The Union and journal., 1866-08-10
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lcorsspndenos ciDeinsaa G.,s.isl
LETTER FROM NASHVILLE.

eStseu tUO~ WNOuutSk6s
do not believe that strictly private con-
versation should be made public property.
In accordance with this idea, ! have in my
correspondence, rcfnined from giving such,
at lcas without the consent Of the parties
concerned. The one am about to relate
had not such elements Of privacy as to
make il Gall within my rule; and Is deem
il an important exposition of the sen,imeu,
Of the larges, and mos, influential class Of
the Southern people, ! should bo untrue to
the loyal public who look to your columns
for information upon this subject, if ! sup
pressed il.
rHE COMPANY.
Tho conversation took place last evening,
at my own roouns on Cherry Street. The
company consisted Of your correspondent,
an ex-rbel officer, and three other gentle.
men who had all. believe, been officers In
tho Union army. Two Of the latter, as
well rs The rebel officer, had been strnng.
ers to me until that evening. All parties
were aware ofmy character Us member Of
the press, before the talk commenced; and
no intima,ion was given by any one, that
there was tho least desire for secrecy or
concealmcnt
lhave no moro wish ITO set down aught
in malice" than ITO extenuate" what was
said. took no notes, Of course. write
from memory only; and if chance to
make mistake or fall into error, ! will
chcerfhlly correct.
ldo not give the name Of the ex-rebcl
officer. II Is sufficient to state, that no held
prominent position in the rebel army, serv-
ing first as line officer, ailerwani Us a
member Of Joe Johnson's staff; Of 8. d.
Lees, and finally Of the unlucky Hoods.
He is tall, well.proportioned gentleman,
Of more than ordinary intelligence; easy
and polished in address, and thoroughly
courteous in language and manner. Tic re-
sides in Nashville. and still wears the "Con.
federate" gray, although he has exchanged
his brass military buttons for the moro sober
black horn.
! was favorably impressed with him from
tho beginning; and the company converscd
pleasantly for an hour upon topics discon-
nected with public affairs.
AZ last my friend, Judge NJ, who Is q
great admircr Of ladies', turned the conver-
sation upon the mos, interesting Of all sub
jects, and produced, in illustration Of some
remark, photographs, which il is not too
much to say oil present admired. As It
was taken recently in Lexington, KY, a,
least one person who reads this will know
scAose picture il was. '..
Now, your correspondent "kccps" small
album, which, us pictures were under dis
cussion, he brought out, and passed for in.
spection to his rebel friend. The first phot-
ogmph in il is that Of Union officer, Ma.
jor.Geu. X; and mingled with those Of in
dividuals Of not quite so stern a mould,
follow pictures Of many other prominent
Union generals.
WHAT AN Album SHOULD CONTAIN.
The ex rebel examined the collection at
tentively to the end, listening with interest
while told him the names Of such Of the
persons represented as he did not know,
aud added brief word Of explanation con.
cerning each.
II Sec" he remarked, 'tl'at your pictures
Of soldiers include prominent men from
only one army"
Quietly asscntcd, trusting that the cosy
little AK Of our conversation might pass
this breaker unharme,. ....
cit would have more impartial look v
he continued, "if your album contained
pictures Of the prominent Confederate rs
well rs Union generals"
endeavorcd to steer out to SEQ by re-
marking that my preference was for Union
generals; but . had no objection to any one
who liked the others better filling his album
with them. ra
STRANGE IDEA or aoNoR.
My friend appeared resolved TO press the
point "There arc plenty Of nice ponmi,'
Of General Lee and others TO bc obtained,
said 10 .wouIint you like TO havo some
Of them?" r...
n would not" .
swhy not, Don't you think they ar,
great generals, tool" .... r
aEven if I though, so," I replied, "l
should hope that, rs generals. they would
us speedily Us possible be forgotten"
.why, don't you think they were as good
men rs those whose pictures YOU have 7"
aAs private gcn,lemen, said !, "thcy ma,
once have been 50. As private citizens, a'
presidents Of colleges, as railway superin'
,sadents, ! can, if they conduc, themselves
properly, respect them even now. But ia
that which brought them prominently be
fore the public, regard them rs bad men
aud think that Coz their sakes the sooner j,
Is forgotten, the better
.wclL . am sure ! don't sec Why" the
rebel officer persiaed; "oerainly they
l..s-hl., IL $500 ~,,. :. q a. -.