CHAPTER XXVI.
Evacuation of Richmond.
-The Doctor's Arrest, Detention and Release.
-Col. Trowbridge.
-Maj. Standish.
-His Return to Horse Pasture.
-The Raid.
Thus passed the winter of 1864-'65. The Doctor was happy in the consciousness that he was doing some good and making himself useful to his fellow men. His only drawback was, we heard nothing from our mother and daughter, and the already heavy burden of his debt was daily growing heavier. He never fretted or complained, but bore his enforced exile patiently.
I am sure that for several months he had not believed the South would succeed. He thought the odds against her too formidable and her resources too limited. Her soldiers were on half rations most of the time, and their ranks were being depleted by death and capture.
The 1st of April, Richmond was evacuated, and President Davis and the cabinet halted at Danville. The news of the fall of Richmond traveled fast, and penetrated even to our secluded home. As soon as the Doctor learned that it was really so, he left Bro. Spencer's to go to Danville, consult with Gen. John B. Clark, Vest, and Hatch, of Missouri, as to the prospect of the Confederacy. When he had learned that, he could decide what was best to be done.
He left Horse Pasture the morning of April 9th. He had received grapevine dispatches that Stoneman with his command was coming from Christiansburg, on
[book page] 149
his way to North Carolina to join the Federal forces coming from the South. This hastened the Doctor's departure.
He had not been gone more than two hours before we learned that he must have ridden right into the Federal lines. Gen. Stoneman, having heard that there was a small Confederate force at Henry Court-house, sent around a portion of his command under Col. Trowbridge to drive them out.
I will give Dr. Hopson's account of his trip:
"I was riding along in no enviable mood, thinking of the uncertain future and of my separated family. As I neared the courthouse, I noticed some, soldiers sitting on the fence by the roadside. They were in their skirt sleeves, and as I rode on, some one cried, 'Halt!' I said, 'All right,' and continued on my way. Again the word rang out, 'Halt, I tell you!' and another argument in the shape of an army musket induced me to obey the command. I still did not comprehend why I should be halted this far from the army. I began to look round, and saw four soldiers, and soon discovered that some of them had on blue coats instead of gray. I knew then that I was in the hands of the Federals. One of them said, 'Get down off that horse.' I said, 'All right,' and dismounted. Another, 'Come out of them spurs.' I took my gold spurs (a present from Dr. C. K. -Marshall, of Atlanta,) off and gave them to him. 'Hand over that watch,' said a third, and I handed it. I took my saddle and blanket off my horse, and as I laid it down I asked the fourth man, who had not said anything, if there was anything he would like to have. He said no, he did not want anything. Just at this juncture an old darkey walked up and said to the soldiers: 'What for you take dat man's horse? He's a preacher. Lives up to mas' Harrison Spencer's. He's the best preacher in dis country.' The fourth man then turned and asked me, 'Are you a preacher of the gospel?' I told him I was. 'Why didn't you say so before?' 'Because I thought it would be worse for me.' 'Well, if you will go with us to headquarters you will get back your watch and spurs.' I had no choice and went, with my saddle and blanket thrown over my shoulder.
"I was taken at once before Col. Trowbridge. Dr. Ramey, a
[book page] 150
warm friend of mine, who had known my grandfather and father, and who was the one Union man in Henry C. H., happened to he present. Col. Trowbridge asked me who I was. I told him. He wanted to know how I happened to have on a Confederate gray uniform. I told him we had only two colors in the South-gray and butternut-and I preferred the gray. He said he thought it showed good taste. Dr. Ramey corroborated my statements in regard to my profession, and that my home for six months had been in the country, and I had been preaching and teaching all the time.
"I then ventured to ask for my watch and horse. He asked me to point out the man who had my watch. I did so, and it was returned to me. I was so anxious about my horse I forgot my spurs. I then said, 'Colonel, I would like my horse, as it is really my means of support. I am compelled to have it to go to my appointments twenty miles apart.' 'Dr. Hopson, you can not have your horse. We need horses very much, and yours seems to be a fine one, and I shall be compelled to keep him.' I saw the case was desperate, but determined not to give it up readily. I said: 'Col. Trowbridge, you are an old army officer and was with Gen. Robert E. Lee in the Mexican war, and I know you are too much of a gentleman to take a poor preacher's horse.' The Colonel looked at me a moment and said: 'How did you know all this? You have done some good talking, but I can not let you have your horse.' 'You'll give him to me, Colonel, I am sure.' 'You'll see,' said he.
