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ss Story of an Emigrant. 102
"One strange fact was deeply impressed upon my mind
during the lime of my command in Northeastern Arkansas,
namely, the genuine regret and sorrow among the returning
rebel soldiers over President Lincoln’s death. Thev not
only respected him, but actually regarded him as a friend,
because they believed him to be kind and just; so that,
whatever measures lie might have adopted, had he lived,
they believed that thev could have submitted to them with
full confidence that it would be forthe best. I can not better
illustrate that feeling, as it was daily manifested to me, than
by comparing it to the faith and confidence of erring
children to an offended but loving father.
" The most noted and influential rebel in the district at that
time was, undoubtedly, Gen. Jeff. Thompson. On the 3d
of June this noted general arrived at my headquarters at
Jack-sonport, pursuant to previous arrangements, to surrender
his command, consisting of eight thousand officers and men,
who began to crowd in on that and the following day in
great numbers. They were the hardest looking soldiers I
have ever seen. Jeff. Thompson himself was a man of
commanding appearance, and a perfect gentleman. • In my
journal of that day I have described him as follows: 4He is a
tall, sinewy, weather-beaten man, a queer looking genius,
dressed in a suit of snowy white, from the plume in his hat
to the heel of his boot, and with a white sword-belt and
white gloves. He is a clever chap, full of fun, telling great
yarns, and an incessant talker.’ I should judge he was
about forty-five years old. On the third day after his arrival
the troops had all assembled, and the surrender took place
in due form. A staff officer from the Department of Missouri
and another from the Department of Arkansas witnessed
the proceedings and received the documents. When all was
finished, Jeff. Thompson had his men assemble on the levee
in front of a steamboat, from the cabin-deck of which he
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