ath; but, as I said, I never knew who did it
until after the war. I could easily understand the reason for their not
telling the name. Mary Anderson, being his sister, was never told the
facts; nor my wife nor any of us at the time, the boys fearing that
it might cause an unpleasant feeling even to know the fact that a near
relative of one of our family could be such a barbarian.

"I was kept quite close at home for some months with our family, being
their only protection within call. During this time no man ever suffered
more in spirit. I can see it all before me now: my poor wife's agony,
the sorrowing of David's widow, Mary Anderson's trouble, the two poor
little children--their questions about their Uncle Stephen, who killed
him, and why? These questions I could not answer."

At this point Dr. Adams inquired if Gen. Rosenfelt ever expressed
any regret at not listening to the information imparted to him on the
morning of the battle.

"No, sir; I did not so understand."

"Uncle Daniel, did you know anything of Mrs. Houghton after this?"

"Yes; she continued to do good service for our cause, as you will learn
hereafter."

Uncle Daniel here called in Mrs. Wilson. She was a bright and beautiful
woman. He took her in his arms and said to us:

"This dear child and one boy, the son of another of my boys, are all of
whom I can now boast."

His speech at this point was so pathetic and saddening, that the whole
party were unconsciously moved to tears. His voice trembled, and he
slowly walked out of the room, overwhelmed by the sad memories he had
awakened.

CHAPTER XI.

THE COURT-MARTIAL.--AT MURPHY'S HILL.--THE TWO OPPOSING
ARMIES AND THEIR MOVEMENTS.--JAMES WHITCOMB'S TRIAL.--
SENTENCED TO DEATH AND PARDONED BY THE PRESIDENT.

"But mercy is above this sceptered sway,
It is enthroned in the heart of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's,
When mercy seasons Justice."
--Shakespeare.

"Gen. Biggs having taken up his position in the angle of the headwaters
of Goose River and Cane's Fork, near Tullahoming, in the midst of a rich
valley, Rosenfelt at once commenced repairing the railroads and throwing
up earthworks near Murphy's Hill, which almost encircled the entire
place. There he remained during the winter and following spring. The two
armies were principally engaged in watching each other, neither being
willin