Never forget, my son, how terrible is the penalty that attaches to treason.  But now I must ask you to reaccompany me to another part of the field, that we may see what is going on there.  The attack made on our defenses by the rebels was of the feeblest kind.  Why this was, some of our officers could not understand.  It was evidently made in doubt of the result, and indicated forcibly enough that something was wrong at the rebel headquarters.  We want now to see what that was.

While the booming of cannon and the rattle of small arms was going on in the vicinity of Fort Stevens, without any very serious damage to either side (for I may mention here that the rebels kept at a respectful distance from the forts), Generals Early, Ewell, and Breckinridge were enjoying themselves on the sumptuous fare found at Silver Springs and other neighboring plantations.  In short, it is asserted that these generals had been short of rations for some days, and were very hungry when they reached the outskirts of Washington.  It is also asserted that they took themselves to feasting and making merry with their friends; so much so that they had all the cellars and larders of the houses round about examined for bounties to supply their table.  And to such an extent was this feasting and merrymaking carried, that General Early quite forgot that he was sent to capture Washington, and indeed set such a bad example to his subordinates as to destroy all discipline.

There were two great events in this remarkable siege, my son, and I must tell you what they were.  If I do not, you will not get a clear idea of how the siege was carried on by the rebels.  The generals (rebel) had not tasted fresh beef for several days, and had a sharp appetite which their commissaries were inclined to gratify.  Now, there was on the plantation of Mr. George Riggs, near where these generals had their headquarters, a celebrated Alderney bull, much valued by its owner.  Here was a temptation not to be resisted by these commissaries, who had the animal led to slaughter and served up for their masters.  Yes, my son, these generals and their staffs banqueted on Mr. Riggs’s bull, and were honest enough to confess that they had rarely fared so sumptuously.  This is one of the great events.  Now to the other.  A number of general officers (choice spirits), imitating the example set by their bold superiors, went out on a forage of their own, and coming to the house of the Hon. Montgomery Blair, put it under a close examination, especially the cellar and larder, which was supposed to be well stored with the choicest.  They were disappointed, however, to find that the cellar contained little wine, and were about setting the honorable owner down for a disciple of temperance, when they came upon a barrel of rare old Bourbon whisky.