he said to his men, "Yes, yes, this is the place for our fort."

Frank Susetts approached him with the offer of thirty thousand dollars
in gold if he would spare his place.

"I can not accept it, sir," said the engineer.

"I will give you fifty thousand dollars in gold if you will save it.
It cost me one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to build this
house and the out-houses."

"Should you offer all that you say it cost you, it would be of no
consequence. We give you ten days to take away every thing movable
from your premises, for this house will then be destroyed to make room
for the fort. This is the site we have selected."

At the expiration of the time set, it was in flames. Frank Susetts and
wife stood a block distant weeping. Two of their former slaves were
looking at the conflagration.

"Ah," said one, "a little while ago it was massa Susetts's time, when
he had so many of our people hung; now it is God's time. Praise de
Lo'd, he's here to-day for sure. Glory to Jesus, massa Susetts's day
is over; he can never have any more of our people hung."

It was now the 21st day of March, 1864. Many complained of these
turned tables. Judge Bullock remarked that he couldn't even go to
meeting without a "pass;" just what used to be required of the six
thousand freed slaves who were then in this city of refuge. Painters
were seen in various parts of the city dexterously using their brushes