When the speaker had finished and sat down, one of the delegates arose and asked the old man if he had learned any thing new.
"Yes, I think I have," he replied.
"Well, what is it?"
"I have learned that you are a d—d sight bigger fools than I had thought you were. Your arguments amount to nothing. As for me, I was born a Union man, I have lived a Union man, and I mean to die a Union man!"
It was then hinted that he might get hung if he continued to give utterance to such language. He replied:
"Gentlemen, you may hang and be d—d! I want you to understand that I am a Union man. Every thing about me is Union. You may hang me on a gallows higher than Haman, and then cut me down and make mince-meat of my body and feed it to the dogs, and the dogs will be good Union dogs!"
Having thus pointedly expressed himself, he left the house and returned home, leaving his neighbors in an angry mood over his obstinacy. Half an hour later a son-in-law informed him that the meeting had determined that he should either renounce his sentiments or be hung. A rapid flight to the swamp saved his life.
Thus you see that treason has neither respect for the silver hairs of old age nor the strongest ties of blood.
It is oftentimes affecting to witness the heroic manner in which soldiers endure their sufferings, whether from sickness or wounds.
There was in my company a man by the name of Frank R——d, who, for several months, had been careless about writing to his mother, who was a widow. At last the poor widow's heart could stand the suspense no longer, and she wrote to a daughter, then living in the State of Indiana, to assist her in her efforts to find out what had become of Frank. The sister immediately wrote to the Captain of the company to learn the fate of her brother. The neglect on the part of Frank to write was not for lack of affection, but simply because of a careless habit. At last Frank was taken sick with a fever, and rapidly grew worse. The regiment was preparing to move from Paducah, Ky., up the Tennessee River, and it became necessary to leave Frank in the hospital. Just a few moments before he was to be carried off from the boat, his Captain received the letter from his sister, inquiring what had become of Frank. The Captain carried the letter to him and read it, and then said, "Frank, what shall I write to your sister?"