“General Steadman has but two regiments in the town, but General Thomas is within striking distance with a large force.”
“What was your business in Iuka?”
“I went there to pay a debt of fifty dollars which a widow owed, as she wished it to be paid in Confederate money before it became worthless.”
“Have you a Federal pass?”
“I have none with me, but I have one at home.”
“How does it read?”
“It was given by General Nelson, and reads thus: ‘The bearer, Rev. John H. Aughey, has permission to pass backward and forward through the lines of this division at will.’”
“Where were you born?”
“I was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, New York.”
“Yankee born,” said the Colonel, with a sneer; “you deserve death at the rope’s-end, and if I had the power I would hang all Yankees who are among us, for they are all tories, whatever may be their pretensions.”