April had come, bringing a greater profusion of flowers, painting the face of nature with lovelier hues.  No one knew why the neighborhood had thus far escaped being “raided.”  One evening the scouts (not one alone, but several) reported, “Not a Yankee on this side the river.  Gone off on a raid miles on the other side.”  Colonel ——­ came in later confirming the report.  He was persuaded to remain for one night’s rest, and immediately retired to his room.  About dusk two men in the disguise (it is now believed) of Confederate soldiers—­ragged, worn, barefooted, and hungry—­came stealing in, apparently fearful of being discovered and taken prisoners.  No one suspected them.  They were warmly welcomed.  A supper of broiled ham, milk, eggs, corn-muffins, and real coffee was set before them.  They were afterwards shown to a comfortable cabin in the yard,—­“the boys’ room,”—­provided with every comfort, a servant to wait on them, and left to repose.  These also having assured the ladies that “the Yanks” had gone off on a raid on the other side, it was deemed safe to take advantage of such an opportunity to go regularly to bed and rest, in preparation for whatever might befall afterwards.  By ten o’clock everybody was sound asleep.  About midnight one of the ladies, hearing a slight noise, arose and looked out the window.  Old Whitey was walking about the yard, nibbling the grass.  Knowing he was never allowed in the yard, she simply supposed that one of the servants had left open the quarter-gate.  Not another sound save the mule’s step broke the stillness of the night.  Strange to say, the dogs were nowhere to be seen, nor did they bark at the mule.  Wondering a little at this circumstance, the lady was about to lie down again, when simultaneously every door of the house was assailed with the butts of guns with a terrific noise.  At the same time many hoarse voices yelled, “Open these doors, d——­ y—!  Open up, here, or we’ll burn the house over your heads!” Everybody at once realized the situation.  In that fearful moment strength and courage seemed to come as from above.  The servants, sleeping upon the floor, began to scream, but were instantly silenced.  The ladies, slipping on dressing-gowns, but never stopping to put on shoes or stockings, quietly opened the doors.  Instantly the whole house swarmed with Federal soldiers.  Their first act was to capture Colonel ——­ and drag him outside the house, giving him no time to put on any clothes save his pants and night-shirt.  The raiders then proceeded to ransack the house.  Every room, every closet, every trunk, box, drawer, was rifled.  Two men went to the sideboard, quietly gathering up the few silver spoons, forks, ladles, etc., not hidden, wrapped them up and put them in their pockets.  Others stripped off the pillow-and bolster-cases, stuffing them with clothing, pictures, etc., tied them together, and placed them ready to be slung over the backs of their horses.  Bayonets wore