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hear the dialogue. The Colonel blustered about
for some time. He had a tremendous stentorious
voice - called for the Adjutant of the Regiment,
ordered his men to parade saying he would stop [me?]
by force. But instead of obeying him, they shouted
& cheered Capt. Taul, swearing that I was the boy
for them. I was not molested. Capt. Jordan
Burnett could not, or did not attempt to retrain
their men & they all followed me - the
Captains bringing up the rear. Upon my arrival
at St. Mary's, I rec d the thanks of Col. Barbee
& the gratulations of all the officers & men
at the post. This unmilitary conduct rendered
me very popular & acquired for me great notoriety
in the left wing of North Western Army, then commanded
by Genl Winchester. Col. Jennings immediately
wrote to Gen. W. charging me with "Mutiny &
disobedience of orders" but I knew I was in no
danger - Genl W's private secretary was John
Woolfolk, a young man of great worth, fine
talents & education & was brother to the Lieut
of my company, Joseph H. Woolfolk, who in
anticipation of charges be inhibited against
me, wrote to his brother a full account of the
whole affair. I had also several other very particular
friends about the person & in the staff
of Genl. W. who were written to, & two or three
of whom, I had an opportunity of imparting
the facts to in a personal interview.
Col. Barbee also wrote to Genl W. & Genl Harrison
saying if any thing was wrong, he "took
the responsibility". Genl Winchester in a
letter to Col. Jennings, of which I was furnished
with a copy by his secretary, but have mislaid
it, politely declined ordering a court
martial, for my trial at that time owing
to the uncertain movement of the army &
the impracticability of withdrawing a sufficient
number of officers, for my trial, from
their other duties. The whole affair evaporated