January 1865, Columbia, South Carolina, "Sam" Hood returns

Lt. Gen. John Bell "Sam" Hood
(1831-1879)

" [John Bell] Hood came yesterday. He is staying at the Prestons' with Jack. They sent for us.
What a heart-full greeting he gave us! He can stand well enough without his crutch, but he does very slow walking. How plainly he spoke out these dreadful words: 'My defeat and discomfiture'—'My army is destroyed'—'My losses'—&c&c. He said he had nobody to blame but himself."

19 August 1864, Wayside Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina

"Today we gave wounded men...their breakfast. Those who are able to come to the table do so. The badly wounded remain in wards prepared for them, where their wounds are dressed by nurses and surgeons, and we take bread and butter, beef, ham, &c&c, hot coffee, to them there.
One man had hair as long as a woman's. A vow, he said. He has pledged himself not to cut his hair until war [was] declared [over] and our Southern country free. 
Four of them had made this vow. All were dead but himself. One was killed in Missouri, one in Virginia, and he left one at Kennesaw Mountain. This poor creature had one arm taken off at the socket. When I remarked that he was utterly disabled and ought not to remain in the army, he answered quickly.
'I am First Texas. If old Hood can go with one foot, I can go with one arm. Eh?'"

18 December 1863, Richmond

"[J. C.] came straight home and found the party in full blast.
He did not know a word about it. How could he? It grew up after he left home. I trembled in my shoes.
He behaved beautifully, however.
If he had refused to dine at the president's because he wished to attend a party at my house, he could not have done better. He seemed to enjoy the whole thing amazingly. Played casino with Mrs Lawson Clay, looked after Hood, &c&c.
Today he spoke. I was very penitent, subdued, submissive, humble. And I promised not to do so anymore.
'No more parties,' he said. 'The country is in danger. There is too much levity here.'
So he laid down the law."

John Bell "Sam" Hood

"Nicknames. Buck asked John Darby scornfully, 'Do you think Mamie will marry you?' Striking a majestic attitude, he answers,
'Perseverentia omnia vincit.'
So Buck dubbed him P. V., and P. V. he was to us ever after.
The famous colonel of the Fourth Texas—by name John Bell Hood—him we called Sam, because his classmates at West Point did so still—cause unknown.
P. V. asked if he might bring his general—bragged of him extensively, said he had won his three stars &c under Stonewall's eye and that he was promoted by Stonewall's request.

John Bell "Sam" Hood
(1831-1879)

When he came, with his sad Quixotic face, the face of an old crusader who believed in his cause, his cross, his crown—we were not prepared for that type exactly as a beau idéal of wild Texans. Tall—thin—shy. Blue eyes and light hair, tawny beard and a vast amount of it covering the lower part of his face—an appearance of awkward strength. Someone said that great reserve of manner he carried into ladies' society. Mr Venable added he had often heard of the 'light of battle' shining in a man's eyes. He had seen it once. He carried him orders from General Lee and found [him] in the hottest of the fight. 'The man was transfigured. The fierce light of his eyes—I can never forget.'"