7th.—Eight days ago to-day, the sick list was 144. Today it is 72! I begin to think that a Surgeon may be as indispensable to an army as a Colonel,—that
“A doctor skilled our deadly wounds to heal,
Is more than armies to the common weal.”
Another “speck of war” yesterday. About ten thousand men from the three divisions here having seen a “track” of the enemy, started in pursuit. After four or five miles march, we came on them in line of battle. Our army looked at t’other army and t’other army looked at our army, when our army came to the conclusion that the “touch” had become “too fresh,” and so they turned around and came home! Oh, but we are a great people. For four months we have been coaxing them to “come out,” and when at last they came out we ran off and left, and the report to-day is that we shall now go into winter quarters here, at a safe distance from the enemy we came to whip! Wonder if we may not soon expect a consignment of petticoats. Hope the ladies association will not send any. I have too much respect for the garment to see it disgraced by being worn by such officers.
The honor of the day is divided between Captain _____, of _____’s Battery, and Colonel _____, of the regiment of _____ Volunteers.[1] Yesterday, on the field, they disputed, each claiming the honor of command. To-day they dispute, each claiming that this honor attaches to the other. “Par nobile fratrum.”
[1] Were I publishing a history of the war, I should feel it my duty to fill these blanks; but as it in only a journal or record of events, as they appeared, at the time, I feel that it is more proper, as a general thing, to turn over persons to the care of the historian.
