKTOWN--SCARCITY OF SUPPLIES--CAMP COOKERY--DIFFERENT CHARACTERS IN THE ARMY--ARRIVAL OF TRAINS--CHANGE OF CAMP--TRYING TO SHELL US OUT--THE OLD SAW-MILL--A CONSTANT TARGET--ASSAULTS ON OUR OUTPOSTS--A REBEL APPEAL--YORKTOWN AND VICINITY--THE SITUATION--BALLOON RECONNOISSANCES--PROF. LOWE ON HIGH--REBEL VIXENS--A CURIOUS VISIT--A STRANGE HOSTESS--SHE TRIES TO KILL ME--I WOUND HER AND CAPTURE A PRISONER--A CONVERSION--THE SECESH WOMAN BECOMES A FEDERAL NURSE.

CHAPTER VII.

Pages 97-109.

A LOST FRIEND--DEATH OF LIEUTENANT JAMES V.--HIS BURIAL--THE GRAVE BY NIGHT--MY VOW--A SOLDIER-CHAPLAIN--RECOGNITIONS IN HEAVEN--DOUBTS AND DISSATISFACTION--CAPTURE OF A SPY--MY EXAMINATIONS AT HEADQUARTERS--MY DISGUISE AS A SPY--I AM METAMORPHOSED INTO A CONTRABAND--HIRED AS A COOK--BISCUIT MAKING--THE DOCTOR'S TEA.

CHAPTER VIII.

Pages 110-121.

MY FIRST SECRET EXPEDITION--MY WORK AMONG CONTRABANDS--PICKAXE, SHOVEL AND WHEELBARROW--COUNTING THE GUNS IN A REBEL FORTIFICATION--A CHANGE OF WORK--CARRYING WATER TO THE REBEL SOLDIERS--GENERALS LEE AND JOHNSON--THE REBEL FORCE AT YORKTOWN--A COUNCIL OF WAR--TURNING WHITE AGAIN--A REBEL SPY--LIEUTENANT V.'S MURDERER--ON PICKET DUTY--MY RETURN TO OUR LINES--I PUT ON UNIFORM AND MAKE MY REPORT.

CHAPTER IX.

Pages 122-137.

EVACUATION OF YORKTOWN--OUR ARMY ON THE DOUBLE QUICK--PURSUIT OF THE FUGITIVES--THE ENEMY'S WORKS--A BATTLE--ON THE FIELD--A "WOUNDED," AND NOT INJURED COLONEL--CARRYING THE WOUNDED--FORT MAGRUDER SILENCED--THE VICTORY WON--BURYING THE DEAD--STORY OF A RING--WOUNDED REBELS--A BRAVE YOUNG SERGEANT--CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS--A SOLDIER'S DEATH-BED--CLOSING SCENES--LAST WORDS.

CHAPTER X.

Pages 137-146.

MCCLELLAN'S DESPATCH FROM EWELL'S FARM--CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS--NEWS FROM NORFOLK--DESCRIPTION OF THE MERRIMAC--THE ENGAGEMENT IN HAMPTON ROADS--FIRST AND LAST FIGHT OF THE MERRIMAC--VICTORY OF THE MONITOR--ADVANCE ON THE PENINSULA--THE BATTLE SONG--A MUDDY MARCH--ON THE CHICKAHOMINY--CRITICAL POSITION OF GENERAL BANKS--THE PRESIDENT'S DESPATCHES--MCCLELLAN'S REPLY.

CHAPTER XI.

Pages 147-160.

ANOTHER DISGUISE--I BECOME AN IRISH PEDDLER--FEVER AND AGUE--A NIGHT OF SUFFERING IN THE SWAMP--RETROSPECTION--LOST IN THE SWAMP--CANNON MY GUIDES--A SICK REBEL--I FIND SOMETHING TO EAT--MY NEW PATIENT--SYMPATHY FOR SUFFERING--TALK WITH A DYING REBEL--A WILLING DETENTION--EXTEMPORIZING A LIGHT--THE LAST HOUR--SOLDIERS OF CHRIST--THE CHAMBER OF DEATH.

CHAPTER XII.

Pages 161-173.

