mentum crucis to the professed patriotism is not far distant. If you wish to hold us of some of the people there. As a speci- (meaning his brigade) prisoners very long, men of the amusing scenes witnessed in you had better send us further South, for the provost-marshal's office, the following before the month is out Memphis will be will illustrate the 'situation: A surly in our possession, and then the Mississippi

planter presented himself, desiring to transfer himself or his goods to the North.

"Certainly, sir;" responded the marshal," you will be obliged to take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government."

After some hesitation, and considerable inward squirming, the applicant gruffly rèmarked

valley will be lost to you and the backbone of the rebellion broken."

6

Object of the War on the Rebel Side. On the Louisville and Nashville railroad, when the cars were conveying the gallant Union soldiers and the rebel prisoners, a Union officer coming along said to a Confederate chap, "Will you answer "Well, I'll take it." me one question? What are you fighting The oath was propounded. As it was for?" "What are yous?" was the immeread out, the applicant's face assumed an diate reply of Alabammy,' and some expression of mingled surprise and indig- others. "That is not answering my quesnation, almost sublime in its intensity. tion. I asked you first," said the officer. "Why, sir, I can not take that oath. At this there were mutterings of 'liberty compels me to discountenance and discour- bills,' ' abolitionists,'' unconstitutional,' and age secession forever." some such expressions. "We are fighting "Yes, sir." for the rich man's niggers," finally spoke "And then it binds me to maintain the up an intelligent-looking Corporal, in a National authority over that of my own clear-ringing and decided voice. There State. No, sir, I can not take that oath." were some constitutional' mutterings

It

"Very well, sir, there is no compulsion

in the matter. But until you do, I shall be obliged to refuse you permission to leave town, or to ship or receive goods by the river."

Object of the War on the Union Side. When the train from Corinth arrived at the Memphis and Charleston railroad depot, having on board General Prentiss and a portion of his brigade captured at the battle of Shiloh, a large crowd assembled to see the Yankees ; but no disrespect was shown them. On the contrary, bread, cakes, pies, tobacco and cigars were given them without stint. Said a rebel Colonel to General Prentiss :

"What are the Federals fighting for?" "For the restoration of the Union as it was," replied the General.

"You don't think reconstruction is possible, do you?" continued the Colonel.

"Yes," said the General, "and the event

6

covers the whole ground." In reply to American Consul at Matamoras. The the remark that "there would be a large Mexicans, having previously learned of number in the South who had never been his intention to do so, decided to give him in the habit of working before the war, a public reception. A deputation was diswho would be found to have learned to patched to invite him to the Public Hall. do so since," Reb. said: "Oh, yes, one The military were paraded, a salute was good thing about this war is that it will fired, and all the enthusiasm of a gala day teach many of the rich, lazy fellows how was manifested. Speeches were made by to work and take care of themselves, Srs. Argues, Cartina, and others, expresswhich they never knew how to do before." ing their sympathy with the Federal cause Had R. M. T. Hunter's famous pronuncia- in the United States, and their belief that mento to the people of Virginia been ac- the result would be favorable to the cause companied with those last two lines, it represented by General Banks. General would have been an antidote to his pol- Banks replied, hoping that Mexico would ished falsifications that would have saved come out of her present troubles triumthe "old mother State" from plunging phant, and, after a great many mutual exinto a four years' war that soaked every pressions of friendship and sympathy, the acre of her soil with blood-yea, would party adjourned to the office of the Amerihave deprived the Confederacy of its first, can Consul. The citizens of Matamoras strongest and most vital foothold. were highly pleased with the quiet, unassuming manner of the American General.

Investigation by General Butler into General One poor fellow, however, seemed greatly

Phelps's Insanity.

disappointed. He was an old Mexican soldier, had fought at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. He evidently expected to see something more than human.

"Ah, Senor," said he, "the Americans are not what they were at Palo Alto. I remember them well there; their horses were larger than elephants, and the head

Unexpected Rebuff.

While in command at Fortress Monroe, some officers told General Butler that they had been conversing with General Phelps, and that he (Gen. P.) was manifestly crazy. General Butler, with his characteristic promptness, went over at once and conversed with General Phelps, and found him as usual quite sensible. A few days of a mounted American reached the after that, some Vermont gentlemen ar- heavens!" rived, to urge the appointment of General Phelps to some expedition. General Butler said, with great solemnity, “But, gentlemen, have you not heard the sad reports of the insanity of General Phelps?" The Vermont friends of Gen. P. were very indignant, and were denouncing the charge as malicious, when General Butler interrupted them by saying, "Stop, gentlemen, I have looked thoroughly into the matter of General Phelps's insanity, and find that it is only that he has become an Abolitionist two months before you and I."

