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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
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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
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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 onetwo
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
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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
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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.
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