to the commander in chief, and as the old warrior rode out into the opening, shouts went up that fairly shook the earth.  Hats and caps flew high in the air, flags dipped and waved to and fro, while the drums and fifes struck up “Hail to the Chief.”  General Lee lifted his hat modestly from his head in recognition of the honor done him, and we know the old commander’s heart swelled with emotion at this outburst of enthusiasm by his old troops on his appearance.  If he had had any doubts before as to the loyalty of his troops, this old “Rebel yell” must have soon dispelled them.  After taking his position near the centre of the columns, the command was broken in columns of companies and marched by him, each giving a salute as it passed.  It took several hours to pass in review, Kershaw leading with his division, Jenkins following.  The line was again formed, when General Lee and staff, with Longstreet and his staff, rode around the troops and gave them critical inspection.  No doubt Lee was then thinking of the bloody day that was soon to come, and how well these brave, battle-scarred veterans would sustain the proud prestige they had won.

Returning to our camp, we were put under regular discipline—­drilling, surgeon’s call-guards, etc.  We were being put in active fighting trim and the troops closely kept in camp.  All were now expecting every moment the summons to the battlefield.  None doubted the purpose for which we were brought back to Virginia, and how well Longstreet’s Corps sustained its name and reputation the Wilderness and Spottsylvania soon showed.  Our ranks had been largely recruited by the return of furloughed men, and young men attaining eighteen years of age.  After several months of comparative rest in our quarters in East Tennessee, nothing but one week of strict camp discipline was required to put us in the best of fighting order.  We had arrived at our present camp about the last week of April, having rested several days at Charlottesville.

General Lee’s Army was a day’s, or more, march to the north and east of us, on the west bank of the Rapidan River.  It was composed of the Second Corps, under Lieutenant General Ewell, with seventeen thousand and ninety-three men; Third Corps, under Lieutenant General A.P.  Hill, with twenty-two thousand one hundred and ninety-nine; unattached commands, one thousand one hundred and twenty-five; cavalry, eight thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven; artillery, four thousand eight hundred and fifty-four; while Longstreet had about ten thousand; putting the entire strength of Lee’s Army, of all arms, at sixty-three thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight.

General Grant had, as heretofore mentioned, been made commander in chief of all the Union armies, while General Lee held the same position in the Confederate service.  Grant had taken up his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, giving the direction of this army his personal attention, retaining, however, General George S. Meade as its immediate commander.