February 26.—All is at a stand-still again. Our people seem to have revived after our late disasters. The Tennessee army has scattered—many of its troops are here. As nearly all of its cannon were lost, many of the men of the batteries are here drilling as infantry; among them Garrety’s battery.
I am told that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction on account of this, as artillerymen do not like being taken from their guns. A lady friend told me the other day, that two or three members of a Louisiana battery had deserted on this account.
Fenner’s battery, from New Orleans, is here. It has been in active service nearly throughout the whole war, and has suffered much. On the retreat from Dalton three brothers in it were killed; two were shot down, at one time, along side of the third; and, as it was in the heat of battle, he could not leave his post to go to their rescue. Not long afterward he also fell, a martyr for his country. Alas I we have many such self-immolations to record in the pages of our history; and what more glory do we need than such records? None. These martyrs shall live in future story, and ages yet unborn shall sing their requiem. Youths shall listen, with quivering lip and glistening eye, to gray-haired sires, recounting their deeds of heroism, and tell how nobly freemen shed their blood in defense of liberty.
It is reported that General Johnston has taken command of the Tennessee army, or rather what is left of it. This has given universal satisfaction, but no one can tell for how long, as that hydra-headed monster—the people—is a little inclined to be fickle. I have been told that before General Hood took command, the people of Georgia sent many a petition to the president, asking him to remove General Johnston, as he was permitting the enemy to lay waste the country.
There is scarcely a town in the Confederacy where there has not been a meeting held, approving of the answer given by the peace commissioners, and passing resolutions never to yield while there is one man left to strike a blow.
Mobile has had a very large, enthusiastic meeting; and I see by the papers that Newnan has not been behind any in this respect. It is rumored that Vice-president Stevens has said he is fully convinced that there is but one way to have peace, and that is to conquer it.
Mobile never was as gay as it is at present; not a night passes but some large ball or party is given. Same old excuse: that they are for the benefit of the soldiers; and indeed the soldiers seem to enjoy them.
The city is filled with the veterans of many battles. I have attended several of the parties, and at them the gray jackets were conspicuous. A few were in citizen’s clothes, but it was because they had lost their uniforms.
The Alabama troops are dressed so fine that we scarcely recognize them. A large steamer, laden with clothes, ran the blockade lately, from Limerick, Ireland.
Notwithstanding the gayety, nearly all the churches are daily opened for special prayers, imploring the Most High to look down in pity on us, and free us from this fearful scourge.
“The Lord will not cast us off forever; but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, for he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.”
