r- 
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY 
 
 AND 
 
 REMINISCENCES 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN W. CARROLL 
 
 HENDERSON, TENN. 
 
 
THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 FROM THB TTRWATJV fit 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 ENDOWED BY THE 
 
 DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC 
 
 SOCIETIES 
 
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UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
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 This book is due at the LOUIS R. WILSON LIBRARY on the 
 last date stamped under "Date Due." If not on hold it may be 
 renewed by bringing it to the library. 
 
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY 
 
 AND 
 
 Kb 
 REMINISCENCES 
 
 OP 
 
 JOHN W. CARROLL 
 
 HENDERSON, TENN. 
 
 A 
 
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DEDICATORY. 
 
 My only apology for writing whatever may appear on the 
 following pages is that I may leave on record a brief synopsis 
 of my very tame and uneventful life ; that my four little grand- 
 sons of whom I am very proud, may have an opportunity in 
 after life to take a slight glance at some of the events transpir- 
 ing in the short life of their paternal grandfather, in the hope 
 that they may improve on my successes (if it can be said that I 
 have had such) and profit by my mistakes which have been 
 many. To them — Raymond Trice Carroll, John Murehison Car- 
 roll, Thomas Burns Carroll, and Kirk McKenzie Carroll — the 
 following lines are affectionately dedicated by their grand- 
 father, 
 
 JOHN WILLIAM CARROLL. 
 
 Henderson. Tenn. 
 August. 1898. 
 
JOHN W. CARROLL. 
 
 763119 
 
 3 
 
 : 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
 
 http://archive.org/details/autobiographyremOOcarr 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 My Ancestors. 
 
 My great grandfather Carroll immigrated to this country 
 from Ireland many years before the Revolutionary War. Land- 
 ing in Maryland, the family drifted into North and South 
 Carolina and finally some of them to Tennessee. He and sev- 
 eral brothers were in the American army during the entire war, 
 as were also some of his oldest sons. Grandfather Joseph Car- 
 roll was about eight years of age at the close of the Revolution- 
 ary AVar, as he has related to me many times by way of enter- 
 tainment with many other stirring scenes calculated to live 
 in the tablets of the mind of a small but intensely interested 
 boy. He emigrated to Middle Tennessee in his young man- 
 hood, bringing with him five thousand dollars, quite a little 
 fortune for that day and time, where he engaged in farming. 
 Let me say in regard to his character that he was one of those 
 big-hearted, open-handed Irishmen, who loved a dram and oc- 
 casionally took too much, and when in those happy moods be- 
 came endorser for other men, which finally nearly exhausted 
 all his means, leaving himself and family in straitened cir- 
 cumstances. (Boys, become surety for no man.) 
 
 He soon after emigrated to AYest Tennessee, settling in Hen- 
 derson County, then sparsely settled. Here he recuperated 
 somewhat, his lost fortune, but never fully. About this time 
 war was declared by the United States against Great Britain. 
 He immediately volunteered and took part in the battle of 
 New Orleans, Jan. 8th, 1815. It was of great interest to me 
 when a lad to have him relate to me some of the many incidents 
 of camp life and of how he and some comrades on the evening 
 before the battle walked down the line of battle and found one 
 
4 RECOLLECTIONS OP AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 poor fellow down praying and crying, scared almost to death, 
 before there had been a shot fired, and of how they upbraided 
 him for his cowardice; aboul the death of Gen. Pakenham, the 
 British general, etc. These recitals tired my youthful heart 
 with a burning patriotism and how 1 wished to wear a uniform; 
 to hear strains of martial music and the roar of cannon; and 
 see glorious war. I thought such things would never come in 
 my day, but alas! they did. Let the sequel tell. 
 
 Of my mother's people I knew but little, save that they im- 
 migrated to this country shortly after the Revolutionary War 
 from Scotland. My mother's maiden name was Susan Ann 
 Burns; a Christian woman in deed and in truth; small in statue 
 never weighing as much as one hundred pounds in her life; 
 afflicted always after I knew her, but ever cheerful, always 
 looking well to the ways of her household. She ate not the 
 bread of idleness. 
 
 My mother's eldest brother, Samuel Burns, was elected 
 Major of a volunteer batallion to go to New Orleans with Gen. 
 Jackson, but, arriving at the place of rendezvous too late, he 
 with his command, was among the number that were refused, 
 owing to the great number of men offering their service. Mam- 
 were turned away sadly disappointed. 
 
 My father, AVilliam Carroll, was born in Lincoln county, Ten- 
 nessee, and came to Henderson County, Tennessee, where he 
 lived and died. He was a farmer all his life, never held an 
 office but twice, once Justice of the Peace and for two years 
 Tax Collector of his county, being elected to these positions by 
 votes of his fellow citizens. In politics, always a Democrat. 
 What might be called a rugged man. to principle he adhered 
 with all the tenacity of his nature. Of a mean, low trick he 
 was never guilty; principle was all with him. To the appeals 
 for help from the widow and orphan, his hand was ever open; 
 of his small means he contributed freely to those in distress. 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 My Immediate Family. 
 
 The writer of these pages was born in Henderson County, 
 Tennessee, Nov. 28th, 1841, near 57 years ago. My earliest 
 recollections of life are those of absolute pleasure, associated 
 as they are with the remembrance of one of the kindest of 
 mothers, a father who looked after my interest, a doting grand- 
 father, who lived just across the farm half a mile from our 
 house, who had me believe I was one of the grandest of boys, 
 two grandmothers who thought I was quite a hero generally, 
 one of whom. Grandmother Burns, made her home part of the 
 time at my father's house. Here I was not scolded or petted 
 but dealt with as though I were a real gentleman, which I 
 appreciated very much. When I did wrong, which I frequent- 
 ly did, the matter was discussed with me as one of the auditors 
 and frequently I thought before the conversation ended that, 
 should I be naughty again, grandpapa, whom I dearly loved, 
 would hardly ever speak to me again. Thus I was deterred 
 from a repetition, but perhaps did other mischief equally 
 wrong. 
 
 Of our immediate family there were seven children — three 
 boys and four girls — I, being the eldest; J. C. Carroll of this 
 county, next ; Dr. J. R. Carroll, now of this town, youngest. Of 
 my sisters, Martha, the eldest, many years since dead; Emily 
 next, now living; Cynthia Ann died five years ago; Virginia, 
 the youngest, died in infancy. 
 
 My earliest friendship, outside of our own little family, was 
 for a little black-haired, black-eyed girl of about my age — five 
 summers. She came with her mother frequently to visit at 
 my father \s house ; welcome guests indeed were they, especially 
 to me. Puss Grissom was her name and a dear little child of 
 
6 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE. 
 
 sweet disposition and gentle manners. Such delightful romps 
 and such happy hours I have seldom, if ever, experienced since. 
 My mind runs back to those happy hours when the watchful 
 care of our mothers was upon us, when the sins and sophistries 
 of the world were unknown to us. And to them I hope troubles 
 are still unknown. When I think of these things, I am reminded 
 of a saying of the Master: "Suffer little children to come unto 
 me, and forbid them not : for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." 
 Well do I remember on one occasion that this friend and I 
 wandered along down the spring branch that ran from my 
 grandfather's spring, gathering wild flowers as we went, which 
 grew luxuriantly and of rare fragrance all along the banks of 
 the tiny rill. We traveled on gathering flowers until we were 
 lost, but fortunately for us we did not know it ; for we did 
 not remember how we had come. Our barefooted tracks in 
 the sand told of our ramble and led to our safe return. Soon 
 after this her father moved away to some other country, which 
 gave us sadness, but happily for us only such as passed quickly 
 away. We have never met since, probably never will, but, 
 wherever she is, in whatsoever clime, I hope she is happy. I 
 remember vividly her merry laughter, her gentle voice, yet, 
 it has been more than fifty years since we parted. 
 
 My next very dear friendship was formed in this Avay: A 
 little boy, a little older than I, visiting my father's house one 
 day, brought with him as a present for me a scpiare-plait whip 
 — the first thing of the sort I had ever seen and of which I 
 was very proud. Such a present and such a friend ! He was a 
 noble, brave, generous, manly boy and thank God he is living 
 today — August, 1898. Having known him all these years. I 
 can truthfully testify that he has borne out in manhood those 
 noble traits of character exhibited in his youth and occupies 
 now, as then, a place second to no one in my esteem. On my 
 first visit to his home he treated me most royally; he led me 
 into the mysteries of crawling through the fence cracks and 
 how to turn my head to one side so as not to hurt my nose and 
 how to catch and ride wild cattle — that is — as far as we were 
 able to sit on them, which was but a short distance at a time. 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF ON UNEVENTFUL LIFE 7 
 
 being 1 thrown almost as often as we mounted. As we grew up, 
 our friendship was never cooled, but rather intensified — my 
 father having moved nearer to where his father lived. We 
 were ever afterwards friends. We helped roll logs together, 
 husk the corn, etc. We both entered the Confederate army in 
 1861 — he, in one regiment and I, in another. After the war we 
 played on the violin together, worked in the fields during 
 the days we could, lay in the woods and guarded our horses 
 at night to protect them from the tories who nightly prowled 
 around the premises of Southern men to see if there was any 
 chance to steal. Later we were partners in business; always 
 Democrats; always friends. Such friendships as these, being 
 mutual, are beneficial and always worth cultivation. Never to 
 betray a trust reposed in either nor to go back on a friend has 
 been a part of our motto, and has been religiously and sacredly 
 lived up to by both of us. This good friend was J. N. Gal- 
 braith now of Center Point, Tennessee. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 My First Home. 
 
 During the sixth year of my age my father, owning no land 
 where he lived, purchased a small tract about four miles away, 
 which was a primeval forest, near which place lived Esq. Jno. 
 H. Galbraith. Preparations for a move began right away and 
 consisted in my father going on the place, axe in hand, cutting 
 away the timber and making sufficient opening to set a house. 
 This done, he began felling small trees, eight to ten inches in 
 diameter, cutting them off at required length, hauling them 
 to the selected spot, inviting the neighboring citizens to help 
 to raise the house ; a dinner was prepared and sent to the 
 place, and a gallon of whiskey completed the arrangements. 
 On each of the four corners of the house was a man whose duty 
 it was to notch the logs down, one upon another, being handed 
 to them by other men who were on the ground; thus the work 
 
8 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 proceeded, interspersed with much good feeling and friendly 
 
 jests until the Last log was put up. Then one piece was put 
 upon either end of the house extending about 24 inches out 
 from cither side; on the outer end of this, on either side, was 
 placed a long pole called an abutment, against which the ends 
 of the hoards were to rest. Then the pieces on the ends were 
 shorter and shorter to the top. Now we were ready for the 
 boards which were laid on, and a pole of sufficient weight put 
 on them to hold them down and so on to the top; then we 
 began and chopped into the logs of the house on each side and 
 hewed them down thus taking off the rough bark: this done. 
 we proceeded to nail boards on the inside of the cracks be- 
 tween the logs and to fill up the outside of the openings with 
 mud; this done, we had a warm cabin; we then began laying 
 the floor which was made usually of puncheons hewn out and 
 put down as closely as could be done with a hand axe ; next, long- 
 riven boards were gotten out and shaved as smoothly as pos- 
 sible and a door shutter made of them hung on wooden hinges, 
 which usually made a loud creaking noise on being opened or 
 closed. The place for a fire was usually four to six feet wide, 
 built upon the outside with logs and laid on the inside with 
 mortar and rocks, the hearth back and all up to where the 
 chimney proper started, which was built of sticks and mud. 
 This completed, our humble mansion was ready for occupancy. 
 We had no saw mills then as now, driven by steam, nor nails 
 with which to fasten down boards or plank. Such things of 
 course were in use, I suppose, in some places, but for lack of 
 money on our part did not extend to us. We moved in and be- 
 gan making rails and building a rail fence around the house. 
 We built a log stable for a horse, a smoke-house for our meat 
 and a log house for a corn crib, and dug a well. By the time 
 this was all done, it was springtime — March. Father went to 
 clearing a piece of land and I, to piling brush, being the eldest 
 and only help at this time. Late in the season we succeeded in 
 getting six acres of land cleared and planted in corn which 
 of course made only a poor crop on account of the shade being 
 too dense to admit the growth of corn hence the yield was 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 9 
 
 small. However we continued to clear land and build till 
 father had a good small farm of rich land for that section. 
 Thus in course of time better buildings took the place of our 
 primitive log cabin. We were possibly as happy as if our sur- 
 roundings had been better, that is, we children: for this was 
 all we knew. The labor which we did. though hard, was no 
 particular hardship to us, as we knew nor thought of anything 
 else. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 My First School. 
 
 About my eighth year I started for school, father leading 
 the way, axe in hand, cutting off a limb here and a brush 
 there. I blazed a tree first one one side and then on the other, 
 of the newly made path, that brother and I might have a guide 
 to and from the school. (This school generally lasted from 
 ten to twelve weeks. At least from the time Ave got through 
 our crops until time to take the fodder, we were continu- 
 ously in school.) On arriving at the Seminary we found quite 
 a pleasant-looking gentleman in charge — Mr. R. G. Hughes, who 
 proved to be what his appearance indicated, a real good fel- 
 low. Those who wished to, studied; those who did not relish 
 studying, were not compelled. 
 
 Our school building was as primitive as our residence. 
 Round logs composed the body of the house ; it had a dirt floor 
 or rather no floor at all ; a large fire-place occupied almost one 
 entire end of the building. Round logs had been split open in 
 the middle, the splinters hewn off on the split side, holes bored 
 in from the bark side, and long pins, put in them from that 
 side as supports, furnished the seats for the pupils. These 
 seats were from some cause always made high so that many 
 of the small children's feet reached no nearer the floor, than 
 from six to eighteen inches. There Ave sat and swung our feet 
 from morning until noon and from noon until dismissal. Our 
 
10 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 writing desk consisted of one long plank' put up on pins along 
 one side of the house; one of the long benches being used for 
 a seat, and of extra height ; a log was cut out of the house 
 just over the writing bench to admit the light. Many were the 
 little notes we passed and slipped into each other's copy books 
 while learning to write. At school, we all spelt aloud and read 
 aloud ; sometimes we could have been heard two hundred yards 
 away, especially on Friday evenings when we had a spelling 
 match, which was an evening of great excitement and looked 
 to with much interest. Not much school, you think, which is 
 true, as compared with the older communities, or with our 
 modern colleges, built of brick, warmed by hot air and lighted 
 by electricity, but then it was a school, the best we had, and did 
 much good. I attended this school three sessions from eight 
 to twelve weeks at a time in so many years. During this time 
 I learned to spell and read fairly well and to write a fairly 
 legible hand. I also learned the multiplication table, possibly 
 to add simple numbers, but there was no such thing iu our 
 school as a history, geography or English grammar, in fact I 
 never saw an English grammar until I was almost grown, hence 
 pass over grammatical mistakes as lightly as possible. 
 
 It was the custom of our professor to allow the first who ar- 
 rived in the morning to recite first that day and many were the 
 mornings that we almost flew in our efforts to be first. Of the 
 girls and bo}^s who attended this school many remained in the 
 country and grew to be stalwart men and women and helped 
 to make the country what it now is. 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE. 11 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 My First Visit to a Store. 
 
