Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/249

 The Twelfth Alabama Infantry. 245

July 4. A memorable day! All able to walk were sent towards Maryland, and the badly wounded were hauled away. Dr. Whit- field was very kind and placed me in the first ambulance, driven by Sam Slaton, in company with Lieutenant Wright and Captains Ross and Hewlett. The night was a dark, dreary, rainy one. At i o'clock A. M. we started after a long halt on Fairfield road, towards Hagerstown, riding over an execrable mountain road. We were suffering, wet and anxious. The Yankee cavalry at- tacked our train and took several of our wagons, including the third one in our rear. They were firing uncomfortable near. Our am- bulance broke down at this critical time, and we waked up a farmer, got his small market wagon, left one horse with him and drove the other, with his wagon, on to Hagerstown. Captain Pickens, quar- termaster, aided us much. At Washington Hotel in Hagerstown, the proprietor gave us sandwiches and a bottle of whiskey and spoke cheeringly.

July 5. We reached Williamsport, after a gloomy night, at 6 A. M., and drove our horse across the Potomac and reached Mar- tinsburg at 2 P. M., had our wounds dressed, ate dinner in the hospital, drove four miles and spent the night at Mr. Stanley's.

July 6. Arrived at Winchester at 4 o'clock, turned over our horse and wagon to provost marshal, Captain Cullen, and left Winchester on mail coach, reaching Woodstock at n o'clock at night, and slept on the hotel floor. Citizens are anxious for news and asked many questions.

July 7. Breakfasted and left on stage for Staunton, eating din- ner at Harrisonburg, where a generous stranger paid our bill. Money is not plentiful with us. Reached Staunton at 8:30 at night and stopped at American Hotel Hospital.

July 8. Drew a month's pay and obtained transfer to general hospital, Richmond. Captain H. and I hired a horse and buggy for $12.00 to carry us to Middle river, six miles distant, to get our valises from Captain Haralson. quartermaster.

July 9. Reached Richmond 5 P. M. Went to hospital number four, Dr. J. B. Reid. Dr. A. Y. P. Garnett gave me a thirty day's furlough, approved by General Winder.

CAMP NEAR ORANGE COURTHOUSE AUGUST, 1863.

General Lee placed the Army of Northern Virginia in position at and around Orange Courthouse during the summer of 1863. At