"An old lady and her two daughters were alone there.

My mother had suffered from raids of hostile soldiers in Kansas.
I tried to protect that old lady, as I would have liked another man to protect my mother in her distress.

I am sorry if I have disobeyed your orders and I am ready for any punishment you wish to inflict on me." "My boy," said the general, "you may be too good-hearted for a soldier, but you have done just what I would have done.

My orders were to destroy all Southern property.

But we will forget your violation, of them." General Smith kept straight on toward Forrest's stronghold.