It is not within the province of this story to follow the fortunes of that force, since it is our modest purpose merely to dwell on those events closely related to the experiences of the Southern girl who has won our attention.  She had suddenly become secondary in her uncle’s thoughts.  A phase of the war, like a sudden destructive storm, had been witnessed; like a storm, he hoped that it and its effects would pass away.  The South was far from being subdued; the issue of the conflict unknown.  He was the last man in the Confederacy to foresee and accept new conditions, especially when he still believed the Southern cause would triumph.

As the confusion of his mind, after the battle, passed he began to look around and consider what should be done, what could be saved out of what at first appeared a wreck.  When Dr. Ackley assured him that the house and plantation would be rapidly abandoned as a hospital, hope and courage revived, while to these was added the spur of necessity.

He knew that he must “make his crops,” or his fortunes would be desperate.  Remembering the value of timely labor in the spring season, he was eager on this second day after the battle to put his slaves to work again at their interrupted avocations.  Accordingly he held a consultation with his nephew and Dr. Ackley.

“The hands are becoming demoralized,” he said, “by unaccustomed duties and partial idleness.  Some are sullen and others distracted by all kinds of absurd expectations.  Uncle Lusthah, the leader and preacher among them, even had the impudence to ask Perkins about wages.  The Yankee officers, when here, told them they were free, and they wish to act as if they were.  The sooner that notion is taken out of their heads the better.  This can be done now while my nephew is here to enforce authority, better than when we are alone again.  It seems to me that a certain number could be detailed for regular hospital duty and the rest put to work as usual.”

“I agree with you, certainly,” replied Surgeon Ackley.  “Give me a dozen men and half a dozen women to wash and cook, and I can get along.  Lieutenant Whately, you, at your uncle’s suggestion, can make the detail and enforce discipline among the rest.”

“I was going to speak to you about this very matter, uncle,” said Whately.  “My overseer has been over and I find the black imps on our place are in much the same condition as yours, a few venturing to talk about wages or shares in the crop and all that nonsense.  I sent him back with half a dozen men, armed to the teeth, and told him to put the hands at work as usual.  Mother is going to ride over and spend part of the day.  I don’t wish her to be there alone just yet, and I shall gallop over in time to be on hand when she arrives.  Things are getting settled, my arm is not so painful, and it is time we pulled ourselves and everything together.  You struck the right note when you said, ‘Now is the time to enforce authority.’  It must be done sharply too, and these people taught the difference between the Yanks’ incendiary talk and our rights and positive commands.  From what Perkins says, this old Uncle Lusthah is a fire-brand among your people.  Give your overseer his orders and I’ll see that he carries them out.”