"A lady in one of the hospitals of the west was much attracted by two
young men, lying side by side, all splintered and bandaged, so that they
could not move hand or foot, but so cheerful and happy looking, that she
said,--
"'Why, boys, you are looking very bright to-day.'
"'O, yes,' they replied, 'we're all right now; we've been turned this
morning.'
"And she found that for six long weeks they had lain in one position, and
for the first time that morning had been moved to the other side of their
cot.
"'And were you among those poor boys who were left lying where you fell,
that bitter cold morning, till you froze fast to the ground?'
"'Yes, ma'am; we were lying there two days. You know they had no time to
attend to us. They had to go and take the fort.'
"'And didn't you think it was very cruel in them to leave you there to
suffer so long?' she inquired.
"'Why, no, ma'am; we wanted them to go and take the fort.'
"'But when it was taken, you were in too great agony to know or care for
it?'
"'O, no, ma'am,' they replied, with flashing eyes. 'There was a whole lot
of us wounded fellows on the hill-side, watching to see if they would get
the fort; and when we saw they had it, every one of us who had a whole
arm, or leg, waved it in the air, and hurrahed till the air rang again.'"
This is from a letter by Miss M. E. Breckenbridge, a lady who laid down
her life for the sick soldiers.