emphasis. The doctor indignantly refuted the aspersions
cast upon the family of the President, and disabused the mind of the
negro of the false impressions which he had received from the
Secessionists of the place.

One morning I accosted a contraband named Dick, who was employed in
the fort. "Have you any other name?" said I. "Dey calls me Dick, de
Major," was his answer. In reply to interrogatories, he gave an
account of his life. "I was born in Virginny," said he, holding on
the rim of a slouchy felt hat, and raising it at every inquiry. "Massa
sold me, fore I was old 'nuff to know my mudder, to a preacher man in
Florida. Bimeby massa die, and missus, she had a musical turn o' mind,
and swapped me off for a fiddler; but de people all got de laf on de
ole 'oman, for in two or free months the old fiddler died, and she
lost us both," and the darkey laughed vehemently.

A MIDDLE TENNESSEE PREACHER.

A Secesh preacher, who was elected to a captaincy in the Home-Guards
at Chattanooga, hearing they were likely to be called out, sent in the
following note:

"dear curnel i beg to resind my commishen. Being a disciple of Krist i
can not take up the sord."

A LACONIC SPEECH.

An amusing sword presentation took place one day in camp. The 78th
Pennsylvania presented a sword to their colonel, William Sirwell.
Captain Gillespie spoke as follows:

"Here _we_ are, and here _it_ is. This is a bully sword, and comes
from bully boys; take it, and use it in a bully manner."

Colonel Sirwell replied:

"Captain, that was a bully speech. Let's all take a bully drink."

CHAPTER XX.

Union Men Scarce -- How they are Dreaded -- Incidents -- The
Wealthy Secessionists and Poor Union Widows -- The John
Morgans of Rebellion -- A Contraband's Explanation of the
Mystery -- Accident at the South Tunnel -- Impudence of the
Rebels -- A Pathetic Appeal, etc.

Camp near Gallatin, Tenn., _November 20, 1862_.

A trip from the tunnel to Gallatin, and back, is a good day's sport,
for it behooves all to be on the alert, to avoid being captured by
citizen guerrillas. A number of this brigade have already been
"gobbled up," while out hunting luxuries at farm-houses. This became
so frequent that the General in command issued an order prohibiting
the boys from leaving camp without special permission.

Folks at home have frequently heard of the strong Union sentiment
pervading Tennessee,