“During the late war, and when General S. was in command of the department at New Orleans, the Sisters of Charity made frequent applications to him for assistance.26 Especially were they desirous to obtain supplies at what was termed ‘commissary prices;’ that is, at a reduction or commutation of one-third the amount which the same provisions would cost at market rates. The principal demand was for ice, flour, beef and coffee, but mainly ice, a luxury which only the union forces could enjoy at anything like a reasonable price. The hospitals were full of the sick and wounded of both the Federal and Confederate armies, and the benevolent2 institutions of the city were taxed to the utmost in their endeavors to aid the poor and the suffering, for those were trying 316 times, and war has many victims. Foremost among these Christian3 workers stood the various Christian Sisterhoods. These noble women were busy day and night, never seeming to know fatigue4, and overcoming every obstacle that, in so many discouraging forms, obstructed5 the way of doing good—obstacles which would have completely disheartened less resolute6 women, or those not trained in the school of patience, faith, hope and charity, and where the first grand lesson learned is self-denial. Of money there was little, and food, fuel and medicine were scarce and dear; yet they never faltered7, going on in the face of all difficulties, through poverty, war and unfriendly aspersions, never turning aside, never complaining, never despairing. No one will ever know the sublime8 courage of these good Sisters during the dark days of the Rebellion. Only in that hour when the Judge of all mankind shall summon before Him the living and the dead will they receive their true reward, the crown everlasting9, and the benediction10: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’
“It was just a week previous to the Red River campaign, when all was hurry and activity throughout the Department of the Gulf11, that General S., a stern, irascible old officer of the regular army, sat at his desk in his office on Julia street, curtly12 giving orders to subordinates, dispatching messengers hither and thither13 to every part of the city where troops were stationed, and stiffly receiving such of his command as had important business to transact14.
“In the midst of this unusual hurry and preparation the door noiselessly opened, and a humble15 Sister of Charity entered the room. A handsome young lieutenant16 of the staff instantly arose and deferentially17 handed her a chair, 317 for those sombre gray garments were respected, if not understood, even though he had no reverence18 for the religious faith which they represented.
“General S. looked up from his writing, angered by the intrusion of one whose ‘fanaticism’ he despised, and a frown of annoyance19 and displeasure gathered darkly on his brow.
“‘Orderly!’
“The soldier on duty without the door, who had admitted the Sister, faced about, saluted20 and stood mute, awaiting the further command of his chief.
“‘Did I not give orders that no one was to be admitted?’
“‘Yes, sir; but—’
“‘When I say no one, I mean no one,’ thundered the General.
“The orderly bowed and returned to his post. He was too wise a soldier to enter into explanation with so irritable21 a superior. All this time the patient Sister sat calm and still, biding22 the moment when she might speak and meekly23 state the object of her mission. The General gave her the opportunity in the briefest manner possible, and sharply enough, too, in all conscience.
“‘Well, madam?’
“She raised a pair of sad, dark eyes to his face, and the gaze was so pure, so saintly, so full of silent pleading, that the rough old soldier was touched in spite of himself. Around her fell the heavy muffling24 dress of her order, which, however coarse and ungraceful, had something strangely solemn and mournful about it. Her hands, small and fair, were clasped almost suppliantly25, and half-hidden in the loose sleeves, as if afraid of their own trembling 318 beauty; hands that had touched tenderly, lovingly, so many death-damp foreheads; that had soothed26 so much pain; eyes that had met prayerfully so many dying glances; lips that had cheered to the mysterious land so many parting souls, and she was only a Sister of Charity—only one of that innumerable band whose good deeds shall live after them.
“‘We have a household of sick and wounded whom we must care for in some way, and I came to ask of you the privilege, which I humbly27 beseech28 you will not deny us, of obtaining ice and beef at commissary prices.’
“The gentle, earnest pleading fell on deaf ears.
“‘Always something,’ snarled29 the General. ‘Last week it was flour and ice; to-day it is ice and beef; to-morrow it will be coffee and ice, I suppose, and all for a lot of rascally30 rebels, who ought to be shot, instead of being nursed back to life and treason.’
