L. P. Brockett, The camp, the battlefield, and the hospital: or, lights and shadows of the great rebellion

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[338] fighting had ceased, but the work of caring for the wounded was resumed and continued all day. On the third day the regular supplies arrived, and Miss Barton having exhausted her small stores, and finding that her protracted fatigue and watching was bringing on a fever, turned her course toward Washington. It was with difficulty that she was able to reach home, where she was confined to her bed for some time. About the 23d of October, 1862, another great battle being expected in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, she left Washington with a well appointed and heavily laden train of six wagons and an ambulance, with seven teamsters and thirty-eight mules. The government furnished transportation and the support of its teamsters, but the supplies were mostly procured from her own means or the contributions of friends. Her teamsters were rough and ruffianly fellows, who had no disposition to be commanded by a woman, and who mutinied when they had gone but a few miles. Perfectly self-possessed and dignified in her manner, Miss Barton directed them to proceed, and stated to them the course she should pursue if they continued insubordinate, and they sulkily returned to their duty, venting their oaths and imprecations, however, on every thing in their way. She overtook the army as it was crossing the Potomac below Harper's Ferry. Her teamsters refused to cross. She summoned them to her ambulance, and gave them the alternative of crossing peaceably and behaving themselves as they should, or of being instantly dismissed and replaced by soldiers. They knew very well that their dismission under such circumstances would be followed by their arrest and punishment, and having become convinced by this time