Mr. STO (ES. I decline to yield any further. Before that later was written companies had been organized and were in camp With the distinct understanding they were to h ht under the flag and were not to go out of the Tnion. The honest boys of the mountains enlisted and went into the Army with that understanding. I did, with a few Union men, form a league, but the seeesh Democrats came in and seeing that it was a trick against them they broke it into pieces. That letter was written on the 10th of May. I do not deny it. A portion of it is correct and a portion of it is wrong. On the 11th day of May, before the ink was scarcely'dry, gentlemen returning from Nashville bronghtthe ordinance of separation. The momentI saw that I said to my friends, “ We are sold; you see there is no neutrality; but we are men and are now compelled to occupy our rightful position.’Mr. Speaker, on the passageof the ordinance of secession I took my position firmly and at once. I made a list of apointments, and spoke against separation an secession up to 4.2%, the day of the election, on the 8th of June. I met Judge Ridley, Rev. J. B. Meli‘crrin and others. My friends will hear me out that but few men moved forward and worked against i secession as I did. The 8th of June came, and I voted against secession and separation. I remained quietly at home, and when the election came on in November, others, like myself, voted against the ratification of the constitution. February came, and the rebel troops came. They were in the countrv. Fishing Creek fight took place. In March, GeneralBuell arrived, with his blue coats, at Nashville. When that occurred, I worked my way through. I did not of there to eat the rations of the soldiers. I di not go there to lie around the camp. I did not go there and subject myself to be called a camp follower. The POTUS 1st commissioned me as a major, and then as a colonel in the Army. I raised arcgiment of cavalry, of 1200 men. I will not speak of the acts of that re iment. It is of record, whether good or bad. this indel ible, and cannot be wiped out. I served in the Federal Army about 3 years and a few days over. I can stand here and say I never, during the whole 3 years, disobeyed an order of my superior. I went where I was ordered. I took whatever place I was ordered. I held it when I was or cred. During the canvass for Lincolnand Johnson I was placed on the ticket as one of the elect ors. made the canvass in 1865. The rebel s thizers were then all against me, while, e loyal Union men were in my favor.