April 18, 1864.
. . . The General has been reviewing troops to-day. I did
not go out with him, but shall to-morrow.
By the latest information in the papers it would appear that
the enemy is moving troops from Johnston's army to that of Lee. If so, you may expect
battle here before we are prepared to bring it on. Yet, strong as we are, we
hope to be able to whip the enemy whenever he chooses to attack. I would much
prefer their waiting for us to take the initiative. There is always a moral
strength given the attacking party that nothing but strong fortifications can
resist. No news from our front. The Richmond papers have it that Macgruder has
whipped Banks near Shreveport badly. This can hardly be so. Our forces, if
Banks is obeying the orders sent him, should ere this be returning from the Red
River. This would naturally give foundation for such a report. The fact is
Banks ought now to be back in New Orleans, but I fear he will be tardy in his
movements.
I tell you I shall ever look with distrust upon any man who
ever in the whole course of his life could conjure up the contingency and give
expression to it in which he would “let the Union slide.” Such men are not the
ones to trust too much to, I assure you.
The surgeon was here to-day (two of them) and sounded my
lungs thoroughly and is satisfied nothing is the matter with them. They say
nothing ails me but the chronic bronchitis, which I will recover from with
proper care of myself. They also say that I have from over-exertion greatly
prostrated my whole physical organization and that I need rest and good living.
They have prescribed Codliver Oil as my principal medicine, and I shall follow
their prescription most faithfully. ...
SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins,
p. 419-20
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