"Yes, I saw him, but I was wondering how in the world he managed to get out; the Yankees are getting mighty particular who they pass out."
"Why, I can tell you; he went right through our corn-field, and out at the water-gulch under the fence."
"Yes, yes; I do remember that place now; that's a good place to go out. By the way, how does the doctor like the Yankees being so strict?"
"He don't like it at all; he had to go and take the oath before they would give him a pass to visit his patients."
"Did he?"
"Yes; and I never felt so bad about any thing in my life as I did about that. The nasty, dirty thieves! I perfectly hate the sight of them. I assure you the doctor don't consider himself bound by it; no, indeed he don't."
She was very indignant to think that her husband had been compelled to take the oath. From there I went to see her father, General Neely, who gave me the pass that he had promised me the day before. Thus prepared, I went to head-quarters and reported.
That day Doctor Coleman's corn was all cut down, so that the pickets had a fair view of the ground without changing the line, and General Neely was sent North for a violation of his parole.