This was our first march fully equipped. Besides our gun, knapsack, haversack, and cartridge box, nearly all our boys had on one side a six-shooter Colt’s revolver buckled around them, and on the other side was a large Damascus blade (made at a blacksmith’s shop). This too had a scabbard and belt. The accompanying picture of Private Henry H. Cook, of Franklin, Tenn., will give my readers a full knowledge of the uniform and accouterments, as Henry (now Judge Cook) had it taken just before leaving home, and his Company (D, Williamson Grays) was next to mine on the march. In Henry Cook’s hand can be seen a small book. This is the pocket edition of the New Testament, which, when through with the picture, he placed in his knapsack. Each one of us was given a New Testament by our chaplain, Dr. Quintard, and on the fly leaf was written: “God is our sun and shield.” We thought that “thrice armed is he who is armed with the word of truth.” From Millboro to Warm Springs, the first day’s march, was fifteen miles, twelve of which were a gradual ascent. After we had trudged along some five miles in a sweltering August sun, I tried to give my six-shooter away, but could not find any one to accept it, and over in the bushes I threw it. I then unbuckled my Damascus blade, made an offer of that, but was likewise refused, and it was thrown into the bushes. I then tried to give away a blanket, but no one would accept, so away it went. I thought, probably, the war would end before the winter. By the time we reached the summit of the mountain nearly all the men in the regiment had disposed of their extra appendages by leaving them in the bushes. Looking down from the crest of the mountain, we could see in the valley, three miles distant, the hotels and cottages of Warm Springs. The descent to the springs was easy compared with the struggle up. Reaching the springs, we found a large bathing pool into which, from an iron pipe, the apparently cool water was gushing. Our men being thirsty, they crowded around the springs, and the first one to get a drink yelled out: “It is as hot as h—ll!” Of course the water was not cool, for it was one of the warm springs, known for its curative properties. Near by, however, was a spring so cold that one of the men said that it had ice in it. The next day we marched toward Valley Mountain, and in the evening heard immense cheering in our rear, the sound gradually coming toward the front; and looking around, we saw the cause. Sitting on “Traveler,” clad in fatigue cap and jacket, and polished sword dangling from his side, with cap in hand as we gave a rousing cheer, rode General R. E. Lee, the pride of the Confederate army. At that time General Lee did not wear any chin whiskers; he had a large, dark mustache sprinkled with a little gray. He was the very picture of a magnificent general and horseman.