"Just then Dr. Ramey and Maj. Standish, who was Quarter-master, I think, came up to where we were talking. Colonel Trowbridge said: 'Maj. Standish, see what that horse is suitable for.' The Major walked round the horse, examined him closely, and told one of the men to throw the saddle on. As soon as the saddle touched his back the horse became very restive. The Major found a sore on his back as large as a dollar. I always put a thick pad under the saddle, with a hole in it, so as to protect the place when I rode, but when I took the saddle off, the pad was lost. Maj. Standish said to the Colonel: 'This horse will not do for a pack horse, his hack is too sore; and he is too heavily built for a cavalry horse.' ' Very well; let the gentleman have his horse.' 'Thank you, Colonel. I told you that you would let me have my horse.' 'If he had been fit for service you would
[book page] 151
not have got him back. I assure you. "I can go now, Colonel?' 'No, you can not leave here for twenty-four hours.'
"Dr. Ramey invited me to go home with him, which I did. He and Maj. Standish accompanied me. As we were walking along, the Major said: 'Dr. Hopson, Dr. Ramey tells me you are a minister in the Disciples' church. Do you know Isaac Errett, of Cincinnati ?' 'Very well.' 'Well, he used to live in Michigan, and he baptized my wife and daughters. To tell you the truth, he did me, too, but I have got a bit demoralized in the army; but my wife and daughters are good Christians. I think my wife will forgive me a few wrong things when I let her know I saved one of her preachers his horse. Your horse is a very fine horse, and we needed him; but you have got him-try and keep him.' I certainly felt very grateful to the Major for his kindness. The loss of my horse would have been a serious one to me at that time."
The following day he was allowed to leave for home.
On Saturday night we learned from a servant that the soldiers would pass Bro. Spencer's on Sunday morning, on their way back to join their command. I was up by sunrise, watching to see the approach. At eight o'clock we saw the column advancing over the hill, nearly two miles away. The blue line and glittering sabers looked formidable in the bright sunlight. I presumed the Doctor was a prisoner, and would be in the approaching line. I was certain I should easily recognize the gallant gray horse and his rider among a thousand. The horse was raised on the place, and would likely desire to call.
By nine o'clock the long line began to file past in the road a hundred yards down the hill. I watched in vain for the horse and rider I wanted; nothing answering the description was in sight. At length, just as the column was more than half past the house, I saw sixty of the colored troops leave the command, and, wheeling
[book page] 152
their horses out of the line, they came galloping up to the house. To say I was frightened, would express my feelings very feebly.
I rushed down stairs and into Sister Spencer's room, which by this time was filled with soldiers. If there had been a single white man among them, I should not have been so frightened; but there was not one. Just then I espied Dr. Ramey's dining-room servant, whom I knew, and thought I would venture to ask him if he had seen anything of Dr. Hopson. He said certainly; he stayed all night with his master the night before, and would leave at noon, after all the troops had got fairly off; but he did not know where the Doctor was going. I felt some relief in knowing he was safe, at least.
At that moment Bro. Spencer came into the house, and said to the soldiers, "Boys, the liquor is in the smoke house." They dropped the keys, and followed him out of the house. By the time they had filled some of their canteens with apple brandy, and the remainder with sorghum molasses, and secured each one a piece of bacon, a ham, or a shoulder, the receding line of troops warned them that they had better he going; and we were left in peace. I went to bed ill from fright and anxiety. About six o'clock that evening, a servant belonging to a neighbor came to the house to bring me tidings of the Doctor. When he left Henry Court-house, he made a wide detour, to avoid falling in with the soldiers again, and on Sunday evening reached a high hill commanding a view of Bro. Spencer's house, about six miles away. He got the boy to come to let me know he would come home in the morning, when he would not be apprehensive of further trouble. I felt so relieved and thankful that it was as well with us all as it was!
[book page] 153
