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"Here I am, snug again in my winter's tent, and about as
doleful in the exchange from home and its blessings as a wise
man need be. Resolutely have I gone to work, and this in some
measure relieves the shock of so great a transfer. Our camp is
a pretty good one, and my own tent thoroughly comfortable,—so
much so, indeed, that, if the worst comes to the worst, for your
accommodation with me, I can readily shield you both from
rude blasts within these canvas walls. This, however, I do not
anticipate.

"I wrote to you Sunday afternoon from Richmond. That
night we went to hear the eloquent Mr. Duncan of the Methodist
Church,—one of a course of sermons on charity: 'Silver
and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee.' Divisions,
—first, a beneficent action; second, an occasion for Christian
charity; third, the extent of fidelity in such illustrated,—'such
as I have give I.' It was an earnest discourse from a devout,
simple, active, and fearless mind, pleasingly as well as impressively
delivered, and calculated to do good. He was extremely
severe upon the pretended charities of self-seeking people, as
well as upon those of concerts, balls, theatricals, etc.

"Monday morning I visited the commissary-general about
Mary, also the chief of ordnance, all to no purpose. They told
me the rule adopted in all such cases is to employ refugee ladies,
and of them the neediest, without friends or home, are first provided
for. Of these there are so many that no room remains for

others. This I could not but admit to be right and proper,
although in some instances there has been evasion of it on one
side or the other. It will be some disappointment to Mol, but,
willing as I was to gratify her in her wish to be independently
useful, I really feel better satisfied that she should still be free like
the others in our dear home. By God's blessing our means will
suffice. They can, by the needle, etc., do enough to give them
a sense of something done for themselves and for the common
good, and in due time Divine wisdom and goodness may open
the way for us to act again all together in some co-operative plan
for each. . . . Mr. Brooke will take the theodolite for the Navy
Department if it is not more needed in the army engineering
department. The price I leave him to determine."

"Here I am, just a week after leaving my head-quarters at
Louisa Court-House, Virginia, with my work of inspection, etc.,
here fairly begun.

From Atlanta, where because of trains not uniting we had to
stay all day yesterday, we came on last night, and reached here
just before day this morning. I had telegraphed from Atlanta

that I would be here, and General Johnston had ordered an am
bulance to meet us at the depot, but it either did not do so or was
not seen by us. It was raining very hard, as it had done for most
of the night, so we quietly waited under the depot roof for day
light. I then found out the general's quarters and walked thither.
His greeting was most cordial. George and Charlie,[3] with Sam
and our baggage, were soon sent for, and we were adjusted for
accommodation among the rooms of the general's cottage.
After washing, etc., we shared breakfast with the general's
mess. Very good; real coffee, and butter made from the gen
eral's own cow, toast, corn-bread, etc. After breakfast I had a
conference with the general, and recommended to him Tom
Carter to be brigadier-general of artillery and Dearing to be
colonel. He at once telegraphed to Richmond to have them
thus promoted and transferred. Beckham is already here, a
colonel, and Bondurant a lieutenant-colonel. They early called
to see me.

"I made an appointment to inspect at twelve to-day the
reserve artillery, constituting about one-third of the whole with
this army, and accordingly at that hour sallied out under the
guidance of Major Preston, General Johnston's inspector of artil
lery, and accompanied by Charlie Hatcher. The general had
kindly mounted me on one of his fine horses, and one of his
aides had supplied Charlie. Lieutenant-Colonel Hollinquist,
commander of the reserve, received us in due form at the usual
drill-grounds of his three battalions, and I made a minute inspec
tion of every gun and caisson, horse, and set of harness, and of
all the wagons and teams, stables, etc. The result was to me
quite satisfactory. The horses are in fair condition, the guns,
carriages, and harness in very good order, and the tout ensemble
indicative of intelligence, care, and energy on the part of offi
cers. I am told this is better than the other artillery I have
to examine. But, at any rate, so far as it is concerned it is
decidedly better than I expected.

