Knoxville, Tenn., February 25th, 1864.
Another of my patients leaves for his home tomorrow morning on furlough. His name is Joseph Spalding, of our company. He was wounded and taken prisoner at Campbell Station, but, being unable to walk, was left, with about three hundred of their own men, when the siege was raised. He enjoyed their hospitality about three weeks, and was satisfied. He says, however, they treated him as well as they did their own men. Our forces are still searching for Longstreet, the Ninth Corps in advance, as usual.
I learn they crossed the Holston today at Strawberry Plains. How far our boys will follow I do not know; certainly not farther than the cars can carry their supplies, for they have no mule train. They may go as far as Morristown, then strike across by way of Cumberland Gap. The officers’ horses, that were sent to Kingston some time ago on account of forage, are ordered back. This means change of locality. The fact may seem of small significance, but I have learned to judge of movements by what I see, not by what I hear.
