As I am under no obligation, from duty or honor, to conceal what I was compelled to see and hear in the South, I tell it frankly; hoping it may be of value to my bleeding country, I tell it plainly. I have no cause to love the Confederate usurpation, as will fully appear, yet I refrain from abusive and denunciatory epithets, because both my taste and judgment enjoin it. For the accuracy of names, dates, and places, I rely wholly upon memory. I kept memoranda during my whole service, but was compelled to leave every thing when I attempted escape, as such papers then found in my possession would have secured my certain death; but in all material things I can promise the accuracy which a retentive memory secures. If an apology is needed for the constant recurrence of the personal pronoun in these pages, let it be said that the recital of personal incidents, without circumlocution, necessarily compels it. With this brief word, I invite you to enter with me upon the Southern service; you can stop when you please, or go with me to the end, and give a huzza as you see me escape and reach the loyal lines. WILLIAM G. STEVENSON. NEW YORK CITY, Sept. 15th, 1862. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. HOW I VOLUNTEERED. Object in going to Arkansas. -- Change of Purpose. -- Young Acquaintances. -- Questioned on Slavery. -- Letter to my Parents. -- Unfortunate Clause. -- A Midnight Call. -- Warlike Preparations. -- Good Advice. -- Honor among Lynchers. -- Arrival at Court of Judge Lynch. -- Character of Jury. -- Trial commenced. -- Indictment and Argument. -- Excitement increases. -- Butler Cavins and his Lariat. -- The Crisis. -- The Acquittal. -- No Safety from it. -- First Impulse and subsequent Reflection. -- Attempted Escape. -- Night Ride. -- Helena. -- An Uneasy Boat Ride. -- Memphis. -- "A Blue Jacket." -- Committee of Public Safety. -- A Surprise. -- Dismissal followed by Unwelcome Letter and Policeman. -- Recruiting Station. -- Volunteering 15 CHAPTER II. INFANTRY SERVICE. Character of our Regiment. -- No Escape. -- A Fixed Resolve. -- Randolph. -- Camp Life. -- Sabbath. -- Father Daly. -- Washing. -- Fort Wright. -- Grand Defect. -- Rations. -- Stolen Waters. -- Mutiny. -- Sentence. -- Fort Pillow. -- Slaves. -- Aiding the Rebellion. -- Deep Earnestness of the People. -- Strength of the Fort. -- "Pillow's Trot Line." -- No Pay, and the Result. -- General Pillow described. -- Columbus, Ky. -- Hard Work. -- Pillow in the Ditch. -- The Batteries. -- Torpedoes. -- Battle of Belmont. -- False Report. -- Troops cross. -- Untimely Joking. -- The Tide of Battle. -- A Charge. -- Cruelty. -- Victory. -- Why? -- Loss. -- Burial of the Dead. -- How Not to Kill -- Accident. -- The Military Bishop 40 CHAPTER III. ORDNANCE SERVICE.