AM I A STOIC?--SOMEONE'S DARLING--COMPLETING MY DISGUISE--ANOTHER START FOR THE REBEL LINES--PEPPERING MY EYES--CHALLENGED BY A PICKET--A COCKNEY SENTINEL--GETTING INFORMATION--PLENTY OF BEEF, BUT NO SALT--RICE AND CORN MEAL BREAD--PREPARING TO VISIT HEADQUARTERS--INTERVIEW WITH MAJOR MCKEE--THE MAJOR'S MISPLACED CONFIDENCE--RETURN FOR THE BODY OF THE REBEL CAPTAIN--MY LOOK-OUT FOR YANKEES--NEW ORDERS.

CHAPTER XIII.

Pages 173-186.

OUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE CHICKAHOMINY--PORTER'S SUCCESSES--DESPATCHES TO THE PRESIDENT--HIS REPLY--HANOVER COURT HOUSE--TERRIBLE STORM AND FLOOD--HOPES OF THE ENEMY--A SUDDEN AND STRONG ATTACK--I ACT AS AN ORDERLY--THROUGH THE FLOOD--MY RETURN AND REPORT--JOYFUL NEWS--MY OWN DISASTER--SCENES IN THE OLD MILL--WAITING ON THE WOUNDED--MY SUFFERINGS BY THE ROADSIDE--A HARD-HEARTED CHAPLAIN--A STUMBLING BLOCK.

CHAPTER XIV.

Pages 186-196.

RENEWAL OF THE BATTLE--VICTORY FOR THE FEDERAL ARMS--ADDRESS TO THE ARMY--MORE DESPATCHES--MY BATTLE TROPHY--PONY REB'S PERFORMANCES--THE HOSPITAL TREE--TOUCHING SCENES--BISHOP SIMPSON--THE CROSS AND THE FLAG--AFTER THE BATTLE--DELAYS BY STORMS, FLOODS AND MUD--MCCLELLAN'S CALL FOR MORE MEN--IN READINESS TO MARCH--PROMISED REINFORCEMENTS.

CHAPTER XV.

Pages 197-206.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE--VISIT TO THE WILLIAMSBURG HOSPITALS--EFFECTIVE PREACHING--YORKTOWN REVISITED--LONGINGS--WHITE HOUSE LANDING--TIRED OF IDLENESS--PREPARATIONS TO RETURN TO DUTY--STUART'S CAVALRY RAID--A TRAIN FIRED INTO--FAIR OAKS GROVE--THE STRENGTH OF THE ENEMY--TRYING TIMES ON THE PENINSULA--THE ENDURANCE OF OUR SOLDIERS--LABORS OF MR. ALVORD.

CHAPTER XVI.

Pages 207-219.

CHANGE OF BASE ACROSS THE PENINSULA--EVACUATION OF WHITE HOUSE--THE MOVEMENT--BATTLE OF MECHANICSVILLE--GAINES' MILL--A REPULSE--MCCLELLAN'S DESPATCH--HOSPITALS IN DANGER--CONVALESCENT OFFICERS--LENDING MY HORSE--A LOTTERY--INSPECTING FARM STOCK--CATCHING A COLT--DANGER OF CAPTURE--RIDING FOR LIFE--BETWEEN TWO FIRES.

CHAPTER XVII.

Pages 219-233.

WITHDRAWAL TO MALVERN HILL--THE SOLDIER'S LAST WATCH--TROWBRIDGE'S GRAVE--SCENES IN A HOSPITAL--CAPTURE OF THE WOUNDED--A NOBLE SURGEON--LINE OF BATTLE--HARD FIGHTING--THE ENEMY REPULSED--HUNTING FOR FOOD--IN A FARM-HOUSE--PERILOUS POSITION--SECURING THE SPOILS--RELIEF OF THE FAMISHING--SUBLIME SCENE--ON THE MARCH--GENERAL KEYES--GUN-BOATS--ARRIVAL AT HARRISON'S LANDING--SAD CONDITION OF TROOPS--OUR LOSSES--MCCLELLAN'S ADDRESS TO THE ARMY.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Pages 233-248.

RETURN OF OLD ACQUAINTANCES--THE WOUNDED COLONEL--I VISIT WASHINGTON--MILITARY DISPLAY--EPAULETS--ARISTOCRACY--SPIRIT OF JOHNNY BULL--SOLDIERS' FREE LIBRARY--CONTRABAND CAMP--NEGRO TESTIMONY--PATIENT CHARLEY--PAINFUL POSITION--BROTHER'S LAST CONVERSATION--RETURN TO THE ARMY--CHRISTIAN COMMISSION--GENERAL HOWARD'S SPEECH.

