"We know, Mrs. Haviland, this is true, and we made an effort to
displace him once and failed, because the medical director over the
whole of us in this division, next in rank to Grant himself, is
determined to hold him here. But if you will make out your report,
with the recommendations from your governor and Congressman backing
it, we can make that efficient. You may make your report as strong as
you please."

I left him with cordial thanks, and soon the report was handed him. I
visited all the hospitals in that post, and on my second visit to the
Jackson found Surgeon Powers filled to overflowing with affected
politeness; but it did not brighten the bleared eye, or straighten the
zigzag gait of the surgeon.

A few weeks after I met a Memphis officer, who informed me that
Surgeon Powers was relieved of hospital work altogether very soon
after I left the city. A few months later he filled a drunkard's
grave.

In one hospital in Memphis I found in one corner a female soldier,
Charlie. She was in both Bull Run battles, and four others she named;
besides, she had endured long marches. Here she was taken violently
ill with typhoid fever, and for the first time her sex became known.
She was large and rather coarse-featured, and of indomitable will. She
said the cause of her enlistment did not now exist, and she wanted to
go home as soon as able. She intimated that her betrothed had recently
died, and she had no desire to remain in the army.

While in Memphis a telegram came from President Lincoln ordering four