Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1880-02-28
GENERAL j. 8. HOOD.
DESCRIPTION OF HIS FIRST YEAR
OF THE WAR IN THE REBEL
20 LINES. L.

OF THE WAR IN THE REBEL
% LINES. /. H.. |,
In November, 1860, I was granted a
cave of absence for six mocths, and on
nv arrival ut Indianola I received an Or
der directing me to report for duty as
Chief of Cavalry at West Point. inn
mediately proceeded to Washington, anu
made application to Colonel $. Cooper,
Adjutaut General, to be relieved from the
order and all wed to avail myself of the
leave of absence already granted. l shall
ever remember the establishment of this
old and most worthy soldier at MY I'M
willingness to go to West Point. lie |
turned quickly in his chair, saying: !
sLieutenant, you surprise me; this is a |
post and position sought by almost every !
soldier" I replied it was true, but l
feared war would soon be declared be-
tween the States, in which event l pre-
ferred to be in a situation to act With
entire freedom. He acceded to my re-
quest; before the expiration Of my leave
of absence hostilities were inaugurated.
and my resignation was rendered to the
United States Government.
Shortly before tho secession of the
Southern States returned to Camp
Wood, and, although still on leave, ac-
complained my regiment to Indianola,
where bid my comrades reluctant
farewell. Kentucky being the land OF
nv nativity, I deemed it right should
first tend r my services for her defence.
Accordingly went to Louisville in the
early spring of 1861, and subsequently, to
| Frankfort. / met the Governor, Mr..
Breckenridge and other prominent men
of that Commonwealth; bnt after long
debate and considerable delay, became
convinced that no decided action would
be taken. repaired at the latter part
of April to Montgomery, Alabama, offered
nv services to the Confederate Govern
ment, was appointed First Lieutenant in
the Army and ordered to Richmodd to
report to Colonel R. E. Lee, who had
very recently assumed command OF all
the troops in Virginia by authority OF the
Governor of that State
During my long service in Texas 1 had
had occasion to visit almost every por-
ton of that extensive and beautiful ter
ritory, and was able to form an idea of
the future prosperity of that State. So
deeply impressed had I become with its
vast and undeveloped resources that ]
had, just prior to the war, determined to
resign aud make it my home for life.
Therefore when Kentucky failed to act, ]
entered the Confederate service from the
State of Texas, which thenceforth be
came my adopted land. arrived II
Richmond about the 5th Of May, sent my
luggage TO the hotel, and proceeded with
out delay to the Office of Colonel Lee WIZ
had, was informed, been recently pro
noted to the rank of Major General. III
extended Inc most cordial greeting, ant
+ taking me by the hand, said: II an
q GLAD to see you. want you to help me.
q I replied that came to Richmond wit:
e that object, and inquired what duties h
desired me to perform. He answered.:
l. wish you to go to Yorktown and repoE
# to Colonel Magruda.' I naturally aske
Il at what time he desired me to leave. II
u turned his head, looked at the clock, ant
j. with smile, said he would like mo to
r before dined. 1t was then about IL
a M, and I we'll knew he meant early dill
ID ner. ...-.
I went immediately to the Balla1
= House, ordered my trunk TO the statlo1
and left for Yorktown. On the train
- could but contrast the surroundings
General Lee, as had just beheld hin
with the quiet and peaceful scenes "
had passed through together but yea
or two before upon the frontier of Texa
His Office was in the third or fourth sto1
of, I think, the Mechanics Institute
:; and he had around him, seemed to m
every cobbler in Richmond, giving the
instructions as to the manner of maxim
- cartridge boxes, haversacks, bayon
- scabbards, sc. He was studiously O.
~, plying his great mind to this apparent
= trivial but most important work. III
~ Confederacy was destitute of such equi
~ ments at that hour, and it may be safe
. asserted that his labor in this regard al
- in the organization Of our troops was tt
source, in great mersure, of the succe
of our arms in the engagements whit
~ soon followed. ..jN'
~ 1 arrived at York town that afternoe
~ about an hour before sunset, and repor
p ed to Colonel Magruder, whom, if T
- member correctly, found out upon tt
" line of works around the town. F
~ forthwith placed me in command OF SCI
no eral batteries then in position. Upt
~ my right and left, almost as far as tt
- eye could extend, were infantry reg
ments in line of battle. and, in the
=. trout, officers delivering stirring and wa
We like appeals to the men, AS no tent