. His head was quite large, nose
prominent, eyes full; he had a strong face, and was of a cheerful,
social disposition, rather than retiring and taciturn. Irish
characteristics predominated in him, and when not on duty he was
disposed to be rollicking and free and easy. He was not hard to
approach by his inferiors, but he was not always discriminating in
the language he used to them. He did not seem to be a deliberate
thinker or reasoner, and often gave the impression that his decisions
or opinions were off-hand and not the result of reflection. In
the quiet of camp he seemed to be less able to combine or plan
great movements than in emergencies in the field. In a battle he
often showed the excitement of his impetuous nature, but he never
lost his head or showed any disposition save to push the enemy.
These are some opinions formed after seeing him in several great
battles, and knowing him personally through all the later years of
his life. It remains to say that he was an honest man, and devotedly
loyal to his friends. His fame as a soldier of a high class will
endure.

Generals Wright and Ricketts each received me warmly, and, as
always, showed me the utmost kindness.

Horatio G. Wright was a skilled and educated soldier, of the engineer
class. He, like the great Thomas, was of a most lovable disposition
and temperament. He had held many important commands during the
war; had failed in none, and yet uncomplainingly suffered himself
to be assigned from the command of a department to that of a division
of troops. He was unfortunate once, as we shall see, and the glory
of his chief shone so brightly as to dim the subordinate's well
earned fame. But I must not anticipate. Wright was especially
fitted to command infantry--a corps or more in battle. His
intercourse with his officers was kindly and assuring under all
circumstances. His characteristics as a soldier were of the
unassuming, sturdy, solid kind--never pyrotechnic. He was modest,
and not specially ambitious. In brief, he was a great soldier.

James B. Ricketts was also a highly educated soldier, and when I
met him in the Valley he had been in many battles. He was a man
of great modesty, of quiet demeanor, and of the most generous
impulses. He never spoke unkindly of any person, and was always
just to superiors and inferiors. He was wounded at Bull Run (1861),
and captured and confined for many months in prison at Richmond.
His heroic wife,