American Soldiers Then and Now.

After the capture of Brownsville, Texas, General Banks paid an official visit to the

Emerson Etheridge, formerly clerk of the House of Representatives, at Washington, was introduced to Brutus J. Clay of Kentucky, and immediately began to denounce the government. Mr. Clay, after hearing his tempest a few moments, replied:

"Well, Mr. Etheridge, this is pretty rough. Before the war, when I was a Democrat, I used to hear of you down in Tennessee as an Abolitionist. You must have lately changed your views."

This was somewhat wilting to the retir ing clerk, who supposed that he had got a man after his own heart. He plucked up

courage, however, and went into another | paign in the Shenandoah, the gallant Shertirade. Mr. Clay, thereupon, with calm- idan abundantly retrieved by his brilliant ness mingled with manifest indignation, and successful tactics-his name and fame rising to his full height, interruptedencrowned with ineffaceable splendor.

"Well, sir, this is our first meeting. Your language, sir, seems to me atrocious, and all I have to say to you is, that when men talk thus down in Kentucky, we regard them as secessionists, and treat them accordingly."

Coming Events Cast their Shadows Before.

When Marcus Morton was Governor of Massachusetts for the first time, he one day addressed his Council in the executive apartment at the State House upon his intended appointments, and among other

Mutability of Public Reputation. The sudden changes in the popularity matters he alluded to a petition from a of our political and military chieftains young man who desired to fill the situation have been most remarkable, so much so of messenger to the Governor and Council. as to lead to the inquiry, "What is lasting The applicant had then just commenced distinction?" There are, for instance, not his public career, having spoken at politmany people in Boston who will fail to ical meetings with excellent effect. The recollect the part they bore in the sponta- Governor remarked with reference to the neous triumph which overwhelmed Gen- matter: "I have considered his case and eral Banks on his return to Massachusetts I shall not appoint him, for he is too smart during the war. On the very day in ques- a man and too good a mechanic to fill the tion, that favorite of the people was con- position." "What did you say was his gratulated by a friend on the hold which name?" asked a councillor, who had not he had on the public favor. "Yes, mad- listened very attentively: "His name," am," said he, with his grave and expres- replied the Governor, "is Nathaniel P. sive smile," and the first mistake I make, Banks." That General Banks was one

Sheridan.

of the truest-hearted, though not always

the most successful, of patriots, in the hour of his country's wo, no one will deny

Length of the War according to Floridan
Chronology.

The sublime ignorance in which the poor non-slaveholding whites of the South are steeped is pretty fairly exemplified in the following:

In the month of February, 1864, when the United States troops penetrated to Jacksonville, Florida, some Confederate soldiers were captured. A motley crew they were, whose picturesque variety of raggedness bore here and there some inthey will forget it all,"-a prediction that dications of aim at military style, but more than one General's experience most nothing of what could be called "uniform." amply verified during the struggle, not Two men claimed exemption from capexcepting the General who thus so philo- ture as being civilians. One of the two sophically expressed himself. But, what owned to having been impressed into the Banks, through unavoidable obstacles, Confederate army, but alleged that he had failed to execute, of his well planned cam- got his discharge and was then a civilian.

"How long were you a soldier?" asked act of brutality to a high official, which in Captain Randolph.

"Three years," replied the prisoner. "The Confederate army has been three years in the field-eh?" asked the Cap

tain.

"No," answered the 'cracker," "but I was in the State of Florida service part of the time."

later days found its counterpart in Brooks's assault on Senator Sumner.

The inauguration of the monument was marred by a brutal and cowardly assault on the President of the United States. In the early part of May, 1833, the steamer Cygnet was bearing Andrew Jackson, on his way from the Capital to lay its corner stone. The Cabinet and many guests were on board, and the beauty of the day, and the music of peace charmed the company. While he sat over his newspaper smoking in the cabin, a dismissed Lieutenant of the Navy suddenly attacked the President, striking the General in the face with his gloved hand, but was instantly seized by the bystanders. In the melée the table behind which the President sat was broken down. The old hero only remarked: "No villain has ever escaped me before, and he would not had it not been for the table." It seemed as if the sacred errand of the President was about to be defeated, but

"How long were you a soldier for Flor- the boat sailed on and he accomplished his ida?"

