REBEL PRISONERS AT CAMP DOUGLAS.

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of his skill to save a terribly shattered arm that could not bear any pressure. A plaster-of-paris cast had been made, and so nicely adjusted to the arm that it could rest and have soothing and cooling applications made, without the slightest movement of the limb. I was delighted with the ingenuity and success of the plan, and said, in the cheerful tones with which I always addressed soldiers, "Why, my dear fellow, your right arm, that has fought so nobly for the old flag, will soon be all right, and you will be ready before long to try it again!" The bright smile and animated response failed to come as usual-moody silence and a scowl were my only answers. I looked inquiringly at the surgeon, and saw mischief in his eye. As I walked away, he said, chuckling, "You gave the rebel Major a pretty hard hit." "I am glad I did," I replied; "but why did you not tell me?" "'Twas too good to spoil," he said, rubbing his hands in glee, "and he needs it."

While on this subject I will state, that, during the winter of 1865, Mrs. Livermore and myself visited Camp Douglas, in the vicinity of Chicago, where there were 10,000 rebel prisoners. General Sweet, with his usual courtesy, furnished us an escort to the camp, although at the time visitors were not allowed; but he knew our object was to procure correct information. We spent the entire morning in examining the camp; visited the barracks, the laundry, the bakery, the kitchen, the hospital, and found all studiously clean, well ventilated, and well supplied. The odor of the soup for dinner was appetizing, and the neatness of the kitchen inviting. The men looked healthy and contented. The number of men sick was not large in proportion

to the huge camp, and the hospital was in excellent order. In all respects, it equalled in comfort the camp of the Federal soldiers, and filled us with wonder at the godlike. magnanimity of a government that could and would thus return good for evil done to our prisoners, then suffering and dying by thousands in Southern prison-pens. Some of the fearful tragedies of those charnel-houses have been made. known, and stand as a fearful blot on the civilization of the 19th century; or, rather, an exemplification of the "barbarism of slavery." The recording angel has written them where they must one day be met, in the sight of angels and men, when the tears and groans of these martyrs of liberty will cry aloud for vengeance. Such fearful witnesses might well appall the stoutest heart. "Behold the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter." (See Appendix.)

SURRENDER OF FORT DONELSON.

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CHAPTER II.

Surrender of Fort Donelson.-Military aspect of Cairo and Mississippi River.-Battle of Pittsburg Landing.-Military aspect of St. Louis.-Five thousand troops marching through St. Louis.-Southwest Missouri the earliest battle-ground of the war.-The wounded after the battles of Boonville, Dug Spring, Carthage, and Wilson's Creek.-Formation of Western Sanitary Commission.-Work of Western Sanitary Commission in St. Louis.-Hospital work of St. Louis ladies in hospital wards.-Incidents in St. Louis Hospitals.

No one living in the North-West, can forget the wild enthu siasm occasioned by the surrender of Fort Donelson. It was the first decisive victory of the Union arms, and was felt by the people to be the pledge and forerunner of many to follow. In the garden City, Chicago, all the bells were madly rung, salutes were fired, schools dismissed, business suspended, men embraced each other in the streets and wept, processions were extemporized, omnibuses, express wagons, teams and drays, filled with the shouting multitude, drove through the principal thoroughfares, always stopping before the rooms of the Sanitary Commission to give three hearty cheers. This battle was fought on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of February, 1862. At that inclement season, our brave troops lay outside the intrenchments of the fort three successive days and nights, in a pelting storm of sleet and snow. They fought their way to the breastworks, and over them, inch by inch; only stop

ping when darkness covered them. At the close of the third day, victory perched on the banner of freedom; but not until it had been dyed in the blood of its defenders. Gen. Grant received the surrender of 10,000 men, under the rebel Gen. Buckner; and thus commenced that series of successes that placed the rank and file of our army in the foremost line of the world's armies, and its gallant leader at the very height of military renown-the Commanding General of the unpar alleled armies of the Union.

In the midst of the hosannas of the multitude, a pang shot through my heart when I thought of the sacrifice the victory had cost, of the mangled bodies, open graves, broken hearts, and scattered hopes that must follow in its train. I had not, however, comprehended the full reality of the war till I reached Cairo. At home, society was undisturbed, business prosperous, places of amusement filled, churches sustained, schools well patronized, people marrying and given in marriage, one going to his farm, and another to his merchandise, as though the voice of war had not been heard n the land, and no sacrifices were necessary. The second call for 300,000 more, had not yet been heard in almost every home in the land.

At Cairo, every step kept time to martial law and music. The tramp, tramp, tramp, of the Boys in Blue muttered from morn till night. Military sentinels met us at every turn. The fife and drum piped and rolled incessantly. Transports, laden to the guards with their precious living freight, were constantly arriving from above, and leaving for the Tennessee, where the Western army was massing for a prospective conflict-none knew when nor where.

BATTLE OF PITTSBURG LANDING.

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It proved to be Pittsburg Landing, which bloody battle was fought soon after, on the 6th and 7th of April, when the Western Union Army, under Gen. Grant, and the flower of the rebel army, under Gens. Johnston and Beauregard, met and tested their strength, and fought with desperation, both sides feeling that the result of that battle would, to a great extent, settle the question of the Western campaign. The rebel force had the advantage of the attack, under their chosen leaders, and perfect confidence of victory, which for the first day appeared to favor them. Troops less brave and staunch than ours, would have been faint-hearted; perhaps surrendered. But No Fail was there; and when the artillery was massed and skilfully disposed by Gen. Webster, the able chief of artillery, the gunboats brought into action, and Buell's command came up double-quick, after a forced march of forty miles, and rushed into action with an eagerness and enthusiasm that inspired the army, the tide turned. A battle-field miles in circumference, watered with human blood, and strewn with the mangled frames of 20,000 men on both sides, told the story of the desperation of the fight, and the value of the victory.

I was surprised when visiting the East, the following autumn, to find that the importance and magnitude of this fearful struggle, which commenced at Shiloh and culminated at Pittsburg Landing, was not appreciated there, as it was nearer to the scene of action. It must be remembered that representative portions of the flower of the Southern army, magnificently drilled and equipped, were there. I heard an officer who was engaged in the first brigade that met the foe, say, that in the midst of all the excitement of a sudden call