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and I am sorry therefore to see him go. I have not yet got it clearly in my head how the corps have been shifted about, but I suppose I shall in a few days . . . .
The latest joke is the heavy sell that has been practised on some regiments of “Heavy artillery,” which had reenlisted and had been sent home to recruit.
Now these gentry, having always been in fortifications, took it for granted they should there continue; consequently the patriotic rush of recruits (getting a big bounty) was most gratifying; one regiment swelled to 1900; another to 2200, etc., etc. Bon! Then they returned to the forts round Washington, with the slight difference that the cars kept on, till they got to Brandy Station; and now these mammoth legions are enjoying the best of air under shelter-tents!
A favorite salutation now is, “How are you, heavy artillery?”
For Chief of Cavalry we are to have a General Sheridan, from the West.
He is, I believe, on his way. If he is an able officer, he will find no difficulty in pushing along this arm, several degrees . . . .
Headquarters Army of Potomac April 12, 1864
Yesterday we all rode to Culpeper, and saw General Grant, who went last night to Washington, and did go thence to Annapolis.
I was well pleased with all the officers down there; among others was a Lieutenant-Colonel Comstock, a Massachusetts man. He had somewhat the air of a Yankee schoolmaster, buttoned in a military coat.
Grant is a man of a good deal of rough dignity; rather taciturn; quick and decided in speech.
He habitually wears an expression as if he had determined to drive his head through a brick wall, and was about to do it. I have much confidence in him.