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CHAPTER XII
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THE BOY OF BATTLE FORD enough/to vote, if they could be spared from military duty, started nome on a seven days' furlough. I met my dear mother and the sweet little girls for the first time in more than twentY-five months. I was not strong and was .so much interested in the. pursuit of everlasting life that, Idjd not visit any. My family tried to have ine eat many good thing's ,they prepared for me, and were much surprised that I did not enjoy them What I ate kept me half sick while there. Great excitement posse3sed the people as to the result of the ensuing ejection. Our people were war Democrats; but had been made to belie-ve that if Lincoln was elected that there was little hope foJ' peace. I heard one good old woman say that she wished that Lincoln would die, as that was the only hope. I did not let her know that I heard her. I went to the polls and cast my first vote for president for the Lincoln electors. I was three months too young to vote when he was elected the first time. I turned away from the old party that was 'dominant in our country when I was little, on account of their attitude on the ,slavery question. vvhen men in our community would form a cordon across the ruad and capture the negroes that were runaways from Kentucky or other slave states and carry them back to be sent to LORisiana to wear their lives away, as they said, and gloat over the gold brought back for their trouble, my heart beat quicker, my blood ran faster, and my brain grew hotter Qver the wickedness that could fellowship the chattel in human beings. Lincoln received four votes in my precinct in 1860 and forty-nine in 1864. McClellan received 100 votes in 1864. I advised our people to be quiet; that Lincoln' would be 'elected, and that the union would be maintained, and that the w:l.r would close before long, and our country would be prosperous, and our people happy again. I was at home seven days and .eight ni,ghts, but I did not let even my mother know anything .of my seeking the salvation ' of my soul; for I could not know what was to be t,he outcome of aU my anxieties. I learned afterwards. that my acquaintances were surprised' to see me so changed. Yet I was as sociable alii I could be among the younger people,but liking the company of the older ones best. Our stay WaJl short, but it was long enough for me. If the war had lasted many years longer I think I should have stayed in it, as I did not w