Obstacles in the Way of Escape. —­ Farewell to Selma. —­ Gold versus Confederate Scrip. —­ An unnamed Friend. —­ Conscription Act. —­ Swearing in a Regiment. —­ Soldier shot. —­ Chattanooga reached. —­ Danger of Recognition. —­ Doff the Military. —­ Transformation. —­ A Bivouac. —­ A Retired Ferryman. —­ Conscience versus Gold. —­ Casuistry.  —­ Embarkation and Voyage. —­ Pistols and Persuasion. —­ An unwilling Pilot. —­ A Night-reverie. —­ My Companion’s Pisgah. —­ Selim. —­ Secession a destructive Principle. —­ Practical Illustration. —­ A third Night in the Rocks. —­ Home and the Welcome. —­ The Dying Deserter. —­ One more Move—­but how? —­ My Loss and Selim’s Gain. —­ Off for Home. —­ Federal Officer and Oath of Allegiance. —­ Plea for Treason. —­ Sanctity of an Oath. —­ Resume. —­ Home.

It was now evident that I could not avoid the conscription if I remained longer, and yet I could not secure my pay; and how could I travel hundreds of miles without means?  I would have sold one of my horses, but prices were low at Selma, far away from the seat of war, and the pay must be in Confederate money, which was of little value.  This sacrifice I was unwilling to make, especially as I might need every dollar I could procure to help me out of Dixie.  Other obstacles lay across the pathway of escape.  Every military point was guarded, and every railroad and public highway under military control.  It was hence impossible for me to escape, traveling in citizen’s dress; and yet I had no military commission, having left the service when I entered the hospital.  I resolved to retain my officer’s cap and martial uniform, and travel as a Confederate officer on furlough, and if not questioned too closely might succeed.

On the morning of May 26th I had made all the arrangements possible for the welfare of my patients, and passing through I looked each in the face, as a kindly farewell on my part, to which they might return their adieu some days after, when they “found me missing.”  I charged young Dr. Reese to take good care of the men till I returned, as I thought of taking my horses up the Alabama river to place them on a farm for pasture.  Taking a last look at the beautiful town of Selma, with a suppressed sigh that I should no more enjoy the society of its fair ladies, I embarked on the Great Republic for Montgomery, the capital of the State, and for a time the capital of the Confederacy.  I reached this point in the evening, having made sixty-five miles toward the north star.  I remained at Montgomery over night, and managed to obtain a military pass and transportation from this point to Chattanooga, which was now in possession of a large force of Confederate cavalry, organizing themselves into guerrilla bands, while the Federal forces held the north side of the Tennessee.  While here it seemed necessary to exchange my Confederate money into gold, as the only sure means of paying my way when I should reach the