on this expedition; in fact, I am not likely ever to
forget it. It had now been a millstone on my heart for a week. I could
not stand it. What could I do? At first I thought I would send in my
resignation, but that I concluded would afford me no relief; on the
contrary, it would look as if I had been driven out of the army. My next
impulse was to ask to be relieved from duty in this department, and
assigned elsewhere; but on second thought this did not seem desirable.
It would appear as if I was running away from the displeasure of the
commanding general, and would affect me unfavorably wherever I might go.
I felt that if I was to blame at all in this matter, it was in a very
slight degree. The General's language was utterly inexcusable. He was a
man simply, and I concluded finally that I would not leave either the
army or the department under a cloud. I, therefore, sat down and wrote
the following letter:

"MURFREESBORO, _April 27, 1863_.
"MAJOR-GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS,
"_Commanding Department of the Cumberland_:

"SIR--Your attack upon me, on the morning of the
21st instant, has been the subject of thought
since. I have been absent on duty five days, and,
therefore, have not referred to it before. It is
the first time since I entered the army, two years
ago, as it is the first time in my life, that it
has been my misfortune to listen to abuse so
violent and unreasonable as that with which you
were pleased to favor me in the presence of the
aids, orderlies, officers, and visitors, at your
quarters. While I am unwilling to rest quietly
under the disgrace and ridicule which attaches to
the subject of such a tirade, I do not question
your right to censure when there has been
remissness in the discharge of duties; and to such
reasonable admonition I am ever ready to yield
respectful and earnest attention; but I know of no
rule, principle, or precedent, which confers upon
the General commanding this Department the right
to address language to an officer which, if used
by a private soldier to his company officer, or by
a company officer to a private soldier, would be
deemed disgraceful and lead to the punishment of
the one or the di