Blair, and two members of Congress, we secured passes to Chicago and
return, then to Cairo and return, and from thence to Vicksburg,
Mississippi. Waiting a few days at Cairo, for our supplies to reach
us, we visited the hospitals and camps. Here we met a company of men
who were called "Jay-hawkers." They were all tall, large men. One of
these carried the treasure-bag, but I do not think he was a Judas to
the government. A pillow-case was nearly half full of gold and silver
watches, diamonds, and gold jewelry, which they said was confiscated
for the government. They said wealth gave the rebellion strength, no
matter in what it consisted.

After the arrival of our supplies we took a steamer down the
Mississippi, and stopped a short time at Columbus. A little before
landing I discovered an Irish woman had in her possession a six-quart
tin pail of whisky, and a gallon jug that she seemed very careful to
keep out of sight under the sofa; I took a seat by her side, and knew
I could not be mistaken as to the contents of her pail and jug, and as
I understood it was a forbidden article, I penciled on the margin of
my official paper to the inspector to look well to the whisky the
woman at my side had in her possession. As he came to inquire for my
baggage to inspect, I told him where he would find it, and he would
see by my papers what were their probable contents. Taking a look at
the lady by my side, as he handed back my papers he remarked, "I think
I'll not take the trouble to inspect your baggage, as I see you are
all right." As we were going ashore, my red-shawled companion
carefully gathered her pail and jug under her shawl at each side of
her, and hurried to bury herself in the crowd. The inspector followed
closely, and as he took hold of the pail to see what she had hanging
on her arm, in her effort to get away from him it fell on the cabin
carpet. As the cover came off we had quite a shower of whisky about