"All the above charges being calculated to destroy the good character of our army and soldiery, being contrary to the laws of war and army regulations, demoralizing in their tendency, I submit them." "W. S. DEWEY, "_Provost-marshal 4th Div., Bolivar, Tenn._ "The witnesses are as follows: Doctor Tanzy Russel, Parson Hamers, W. S. Perry, Mr. Lawhorn, W. S. Daugherty. "SPECIFICATION SEVENTH.--That Corporal L. Ruggles did, after being entertained gentlemanly for the night by Parson Hamers, take said Hamers' _watch, which hung on the mantel-board_." This last specification occurred in the original in the same order in which it is here placed. CHAPTER XV. Unfortunate state of affairs--Informality of charge and specifications--Assistance of friends--Fails to get a trial--Gloomy prospects--Evidence accumulates--Guard-house incident--The "General" concludes to help himself--Narrow escape from guerrillas--The capture--Reaches his regiment--Himself and squad released. The reader will remember that I once arrested Parson Hamers, while standing picket for the enemy, and released him. Doctor Russel, I had learned from reliable sources, had been engaged in contraband trade between Federal soldiers and guerrillas. Mr. Lawhorn had tried to induce one of the men under arrest with me to desert, and, to prevent suspicion of desertion, offered to carry him in his own carriage to a rebel paroling officer, and get him paroled and bring him back. Perry had been captured on suspicion of being a guerrilla. Such were the men that were allowed to make statements against me. It is easy to conceive how such men would connive together for the injury of Federal soldiers, if they could only get the military authorities to tolerate their complaints and give them a hearing. Under such a state of affairs, it would be an easy matter for any disloyal citizen to cause the imprisonment of any soldier, however spotless his record. When men are mean enough to attempt the destruction of the fairest and the best Government that ever existed, and to insult that national emblem which has called forth the honor and respect of the world, it is no wonder that they should resort to falsehood, or any other dirty means, to work their revenge upon those that love and fight for their country. It was extremely unfortunate for us that we were thus imprisoned during the command of a temporary post-commander, to whom I was an entire stranger, and that, too, at a time when a new and extensive campaign was about to commence. The charge and specifications, as preferred against us, were _very informal_, and it is doubtful whether any court-martial would have attempted a trial based on such informalities. But, nevertheless, there were grounds for our arrest and confinement.