The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-08-17
+" KAINTUCK.' y
Continued from first page.)

in which the death of Grant ani other
BILE evidences of the favor of God. But be-
fore long it became positively known that it
was Grants horse which was killed instead
of the General himself, and then the speak
ers "longed for another opportunity to prove
their great superiority in arms" and TO
make the false" report true one.
week or so after the battle the doors of
Columbus were opened, and ingress and
egress were allowed under certain restricted
conditions. Ny sister and procured pass
with considerable trouble, aud returned to
our home.
THE ANXIETY OF OUR PARENTS,
which had been aroused when they heard
the heavy firing at Columbus, and had
steadily increased as each day of our invo'-
untary absence dragged along, was relieved
at sight of u.s.
Shortly after this rebel Captain discov-
cred that placid Mr.. Arnold was a spy The
young man was seized, thrown into prison,
and would have had summary execution
had he not contrived to escape and leave the
city.
Uncle Harris was accused-and the accu-
sation was undoubtedly correct-of conniv-
ing at his rescue, and he was placed in the
same dungeon that Arnold had once occu-
pied His property was confscated and his
family driven into the streets without re-
morse. Aunt Ellen came, broken hearted,
to live with us, and Dan, after making a
vain attempt to set his father free, fled to
the North and enlisted.
Uncle Harris remained in prison until the
following February, when the rebels, in
evacuating the city, placed him at liberty; !;
but he was never the same man again. A dis
ease which he contracted in his cold, damp
cell rendered him an invalid, and he died a
year after the final overthrow of the Con-
federacy that had worked his ruin
All! you men of the North, don't talk of
loyalty. You, who lived in the midst of
faithful people; you, over whom in spIendor
waved the sheltering folds of cur starry
banner; you, who breathed an air unsullied
by single trait of rebel treaehery; you,
who, had you wished, would not have dared
to maintain open treason; how could you
have had your mettle tested? 1t was not
dangerous for you to voice your sentiments.
1t was not perilous for you to sing pat
riotic song. You could fight the battles of
the flag that bent benignly over you and
earn honor instead of execration.
But those who lived in the South and
were not supporters of its cause; those who
remained in the hot-bed of rebellion and yet
were true to Lincolns Government; those
whogaveup office, eminence, power, property,
prosperity, freedom, family, and friends
yea, who even relinquished their lives that
they might love the fag-it is they, or those
who survive, who have the right to speak of
loyalty! They who met death not on the
field OF battle, but in the damps of their dun
ge0ns, or on tree or scafold, amid the
jibes and jeers and cries OF hate of those who
say, would have the best right, were they
alive, to speak of
PATRIOTISM IN IT'S HIGHEST SENSE.
On the 10th of January, 1862, two months
after the affair at Belmont, Columbus was
again thrown into ferment of excitement.
Grant and MeClernand put themselves in
motion and zigzagged about over western
Kentucky in so distracting manner as to
utterly weary the hearts of the Southerners.
In about week the battle of Mill Springs
was fought and the Federals returned to
Cairo. They had come out merely as a
feint
The peace of mind of the rebels, which had
been sadly interrupted when Grant camped
within 10 miles of the city, now revived
but when another fortnight rolled around
and Henry fell they again became alarmed.
Troops were hurried franticalIy ont of the
city-and hurried right back in again. They
apparently wished to help Fort Donelson,
and did not dare to leave Columbus
When, week later, they received the
news of the forts surrender there was weep
ing and wailing and gnashing of teeth. But
they began heroically to pack their traps
and by the 9th of February all were gone.
Great was the rejoicing in the Harris |
household then. My uncle was released |
from Jail, and, as his own residence had |
been destroyed, he came to live with us.
Dan was among the first troops that marched |
into Columbus and wonderfully touching |
family reunion was held.
Not long after this the spy Arnold put in |
his appearance, and, after learning Uncle |
Harris's sad history, awakened lively in
terest in his behalf among the Federals. |
Uncle Harris was sent for, offered his choice
of the deserted houses, supplied with every
thing that man could want, and, in fact,
treated like a King. In few months he |
was given a commission as Lieutenant, but /
after serving in that capacity for time his
health compelled him to resign. He took
up his residence in his new home, where he |
until his death.
For some time after the evacuation of
Columbus rebel scouts and spies were some
what numerous, but they carefully avoided
Dur dweiling-place, for our sentiments were
by that time well understood After the
battle of Pittsburg Landing they gradually
disappeared, and returned to visit US no
more during the war.
As for myself so far overcame my ancient
orejudices as to love and wed Union sol
IL, 4