conveniently carry away with them, and leaving the remainder to the tender mercies of any one.
By this precipitate retreat of the rebels from Banse, it was consoling to anticipate another encounter with them in the open field, and also satisfactory to find the inhabitants restored to their homes, without their having suffered from our guns.
The population of this town was said to be well-affected to the Government, and from the fact of their having been instrumental in saving some unfortunate European refugees from being massacred, it was but fair to acknowledge them as good and loyal subjects. Besides, on the present occasion, further proof in support of their genuine loyalty was shown by their returning to the town shortly after we had entered it, and supplying us with such refreshments as they themselves possessed, or could obtain from their neighbours.
One man particularly was indefatigable in his attentions to the members of our picket posted in the suburbs of the town; and so marked was his hospitality that we were naturally led to show him some civility in return. By-and-bye this man, finding that we were not quite so closely allied to his Satanic Majesty as the rebels thought us, became exceedingly communicative, and related many adventures that had befallen him; but nothing interested us so much as his story connected with a subject applicable to the events now under notice, and therefore I allow it to appear in these pages.
