August 9th. Heat fearful; troops neglecting everything not absolutely necessary. At dress parade the following circular was read at the head of each regiment:
Headquarters First Division, Second Corps,
Camp Near Harrison’s Landing, August 7, 1862.
Circular.The general commanding the division desires to express to the command his appreciation of their successful efforts in bringing back the division to the high standard which it held previous to the recent battles.
This division has now a high reputation for valor and for endurance, and also for subordination, without which the other soldierly qualities are valueless. You are again called upon to hold yourselves ready to meet an enemy in arms against his own country and his own flag!
Soldiers of the First Division, you are ready.
W. H. French,
Brigadier-General Commanding Division.
About noon, a tall, fine looking young officer called upon me and claimed acquaintance on account of similarity of names. He is a captain, not over twenty-three or four years old, and comes from Little Falls, New York, where his family of Favills have been established since 1690, I think he said; found him very agreeable and enjoyed the interview.
