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provisions； which not only gave us a good supper； but supplied us for the
next day with all that we wanted。 They then guided us on our way for
several miles； and left us； after having refused compensation for what
they had done。
We continued to travel in this way for nine long weary nights； and on the
morning of the tenth day； as we were going into the woods to hide as
usual； a little before daylight； we came to a small pond at which there
was a negro boy watering two mules before hitching them to a cane mill；
it then being cane grinding time in Georgia。 He saw us at the same time
we did him； and being frightened put whip to the animals and ran off。
We tried every way to stop him； but it was no use。 He had the start of
us。 We were very fearful of the consequences of this mishap； but had no
remedy； and being very tired； could do nothing else but go into the
woods； go to sleep and trust to luck。
The next thing I remembered was being punched in the ribs by my comrade
nearest to me； and aroused with the remark； 〃We are gone up。〃 On opening
my eyes； I saw four men； in citizens' dress； each of whom had a shot gun
ready for use。 We were ordered to get up。 The first question asked us
was：
〃Who are you。〃
This was spoken in so mild a tone as to lead me to believe that we might
possibly be in the hands of gentlemen； if not indeed in those of friends。
It was some time before any one answered。 The boys； by their looks and
the expression of their countenances； seemed to appeal to me for a reply
to get them out of their present dilemma； if possible。 Before I had time
to collect my thoughts； we were startled by these words； coming from the
same man that had asked the original question：
〃You had better not hesitate； for we have an idea who you are； and should
it prove that we are correct； it will be the worse for you。〃
〃'Who do you think we are？' I inquired。
〃'Horse thieves and moss…backs；' was the reply。
I jumped at the conclusion instantly that in order to save our lives； we
had better at once own the truth。 In a very few words I told them who we
were； where we were from； how long we had been on the road； etc。 At this
they withdrew a short distance from us for consultation； leaving us for
the time in terrible suspense as to what our fate might be。 Soon； how
ever； they returned and informed us that they would be compelled to take
us to the County Jail； to await further orders from the Military
Commander of the District。 While they were talking together； I took a
hasty inventory of what valuables we had on hand。 I found in the crowd
four silver watches； about three hundred dollars in Confederate money；
and possibly； about one hundred dollars in greenbacks。 Before their
return； I told the boys to be sure not to refuse any request I should
make。 Said I：
〃'Gentlemen； we have here four silver watches and several hundred dollars
in Confederate money and greenbacks； all of which we now offer you； if
you will but allow us to proceed on our journey； we taking our own
chances in the future。〃
This proposition； to my great surprise； was refused。 I thought then that
possibly I had been a little indiscreet in exposing our valuables； but in
this I was mistaken； for we had； indeed； fallen into the hands of
gentlemen； whose zeal for the Lost Cause was greater than that for
obtaining worldly wealth； and who not only refused the bribe； but took us
to a well…furnished and well…supplied farm house close by； gave us an
excellent breakfast； allowing us to sit at the table in a beautiful
dining…room； with a lady at the head； filled our haversacks with good；
wholesome food； and allowed us to keep our property； with an admonition
to be careful how we showed it again。 We were then put into a wagon and
taken to Hamilton； a small town； the county seat of Hamilton County；
Georgia； and placed in jail； where we remained for two days and nights
fearing； always； that the jail would be burned over our heads； as we
heard frequent threats of that nature； by the mob on the streets。
But the same kind Providence that had heretofore watched over us； seemed
not to have deserted us in this trouble。
One of the days we were confined at this place was Sunday； and some kind…
hearted lady or ladies （I only wish I knew their names； as well as those
of the gentlemen who had us first in charge； so that I could chronicle
them with honor here） taking compassion upon our forlorn condition； sent
us a splendid dinner on a very large china platter。 Whether it was done
intentionally or not； we never learned； but it was a fact； however； that
there was not a knife； fork or spoon upon the dish； and no table to set
it upon。 It was placed on the floor； around which we soon gathered； and；
with grateful hearts； we 〃got away〃 with it all； in an incredibly short
space of time； while many men and boys looked on； enjoying our ludicrous
attitudes and manners。
From here we were taken to Columbus； Ga。； and again placed in jail； and
in the charge of Confederate soldiers。 We could easily see that we were
gradually getting into hot water again； and that； ere many days； we would
have to resume our old habits in prison。 Our only hope now was that we
would not be returned to Andersonville； knowing well that if we got back
into the clutches of Wirz our chances for life would be slim indeed。
From Columbus we were sent by rail to Macon； where we were placed in a
prison somewhat similar to Andersonville； but of nothing like its
pretensions to security。 I soon learned that it was only used as a kind
of reception place for the prisoners who were captured in small squads；
and when they numbered two or three hundred； they would be shipped to
Andersonville； or some other place of greater dimensions and strength。
What became of the other boys who were with me； after we got to Macon；
I do not know； for I lost sight of them there。 The very next day after
our arrival； there were shipped to Andersonville from this prison between
two and three hundred men。 I was called on to go with the crowd； but
having had a sufficient experience of the hospitality of that hotel；
I concluded to play 〃old soldier；〃 so I became too sick to travel。
In this way I escaped being sent off four different times。
Meanwhile； quite a large number of commissioned officers had been sent up
from Charleston to be exchanged at Rough and Ready。 With them were about
forty more than the cartel called for； and they were left at Macon for
ten days or two weeks。 Among these officers were several of my
acquaintance； one being Lieut。 Huntly of our regiment （I am not quite
sure that I am right in the name of this officer； but I think I am）；
through whose influence I was allowed to go outside with them on parole。
It was while enjoying this parole that I got more familiarly acquainted
with Captain Hurtell； or Hurtrell； who was in command of the prison at
Macon； and to his honor； I here assert； that he was the only gentleman
and the only officer that had the least humane feeling in his breast；
who ever had charge of me while a prisoner of war after we were taken out
of the hands of our original captors at Jonesville； Va。