ROBERT KENDERDINE. 323 



army had crossed to Virginia, taking the sick along. Fearful 

 of rebel raids the whole country was in a ferment, so the two 

 were sore beset to get anywhere. The farmers whom they 

 induced to carry them to different fording points did so reluc- 

 tantly, fearful of the capture of themselves or teams. They 

 finally effected a crossing near Edward's Ferry, where they 

 followed the route of the Federals. At Leesburg, in four miles, 

 they came up with the sick, and under an orchard tree they 

 at last found Robert, wrapped in a blanket, on the bare ground 

 and unable to rise. 



The hospital tents soon came up and were pitched, when 

 hay was spread on the ground and the sick carried thither, 

 and made as comfortable as possible. They were afterward 

 removed to the public buildings. These had been used by the 

 Confederates for the sick and wounded. They were in a filthy 

 state, and the sick removed there fared worse than when in the 

 open air. The surgeons were without proper medicine and 

 food for the sick, who were dying daily for want of them. 

 Strong efforts were made to get permission to remove Robert 

 to Philadelphia, but with the unreasoning perverseness which 

 officials clothed in a minimum of red tape often show, they 



were unnoticed. E then made a journey to the Friends' 



settlement at Goose Creek, six miles from Leesburg, to find a 

 home for Robert, as he was not likely to live where he was. 

 He was successful, and the invalid, with permission of the 

 medical director of the hospital, was removed to the hospitable 

 home of Rachel Hoag. Under changed circumstances, Robert 

 was soon past danger. While here rebel raids were imminent, 

 and thinking it prudent to leave for fear of capture, E. at 

 once started north. He was refused a pass by our authorities 

 and forbidden to leave, but he made his way into Maryland, 

 unmolested by either of the combatants, and got home safely- 

 The day after the rebels made their appearance at the Friends' 

 settlement, and made inquiries for the new-comers at Hoag's ; 



