Part 3 (1/2)
”Are you a Union man?”
”I voted the Union ticket, sir.”
”That is not a fair answer. I voted the Union ticket myself, and am now warring against the Union.”
”I have seen no good reason for changing my sentiments.”
”You confess, then, that you are a Union man?”
”I do; I regard the union of these States as of paramount importance to the welfare of the people inhabiting them.”
”You must go to head-quarters, where you will be dealt with as we are accustomed to deal with all the abettors of an Abolition government.”
A heavy guard was then detached to take charge of me, and the company set off for Fulton, the county seat of Ittawamba county, Mississippi, distant thirty miles. After going about ten miles, we halted, and two men were detached to go forward with the prisoners, a Mr. Benjamin Clarke and myself. Our guards were Dr. Crossland, of Burnsville, Tishomingo county, Mississippi, and Ferdinand Woodruff. They were under the influence of liquor, and talked incessantly, cursing and insulting us, on every occasion, by abusive language. They detailed to each other a history of their licentious amours. We halted for dinner at one o'clock, and being out of money, they asked me to pay their bill, which I did, they promising to refund the amount when they reached Fulton. This they forgot to do.
On our arrival at Fulton, we were taken into the office of the commander of the post, Colonel Bradfute. My fellow-prisoner was examined first.
Woodruff stated that they had played off on Mr. Clarke--calling on him, as he was plowing in the field, stating that they were Federal soldiers.
They asked Clarke what were his political views. He replied that he always had been a Union man--had voted the Union ticket, and would do it again, if another election were held; that he hated the secession principles, and would enlist in the Federal army as soon as he got his crop in such a condition that his family could attend to it. On hearing this statement, Bradfute became very angry, swearing that Clarke ought to be taken out and shot then, but that a few days' respite would make but little difference.
Said he, addressing the guards, had you hung Clarke, you would have saved us some trouble, and have done your country good service. The Colonel, turning round, glared upon me with eyes inflamed with pa.s.sion and liquor, and thus addressed me:
”Are you a Union man too?”
”I am, sir. I have never denied it.”
”Where do you reside?”
”I consider Rienzi my home, but have been staying for some time at my father-in-law's, in the south-eastern part of Tishomingo county.”
”What is your father-in-law's name?”
”Mr. Alexander Paden.”
”I know the old gentleman and his three sons. They are all in the Confederate service. They are brave men, and have done some hard fighting in our cause. How happens it that you look at matters in a different light from your relatives?”
”I am not guided in my opinions by the views of my friends.”
”What is your profession?”
”I am a minister of the gospel.”
”I suppose, then, that you go to the Bible for your politics, and that you are a sort of higher-law man.”
”My Bible teaches, 'Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, for there is no power but of G.o.d; the powers that be, are ordained of G.o.d.
Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of G.o.d; and they that resist shall receive to themselves d.a.m.nation.' I have seen no reason for resistance to the government under which we have, as a nation, so long prospered.”
”I command you to hush, sir; you shan't preach treason to me, and if you get your deserts you will be hung immediately. Have you ever been within the Federal lines?”
”I have, sir.”