“On arriving, we found a mansion in the old Virginia style, low in elevation, broad upon the ground, and with a piazza extending along the front.  Surrounding it was a good-sized plantation.  At a little distance from the house was a row of negro huts.  These were mostly vacant, the former occupants having secured their freedom by taking refuge within our lines.

“As sergeant in command—­you must know that I have been promoted—­I inquired of Mrs. Roberts what danger she apprehended.  Her answers were vague and unsatisfactory.  However, she seemed disposed to treat me very civilly, and at nine o’clock invited the whole party into the house to partake of a little refreshment.  This invitation was very welcome to soldiers who had not for months partaken of anything better than camp fare.  It was all the more acceptable because outside a cold rain was falling, and the mod was deep and miry.

“In the dining-room we found a plentiful meal spread, including hot coffee, hot corn bread, bacon, and other viands.  We were not, however, destined to take our supper in peace.  As I was drinking my second cup of coffee I thought I heard a noise outside, and remarked it to Mrs. Roberts.

" ‘It is only the wind, sergeant,’ said she, indifferently.

“It was not long before I became convinced that it was something more serious.  I ordered my men to stand to their arms, in spite of the urgent protestations of the old lady, and marched them out upon the lawn, just in time to be confronted by twenty or thirty men on horseback, clad in the rebel uniform.

“Resistance against such odds would have been only productive of useless loss of life, and with my little force I was compelled to surrender myself a prisoner.

“Of course, I no longer doubted that we were the victims of a trick, and had been lured by Mrs. Roberts purposely to be made prisoners.  If I had had any doubts on the subject, her conduct would have dissipated them.  She received our captors with open arms.  They stepped into our places as guests, and the house was thrown open to them.  Our arms were taken from us, our hands pinioned, and a scene of festivity ensued.  A cask of wine was brought up from the cellar, and the contents freely distributed among the rebels, or gray backs, as we call them here.

“Once, as Mrs. Roberts passed through the little room where we were confined, I said, ’Do you consider this honorable conduct, madam, to lure us here by false representations, and then betray us to our enemies?’

" ‘Yes, I do!’ said she hotly.  ’What business have you to come down here and lay waste our territory?  There is no true Southern woman but despises you heartily, and would do as much as I have, and more, too.  You’ve got my son a prisoner in one of your Yankee prisons.  When I heard that he was taken, I swore to be revenged, and I have kept my word.  I’ve got ten for one, though he’s worth a hundred such as you!’