CHAPTER XIX.

Pages 249-260.

MY CONSTANT COMPANION--DISPELLING THE BLUES--GENTLE NELLIE--FACES IN THE HOSPITAL--ASLEEP AND AWAKE--MY HORSE AGAIN--AT HARRISON'S LANDING--IMPATIENT TO MOVE--DISSATISFACTION IN THE ARMY--RETREAT FROM RICHMOND--RETURN TO NEWPORT NEWS--SUSPICIOUS QUARTERS--SEARCHING THE HOUSE AND FINDING REBEL SOLDIERS--THANKS TO THE ARMY--OUR ARRIVAL AT ACQUIA CREEK.

CHAPTER XX.

Pages 261-273.

POPE'S ARMY--A GENERAL S REQUEST--AGAIN A CONTRABAND--ENTERING THE REBEL LINES AS A SPY--MY ESCAPE TO THE FEDERAL LINES--IN PERIL--KEARNEY KILLED--CRAWLING THROUGH THE WOODS--BURIAL OF A PICKET--LOOKING FOR A GENERAL--MR. NEGATIVE--MCCLELLAN AND POPE--THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM--A TOUCHING DEATH-SCENE--AN INTERESTING PATIENT--BURIAL OF A FEMALE SOLDIER.

CHAPTER XXI.

Pages 273-285.

AFTER ANTIETAM--SURGEONS ON THE FIELD--THE HOSPITALS--LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DWIGHT MORTALLY WOUNDED--A BRUTAL SURGEON--A WOUNDED CAPTAIN--AGONY FROM THIRST--CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS--PRAYING AND FIGHTING--FOPS ON THE FIELD--A REBEL PROGRAMME--PENNSYLVANIA TO BE STRIPPED--CAMP LIFE--DAILY ROUTINE--BURIAL SERVICES.

CHAPTER XXII.

Pages 286-296.

A MILITARY EXECUTION--THE PREPARATIONS--THE DEATH--HARPER'S FERRY--OLD JOHN BROWN--CONTRAST--ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA--CONDITION OF THE ARMY--A DREARY RIDE--A GREEN GUARD--SEEKING SHELTER--A GUERRILLA FIGHT--MY HORSE KILLED--PLAYING POSSUM--MY POCKETS PICKED--A NARROW ESCAPE--RETURN TO CAMP--AN INTERESTING MEETING.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Pages 297-308.

MCCLELLAN REMOVED--HIS ADDRESS--BURNSIDE IN COMMAND--ON THE MARCH--MY RIDE--OLD BATTLEFIELDS--SAD SIGHTS--"YANKEE SKULLS"--"BONE ORNAMENTS"--FALMOUTH--SHELLING FREDERICKSBURG--PONTOON BRIDGES--OCCUPATION OF THE CITY--AIDE-DE-CAMP--DREADFUL SLAUGHTER--A GALLANT MAJOR--STRANGE SIGHTS--DARK NIGHT--DEATH OF GENERAL BAYARD--SOMEONE'S PET--RECROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Pages 309-318.

AFTER THE BATTLE--SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED--GENERAL BURNSIDE'S ORDER--"STUCK IN THE MUD"--HOOKER IN COMMAND--WESTERN CAMPAIGN--CAVALRY RECONNOISSANCE--ANOTHER DISGUISE--AGAIN IN DIXIE--A WEDDING PARTY--IN A TRAP--REBEL CONSCRIPT--ON THE MARCH--A REBEL CAPTAIN--A FIERCE ENGAGEMENT--PAYING A DEBT OF GRATITUDE--AGAIN UNDER THE OLD FLAG.

CHAPTER XXV.

Pages 319-330.

APPOINTED DETECTIVE--I VISIT LOUISVILLE--SECESH ACQUAINTANCES--SEEKING EMPLOYMENT--PEDDLING--REBEL SPIES--ACTING AS CLERK--TRAPPING SPIES--START FOR VICKSBURG--PRO-SLAVERY TROOPS--CRUELTY TO NEGROES--VISITING HOSPITALS--TOUCHING SCENES--AN ARMLESS SOLDIER--PATIENT SUFFERING--TRIUMPHANT DEATH--RALLY ROUND THE FLAG--WESTERN CHAPLAINS--SOLDIERS' TESTIMONY--EFFECT OF PRAYER IN BATTLE--CARRYING THE WOUNDED.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Pages 331-340.

