Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/360

Rh living man should be left alone amid such surroundings. She did not seem to realize that she was doing anything remarkable, and turning from the messenger continued her search over that awful field simply through her love for humanity. Her work was felt now on the field of battle, now on board a boat caring for a lot of soldiers in transit, now in the hospital. Thus many phases of a soldier's life came under her observation. One night she was making her usual rounds of the wards, the lights were turned down and many of the soldiers were sleeping, while here and there a restless sufferer counted the lagging seconds and longed for morning. Passing along she administered to each as the occasion demanded until one asked, "Aren't you tired, Mother Bickerdyke?" Not for a moment did she think of claiming sympathy, but replied in her usual brusque way: "What if I am, that is nothing. I am well and strong and all I want is to see you so, too." In September a battle was fought at Iuka, and here Mother Bickerdyke again walked over a blood-stained field to save many a life fast ebbing away for want of immediate aid. She deftly stopped the flow of blood from wounds that must otherwise be fatal. When it became necessary to send the wounded, as far as their condition would permit, to Corinth, Mrs. Bickerdyke not only went with them to alleviate suffering on the painful journey, but did much to prevent waste. Owing to limited time and means of transportation, soiled clothing and things that were not especially needed were to be left behind. But prudent Mother Bickerdyke had all the articles packed closely, and when she saw that they were to be left behind she exclaimed, "Do you suppose that we are going to throw away those things that the daughters and wives of our soldiers have worked so hard to give us? I will just prove that they can be saved and the clothes washed. Just take them along." And the order was obeyed. She was always planning for more and better food for her sick boys. Fresh eggs and milk were supplied in scant quantities and were very poor at that. So just as spring was changing to summer she started upon her famous "Cow and hen mission." Her object was to obtain one hundred cows and one thousand hens to be cared for on an island in the Mississippi near Memphis. As soon as she made her plans known in Jacksonville, a wealthy farmer, aided by a few of his neighbors, gave her the hundred cows and as she proceeded chickens were cackling all about her. She procured the desired one thousand and her arrival at Memphis was heralded by the lowing of cows and the sprightly song of hens. Mother Bickerdyke's cows became a well-known feature on many battlefields. One morning some soldiers in fresh uniforms waited upon her to tender her a review. She smilingly consented, donned her sunbonnet and permitted herself to be stationed on a rudely elevated platform. The fine cows that had supplied them with milk filed past her. Each one had been smoothly curried, her horns polished and her hoofs blackened. The favorites were decked with little flags and a lively march was played as the queer procession filed past. Many of these cows had marched a long distance with the army. They were a treasure to Mrs. Bickerdyke, as she could make custards and other delicacies for her sick soldiers. This boyish prank, "The Cows' Review," was a pleasant incident which she greatly enjoyed. Another incident of her thrift has a touch of humor in it. Though Mrs. Bickerdyke was always