“'No! no! my child; I am full of fear and grief; I tremble. My sons are going to volunteer. I am grieved for fear they will never return. Oh! Mary! I had such a terrible dream about all the family last night. Oh! I cannot think of it; and yet I want them to go. God knows I love my country, and would give all--life and everything--to save it. No, I will not discourage them. I will tell you my dream when I have more strength.' “Just then my blessed old wife fainted. Mary screamed, and we all rushed into the parlor and found her lying on the floor with Mary bending over, trying to restore her. We were all startled, and quickly lifted her up, when she seemed to revive, and was able to sit in a chair. In a few moments she was better, and said: “'I am all right now; don't worry. I was so startled and overcome at the thought that so many of my dear children were going to leave me at once and on such a perilous enterprise.' “To this Peter answered: “'Mother, you ought not to grieve about me. Being an old bachelor, there will be but few to mourn if I should be killed.' “'Yes; but, my son, your mother loves you all the same.' “Just then a rap was heard at the window. It being open, a letter was thrown in upon the floor. I picked it up. It was addressed to 'Thos. Anderson.' I handed it to him. He opened it, and read it to himself, and instantly turned very pale and walked the floor. His wife took his arm and spoke most tenderly, asking what it was that troubled him. “'Mary, dear, I will read it,' he said, and unfolding the letter, he read aloud: “'Jackson, Miss., June -- 1861. “'Dear Tom--You have been denounced to-day in resolutions as a traitor to the Southern cause, and your property confiscated. Serves you right. I am off to-morrow morning for the Confederate Army. Good-by. Love to sister. “'Your enemy in war, “'JOS. WHITTHORNE. “'Mary sank into a chair. For a moment all were silent. At last Tom exclaimed: “'What is there now left for me?” “His wife, with the stateliness of a queen, as she was, her black hair clustering about her temples and falling around her shoulders and neck, her bosom heaving, her eyes flashing fire, on her tip-toes arose to her utmost height. All gazed upon her with admiration, her husband looking at her with a wildness almost of frenzy. She clenched both hands and held them straight down by her side, and exclaimed in a tone that would have made a lion cower: “'Would that I were a man! I would not stop until the last traitor begged for quarter!' “Tom flew to her and embraced her, exclaiming: “'I was only waiting for that word.' “She murmured: “'My heavens, can it be that there are any of my blood traitors to this country?' “The household were by this time much affected. A long silence ensued, which was broken by David, saying: