146 Southern Historical Society Papers.
occasion to express my admiration for your fidelity to duty, your soldierly qualities and your extraordinary courage on the field.
It may gratify you to know the opinion of one of your subordinates, and to be assured that, in his opinion, they are shared by his division. I am, General,
Very truly your friend,
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS CORPS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
October 15, 1863.
My Dear General, Your note of to-day is received. I am sur- prised and grieved to learn that you have been relieved from duty with this army. We have stood side by side in so many severely contested battle-fields that I have learned to lean upon you with great confidence.
I hope and trust that you may find some other position where your services may be as useful as they can be here. * * * Very truly and sincerely yours,
J. LONGSTREET.
HEADQUARTERS CLAYTON'S BRIGADE, NEAR CHATTANOOGA, November 3, 1863.
Lieutenant- General D. H. Hill, Returning to my command a few days ago, I regretted to learn that you had left the command of our corps, and that I had not the opportunity of telling you farewell.
I have been in the military service since the 6th of February, 1861, and I have never been under a commander to whom I and my com- mand formed so strong an attachment in so short a space of time. In the camp we were not afraid to approach you, and on the field you were not afraid to approach us and even go beyond us. This feeling was universal among privates as well as officers, and to a greater degree than I have ever known towards anyone, except, perhaps, General Stuart. Those who have been in the military service and been frozen to death by a different class of officers alone, know how fully to appreciate this.
Your friend and obedient servant,
[Signed] H. D. CLAYTON.