 Grandfather came by our house on his way to the store, rid- 
 ing horseback. I mounted on the same horse behind him. On 
 our arrival at the store, I thought I had almost entered a new 
 world and to me it was : such fancy goods, such nice pictures, 
 such nice glassware, etc., and above all such shining tinware. 
 I had never dreamed of such a beautiful place as this being 
 on earth. I feasted my eyes on the new things while grand- 
 father chatted away with the storekeeper. When ready to 
 leave for home he asked me what I wanted and gave me what 
 I called for — a new tin bucket of which I was very proud and 
 thankful. Encouraged by this adventure, I some time later 
 made another trip to another store with some company and 
 some mode of transportation; this time there was a gentleman 
 playing on a violin, the sound of which was extremely pleasing 
 to me and it looked so easy for the man to play ; it just seemed 
 that anyone could do that; so grandfather when he was ready 
 to leave for home asked me in his good-natured broad Irish 
 accent: "Me lad, what do ye want?" I said: "That fiddle, 
 Grandpa." He told the gentleman to hand it to me which he 
 did. Of course I felt supremely happy, but found it would 
 not play for me as it would for the owner ; so I did not succeed 
 in making a musician, for which I have no special regrets. 
 
12 RECOLLECTIONS OF AX FXFYFXTFFF FIFF 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 My School Days, Etc. 
 
 During these years of attending Hughes academy, clearing 
 and fencing land, it was necessary for me to take part in all 
 the duties of the household, my mother being always a deli- 
 cate woman in feeble health, a great part of the time con- 
 fined to the bed, unable to do her work, and father too poor 
 to hire it done. The younger children and I learned early to 
 do all kinds of work — milk the cows, churn the milk, cook a 
 meal of victuals, etc. It was sometimes the case that brother 
 and I would take the clothing of the family to the well and 
 wash them, which we cheerfully did. We sometimes felt a lit- 
 tle mortified at seeing other young people of our age pass by 
 l in good clothes and happy, while we were bent over the wash- 
 tub. All this feeling was wrong in us; all labor is honorable, 
 it matters not what it is, and washing being hard work I think 
 boys should assist in doing the work where the family has it 
 to do. Boys are much stronger than girls, as a rule, and should 
 always assist their mother and sisters in doing the hard work 
 about the place. 
 
 During these years Ave had another professor at the Hughes 
 academy, Mr. Smith, a good man ; and one other. Mr. T. J. 
 Bailey, also a fine man and Avho prided himself very much 
 upon the correct understanding of Webster's Blue Back Spell- 
 ing Book. So we were put through again and again and in- 
 accuracies of other teachers printed out. We now entered upon 
 the study of arithmetic, Pike's old work being the standard at 
 that time: it treated mostly of shillings and pence — old English 
 money — a thing obsolete as far as our currency is concerned. 
 So under this professor, studying eight weeks in a year during 
 the summer solstice, in two rears I actuallv o-<->t as far as the 
 
KECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 13 
 
 rule of three, as well as I remember, about the thirtieth page 
 of the book; and here my educational labors ceased. I am 
 just a little sorry that I can not have a photo of this professor. 
 Unfortunately he was very lame, one leg being much shorter 
 than the other; and one eye seemed smaller than the other. 
 Seated upon a high chair, a long black hickory being con- 
 veniently near, woe to the child whom the professor caught 
 not spelling or reading aloud, or smiling at the rosy-cheeked 
 girls, or fixing a pin in the seat so that the next boy might 
 sit upon it. Engaging in any of these to us seemed little harm- 
 less pastimes. On such occasions the professor would rise in 
 his chair and pitch that long black hickory at the violater who 
 must pick it up and carry it to the professor and after a few 
 preliminaries square himself and take a whipping, very much 
 to the edification of the school and to the advancement of edu- 
 cation in those parts. 
 
 Sometime during these years I saw my first book-agent who 
 called at my father's house to spend the night. After supper 
 he exhibited his books. Among the number was Bunyan's Pil- 
 grim's Progress; after looking through it. I was very anxious 
 to own it : but in this case, as in many others, I did not have 
 the money and father never thought it right to charge a man 
 for lodging and horse feed. So after breakfast next morning 
 the agent left and with him my hopes of obtaining a new book. 
 Though after the lapse of several months I found the much 
 coveted volume in the library of a Baptist minister who kindly 
 loaned it to me. I sped home light of heart and footstep too, and 
 gathered in 1113' brush for a light that night ; for remember this 
 Avas before the time of Lucifer matches, sperm candles, or coal 
 oil, at least in our part of the country. For light we made tal- 
 low candles, when we had the beef tallow, which we could af- 
 ford to use only on special occasions. For all ordinary occas- 
 ions we used a lamp made in the potter's shop, having a bowl 
 that held about a pint into which we put hog's lard or any 
 kind of grease. Into this we put a strip of cotton cloth called 
 a wick and lighted this wick at one end ; thus we had a dim 
 light, but this we could not alwavs afford as was the case in 
 
14 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 this instance; hence the gathering of the sticks and limbs. And 
 now for the reading of the much prized book which began im- 
 mediately, and let me say, right here and now, that never before 
 nor since, neither do I ever expect to read anything with half 
 the interest as Idid this one volume; it held me spellbound until 
 late hours at night. Its stirring scenes passed through my 
 dreams; it riveted my susceptible mind to its passing scenes as 
 with rivets of steel from which I could not and did not want to 
 free my mind, until I had read the last word. Someone who 
 may read this scrawl, will want to know why of snch deep 
 interest in snch a work. Reader, let me tell you — I had never 
 been fifteen miles from home in my life ; I had never read fic- 
 tion ; I had never seen a geography; I knew nothing of fiction 
 and every word my father and mother said to me I believed 
 with all my heart; they never deceived me about anything, 
 hence I accepted as a literal fact everything heard or read; I 
 verily believed that there were somewhere in the world just 
 snch roads, such country, as therein described, just such per- 
 sonages as Christian, Patience, Charity and others; such moun- 
 tains w T ith great gulches through which they had to pass ; great 
 lions lying beside the wayside looking for prey; and lo, when 
 they approached nearer they found them with chains around 
 their mouths. Of course I learned later the true intent of the 
 story, but the reader can see the cause of my intense interest 
 in the book. 
 
 Along about this time some parties put up a store about three 
 miles from our home and advertised that they would exchange 
 goods for "sang, " a medicinal herb that grew spontaneously in 
 our neighborhood. I concluded at odd times to dig some of the 
 roots, this being the part of the plant used. So in a little while 
 I had quite a little sack full of it. In a few days opportunity 
 offered and I took my "sang" to market and very readily 
 made a sale. My chief desire was for store goods enough to 
 make me a pair of pants and this being the second store I had 
 ever been in, everything looked pretty to me. and noticing a 
 piece of striped goods I concluded it was the thing I wanted, 
 so I took the worth of my produce in the same striped goods, 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 15 
 
 which I learned later was a very good article — ticking. I 
 hurried home, elated over my purchase, and the prospect of a 
 pair of new pants. Mother, God bless her memory, would not 
 mortify my feelings by saying it was not desirable goods for 
 the purpose for which I wanted it, but cut out the pants and 
 made them for me. So on Sunday following I donned my new 
 pants and a new white shirt, every thread of which, both warp 
 and woof, mother had made with her own hands, even to the 
 buttons which were made of thread alone by mother's own 
 hands. Thus attired I went to church. Although my feet were 
 not incased in patent leather, or leather of any kind for that 
 matter, I felt no embarrassment, not knowing at that period of 
 my life, as I learned later, that the harness made the horse de- 
 sirable. Any way those were happy days; whether modern 
 ways will give to the world a better citizenship remains to be 
 seen. 
 
 A few more years of clearing land, rolling logs, etc., brought 
 me to the year 1856. Mother's health, which was always poor, 
 had gone almost completely away; she became almost bedfast 
 for the remainder of her life and to add to our troubles, father, 
 while assisting a neighbor to raise a house, had the misfortune 
 to have his leg broken below the knee. We made a litter and 
 neighbors brought him home, one man at each of the four 
 corners. To further add to our troubles, as though we did not 
 yet have enough, brother, next younger than I and the two 
 oldest sisters were taken sick of typhoid fever. I, being the 
 only one of the family old enough and well enough to do any- 
 thing, all this was more than I could do, but we secured the aid 
 of a good lady and by the assistance of kind neighbors, which 
 we always had, we did pretty well. Father recovered after a 
 long time as did also brother and sisters, but our poor mother 
 gradually sank. Physicians administered to her the best they 
 could, but she gradually wasted away from the ravages of that 
 awful disease known as consumption of the bowels. She spent 
 her life for the good, upbuilding, consolation, support, and en- 
 couragement of her husband and children ; many were the times 
 that I heard her encouraging words to my father in the days 
 
16 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 of our family afflictions, telling him to fear not; the Lord 
 would provide; counseling as children as how we should live 
 and act. She, feeling' and knowing that the end was near, gave 
 to her expressions a deep, fervid, intense interest that they 
 would not otherwise have had. 
 
 She had always managed, some way, to clothe, mostly with the 
 work of her own hands, her family, especially the children ; 
 cotton goods for the summer and woolen linseys and jeans for 
 the winter, dying the woolen goods with the bark of the walnut 
 tree which gave a beautiful dark brown color and made it very 
 pretty. The buttons for these goods she made by covering a 
 piece of leather or gourd with some dark material. She lived 
 as the Scriptures describes, a good mother. She looked well to 
 the ways of her husband. I gave to her in her sickness my best 
 attention, while she was sick, and as the other members of the 
 family who were sick grew better I came more and more to the 
 assistance of my mother, but alas! the end came on the evening 
 of March 27th. 1857. She called me to the bedside and told me 
 she was dying; the three next children being unable to go to 
 her. father with difficulty being at the bedside. She uttered 
 a short prayer, pressed us to her dying breast and said to me 
 "John, yon have been a dutiful son. Meet me in heaven." 
 Then a few feeble words to father and me to care for her chil- 
 dren, and all was over. We carried her remains to the family 
 cemetery where they were decently interred : I. being the only 
 member of the family who was able to go to the grave. Re- 
 turning home, everything was sad and lonely ; mother gone, the 
 family sick, but after all our log cabin was our home. To care 
 for the sick' was my duty which I did as faithfully as I could. 
 The deep interest I felt in them and my knowledge of their 
 gradual and permanent improvement caused a more hopeful 
 spirit to come over me by soon seeing them all able to be stir- 
 ring a little in the house. Spring being now well advanced, 
 1 went about making a small corn crop. So after a few weeks 
 I had it planted; later along father and brother got able to 
 help me some and after all we made a fair crop, a sustenance. 
 Boys, let me say right here, be good to mother: she it is who 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE IT 
 
 will go down to the very death for you ; she it is who will never 
 forsake you ; father, brothers, sisters, aye, even your wife, but 
 mother never: though a felon's chains might bind your hands 
 (which God forbid), the world pass by and scoff, but mother 
 will be there to plead, to comfort, to counsel and to console. 
 Boys, stand by mother, she may become old and fretful and 
 possibly hard to please, but hold up her hands and steady her 
 trembling, tottering steps. 
 
 Boys, the prettiest sight that was ever witnessed in the town 
 of Henderson, Tennessee, was that of a young Mr. Savage of 
 that place whose mother was old and tottery ; but in that manly 
 son who was then about twenty-two years of age. she had a 
 treasure, a son of whom any mother would be proud. Each 
 Sabbath morning he took mother's arm and supported her 
 feeble steps to the church, sat with her during the service, led 
 her back to her arm chair at her own fireside ; thus he preferred 
 mother to all the gayety of society. That young man occupies 
 a lucrative position in one of the learned profession in one of 
 the best cities of the South, and well he should — he deserves it. 
 Boys, take care of mother. 
 
 During these ten years our wooded country had improved 
 much. Esq. John H. Galbraith was a neighbor, a prominent 
 citizen and afterwards sheriff of our county. D. M. McCollum 
 settled about two miles north of us. a very intelligent and 
 good man and. by the way, the first postmaster we had in our 
 vicinity. Several families moved in from North Carolina and 
 cpvite a number of families from Middle Tennessee ; among 
 whom I remember the families of McCollums. Van Dyke, 
 Bunch, Puryear, Owens, Hardeman, Smith, and others whom I 
 do not now recall settled on the south side of our little neigh- 
 borhood, bringing with them money with which they purchased 
 lands and paid for them. Also negro slaves which were put 
 immediately to clearing the land which was very rich. The 
 sons of some of these gentlemen worked also in all the labors 
 of the farm. A country store was erected in one mile of my 
 father's house, a postoffiee — Center Point — established. School 
 facilities were improved. Sabbath schools were organized ; 
 
18 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 churches, erected; newspapers began to circulate freely among 
 our people. An era of prosperity had come down upon us. 
 Also during these years a Masonic Hall was erected, a two- 
 si ory frame building; a Masonic lodge organized which occu- 
 pied the second story of the building, the basement ' be- 
 ing used for preaching, open alike to all denominations of 
 Christians and later for school purposes and for all purposes 
 of gathering when the people of the neighborhood thought it 
 necessary to come together. Also during these years The 
 voices of many distinguished statesmen were heard among us; 
 among the number being Hon. J. I). C. Atkins and Emerson 
 Ethridge, who were perhaps the peers of any men in Tennessee 
 upon the political issues of the day; loud and long were the 
 cheers given to each champion as he would score a point against 
 the other, but after the contest was over all returne 1 to their 
 daily avocations with good will for all. Let me say right here 
 that there was not a saloon in our good neighborhood, nor one 
 allowed; neither is there one nor one allowed even to this day, it 
 being more than fifty years since my father. J. II. Galbraith, 
 and other good citizens moved into and began to settle up the 
 country. One fellow, however, had the audacity to attempt to 
 run a saloon over the protest of this good citizenship, which 
 lasted about four days. His goods were not destroyed nor his 
 person injured, but he became aware that it was perhaps safest 
 and best for him to take his whiskey and himself and remove to 
 neighborhoods which were more congenial, which he accordingly 
 did, very much to the satisfaction of all concerned. Just here 
 it is well to remember that whenever a community determines 
 to put an end to a nuisance of that kind, it is best to listen and 
 take heed, for it is going to be done at any cost. 
 
 1 forgot to say in the proper place, but will now say. that 
 VI r. C. AY. Brooks was one of the first settlers, a good and 
 substantial citizen, always found working for the best inter- 
 ests of the community. Dr. J. F. McKenzie, a man of good 
 mind, great energy, and of much moral worth to the com- 
 munitv, also settled in the immediate neighborhood. Three 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 19 
 
 miles west of us lived Mr. John Criner, an old settler and a 
 man of much deep, common sense. 
 
