He reached the hospital in Richmond the
day before the city's evacuation.
Jennie had watched by his bedside every hour since his arrival. But few
words passed between them. She let him hold her hand for hours in
silence, always looking, looking and smiling his deathless love.
He had not spoken Socola's name nor had she.
"It's funny, Jennie," he said at last, "I don't hate him any more--"
The girl's head drooped and the tears streamed down her checks.
"Please, Dick--don't--"
"Yes," he insisted, "I want to talk about it and you must hear me--won't
you?"
"Of course, if you wish it," she answered tenderly.
"You see I don't hate these Yankee soldiers any more--anyhow. I saw too
many of them die from the Wilderness to Petersburg--brave manly fellows.
The fire of battle has burned the hate out of me. Now I just want you to
be happy, Jennie dear, that's all--good-by--"
His hand slipped from hers and in a moment his spirit had passed.
CHAPTER XLII
THE CAPTURE
At midnight on the day of the evacuation the President and his Cabinet
left Richmond for Danville. He still believed that Lee might cut his way
through Grant's lines and join his army with Johnston's in North
Carolina. Lee had restored Johnston to command of the small army that
yet survived in opposition to Sherman.
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