July 6.—I have just had a visit from our old surgeon, Dr. P. Thornton. He is in Wharton’s cavalry, which is under Wheeler. They covered the retreat . He says they fought day and night for a week, and that our men have had a trying time, as every thing had to be brought off in a hurry, and we had so many mountains to cross. He also says they have left the enemy far behind.
We have just received orders to send every man away. Those who are not able to leave this place are to be sent to other hospitals, as we are so near the river, and would get, in case of an attack, the full benefit of the firing.
This place already begins to look like Corinth. Troops are passing and repassing constantly; the noise from the wagons is deafening. We used to have guards to stop wagons and horsemen galloping past; but those things are not heeded now.
It is thought, if this place should be well fortified, and we chose to hold it, it would stand a siege of years, as it has the strongest natural defenses in the Confederacy.
All are in the dark as to what is going to be done. Some feel satisfied that General Bragg could not have made any other move than the one he has, as the Federals were aiming to flank him, and he had not men enough to force them to fight. If he had enemies before, they can be numbered now by the score. He seems to have no friends except the Alabamians; they have not lost confidence in him. He has certainly had much to contend with. I do not feel competent to judge of his abilities as a commander, but I do wish, for his own sake and that of the country, he would leave this department, as the confidence of men in a commander is every thing.
I am told that many of the Tennesseans have deserted. I think we are well rid of all who are base enough to live under the Lincoln government after the outrages it has committed on us.
“When so base as be a slave,
Let him turn and flee!”
With this retreat, as with every other I have seen, the men are so worn out that they tell all kind of stories about the army’s being demoralized. I have got used to this, and do not put faith in it. After they are well rested they will forget it.
