The mare I had chosen proved a good traveler.
When morning came I saw a big plantation, with the owner's and negroes' houses, just ahead of me.

I was anxious to learn how my disguise was going to work, and therefore rode boldly up to the house of the overseer and asked if I could get rest and some sort of breakfast.
In response to his inquiries I said I was a Tennesseean and on my way to Holly Springs.

I used my best imitation of the Southern dialect, which I can still use on occasion, and it was perfectly successful.

I was given breakfast, my mare was fed, and I slept most of the day in a haystack, taking up my journey again immediately after dinner.
Thereafter I had confidence in my disguise, and, while making no effort to fall into conversation with people, I did not put myself out to evade anyone whom I met.

None of those with whom I talked suspected me of being a Northern spy.
At the end of a few days I saw that I was near a large body of troops.
It was in the morning after a hard day-and-night ride.