J.T.L., of company F, 9th New Hampshire, lies in bed 37, ward I. Is very fond of tobacco. I furnish him some; also with a little money. Has gangrene of the feet; a pretty bad case; will surely have to lose three toes. Is a regular specimen of an old-fashion'd, rude, hearty, New England countryman, impressing me with his likeness to that celebrated singed cat, who was better than she look'd. Bed 3, ward E, Armory, has a great hankering for pickles, something pungent. After consulting the doctor, I gave him a small bottle of horse-radish; also some apples; also a book. Some of the nurses are excellent. The woman-nurse in this ward I like very much. (Mrs. Wright--a year afterwards I found her in Mansion house hospital, Alexandria--she is a perfect nurse.) In one bed a young man, Marcus Small, company K, 7th Maine--sick with dysentery and typhoid fever--pretty critical case--I talk with him often--he thinks he will die--looks like it indeed. I write a letter for him home to East Livermore, Maine--I let him talk to me a little, but not much, advise him to keep very quiet--do most of the talking myself--stay quite a while with him, as he holds on to my hand--talk to him in a cheering, but slow, low and measured manner--talk about his furlough, and going home as soon as he is able to travel. Thomas Lindly, 1st Pennsylvania cavalry, shot very badly through the foot--poor young man, he suffers horridly, has to be constantly dosed with morphine, his face ashy and glazed, bright young eyes--I give him a large handsome apple, lay it in sight, tell him to have it roasted in the morning, as he generally feels easier then, and can eat a little breakfast. I write two letters for him. Opposite, an old Quaker lady sits by the side of her son, Amer Moore, 2d U. S. artillery--shot in the head two weeks since, very low, quite rational--from hips down paralyzed--he will surely die. I speak a very few words to him every day and evening--he answers pleasantly--wants nothing--(he told me soon after he came about his home affairs, his mother had been an invalid, and he fear'd to let her know his condition.) He died soon after she came. MY PREPARATIONS FOR VISITS In my visits to the hospitals I found it was in the simple matter of personal presence, and emanating ordinary cheer and magnetism, that I succeeded and help'd more than by medical nursing, or delicacies, or gifts of money, or anything else. During the war I possess'd the perfection of physical health. My habit, when practicable, was to prepare for starting out on one of those daily or nightly tours of from a couple to four or five hours, by fortifying myself with previous rest, the bath, clean clothes, a good meal, and as cheerful an appearance as possible. AMBULANCE PROCESSIONS