To-day had an incident happen to me; hardly an incident, but
a sort of an adventure. When I was nurse on one or two occasions helped the
hospital steward make out his report to his superiors, and in that way got a
sort of reputation for knowing how to do these things a little better than the
ordinary run of people, and rebels in particular. A rebel sergeant came inside
at just about nine o'clock this morning and looked me up and said I was wanted
outside, and so went. Was taken to a house not far from the stockade, which
proved to be the officers head-quarters. There introduced to three or four
officers, whose names do not occur to me, and informed that they were in need
of some one to do writing and assist in making out their army papers, and if I would
undertake the job, they would see that I had plenty to eat, and I should be
sent North at the first opportunity. I respectfully, gently and firmly declined
the honor, and after partaking of quite a substantial meal, which they gave me
thinking I would reconsider my decision, was escorted back inside. Many thought
me very foolish for not taking up with the offer. My reasons for not doing so
are these: I would be clearly working for the Confederacy; can see no real
difference in it from actually entering their army. If I occupied that position
it would relieve some rebel of that duty, and he could stay in the ranks and
fight our men. That is one reason Another is the fact that instead of their
letting me go to our lines with the first that went, I would be the very last
to go, as they would need me to do duty for them until the last moment. Was
always willing to do extra duty for our own men, such as issuing clothing on
Belle Isle, also my nursing the sick or in any way doing for them, but when it
comes to working in any way for any rebel, I shall beg to be excused. Might
have gone out and worked in the printing offices in Savannah had I so wished,
as they were short of men all the time, in fact could hardly issue their papers
on account of the scarcity of printers. And so I am still loyal to the Stars
and Stripes and shall have no fears at looking my friends in the face when I do
go home.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
115-6
No comments:
Post a Comment