 During this period of life I read the newspapers which were 
 full of the happenings in Kansas Territory. The territorial 
 government had applied to Congress for statehood in the Fed- 
 eral union. The abolitionists of the north wanted it admitted 
 only upon the terms of a free state, while the Southern or pro- 
 slavery people wanted it admitted as a slave state ; that is, that 
 a citizen of the United States, owning slaves, should have the 
 right to go into Kansas and have his property and slaves pro- 
 tected, as any other property, which had been done under the 
 constitution of the United States from the beginning of the gov- 
 ernment. The northern Free Soilers, as they called them- 
 selves, sent men and arms to Kansas under the name of the 
 Secret Aid Society, for the purpose of driving out the South- 
 ern people. The other side being equally determined, it re- 
 sulted in frequent collisions at arms between the contending 
 factions. My sympathies naturally went out to the Southern 
 people, not that I owned any property in slaves, but I naturally 
 loved the Sunny South together with all her institutions, then 
 as now; whether right or wrong, was no question with me. I 
 am for her and will be, I think, while I have an existence upon 
 the earth. My patriotism began to run pretty high ; so I made 
 up my mind that if I had any way of getting over there I 
 would go and help my people. After some reflection I frankly 
 laid the matter before my father, telling him of my intentions. 
 He heard me kindly through my story. AVhen I had finished, 
 he told me that I knew nothing of life in an army; that I had 
 best wait, for he believed that inside of two years a fearful 
 war would be forced upon the people of the Southland; that, 
 when the time came, it would be our duty to aid our people 
 to the best of our ability. After this conversation I abandoned 
 the idea of a trip to Kansas. 
 
20 RECOLLECTIONS OF AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 My Civil War Experience. 
 
 About this time came John Brown's raid into Virginia. 
 Thus every move on the political chessboard was a move in 
 the direction of war. the most fearful in the annals of history. 
 Thus John Brown's raid was the first shot fired ami the 
 first onslaught made upon the institutions of our country, 
 which burst upon us in all its fury in the year 1861. I was 
 then in my nineteenth year ; full of patriotism and hope of suc- 
 cess; anxious to take part in the struggle. I enlisted in a com- 
 pany being raised by Richard Barham May, 1861. The com- 
 pany was soon recruited to about one hundred men. Barham 
 was elected Captain and a full quota of officers were selected. 
 AVe went into camp at Trenton. Tenn. I was elected fourth 
 corporal, the lowest office in the army, if it could be called an 
 office at all. But what of that: any and all were willing to 
 serve anywhere ! To wear a Confederate uniform and fight for 
 one's country was glory enough, we thought. If positions were 
 offered, they were accepted patriotically and the mnskets were 
 carried with the same pride and patriotism that actuated a 
 Major General. 
 
 We drilled every day — morning and evening, attended roll 
 call, did camp duty, cooked our own rations, washed our own 
 clothes, etc. 
 
 Our first lieutenant being a man who had some military train- 
 ing, we were soon a fairly well drilled company of volunteers. 
 
 I bought a copy of Hardee's Tactics, also a copy of military 
 law and by adding study to practice, pretty soon became a fair 
 drill-master. In the volume in military law 1 learned that the 
 rules and discipline of an army was no Sunday school affair. 
 Soon we had companies enough in camp to organize a regiment 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE. 21 
 
 — 27th Tenn. Infantry. C. H. Williams was elected Colonel. 
 Then began company, batallion and regiment drills, in earnest ; 
 officers drills also. These drills with other duties occupied all 
 our time. About this time it occurred to the powers that were, 
 that we had neglected to elect a chaplain, which had to be 
 done, as everything else in that patriotic regiment, by the votes 
 of the soldiers. So a young man applied for the position and 
 went among the different companies soliciting votes and I for 
 very mischief went out among the companies, not knowing 
 them nor they me, but few outside our own company. Other 
 mischievous comrades caught on and went out electioneering 
 for me : the election came off and I was actually elected chap- 
 lain of one of the finest regiments in the Confederate service. 
 When the result was announced I was actually dumbfounded. 
 The colonel ordered the new chaplain to appear at head- 
 quarters. I positively refused to go and after an explanation 
 by some friends that the whole thing was a huge joke on my 
 part and never intended to go outside of my own company, the 
 matter was dropped. I never afterward attempted to play the 
 role of preacher. 
 
 Soon after this I was elected orderly sergeant of our com- 
 pany. We then went to Columbus, Ky. ; thence to Felicanna, 
 Ky. ; thence to Bowling Green, Ky. ; thence to Nashville, Tenn. ; 
 thence to Corinth, Miss. 
 
 At this place, our first lieutenant, John Skiffington. con- 
 cluded that a position in the quartermaster's department would 
 be more in keeping with his ideas of war. He resigned his 
 commission as Lieutenant and I was elected to fill his place. 
 
 At this time General Albert Sidney Johnston who was in 
 command of the Confederate army, ordered a move upon the 
 Federal army, under the command of Gen. U. S. Grant, 
 which was encamped on the west side of the Tennessee river 
 at Pittsburg Landing and around Shiloh church from which the 
 battle took its name. We moved out on Thursday evening and 
 on Friday evening encountered the federal outpost. After 
 a light skirmish we drove them in. On Saturday we lay in line 
 of battle all day long and Saturday night also. This delay was 
 
22 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE. 
 
 caused by the tardiness of one division of the army not getting 
 in position, as it should have done, until late Saturday evening. 
 
 So on Sunday morning, April 6th, 1862, the sun rose bright- 
 ly ; everything Avas full of animation, life, and hope. We 
 moved to the attack driving everything before us; cheer after 
 cheer went up as we drove them from one position to another. 
 So by five o'clock p.m., having fought all day, we had the fed- 
 eral army in our (dutches; but just at this juncture, Gen. Buell 
 of the federal army began to land his army of reinforcement 
 On the west bank of the river, consisting of forty thousand 
 men. There was also a powerful federal fleet in the river 
 that bombarded us all night long on Sunday night. With this 
 reinforcement they succeeded in driving us off the field by 
 three o'clock on Monday evening. The combined loss of both 
 armies is placed at forty thousand men — a fearful slaughter. 
 Of the many little incidents that happened during the two 
 days battle I will only relate one or two. Captain Barham 
 being slightly wounded early in the engagement, retired from 
 the field. The command of the company then devolved upon 
 me, as first lieutenant. A member of the company came to me 
 after the battle had been raging for some hours on Sunday 
 morning and told me he was going to be killed. He looked 
 pale, though fearless. I tried to dissuade him but. nay ; he said 
 it would be so. I asked him to take some tobacco with me. which 
 he did, saying it would be his last, which it was ; the poor fel- 
 low was killed a few minutes afterwards. 
 
 On the battlefield there was a pretty large highland pond and 
 is today denominated by the federals as the ** Bloody Pond." 
 and is so marked. Well do I remember wading through it on 
 Sunday evening about four o'clock, the water coming to my 
 waist. The federals were making a strong fight here : knowing 
 that if I were wounded and should fall in this water I would 
 drown, I rushed through and waited until the company came 
 up. We passed on beyond this place to near the bank of the 
 river, and at dusk a cannonball from a federal gunboat cut 
 off the whole top of a tree which fell lengthwise on our regi- 
 ment and killed eleven men of one company. Darkness now 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 23 
 
 closed the scene and on Monday evening, after fighting all day 
 to 3 p.m., we returned to Corinth, Miss. We were worn out 
 and disconsolate; so many comrades, who had gone out with 
 us, were not there to answer roll-call as they had been left 
 wounded or dead on the battlefield. Our ranks were so de- 
 pleted that a reorganization of the whole army wax necessary. 
 I was chosen Captain of our company. Of such distinction I 
 was much pleased and very thankful as I regarded this as an 
 endorsement of my conduct in my past life (with the company 
 as well as my patriotism). 
 
 The ordeal of battle and reorganization having been gone 
 through with, we began drilling daily. More regard was paid 
 to discipline. In a short time however the federal army be- 
 gan to move against us. Sharp, close, hard-picked fighting con- 
 tinued night and day with occasional fighting with considerable 
 bodies of both armies; notably at Farmington, a village town 
 between Corinth and Pittsburg Landing. In May, however, the 
 army evacuated Corinth and moved round to Chattanooga, 
 Tenn., from there to Mumfordsville, Ky., where a portion of 
 the army captured the federal garrison ; then to Richmond, 
 Ky., where the federal army was defeated, and to Perryville 
 where was fought one of the hardest battles of the war, in 
 which I was wounded. A ball passing across and cutting out 
 a piece of the right knee cap. from which I did not recover 
 rapidly. From there I was taken to Knoxville. Tenn., over a 
 rough road in a wagon. On the way out some one stole my hat 
 and coat also my haversack containing my provisions. Arriv- 
 ing at Knoxville, Oct. 17, we were surprised to find ourselves 
 and the whole earth covered with a four inch shoav. At this 
 place General Manney visited me. On the next night we were 
 loaded on a freight train and started to Chattanooga, 
 
 Here I want to turn aside to relate an incident of two mem- 
 bers of my company : AVilliam Rhodes of Lexington, Tenn., 
 one of the nicest young men in the regiment and as brave as he 
 was young and fair ; and Frank Buck, a mere boy, both of 
 whom came to me when we were in line of battle and told me 
 they were going to be killed that day. Their pale features, their 
 
24 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE. 
 
 calm demeanor, their determined Looks impressed me much. 
 While I had no authority to offer such thing, yet, 1 did offer 
 thai they take pass and drop out, which they refused to do 
 and were both killed in less than two hours: 1 wish to relate 
 here the conduct of Joe Wheeler, of Henderson county, the 
 color-bearer of the regiment and a member of my company, 
 who. while holding the colors aloft during the hottest of the 
 fight, had his right arm shattered, let the.eolors fall, but, seizing 
 them with the other hand, held them up until a bullel through 
 his brain put an end to his existence. 
 
 Arriving at Chattanooga about midnight, the weather at this 
 time being very cold, we were unloaded and carried to a frame 
 church on the outskirts of the city and laid on the floor as we 
 arrived, until the floor was literally covered with wounded men. 
 few of whom had blankets to cover with and no chance for 
 a fire to warm. We were in anything but a comfortable con- 
 dition. This was the best, I suppose, that could be done for 
 us: any way it was hard luck. During the night owing to poor 
 health I found it necessary to dispense with what clothing I 
 had left, except one shirt which I had on. Morning soon 
 dawned and some friends of mine found me in a nude condi- 
 tion and ministered unto my necessities. A brother whom I 
 had not seen for months came walking up, having heard of 
 the battle, and wanted to see me. Soon I had comfortable 
 clothes. A good room in the hotel and a bed to lie on: what 
 a great thing to have a friend! Boys, never betray a con- 
 fidence reposed in you nor go back on a friend. 
 
 Bragg 's army moved to Shelbyville. Tenn.. where another 
 reorganization of the army was necessary and our ranks were 
 by this time very much depleted. I of course was absent on 
 wounded furlough and it was not expected that I would again 
 be able for military duty. I was left out of the organization, 
 but after months I became able for duty again as a cavalry- 
 man. I reported for duty. Avas transferred to the cavalry de- 
 partment and ordered to West Tennessee, then overrun with 
 the federals, there to raise a company of cavalry which 1 did 
 after several weeks and many narrow escapes. 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 25 
 
 While in Middle Tennessee I met with my old time friend 
 and neighbor, J. N. Galbraith, who had been released from a 
 northern prison, having suffered mneh and lost the use of one 
 eye. I had sufficiently recovered from the wound to travel 
 with the aid of a stick. AVe decided to try our luck in crossing 
 the Tennessee river and trying to see home-folks again. We 
 succeeded in evading the federals, arriving at home and spent 
 a brief time very happily. In a couple of days it was discov- 
 ered that Ave were at home and reported to the authorities who 
 gave us a hot chase and came near capturing both of us. On 
 arriving at the Tennessee river on our return to protection, we 
 found no means of crossing, but We turned into a deep gulch 
 covered with a thick underbrush and tied our horses, disrob- 
 ing ourselves of clothing except a couple of undergarments, 
 and procuring a couple of logs, making them fast together 
 with grape vines, we pushed into the river and used our best 
 exertions to make the opposite shore before some federal gun- 
 boat should overhaul our frail craft and take us to prison. 
 All went well until Ave came half across the river; the grape 
 vines came untied; the logs rolled apart and Ave Avere into the 
 river. Both of us being good SAA T immers Ave Avent on pretty well. 
 On nearing the bank I asked my friend Iioav he Avas doing; he 
 ansAA r ered pretty well, onky one leg Avas cramped and sticking 
 straight doAvn. HoAvever, Ave Avent ashore, rested a little, held 
 a council of Avar and decided to move on to a farm house Avhich 
 we did. Placing ourselves behind a fence Avith our heads just 
 over the top rail, Ave called. A lady came to the call. Making 
 knoAvn to her our situation she soon found us friends. With 
 a skiff Ave soon succeeded in crossing our horses and getting 
 on the remainder of our clothing which Ave very much needed. 
 That night Ave spent under the friendly boughs of a spread- 
 ing oak. 
 
 On my return to West Tennessee for the purpose of raising 
 a company of volunteers, Ave had many difficulties. AVe had no 
 arms except occasionally a flint-lock shotgun that we could 
 pick up. AVe Avent along, enrolled whom Ave could and let 
 them remain at home. This enrollment Avas secretlv carried 
 
26 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 on until such a time as we could get men enough to organize 
 a company, which we finally succeeded in doing. Our company 
 when organized consisted of about sixty men. So on a summer 
 day of 1863, at a good spring in a dee]) hollow, on the farm of 
 J. T. Maness, the organization was perfected. I was elected 
 Captain of this company also, M. L. Cherry, first lieutenant, 
 William Record and Robert Long, second lieutenants. We had 
 now men enough to start South but no arms or ammunition. 
 We however concluded to try a raid down towards Adamsville, 
 where Ave were sure there were federal soldiers of the "home- 
 made sort." as we termed them. (That is persons who. living 
 in this country, had joined 'the federal army.) Capt. James 
 Stinnett, who had a small company, and I, with what armed men 
 I had, went down and sure enough we came on a good sized 
 company of them. A fight immediately occurred in which we 
 were successful by putting them to flight, capturing a few of 
 them and getting one of our men wounded. Getting a few guns 
 we returned somewhat encouraged, bivouaced in the woods a 
 few da,ys and concluded to raid a portion of the country known 
 as Hooker's Bend, where was congregated a lot of thieves 
 claiming to be, and were, federal soldiers, who would make 
 frequent incursions into our part of the country and carry off 
 whatever they could get their hands on. Here we found a 
 formidable company, but who seemed not disposed to fight 
 much. So after maneuvering most all day. three of our boys 
 being hungry rode up to a house, asked to get some bread and 
 were closed in upon and captured by the federals and carried 
 to their camps for the night. Following closely after them 
 we remained until daylight and made a rush for them. One of 
 the prisoners, a Mr. Benson, just as day began to break seeing 
 the guard turn his head away, gave him a blow with his 
 fist, that sent the fellow whirling to the ground and made his 
 escape. Meeting him he told us where they had camped; so 
 we charged upon them and as usual they fled. We recaptured 
 our soldiers, picked up several horses and a few guns, cap- 
 tured a few prisoners and ran the crowd into the bottom, re- 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 27 
 
 turning again to our places of hiding, not knowing what hour 
 a heavy column of federals might come upon us. 
 
