country. General Adams thought he could procure wire
enough to establish communication with Roddy, or materially shorten the
courier line between them; and, as this would duplicate my means of
getting news, especially of Forrest, he was directed to do so. I had no
knowledge of Hood's plans or condition, saving that he had been defeated
and was southwest of Atlanta; but if he contemplated operations on
Sherman's communications, which was his true policy, he must draw
supplies from Selma, as much of the country between the Tennessee and
Alabama Rivers was sterile and sparsely populated. Accordingly, I moved
my headquarters to Selma and ordered the collection of supplies there,
and at Talladega; then took steamer for Montgomery, to meet the General
Assembly of Alabama, called in extra session in view of the crisis
produced by Hood's defeat and the fall of Atlanta. Just as the steamer
was leaving Selma, I received dispatches from Forrest, announcing his
first success after crossing the Tennessee river. Traveling alone, or
with one staff officer, and unknown to the people, I had opportunities
of learning something of the real state of public sentiment in my new
department. Citizens were universally depressed and disheartened. Sick
and wounded officers and men from Hood's army were dissatisfied with the
removal of Johnston from command, and the subsequent conduct of affairs.
From conversations in railway carriages and on river steamers I had
gathered this, and nothing but this, since my arrival.

Reaching Montgomery in the morning, I had interviews with the Governor
and leading members of the Assembly, who promised all the assistance in
their power to aid in the defense of the State. The Governor, Watts, who
had resigned the office of Attorney-General of the Confederacy to accept
his present position, was ever ready to cooeperate with me.

Late in the afternoon a dispatch was received from President Davis,
announcing his arrival for the following morning. He came, was received
by the State authorities, visited the Capitol, addressed the Assembly,
and then received leading citizens; all of which consumed the day, and
it was ten o'clock at night when he took me to his chamber, locked the
door, and said we must devote the night to work, as it was imperative
for him to return to Richmond the next morning. He began by saying that
he had visited Hood and his army on his way to Montgomery, and was
gratified to find officers and men