Page:The Story of Aunt Becky's Army-Life .djvu/87

Rh —lying with upturned face, and uncoffined body. I was indignant at the outrage, for it was known that he was to be buried in a box, and my blood boiled because they heeded no more the last strong wishes of a life which had been given to save just such cowards from a like death.

I ordered him laid again upon the stretcher, and after some parleying it was done, and again I went to my work, but ill at ease, looking often from the window. Again I saw him lying in the dead-wagon: to outwit a woman they were outraging the body of the slain, and I cannot tell what feelings rushed over me, and almost sent me wild.

They were about to drive off, and I called upon the steward in my anger, and orders were given which threatened any who should disobey them with the guard-house.

The coffin came, and the soldier's body was decently laid within it, wrapped in a clean sheet, and carried to his resting-place in the hospital graveyard.

Days, in lulls of duty, I kept up my search for our wounded boys, and going to the door of the Planter's Hotel, I learned it was the hospital of the Third Division of our Corps, in which was the One Hundred and Ninth Regiment.

I inquired if any of our boys were there, and a voice inside said, "There is Aunt Becky," and going in I found twenty from our regiment, some badly wounded. A faintness came over me, which I had not before experienced, as I saw them huddled together, such piteous creatures in their helplessness, those