superiority in arms
and otherwise. There were even some people North who had so long
heard the Southern boasts of superior courage that they half believed
in it themselves, until the summons to arms dispelled all such
illusions.

To the half credit of most of the officers of the United States
army, and many of the navy, it may be said that when they determined
to desert their country and flag they resigned their commissions,
or at least tendered them, so they might go into rebellion with
some color of excuse.

The War Department was generally, even under Lincoln's administration,
gracious enough in most cases to accept such resignations, even
when it knew or suspected the purpose for which they were tendered.
Lieut. Julius A. De Lagnel, of the artillery, a Virginian, who
remained long enough in the Union to be surrendered to Secession
authorities (not discreditable to himself) at Fayetteville, North
Carolina, with the North Carolina arsenal (April 22, 1861) informed
the writer since the war that, on sending his resignation to the
War Department, he followed it to the Adjutant-General's office,
taking with him some bags of coin he had in the capacity of disbursing
officer, for the purpose of making a settlement. He found Adjutant-
General Lorenzo Thomas not in good humor, and when requested to
direct him to a proper officer to settle his accounts, Thomas flew
at him furiously, ordered him to drop his coin-bags, and decamp
from his presence and from the Department, which he did accordingly.
His accounts were thus summarily settled. (We shall soon hear of
De Lagnel again.)

Captain James Longstreet, of Georgia, who became a Lieutenant-
General in the C.S.A., and one of the ablest fighting generals in
either army, draws a rather refined distinction as to the right of
an officer to resign his commission and turn enemy to his country,
while denying the right of a non-commissioned officer or private
soldier to quit the army in time of rebellion to follow his State.

Longstreet was stationed at Albuquerque, New Mexico, when Sumter
was fired on. On receiving the news of its capture he resigned
and went South, through Texas, to join his State, or rather, as it
proved, to join the Confederate States Army.

He says his mind was relieved by information that his resignation
was accepted, to take effect June 1st. He tells us a sergeant from
Virginia and other soldiers wished to accompany him, but he would
not entertain th