ieutenant
Willis, you will see each of the men and tell them they must rewrite
their letters. These were lost. Now, Jarrow."

"These are the ones to the point, sir. I had two written this morning,
one this afternoon. They are all properly addressed and signed, and
dated from this bivouac. The first."

MY DEAR FATHER,--A glorious victory yesterday! Little cost to us and
Banks swept from the Valley. We are in high spirits, confident that
the tide has turned and that the seat of war will be changed. Of
late the army has grown like a rolling snowball. Perhaps thirty
thousand here--

An aide uttered a startled laugh. "Pray be quiet, gentlemen," said
Jackson.

Thirty thousand here, and a large force nearer the mountains.
Recruits are coming in all the time; good, determined men. I truly
feel that we are invincible. I write in haste, to get this in the
bag we are sending to the nearest railway station. Dear love to all.

Aff'y your son,

JOHN SMITH.

"Good!" said Jackson. "Always deceive, mystify, and mislead the enemy.
You may thereby save your Capital city. The next."

"From one of Ashby's men, sir."

MY DEAR SISTER,--We are now about thirty companies--every man from
this region who owns or can beg, borrow, or steal a horse is coming
in. I got at Staunton the plume for my hat you sent. It is
beautifully long, black, and curling! Imagine me under it, riding
through Maryland! Forty thousand of us, and the bands playing
"Dixie"! Old Jack may stand like a stone wall, but by the Lord, he
moves like a thunderbolt! Best love. Your loving brother,

WILLIAM PATTERSON.

"Scratch out the oath, Jarrow. He is writing to a lady, nor should it be
used to a man. The next."

MY DEAR FITZHUGH,--Papers, reports, etc., will give you the details.
Suffice it, that we've had a lovely time. A minie drew some blood
from me--not much, and spilt in a good cause. As you see, I am
writing with my left hand--the other arm's in a sling. The army's in
the highest spirits--South going North on a visit.

All the grey bonnets are over the border!

We hear that all of you in and about Richmond are in excellent
health and spirits, and that in the face of the Young Napoleon!
Stronger, too, than he thinks.