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whole North пowled пke demons over it. He | Donelson, who saw him sharing the dangers and had been denounced by the whole abolition tribe, perils of his men, his face and breast bared to the

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pitiless storm, with the icicles hanging to his gray beard; those who heard his words of cheer and comfort to the doubtful and desponding will never forget him. And again at Nashville, after the fall of Donelson, restoring order out of chaos, quieting the fears of the timid, putting down the lawlessness of the rabble, and saving the property of the Government. Before the arrival of the Federals at Nashville he had removed to a place of safety more than a million dollars worth of Government stores, which would otherwise have been destroyed in the general panic. He also saved the State of Tennessee many hundreds of thousands of dollars by his timely arrival at the capital.

Such was John B. Floyd. This imperfect, but impartial sketch is but a poor tribute to the man. The future historian will do him justice. He was a noble, chivalrous, patriotic Virginian; but his heart was large enough to hold his whole country. It can be said of him –

"This was the noblest Roman of them all!

The elements
So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN.'

A DINNER PARTY BROKEN UP.- In April, 1863, the 17th of the month, a party of somewhat crestfallen but defiant rebel officers were dining at the plantation of a great slave-owner on the Mississippi River, about half way between Vicksburg and Port Hudson. There was a commissary captain, a surgeon, the governor of rebel Louisiana, and others of greater or less rank in secession circles.

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So he says, "No matter for hour or date:
To use the foe up squarely,
Fight him early, late-
When we thrash him straight,

They'll admit we whipp'd him, EARLY.”

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The planter's wines had been long ago consumed, but he had a demijohn of Louisiana rum, to which his guests were welcome, and everything which the large and admirably cultivated plantation garden could supply graced the table. ANECDOTE OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. Strong opinions were expressed that no boat gentleman called on the President, and solicited on the Mississippi could live ten minutes under a pass for Richmond. "Well," said the Presithe fire of the Vicksburg batteries that yellow dent, "I would be very happy to oblige you, if fever would soon appear in Grant's army at Mil- my passes were respected; but the fact is, sir, I liken's Bend, that the South would hold that have, within the last two years, given passes to portion of the Mississippi Valley against all op-two hundred and fifty thousand men to go to position; and fearful accounts were related of Richmond, and not one has got there yet." Yankee cowardice, Yankee barbarism and atrocity, with strong determinations "never to submit or yield."

In the midst of all this bravery one of the gentlemen was summoned to the door by a courier, who had an important communication from the General commanding at Vicksburg, and also another from the commander at Port Hudson.

One telegram read, "Five gunboats passed last night: notify all boats and river batteries." The other, from below, was, "Hartford and two others coming up: look out." He stepped back and read them to the company.

If a ten-inch shell had exploded, the change would not have been greater. First there was a blank pause. Then one said, "It's all up with us, gentlemen; if five have passed, twenty will

GENERAL ROSSER ON THE BORDER. — In the winter of 1863-4, the two opposing armies in Virginia lay on the upper branches of the Rapidan, not far from Culpepper and Brandy Station, sixty miles south of the Potomac. As General Meade had all his supplies to bring in wagons from Alexandria, the possible plunder that might reward an enterprising raid in the country between the Union army and the Potomac was a strong bait to Southern enterprise. There were, consequently, two or three of these expeditions during the winter, of which the most successful in the way of plunder was that of the rebel General Rosser, who, next to Stuart and Forrest, won the greatest name among the Confederates as a

cavalry officer. The following story of his ex- guns, placing his battery in position, and throwploit that winter was prepared by a correspondent ing forward the remaining squadron of the Seventh of a Richmond paper:

under Major Myers, to charge the enemy when "The foray made by Early, Fitz Lee, and Rosser, an opportunity offered, sent Lieutenant-Colonel about the 1st of January, proving rather unsuc- Massie, with the rest of the Twelfth Virginia, to cessful, it was ordered that General Early, with make a demonstration in the enemy's rear, interone brigade of infantry (General Thomas'), Ros- cept communication, and blockade the road, and ser's brigade of cavalry, and McCallahan's battery, commenced the attack. Here was presented a should make another effort towards relieving the sight novel and suggestive-dismounted cavborder of its Yankees and cattle. Information alry, with short-range guns, attacking more than had been received that a large supply train would three times their number of infantry, prepared start from New Creek to Petersburg on a certain both by time and position to receive them. Here day; and, moreover, it was necessary that we the genius that has placed General Rosser, at should hold Petersburg in order to make our twenty-five, in a position unsurpassed in our search for cattle successful. The plan of opera-military annals, the genius that has won the tion having been decided upon, General Early, admiration of his men, and is rapidly filling, in with Thomas' brigade of infantry, crossed by their hearts, the place left void by the death of Orkney Springs, General Rosser's brigade, with Ashby, was fully manifested. Pressing rapidly McCallahan's battery, at Brook's Gap, forming a upon the enemy, he drove them from one posijunction at Mathias' on the 31st, and entering tion to another, until, having fairly uncovered Moorefield on the 1st of February. That night their train, the appearance of our cavalry in their our picket on the Petersburg road, through neg-rear excited an agitation in their ranks which the ligence, was captured by a scouting party of the effective charge of Major Myers quickly fomented enemy that advanced within half a mile of Gen- into a panic; the enemy sought safety in the neigheral Early's headquarters without becoming aware boring mountain. Meantime General Early was of our presence. General Rosser, in order to pre-moving on Petersburg, and, in order to cooperate vent communication between Petersburg and the with him, the pursuit was abandoned, and attenexpected train, sent out Baylor's squadron of the tion turned to the captured train-ninety-four Twelfth Virginia cavalry, with a guide, to inter- wagons, four hundred and fifty mules, flour, cept couriers passing from one point to another. bacon, salt, molasses, sugar, coffee, beans, rice, The brigade moved off about ten A. M. on the overcoats, and blankets, with three or four sutroad crossing the mountain, and intersecting the lers' wagons, loaded with all manner of eatables Petersburg and New Creek road about five miles and wearables. above Williamsport.

"Quod nunc describere longum est,' were the "As we were approaching the top of the moun- fruits of victory! Moving back towards Peterstain, our advance guard was checked by an in- burg, we encamped for the night about ten miles fantry picket of the enemy, about two hundred from that place. Oysters, sardines, canned fruits, strong, which had been engaged in obstructing brandy peaches, cheese, crackers, &c., comprised the road. They moved off rapidly and safely our homely fare.' We learned next day, while for pursuit was impracticable, in consequence of on the march, that Colonel Thorburn, commandthe thorough blockade the enemy had constructed ing at Petersburg, had 'vamosed the ranche' by throwing heavy timber across the road for a during the night, and was then on his way todistance of three miles, and digging away the wards New Creek. On reaching Petersburg we road itself for some distance. These obstacles, found the camps deserted, but the huts and tents by means of axes and picks in the hands of eager still standing, and apparently but few things had and determined men, were speedily removed, and been burned. Everything bore marks of haste, in a few moments the Yankees were again in confusion, and flight; large quantities of clothing, sight, in rapid rout for the Petersburg road. The blankets, overcoats, and provisions were secured, Twelfth, moving down on them, speedily checked and two large sutlers' establishments unearthed them up, but was unable to inflict any injury on and promptly despatched. In a short time Genaccount of the enemy's position, who had lost no eral Early, with Thomas' brigade, came up, chagrin time in ensconcing himself in the thick growth and disappointed depicted in their visages, deon the side of the mountain. At this crisis, how-prived of their expected glory by Yankee pruever, Baylor's squadron, misled, through the igno- dence, and of their anticipated plunder by cavalry rance of their guide, came up in the rear of the promptness. As the only means of relieving their enemy, and speedily dislodged him. General furore and assuaging their grief, they were genRosser, following with his cavalry and battery, turned towards Williamsport, and came up within sight of the enemy about two miles below, just as the Yankee picket met their main column. The Yankees were eleven hundred strong, under Colonel Snyder. Confident of easy victory, they had parked their train, and were prepared to receive us. General Rosser, dismounting detachments from the Eleventh, Seventh, Twelfth, and White's battalion, in all about three hundred

erously permitted to burn the Yankee quarters and dig down their earthworks. After a conference with General Early, General Rosser moved again towards Burlington, and reached there next day by twelve M., driving in and bagging_the Yankee picket. Halting here, we threatened, by our position, both New Creek and Cumberland; and information received during the day showed that at the former place we were painfully expected. We moved that night five miles below,

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