“‘General!’—the Sister was majestic31 now—‘Rebel or Federal, I do not know; Protestant or Catholic, I do not ask. They are not soldiers when they come to us; they are simply suffering fellow-creatures. Rich or poor, of gentle or lowly blood, it is not our province to inquire. Ununiformed, unarmed, sick and helpless, we ask not on which side they fought. Our work begins after yours is done. Yours the carnage, ours the binding32 up of wounds. Yours the battle, ours the duty of caring for the mangled33 left behind on the field. Ice I want for the sick, the wounded, the dying. I plead for all, I beg for all, I pray for all God’s poor suffering creatures, wherever I may find them.’
“‘Yes, you can beg, I’ll admit. What do you do with all your beggings? It is always more, more! never enough!’
“With this, the General resumed his writing, thereby34 319 giving the Sister to understand that she was dismissed. For a moment her eyes fell, her lips trembled—it was a cruel taunt35. Then the tremulous hands slowly lifted and folded tightly across her breast, as if to still some sudden heartache the unkind words called up. Very low, and sweet, and earnest was her reply:
union LEADERS OF THE CIVIL WAR.
HOWARD KEARNYBURNSIDESCOTTROSECRANSWALLACECUSTER
THOMASHANCOCKMcCLELLANHOOKERBUTLERLOGAN
“What do we do with our beggings? Oh, that is a hard question to ask of one whose way of life leads ever among the poor, the sorrowing, the unfortunate, the most wretched of mankind. Not on me is it wasted. I stand here in my earthly all. What do we do with it? Ah! some day you may know.’
“She turned away and left him, sad of face, heavy of heart, and her dark eyes misty36 with unshed tears.
“‘Stay!’
“The General’s request was like a command. He could be stern; nay37, almost rude, but he knew truth and worth when he saw it, and could be just. The Sister paused on the threshold, and for a minute nothing was heard but the rapid scratching of the General’s pen.
“‘There, madam, is your order on the Commissary for ice and beef at army terms, good for three months. I do it for the sake of the union Soldiers who are, or may be, in your care. Don’t come bothering me again. Good-morning!’
“In less than three weeks from that day the slaughter38 of the Red River campaign had been perfected, and there neared the city of New Orleans a steamer flying the ominous39 yellow flag, which even the rebel sharpshooters respected and allowed to pass down the river unmolested. Another, and still another, followed closely in her wake, and all the decks were covered with the wounded and dying whose bloody40 bandages and, in many instances, undressed 320 wounds gave woeful evidence of the lack of surgeons, as well as the completeness of the rout41. Among the desperately42 wounded was General S. He was borne from the steamer to the waiting ambulance, writhing43 in anguish44 from the pain of his bleeding and shell-torn limb, and when they asked him where he wished to be taken he feebly moaned:
“‘Anywhere, it matters not. Where I can die in peace.’
“So they took him to the Hotel Dieu, a noble and beautiful institution, in charge of the Sisters of Charity. The limb was amputated and then he was nursed for weeks through the agony of the surgical45 operation, the fever, the wild delirium46; and for many weary days no one could tell whether life or death would be the victor. But who was the quiet, faithful nurse, ever at his bedside, ever ministering to his wants, ever watchful47 of his smallest needs? Why only ‘one of the Sisters.’
“At last life triumphed, reason returned, and with it much of the old, abrupt48 manner. The General awoke to consciousness to see a face not altogether unknown bending over him, and to feel a pair of small, deft49 hands skillfully arranging a bandage, wet in ice-cold water, around his throbbing50 temples, where the mad pain and aching had for so long a time held sway. He was better now, though still very weak; but his mind was clear, and he could think calmly and connectedly of all that had taken place since the fatal battle—a battle which had so nearly cost him his life and left him at best but a maimed and mutilated remnant of his former self.
“Yet he was thankful it was no worse—that he had not been killed outright51. In like degree he was grateful to those who nursed him so tenderly and tirelessly, especially 321 the gray-robed woman, who had become almost angelic in his eyes; and it was like him to express his gratitude52 in his own peculiar53 way, without preface or circumlocution54. Looking intently at the Sister, as if to get her features well fixed55 in his memory, he said:
“‘Did you get the ice and beef?’
