tion. His escape was one of the most remarkable on record. Heavily ironed, closely guarded in the midst. of the great rebel army of more than one hundred thousand men, the day set apart for his execution but three days' distant, it required the almost miraculous interposition of Divine Providence to give success to his plans for escape, to guide him through a hostile country swarming with foes eager in their search, stimulated by the incentive of a large reward and aided by the keen-scented blood-hound, till he had passed over a space of more than two hundred miles by the route he was compelled to travel, which intervened between his prison in Tupelo and the Union outpost of Rienzi. We have seen the manacles he wore; we have looked upon the scars caused by the galling circlet of his ankles, the heavy iron fetters. We have read his thrilling record on the site of its. occurrence in the very building in which for years. the author presided over the destinies of the Rienzi Female College. If you wish to read a true novel, a thrilling romance, a volume which will arouse and keep in trembling suspense all the faculties of your soul, send at once for "The Iron Furnace."

[By REV. ALFRED NEVIN, D.D. Philadelphia, Pa.]

"The Iron Furnace" not a misnomer. Many have inquired in regard to "The Iron Furnace," whence the name? Would not the Fiery Furnace have been more appropriate? In reply we would refer all inquirers to Deut. iv. 20; Jer. xi. 3-4; 1st Kings viii. 51;

from which it will be observed that "The Iron Furnace" is a most appropriate and significant title for the interesting work which bears it. More than three thousand copies of "The Iron Furnace" were ordered in advance of its publication, and many additional thousands have since been sold. It will always be important as a history of the times by one whose opportunity for observation was excellent. He gives an inside view. It is embellished with a beautiful steel portrait of the author and engravings.

[REV. T. L. CUYLER, D. D., Brooklyn, L. I.] A much needed work.

[By REV. W. M. ENGLES, D.D., Philadelphia. Pa.]

It tells a true and startling story of southern slavery and secession by a ministerial brother who is highly esteemed by those who know him, and whose veracity may be relied on with entire confidence. It is a thrilling narrative of what the writer saw and suffered, and contains a spirited and speaking likeness of the author.

Rev. John H. Aughey, Commander of Post No. 145, Department of Illinois, G. A. R., Farmington, Fulton County, Ill.:

DEAR COMRADE-Your comrades of the above named Post most earnestly request you to publish a new edition of your war history, which we have read with intense interest.

ENOS KELSEY, S. V. Com.

F. A. CUSTER, Adjutant.

[By GEN. U. S. GRANT.]

Mr. Aughey-I have read your book with interest. I feel much compassion for you and the great number of southern loyalists who have suffered such terrible things at the hands of their disloyal fellow citizens. I thank you for the present of your book.

[By GEN. JOHN. A. LOGAN.]

Mr. Aughey-I thank you for your book, "The Iron Furnace." I have only had time to glance through it. I know that I shall be greatly interested in reading it. The loyalists of the South deserve much credit for their adherence to the Union amid surrounding foes, an environment fraught with continuous peril. Truly your friend,

J. A. LOGAN.

I have many other testimonials, but the above will suffice. Verbum sat sapienti.

JOHN H. AUGHEY.

Chariton, Iowa.

CHAPTER I.

SECESSION.

At the breaking out of the present rebellion, I was engaged in the work of an Evangelist in the counties of Choctaw and Attala in Central Mississippi. My congregations were large, and my duties onerous. Being constantly employed in ministerial labors, I had no time to intermeddle with politics, leaving all such questions to statesmen, giving the complex issues of the day only sufficient attention to enable me to vote intelligently. Thus was I engaged when the great political campaign of 1860 commenced-a campaign conducted with greater virulence and asperity than any I have ever witnessed. During my casual detention at a store, Colonel Drane arrived according to appointment, to address the people of Choctaw. He was a member of one of my congregations, and as he had long been a leading statesman in Mississippi, having for many years presided over the state senate, I expected to hear a speech of marked ability, unfolding the true issues before the people, with all the dignity, suavity, and earnestness of a gentleman and patriot; but I found his whole speech to be a tirade of abuse of the North, commingled with the bold avowal of treasonable sentiments. The Colonel thus addressed the people: