rther south, across the country,
Thomasville was reached. Here was the terminus of the Savannah and Gulf
Railway, two hundred miles, or thereabouts, southwest of Savannah. This
route I decided to take, and suggested it to the Governor as the only
safe one for his troops. He acquiesced at once, and Toombs promised to
have transportation ready by the time Smith returned. Taking leave of
Cobb, I departed.

Several years after the close of the war General Cobb and I happened to
be in New York, accompanied by our families, but stopping at different
inns. He dined with me, seemed in excellent health and spirits, and
remained to a late hour, talking over former times and scenes. I walked
to his lodgings with him, and promised to call with my wife on Mrs. Cobb
the following day at 1 o'clock. We were there at the hour, when the
servant, in answer to my request to take up our cards, stated that
General Cobb had just fallen dead. I sprang up the stair, and saw his
body lying on the floor of a room, his wife, dazed by the shock, looking
on. A few minutes before he had written a letter and started for the
office of the inn to post it, remarking to his wife that he would return
immediately, as he expected our visit. A step from the threshold, and he
was dead. Thus suddenly passed away one of the most genial and generous
men I have known. His great fortune suffered much by the war, but to the
last he shared its remains with less fortunate friends.

Traveling all night, I reached Thomasville in the early morning, and
found that there was telegraphic communication with General Hardee at
Savannah, whom I informed of my presence and requested to send down
transportation for Governor Brown's troops. There was much delay at
Thomasville, the railway people appearing to think that Sherman was
swarming all over Georgia. At length I discovered an engine and a
freight van, which the officials promised to get ready for me; but they
were dreadfully slow, until Toombs rode into town and speedily woke them
up. Smith returned to Macon after my departure, found transportation
ready for his men, brought them to Albany by rail, and was now marching
to Thomasville. Toombs, who had ridden on in advance, was not satisfied
with Hardee's reply to my dispatch, but took possession of the telegraph
and threatened dire vengeance on superintendents and road masters if
they failed to have the necessary engines and carriages ready in time.
He damned the dawdling c