[27] Some amusing incidents are related of Dr. Broaddus while a prisoner worth relating in these pages. The Doctor was an educated, polished gentleman, and quite a humorist. When he was received into prison the keeper proceeded in his usual manner to ascertain his name, age and place of nativity. When asked his name he said it was William F. Broaddus. "What does the F stand for?" asked the keeper. The Doctor replied that he did not know. "Don't know?" demanded the keeper. "I will tell you the circumstances," said the Doctor, "and let you decide for yourself. My name was William Francis Ferguson. I did not like the two F's and asked my mother to let me drop one. She consented and I dropped one, but I never could tell whether I dropped the one that stood for Francis or the one that stood for Ferguson. Now, can you tell me which one I dropped?" The keeper saw he was beaten, and demanded, "What is your age?" "I was born in the year of one," replied the Doctor. "What! Do you mean to tell me you are 1861 years old," shouted the keeper. "Not at all," said the Doctor. "Well, then, explain yourself," demanded the keeper, showing some impatience. "I was born in the year one of this century," responded the Doctor. "Where were you born?" indignantly asked the keeper. "Now, you've got me again," answered the Doctor. "That's a question I have long wanted settled, and I'll state the case and perhaps you can help me settle it. My birthplace at the time of my birth was in Culpeper county. Changes in county lines afterwards placed it in Rappahannock county. Now, if I were to tell you I was born in Culpeper, and you should go down there to inquire, you would find the place in Rappahannock. If I were to tell you I was born in Rappahannock and you were to investigate you would find that when I was born the place was in Culpeper and there was no Rappahannock county at the time. Now, will you please tell me where I was born?" The keeper passed him without further questions. It was the habit of Dr. Broaddus to preach on Sunday mornings to his fellow prisoners, and such others as would come to hear him while the prison chaplain would hold services in another part of the prison. It is related of the superintendent of the prison, that in making the announcements for preaching he would cry out: "All who wish to hear the gospel according to Abraham Lincoln come this way; those who wish to hear it according to Jeff. Davis go over there," pointing to Dr. Broaddus and his congregation. [28] The scenes of the evacuation of Fredericksburg are taken principally from "The Past, Present and Future of Fredericksburg," by Rev. Robert R. Howison, LL. D., who was aided in its preparation by diaries kept by those present at the time and the recitals of other eye witnesses, besides newspaper articles, the reports of Generals in both armies and our own knowledge, being present. [29] See General Lafayette McLaws's report of the battle.