every threat and argument in
their power to induce me to change my purpose, but in vain. My reason
for this, was to avoid the violence of mob law. While in the hands of
the populace, there was danger of the summary infliction of punishment
that the military authorities could disavow, if our government
threatened retaliation. But if I was once under the regular military
jurisdiction, they would be responsible both to the United States and
to the civilized world.

When they found that I would tell them nothing further, they made
arrangements to take me to Chattanooga, which was distant twenty
miles. It was the same to Ringgold, near which we abandoned the train.
Thus it will be seen that in that long and terrible night I had
traveled twenty miles in a straight line, and, with my meanderings,
must have walked fifty.

I was remanded to the jail to wait for the preparation of a suitable
escort. Here I remained till after dinner, when I was guarded by about
a dozen men to the public square. A carriage was in waiting, in which
I was placed, and then commenced the process of tying and chaining.

A great mob gathered around, completely filling the whole square, and
was exceedingly angry and excited. They questioned me in loud and
imperious tones, demanding why I came down there to fight them, and
adding every possible word of insult. I heard many significant hints
about getting ropes, and the folly of taking me down to Chattanooga,
when I could be hanged just as well there.

However, as the mob grew more violent in their denunciations, I
selected some of the more intelligent ones and addressed them. They
answered with curses; but in the very act of cursing, they grew milder
and more willing to converse. I was not very much in the humor for
talking, but following the dictates of policy rather than inclination,
I answered their innuendoes merrily, and soon had some of the laughers
on my side. Before long, I heard some of them say, "Pity he is a
Yankee, for he seems to be a good fellow." This was gratifying, and we
were soon ready to start.

I had been secured in such a manner as to make assurance doubly sure.
A heavy chain was put around my neck and fastened by a padlock; the
other end was hitched to one foot, and secured in the same manner; the
chain being extended to its full length, while I was in a sitting
position, making it impossible for me to rise.--My hands were tied
together; my elbows were pinioned to my side by r