Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 33.djvu/290

 286 Southern Historical Society Papers.

W. G. Kiger, Mrs. Snapp and Mrs. Marsteller. Three times each day they send us very palatable and abundant meals, nicely cooked, and of fine variety. Negro slaves bring them to us, and are very attentive and respectful, sincerely sympathizing with us in our suffer- ings, and openly declaring their purpose to remain with their mis- tresses (their masters are absent in the Southern army), and not regard the seductive promises made by the Yankees to induce them to abandon their life-long friends and homes.

Several pretty girls called to see us, and entertained us very agreeably with their charming conversation. Among them were Misses Nena Kiger, Gertrude Coffroth, Sallie Hoffman, Jennie Taylor, and Lizzie Swartzwelder. They are true to the cause and encourage us much.

September 25. (Sunday). All the churches in the city, except one, are filled with Yankee wounded. Our surgeons say our wounded will not number over 500, while theirs is between 4,000 and 5,000, nearly ten times greater than ours. Their killed is said to be equal to our killed and wounded together. Verily, a costly vic- tory for them !

Miss Janet Fauntleroy, a very pretty and intelligent young lady, came to the office and brought us some delicacies. She is a grand- daughter of Brigadier-general Fauntleroy, perhaps the oldest officer on the rolls of the Confederate army, now over eighty years of age, and daughter of Captain Fauntleroy of the Confederate navy, now serving his country on the high seas, aiding Admiral Semmes, Cap- tain Maffitt, Commodore Maury and other gallant seamen. My wound gives me constant pain. The torn flesh protrudes nearly two inches, and the severed nerves torture me much.

September 27th, 28th and 2Qth. Three days of great suffering. Small bones are constantly working their way out of my wound, and the separated nerves and sinews keep me awake, night and day. The good ladies are ministering angels, so incessant are they in their kind attentions. They are doing most excellent service in the Confederate hospital, greatly assisting the surgeons. We owe them a debt of lasting gratitude.

One afternoon, while in conversation with the beautiful Miss Nena Kiger, a sharp piece of bone, making its exit from my wound, cut an artery, and "secondary hemorrhage" was produced. Miss Nena ran immediately for a surgeon, and, in an incredibly short time, re- turned with Dr. Hardy, who promptly applied sulphate of iron and