Burnside’s departure from East Tennessee was witnessed generally with sincere and in some instances profound regret. He had the affectionate esteem of the people--which to every wise and good man, is of more value than admiration of his talents. His conduct of military affairs had been grandly heroic, and he was justly rejoiced over the behavior of his men. He wrote: “I shall ever remember with gratitude and pleasure, the co-operation, devotion, courage and patient endurance of the brave officers and men of the Ninth and Twenty-third corps, who have served so faithfully and conspicuously in Kentucky and East Tennessee. During the whole siege, and in the midst of the most arduous labor and greatest privations I never heard a word of discontent or distrust from any one of them. Each man seemed anxious to do his whole duty, and to their perseverance and courage is due the ultimate success of the defence of Knoxville. “The loyal people of East Tennessee will always be gratefully remembered by me for their hearty co-operation, efficient aid and liberal hospitality.” Chief Engineer, Captain Poe, has said: “There is no language sufficiently strong which I can use to express my admiration for the conduct of the troops. From the beginning of the siege to the end, every man did his whole duty. The cheerful looks and confident bearing which met us at every turn, made it seem as though we were sure of victory from the first. It is doubtful whether any man within our lines had at any time after the first forty-eight hours, any fear of the result. All privations were borne, all hardships undergone, with a spirit which indicated as plainly as if written on the walls, that success would attend our efforts. The troops of the Ninth and Twenty-third army corps were chivalric rivals where duty was to be done. Never before had an engineer officer less cause to complain of the manner in which his instructions and directions were carried out.” In the same connection, he testified to the great value of the contrabands’ services, in many cases voluntarily offered. “Nearly two hundred of them labored during the siege, and for the first week, regularly eighteen hours in the twenty-four. The amount of their work, performed both day and night, the whole time,” he said, “was truly astonishing.” CHAPTER XVII. CAPTAIN POE’S CONCLUSIONS--PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S PROCLAMATION--GENERALS SHERMAN AND GRANT--INTERCESSIONS WITH GEN. FOSTER--BATTLE OF RESACA--INFLUX OF REFUGEES TO KNOXVILLE. “What is the end of fame? ’Tis but to fill A certain portion of uncertain paper.” BYRON.