was one of the most
contemptible individuals I ever knew. He was a perfect sot, and had
just two states of body, as a Confederate captain afterwards explained
to us--these were, dead drunk, and gentlemanly drunk. He oscillated
constantly between these two. He was a coward as well, and though only
a brigadier-general, managed to stay as far away from the field when
the fight was going on, as one of our own most conspicuous
major-generals did. He had been promoted to his present position for
his _gallantry_ in hanging some defenceless East Tennessee citizens,
which he did without a trial.

All these facts I learned afterward, except one, which was apparent
when I entered the room. He was "gentlemanly drunk." He commenced
questioning me, and I told him partly the truth, and partly not--going
on the principle that truth is a pearl, and pearls are not to be
thrown before swine. I told him that I was a United States soldier,
giving him my company and regiment; but saying that I was detailed
without my consent, that I was ignorant of where I was going, and what
I was to perform, which I only learned as fast as I was to execute it.
He wanted to know our intention in thus seizing the engine, but I
plead ignorance. He next inquired who was our engineer, but I refused
to tell. He then said:

"Sir, I want you to tell me just how many men you had on that train,
and to describe them so I may know when I get them."

I answered, "General, I have freely told you whatever concerns only
myself, because I thought it better that you should know that I am a
soldier under the protection of the United States, but I have not yet
become base enough to describe my comrades!"

"O!" sneered he, "I don't know that I ought to have asked you that."

"I think not, sir," I replied.

"Well," said he, "I know all about it. Your leader's name is Andrews.
What kind of a man is he?"

I was perfectly astonished that he should have Andrews' name, and know
him to be our leader; but I never imagined what I afterward found to
be the true cause--that Andrews had been captured, and had given his
name, with the fact that he was the leader of the expedition. I had
every confidence that _he_ would get away, and try some measures for
our relief; so I answered boldly:

"I can tell you only one thing about him, and that is, he is a man
whom you will never catch."

I _thought_ I noticed a peculiar smile on the General's face as I said
this, but he only replie