[296]
August 10.
Toombs came over to see me yesterday.
He is very smart and amused me much by his pungent remarks.
I was congratulating myself on not being bothered by an engineer in fortifying my position.
He joined in and expatiated on their limitless ability to find more digging to put the troops to work at. He finally swore he believed one engineer could find work for all the men that had been sent to hell since Adam sinned, ‘and according to scripture, Tom,’ he added, ‘that is a big pile.’
（Colonel Cobb was granted leave of absence to visit his home.
While there the battle of Sharpsburg occurred.
Cobb's Legion was actively engaged in this battle and afterwards suffered severely at Crampton's Gap.)
September 24.—I have just heard from one of my men who was paroled that poor Jeff. Lamar is dead.
He died the second day of a wound in the groin.
He was a noble man, and his last words were cheering on his men. I mourn every time I look at my infantry.
I estimate the killed at fifty; wounded, eighty-five to one hundred; taken prisoners, fifty—but these were the flower of my battalion; my best and truest men, never sick, never off duty, always ready.
One of my cavalrymen with a squad of thirty men charged a Yankee regiment, captured the Colonel, ran his sword through a Captain so he could not draw it out, then got another and killed two other men. This man was a private.
Stuart told General Lee that my cavalry was one of the best regiments he had and objected to their being taken away.
We are now under Jackson, whose headquarters are about two hundred yards from mine.
Belle Boyd, the celebrated girl, is at an adjoining house.
October 2.—General Jackson told one of his aides the other day that he was anxious to make my acquaintance, so I went yesterday to see him. He was extremely kind and pleasant and made a very agreeable impression on me.
Howell found Joe Keno in one of the camps near him and took him for his cook.
Charley said he had a French dinner yesterday.
October 7.—General Lee complained the other day of being unable to get any vinegar, and expressed a wish for pickles.
I told him I would send him some that you had sent me. He objected, and said I must not do so. Nevertheless, I sent them, and in reply received the enclosed note.
It is very clever, is it not?
October 9.—I have in my pocket General Lee's order to transfer my legion to Georgia for the winter.
Generals Hampton, Longstreet, Stuart and McLaws all joined in cordially endorsing my application,
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Richmond, VA. 1900.
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