hell" Baptist preacher, and requested me, if I could, by
any possibility, "bring him in," to do so. The sermon was given, and,
afterward, the "DEBATE BETWEEN SLABSIDES AND GARROTTE," together with
other pieces. At the conclusion of the "trial," the court unanimously
resolved that I should not only be honorably acquitted of all charges,
but that I was henceforth to be allowed the freedom of the Army of the
Cumberland. "And," said the General, "in explanation of my dispatch to
you, refusing you permission to come here, some one told me you were
giving a mock-religious sermon which so disgusted the religious
sensibilities of the E. T. C. that they mobbed you; and I thought if
you could do any thing to shock their feelings, you must be a devil
with '_four horns_;' but, with such a face as you make, no wonder they
were deceived."

OLD STONNICKER DRUMMED OUT OF CAMP.

The illustration of this scene will be recognized by thousands of our
soldier-boys who were occupiers of Virginia soil, upon the banks of
the Elkwater, for some months during the summer and fall of 1861. Old
Stonnicker's was a name familiar as a household word, and many were
the pranks played upon the poor old man. Ignorant, beyond description,
he yet had twice been a "justice" of the peace, and, as he said, "sot
on the bench."

The scene illustrated is where Stonnicker was arrested by a "special
order" from the 6th Ohio, and tried by an impromptu court-martial, for
selling liquor to soldiers. The mock-trial took place amid the most
grotesque queries and absurd improvised telegraph dispatches--the
hand-writing of the telegraphic dispatches being sworn to as that of
the individuals from whom they were just received, the oath being, "As
they solemnly _hoped for the success of the Southern Confederacy_."
The poor wretch had actually been detected in selling, contrary to
express orders, liquor to soldiers. He employed counsel, but,
notwithstanding all they could do, he was sentenced, by Major
Christopher, to die. He received his sentence with moanings and
anguish; he was too frightened to notice the smiles or laughter of the
crowd. He got on his knees and begged for mercy, and, after an hour of
suspense, the Court relented, and commuted the sentence to being
drummed out of camp. It is at this juncture the artist has seized the
occasion to illustrate the scene.

Stonnicker is a by-word to all the boys of Elkwater notoriety to this
day, and was, at one time, "_