CHAPTER XX.
Dr. Hopson a Conscript.
-His Regrets.
-No Hope of Release.
-His Masonic Relations Advantageous.
-Inside Postmaster.
-Preached Every Sunday.
-Accidental Discovery.
-Dutch Guard.
-Way of Escape Opened.
-His Release.
-Sent South.
-Reports of his Command.
-Kindness of Union Friends while in Prison.
-Bro. Bishop.
-Bro. Graham.
-Received Commission.
-Gen. Morgan Delighted that the Government had Sent him a Chaplain.
I was about the first refugee that left Louisville before the invasion of Gen. Bragg's army. On my arrival in Chicago, I found my relatives absent from the city, and at once sought the hospitable home of Bro. H. H. Honore. I was made very welcome, and remained there four weeks. From there I went to La Porte, Ind., to my mother's, where I remained until the Doctor's release. I was now in a position to have free correspondence with Dr. Hopson, with one restriction: nothing was allowed to be written on war topics, nor could I let him know that he was a conscript. The authorities had really conscripted him and put him in the Confederate army, nolens volens, as a chaplain. He was one of whom the great dramatist wrote when he said, "Some have greatness thrust upon them." Without his desire, knowledge or consent, he was made Gen. John Morgan's chaplain five months before he found it out. Had he only known the fact, he might have been saved all those long, weary months' of imprisonment.
His letters to me were full of encouragement and
[book page] 114
cheer. He deplored the fact that he was unable to provide for those he loved, and that in his enforced idleness he could do nothing to lessen his indebtedness in Missouri. Up to the time of his arrest, he had sent every dollar he made above necessary expenses to his creditors, which left him nearly stripped of available means. He said he knew I could make a living, but his daughter was too young to assist herself.
He felt that the Confederate government would have no interest in his exchange as he was not a fighting man, and patiently and uncomplainingly he did his duty as a prisoner. The last three months of his imprisonment was spent at Johnson's Island. He said the prisoners were well fed and treated kindly, Louisville being the hardest prison he was in. His Masonic affiliations procured him many kindnesses from the officers in charge who were Masons themselves. He was inside postmaster, and through their indulgence he was allowed to write me twice a week instead of twice a month, and as much as he pleased each time. He preached every Lord's day to thousands of prisoners, and made many friends among them, who today are scattered all over the West and South.
After nearly five months' imprisonment, the way of escape was opened up to him. One day when the guard was changed, a German was detailed to call the roll of the Doctor's mess of fifty-two men. Fortunately he could not read a word of English, and asked Dr. Hopson to read his roll call for him. The Doctor was very wiling to accommodate him. Opposite every man's name was the charge against him. When he came to W. H. Hopson, he found appended to it "John Morgan's chaplain." How his heart leaped! That name was the
[book page] 115
synonym for liberty. He sent at once for Major Pierson, commandant at the post, and demanded his release.
The Major said, "On what grounds, Doctor?" "As Morgan's chaplain; I see that is the charge upon which I was arrested, and am held as a prisoner still." "That is true, Doctor; but we know you are not Morgan's chaplain." "Well, Major, those who put me here ought to have known what I was, and I want to be paroled at once and make preparations to go South and join the command." "You will have to go, Doctor; but our orders were to keep you here during the war and treat you kindly. This was a good excuse for your arrest, but we knew you were not, or you would have been released before now, for John Morgan would never have let his chaplain be detained in prison a day. I will telegraph to Washington, and let you know as soon as I hear from there." "I know John H. Morgan well," Dr. Hopson said; "a braver, truer man to principle I never knew, and I am not ashamed to have my name associated with his. I will go out of prison on this plea, so providentially offered me."
The Doctor wrote me at once to return to Lexington and make preparations to go with him South. When I received his letter, I was still at La Porte. Anxious as I was to go, I left with many regrets. I made some very warm friends, who showed me many kindnesses. They sent Dr. Hopson a nice box of good things to eat. Some of them asked me what kind of cake Dr. Hopson liked best. I told them soft gingerbread. They baked one-two feet long and eighteen inches wide; and, put in the box, it just fitted on top of all the rest. This, with a box sent by Sister R. M. Bishop, of Cincinnati, and friends, and one sent by Brethren Van Pelt, Emmal, and
[book page] 116
others, from Lexington, did much to cheer and comfort the Doctor in his island home.
While on this subject, I can but speak of Bro. R. M. Bishop's great kindness to the Doctor and myself during that dark and trying hour. He offered to do anything in his power to assist either, and was making arrangements to go to Columbus to see Gov. Chase when the Doctor was released. It was not only his sympathy which he extended, but he offered pecuniary aid also, which the Doctor said he could not accept unless absolutely necessary.
Bro. Graham was present when we were discussing the matter, and said to me: "Sister Hopson, I would willingly go to Johnson's Island tomorrow and take Bro. Hopson's place if I could relieve him or have him set at liberty." The memory of such touching expressions of love will go with me into the Great Beyond, and then these friends will know how grateful the human heart can be.
In less than a week Dr. Hopson was sent South, with other prisoners, to Vicksburg, and was forbidden to communicate with any one verbally, except his fellow-prisoners and guards, until he reached his destination. This was unexpected, and a great disappointment to both of us. He wrote to me as soon as he found out the terms of his release to sell our furniture, horse, buggy, etc., and join him in the South as soon as I could. I answered by telegram I would do as he said.
I have often heard him relate an amusing incident that occurred as the prisoners were marching through the streets of Cairo. They were halted a moment, and, of course, the center of attraction of hundreds of eyes. One old negro woman was near him, and, fixing her gaze upon
[book page] 117
him especially, she began to laugh immoderately. The Doctor was amused and said, "Aunty, what's the matter?" "Matter, young master? You's gittin' your rights, aint you?" There was a general shout from all who heard it; the Doctor enjoyed it with the rest, and it was a by-word with the boys as long as they were together.
The prisoners arrived in Vicksburg early in December, and were at once sent to Mobile, from which place the Doctor made his way to Tennessee as fast as traveling facilities would permit. He reached the army just as the battle of Murfreeshoro was at its height, and, on inquiring for Gen. Morgan's command, found he was in Kentucky. He thought he would go on to the battle field and see if he could not be of some service, either as a physician or chaplain; but he was ordered back by the sentinels stationed to keep all civilians off the field. The man told him firmly yet politely that no one who was not fighting or whose command was not in the battle would be allowed to pass a certain line. The Doctor then went to the rear, and did all he could to assist the wounded in the improvised hospitals.
On Morgan's return, he was ordered to McMinnville, where the Doctor reported to him, to let him know he had a chaplain and that he was ready for duty. Gen. Morgan was both surprised and gratified, and at once gave him his commission, with pay as colonel, and told him to do whatever seemed good in his sight.
The middle of January he got leave of absence to go to Atlanta to supply himself with clothing and a proper outfit, which he could not procure at McMinnville.
[book page] 118
