Sergeant Jno. Carter, Captain; Captains Davis and
Gwynn, of my staff, to whom I owed gratitude for inestimable assistance,
were made Majors. I wished for promotion for other officers--indeed they
all deserved it--but was assured that so many commissions could not be
issued at once. Even the gallant officers who had joined us with the
detachment from Giltner's brigade, could not obtain commissions, which
they would have valued the more highly, because they were soon to
expire.

We moved through South Carolina with great deliberation--so slowly,
indeed, that with the detachments constantly passing them on their way
to surrender, the morale of the troops was seriously impaired. Nothing
demoralizes cavalry more than dilatory movements in time of danger. They
argue that it indicates irresolution on the part of their leaders.

While in South Carolina, an old lady reproached some men of my brigade
very bitterly for taking forage from her barn. "You are a gang of
thieving, rascally, Kentuckians," she said; "afraid to go home, while
our boys are surrendering decently." "Madam," answered one of them,
"you are speaking out of your turn; South Carolina had a good deal to
say in getting up this war, but we Kentuckians have contracted to close
it out."

At Abbeville, where we were received with the kindest hospitality, was
held the last Confederate council of war. Mr. Davis desired to know,
from his brigade commanders, the true spirit of the men. He presided
himself. Beside Generals Breckinridge and Bragg, none others were
present than the five brigade commanders. Mr. Davis was apparently
untouched by any of the demoralization which prevailed--he was affable,
dignified and looked the very personification of high and undaunted
courage. Each officer gave in turn, a statement of the condition and
feeling of his men, and, when urged to do so, declared his own views of
the situation. In substance, all said the same. They and their followers
despaired of successfully conducting the war, and doubted the propriety
of prolonging it. The honor of the soldiery was involved in securing Mr.
Davis' safe escape, and their pride induced them to put off submission
to the last moment. They would risk battle in the accomplishments of
these objects--but would not ask their men to struggle against a fate,
which was inevitable, and forfeit all hope of a restoration to their
homes and friends. Mr. Davis declared that he wished to hear no plan
which had