out noon. Just beyond Lafayette, Georgia, I was observed by some one on the watch for strangers. A party of pursuit numbering twenty o

efore, making a virtue of necessity, I turned round and demanded what they wanted, though I knew only too well. They said courteously enough that they wanted to talk with me awhile. Soon they came up, and a brisk little man who had the epaulets of a lieutenant, but whom they called "Major," began to ask questions. He was very bland, and apologized profusely for interrupting me, but said

very poorly armed. I told him where I had lodged in Chattanooga, and many things about the troops there, using all the knowledge I had acquired of that character while riding on the cars to Marietta the preceding Friday. I had also heard many words of praise spoken of the First Georgia Regiment, and now told the major that I wished to join that noble organization. This flattered his State pride, but he asked me one question more,-why I

ctory to the little man, and, turni

s fellow go on, for he

gain something more before passing on the way. But my joy was premature. A dark-complexio

him back to town, and if it's all righ

aid that would be invaluable towards my final escape. Nothing could really suit me much better than actually to be forwarded to Corinth and enlisted in the First Georgia

an could not bound his own county. I asked how many of them could bound the county we then were in. This question had a double purpose,-to gain time and information. They mentioned several and fell into a dispute, to settle which a map had to be produced. I got a look at it also,-a mere glance, for it was soon out of reach of my eager gaze; but I had seen much. Then they requested a narrative of my journey all the way from Kentucky. This I gave very easily and in great detail as long as it was on ground not accessible to my inquisitors. I told the truth as far as that would not be compromising, and then pieced out with inventions. The time I had spent on the train and in the woods were hardest to arrange for. I had to invent families with whom I had lodged; tell the number of children and servants at each place, with all kinds of particulars. I knew not how many of my auditors might be familiar with the country I w

the great railroad expedition,-the only identification I feared. The very fact that I was so far away from the point where the train was abandoned was in my favor. Temporary confinement, enlistment in the army, anything they were likely to do was without terr

one else-that several of the bridge-burners had been taken near the place where they abandoned the train. When first apprehended they claimed to be citizens of Kentucky, from Fl

ame fictitious story and the subsequent revelation of their true character on the part of some of the number who were captured close to the abandoned train, unmasked the others as well. After the first captures,

ainty in my own case. I was at once conduc

fastened a door to the right, which led into a large room with barred windows, and having a cage, made of crossing iron bars, in the centre. He unlocked the small but heavy iron door of the cage and bade me enter. For the first t

bout disposing of an unknown stranger. I had heard the message from Ringgold, and at once comprehended its bearing against me. Nothing save a confession of m

unbearable. But one moment only did these thoughts sweep over me; the next they were rejected by a strong effort of the will as worse than useless, and were followed by a sense of unutterable relief, for I could now rest. I had found a refuge even in prison, and needed no longer to keep every failing faculty at the utmost tension. The sweetness of rest for the moment overcame every other feeling save hunger, and that,

nkets, of which he had a plentiful supply, and, wrapping myself up in them, soon sank into a deep sleep-profound and dreamless-such as o

orse off than if you are guilty, for they will hang you on suspicion, while, if you are a soldier,

ng left in loneliness. The people of the village and surrounding country came in throngs to see a man who was supposed to belong to the daring band of engine thieves,-one of the most common names by which our party was recognized during our i

to save those who were in such deadly peril. I remembered, with increasing hope, that the Federals, at this very time, held a number of rebel prisoners in Missouri, who had been captured while disguised in Federal uniform inside of our lines, engaged in an attempt very similar to our own,-the burning of some railroad bridges. Why might not these be held as hostages to assure our safety, or even exchanged for us? To entitle me to any help from o

r that I had an important communication for the authorities, and he reported the matter

d, all the principal men of the town. When their preliminaries were over, they asked the nature of the communication

nded to deceive." ("So we suspected," said one of the

the information, and the roomful of peopl

go on," said

ision and regiment of the United States army to which I

t to know, sir. G

ent whatever until taken before the regul

knew my ground. I told them that though an enemy I was a soldier, possessed of important military information, and, if they were loyal to their cause, it was their duty to take me at once before, some regular military authority. The leading men admitted the justice of this view, and when they found that I would reveal nothing there, th