 During these days. Col. Faulkner of a Kentucky batallion of 
 Confederates passed through the country, whose advance guard 
 were dressed in federal uniform in order to protect themselves 
 and evade the federal columns, should they meet them. Call- 
 ing at the house of a unionist they inquired of him if there 
 were any rebels in the country ; he said there were and pro- 
 ceeded to give names, writing them down for the officers, not- 
 ing as he wrote what should be done to this one and to that 
 one. AVhen he came to the name of my father, he said burn 
 him out, that he had a son in there who was a bad guerrilla, 
 referring to me. When he had finished his memorandum, the of- 
 ficer told him to get over the fence and move along that these 
 were Confederates he was talking to. The mortification and 
 downright fear depicted in his face was awful to behold. They 
 put him under guard, foraged on him taking bacon, hams, chick- 
 ens, etc., and he furnished a bountiful supply. During the night 
 the officer sent for me and, when I arrived, had the man 
 brought into my presence and rehearsed in my presence what 
 the old sinner desired done with his southern neighbors. I 
 saw that those men intended to kill him ; they told him they 
 would. Having known the old rascal for years, I begged for 
 his life and offered to go security for his good behavior dur- 
 ing the war. He promised to leave the country and not to med- 
 dle again in such manner, which he did and kept his word faith- 
 fully with me. And after peace was made he made a warm 
 personal friend of mine. At his death I was one of the pall- 
 bearers and helped to place his remains in their last resting 
 place. Peace to his ashes ! 
 
 Our desire now was to get out through the federal lines to 
 Mississippi, where Ave could get arms. There being six other 
 pieces of companies in the country, we got together and organ- 
 ized by electing D. T. Spain, Colonel; James Franklin, Major, 
 and had altogether, perhaps, three hundred men, mostly un- 
 armed and in constant danger of being captured, frequently 
 having' to disband and seek safetv in the woods. At this time 
 
28 RECOLLECTIONS OP AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 General X. I>. Forrest forced his way through the federal lines 
 and came 1<> Jackson, Tenn. We immediately reported for 
 duly to General Forrest and wenl South into Northern Missis- 
 si})})!. A great many men of our number had once belonged 
 to the Southern army who, at the time of the evacuation of 
 Corinth, Miss., after the battle of Shiloh, were a1 home and 
 who remained there until this time. Here a new i rouble 
 arose; a report was circulated to the effect thai these men 
 would be returned to their old commands in infantry service 
 and their horses used to mount new men. This caused a regu- 
 lar stampede; men left in dozens until within a short time there 
 were only 150 men present out of the 300 taken out: this ne- 
 cessitated a reorganization. I was absent at the time, but the 
 whole batallion was thrown into one company and I retained 
 as captain of it. I was surprised on my return and of course 
 felt grateful for the honor. We were then attached to a regi- 
 ment, 21st Tenn. Cavalry, under Col. A. N. Wilson who by the 
 way was a brave and chivalrous man. Our first introduction 
 to the federals now was a skirmish in the night-time which 
 was pretty exciting, but no damage either way. A couple of 
 days later we met a federal force at Okolona, Miss., who fought 
 us hard but we whipped them and drove them into Memphis, 
 capturing and killing many of them and getting arms and am- 
 munition of war enough to arm our command; also a lot of 
 blankets which we very much needed: many of us not having 
 even one blanket nor an overcoat. Returning to Okolona we 
 rested a few days. The winter being very severe it was with 
 difficulty that we kept from frost-bites which some did not. 
 Getting the command in as good shape as possible, we mo veil to 
 Jackson, Tenn., capturmj Trenton, Tenn.. and other places, 
 fighting at Johnsonville on the Tennessee river, Paducah and 
 Fort Pillow on the Mississippi river, which was a garrison of 
 negro troops commanded by white men. After much parley- 
 ing and urging a surrender to us they refused; we stormed the 
 works and when the fight was over and the smoke cleared, there 
 was not many of them left. We carried off the artillery and 
 what prisoners we had taken. Just here I will state that, while 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OP AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 29 
 
 the flag of truce was up, Captain James Stinnett and I with 
 some picked men crawled up close under the guns to be ready 
 in case they refused to surrender, to prevent them from dis- 
 charging their cannon into our ranks which we successfully did. 
 The little town was then by some mishap or other burned. This 
 being in April, 1861, we had not tents or other shelter. During 
 all these winters when it rained we protected ourselves as best 
 we could with oilcloths captured from the federals; our 
 head we pillowed on our saddles when we had time for a nap; 
 our rations were poor; musty corn meal, and bacon and beef 
 when we could get it. Of this we did not complain. It was 
 the best the Confederacy could do for us. Our currency was 
 so much depreciated as to be almost worthless. To give an 
 idea of its purchasing power, I owned a good horse which 
 would, in ordinary times, be worth a hundred dollars, which 
 norse was valued into the service at eighteen hundred dollars. 
 Tobacco was worth five dollars for a single plug and, if fine, 
 about twenty dollars; a large watermelon would bring from 
 five to ten dollars. I saw sixty dollars paid for one quart of 
 whiskey. Of this currency we did not have very much ; we 
 were not paid regularly. I remember that at the time of the 
 surrender the government owed me about twenty-seven hun- 
 dred dollars. The wages paid an officer of my rank was one 
 hundred and thirty dollars per month ; hence you will observe 
 that I had not been paid in quite a while. Of this we made no 
 complaint, as one was about as well off without it as with it. 
 The success of the cause was our leading thought and. for the 
 accomplishment of this end. we were willing to undergo any- 
 thing that might befall us. 
 
 Returning from this digression tc the thread of my theme, 
 we left Fort Pillow, denuded of me „.nd guns, and West Ten- 
 nessee with not a federal command in it outside of the city of 
 Memphis. Turning again Southward we crossed the Tennessee 
 river at Florence, Ala., crossing the men in skiffs and on flat 
 boats, and swimming the horses; no wagons except those for 
 carrying ammunition and a few ambulances were allowed. 
 Encountering the federals on the east bank of the river, driv- 
 
30 RECOLLECTIONS OF AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 ing on toward Nashville, we hurried them along, stopping at 
 Pulaski, Term., taking a few block-houses. This being now well 
 up into the month of May. We passed on to Athens, Tenn., 
 where we forced "" surrender of about 2,500 men who were 
 well fortified. GU .oral Forrest did this bold strategy vcvy 
 much to our delight ; to storm a breastwork across a broad deep 
 ditch and il protected with an abaltis made secure with tele- 
 graph wire, was no light job. Rut they knew Ave had stormed 
 the works at Fort Pillow a few weeks before and had confi- 
 dence in us to believe that we would do the same for them. 
 Passing on Ave came to a negro corral where were quarters of 
 a large number of negroes and horses belonging to the feder- 
 al government ; all were protected by a block-house and fed- 
 eral garrison. This Ave captured — horses, negroes and all. but 
 they were retaken that same evening by the federals, over 
 which Ave had a skirmish ; there being only a few men left as 
 a guard they were not able to cope with the federal forces. 
 Passing on from here Ave were ordered back AVest of the Ten- 
 nessee river to meet a raid of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, 
 commanded by Major-General Sturgess of the federal army. 
 The brigade, Bell's, to which Ave were attached marched 
 seventy-five miles during the clay and night before Ave encount- 
 ered them. Striking them at Brice's Cross Boads, Miss., on 
 June 10th, 1864, tired, hungry, and sleepy as Ave were, we 
 dismounted and made immediate preparations for the assault. 
 Our enemies outnumbering us almost, if not quite, three to one. 
 Ave knew Ave had hard work to do. When our brigade arrived. 
 General Forrest met us and had something to say to each man 
 as he passed along the line — some word of encouragement. 
 We could all see with what intense feeling and anxiety he 
 regarded the issue. This made the men more determined. We 
 moved to the assault through a deep underbrush in which 
 the enemy was concealed. The onslaught Avas terrific and re- 
 pelled with equal vigor; for hours it seemed as though Ave were 
 on a scale which rose and fell with about equal regularity as 
 each side charged and countercharged, until finally we broke 
 the center of the federal line and. doubling it back, put them 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OP AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 31 
 
 to riot. We followed them until midnight and for nearly two 
 days afterward, killing and wounding many of them, taking 
 many prisoners. In this engagement many of our best men 
 were lost, many killed and many more wounded. After this and 
 our return, we went into camp for a much needed rest for both 
 men and horses, which lasted only about two weeks, until an- 
 other raid was started out from Memphis under the command 
 of General A. J. Smith of the federal army, a brave and 
 skilful officer, with a more powerful army than that brought 
 out by Gen. Sturgess. About July 10th, 1864, we met at Har- 
 risburg, Miss., and in a charge on the evening before the main 
 battle, our brigade was considerably damaged and forced to 
 retire; many of our men shed tears, this being the first 
 repulse we had met with. During the night the Federals forti- 
 fied a strong position and on the morning we assaulted them 
 and after two hours were compelled to withdraw from the- 
 field and accomplish by strategy what we could not do by main- 
 force. Our company on that morning consisted of sixty-two 1 
 men leaving out the horse holders which were every fourth 
 man. (Remember we fought on foot) and when the fight was 
 over thirty-two were either killed or wounded. A sad day in- 
 deed for us, but we had to fight whatever we came to. To. 
 drive General Forrest out of Mississippi was. it seemed, the de- 
 termination of the federal government and not to be driven 
 much we were equally determined. On the next day we. 
 by a flank movement, brought them out of their stronghold and 
 succeeded in driving them from the state after some days of 
 skirmishing. On the third daj r of this battle the federals, 
 had gotten into a skirt of timber beyond an open field in which 
 were long rows of pens of corn, cotton gins, fencing, etc. All 
 of which they had set on fire. The sun being very hot. the 
 heat and smoke from this burning property was too much for 
 me. I was suddenly overcome by heat and had to be carried 
 from the field. From the effects of which I have never re- 
 covered nor never will. On the next day I was able to sit on 
 my horse, but weak and feeble. At this time the Confederac}^ 
 was waning fast. Of the six hundred thousand men of all 
 
32 RECOLLECTIONS OF AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 arms, who had enlisted into the service of the Confederacy, 
 at least half, or more than half of them, had been killed, 
 wounded, died, or discharged on account of sickness, or de- 
 serted. I am sorry to say we had some of this latter class. 
 There could not have been, I do not think, more than 250 to 
 275 thousand left and they were guarding a line of defense ex- 
 tending from the Atlantic to the Indian Territory on the west. 
 Of the two million eight hundred thousand enlisted in the 
 federal army, we could not have, I think, disposed of more 
 than eight hundred thousand of them; pretty good if we had 
 done this much. Now against the two hundred seventy-five 
 thousand Confederates, there was an army of two million men 
 of the federal army to hurl against that thin line of Confed- 
 erates. But each day we presented as solid front as possible 
 and fought as gallantly and as faithfully as in the earlier 
 days and possibly more so. Another short rest, shoeing horses 
 and getting ready for another raid, we were notified of a force 
 moving out from Memphis again; this time by the way of 
 Pontotoc, Miss., commanded by the same federal, Gen, A. J. 
 Smith, with a still more formidable force than before. This 
 was now August: the weather, distressingly hot: horses and 
 men jaded, but there was no chance for a rest. We moved 
 out in the direction of the invading force and met them near 
 Pontotoc, Miss., began skirmishing with them, prepared for 
 an engagement, but finding the federal force had infantry 
 enough to cover our front and us in single line and as much 
 cavalry as Ave had. we were utterly unable to force them back. 
 As we would engage them in front their cavalry would swing 
 around to our rear and force us to fall back. Thus Ave Avent 
 for several days until finally General Forrest resorted to one 
 of his masterly strategic movements. The order Avas passed 
 through camp for volunteers to go on a heavy detached service 
 and none but good horses allowed to go. So when we Avere 
 ready, our command Avas very formidable ; neither did Ave 
 know Avhere Ave Were to go. but the fact Avas soon deA'eloped 
 that Ave were destined for Memphis. Filing out around the 
 federal armv. leaving General Chalmers in command of the 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 33 
 
 forces left in front of the enemy, we went on quietly until we 
 came to Cold Water river, a considerable stream on which 
 we had to lay a pontoon bridge ; this we soon did, General 
 Forrest assisting in the work with his own hands. Crossing 
 quietly and night soon coming on, we proceeded on our way 
 and just before day a shot from Captain Bill Forrest's pistol 
 notified us that the federal outpost had been encountered; one 
 guard being killed and the remainder captured. At this sig- 
 nal we made a charge for the city, at the outskirts of which 
 we ran upon a division of federals who had just arrived and 
 gone into camp the previous night. These we run over and 
 through, who in their night-clothes looked like ghosts but 
 to them we paid no attention save to give them a passing shot, 
 each part of our command having been previously assigned to 
 different parts of the city and ordered not to pay any attention 
 to firing either on the right or left. Our part of the command 
 tiaving been ordered to the Gayoso Hotel in which were guard- 
 ed Gen. Washburn and his staff, to effect their capture was 
 our mission. A dense fog overhung the city, making it impossible 
 to distinguish a gray from a blue uniform, which was possibly 
 an advantage to us. On arriving at the hotel we found it 
 strongly guarded and one of the great difficulties now was to 
 find something with which we could batter down the doors. 
 We however succeeded, after some minutes, in getting in but 
 during this time a continual firing was going on upon us from 
 housetops, celJars, etc. Gen. Washburn succeeded in making 
 his way out through some private passage and getting away. 
 However we captured most of his staff officers and also the 
 General's uniform, watch, etc. Not having time for the of- 
 ficers to dress, we had to march them out in their night clothes 
 and barefooted. Of course this was not very elegant, but the 
 weather being warm it did not seem to be injurious to their 
 health. Inside the building there were many hand-to-hand 
 combats, men fighting like demons. This melee lasted, per- 
 haps, an hour and a half. During this time the guards whom 
 we had run over on the outskirts of the town in the early part 
 of the action, had formed in our rear and as thev thought ef- 
 
34 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 fed iijiIIv closed every avenue of escape for us. This necessi- 
 tated a charge which we successfully did, fighting pretty hard 
 ;it times and Losing some good men and capturing some pris- 
 oners. Darkness still hung over the earth and discerning a 
 line of battle moving into as and being near. Col. Forrest re- 
 quested me to find out which they were. I rode hastily up to 
 them and asked in a low commanding voice what command. 
 The answer came loudly and distinctly: "Ohio boys." Said 
 I, "All right." turned and galloped away. This just saved 
 us. as there was a command in front of us then, skirmishing 
 with us; so we turned to the right and galloped out, getting 
 out with the prisoners. General Forrest moved out a couple 
 of miles and formed a line of battle. lie sent in a flag of 
 truce and also Gen. AVashburn's uniform and asked that the 
 clothing of the captured officers and some provisions be sent 
 them; also proposed an exchange of prisoners. To this Gen. 
 Washburn demurred saying that he would capture Forrest 
 and his whole command before night. General Forrest re- 
 plied that he would return by way of the Hernando road, the 
 way he had come in, which he did; but Washburn considered 
 this bold assertion a mere ruse, concluding that his enemy 
 had designs on the Memphis and Charleston railroad which 
 was in the hands of the federals from Memphis to near 
 Corinth and accordingly put his forces on that road to protect 
 it from the expected raid. So we proceeded as we came on the 
 same road back to Panola. Miss. This raid into Memphis had 
 the effect of again ridding North Mississippi of a federal army. 
 That which we could not do by fighting, we did by bold 
 strategy. 
 
