Page:The Story of Aunt Becky's Army-Life .djvu/121

Rh and night coming darkly on. There in an open field—in sight of the winding river, we sat down to rest awhile, and think of the long dusty, dreary mile intervening between us and the coveted shelter.

Backward we took our way—faint and almost strangled with the clouds of dust which enveloped our passage. All the women with the exception of Mrs. Strouse and myself—who seemed to be the strongest of the set—got into an ambulance, and thought themselves fortunate in obtaining such a lift in their weary condition.

An artist would have halted in eager admiration of the sight, as we went in single file, the dust flying in gray banners over us, and the gathering darkness lending its witchery to help the scene. But step by step we conquered the distance, and took a room in the building which had been occupied by General Grant as his head-quarters, and were supplied by the Christian Commission with stretchers, on which to spread what bedding we had, to make ourselves more comfortable.

It was early when we arose, and took a walk to view the situation. City Point was not at that time an inviting place. Its inhabitants were mostly colored people, who had no homes, and had gathered into the deserted town from every quarter. There was material, however, which could be made available in our new hospital, and the booming of the cannon assured us that ere long our work would reach us, borne on bloody stretchers from the last battle-field.

Again the Christian Commission supplied us with