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“Dear General,
         “I regret very much that a state of affairs, so different from what you expected, exists here. Instead of ‘no active operations’ you suppose, we are in a fight nearly every day and on the 4th especially Halsey’s¹ gun was particularly engaged at Fleetwood and under very heavy fire, and I am gratified to inform you that Maj. Beckham speaks of him as ‘a very fine officer’ in which our expectations were not disappointed,
         “You will readily understand that such an officer cannot be spared in such times to visit home—but should there be a period when an engagement is not daily expected in which the Horse Artillery will not necessarily take part, I will cheerfully approve his absence.
         “I was truly glad to hear the favorable accounts you gave of Hampton’s, Butler’s and Hood’s wounds, and sincerely hope that all three of those glorious fellows will be in the field again for the next fight. Hampton I fear will not soon be with us His wound must have been very severe. Baker, Black and Young were all three wounded in a fight the other day (2nd). The first mentioned is a Brigadier Genl. and will command the four N. C. Regiments.
         “Present my kindest regards to Mrs. Wigfall and any other friends you may fall in with, and believe me,

1. Louis Wigfall’s son, Francis Halsey Wigfall.