 I will stop to relate that during the war many federal sol- 
 diers took wives of the negro women where they were ipiarter- 
 ed ; among our prisoners on this raid was a real fat Dutchman 
 who had a negro wife, whom he carried along with him. The 
 weather being very warm; water, scarce: both captors and 
 captured became very thirsty. On coming to a bold running 
 stream of clear water, our Dutchman rushed in and fell down 
 to drink. A mule (on which some of our soldiers were mount- 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 35 
 
 ed) standing in the water happened to notice the Dutchman 
 lying behind him, raised one foot and kicked him in the head 
 killing him instantly, at which the negro lamented very much 
 but the procession moved on. 
 
 Getting into Mississippi again, we were much worn down — 
 men and horses too. We were compelled to have at least a 
 month's rest after getting in for both man and beast. After 
 getting in as good condition as possible and fully satisfying 
 the federals that Ave were not going to give up our territory, 
 we moved into Middle Tennessee again and, having a long 
 line to guard, we were continually on the march skirmishing 
 and fighting. Again in Tennessee we encountere 1 federals 
 on every side. Moving on to Pulaski we drove in the pickets 
 and captured the garrison; then to Sulphur Trestle where we 
 had a pretty hard fight, destroying the trestling which was a 
 long one : thence around Columbia. Tenn.. burning a bridge 
 and destroying railroad track ; at another place we captured 
 a considerable fort and several prisoners ; at this point an old 
 Dutchman who was a member of the garrison had dug him 
 cpiite a hole, reaching in under a steep bluff. After the sur- 
 render of the garrison, every effort was made to get this fel- 
 low out of his hiding place to no effect ; said he had no busi- 
 ness out "dare." Being no way to get him except to dig him 
 out. we moved off and had not the time to give to the capture 
 of one man. AYe next moved in the direction of Lawrence- 
 burg where we had a pretty stiff fight ; next in the direction 
 of Franklin. Term., where we took part in that memorable bat- 
 tle : after this we were sent to Murfreesboro. Tenn., to assist 
 in the capture of that place. After a hard struggle we failed 
 to capture the works. Here I was severely wounded in the 
 left foot, the ball passing through the instep, from which I 
 have never recovered. I was carried to the field hospital for 
 the purpose of amputating the limb, but after a consultation 
 it was deferred. I was then carried back to Franklin, Tenn., 
 where I remained until Hood's defeat in front of Nashville. 
 
 Here I will digress to say that the company was commanded 
 by Lieutenant M. L. Cherrv until the army aa'ain arrived in 
 
36 RECOLLECTIONS OF AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 Mississippi. Here another reorganization was necessary, 
 made so by the fearful depletion of our ranks. I was again 
 chosen Captain of the company which now took what was left 
 of about three companies to make one. Mr. Frank Hell of 
 Purdy, Tenn., the former adjutant of the regiment, first lieu- 
 tenant; Mr. W. B. Malone of McNairy county, second lieuten- 
 ant. I was never with the company again; this being the last 
 of December, 1864, and the surrender occuring in May 1865. 
 I was unable to walk even at the time of the surrender, (TIere 
 I want to say that two nobler, braver, officers never lived than 
 Frank Bell and W. B. Malone.) 
 
 Leaving Franklin just ahead of the retreating army in a 
 one-horse wagon with one mule to draw it. Mr. James Record, 
 a member of our company, who had been with me all the 
 while nursing me, drove the mule; I lay on my back with the 
 shoe off the well foot and it placed against the front end of 
 (he wagon to hold the wounded foot from jolting against the 
 wagon; the weather being very cold and only one blanket each, 
 we moved out, cold of course; my right foot was soon severely 
 frost-bitten; so much so. that the skin and toe-nails all came 
 off together. In crossing one of those rapid running streams 
 in Lawrence county, Tenn.. Ave had to keep a certain track for 
 on either side the water was very deep. Crossing one of these 
 streams, the water came up over me. Of course I had my head 
 up above the water; hut, on nearing the bank and the eurrent 
 being very strong, our wagon swerved downstream (a few feet 
 perhaps) where the water was very deep. Just before reaching 
 the hank, it seemed that the nude would give way entirely and 
 so stood holding with all his might; with all the encouragement 
 that could he given him. he finally male a supreme effort. got 
 to the hank and out of the water, very much to our delight; 
 for as to me I thought a watery grave was my doom. Contin- 
 uing our journey my clothes froze on me an 1 I was in quite a 
 had plight. Calling at a farm house late in the evening we 
 were taken in, warmed and fed. We continued our journey 
 the next day with about the same Luck as the previous day. ex- 
 cel)! the wetting. Just here I want to state that Lieutenant 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 37 
 
 I. J. Galbraith who had a large mule came to us and put it to the 
 wagon in place of ours, which was about worn out. He rode 
 my horse which was being led behind the wagon ; the kindness 
 of this gentleman we much appreciated ; it enabled us to go on 
 our journey; he also stayed with us until the end. On the 
 fourth day we arrived at Carrollsville, on the Tennessee river. 
 By this time I was very much worn out but had no chance for 
 a much needed rest and the treatment which I so much need- 
 ed. Behind us thundered the cannon and shouts of a victo- 
 rious army ; in our front yawned the turbid waters of the Ten- 
 nessee river upon whose bosom and sometimes, in distinct hear- 
 ing, floated a portion of the United States navy. To cross we 
 were compelled. Casting about we found a man with a dugout 
 just large enough for me to be laid in and for the oarsman to 
 sit on the other end. The frail craft sinking up to within about 
 four inches of the top. We moved on gently, though the river 
 was level with its banks ; the low coarse whistle of a federal 
 gunboat, being uncomfortably near; we crossed all right and 
 friends carried me up the bank and to Mr. Frank Hassell's 
 who lived near the river. At this point before crossing, we 
 had to abandon our wagon; the federals having destroyed 
 every kind of craft on the river to prevent people from cross- 
 ing, there was nothing left but to swim the stock to the west 
 bank. At Mr. Hassell's we were kindly treated that night. 
 Early the next morning we saw approaching the residence from 
 the direction of the river, a body of men some of whom were 
 wearing blue overcoats. A heavy fog hung over the land as a 
 pall of darkness, making it impossible to distinguish friends 
 from foes. The men who had been with me the evening before 
 and night, feeling themselves unable to cope with the (as we 
 thought) advancing foe, retired. I arose from the bed and 
 holding to a chair managed to get to the gallery in front of 
 the house, and laying my wounded foot on the railing and 
 clasping my left arm around a post, all this time clad in my 
 night-clothes, I was watching the approach of the body of men. 
 I thought that death or a prison awaited me and not knowing 
 which, but, if any difference, preferring the former, either of 
 
38 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 which was most appalling. I had noticed moving about the 
 house, during my stay there over night and that morning, a 
 rather beautiful young lady of medium height, delicate build, 
 dark brown eyes, long flowing tresses of silken black hair, but 
 had not once thought of the real deep, fiery southern blood that 
 coursed her delicate veins until she came suddenly up to 
 where I was holding to the post. She handed me my pistols 
 which had been left in the room and said to me, "Sir, those 
 are federals. Sell your life as dearly as possible. They will 
 burn this house and premises, but that is all right. Kill as 
 many of them as possible." Saying this she moved inside the 
 door to await results. Being determined never to go to a fed- 
 eral prison and being much encouraged by the words of the 
 young lady. I stood as erect as possible for one in my condition 
 and determined to fire on them with deadly aim, as soon as 
 they came to the fence, which was within about ten feet of 
 where I was standing. When they arrived at the fence to my 
 great surprise and gratification, they were Confederates, many 
 of whom I knew. We had a good handshake all around and 
 were happy. They remarked that from the color of my dress 
 they would have supposed I was for peace. 
 
 The name of this young lady I do not now remember, but 
 learned that she is in Paducah, Ky., engaged in the millinery 
 business, doing well and loved and respected. Cod grant her 
 a long and happy life and an eternity of bliss. 
 
 Collecting our little band, taking leave of this kind and hos- 
 pitable family, Mr. ITassell lending a buggy to assist in get- 
 ting me home, we started on our journey again, the distance 
 to Center Point, the home of my father, being about thirty 
 miles. Putting my wounded foot upon the seat of the buggy 
 by the side of the driver and laying my head and shoulders 
 in the foot of the buggy, a peculiar position for a buggy ride, 
 but it was the best and only way I could go. This position and 
 the condition in which my foot had gotten by this time. 
 made the travel very painful to me. I surely thought that I 
 would not survive the day; a rough and rocky road added to 
 my tortures. Arriving at my father's house about dark. I 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 39 
 
 was carried in, given some nourishment and placed on a feather 
 bed, a luxury I had not enjoyed for quite a while. The wound 
 being very painful, I slept but little, but the fact of being at 
 home, gave me much cheer. The wound grew worse all the 
 while, so much so, that fears were entertained of lockjaw. 
 I remained at father's one week only. When it was known 
 among the Unionists that I was at home wounded, that part 
 of the country being largely on the side of the federal au- 
 thorities, it was dangerous to be seen in many places. I was 
 doomed, so the enemy thought, to capture and possibly death. 
 Suspecting their intentions, a good Southern lady took a piece 
 of cloth, made with her own hands, and went out among the 
 loyal citizens, as they termed themselves ; the cloth was suitable 
 for men's wear and offered it for sale; stopping at every house 
 and chatting along with the Union ladies, she soon found the 
 plans they had laid for my capture or death; of course the 
 cloth was not sold nor was it intended to be ; it only furnished 
 an excuse for the calls, but I was fully notified of the fact that 
 I was to be dispatched. A brother who was at home had an 
 ox wagon backed up to the door of the room and I was duly 
 placed in it and driven, jolting along a distance of four miles, 
 to the home of an aunt of mine who cared for me, giving me 
 all the attention possible. This was Aunt Nancy A. Carroll, 
 whose small baby girl would bring such things to me as she 
 thought I would like to eat and also slip them to me. The 
 physician allowed me only a certain amount which we did not 
 think enough. Here I improved some. In about one week, 
 however, I was again informed that it would be dangerous for 
 me to remain longer. It seemed as if the loyal unionists thirst- 
 ed for my little remaining blood. So I again sought the ox 
 wagon and this time went to Mr. Jessie Rhodes', a good South- 
 ern man and very kind, whose wife was equally kind. Here 
 I was laid behind the door in a room where no one saw me ex- 
 cept they came into the room, which they seldom did. 
 
 I remained here until the 17th day of the following April. 
 On that day I crawled out into the yard and saw for the first 
 time in four months the beauties of nature. The leaves were 
 
40 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 green, as were every living thing; wheat, up pretty tall, lambs, 
 frisking about ; farmers, at work ; all nature wore a smile. I 
 remember that I had only seen through the crack of the door 
 so safely was I hidden. This effort of crawling out, though, 
 damaged me nd it was three weeks before I could be out 
 again. But during this last confinement, though I improved 
 rapidly and was able to read, which helped me to while away 
 the time, the wound recuperating all the time. Again getting 
 out I thought by laying my wounded foot on the horse's neck 
 I could ride to father's, a distance of about seven miles, which 
 I did getting along pretty well. 
 
 Arriving home my sisters put my horse away. Stepmother 
 and all the family came out and seated. We were engaged in 
 a good old-fashioned family circle conversation, for neither 
 they nor I expected, when I was taken away from there the 
 previous winter, that I would ever be home again. In the mi 1st 
 of this pleasant reunion what should I see but a company of 
 bluecoats. about forty in number, near the house and approach- 
 ing rapidly. Escape was impossible even if I had been well ; 
 a bald front was my only chance and that a very poor one. 
 I thought, when I learned that it was a troop of the famous (itk 
 Tenn. Cavalry, U. S. A., Col. Hurst's, noted for their chivalry 
 in killing prisoners, robbing houses, wardrobes, etc.. a terror 
 in fact to old men, helpless women and innocent children who 
 happened to be of a Southern turn of mind. I took up my 
 crutches, hopped out to the gate, put my crippled foot on 
 the fence, addressed them as gentlemen, invited them to alight 
 which they declined to do. Just here the stategy on my part 
 began. My belief has ever been that they intended to kill 
 me as their custom usually was on such occasions. Inquiring 
 my name and rank, and being told, they began to question me 
 upon a great many things, my wounds, my horse, and many 
 other things; 1 answered to the best advantage. Finally one 
 of them, a large stout man wearing a pair of green spectacles, 
 rode up near where I was standing with a pistol in hand. I 
 believed my time had come. Jus1 at this moment one of the 
 crowd spoke up and said: "That man is telling the truth," re- 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 41 
 
 ferring to me. After a consultation with each other they 
 turned to me and said they wanted my horse. To this I replied 
 I had no horse, having lost him when I was wounded; my horse 
 that moment was in the stable. They then proposed to take me 
 to prison. To this I, of course, consented, telling them as I 
 had nothing and could not ride they would have to haul me. 
 They then inquired the way to several different homes of 
 Southern families which I proceeded to give them, though in 
 a very circuitous route, telling them as I could not get away 
 I would be there on their return to which they assented and 
 rode away. One may imagine, but not realize, how supreme- 
 ly happy I was at this. My great fears were that they would 
 look about the barn and see that my statements were false 
 but they did not. I watched the receding column with 
 breathless anxiety, as it slowly passed out of sight. Then my 
 sister, in meek silence, led my horse, briddled and saddled, to 
 the door and assisted me to mount, my crutches on one arm 
 my wounded foot hanging straight down. Turning my horse 
 towards the gate he leaped the fence; I felt that I Avas again for 
 a time at least a free man. Going in the direction of a 
 friend's house for whom they had inquired and knowing that, 
 to get there first, I must go through the woods and ride rapid- 
 ly. I pushed on and succeeded in warning the people to put 
 their stock and themselves out of the way. This accomplished, 
 I started in the direction of home and on going by to warn 
 another Southern family of the raid that was upon them, I 
 rode into this same crowd plundering the house of a Southern 
 man : their horses tied along the yard fence : coming on to 
 them in the manner in which I did it was almost impossible 
 to go back. So I rode along by the fence, the men in the 
 house looking at me but for some cause they hesitated and 
 did not fire upon me. Trusting to my good horse, Texas, 
 dangerous as it was I passed them; my beautiful gray horse 
 whose action was good and of whose speed I had no doubt, 
 I gave the word to go and he went by in such speed that in a 
 moment of time I had passed and turned down the hill out of 
 their sight and out of range of their shots. I continue! my ride 
 
42 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 deep into the bottom. The wound in my foot by this time 
 bled quite freely and it was considerably swollen by swing- 
 ing down so Long. When I was fully safe. I dismounted and 
 remained two days before I was again able to move. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 A Reign of Terror. 
 
