smissal of the other. Insisting,
therefore, upon that right, which I conceive
belongs to the private in the ranks, as well at to
every subordinate officer in the army who has been
aggrieved, I demand from you an apology for the
insulting language addressed to me on the morning
of the 21st instant.

"I am, sir, respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"JOHN BEATTY, Brig.-Gen'l."

I sent this. Would it be regarded as an act of presumption and treated
with ridicule and contempt? I feared it might, and sat thinking
anxiously over the matter until my orderly returned, with the envelope
marked "W. S. R.," the army mode of acknowledging receipt of letter or
order. Fifteen minutes later this reply came:

"HEAD-QUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,}
"MURFREESBORO, _April, 1863_. }

"MY DEAR GENERAL--I have just received the
inclosed note, marked "Private," but addressed to
me as commanding the Department of the Cumberland.
It compromises you in so many ways that I return
it to you. I am your friend, and regretted that
the circumstances of the case compelled me, as a
commanding officer, to express myself warmly about
a matter which might have cost us dearly, to one
for whom I felt so kindly. You will report to me
in person, without delay.

W. S. ROSECRANS, Maj.-Gen'l.
"BRIG.-GEN'L JOHN BEATTY, Fortifications, Stone
river.

"P. S.--It might be well to bring this inclosure
with you."

The inclosure referred to was, of course, my letter to him. The answer
was not, by any means, an apology. On the contrary, it assumed that he
was justifiable in censuring me as he did, and yet it expressed good
feeling for me. It was probably written in haste, and without thought.
It was not satisfactory; but I was led by it to hope that I could reach
a point which would be.

I obeyed the order to report promptly. He took me into his private
office, where we talked over the whole affair together. He expressed
regret that he had not known all the circumstances before, and said, in
conclusion: "I am your friend. Some men I like to scold, for I don't
like them; but I have always entertained the best of fee