The hopeful morrow dawned at last, and the message was sent accordingly.  In due time, the following reply was received:—­

“Phil Sept 24 I think the report you have heard that W [the Captain] has gone East must be an error we have not seen or heard of him here M L H”

DE PROFUNDIS CLAMAVI!  He could not have passed through Philadelphia without visiting the house called Beautiful, where he had been so tenderly cared for after his wound at Ball’s Bluff, and where those whom he loved were lying in grave peril of life or limb.  Yet he did pass through Harrisburg, going East, going to Philadelphia, on his way home.  Ah, this is it!  He must have taken the late night-train from Philadelphia for New York, in his impatience to reach home.  There is such a train, not down in the guide-book, but we were assured of the fact at the Harrisburg depot.  By-and-by came the reply from Dr. Wilson’s telegraphic message:  nothing had been heard of the Captain at Chambersburg.  Still later, another message came from our Philadelphia friend, saying that he was seen on Friday last at the house of Mrs. K—­, a well-known Union lady, in Hagerstown.  Now this could not be true, for he did not leave Keedysville until Saturday; but the name of the lady furnished a clue by which we could probably track him.  A telegram was at once sent to Mrs. K—­, asking information.  It was transmitted immediately, but when the answer would be received was uncertain, as the Government almost monopolized the line.  I was, on the whole, so well satisfied that the Captain had gone East, that, unless something were heard to the contrary, I proposed following him in the late train, leaving a little after midnight for Philadelphia.

This same morning we visited several of the temporary hospitals, churches and school-houses, where the wounded were lying.  In one of these, after looking round as usual, I asked aloud, “Any Massachusetts men here?” Two bright faces lifted themselves from their pillows and welcomed me by name.  The one nearest me was private John B. Noyes, of Company B, Massachusetts Thirteenth, son of my old college class-tutor, now the reverend and learned Professor of Hebrew, etc., in Harvard University.  His neighbor was Corporal Armstrong, of the same Company.  Both were slightly wounded, doing well.  I learned then and since from Mr. Noyes that they and their comrades were completely overwhelmed by the attentions of the good people of Harrisburg,—­that the ladies brought them fruits and flowers, and smiles, better than either,—­and that the little boys of the place were almost fighting for the privilege of doing their errands.  I am afraid there will be a good many hearts pierced in this war that will have no bullet-mark to show.