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glance the direction from which we might expect visitors and a little after noon the col. turned to me in a joking manner + said "French what would you do if the rebels were to jump in here and surround the house demanding our surrender - but before I had time to reply to his question we heard the clatter of feet up the walk into the hall and the parlor door thrown open and - not a rebel but our Sergeant appeared and in an excited manner said "Colonel there is a man out here that wants to see you"
Our belt pistols lie on the floor but they were soon [?] on and out one went but as I passed out I glanced at the ladies to see what effect it might have on them -the widow was several shades paler and the others was visibly excited
We found the Capt of the pickets at the gate who said that he had been
attacked by about forty rebel cavalry upon the pike and had driven them back but he expected they would not give it up so and as the colonel was