Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 25.djvu/56

 52 Southern JJixtnrir<if ,S'or//7// Papers.

coming to the main street I turned up the street, while the prisoners were marched down the street towards the old railroad depot. A short distance up the main street I found a vacant space in front of the mansion of a Mr. Spurlock. There we parked our guns, took out the horses, and all lay down on the ground to rest. I don't think I had slept long when I was aroused by Mr. Spurlock think that was his name who insisted that we should go over to his resi- dence and take dinner. We thanked him, and insisted that we had had something to eat, but he would not take such an excuse. The truth is we were too dirty and ragged to feel at home in such a nice place. Finally Clay Ramsey consented to go with me, and we went over. The old gentleman enquired our names and introduced us to his daughters, very beautiful young ladies, who entertained us by singing and playing on the piano until dinner was announced. Then we escorted the young ladies down to the dining-room, and such a dinner we had not seen before in years. We tried to do our duty towards that dinner, and particularly to the turkey; anyhow, we ate with a relish.

Captain Ferrell camped in another part of the town with his battery.

While we were at Rome I thought I would get the horse promised me by General Forrest, and having great confidence in Captain Fer- rell's judgment of horse flesh, I asked him to take one of the men with him and pick out one for me. He did so, and sent me a beau- tiful dapple gray horse which the prisoners informed us had belonged to Colonel Hathaway, who was killed on him in the engagement near Gadsden. I was very proud of my horse for he was indeed a beautiful animal.

In Rome I met several persons that I knew, among them was Captain Frank Watkins, now of Opelika, who contributed something to my scant wardrobe. And old Nell, Captain Ferrell' s servant, did some washing tor me while I slept.

I went to the old store house in Rome where the saddles and bri- dles belonging to Streight's command had been deposited, to pick me a saddle and bridle, and I never have seen so many saddles and bridles in one pile before or since. The house was literally full of them. Here our battery was made horse artillery, cannoneers being mounted on horse-back and having horse holders.

We had planned to have a big time in Rome. The young people had arranged for several entertainments for our especial benefit, but alas, the best laid plans of men and mice, etc.