"Two years," said the ex-conscript. "And how long has the war been going forward?" asks the Captain again. "Well, I suppose going on fifteen years," replied the prisoner.

duty, as was his wont, forgetful of himself.

Mrs. Polk Defining her Political Position.

Much has been said of the secession proclivities of Mrs. Polk, the widow of the late President. A writer in one of the

"Are you sure of that?" his captor in- western journals gives an account of an

quired.

"Now, I hain't kept no strict tally," the Floridan veteran answers, "but this I do know, sarten; we've ben hangin' the darncd Ab'lishnists a darned sight longer time nor that; well, 'bout's long's I kin remember!"

interview which he had with that distinguished lady, while he was on a visit to Nashville, during high disunion times. He remarked to her:

"Mrs. Polk, I have heard you accused, since I have been in Nashville, of being a bitter secessionist: how is this?"

She quickly and warmly responded in substance as follows:

Interesting Scrap of History. While on the hights of Fredericksburg, the attention of our men was often attracted by the shaft of an imposing monument in full view, and many took occasion to visit and examine it. Though its commemorative object belonged, as is well known, to the past, there is a strange reminiscence connected with its history,-an be acquiesced in by every true patriot. I

"Mr. G, that is a wrongful accusation. I never was a secessionist, and I don't think I ever will be one. I always said there was no excuse for the course taken by my misguided Southern friends. I said that Mr. Lincoln was constitutionally elected, and that that election should

go, Sir, for my Government-my whole | Armstrong, of Norfolk, Virginia, the same Government."

"In other words, Mrs. Polk, you go for that United States of which your late honored husband was once the President."

clergyman upon whom sentence of impris onment at Fort Hatteras was pronounced, for his rebel sentiments. An aide of General Butler conducted the first examination, but the General himself afterwards made a careful personal investigation,

closely.

General Butler-I perceive that in your former examination you declined answering the question: "Do you call yourself a loyal man in letter and spirit to day?"

Mr. Armstrong-I do not decline to answer now; if I were to put my own interpretation upon it, I should say I am; but I don't know, Sir.

"Yes, Sir," she responded, with marked emphasis, "I do. I know my name has been placed before the public-once at cross-questioning Mr. Armstrong very least-in a connection that may have engendered in some minds doubts of my loyalty; but was so placed against my wishes and remonstrances. But inasmuch as it was done for a humane and charitable purpose, I said nothing publicly about it. I do not deny," she added, "that my womanly sympathies are with the South, and that I often catch myself exulting over the success of the Confederate arms, but this is General-Well, Sir, perhaps I can only when my reason is taken prisoner and teach you. Now, Sir, what is the name my judgment temporarily suspended at of that gentleman who had taken the oath, the bidding of my sympathies, prejudices and while coming out of the Custom and affections. I was born in the South. House with you, made the remark that he From infancy to old age-for my days "would like to spit upon the Northern now, you know, are in the sere and yel- Yankees?" low leaf,'-my surroundings have all been Southern. My relatives, my friends, and more than all, my late loved and honored husband, were all of that 'sunny clime.' Is it, then, reasonable to suppose that, 'in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,' with the frosts of many winters upon my head, I can throw off, as I would a garment, all the affections, all the endearing associations, all the prejudices (if you please) of a long life? No! No! this cannot be. And yet, dear Sir, notwithstand ing all this, I long, and pray, and yearn for a restoration of my distracted country to its former peaceful and happy condition; for a restoration of the Union as it was."" The words italicized in the above afford lips and the words hardly dry in his mouth, a pretty direct clue to the alleged disloyal he said he "wanted to spit in the face of proclivities of the venerable lady. the Northern Yankees!"

Mr. A.-Mr. Charles Reid. I declined to answer on my former examination, because I had not his consent to tell, Sir; but since that, I have seen him, and he has given me his consent to mention his name.

General-Where is Mr. Reid?
Mr. A.-He is in Norfolk.

General (to an aid)-Telegraph to Colonel Weldon, provost-marshal, Norfolk, to arrest Mr. Charles Reid and send him here. He lives on Main street.

General-He stated that as he came out from taking the oath? Mr. A. Yes, Sir.

General-With the oath fresh on his

Mr. A.-Well, General, he took it with

Armstrong, the Rebel Dominie, before Gen- the same view as I did.

eral Butler.

One of the most interesting cases that came before General Butler to decide, in respect to loyalty, was that of Rev. Geo. D.

General-I agree to that, Sir.
Mr. A.-I meant to say-

General-Stop, Sir, I don't like to be insulted. You said, Sir, that that infernal