A UNIONIST FROM THE REBEL ARMY--HIS TESTIMONY--SOUTHERN HOSPITALS--PATRIOTISM--FEMALE RECRUITING--CRINOLINE--"SWEET LITTLE MAN"--CONFEDERATE SYSTEM--NORTH AND SOUTH CONTRASTED--REBEL IMPRESSMENT--BROTHERS' CRUELTY--DYING FOR THE UNION--FATE OF A TENNESSEE PATRIOT--ON THE MISSISSIPPI--INVISIBLE ATTRACTION--AN IMPORTANT QUESTION--MORAL SUBLIMITY--CONTRABANDS JUBILEE.

CHAPTER XXVII.

Pages 341-353.

ARRIVAL AT VICKSBURG--ITS SURROUNDINGS--GRANT'S ARMY--ASSAULT ON THE REBEL WORKS--THE SEVEN COLOR-BEARERS--PEMBERTON'S HARANGUE--IN THE TRENCHES--SUFFERINGS OF THE WOUNDED--PEMBERTON'S PROPOSED CAPITULATION--GRANT'S REPLY--TERMS OF SURRENDER--OCCUPATION OF THE CITY--LOSS OF THE ENEMY--COMPLIMENTARY LETTER--GRANT'S SUCCESS--ATTACHMENT OF HIS SOLDIERS--"FIGHTING DICK"--GOLD LACE--REBEL SUFFERINGS--SIGHTS IN VICKSBURG--INCIDENTS OF THE SIEGE--CAVE LIFE.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Pages 353-362.

WESTERN GIBRALTAR--THE "LEAD MINERS"--THE PALMETTO EXCHANGED FOR THE STARS AND STRIPES--ENTHUSIASM OF TROOPS--SUFFERINGS FORGOTTEN--I AM ATTACKED BY FEVER--UNFIT FOR DUTY--"VICKSBURG IS OURS"--SPIRIT YEARNINGS--"ROCK ME TO SLEEP MOTHER"--IMPOSITION OF STEAMBOAT OFFICERS--GRANT'S CARE FOR HIS MEN--BURSTING OF A SHELL IN CAMP--CONSEQUENCES--SPEECHLESS AGONY--I AM RELEASED FROM DUTY--MY TRIP TO CAIRO--MISS MARY SAFFORD--ARRIVAL AT WASHINGTON.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Pages 362-373.

REVIEW OF HOSPITAL AND CAMP LIFE--QUESTIONS ANSWERED--BEHIND THE SCENES--BLESSED EMPLOYMENT--LIVING PAST SCENES OVER AGAIN--MY MOST IMPORTANT LABORS--MOTHER AND SON--STRANGE POWER OF SYMPATHY--HERO'S REPOSE--OFFICERS AND MEN--THE BRAVEST ARE KINDEST--GENERAL SEDGWICK--BATTLE SCENES--MR. ALVORD'S DESCRIPTION--VOLUNTEER SURGEONS--HEART SICKENING SIGHTS--AN AWFUL PICTURE--FEMALE NURSES--SENTIMENTAL--PATRIOTIC--MEDICAL DEPARTMENT--YOUNG SURGEONS--ANECDOTES.

CHAPTER XXX.

Pages 374-384.

CLOSING INCIDENTS--PROFESSOR LOWE'S BALLOON--FITZ JOHN PORTER'S ADVENTURE--HIS UPWARD FLIGHT--RECONNOITERING FROM A DANGEROUS POSITION--COOL COURAGE--ENTHUSIASTIC GREETING--AN EARNEST INQUIRER--A BAPTISM IN THE ARMY--PREACHING BY MOONLIGHT--A MAGNIFICENT SCENE--A WEDDING IN CAMP--GAY TIMES--A CONTRAST--HOSPITAL IN WINCHESTER--SPIRIT OF REVENGE--SABLE HEROINE--A WHITE DARKEY--COLORED SOLDIERS--CONCLUSION.

NURSE AND SPY.