en the rights of soldiers.

"I was grievously disappointed when the first of May, 1864,
came, and the army was to start south, leaving us behind to
hold the forts we had helped to build.

"I asked General Thomas to allow _me_, at least, to go
along. He readily consented, and directed me to report to
General O. O. Howard, commanding the 4th Army Corps, as
Volunteer Aide. I did so, and remained with him thirty days,
participating in the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca,
Adairsville and Dallas. At the end of that time, having
gained invaluable experience, and feeling that my place was
with my regiment, I returned to Chattanooga, determined to
again make every possible effort to get it into active
service.

"A few days after I had taken my place on General Howard's
staff, an incident occurred showing how narrowly one may
escape death. General Stanley and a staff officer and
General Howard and myself were making a little
reconnoissance at Buzzards Roost. We stopped to observe the
movements of the enemy, Stanley standing on the right,
Howard next on his left, and I next. The fourth officer,
Captain Flint, stood immediately in the rear of General
Howard. A sharpshooter paid us a compliment in the shape of
a rifle ball, which struck the ground in front of General
Howard, ricocheted, passed through the skirt of his coat,
through Captain Flint's cap, and buried itself in a tree
behind.

"At Adairsville a group of about a dozen mounted officers
were in an open field, when the enemy exploded a shell just
in front and over us, wounding two officers and five horses.
A piece of the shell passed through the right fore leg of my
horse, a kind, docile, fearless animal, that I was greatly
attached to. I lost a friend and faithful servant.

"On asking leave to return to my command, I was delighted to
receive from General Howard the following note:

"'HEADQUARTERS 4TH ARMY CORPS,

"'ON ACKWORTH AND DALLAS ROAD, 8 MILES FROM DALLAS, GA., May
31st 1864.

"'COLONEL:--This is to express my thanks for your services
upon my staff during the past month, since starting upon
this campaign. You have given me always full satisfaction,
and more, by your assiduous devotion to duty.

"'You have been active and untiring on the march,