“Very good,” was the reply; for B. knew that his companion, although a worthy citizen and eminently learned in the law, was of doubtful reputation for loyalty to the United States, and as a good name in that last respect was of chief importance in the enterprise, he concluded that the Judge might as well withdraw. Upon being admitted to headquarters Mr. B. found the Commander-in-chief engaged. Seizing the first good opportunity, he said: “General, I learn from Judge A. that the house of the Rev. Mr. C. is about to be taken and used as a hospital.” “We do not take the houses of ministers of the Gospel for army purposes. Judge A. has been to us this morning and obtained exemption of his own house from that use.” And then, calling with a loud voice to his adjutant, who was at the other end of the large room, the General said: “Col. Richmond! send word to Dr. Jackson to take Judge A.’s house and use it for a hospital.” Mr. B., at this unexpected result of his interposition in behalf of the clergyman, was secretly perturbed. If he had known that the Judge had only a short time before applied successfully for the exemption of his own house, he could have refrained from naming him. As it was, the Judge had been brought to grief by the intercession. General R. B. Potter stood near and listened to the colloquy. His countenance wore an air of martial severity that was adapted more to repel than encourage further mediation. Mr. B. had, however, a “happy thought,” and summoning up courage, he said: “General, Doctor Jackson, I know, has already taken possession of a suitable building for a hospital and has never used it.” Promptly the General called out again, “Col. Richmond! you need not send that message to Dr. Jackson. Send him word to come and see me.” Whatever passed in their interview, neither Judge A. nor the Rev. Mr. C. was disturbed. The sufferers in hospitals were all from the army. Few citizens received injury from the besiegers, for Gen. Longstreet did not bombard the town. It was said that he refrained from doing so through the influence of citizens of Knoxville who accompanied his army. The only death in the town caused by the fighting was that of a child on the street, who was struck by a stray minnie ball. One death among Longstreet’s men, which caused great grief to him and his military family was that of a young sharp-shooter, who was occupying the tower of the house[41] where Gen. Longstreet had his headquarters. Blood flowed profusely from the wound as the body was carried down stairs, and all efforts to remove the stains from the steps were unsuccessful.