ROBERT KENDERDINE. 331 



two. If the captain is alive he has them yet, no doubt. At 

 any rate the statement is correct. 



" There are many things I could relate that come to me only 

 when my mind dwells upon that battle, or when persons seek 

 from me information concerning it. 



" I remember a circumstance which impressed itself on my 

 mind very forcibly, particularly as I had never seen women 

 assisting amid the horrors of a battle-field before; neither 

 have I since, for that matter. The remnant of our regiment, 

 in coming off the field at the Sherfey House, became detached 

 from the brigade (Graham's). About 3 in the morning I was 

 sent to look for it. I saw a light in a large barn, went to it, 

 inquired and found it a hospital. And such a sight. In the 

 centre was the amputation table. Under and around lay 

 arms, hands, legs and feet, till it looked liked a human 

 slaughter house. Blood covered the table, the floor w^as 

 slippery wdth it ; the dim flicker of candles cast a sickly glare 

 on the surroundings, making the sight the ghastliest I ever 

 saw. To this was added the agonizing moans and cries of the 

 w^ounded and dying ; while over this was the roar of cannon 

 and shriek of shell, occasioned by an advance of our lines. I 

 turned away and entered the yard. On a stretcher lay an 

 ofiicer in his last agonies ; two companions knelt by his side ; 

 while the enclosure was full of dead and dying. I turned 

 from these and saw two ladies, evidently a mother and 

 daughter, administering to the wounded. All night long 

 these faithful women bathed and bandaged their wounds, fed 

 and cheered the poor fellows, or soothed their dying moments. 

 I do not believe they deserted their posts, though shot and 

 shell w^ere beginning to fall and burst around. I did not have 

 long to stay. I hastened away from the awful sight ; took the 

 little remnant of the Zouaves to the brigade, and was soon 

 again in the heat of battle. 



" Early on the morning of the 4th I went out to our picket 



