His house was on a hill overlooking the beautiful valley, broad enough at this point to give room for ample fields in the rich bottom lands.

I had called upon him, as I passed with my troops when I went up the valley.

He was a dignified and able man, just past middle life, but in full physical and mental force, and capable of exerting a very great influence if he could have thrown himself heartily into public activity.

But he was utterly saddened and depressed by the outbreak of civil war, and deliberately chose the part of suffering in seclusion whatever it might bring, unable to rouse himself to a combative part.

As a slave-holder, he was bitter against the anti-slavery movement, and as a Unionist he condemned the Secessionists.