Papson,
Scovens and myself have considered the matter, and we cannot trust
volunteers to command large forces. We are responsible, you know.'

"'But, General, you seem to trust volunteers where there is hard
fighting to do, or where there is any desperate assault to be made.'

"'Yes, that is true; but we cannot afford to allow volunteers to be put
over Regular officers; Regulars do not like it, and we cannot do it.'

"'I have seen some of your volunteer officers and soldiers succeed where
your Regulars have failed. Should not such men be as much entitled to
the credit as if they were professional or Regular Army soldiers?'

"'There may be cases of that kind; but we will not discuss this further.
I can only say that while we have Regulars to command our armies, we
will see to it that they are given the places.'

"Gen. Anderson was very angry, but said no more except 'good-by.'

"By this time Peter had so far recovered that the Surgeon felt it to be
safe to remove him. Henry, who had remained with him all this time, now
brought him home, with old Ham's assistance. Henry had kept me posted by
letter, and it was very hard at times to explain his absence. But when
he reached home, and the truth was revealed to my good wife, she was
almost frantic, and was unable to sit up. She talked continually of
her dear son, and was haunted day and night by her dream. Peter gained
strength very rapidly. The members of the household were at his service
at all times. The children could not understand so many coming home shot
as they termed it, and little Mary Anderson was continually inquiring of
her mamma about her dear papa, and if he was shot again! Our family had
all become so nervous that I was continually on the alert for fear of
sickness being produced by the constant strain.

"Old Ham and Aunt Martha had many things to say to each other. Ham's
experiences in battle very greatly amused Aunt Martha. They were both
very kind to Peter, but wore very serious countenances in our presence.
Ham would only talk to me about Peter, and would always say: 'I hopes
dat Marsa Peter git well, but I fears. Marsa Lyon, I tell's you dat
dream of de Madam, dat am bery bad. I fears de time am mighty nigh
come.'

"Aunt Martha did not express any opinion, but would shake her head.
Peter kept the two little girls by him nearly all the time, petting
them, but conversed very seldom. He would talk to his mother
occasionally, to keep her mind away fro