December 5.—General Joseph E. Johnston is now in command of this department. With the change all seem pleased.
We have a patient, who is a prisoner in the guard-house, Captain Thatcher of St. Louis, Mo. He is to be tried as a traitor. As yet I have not seen him, but send him what is ordered. He sent me a Confederate star and a note of thanks for what little I had done for him. I sincerely trust he is not guilty.
Dr. Abernethy has been appointed house surgeon; Dr. P. Thornton is now in charge. He is a nephew of Judge T. of Mississippi, and seems very much of a gentleman.
