't like it much, and _cavorted_ like the "fiery, untamed
steed" ridden by the fair "Adah Isaacs." Then we changed our base: we
went toward the chaps, and, when they would get ready to fire, put
spurs to our horses and ran from them. This so delighted the "rebs,"
that we gratified them with two or three trials, and every time we
ran, they shouted and said _bad words_. After placing five men in
ambush, we retired, as if leaving the field, and as the traitors were
advancing directly into the trap of three hours' hard setting, the
Wilson family came to the door and told them to go back, as the
"Yankees" were in the orchard there by Tippets's house. The men were
then within two hundred yards of the ambush, and, upon being so
informed, hastily wheeled their horses and left on a double-quick.
This act on the part of a citizen rebel so exasperated the men that
Wilson was given one hour to get out of the house with his furniture,
as all houses used for military purposes, signal stations, etc., would
meet with destruction.

While the house was burning, the women boasted they had warned them,
and would do it again. One virago-looking Secesh asseverated, in a
voice of unearthly screechiness, that they had lots of "_Southern
friends_, and _millions of money_."

The citizens along the road will learn a lesson by this occurrence. It
will teach them not to make signal stations of their houses.

BLOWING HORNS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

Another source of annoyance to our men was the frequent blasts upon
dinner-horns. These "quiet, peaceful" citizens, as our men advanced,
gave the enemy information by this _blasted_ method. Upon being
questioned as to the "cause why" they did so much blowing, they
replied, "They were calling in the boys from the field, for fear they
would get shot;" and Mrs. Tippets said, "'T was near dinner-time." One
of the men said he would like something to eat, and went in the house,
but no sign of dinner preparation could be seen. Major Tracy took the
horn from Mrs. Tippets, at which the lady (?) protested most
violently; said there "was no reason in that man," and asked me, "if
it wasn't agin the Constitution for that feller to take that horn."

I told her, in a _pacific manner_, that that was nothing; Tracy took
from ten to fifteen horns a day. She didn't see the joke, and I became
disgusted with her want of penetration, and left.

Mr. Wilson and a man who was in his employ were brought into camp as
prisoners. Mr