brains were
addled by tragedies and Plutarch's fables.

It was but right to tell these gallant, faithful men the whole truth
concerning our situation. The surrender of Lee left us little hope of
success; but while Johnston remained in arms we must be prepared to
fight our way to him. Again, the President and civil authorities of our
Government were on their way to the south, and might need our
protection. Granting the cause for which we had fought to be lost, we
owed it to our own manhood, to the memory of the dead, and to the honor
of our arms, to remain steadfast to the last. This was received, not
with noisy cheers, but solemn murmurs of approval, showing that it was
understood and adopted. Forrest and Maury shared my opinions and
objects, and impressed them on their men. Complete order was maintained
throughout, and public property protected, though it was known later
that this would be turned over to the Federal authorities. A
considerable amount of gold was near our camps, and safely guarded; yet
it is doubtful if our united means would have sufficed to purchase a
breakfast.

Members of the Confederate Congress from the adjoining and more western
States came to us. These gentlemen had left Richmond very hurriedly, in
the first days of April, and were sorely jaded by fatigue and anxiety,
as the presence of Wilson's troops in Georgia had driven them to
by-paths to escape capture. Arrived at a well-ordered camp, occupied by
a formidable-looking force, they felt as storm-tossed mariners in a
harbor of refuge, and, ignorant of recent events, as well as uncertain
of the future, were eager for news and counsel. The struggle was
virtually over, and the next few days, perhaps hours, would decide my
course. In my judgment it would speedily become their duty to go to
their respective homes. They had been the leaders of the people, had
sought and accepted high office at their hands, and it was for them to
teach the masses, by example and precept, how best to meet impending
troubles. Possibly they might suffer annoyance and persecution from
Federal power, but manhood and duty required them to incur the risk. To
the credit of these gentlemen it should be recorded that they followed
this advice when the time for action came. There was one exception which
deserves mention.

Ex-Governor Harris, now a United States Senator from Tennessee, occupied
the executive chair of his State in 1862, and withdrew from Nashville
when the ar