 After this introduction, we all sat around the fire. The general puffed occasionally at a short stem silver pipe, which he held in his left hand. In his right hand, he held a long hickory cane. A Bible lay on the floor beside him. The general was very religious at this time, and when we told him who we were, some of us studying for the ministry, he leaned forward with his chin on his stick and exclaimed, "'A noble calling, young gentleman.'"