that I was safe and well.

We, of the ranks, used to have our opinions on all subjects. The
armies, their generals, and their manoeuvres were freely discussed.
If there was one point on which the entire army was unanimous--I speak
of the rank and file--it was that we were not in the least afraid of
General Pope, but were perfectly sure of whipping him whenever we
could meet him. The passages I quote here from two of General Lee's
letters indicate that this feeling may possibly have extended to our
officers. In a letter to my mother, from near Richmond, dated July 28,
1862, he says:

"...When you write to Rob, tell him to catch Pope for me, and also
bring in his cousin, Louis Marshall, who, I am told, is on his staff.
I could forgive the latter's fighting against us, but not his joining
Pope."

And again:

"...Johnny Lee [his nephew] saw Louis Marshall after Jackson's last
battle, who asked him kindly after his old uncle, and said his mother
was well. Johnny said Louis looked wretched himself. I am sorry he
is in such bad company, but I suppose he could not help it."

As one of the Army of Northern Virginia, I occasionally saw the
commander-in-chief, on the march, or passed the headquarters close
enough to recognise him and members of his staff, but as a private
soldier in Jackson's corps did not have much time, during that campaign,
for visiting, and until the battle of Sharpsburg I had no opportunity
of speaking to him. On that occasion our battery had been severely