ose of John Morgan. "Who comes
there?" continued the sentinel. "Friends." "Advance friends, and give
the countersign." Going up to the sentinel, I told him who we were, and
that we had not the countersign. After a little delay, the officer of
the guard came and allowed us to proceed.

12. To-day farmer Baily came to see us. I sent his good wife a haversack
of coffee, to remunerate her somewhat for the excellent dinner she had
given us. He urged us to come again, and said they would have a turkey
prepared for us this afternoon; but I declined with thanks.

15. At eight o'clock to-morrow morning we shall move to Tyree Springs, a
little village situated in the heart of a wild, broken tract of country,
which, of late, has been a favorite rendezvous for guerrillas and
highwaymen. Citizens and soldiers traveling to and from Nashville,
during the last two months, have, at or near this place, been compelled
to empty their pockets, and when their clothes were better than those of
their captors, have been compelled to spare them also.

We have no certain information as to the enemy's whereabouts. One rumor
says he is at Lavergne, another locates him at Murfreesboro, and still
another puts him at Chattanooga. General Rosecrans is now in command,
and, urged on by the desires of the North, may follow him to the latter
place this winter. A man from whom the people are each day expecting
some extraordinary action, some tremendous battle, in which the enemy
shall be annihilated, is unfortunately situated, and likely very soon to
become unpopular. It takes two to make a fight, as it does to make a
bargain. General John Pope is the only warrior of modern times who can
find a battle whenever he wants to, and take any number of prisoners his
heart desires. Even his brilliant achievements, however, afford the
people but temporary satisfaction, for, upon investigation, they are
unable to find either the captives or the discomfited hosts.

I predict that in twelve months Rosecrans will be as unpopular as Buell.
After the affair at Rich mountain, the former was a great favorite. When
placed in command of the forces in Western Virginia, the people expected
hourly to hear of Floyd's destruction; but after a whole summer was
spent in the vain endeavor to chase down the enemy and bring him to
battle, they began to abuse Rosecrans, and he finally left that
department, much as Buell has left this. Our generals should,
undoubtedly, do more, but ou