It was reported to me that some of the troops had been so long without
food as to be suffering severe hunger, and that no supplies could be got
where they were. I made several addresses to them, all to the effect
that their position was that best adapted to a pursuit of the enemy, and
that they should therefore remain there; adding that I would go to the
headquarters and direct that supplies should be sent to them promptly.
General (then Colonel) Early, commanding a brigade, informed me of some
wounded who required attention; one, Colonel Gardner, was, he said, at a
house not far from where we were. I rode to see him, found him in severe
pain, and from the twitching, visible and frequent, seemed to be
threatened with tetanus. A man sat beside him whose uniform was that of
the enemy; but he was gentle, and appeared to be solicitously attentive.
He said that he had no morphine, and did not know where to get any. I
found in a short time a surgeon who went with me to Colonel Gardner,
having the articles necessary in the case. Before leaving Colonel
Gardner, he told me that the man who was attending to him might, without
hindrance, have retreated with his comrades, but had kindly remained
with him, and he therefore asked my protection for the man. I took the
name and the State of the supposed good Samaritan, and at army
headquarters directed that he should not be treated as a prisoner.
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