“The Sister started. The question was so direct and unexpected. Surely her patient must be getting—really himself!
“‘Yes,’ she replied simply, but with a kind glance of the soft, sad eyes, that spoke56 eloquently57 her thanks.
“‘And your name is ——”
“‘Sister Francis.’
“‘Well, then, Sister Francis, I am glad you got the things—glad I gave you the order. I think I know now what you do with your beggings. I comprehend something of your work, your charity, your religion, and I hope to be the better for the knowledge. I owe you a debt I can never repay, but you will endeavor to believe that I am deeply grateful for all your great goodness and ceaseless care.’
“‘Nay; you owe me nothing; but to Him, whose cross I bear and in whose Divine footsteps I try to follow, you owe a debt of gratitude unbounded. To His infinite mercy I commend you. It matters not for the body; it is that divine mystery, the soul, I would save. My work here is done. I leave you to the care of others. Adieu.’
“The door softly opened and closed, and he saw Sister Francis no more.
“Two months afterward58 she received a letter sent to the care of the Mother Superior, inclosing a check for a thousand dollars. At the same time the General took 322 occasion to remark that he wished he were able to make it twice the amount, since he knew by experience ‘What they did with their beggings.’”
With this portion of the book is concluded the record of the labors60 of the Catholic Sisterhoods in the war. The appendix which follows contains a number of interesting facts which it was deemed advisable to separate from the text proper. Most of them have reference, either directly or indirectly61, to the patience, courage and loyalty62 of the Sisters. Those that have not are sufficiently63 allied64 to the subject matter to justify65 their insertion in a volume of this character. Before the book went to press the writer went over this additional matter with a view to omitting some portions that did not appear directly related to the main volume. But it was difficult to make a choice. No two persons could agree upon the part to be retained and the portion to be omitted. So all of the matter has remained as it was originally conceived and arranged.
No one can read the story of the labors of the heroic women in the war without a thrill of reverence and admiration66 for these devoted67 nurses. They constitute “a grand army of the Republic” before which the boys in Blue and the boys in Gray, and their descendants after them, can bow the head in respectful salutation. They “enlisted in the war” from motives68 of the highest patriotism69—love of humanity and love of God. They had no purpose to accomplish, no axes to grind, no reward to receive, no pay to earn! They did not forsake70 their peaceful convent homes, share the privations and the rough fare of the soldiers, to gratify any worldly ambition. All that they did was from a pure and elevated sense of duty. The high 323 motives that inspired them in volunteering their services at the crisis in this nation’s history has also prevented them from recording71 or publishing the amount and character of these services. Their light has literally72 been hid beneath a bushel. This feeble effort to do justice to their labors and their memory has been undertaken, not because they would have it done, but because duty, justice and patriotism alike demanded that it should be done. If the perusal73 of these pages furnishes the reader one-tenth of the pleasure involved in their making, the writer will be well repaid for his labor59.
The End
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1
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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2
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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obstructed
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| 阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止 | |
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6
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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8
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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12
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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transact
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| v.处理；做交易；谈判 | |
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15
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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16
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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deferentially
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| adv.表示敬意地，谦恭地 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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20
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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21
irritable
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| adj.急躁的；过敏的；易怒的 | |
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22
biding
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| v.等待，停留( bide的现在分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待；面临 | |
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23
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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24
muffling
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| v.压抑，捂住( muffle的现在分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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suppliantly
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| adv.恳求着，哀求着 | |
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26
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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27
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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28
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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29
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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30
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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31
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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32
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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33
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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34
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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36
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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37
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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38
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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39
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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40
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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41
rout
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| n.溃退，溃败；v.击溃，打垮 | |
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42
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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43
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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44
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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45
surgical
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| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
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46
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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47
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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48
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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49
deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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50
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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51
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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52
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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53
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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54
circumlocution
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| n. 绕圈子的话，迂回累赘的陈述 | |
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55
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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56
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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57
eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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58
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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59
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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60
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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61
indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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62
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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63
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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64
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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65
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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66
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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67
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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68
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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69
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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70
forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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71
recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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72
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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73
perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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