Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 02.djvu/93

 recording angel will drop a tear of pity upon the words, and blot them out forever, or, at least, that he will record them in Heaven's chancery on Mercy's page. This Knowles would suit as a companion for Sheridan, and ought to be on his medical staff. They are par ignobile fratrum. Both seem to delight in the infliction of pain and suffering. I learn Knowles is a Presbyterian elder, and a very bitter abolitionist. The puritanical old hypocrite has a soul so small it would have as much room in a mustard seed as a tadpole in the Pacific ocean.

October 18th—Ward "B" is pretty full of wounded officers. Major G. M. Hanvey, of Twelfth Georgia Battalion, is among the number. He was shot through the lungs at the battle of Monocacy, has an unpleasant cough, and looks very delicate. Our homes in Georgia are in neighboring towns, and I find him a very pleasant acquaintance. My lacerated wound caused me much pain to-day, and suppurated a great deal. Knowles did not inquire about my condition, merely passed by, looked sternly at me, and spoke to the next officer. I owe him thanks for his intentional slight and neglect of me. It is pleasant not to be noticed by so contemptible a ruffian. His conversation about the war news discloses the patent fact that he hates the "Rebels," as he delights to call us, with peculiar venom.

October 19th, 20th and 21st—Still suffering from Knowles' malicious treatment. A number of slightly wounded and convalescent prisoners have been sent away from the hospital, some to Point Lookout, and others to Fort McHenry. My meals are brought to me, and are very meagre indeed. The loss of blood and physical strength, caused by the drain through suppuration from my wound, have reduced me greatly. My cheeks and eyes are hollow and sunken, I have very little strength left, and need nourishing food, such as I had at dear old Winchester. I sadly miss the good women who cared for me there, and long for their generous fare. We are permitted to buy only the Baltimore American and Philadelphia Inquirer, two intensely bitter black Republican sheets. No Democratic papers are admitted in the building. Yet, once in a while, a copy of the New York News, Ben. Wood's popular paper, is smuggled in. Wood is a bold, defiant editor, and advocates General McClellan's election over Abe Lincoln. There is an important "personal" column in the News, of great interest to Confederate prisoners of war and their friends, North and South. These "personals" are advertisements from friends and relatives in Dixie, inquiring the fate and condition and whereabouts of prisoners in the North, as