From Bent Twigs in Jefferson County, by the inestimable late County Historian, Jean Patterson Bible. Transcribed by the incomparable Doris Kinser Fountain.

Uncle Peter and the Hurrah for Jeff Davis

(p. 92)

Uncle Peter was a small boy and hardly knew the difference between Union and Confederate soldiers. The family were Union sympathizers but Peter had heard the word, Jeff Davis, mentioned.

Once when the Union army was passing by the Bowman home on Knob Creek, Peter was standing watching them pass. All of a sudden he shouted, "'Hurrah for Jeff Davis!" Quickly a captain, said, "Boys, catch that boy and cut his tongue out."

Peter was so scared that he let loose his hold on the fence and fell off it, then jumped up and ran into the house. The soldiers, who probably had children, laughed and went off on their way.