"These are the ones to the point, sir. I had two written this morning, one this afternoon. They are all properly addressed and signed, and dated from this bivouac. The first." MY DEAR FATHER,--A glorious victory yesterday! Little cost to us and Banks swept from the Valley. We are in high spirits, confident that the tide has turned and that the seat of war will be changed. Of late the army has grown like a rolling snowball. Perhaps thirty thousand here-- An aide uttered a startled laugh. "Pray be quiet, gentlemen," said Jackson. Thirty thousand here, and a large force nearer the mountains. Recruits are coming in all the time; good, determined men. I truly feel that we are invincible. I write in haste, to get this in the bag we are sending to the nearest railway station. Dear love to all. Aff'y your son, JOHN SMITH. "Good!" said Jackson. "Always deceive, mystify, and mislead the enemy. You may thereby save your Capital city. The next." "From one of Ashby's men, sir." MY DEAR SISTER,--We are now about thirty companies--every man from this region who owns or can beg, borrow, or steal a horse is coming in. I got at Staunton the plume for my hat you sent. It is beautifully long, black, and curling! Imagine me under it, riding through Maryland! Forty thousand of us, and the bands playing "Dixie"! Old Jack may stand like a stone wall, but by the Lord, he moves like a thunderbolt! Best love. Your loving brother, WILLIAM PATTERSON. "Scratch out the oath, Jarrow. He is writing to a lady, nor should it be used to a man. The next." MY DEAR FITZHUGH,--Papers, reports, etc., will give you the details. Suffice it, that we've had a lovely time. A minie drew some blood from me--not much, and spilt in a good cause. As you see, I am writing with my left hand--the other arm's in a sling. The army's in the highest spirits--South going North on a visit. All the grey bonnets are over the border! We hear that all of you in and about Richmond are in excellent health and spirits, and that in the face of the Young Napoleon! Stronger, too, than he thinks. We hear that McDowell is somewhere between you and Fredericksburg. Just keep him there, will you? We'd rather not have him up here just yet. Give my love to all my cousins. Will write _from the other side of the water_. Yours as ever, PETER FRANCISCO. P. S. Of course this is not official, but the impression is strong in the army that the defensive has been dropped and that the geese in the other Capitol ought to be cackling if they are not. Jarrow drew the whole together. "I thought the three would be enough, sir. I never like to overdo."