 Emerging from my seclusion I went back into the country 
 where I could at least feel safe from the enemies of our 
 country and get much needed rest. About this time came the 
 fall of Richmond and the surrender of Lee's army which 
 sounded the death knell of the Southern Cause. The Unionists 
 became very much emboldened by this and became more and 
 more aggressive towards their Southern neighbors and es- 
 pecially towards those who had been in the Southern army. 
 Many of those who had been enlisted in the federal army from 
 our part of the country began to return to their homes. Flushed 
 with victory by the accomplishment of that towards which they 
 had contributed very little, they banded together with a lot 
 of scoundrels who had not been in the federal army, save 
 for a spell, but who wore the blue for the purpose of murder, 
 arson and theft. 1 remember well one calm summer day in 
 1865 when they went to the home of Dr. J. J. McBride. rob- 
 bed the house of what they wanted and burned the premises 
 and buildings with contents. Moving on from this they came to 
 the house of Mr. Brigganee. an old and respected citizen, 
 whose only offense was that he had a son who had been in the 
 Confederate army and who was then at home and at work on 
 the farm. They marched this son to the house, tied him to a 
 tree in the yard and in the presence of his aged father and 
 mother shot him to death and burned the house and contents. 
 Moving on in this work they next came across Mr. George 
 SAvift. Him they murdered and left dead on the roadside for 
 a pious father and mother to take home and bury. Proceeding 
 on. the next victim was an old and inoffensive man. he. as the 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 43 
 
 others, had been a Confederate soldier; he too was shot down 
 in his own doorway. These are only a few of the many oc- 
 currences of this kind that happened during that reign of 
 terror. Looking back over these times my blood recoils at the 
 recital. Some of this same crew of outlaws came to Mr. J. 
 H. Galbraith 's ; his son, J. N. Galbraith, was at home on parole ; 
 his aged mother, young wife and little sister were present. 
 They began to shoot at him; the pleadings of a mother, wife 
 and sisters for the life of a dear one, pleading onl}^ as they 
 could plead, had no effect on them. He fled; they pursued and 
 shot at him. Being weak they soon overtook him. Being well 
 
 acquainted with him, they said, "Newt, d you, we have a 
 
 mind to kill you, but will let you pass this time, you look sa 
 d bad." This set of men had been, by him many times, ac- 
 commodated, as a merchant and in many ways. This reign 
 of terror continued on and on; about this time, the last of 
 May and first of June, the paroled soldiers of the Confederate 
 armies, that were left, began to arrive home. That remnant 
 of the proudest army that ever faced a foe, many of whom 
 had not seen home nor friends since 1861, without money, 
 without clothes save a much worn and faded Confederate 
 suit. They went to work with the same determination to make 
 a crop as they had to win the fight. But even at this peaceful 
 occupation with a parole in their pockets, many of them were 
 shot at their plows. Looking back over this reign of terror 
 one can but exclaim, "Great God! dost Thou control and direct 
 the destinies of men upon the earth?" On many occasions 
 the ex-Confederates, at work; their old gray jackets would be 
 taken off, and being on the fence or other convenient place 
 while at work, if there chanced to pass a squad of these fed- 
 erals, they would frequently stop and draw their pistols and 
 proceed to put the old jackets full of bullet holes. The ex- 
 Confederates, unarmed and not allowed to carry arms, they 
 would curse and abuse the ex-Confederates to their heart's 
 content. This thing becoming so unbearable that there arose 
 what was known as the Ku-Klux-Klan, a secret oath-bound 
 organization among the Southern people. They wore masks 
 
44 RECOLLECTIONS OF AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 and traveled in the night-time. The insignia was a skull and 
 cross-bones. Of this order I w;is ;i loyal member and woe unto 
 the insolenl negro or turbulent white man who incurred its 
 displeasure! This was made necessary in self defense and 
 had the effect of putting a quietus on the insolence of that crew 
 of thieves. By fall of the year my wound had so much im- 
 proved that I had began to wear a soft shoe. In company 
 with another rebel I repaired to another part of the country 
 and began to build and repair cotton gins. We found our work 
 in demand and prices remunerative; so we continued while 
 there was work of that kind to do. That winter I went home 
 and father and all of us went to work repairing his premises 
 and rebuilding his mill which had gone down during the war. 
 By the spring- of 1866, I was sufficiently recovered to wear a 
 shoe and began to clean up a piece of land which had not 
 been cultivated but once during the war and was overgrown 
 with bushes; many trunks of fallen trees still lay where they 
 had fallen. I began, I think, the first of February to cut and 
 burn logs, dig grubs and fix fence with no help but my own 
 hands, hoping that I might be able to make an honest living by 
 the sweat of my face and be unmolested by those unprincipled 
 scoundrels: but not so. by this time the whole of the federal 
 army, which had been enlisted in this country, had returned 
 to their homes; their pockets lined with greenback money, 
 good horses and good clothes. Many, in fact most of the ex- 
 Confederates, having been driven from their homes or killed, 
 it was thought too much for an ex-Confederate captain to live 
 in that country; much less to have the audacity to attempt to 
 till the earth and cultivate a crop. So I was again spotted 
 as one not worthy to cumber the earth. The plans were laid 
 that, on a certain Tuesday, I should pay the penalty by giving 
 up my life as many others had done not long before. 
 
 I was hard at work chopping on a big. hard, old log and on 
 looking up towards the road. I saw an old man. whom I recog- 
 nized, as. having been at the beginning of the war in 1861. a 
 rabid secessionist, but who had after the battle of Shiloh become 
 extremelv loyal to the other side, riding carelesslv alone eveincr 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 45 
 
 me all the while. This gave me an uneasiness. Getting my 
 horse and watching, I soon saw twenty-seven men in blue rush- 
 ing towards me from every direction, halting and shooting at 
 me all the while. It seemed for a little while that they had 
 me. but. being astride my splendid gray horse, Texas, I rode 
 out through them and made my escape without hurt or loss, 
 except my hat and a rather painful wound in one shoulder 
 caused by the horse running against a tree. There was no 
 legal process out for my arrest or anything of that kind. 
 They had been entertained at a citizen's house for a day or two, 
 dancing, drinking, etc., and to close the entertainment in good 
 style, go out and kill a rebel, which they failed to do this time 
 at least. Returning in a couple of days. I determined to make 
 a crop or die in the field ; so proceeded with my work, keep- 
 ing my faithful horse tied near me, a double barreled shotgun 
 conveniently near and a pistol always at hand. When it came 
 time to commence plowing, I plowed a mule, kept my horse 
 bridled and saddled near the center of the field. At night I 
 slept in the woods where I might be safe ; neighbor boys fre- 
 quently staying with me. On one occasion a man. whom I 
 had known well before the war by the name of John Gris- 
 well, came walking slowly into the field where I was at work. 
 Allowing him to come within about forty yards of where I 
 was, I put my hand on the gun and asked him if he wanted 
 anything. "Xo. nothing much." he said with a yawn. "You 
 seem to be pretty well armed," said he. "Yes, fairly well," 
 I answered. "I just thought I would come down and see how 
 you were getting on." "Thank you." said I. "won't yon 
 come nearer?" "Thank you," said he. "I'll be going. Good- 
 bye." I watched the receding figure with considerable mirth, 
 though it was all by myself, and thought of the wolf that went 
 out to get wool and came back shorn. He doubtless thought 
 that he would come down, find me unarmed and do and say 
 just what he pleased. Proceeding with my work I made about 
 fifty barrels of corn and nearly one bale of cotton. The reign 
 of terror still continuing, things had come to the point where 
 I could not longer remain in the country without either killinsr 
 
46 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 ;i lot ©f them or being killed. I had at intervals worked a 
 little in a country store and boarded with the proprietor, 
 whose eldest daughter, then at home, was to my mind as per- 
 fect a model of Southern womanhood as could possibly be 
 found and to say that I admired and loved her was putting it 
 mildly. But to mention such a thing to her, situated as I then 
 was, I could not afford to do. Through the advice of friends 
 and considering a treacherous and unrelenting foe which 1 
 had to deal with, it was thought best that I leave the country. 
 I accordingly bid the home-folks adieu and with a heavy heart 
 parted with them all, and especially when it came to bidding 
 farewell to her whom I loved and had not dared to tell so. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 My Trip to Kentucky and Teaching School in Tennessee. 
 
 I went on my way to Kentucky; arriving there, I found 
 many good, warm-hearted Southern people who gave me em- 
 ployment and treated me kindly. I went immediately to cut- 
 ting wood at one dollar per cord all that winter and spring, 
 driving a team part of the time. During the summer I went 
 to school, worked Saturdays and all vacations, finally selling 
 my horse and going to school more, obtaining a very limited 
 education — arithmetic, geography and English grammar. Re- 
 turning during the winter of 1868 to Henderson. Tenn.. where 
 I engaged as a clerk at a very small salary, more to learn the 
 business than for the money which I was getting for it. At 
 the expiration of my term of service for the firm. I was asked 
 to teach a school at Center Point, my old home and neighbor- 
 hood, which I gladly accepted. Matters had undergone a 
 great change during these years. The Republican party, that 
 party of corruption and oppression, had passed an act in 1861. 
 disfranchising all Southern sympathizers and ex-Confederates, 
 that is, not allowing them to vote nor hold office in the state, 
 but the leaders of this same party had fallen out among them- 
 selves ; one of them being governor and another one wishing to 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 47 
 
 be ; the one who was already governor, fearing the other one 
 would defeat him and having the power to issue certificates 
 of enfranchisement to whom he pleased, had his agents ap- 
 pointed and issued them broadcast ; the result being his elec- 
 tion by a large majority and the election of a democratic legis- 
 lature also the enfranchisement of all the people. Thus was 
 brought about the saying : ' ' When thieves fall out, honest men 
 get their dues." Seeing the Democrats again in power in the 
 state and this rabble having spent most of their war money, 
 a good many of them having been killed, first and last, they 
 were very much calmed down. Seeing their political rule at an 
 end, they were quite willing for peace and friendship to which 
 we assented. So I went on with my school two years, having 
 good success, about as many pupils as I could attend to, many 
 of them being young men and young women Avhose opportuni- 
 ties had been poor as had been my own. At the end of two 
 years I had advanced the classes as far as I had education to 
 do ; so I closed out the school-teaching business, sat by the 
 door and bid my pupils each farewell as they filed out and 
 away with a strange sadness in my heart, wondering what 
 would be the life of this one and that one. Let me say, though, 
 in closing this chapter, that all of the boys and girls who were 
 of my pupils, all of them save one, have made men and women 
 of honor and integrity. Among their number today are some 
 of the most successful farmers, merchants, doctors, etc., and 
 for each and all of them I entertain the highest admiration 
 and respect. Looking over my accounts I found that I had 
 made after paying my little expenses, one thousand dollars, 
 so I put forth my energies and collected it up. Not much 
 money, you will say and right too, but then I had made it 
 honestly and saved it and it was my own, hence my apprecia- 
 tion. 
 
48 RECOLLECTIONS OP AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 My Marriage and Business Career. 
 
 Turning my attention now, for something more permanent 
 and lasting in the way of a business pursuit, than school- 
 teaching, still having in mind the features of a brown-eyed, 
 dark-haired maiden, before referred to, in fact, the image of 
 her rosy cheeks, gentle voice and manners, had not faded from 
 my memory during all these years. Time had rather intensi- 
 fied than weakened my admiration for her. So from what I 
 had seen and heard on the subject, I concluded that I was 
 really in love with Miss Mary S. Galbraith. Being now in the 
 thirty-first year of my age and she in her twenty-first. I thought 
 we ought to get married. I proposed and she accepted accord- 
 ingly. On the fourteenth day of Dec. 1871. we were united 
 in marriage by Rev. Mr. Swift, a Methodist minister, and a 
 true Southern man. On the third day after our marriage, we 
 took a bridal tour, walked about four hundred yards to her 
 brothers. Mr. J. N. Galbraith 's, home, took dinner, had a good 
 time and returned, being pleased with the partnership already 
 formed; I concluded to try a further partnership with the 
 family in a business way; I conferred with Mr. Jno. H. Gal- 
 braith and his son J. N. Galbraith upon the subject, and after 
 some deliberating, they agreed to accept me as a business 
 partner. So with my one thousand dollars. I entered the 
 mercantile business. Our business did fairly well. At the 
 end of three years we thought best to dissolve the firm which 
 we did. I then went into business on my own account, at the 
 same place ; of course in a very small way. I entered my own 
 establishment which was a very small concern, being a log 
 house 18x24 feet. I succeeded fairly well, built up a good 
 trade, and for eleven years worked faithfully and hard: as 
 I now remember, losing only three or four days by sickness 
 during these years. My business prospered as well as it 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 49 
 
 could in a country place with only a small capital to operate 
 upon. I worked all the while ; if I thought it necessary 
 to ride at night to see after my affairs, I did so, rain or 
 shine ; I failed not ; how foolish ! as the sequel will show. 
 All this time my faithful wife was ever at my side, to aid, 
 to comfort and to encourage. Her health was not very 
 good. She was not strong, but looked well to the ways of her 
 household, ate not the bread of idleness, and took special care 
 of everything I made, rejoicing with me at our moderate suc- 
 cess. Not knowing how the wealthy fared nor how the very 
 poor lived, we were free from both extremes and as happy 
 as we could well be. I am reminded of the saying of the prophet : 
 "Make me neither rich nor poor, lest I be rich and forget 
 Thee, or poor and despise Thee.'' Our oldest son now being 
 about eleven years old and our only daughter about eight, 
 we thought it necessary to see about their education and hav- 
 ing no school at or near our home at Center Point, we de- 
 cided best for the children that we go to Henderson, the coun- 
 ty seat of our county, where we might educate our children. 
 Our youngest child, a boy, having died in infancy, left us only 
 the two children, Thos. B. and Vorena H. Carroll. According- 
 ly we purchased a lot and built a house, wife and children 
 moved to it, the children entering school. I continued my busi- 
 ness at Center Point, but during the second year of this mode 
 of living, my health began to give way. Suffering from the 
 effects of wounds which brought on a disease known among 
 the physicians as locomotor ataxia from which I will never 
 recover; having been most of the time since 1 was attacked, 
 a period of fourteen years, only able to do a very little work 
 and now for the past six months have not been out of my door- 
 yard but one time. 
 
 Our children did well in school. Thos. B. graduated in 
 West Tennessee Christian College, married when about twenty- 
 one years of age to Miss Suzelle Murchison. a beautiful and 
 accomplished lady. They have two sons, Raymond Trice and 
 John Murchison Carroll, of whom I am very proud. 
 