"To-morrow Generals Hardee and Hood are to have reviews
of the artillery attached to their several corps from ten to two.
I saw them both to-day. That will give me a general idea of

the condition of their artillery. But I must next week visit each
battalion for itself, and make a minute inspection.

"Then I have to submit certain inquiries in writing, to be similarly
answered, to all the battalion commanders. And when
my own mind is thus enlightened I shall be able to submit to
General Johnston my views respecting the best organization of
his artillery, and also prepare my report for department in Rich
mond. You see I have a good deal of work for two or three
weeks. It will take little less time to learn all I wish to learn,
and especially to make with the officers such acquaintance as
may authorize definite expression respecting them. . . . The
candle by which I write is just giving out, so I must stop. Bed
will no doubt be very sweet to us, long as it is since we undressed."

". . . Saturday I attended Generals Hardee and Hood in re
viewing the artillery of their corps. Yesterday I stayed in-doors,
intending to be present at Methodist worship, but was misin
formed as to the hour. I therefore improved the time with Bible
and Prayer-Book, Bradley's Sermons, and my little practical com
mentaries. . . . To-day I employed in inspecting minutely all
the artillery of Hardee's corps,—batteries, transportation, horses,
camps, etc. To-morrow I shall give for similar work to Hood's
corps. This will get me through the actual inspection. Then
I have to get in the written replies to my inquiries addressed
to commanding officers, and from the whole make up my mind
as to things needed for best efficiency. One or two thorough
officers are the chief requisite."

". . . We are still kindly entertained at General Johnston's
head-quarters. I yesterday finished all my field-work of actual
inspection, and am waiting partly for reports from commanders
before I can systematize my own suggestions, and also to hear
the results of our application for Tom Carter to be sent here as
brigadier-general and chief of artillery for this army.

"I have just been to visit Lieutenant-Colonel Bondurant and
his wife. He was a captain for a long time under my command
in Virginia. D. H. Hill brought him out here to be chief of
artillery for his division, first as a major and subsequently for his

corps as lieutenant-colonel. . . . I was out all the forenoon to
day witnessing a grand drill of General Hood's corps. The
weather was cold enough to occasion a good deal of suffering,
yet the array was conducted successfully and in a manner quite
imposing. You would be, and especially the girls, greatly inter
ested in witnessing such a spectacle. Fifteen or twenty thousand
men, including artillery, thus engaged, even with blank cartridges,
make an immense show and mighty noise, and give a very toler
able idea of a real battle."

". . . General Johnston was informed last night from Richmond
that Brigadier-General Shoup had been ordered to him to
be his chief of artillery. I am sorry they did not promote Tom
Carter and send him, as he has been so thoroughly tried and
found so efficient. Still, General Shoup has the reputation of
being a good officer, and will, I hope, do well. He is a West
Point graduate of somewhere about Fitz Lee's time, was at
Vicksburg, and is now at Mobile. His coming simplifies my
operations. I shall be at liberty now to leave in a few days."

". . . I have been privileged to-day to preach to an immense
congregation of officers and soldiers and a few ladies. It was on
our Saviour's agony in the garden. I trust it was a profitable
occasion. I felt it so myself. Was aided to considerable freedom
of thought and feeling, and the congregation was thoroughly
attentive to the end. Since service I have been mostly in my
room reading and resting.

"My time here has passed quite satisfactorily. I have carefully
examined all the artillery, witnessed their reviews and drills, and
submitted to General Johnston my views respecting its best
organization and management. He pretty generally approves,
and matters will be so far ready for General Shoup when he
comes. In one of my letters I described a grand drill and sham
battle of Hood's corps. On Saturday I attended a great drill of
all the artillery with Hardee's corps, which would also have interested
you. Mrs. Hardee, a bride of two months, was out on
horseback, attended by two or three of the general's staff. It
would not be safe for ladies to be on horseback witnessing even

a sham battle, as very few horses remain unfrightened near
musket- and cannon-firing. The day we were out with Hood's
the scene was rather wildly enlivened by some half a dozen
riderless horses careering frantically over the hills. They had
unceremoniously deposited their loads on the ground and made
off. One of the dismounted was, I understood, a major-general.
Such a fall may not hurt a man, otherwise than in his pride, but
a lady would hardly bear it with as much impunity.

