G. “We are only sending home some of her stray inmates.”
B. “Be careful how you talk, sir.” Turning to a rebel officer, the speaker continued: “Colonel, take this man to General Hardee, and give him all the particulars.” (Handing him a note addressed to Hardee.)
I was thereupon placed on a stolen horse, and conducted to General Hardee.
On my way from Bragg’s to Hardee’s quarters, my mind was busied with singular fancies. I thought of rebel treachery and oppression; I thought of the arch-conspirators at Montgomery, the disgraceful bombardment of Sumpter, the murder of United States troops in the streets of Baltimore, the enslavement of four millions of Adam’s race, all by the hateful power that now had me in its clutches. These atrocities made me the more willing to suffer in the defense of the Government that I had volunteered to serve.
Hardee is a noble-looking man, and on this occasion was dressed in full uniform of blue cloth.
“General,” said my conductor, “here is a Yankee officer, referred to you by General Bragg.”
“For what purpose?” asked the General.
“For examination, sir.”
The General, with a look of surprise and indignation, replied:
“I shall ask the young man no questions that I would not answer myself under similar circumstances. But,” added he, after a moment’s consideration, “I shall send you to General Beauregard.”