50 RECOLLECTIONS OF AX UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 The Only Daughter. 
 
 Our daughter, Vorena II., graduated at the West Tennes- 
 see Christian College. We then sent her to a female college at 
 Holly Springs, Miss., for two years, where she added to her 
 former acquirements. She was not a thorough scholar, but 
 liberally educated in languages — English, French and Ger- 
 man; a full course of mathematics, music and art; in all of 
 whicb she did well ; added to these were all the household ac- 
 quirements necessary. And above all of a noble character, 
 amiable disposition, a kind word for all, the humble as well 
 as the favored. Our extreme love for her was fully recipro- 
 cated. During her absence at school, We built a new house on 
 our lot and otherwise beautified our home. On her return 
 from school she said, "Papa, this is the prettiest place on 
 earth. I never want to leave here again." We were all so 
 happy at being together once again. We thought she was 
 with us to remain to cheer us along down the shady side of 
 life. But alas! She was not to be. After only a few months 
 she was stricken with that awful disease, peritonitis, from 
 which she lingered eight and a half months in great pain. All 
 that medical science could do was done. The best nursing in 
 our power and that of a host of friends was rendered, but all 
 to no avail. Death, the grim monster, that calls alike for the 
 good and the bad. the innocent and the guilty, came and 
 took her from us. At the awful stroke, the light seemed to 
 have gone out of our home and happiness departed from the 
 earth as far as we were concerned. A small marble enclosure, 
 a plat of green grass, a few flowers and evergreens, planted 
 there by loving hands, in the Henderson cemetery, mark the 
 spot where we laid to rest our loving and beloved daughter, 
 whose remains must await the call of the resurrection. Her 
 photo on the mantel, her works of art on the Avails, her little 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 51 
 
 room, her everything left, only reminded us more forcibly of 
 the departed one whom we shall never more see upon the earth. 
 Anything and everything of hers we see are only silent re- 
 minders of her industrious hands and amiable disposition. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 My Subsequent Business and Advice. 
 
 Let me now drop back a few years to the beginning of my 
 ill health and bad luck. Being prostrated as I before referred 
 to, I was taken to Henderson and in the spring following 
 hauled back to Center Point, spending the summer there and 
 selling half interest in my business to J. R. Washburn and 
 later selling him the other half. Returning to Henderson I 
 engaged in business with W. E. McLeod. Later we took 
 in another partner, Mr. W. G. Massengill; later we dissolved 
 this firm. Still later I engaged in business with Mr. W. C. 
 McCollum. Our businss did not prosper, losing heavily on 
 cotton, in fact almost everything. At this time, the general 
 government forcing a gold standard upon the country, ruined 
 us financially. I went out of the business, but not out of debt. 
 Shrinkage in values of everything at a ruinous rate ; cotton 
 going down from 11 cents per pound to l 1 /-* to 6 ; corn from 
 65 cents per bushel to 16 cents; real estate declining at least 
 300 per cent ; good lands in the vicinity of Henderson which 
 brought from 25 to 10 dollars per acre, twelve years before, 
 could not now be sold at all for more than six to ten dollars 
 per acre. Business men, the oldest, best traders of all kinds, 
 going into insolvency right along one after another ; creditors 
 becoming more and more exacting; syndicates and banking in- 
 stitutions becoming more and more cautious, exacting 12 per 
 cent, and 15 per cent, for the use of money ; a pound of money 
 or a pound of flesh seemed to be the order of the day and hold- 
 ers of real estate who like myself thought it the safest and best 
 collateral in the world, found themselves suddenly bankrupt. 
 The products of the soil going at such low prices, the people 
 
52 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 actually became too poor to consume. In this condition I find 
 not only myself but many others and when the end will come 
 or what will be the final result, I cannot foretell. If it does 
 not end in revolution I shall be agreeably surprised. Under 
 this system of government, the money-lender is in position to 
 demand of the producer, who has to have money, about as 
 much of the products of the soil as he wants for a dollar. In 
 many eases this is so. I claim that we are entitled to an equal 
 chance in the race of life ; no more, no less. That when the gov- 
 ernment steps in and says by law to the holder of real estate, 
 "I will reduce the volume of currency so that money will be- 
 come scarce and high and everything else;" or in other words 
 it shall take 2% pounds of cotton to bring as much money as 1 
 pound did three years ago, or four acres of land, or three 
 horses: this is simply highway robbery, no less so because 
 done under the forms of law. Government has put forth its 
 hands and taken from one of its citizens and given to another, 
 because that other had invested in bonds and gold while the 
 one had put his money into real estate, thereby reducing the 
 wealth of two-thirds to three-fourths and enhancing the wealth 
 of the other in like proportion. Such is the case in this country 
 today and the government which did it ought to be reformed 
 or abolished, laying its foundation on better principles. 
 Thomas .Jefferson said. "Equal and exact justice to all, spec- 
 ial privileges to none." which is the only true policy of gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 Now in this year of grace, by observation and experience I 
 am prepared to offer the following suggestions. I am per- 
 suaded that I am correct when I say, look well to your health, 
 guard it with a zealous care. That is your only capital. For- 
 tunately for you. maybe, you were not born rich, but what is 
 better, you were born of healthful parents, having sound 
 bodies and strong minds. Of which Ave hope you have in- 
 herited much. Having that grand prerequisite to begin with, 
 you have it within your poAver to rise to positions of trust 
 and eminence. 
 
 Merit being the card that always Avins in the end. therefore 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 53 
 
 prepare yourselves to fill any position to which you may be 
 called and, when called, discharge it fathfully and fully to the 
 very utmost detail, be that position high or low. Should you 
 become farmers, lawyers, or teachers, it matters not what your 
 calling may be, stand at the head of the list; try to be the 
 very best. Remember that success is obtained only by a thor- 
 ough knowledge of, and close application to, every detail of 
 a business. Be sure to ask of those who are proficient in any 
 business or study that you would like to learn. They could 
 perhaps give you in a few words what it would perhaps take 
 you weeks, unaided, to learn. 
 
 "Seize upon truth wherever found ; 
 
 Be it upon Christian or heathen ground." 
 
 In you intercourse with the world be ever so courteous to 
 all, especially to the aged. It is worth all it costs and more 
 too. "Bow thyself to the hoary head and honor the face of 
 the old man," saith the scriptures. 
 
 Don't ever think that the eyes of older persons are not look- 
 ing upon you and taking cognizance of your conduct. For 
 there certainly will be others besides father and mother who 
 will do this, and the estimate placed upon you by these out- 
 side persons will determine largely your standing in the com- 
 munity. Much depends upon this. 
 
 Be sure never to deceive any one. Speak the truth though 
 the heavens fall. Be ever careful to do only such acts as you 
 would be neither ashamed nor afraid for the world to know. 
 Then you will be all right. A conscience void of offense is 
 the great bulwark to manhood. In fact you can never be manly 
 men if your lives are flecked with deeds of evil. 
 
 Should you with friends at any time enter into any kind of 
 contest in school work or anything else, do your best in an 
 honorable way and, if successful, never arrogate to yourself 
 all the praise for the success, but concede to those who worked 
 with you full honor for their part. Modesty, that crowning 
 gem of the virtues, demands this of you. It will make personal 
 friends of the one vou thus act toward. Small civilities of 
 
54 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 this sort, especially towards the poor or those whose station 
 in life might he below yours, will he appreciated and make 
 them your friends. Whereas an abrupt speech or haughty 
 manner will make them enemies. You want the friendship 
 of all, where it is not necessary to sacrifice principle to ohtain 
 it. This never do under any circumstances. 
 
 Have few confidants outside of father and mother, hut 
 should you have, which most persons do, be a confidant indeed ; 
 keep locked within your own bosom anything thus communi- 
 cated to you if you thus agree. It is in many cases better, 
 though, to say, to one Avho seems to have a great secret he wishes 
 to communicate, that you prefer that he does not tell you. 
 It is such an easy matter to become a tattler if one is not par- 
 ticular. 
 
 You are certain to have troubles that you want sympathy 
 and help to solve. In such time go to father and mother 
 who are your best friends and into whose ears yon can con- 
 fidently pour all your hopes and fears and whose experience 
 in life and observation of men and things, will enable them 
 to point you in an honorable way out of your troubles. De- 
 pend upon them and take their advice. In them you have 
 friends without dissimulation, variableness, or shadow of turn- 
 ing. The world may buffet you, pass by, and scoff at your mis- 
 fortunes. Men, who in your days of prosperity were ever 
 ready to smile upon you. many times in your hours of dis- 
 tress will not know you. All men will not do this, but some 
 men will. Father and mother never will, consequently go to 
 them. Tell them the trouble, take their advice, their experi- 
 ence in life will enable them to point out to you the dangers 
 in this or find course; also to direct you what to run after and 
 what to refrain from; that which is dangerous to your life and 
 character, also that which will be ennobling to both. 
 
 To mother be very kind, respectful and obedient. She will 
 never forsake you. Prison bars might enclose you. which God 
 forbid, but even then mother will be there to own. to com- 
 fort, and to plead for her sons. If necessary to go to the 
 very death, she will so for you. Having such how kind, obe- 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 55 
 
 client and careful you should ever be toward her. If mother 
 is sick, wait upon her; nurse her; care for her. On rising in 
 the morning never fail to seek mother and say : ' ' Mother, are 
 you well today?" Never leave home even for one day without 
 telling father and mother good-bye ; and on returning never 
 fail to greet them kindly. They will appreciate this in you 
 more than you suspect. They entertain for your welfare a 
 deep solicitude ; the depth and intensity of which you have 
 but little idea. Be ever kind to all people, especially those in 
 distress ; despise no one 's condition in life, for think to-day how 
 sad or poor may be yours tomorrow. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 "Be Ye Temperate in All Things." — Bible. 
 
 This as well as all the teachings of Scripture, when proper- 
 ly considered and correctly understood, leads its followers 
 in paths of peace and beside still waters and maketh them to 
 lie down in green pastures. 
 
 Be Temperate In Eating. 
 
 He that gormandizes makes himself sick, enlarges his stom- 
 ach, taxes his digestive organs above their capacity; a sluggish 
 feeling follows. Dyspepsia and other kindred diseases follow 
 and last but not least a slow, dull, incomprehensive intellect. 
 Avoid this. 
 
 Be Temperate In Work. 
 
 Never undertake to do in one hour that which would re- 
 quire two hours; for if you do you will not do the work as it 
 should be done. You will exhaust your strength in a flurry 
 and perhaps require a whole day to recuperate. Don't do 
 this. Eemember that to complete a certain amount of work 
 ordinary mortals require time and pains, and that the same 
 time is required for you. Make it a rule of your life to do well 
 that which you undertake. It always pays in the end. Besides 
 
56 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 if you establish a reputation of doing well that which you un- 
 dertake, you will seldom, if ever, be out of something to do. 
 Whereas on the other hand, if you turn off shoddy work, it 
 matters not what line, your services will not be wanted. 
 
 Be Temperate In Expression. 
 
 I have so often heard extravagant expressions that I won- 
 dered that someone didn't take them to task about it. I 
 have heard such expression from right sensible persons too : 
 "As high as a tree," "as black as a negro,'" etc., when the 
 objects spoken of did not resemble trees nor negroes; neither 
 did the persons speaking intend to be so understood. How 
 much better to express ourselves in moderation ! Be exact 
 as possible; never exaggerate in your description. Then ex- 
 planations are unnecessary. 
 
 Be sure to govern your passions in a proper manner. Why. 
 I have heard persons say, "I got so mad at so-and-so, or such- 
 and-such persons" — as if to fly into a passion was a virtue that 
 all might be proud of. Such a one has my sympathy; a ter- 
 rible malady has possessed him instead of a virtue. Why. a 
 man in extreme anger, a drunk man and a crazy man are for 
 the time being much alike. They are unfitted for business, 
 unfitted for social circles, a torture to themselves, unpleasant 
 to their friends, in fact repulsive to all. Therefore how im- 
 portant it is maintain an equal frame of mind, thereby being 
 at all times ready for the transaction of business, the reception 
 of friends and for the practice of morality and virtue. 
 
 Above all avoid the intemperate use of ardent spirits. In 
 fact use it not at all. Intoxicating drinks are harmful to all, 
 and, when once a person has become habituated to the use of 
 this stimulant, it is frequently impossible for him to resist the 
 temptation. Many a good boy and bright young fellow can 
 note the beginning of his downward career to his first drink. 
 Never take the first one and you will never need the second 
 Never begin drinking the vile stuff and you will never have 
 to quit. Let it severely alone. If you drink it to excess, which 
 you may do, if you drink at all. it will corrupt your morals 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 57 
 
 however good, cause you to Avaste your time and money; it 
 will cause you to be shunned by the good and virtuous ; it will 
 make your wife a slave and your children beggars ; it will ruin 
 the happiness of your home, dethrone your reason and make 
 you hate yourself ; it will leave your boys and girls uneducated 
 and paupers; it causes suicides, beggars, murderers, and, if 
 there is anything else imaginable more horrible, it is that also. 
 Never go near such damnable places as where whiskey is sold. 
 How easy it is for persons in both youth and age to become 
 entangled in the meshes of intemperance ! Go not near it. Co 
 nowhere or into no place where you would be ashamed for 
 your mother or sister to go, or where you would be ashamed to 
 be found dead. Never play cards nor gamble in any way. It 
 leads to ruin; and remember, when you have staked your first 
 money on any game or taken the first drink, you have taken 
 the first step in a downward course — boys, never take it. 
 
 In your business relations with men be careful that you 
 fully understand the propositions and that the person with 
 whom you are trading understands every detail as well as your- 
 self. This will prevent misunderstandings and lawsuits, make 
 lasting friends, and keep you out of much trouble. Make 
 promises slowly and after much deliberation and then not 
 without you see some reasonable chance of fulfillment. But 
 when you have promised, bend all your energies to make your 
 word good. Never go to law about trifles ; it is better to 
 sustain a small loss than to enter into lawsuits. The win- 
 ner in such cases is loser in the end. Avoid every appearance 
 of wrong-doing and all appearance of evil or that which might 
 lead to misunderstandings. 
 
 Should you enter into mercantile pursuits, be careful to take 
 care of yourself. Go not in debt. Buy only what you can pay 
 for at the time or on very short notice. Sell for the money 
 and, should you owe anything, pay it out of the first money. 
 Remember that should you get behind — owe matured bills that 
 you cannot meet, no one will come to your relief, except that 
 he is to get more from you that he gives. You will have in this, 
 as in all other things in life, to stand alone, unaided, and the 
 
58 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 sooner you realize this fact the better for you. Therefore begin 
 in that way. 
 
 Beware of debt; shun it as you would the deadly upas-tree, 
 Anyone out of debt is in pretty fair condition. Earn your 
 money with your hands. When you have done this, you will 
 the more appreciate it and be the better prepared to make 
 paying' investments. Knowing the amount of labor that is 
 necessary to earn a dollar, you will know exactly what a dollar 
 is worth and, therefore, look the closer to your interests and 
 let matters which do not concern you, especially, pass by ; for 
 should you espouse the cause of everyone who has a grievance, 
 your time will be so closely occupied with other people's busi- 
 ness that your own affairs will suffer thereby. 
 
 Always have, as soon as it is possible for you to earn it. a 
 small amount of cash on hand, that you may be able to take 
 advantage of any good trade that is offered. Such trades 
 come to those who have ready money. Any person, man or boy. 
 with one dollar in his pocket, though his clothes be patched 
 and his hat seedy, is in better conditon and much to be pre- 
 ferred to the conditon of the one who has no money and who 
 is "diked" up in good clothes and owes for them. The first 
 one is a free man; the second, a slave. 
 
