the freedom and independence of a regularly detailed inspecting officer.
He is a fine type of the soldier, proud and vain, with a tremendous
opinion of his own fighting qualities.

16. Had a grand corps drill. The line of troops, when stretched out, was
over a mile in length. The Corps was like a clumsy giant, and hours were
required to execute the simplest movement. When, for instance, we
changed front, my brigade marched nearly, if not quite, a mile to take
position in the new line. The waving of banners, the flashing of sabers
and bayonets, the clattering to and fro of muddle-headed aids-de-camp on
impatient steeds, the heavy rumble of artillery wagons, the blue coats
of the soldiers, the golden trappings of the field and staff, made a
grand scene for the disinterested spectator to look upon; but with the
thermometer ranging from eighty-five to one hundred, it was hard work
for the soldier who bore knapsack, haversack, and gun, and calculated to
produce an unusual amount of perspiration, and not a little profanity.
Major-General Thomas guided the immense mass of men, while the
operations of the divisions were superintended by their respective
commanders. I fear the brigade and regimental commanders profited little
by the drill, but I hope the major-generals learned something. The
latter, in their devotion to strategy, have evidently neglected tactics,
and failed to unravel the mysteries of the school of the battalion.

In the morning, with my division commander, I called on General Thomas,
at his quarters, and had the honor to accept from his hands the most
abominable cigar it has ever been my misfortune to attempt to smoke.

19. The army has been lying here now nearly six months. It has of late
been kept pretty busy. Sunday morning inspections, monthly inspections
of troops, frequent inspections of arms and ammunition, innumerable
drills, and constant picketing.

Colonel Miller assumes command of a brigade in Johnson's division. Since
the troops were at Nashville he has been commanding what was known as
the Second Brigade of Negley's division; but the colonels of the brigade
objected to having an imported colonel placed over them, and so Miller
takes command of the brigade to which his regiment is attached. He is a
brave man and a good officer. Colonel Harker's brigade has been relieved
from duty at the fortifications, and is now encamped near us, on the
Liberty road.

21. Mrs. Colonel Scribner and Mrs. Colonel