As I was about to leave General Grant's apartment, the door opened from the Adjutant-General's office, and in stepped the South Carolina General who had taken my field-glasses from me at the Confederate House, in Jackson, Mississippi. I knew him in a moment. "General," said I, addressing Grant, "that's the son of a b__h that took my field-glasses from me at Jackson, Miss." "Tut, tut, tut!" said General Grant. "Remember that the war is over now; you should not talk so." (Addressing the South Carolina General,) "Do you know that man?" "No, sir, I have no recollection of him." "Don't you remember," said I, addressing him, "of taking a pair of field-glasses from a citizen at the Confederate House, in Jackson, Miss., at the time President Davis was there, and saying that 'citizens have no use for such things and Generals have?'" "Yes, I remember the circumstances. Are you the gentleman?" "No, G--d d--m you! _you_ are the _gentleman_." "Hut, tut, tut! don't talk that way now, Mr. Ruggles," said General Grant, with a suppressed smile on his countenance. "I reckon I can pay you for your glasses," said the South Carolinian, running his hand in his pocket. "No you can't," said I; "the whole stinking Confederacy would not pay for them." If the glasses had been worth thousands of dollars, I would not have taken a cent for them in the presence of General Grant. A recollection of the incident, as occurring in the character that I was in, is all the compensation that I want. Had that character been known at that time and place, my life would have been of less value than the glasses. CHAPTER XXIX. Ludicrous effect of fear--A Corporal outflanks a Captain--A good Union man--A touching appeal--A scene among the wounded--An old Secesh discovers his mistake--Suggestions from experience--Concluding thoughts. In looking back over my experience, I can recall to mind many little incidents not included in the preceding narratives. It is sometimes amusing to witness the effect of fear upon persons of different habits and constitutions. I often think of my own ludicrous sensations in my first engagement--that of Fort Donelson. Being naturally a hearty eater, and not overly brave, I have a peculiar regard for all that concerns my appetite, and I fancied that if I was to be hit at all it would be in my "bread-basket."