(Extract.)

“My failure on the 20th and the 22d to bring about a general pitched battle arose from the unfortunate policy pursued from Dalton to Atlanta, and which had wrought ‘such’ demoralization amid rank and file as to render the men unreliable in battle.  I cannot give a more forcible, though homely, exemplification of the morale of the troops at that period than by comparing the Army to a team which has been allowed to balk at every hill, one portion will make strenuous efforts to advance, whilst the other will refuse to move, and thus paralyze the exertions of the first.  Moreover, it will work faultlessly one day and stall the next.  No reliance can be placed upon it at any stated time.  Thus it was with the army when ordered into a general engagement, one corps struggled nobly, whilst the neighboring corps frustrated its efforts by simple inactivity; and whilst the entire Army might fight desperately one day, it would fail in action the following day.  Stewart’s gallant attack on the 20th was neutralized by Hardee’s inertness on the right; and the failure in the battle of the 22d is to be attributed also to the effect of the ‘timid defensive’ policy of this officer, who, although a brave and gallant soldier, neglected to obey orders, and swung away, totally independent of the main body of the Army.”

Time softens and alleviates all troubles, and this was no exception.  But the winter was a very gloomy one:  my heart was constantly oppressed by witnessing suffering I could not relieve, needs which could not be met.  The efforts of the foragers, combined with my own purchases from country wagons (although Dr. Beatty was liberal in his orders, and I spent every cent I could get), were utterly insufficient, although the officers of this camp-hospital were self-denying, and all luxuries were reserved for the sick.  I hit upon an expedient to vary the rations a little, which found favor with the whole camp.  The beef was simply atrocious.  I had it cut into slices, let it lie in salt with a sprinkling of vinegar for a day, then hung the pieces up the chimneys until it was smoked.  I first tried it in my own cabin, found it an improvement, and so had a quantity prepared for the hungry wounded.  And so these dark days sped on, bringing, in due time,

THE LAST CONFEDERATE CHRISTMAS.

I will here subjoin an article originally written for the Southern Bivouac, which will give my readers an idea of how the Christmas-tide was spent.

For some time previous I had been revolving in my mind various plans for the celebration of Christmas by making some addition to the diet of the sick and wounded soldiers then under my charge.  But, plan as I would, the stubborn facts in the case rose up to confront me, and I failed to see just how to accomplish my wishes.  We were then located at Lauderdale Springs, Mississippi.  I, with my servant, Tempe, occupied one room of a small, double house, built of