LETTER XXI.
Benton Barracks Hospital,
June 5, 1863.
I am rather busy now; I have to look after refugees,
contrabands, soldiers, both black and white, and keep my
senses. I have no immense work to perform, but many
duties, and I hope and pray that I shall perform them in
the right spirit and faithfully. The comfort of many
depends in a great degree upon me. I wish I had a
little stronger body, that I was a small Hercules for
instance. I wish you could have seen the face of one
poor white soldier as I was bathing him the other day.
I do get such sweet words and looks sometimes. The
world may not think I do much here, but the poor
men like to have me round. . . . Dr. Russell takes care
of me, that is, all he can; work I must. The thermometer
is rapidly rising. I do not think above 90
yet, but there is a prospect of tolerably warm weather.