"I expect to leave here day after to-morrow,—calling by
Charleston on our return for the purpose of taking a look at the
gallant city and its defenders. It will delay us but a little, and
I hardly feel justified in losing the opportunity, while George
Peterkin and Charlie Hatcher are particularly anxious for the
satisfaction. The long, long jaunt in crowded cars day and
night for nearly a week is anything but attractive in prospect,
and will be worse in experience. Still, evils much greater can be
endured."

". . . How are you and N this morning after your
thrice-trying ride yesterday? I was anxious about you all
day, and could only commit you to the care of our Almighty
Father and hope that you might find the stage tolerably close
against the driving snow. . . . Sandie and I duly reached
Orange Court-House. His horse was ready for him; he therefore
mounted and rode to the quartermaster's and got a horse
for me. Meanwhile I walked through mud and rain to Mr.
R—'s, meeting Sandie on the way. He went with me, and
our kind cousin soon gave us a delightful snack. We then rode
on towards General Lee's head-quarters. There we parted.
Sandie rode on to his own head-quarters and I proceeded to
the general's. They all seemed glad to see me, and General Lee
was particularly cordial. With him I had a conference of two
or three hours, and having concluded I moved to leave. He
urged me to stay, and promised to make me comfortable. But
I had arranged with Cousin R to return to their house that
night, and knew it would incommode the general and his staff
to extemporize another bed in camp. Besides, I had Major John
Rogers's horse, and thought it best to return it. Excusing myself
on these accounts, I rode through the extreme darkness and
reached Dr. R—'s some time after nine. I could hardly have
found my way but for a courier who was sent to guide me through
the woods.

"Respecting the question which takes me south, General Lee
fully agrees with the government and with my own convictions.
Appearances now are that Grant is making preparations for a
gigantic effort again against Richmond. If by the course to
which my mission has reference he can be anticipated the most
important results may be achieved. . . . Cousin Nette has most
beautiful bread. I engaged her to have for me a fine large loaf
to take on my trip next Thursday. She also put up two tongues,
so that I am thus far provided for. The bread will be rather
stale, but it will, no doubt, be very good. They were all waiting
for me at the Court-House when I arrived, and after a little while
we rode to camp. All here is in statu quo. The whole country
one vast bed of mud."

"All this time—since Sunday—I have been unable to write to
you. Tuesday I tried to come down from camp in the accommodation
train. The running off the track of a freight-train delayed
us, and it was past nine when I got to Sue's. Since then
my time has been almost incessantly occupied with General
Bragg and the President. Now I can inform you as to my proceedings,
as the matter has been arranged this evening. I therefore
write to-night, hoping to be industrious enough to take my
letter to the Central train to go in the mail starting at six.

"The President still thinks it best for me to go, and but for
delays to-day I should start to-morrow morning. My orders
and other papers did not reach me until ten o'clock to-night,—
too late to get transportation and make other arrangements. I
shall thus have the privilege of sharing in our national worship
to-morrow."

"You will be surprised to get from here my first letter written
since our detention in Danville on our way south. But I felt
sure I would get back before a letter from Dalton would be this
far on its way to you. I only stayed there two days, as I intended,
and started back Saturday afternoon, having accomplished
all I could with General Johnston, Got here last evening
about sunset. I have had interviews to-day with the President and
General Bragg with respect to the report of my conference with
General Johnston and the facts important for them to know.
My report will probably be the basis of some early movement
on the part of our army in that quarter, as the proposal of General
Johnston thus communicated is recognized by the President
and General Bragg as now perhaps the best that can be done.
It would have been better if General Johnston could have agreed
to move some time ago, before the enemy had so far made his
arrangements. . . . I had some faint hope of running up to see
you for a day or two, but the indications of Grant's operations
are too significant of immediate work to render it strictly proper
for me to enjoy that privilege. I shall therefore hasten to my
post, only staying here one more day to make some arrangements
I wish to accomplish."