GDG- Sarah M. Broadhead

[Ginny Gage]

July 5‹

What a beautiful morning!  It seems as though Nature was smiling on
thousands suffering. One might think, if they saw only the sky, and earth,
and trees, that every one must be happy; but just look around and behold the
misery made in so short time by man.  Early this morning I went out to the
Seminary, just outside of town, and which, until the retreat, was in the
hands of the enemy. What horrible sights present themselves on every side,
the roads being strewn with dead horses and the bodies of some men, though
the dead have nearly all been buried, and every step of the way giving
evidence of the dreadful contest.  Shall we‹for I was not alone‹enter the
building or return home? Can we endure the spectacle of hundreds of men
wounded in every conceivable manner, some in the head and limbs, here an arm
off and there a leg, and just inside a poor fellow with both legs shot away?
It is dreadful to behold, and, to add to the misery, no food has been served
for several days.  The little we have will not go far with so many.  What
can we do?  Is the only question, and the little we brought was distributed.
It is heart-sickening to think of these noble fellows sacrificing everything
for us, and saving us, and it out of our power to render any assistance of
consequence.  I turned away and cried.  We returned to town to gather up
more food if possible, and to get soft material to place under their wounded
limbs, to help make them more comfortable.  As we returned, our cavalry was
moving out to follow the Rebels, and the street was all in an uproar.  When
I reached home, I found my husband¹s brother, who had passed through the
battle unhurt, and had come to see us.  I rejoiced at seeing him, for we
feared he had fallen, and at once set to work to prepare a meal to appease
his hunger.  As I was baking cakes for him, a poor prisoner came to the door
and asked me to give him some, for he had had nothing to eat for the past
two or three days.  Afterward more joined him, and made the same statement
and request.  I was kept baking cakes until nearly noon, and, in
consequence, did not return to the Seminary.  The poor fellows in my house
were so hungry that they could hardly wait until the cakes were baked.

 
Ginny Gage