s or responsible authority in Lafayette. If I had perished there no one, in any contingency, could have been called to account for it. Where a department commander was

t a dozen men entered my room, and guarded me out to the public square. There a carriage was w

tioned me in loud and imperious tones, demanding why I came down there to fight them, and adding every possible word of insult. I he

dly faces them. I had proved this with savage dogs several times for mere sport, but this was a more serious matter. I was not much in the humor of talking, but it was better to be led by policy than by inclination. Selecting, therefore, some of the nearest persons, I spoke to them. They answered with curses, but in the very act of cursing they grew milder and more willing to converse. I answered their innuendoes cheerfully, jesting, whenever opportunity offered, about the manner

n the same manner, the chain being extended to its full length while I was in a sitting position, thus rendering it impossible for me to rise. My hands were tied together, my elbows were pinioned to my sides by ropes, and, to crown all, I was firmly bound to the carriage-seat, while

aint dawnings of spring that lay in tender green on the surrounding hills. What would I not have given for such a day forty-eight hours ear

I reproached them-was a compliment, showing that they had formed a high opinion of my daring character! Their conversation was pleasant and courteous enough, except that when t

him when you get him to Chattanooga?"

from encouraging; yet I considered it my duty to keep up my spirits and hold despair at arm's length while any possible ground for hope remained. The afternoon wore slowl

ow did when it stood, an awful spectre, beside the gallows! And even sadder it was to think of friends who would count the weary months, waiting and longing for my return, till hope became t

I could recognize His voice and fully repose on His love. I was not then a member of church nor a professor of religion. I believed the doctrines of Christianity, and purposed some day to give them practical attention. It had been easy to postpone this purpose, and, latterly, the confusion and bustle of camp-life had almost driven the subject out of my mind. But now God appeared very near, and, even amid foes and dangers, I seemed to have hold of some hand, firm but kind, beyond the reach of vision. What influence was most powerful in turning my thoughts upward I cannot tell,-whether it was the familiar outlines of the grand constellations, the

them the sanction of an oath with equal recklessness. Some sophistry-felt rather than reasoned out-about the lawfulness of deceiving or injuring public enemies or rebels in any possible way-a conviction that they had forfeited everything, even their right to be told truth-must have controlled me

arters of General Leadbetter, then district commander, was in one of the principal hotels of the town, an

rded,-wanting to know why I came down there to burn their property and murder them and their children as well as free their negroes. To these multitudinous questions and assertions I made no answer. I was much amused (afterward!) by their criticisms of my appearance. One would say that "it was a pity so young and clever-looking a man should be caught in such a scrap

, altogether, a commanding and intellectual expression. He was treated with marked deference by the throng, and as they parted and a

ion confirmed m

ld are

, "Twenty-

a curl of unutterable scorn, and, gaz

der us, did you? Now let me give you a little advice: if you ever get home again, (but you never will!) do try, for God's sake, and have a little better sense and stay there." Then he

ieve. His habits were so intemperate that a Confederate captain afterwards informed me that he always lived in one of two states,-either dead drunk or gentlemanly drunk. His record was, even this early in the war, of a very ill character,

correctly; but told him I was sent on this expedition without my previous consent, and was ignorant of where I was going or what I was to do, which I only learned as fast as it was to be executed. He next inquired who was our engineer, but I refused to tell. I afterwards found that they were exceedingly anxious to discover the name of the person who ran our train, imagining him to be some official connected with the Georgia State Railr

pies report that he has not more than ten thou

not wish to confirm it. So I took anot

and leaves out of account that part of his

rned, "is there

y from the West and Northwest, sixty or seventy thousand men wou

you soldiers think is going to

ptured, then Atlanta, and afterwards Mitchel may probably strike f

is forehead for a mo

f they have men enough. But I had no

that he had! bu

ly in front, and fixing his ey

you to tell me just how many men you had on that train, and to de

y myself, because I thought you ought to know that I am a soldier under the protectio

n't know that I ought t

ot, sir,"

rticular. I know all about it. Your leader'

cause,-that Andrews had been captured, with documents in his possession which implicated him so completely that he acknowledged his name and t

g about him, and that is, he

ed a peculiar smile on the gener

captain who stood by, continued: "Take

efore the door, heavily ironed, stood Andrews, waiting for an audience, and with him Marion Ross and John Wolla