Chapter 8, Hard Lessons Summary

After only 6 hours of sleep following the Battle of Wilson's Creek, the sentry Ben Gerdeon informs Jeff of his assignment to ambulance duty. After breakfast, Jeff reports to the field hospital where his detail is to carry those with bad leg wounds to and from the amputation tent. Jeff feels sorry for the wounded men, and he takes care of them by bringing drinks of water and swatting the flies and gnats away from them.

To Jeff's surprise, he meets up with Ford Ivey, who is indeed alive, although he has suffered a leg injury bad enough to warrant amputation. Jeff is happy Ford is alive and learns the story behind Ford's injury. Ford pleads with Jeff not to let the surgeon amputate his leg. Ford does not want to live as a crippled person for the rest of...