had no cause for such a feeling. He took great pains in getting what
was necessary for me. The baggage of a private in a Confederate battery
was not extensive. How little was needed my father, even at that time,
did not know, for though he was very careful in providing me with the
least amount he thought necessary, I soon found by experience that
he had given me a great deal too much. It was characteristic of his
consideration for others and the unselfishness of his nature, that
at this time, when weighed down, harassed and burdened by the cares
incident to bringing the untrained forces of the Confederacy into the
field, and preparing them for a struggle the seriousness of which he
knew better than any one, he should give his time and attention to
the minute details of fitting out his youngest son as a private soldier.
I think it worthy of note that the son of the commanding general
enlisting as a private in his army was not thought to be anything
remarkable or unusual. Neither my mother, my family, my friends nor
myself expected any other course, and I do not suppose it ever occurred
to my father to think of giving me an office, which he could easily
have done. I know it never occurred to me, nor did I ever hear, at
that time or afterwards, from anyone, that I might have been entitled
to better rank than that of a private because of my father's prominence
in Virginia and in the Confederacy. With the good advice to be obedient
to all authority, to do my duty in everything, great or small, he bade
me good-bye, and sent me off to the Valley of Virginia, where the
command in which I was about to enlist were serving under "Stonewall
Jackson."

Of my father's military duties at this time, Colonel Taylor, in his
"Four Years with General Lee," says:

"Exercising a constant supervision over the condition of affairs at