"No sign of a slave uprising, of course?"
"The invaders did their best to bring it on. They've taken about fifty negroes from their masters."
"Armed them?"
"With pikes and rifles."
"The invaders have robbed houses as reported?"
"Taken everything they could get their hands on. They forced their way into Colonel Washington's home, dragged him from bed, stole his watch, silver, wagons, horses, saddles and harness. They hold him a prisoner with four of his slaves."
"Colonel Washington is now their prisoner?"
"With others they are holding as hostages."
"Hostages?"
"They swear to murder them all at the first sign of an attack."