 In selecting your associates prefer those whose moral and 
 intellectual acquirements are high; and to be congenial and 
 companionable to such associates, it will be incumbent upon 
 you to prepare yourself to entertain them in conversation upon 
 such topics as are interesting to them. This will require at 
 your hands attention to your reading, study of history, biogra- 
 phy, travels, etc.. not neglecting the current literature of the 
 day. No one enjoys the society of another whom they know to 
 be their inferior in point of culture. Therefore, should you 
 aspire to associate with well-informed persons, you must also 
 be informed, and then cultivate the art of being a good listener 
 as well as a good conversationalist. Should there be one in 
 your midst who is backward or timid, manage by gentle means 
 to draw him into the conversation; he will perhaps give you 
 a lot of information. Modesty, being one of the cardinal vir- 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 59 
 
 tues, should be respected. Should one of your company be 
 speaking, listen attentively until he has finished ; then give your 
 views, if at all, in a plain, simple, unostentatious manner. Let 
 the company see that you are not vain nor puffed up. Should 
 you enter into discussion with anyone upon any question either 
 for information or because you consider his position an er- 
 roneous one, do so in a calm and dignified manner. And in 
 stating the position of an opponent, state it correctly and fairly, 
 but discuss its features with all you ability and with all the 
 proof of history, or testimony that you can command and ex- 
 pect the same of him. In your debating societies it is better 
 to trust your memory as to statements of an opponent than to 
 write notes. The former will so much improve your memory 
 as to enable you after a time to repeat almost a whole speech, 
 whereas, writing tends to weaken the memory. Therefore, 
 cultivate your memory in every way possible. Commit to 
 memory songs, poetry, speeches of able men, whole chapters 
 of Scripture for you will find it will pay you. AVith this fund 
 of information on hand, you can call it to your aid at will; 
 yon will surely need it. The historian, Gibbon, it is said, could 
 commit to memory a whole page of the London Times by 
 breakfast. This came largely by cultivation. Do likewise. In 
 your selection of books read none but those of standard authors. 
 Dime novels and other trashy reading tend to weaken the un- 
 derstanding. Have nothing to with them. If your associates 
 are those Who have nothing to talk about higher than neighbor- 
 hood gossip or scandal, if we hear that alone, we will soon be 
 of the same mental calibre and look, listen, and enquire for 
 more of the same abominable stuff. 
 
 Just so with our reading ; we must cultivate a desire for 
 the best, right at the start before our minds become vitiated 
 by the absorption of evil. Always, in conversation, speak of 
 things more than of persons. If you can speak well of anyone, 
 do so in moderation ; if you cannot thus speak, it is best to 
 remain silent. If it should be necessary for you to speak in 
 condemnation of the acts of any one, be kind enough to say 
 perhaps the man may be pretty fair but his act was bad. Judge 
 
60 KECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 not harshly of anyone for you perhaps are not fully aware of 
 all his surroundings. Environments have much to do with the 
 deeds of all of us; therefore let us be mild in our condemna- 
 tion until we know all the facts. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Incidents in the Life of Jack Briggance. 
 
 Mr. Briggance was a true Southern man and, when after 
 the battle of Shiloh the whole of West Tennessee was overrun 
 by the federals and when the loyal unionists of our own coun- 
 try were extremely troublesome, it became unsafe for Jack to 
 remain at home. So resorting to cover of the woods and night 
 to save his life, he became somewhat noted as a guerrilla. Many 
 were the federals that he captured, unaided and alone, and car- 
 ried across to Middle Tennessee or other places where he could 
 deliver them to the Confederate authorities. When he had de- 
 livered one, he lost no time but would immediately return un- 
 der cover of darkness and bring forth another lot. On one 
 such tour, traveling until late in the night before he came 
 to the federal camp, the weather being very warm and raining 
 all night, Jack was very tired and sleepy ; so much so that on 
 his return with his prisoner he became so fatigued that he 
 called at the house of a friend for a short rest. Telling the 
 Yankee to lie down and rest, which the fellow seemed very 
 anxious to do ; after a few minutes Jack dropped asleep. The 
 Yankee immediately took the gun. tapped Jack on the shoul- 
 der and told him, "We will now return to camp. "Jack dread- 
 ed this very much, but there was no chance but to accept. 
 After marching back a couple of hours, the Yankee became 
 very tired and proposed to stop in out of the rain and wait until 
 daylight. Briggance of course assented. This time Jack went 
 to sleep and the Yank was guard. Pretty soon, the Yank went 
 to sleep and Briggance took the gun. woke him and told him 
 they would now return towards the land of Dixie. This time 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 61 
 
 he landed him on the east side of the Tennessee river where 
 the Confederate forces took charge of him. 
 
 The Writer's Experience. 
 
 Away back in 1866 when it was decided unsafe for me to 
 remain longer in my native country, I decided to go to Ken- 
 tucky. On my way. passing through Dyersburg, Tenn., I con- 
 cluded to exchange my cavalry saddle with a saddler for one 
 of a more peaceful and citizen-like look. While at this, a lot 
 of ex-federal soldiers surrounded my horse and began to say. 
 "I know that horse," which I knew was not so. But. as their 
 custom was. I thought the}" intended to take him from me by 
 force if necessary. I went on putting on my new saddle, ad- 
 justing the length of the stirrup, etc., until I was ready to 
 mount; pulling a navy six which I had attached to a belt and 
 hid under an overcoat well to the front, I announced boldly 
 that, "This is my horse, gentlemen," mounted and rode away, 
 but not without many misgivings as to what might befall me 
 before night. Occasionally looking back to see if I was being 
 pursued, I pushed on finally coming to the Obion river and 
 near Hale's Point on the Mississippi river. Dark came on me. 
 Finding the Obion river three miles wide from the backwater 
 and no means of crossing that night. I sought a place to re- 
 main over night. I wanted a private place too. so, if pursued. 
 I might not be found. Turning my horse into a bridle path 
 leading along near the water's edge. I soon came to what had 
 once been a substantial residence : darkness now had fully 
 closed upon everything. Calling at the fence, a man answered 
 and upon inquiring if I could pass the night with him, said I 
 could but would have to occupy the same bed with him. to 
 which I assented. Alighting, he ordered a darkey to take my 
 horse and put him away. There was quite a number of negroes 
 about there and when my horse was being led away. I never 
 expected to see him again, but of that I spoke not to my host. 
 We entered the cabin. Pretty soon a negro woman brought in 
 a supper of bacon and cornbread. Soon the table was put back. 
 The room being only about sixteen feet square, containing one 
 
62 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 bed, a table, one large box, was quite full. Soon the negroes 
 whom I soon found occupied all the other buildings on the 
 place, began to file into the cabin. Mr. Selph (for such was 
 his name) reached for an old fiddle and began playing a kind of 
 mixture between "Mollie Put the Kettle On" and "Run. Ne- 
 groes, Run." These negroes dancing with all their might and 
 eyeing the stranger with peculiar inquisitveness. Jim would 
 jump as high as the table while Bill and Joe cut the pigeon 
 wing. Sal was good on the back-step ; other ladies of the crew 
 did equally well. All of which I feigned to admire and es- 
 pecially the music. Thus, the party went on, enjoyed as they 
 supposed very much by me in whose honor I suppose it was 
 given. I swayed with the music and heaped encouragement 
 on Jim, my object being to keep it going all night if possible. 
 I thought by so doing they probably would not steal my horse. 
 About ten o'clock at night a couple of men came to the fence 
 and calling Mr. Selph to them held a hurried conversation. Re- 
 turning he invited me and insisted that I should accompany 
 them about a mile where they said a very entertaining time 
 might be had. To this I demurred and insisted that our own 
 party proceed. The men disappearing the dance proceeded. 
 AVhile Selph was out, I took a survey of things and saw a 
 carbine and brace of pistols hanging on the wall beside a 
 federal uniform, which was anything but reassuring to me. 
 I soon saw he was tired of his fiddling and without assistance 
 in music the pleasure would cease. So I seized the instrument, 
 gave it a few jerks and proceeded to accommodate the crowd 
 with "Big Nigger Rare Around," which must be heard to 
 be appreciated. This enlivened Jim and the other dancers to 
 such a pitch, that I really thought the entertainment would 
 last all night, Mr. Selph himself finally taking a hand in the 
 dance. However about two o'clock a.m., Sunday, as it now was. 
 we decided, not on account of it being Sunday but <>n account 
 of being worn out, to quit for the night. The negroes repaired 
 to their cabins and mine host and I began to discuss matters 
 a little. Observing my coat was of Confederate gray, I told 
 him franklv I had been a Confederate soldier. Tie told me 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 63 
 
 he had once been also, but had gone to the federals and had 
 deserted them also. So we retired, he going to bed first and 
 behind and I, on the front side. He put his pistol under his 
 head ; I drew mine and laid it on a box at my head. He went 
 to sleep but I did not. I imagined a great many things; maT.y 
 of which might have been true if I had just but known. Of 
 one thing I was certain, I was in the presence of and in the 
 house of one of the worst wrecks of humanity I had ever 
 met. There among those negroes he lived an outcast I felt 
 certain. No other white person on the premises and a lot of 
 ferocious looking negro bucks to do his bidding. I felt I would 
 be in luck to get away, but felt somewhat reassured from my 
 performance on the violin. Daylight soon came, though, and 
 to my delight and surprise I found my horse all right ; I had 
 a meat-and-bread breakfast ; I was a splendid fellow with mine 
 host as well as with the negroes. I engaged the negroes to 
 ferry me across the backwater three miles, which they did; 
 paid my bills ; bid Mr. Selph a goodbye, promising to return 
 and spend another night with him on first passing, which I have 
 never done yet and guess never will. 
 
 War Incidents of Mr. (afterwards Lieutenant) M. L. Cherry 
 of My Company. 
 
 About the winter of 1862 after the battle of Shiloh, the 
 federals having taken possession of West Tennessee and es- 
 pecially the river counties and many of those who had been 
 rabid secessionists only a short time before ; and many others 
 who thought more of greenback money, a suit of blue clothes 
 and a horse, which they never paid for, than they did of their 
 country, entered the Federal army, not for the good of the 
 service ; not that they ever expected to fight the Confederate 
 forces ; but for the sole purpose of terrorizing their Southern 
 neighbors. Such a one was Jack Jones, who upon seeing Mr. 
 Cherry go into the house of a miller to whose mill he had 
 gone to get meal for his family, rode up to the dooryard fence 
 and thus accosted Mr. Cherrv: "Come out here, Mr. Cherrv> 
 
(34 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 J>y (iod I am northern cavalry. I have come to take you off, 
 
 you G d rebel." Cherry said, "Jack, I don't see how 
 
 I can go today j my wife and children need some meal." "Get 
 over the fence, I tell you," said Jones as he reared up in his 
 stirrups. "All right," said Cherry, "if I must. 1 will." So 
 proceeding to the fence, and stepping over he seized a hoe 
 and dealt Jones such a blow across the side of the head as 
 brought him to the ground and then proceeded to give him 
 such a beating as only a large stout man thoroughly aroused, 
 could do. The old miller all the while begging for Jones' 
 life, and knowing full well that, if Jones was killed there at 
 his door, perhaps his own life would be the forfeit. He 
 finally persuaded Cherry to leave Jones alive, when the fol- 
 lowing dialogue ensued: 
 
 Cherry — '"Jack Jones, if I spare your life this time, will you 
 ever insult me again?" 
 
 Jones — "No, I will not, Mr. Cherry." 
 
 Cherry — ".Jack, if you ever meet another man that looks 
 like I do. will you meddle with him?" 
 
 •Jones — "I will not. Mr. Cherry." 
 
 Cherry — "If I conclude not to cut your head off with this 
 hoe and throw it away, will you ever be seen in this country 
 again. Jack." 
 
 Jones — "No sir, Mr. Cherry, I will not." 
 
 Cherry then permitted the miller to assist Jones on his 
 horse and he moved off, his new federal uniform stained in 
 his own blood, and his head and face much battered and so far 
 as I know he kept his word and Avas never seen in that part 
 of the country again. 
 
 How a Bride of Twenty-four Hours Out-talked a Rebel 
 Colonel and Liberated Her Husband. 
 
 During the winter of 1862-3 there was a great effort made 
 on the part of the Confederates to gather in absentees and. 
 to further this end, recruiting stations were established at 
 every place where we could hold a position bordering on 
 territory held by the enemy. Accordingly a station of this sort 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 65 
 
 was established at Linden, Tenn. A Mr. Appleby, who was a 
 member of the 27th Tenn. Reg., had left the command without 
 permission and gone out on the west side of the Tennessee 
 river. Hearing of his whereabouts and that he was to be mar- 
 ried on the east side of the river on a certain night, the com- 
 mandant of the post. Col. Frierson. sent a squad of soldiers to 
 the place to arrest Mr. Appleby. Arriving on the premises 
 about 9 p.m., we found the marriage ceremony had been per- 
 formed. The entertainment — music and dancing — was going 
 on in high glee. Arresting the newly-married gentleman, we 
 started immediately to Linden with him ; arriving there we 
 delivered him to the Colonel who of course ordered him to the 
 guard-house for safe keeping. On the following evening the 
 bride appeared before the Colonel commanding the post; look- 
 ing quite bright and pretty she said, "Colonel, you have my 
 husband under guard. I am here to ask his release. I suppose you 
 have a wife at home." "Yes, madam," replied the Colonel, 
 "Well, would you not consider it an act of cruelty to your wife 
 to say nothing of yourself, were someone to lock you up in pris- 
 on in sight of your home and in sight of her whom you loved, 
 and deny you the pleasure of each other's company ?" The Col- 
 onel hesitated, stammered, and coughed a little; his military 
 dignity subsiding much, and replied. "My dear madam, it 
 would seem a little bad. but then military law — ■" "Hold on, 
 colonel," replied the lady, "you have the law in your hands 
 in this case. I ask as a matter of justice that you release to me 
 my husband." "Well, madam," replied he. "If your husband 
 will agree to report every morning at nine o'clock while we 
 are here. I will give an order for his release." "All right," 
 responded the lady, "have him brought in." This was 
 done, the husband, happy; the lady, in smiles; the military dig- 
 nity at this time all gone out of the colonel. Upon leaving them 
 the Colonel said to the lady, "Now, if your husband should not 
 report promptly, I shall have to take you in his place." "All 
 right, Colonel, if my husband is not here at the proper time, I 
 will be here in his place." So saying the couple departed. On 
 the morrow at 9 a.m. the lady entered the office of the Colonel. 
 
66 RECOLLECTIONS OF AN UNEVENTFUL LIFE 
 
 looking her prettiest and said: "Well, Colonel, I told you if 
 my husband did not report at the office this morning that I 
 would; so here I am. Husband and I decided that he could do 
 better over in West Tennessee or Kentucky than he could in 
 the Confederate army. Colonel, what will you have me do?" 
 The Colonel who, at this recital, had assumed all his military 
 dignity appeared as though he wanted to fight something or 
 somebody, but seeing how completely he had been out-generaled, 
 said with a smile, "Madam, you will have to go." "Thank you, 
 Colonel," replied the lady. As she passed out the door say- 
 ing to the colonel, "Should you ever pass our way, come and 
 see us. I am sure Mr. Appleby would appreciate entertaining 
 you." And with a triumphant wave of her hand, she departed. 
 
 END.