"Yes, that's just what's the matter. Between the milk-and-water policy of the government, and the speculators who have been allowed to do pretty much as they please, it has been hard work carrying on the war at all. We western men have done nearly all the hardest fighting, and we've got the least credit for it. So far as I am concerned, if I had known that it was the niggers we were going to fight for, I never would have raised my sword."
"O, you don't believe in slavery, do you?" said I, with the view of increasing his confidence in me.
"No," said he; "but the niggers are better off where they are, and are not worth fighting for, anyhow."
I tried to draw him out on this subject, but for some reason he did not seem inclined to talk about it any more ; and he branched off into anecdotes of army life, the fights he had been engaged in, and a variety of matters that were entertaining enough, but do not merit being placed on record. This conversation amused me, and gave me a good number of points worth knowing in the particular business in which I was engaged, until at length the train reached Memphis, and my escort assisting me to alight, requested me to wait on the platform for him while he engaged a carriage.
In a few moments he returned with a close-bodied carriage, and when I was seated in it he ordered the driver to go to the Hardwick House.
"O, no," said I; "I must go to General Washburn's head quarters first, and deliver my despatch and message."
"Just as you like," said he ; "but I thought that you might prefer to arrange your toilet before seeing the general."
"No," I replied; "I must see him immediately, as I was told that "this was a matter of great importance. The general won't mind my looks."
A Queer Way of doing Business.
The driver was accordingly directed to take us to head quarters, and before many more minutes I was ushered into the presence of the provost marshal, to whom I stated my errand. The fact of the lieutenant being with me undoubtedly prevented a great many questions being asked, some of which it might not have been agreeable, or even possible, for me to answer, and I accordingly was more than ever impressed with the value of having him for an acquaintance, especially
