d officer, who has rubbed much against
the world, and has experience. Rousseau is brave, but knows little of
military science. McCook is a chucklehead. Wood and Crittenden know how
to blow their own horns exceedingly well. Major-General Thomas is tall,
heavy, sedate; whiskers and head grayish. Puts on less style than any of
those named, and is a gentlemanly, modest, reliable soldier. Rosecrans
and McCook shave clean; Crittenden and Wood go the whole whisker; Thomas
shaves the upper lip. Rosecrans' nose is large, and curves down;
Rousseau's is large, and curves up; McCook has a weak nose, that would
do no credit to a baby. Rosecrans' laugh is not one of the free, open,
hearty kind; Rousseau has a good laugh, but shows poor teeth; McCook has
a grin, which excites the suspicion that he is either still very green
or deficient in the upper story.

22. Colonels Wilder and Funkhauser called. We had just disposed of a
bottle of wine, when Colonel Harker made his appearance, and we entered
forthwith upon another. Colonel Wilder expects to accomplish a great
work with his mounted infantry. He is endeavoring to arm them with the
Henry rifle, a gun which, with a slight twist of the wrist, will throw
sixteen bullets in almost that many seconds. I have no doubt he will
render his command very efficient and useful, for he has wonderful
energy and nerve, and is, besides, sensible and practical. Colonel
Harker is greatly disappointed because he was not confirmed as
brigadier-general during the last session of Congress. He is certainly
young enough to afford to wait; but he seems to fear that, after
commanding a brigade for nine months, he may have to go back to a
regiment. He feels, too, that, being a New Jersey man, commanding Ohio
troops, neither State will take an interest in him, and render him that
assistance which, under other circumstances, either of them might do.
These gentlemen dined with me. Harker and Wilder expressed a high
opinion of General Buell. Wilder says Gilbert is a d--d scoundrel, and
responsible for the loss at Mumfordsville. Harker, however, defended
Gilbert, and is the only man I have ever heard speak favorably of him.

The train coming from Nashville to-day was fired upon and four men
wounded. Yesterday there was a force of the enemy along the whole south
front of our picket line.

From the cook's tent, in the rear, comes a devotional refrain:

"I'm gui-en home, I'm gui-en home,
To d-