McNeil started as if stung. He hesitated and then said, "Strachan, I can't make up my mind. It seems so cold blooded."
"The Rebels say you dare not," sneered Strachan.
McNeil flushed. "I allow no man to question my courage," he answered hotly.
"Pardon me, General, it is not your physical courage they question. That is above criticism. It is your moral courage, the courage to do right, because it wrings your heart to do right. You feel for the ten men you doom to die, but, Great God! look at their crimes. Does not the blood of the Union men murdered by Porter's gang cry for vengeance? Think of that. Think of Carter, and Preston, and Pratt, and Spieres, and Carnegy, and Aylward—but why enumerate every one of these men murdered by these assassins. Now they come and, right under our very eyes, carry off Allsman, to be foully dealt with—and yet General McNeil hesitates."[12]
"Say no more, Strachan," cried McNeil, "the proclamation will be forthcoming."
A cruel smile played around the lips of Strachan as he saluted his superior and departed.
The next morning a proclamation appeared, directed to Joseph C. Porter, saying that if Andrew Allsman was not returned before the end of ten days ten of his followers held as prisoners would be taken out and shot.
The proclamation was posted on the door of the court house and soon a motley crowd gathered around to read it. Some read it with satisfaction, some with lowering brows, but the most with jeers.
"McNeil will never do it. It's only a bluff," declared a sullen-looking man.
A tall, lank, cadaverous native ejected a mouthful of tobacco juice and drawled, "Directed to Joe Porter, is it? That's a mistake; the General should have directed it to the devil. He's the only one who can return ole Allsman."