ne of the party captured, but was the first
brought to Chattanooga. The curiosity to see one of the men who had
frightened women and children into the woods, was, of course, most
extreme, and an immense crowd soon gathered around. They behaved just
as Southern mobs usually do--jeering and hooting--calling me by every
epithet of reproach the language afforded, and wanting to know why I
came down there to burn their property, and murder them and their
children. To these multitudinous questions and assertions I made no
answer. I was greatly amused (afterward!) by their criticisms on my
appearance. One would say that "it was a pity that so young and
clever-looking a man should be caught in such a scrape." Another, of
more penetrating cast, could tell that "he was a rogue by his
appearance--probably came out of prison in his own country." Another
was surprised that I could hold up my head and look around on honest
men--arguing that such brazen effrontery was a proof of enormous
depravity of heart. I did not give my opinion on the subject. Indeed,
it was not asked.

There was one man I noticed in particular. He was tall and
venerable-looking; had gray hair, gray beard, a magnificent forehead,
and an altogether commanding and intellectual expression of
countenance. He was treated with great deference, and appeared to me
most like a doctor of divinity. As he parted his way through the
crowd toward me, I thought:

"Surely I will receive some sympathy from that noble-looking man."

His first question was calculated to confirm my impression. Said he:

"How old are you?"

I answered, "Twenty-two, sir."

Gradually his lip wreathed itself into a curl of unutterable scorn, as
he slowly continued:

"Poor young fool! and I suppose you was a school-teacher, or something
of that kind in your own land! and you thought you would come down
here and rob us, and burn our houses, and murder us, did you? Now let
me give you a little advice: if you ever get home again, (but you
never will,) do try, for God's sake, and have a little better sense,
and stay there!"

Then he turned contemptuously on his heel, and strode away, while the
rabble around rewarded him with a cheer. I never could find out who he
was. After that I looked no more for sympathy in that crowd.

My conductors now returned, and escorted me into the presence of
General Leadbetter. They said he was a Northern man; but if so, it is
very little credit to my section, for he