xchange
of resources by Grant and Lee, to find the true place of the former
among the world's commanders. He will fall into the class represented by
Marshal Villars and the Duke of Cumberland.

Genius is God-given, but men are responsible for their acts; and it
should be said of General Grant that, as far as I am aware, he made war
in the true spirit of a soldier, never by deed or word inflicting wrong
on non-combatants. It would be to the credit of the United States army
if similar statements could be made of Generals Sherman and Sheridan.

Released at length from the swamps of the Tensas, where it had suffered
from sickness, Walker's division of Texas infantry joined me in the
early autumn, and was posted to the north of Opelousas. Major-General
J.G. Walker served as a captain of mounted rifles in the war with
Mexico. Resigning from the United States army to join the Confederacy,
he commanded a division at the capture of Harper's Ferry in 1862, and in
the subsequent battle of Antietam; after which he was transferred to
Arkansas. Seconded by good brigade and regimental officers, he had
thoroughly disciplined his men, and made them in every sense soldiers;
and their efficiency in action was soon established.

On the 29th of September Green, with his horse and a part of Mouton's
brigade of Louisiana infantry, crossed the Atchafalaya at Morgan's
Ferry, and attacked and routed the enemy on the Fordoche, capturing four
hundred and fifty prisoners and two guns. Green lost a hundred in killed
and wounded; the enemy, who fought under cover, less than half that
number.

In October the Federals moved a large force of all arms up the Teche,
their advance reaching the Courtableau. I concentrated for a fight, but
they suddenly retired to the Bayou Bourbeau, three miles south of
Opelousas, where they left a considerable body under General Burbridge.
On the 3d of November Green, reenforced by three regiments of Walker's
division, was ordered to attack them, and they were beaten with the loss
of six hundred prisoners. This was the first opportunity I had had of
observing the admirable conduct of Walker's men in action. Green's
pursuit was stopped by the approach of heavy masses of the enemy from
the south, who seemed content with the rescue of Burbridge, as they
retired at once to the vicinity of New Iberia, fifty miles away. Green
followed with a part of his horse, and kept his pickets close up; but
one of his regiments permitted