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112 6 “They Stared at Me with Wondering Eyes” loved ones at home When the word reached the boys of the compliment of Colonel Hill and his promise, all cried—“Are you going to leave us?” “What do you expect?” “What do you want?” asked one. “Not a single thing,” I replied. “I am perfectly happy as I am.” “Say, Captain,” suddenly cried one. “Wouldn’t they let you off to take our mail to St. Louis?” Then it was all bedlam. All gathered around me saying, “You could do it.” “Haven’t heard a word from home in three years.” “Home sweet home” was the thought of every man, and there was not a dry eye, as they told of their longings; those scarred, rugged veterans. I looked into the yearning, pleading faces, and said, “Boys, I’ll do it if they will let me.” The men took me in their arms, while the news, like wildfire, spread through our brigade. Others came, and they acted like men bereft of reason at the hope of hearing from loved ones at home. They did not question or doubt but that I would be given permission. They organized and appointed committees, one to see that 112 113 the letters were short and another to gather all the Federal money that was in camp. The money was absolutely valueless with us. Even if there was anything to sell, no southern man would take a Yankee’s money for it. A committee of ten men was selected to provide me with citizen’s clothes. This was the most difficult task of all, as our army at this time was in such dire straits that every male, from youth to tottering age, was in it. my citizen’s clothes In the conscript camp they saw a handsome youth with well fitting homemade clothes, and by intrigue and falsehood, they enticed him away, blindfolding and carrying him to our trench, where he was stripped of the coveted suit of home spun and, in exchange, given old ragged garments. The boy, nearly frightened to death and still blindfolded, was conducted in a roundabout fashion before he was turned loose. When I next came to camp I had to try the stolen suit on, and although a trifle large, it was pronounced satisfactory. The boys then, instead of calling me Captain Johnnie, now shouted, “Sonnie, your mother was just here looking for you. You have better run home now and do the chores.” Almost every soldier possessed greenbacks.They kept them merely for the pretty pictures stamped on them or to gamble with. How many thousands of dollars I carried, I never knew. I did not even think of counting them. Men from other camps, hearing of my proposed mission, contributed their share to my collection. general hood Sunday morning Colonel Hill led the way to the parade ground in front of General Hood’s headquarters, at the head of the band of thirty-one men, all remaining of the hundred 113 “They Stared at Me with Wondering Eyes” 114 “They Stared at Me with Wondering Eyes” who had left Atlanta ten weeks before. Both the staff and escort of General Hood were in confederate uniform and poorly mounted, while our uniforms were of Federal blue with much gold braid and tinsel, and our mounts, the very select of those captured during the raid. As we approached headquarters, with the band playing “Dixie,” those stirring and thrilling though unfamiliar strains of music seemed to startle our horses almost into a panic, and when to this was added the Rebel yell, given by more than a thousand throats, the animals were practically uncontrollable, much to the enjoyment of the spectators. It was an odd sight to see our little command in their fine Yankee uniforms in the midst of that army of ragged and faded gray. Colonel Hill read his report, which was frequently interrupted by applause. He mentioned the personal gallantry of his men, giving in detail a history of our life in General Sherman’s rear. Finally, ordering Lieutenant Sloan, Lieutenant McBride, and Captain Johnnie to ride forward, he turned to General Hood and said, “I promised these three men that, with your approval, they should be granted any request in reason. This I do by the unanimous vote of my command.” Following this, he spoke in detail of the various exploits, etc. etc. General Hood made a most gracious and complimentary reply...

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