gregating of the crowd, I was in the tent--the audience
in waiting. Major T. went to the front and announced that the REV.
EBENEZER SLABSIDES, from Middle Tennessee, would address the
congregation. A table was placed, and I had taken a "_posish_," with
spectacles mounted on my nose, when, just as I had commenced the
discourse, by saying: "MY BELOVED BRETHERING," I heard a strange voice
say:

"We didn't come to hear no sermon--we come to hear Alf. Put that
fellow out!"

Another voice said: "That's a burlesque on our parson."

Still I went on, thinking all would be quiet. Presently a big, tall E.
T. C. fellow shouted "Move him, move him!" and shouts of "Alf! where's
Alf?" resounded all over. Here I tried to divest myself of my
spectacles, but they stuck, and before I could identify myself to the
crowd as to who I was, I received a _knock-down_ argument.

I changed my base of operations, and retreated to the Major's tent.
Here two stalwart fellows laid violent hands upon me, and each one
getting hold, tried to pull me _through the tent-pole_. Seeing a fine
opportunity for a strategical maneuver, I succeeded in planting a
heavy blow on the proboscis of one of my tormentors, which bedizzened
his vision. Again I changed my base, and got to another tent. By this
time the camp was wild; a few, who knew me, were taking my part; blows
fell thick and fast, but I succeeded in guarding my head. I had no
relish for cavalry on the brain just then. During the melee they
robbed me of a watch and about fifteen dollars in money. "_But they
can't do it again! Hallelujah!_"

The news of my _defeat_ spread like wild-fire over the camp before
tatoo; the entire division were talking of it, and serious
consequences were feared; the cavalry soldiers did not dare show
themselves near the 2d Minnesota for several days, I being quite a
favorite with those boys, and that being my home for the time. The
most exaggerated stories were told of the affair.

In a few days all was quiet on the Harpeth, and again I was with the
boys, who all made the most ample apologies, and expressed sorrow for
what had occurred.

Colonel Brownlow called upon me the next day, in condolence, renewing
the invitation, but the remembrance of my former reception deterred me
from making the journey. Some weeks after the occurrence, I was
commissioned by the proprietors of the Cincinnati _Commercial_ to
proceed to Murfreesboro as their "Special," and telegraphed to Gene