§ 26 Absolutely Unfitted for the Rôle
A few months before his death Gen. Basil Duke of Kentucky, who commanded Morgan’s Cavalry after the killing of his brother-in-law, Gen. John Morgan, told this tale at a Confederate reunion:
During one of the Tennessee campaigns Morgan’s Men surprised and routed a regiment of Federal troopers. In the midst of the retreat one of the enemy, who was mounted upon a big bay horse, suddenly turned and charged the victorious Confederates full-tilt, waving his arm and shrieking like mad as he bore down upon them alone. Respecting such marvellous courage, the Confederates fore-bore shooting at the approaching foe, but when he was right upon them they saw there was a reason for his seeming foolhardiness.
He was a green recruit. His horse had run away with him—the bit had broken, and, white as a sheet and scared stiff, the luckless youth was being propelled straight at the whooping Kentuckians, begging for mercy as he came.
Jeff Sterritt, the wit of the command, stopped the horse and made a willing prisoner of the rider. Sterritt, who had not washed or shaved for days and was a ferocious looking person, pulled out a big pistol and wagged its muzzle in the terrified Federal’s face.
“I don’t know whether to kill you right now,” he said, “or wait until the fight is over!”
“Mister,” begged the quivering captive, “as a favor to me, please don’t do it at all! I’m a dissipated character—and I ain’t prepared to die!”
§ 27 The Careful MacTavish
Mr. MacTavish attended a christening where the hospitality of the host knew no bounds except the capacities of the guests.
In the midst of the celebration Mr. MacTavish rose up and made the rounds of the company, bidding each person present a ceremonious farewell.