Where sorrow broods like death,
And fast the mother's sobs
Rise with each quick-drawn breath.
And she may not be nigh!
'Tis mothers die—God!
'Tis but we mothers die.
Our hearts and hands being fully occupied with such scenes as these, we thought of nothing else. We knew nothing of the true state of affairs outside, nor could we believe it possible when we learned that the whole army had retreated toward Washington, leaving the wounded in the hands of the enemy, and us, too, in rather an unpleasant situation. I could not believe the stern truth, and was determined to find out for myself Consequently I went back to the heights, where I had seen the troops stack their guns and throw themselves upon the ground at night-fall, but no troops were there. I thought then that they had merely changed their position, and that by going over the field I should certainly find them. I had not gone far before I saw a camp fire in the distance. Supposing that I had found a clue to the secret, I made all haste toward the fire ; but as I drew near I saw but one solitary figure sitting by it, and that was the form of a female.
Upon going up to her I recognised her as one of the washerwomen of our army. I asked her that she was doing there and where the army
