Northern generosity, and, in the main, convalescent labor enabled
me to build a large commodious chapel and to make great
improvements in the hospital farm. The site of the hospital and
garden is now occupied by General Armstrong's Normal and
Agricultural Institute for Freedmen, and the chapel was occupied
as a place of worship until very recently. Thus a noble and most
useful work is being accomplished on the ground consecrated by the
life-and-death struggles of so many Union soldiers.

In 1865 the blessed era of peace began, bringing its many changes.
In October the hospital became practically empty, and I resigned.
The books were sent to Fortress Monroe for the use of the
garrison, and I found many of them there long years after, almost
worn out from use.

After a little rest and some candidating for a church, I took a
small parish at Highland Falls, about a mile from West Point, New
York, entering on my labors in January, 1866. In this village my
wife and I spent nine very happy years. They were full of trial
and many cares, but free from those events which bring the deep
shadows into one's life. We soon became engaged in building a new
stone church, whose granite walls are so thick, and hard-wood
finish so substantial that passing centuries should add only the
mellowness of age. The effort to raise funds for this enterprise
led me into the lecture-field and here I found my cavalry-raid and
army life in general exceedingly useful. I looked around for a
patch of garden-ground as instinctively as a duck seeks water. The
small plot adjoining the parsonage speedily grew into about three
acres, from which eventually came a book entitled "Play and Profit
in my Garden."