A Graphic picture of a distinguished military group.
--The Columbia Carolinian has been favored with the following extract from a letter written by an officer in Johnston's army to his father in that city. It has additional interest just now in the lamented death of one of the prominent figures of the picture — that of the Christian warrior, Lieut Gen. Polk:While at Cassville I saw a picture worthy of the brush of Vandyse. Gen. Johnston's quarters were in an open woods. He formed the centre of a group of officers immediately recognized. His hat was off, showing the magnificent proportions of his head and in his hand he held a map. Opposite to him, and holding one corner of the map, was that fine looking soldier and gentleman, Lieut Gen. Polk; and on Folk's left, also holding and examining the map, stood a General of renowned reputation. His small gray eyes, sharp features, and earnest look, proclaimed Cleburne. Bending over the map, and wearing a black fur hat, looped up on one side with a star, was another widely known to fame. The hat, with the crutch under his arm, and the cause in his left hand, declared the dashing Hood —— the flanker of this army. Yonder, reclining in the corner of the field, in a gray uniform, is an officer whose gray beard and singularly shaped head one would readily-recognize, even if he did not spring up as Gen. Polk calls out, "Hardee, come here!" These officers are tracing a road on the map, and intently watching them, with now and then a quick loss of the head, is Wheeler; which Jackson leans lazily back against a tree, in an attitude that bespeaks the love of his case. Yonder heavy-hearted man is Stevenson, the best officer of Pemherton's army. He is talking to Stewart. The officer who approaches and raises his hat so politely is Hindmant. There stand Walker and Loting, in earnest conversation; and Gen. Mackaji, " Chief of Staff," is wandering about, now greeting some staff officer, and now dispatching a courier. The gallant Bates, the jolly but fiery. Cheatham, and the composed, dignified Stewart form another group; Cheatham evidently coming to the point. A gay retinue of staff officers surround this distinguished gathering of the most of the leading spirits in this gallant army of Tennessee.
