They had confidence in his ability as a general, and he had gained their good will by anticipating their wants, and by generously grating furloughs to those who were pining from home- sickness; trusting that old associations and the honor of the men would induce them to rejoin their colors when the leaves of absence had expired.

In this way he almost stopped the desertion which had been so prevalent under Burnside.

Only one portion of the army was dissatisfied; the position recently occupied by General Franz Sigel, the favorite commander of the Eleventh Corps, had been given to General O.O.Howard.

The numerous Germans in that corps were discontented at the change.

They cared little for Howard's reputation as the Havelock of the army; an appellation he had gained from his zeal as a Congregationalist.