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Page 2
PREFACE.
A WORD TO THE READER.
I give to you, in the following pages, a simple narrative of facts.
I have no motive to misrepresent or conceal. I have an honest desire
to describe faithfully and truly what I saw and heard during
thirteen months of enforced service in the Rebel army.
If I should seem to you to speak too favorably of individuals or
occurrences in the South, I beg you to consider that I give
impressions obtained when in the South. If my book has any value it
lies in this very fact, that it gives you an interior view of this
stupendous rebellion, which can not be obtained by one standing in
the North and looking at it only with Northern eyes.
I have confidence in truth; and unwelcome truth, is none the less
truth, and none the less valuable. Sure am I, that if the North had
known the whole truth as to the _power, the unanimity, and the
deadly purpose_ of the leaders in the rebellion, the government
would have been far better prepared for promptly meeting the crisis.
Look then candidly at facts, and give them their true weight.
As I am under no obligation, from duty or honor, to conceal what I
was compelled to see and hear in the South, I tell it frankly;
hoping it may be of value to my bleeding country, I tell it plainly.
I have no cause to love the Confederate usurpation, as will fully
appear, yet I refrain from abusive and denunciatory epithets,
because both my taste and judgment enjoin it.
For the accuracy of names, dates, and places, I rely wholly upon
memory. I kept memoranda during my whole service, but was compelled
to leave every thing when I attempted escape, as such papers then
found in my possession would have secured my certain death; but in
all material things I can promise the accuracy which a retentive
memory secures.
If an apology is needed for the constant recurrence of the personal
pronoun in these pages, let it be said that the recital of personal
incidents, without circumlocution, necessarily compels it.
With this brief word, I invite you to enter with me upon the
Southern service; you can stop when you please, or go with me to the
end, and give a huzza as you see me escape and reach the loyal
lines.
WILLIAM G. STEVENSON.
NEW YORK CITY, Sept. 15th, 1862.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
HOW I VOLUNTEERED.
Object in going to Arkansas. -- Change of Purpose. -- Young
Acquaintances. -- Questioned on Slavery. -- Letter to my Parents.
-- Unfortunate Clause. -- A Midnight Call. -- Warlike
Preparations. -- Good Advice. -- Honor among Lynchers. -- Arrival
at Court of Judge Lynch. -- Character of Jury. -- Trial
commenced. -- Indictment and Argument. -- Excitement increases.
-- Butler Cavins and his Lariat. -- The Crisis. -- The Acquittal.
-- No Safety from it. -- First Impulse and subsequent Reflection.
-- Attempted Escape. -- Night Ride. -- Helena. -- An Uneasy Boat
Ride. -- Memphis. -- "A Blue Jacket." -- Committee of Public
Safety. -- A Surprise. -- Dismissal followed by Unwelcome Letter
and Policeman. -- Recruiting Station. -- Volunteering 15
CHAPTER II.
INFANTRY SERVICE.
Character of our Regiment. -- No Escape. -- A Fixed Resolve. --
Randolph. -- Camp Life. -- Sabbath. -- Father Daly. -- Washing.
-- Fort Wright. -- Grand Defect. -- Rations. -- Stolen Waters. --
Mutiny. -- Sentence. -- Fort Pillow. -- Slaves. -- Aiding the
Rebellion. -- Deep Earnestness of the People. -- Strength of the
Fort. -- "Pillow's Trot Line." -- No Pay, and the Result. --
General Pillow described. -- Columbus, Ky. -- Hard Work. --
Pillow in the Ditch. -- The Batteries. -- Torpedoes. -- Battle of
Belmont. -- False Report. -- Troops cross. -- Untimely Joking. --
The Tide of Battle. -- A Charge. -- Cruelty. -- Victory. -- Why?
-- Loss. -- Burial of the Dead. -- How Not to Kill -- Accident.
-- The Military Bishop 40
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