I had a big game of roulette one night during the war, when the
Northern officers were traveling up and down the river. The boat
was full of officers, and General Banks was on board. Up stepped
a big fellow from Texas, who was a detective for General Banks.
He pulled out a $100 Confederate bill, and laid it on the red. I
picked it up and said I had no Confederate money to pay him in, in
case he won. He got very saucy, and went over to the bar, where
I could hear every word he said, and told the barkeeper that as
soon as I closed that game he would whip me. So I closed up and
sent my wheel down stairs in the locker, and walked up to the bar
and asked him to take a drink, so that he would make some remark.
He said, "I pick my company." I let drive and knocked the ginger
out of him, and kept him spinning around until he yelled out. Then
came the rush. General Banks and staff, followed by all the boat's
officers. The fellow was bleeding like a stuck pig. The clerk
told the General how he talked, and he said he got just what he
deserved. I then sent down and got my wheel, opened, and all the
officers played except General Banks. I was sorry he did not
appreciate the game, and change in a few greenbacks.