which the trains had kept up with the troops. October 15, the enemy having been forced from Snake Creek Gap, I moved the train into and through the gap, continuing the march till after midnight. The scenery as we emerged from the dark mountain gorge into the champaign country beyond, all flooded with the light of the full moon, was beautiful and sublime. October 16, moved early, passing through Dirt Town Valley, between John's and Taylor's Mountains. This valley was very fertile, abounding in supplies. Halted at Subligna four hours to allow the trains of the Twenty-third Crops to pass, then moved on to Villanow. Here I received orders from headquarters to organize a train consisting of the poorest animals and wagons to be sent to Chattanooga with all spare baggage, &c. The next day was spent in organizing and dispatching this train. October 18, I brought up the supply train to the Chattanooga River near Summerville. The troops were camped in and around Summerville. Next day, forded the Chattanooga River, and, running through Summerville and Alpine, went into camp near Gaylesville. Supplies were very abundant, more than the army required being found. October 20, we moved two miles and were halted till afternoon. Here in a farm-house I found General Ransom lying at the point of death. He had followed the army in an ambulance, though urged and entrated by his friends to stay in Marietta. Now he was quite unable to proceed, and being carried back to Rome on a litter, died on the way. He was an officer of fine promise, universally loved and admired for his amialbe dispositon and his noble, gallant, and indomitable spirit. He fell a sacrifice to his ardor and love for the service. In the afternoon we moved on, and passing through Gavlesville, I rejoined the camp at headquarters of the department, near Little River, Ala. Here the pursuit of Hood's army ceased. Our army remained in camp until October 28. The interval was spent in procuring supplies of food and clothing from Rome. The army were further eliminated of all its surplus baggage, tents, worthless teams, unserviceable stock, and spare artillery. A train was sent to Chattanooga with refugees, the sick, wounded, and prisoners. Thus was the army prepared for its subsequent "March to the Sea" by striping it of all its cumbrous material. On the 28th of October I started on the return to Atlanta. The headquarters went into camp at Cedar Bluff, but the trains continued the crossing of the Coosa River all night. I had large fires lighted on each side to light up the pontoon. General Howard staid by the bridge till near midnight. Next morning we moved on to Widow Carter's. The enemy's cavalry hovered around us all day, threatening the trains and picking up stray foragers. October 30, we marched to Cave Spring, where we remained ten days. From Cave Spring, by way of Cedartown, Van Wert, crossing the Dugdown Mountains by Dallas and Powder Springs, we returned to Smyrna Camp-Groud. The weather was rainy and the roads bad, but the army moved by easy marches, and at the close of the campaign was in much better physical and moral condition than at the starting out. The colored pioneer corps of roadmen, organized by Lieutenant-Colonel Fort, assistant quartermaster, and always kept at the head of his supply train, proved of incalculable benefit in saving of mules, wagons, and time. Here at Smyrna Camp-Ground the campaign ended.

General Howard, wishing to reduce his camp, resolved to send his headquarters back to Louisville, and directed me to proceed there with Lieutenant Colonel W. T. Clark, assistant adjutant-general, and establish a headquarters there. On the 7th of November I rode into Atlnata to prepare for the return North. A large amount of private baggage