"Gone to Church! He has no business to go to Church, or anywhere else, without my permission; he has no right to leave his office without my order."
This he said in such a stern, vociferous manner that I wished myself out of his presence. But turning to me, in a mild tone, he said:
"Mrs. Haviland, you don't want transportation tonight. You come to-morrow morning at nine o'clock, and you shall have the papers."
With heartfelt thanks I left his office. On my return I found Colonel Thomas and the captain anxiously waiting to learn the result of my call on the general. They met me at the door of their office, and asked:
"What is the news?"
"The general grants transportation for myself and supplies to Island
No. 10 and to Memphis," I said.
By their clapping of hands one would have thought they had got cheering news from the army. I found they too felt the weight of responsibility in this, as they had solicited my aid in getting these freed people to go to the island.
The following morning I found a boat was going to leave at half-past eight o'clock, but too early for the promised transportation, I told the captain of the boat of my wish to go with supplies to Island No. 10 and to Memphis, but had the promise from the general to have the papers at nine o'clock. A captain in the army, standing by, told him he could take me with supplies with all safety; for if General Taliaferro had promised transportation he could rest assured the general at Columbus, Kentucky, would be sure to give it.
"Very well," he said; "where are your supplies?"
They were pointed out, and he ordered them to be put on board at once.