doughty warrior.

Some months after the time of which I am writing, a body of Federal
horse was captured in the valley of Virginia. The colonel commanding,
who had been dismounted in the fray, approached me. A stalwart man, with
huge mustaches, cavalry boots adorned with spurs worthy of a
_caballero_, slouched hat, and plume, he strode along with the
nonchalant air of one who had wooed Dame Fortune too long to be cast
down by her frowns. Suddenly Major Wheat, near by, sprang from his horse
with a cry of "Percy! old boy!" "Why, Bob!" was echoed back, and a warm
embrace was exchanged. Colonel Percy Wyndham, an Englishman in the
Federal service, had last parted from Wheat in Italy, or some other
country where the pleasant business of killing was going on, and now
fraternized with his friend in the manner described.

Poor Wheat! A month later, and he slept his last sleep on the bloody
field of Cold Harbor. He lies there in a soldier's grave. Gallant
spirit! let us hope that his readiness to die for his cause has made
"the scarlet of his sins like unto wool."

As the autumn of the year 1861 passed away, the question of army
organization pressed for solution, while divergent opinions were held by
the Government at Richmond and General Johnston. The latter sent me to
President Davis to explain his views and urge their adoption. My mission
met with no success; but in discharging it, I was made aware of the
estrangement growing up between these eminent persons, which
subsequently became "the spring of woes unnumbered." An earnest effort
made by me to remove the cloud, then "no greater than a man's hand,"
failed; though the elevation of character of the two men, which made
them listen patiently to my appeals, justified hope. Time but served to
widen the breach. Without the knowledge and despite the wishes of
General Johnston, the descendants of the ancient dwellers in the cave
of Adullam gathered themselves behind his shield, and shot their arrows
at President Davis and his advisers, weakening the influence of the head
of the cause for which all were struggling.

Immediately after the birth of the Confederacy, a resolution was adopted
by the "Provisional Congress" declaring that military and naval
officers, resigning the service of the United States Government to enter
that of the Confederate, would preserve their relative rank. Later on,
the President was authorized to make five appointments to the grade of
general. These a