第6章

couldgetawaymyselftoseetheaffair；but，unfortunately，Icannotdoso。However，ifyouliketobepresent，Iwillgiveyouthreedays\'leave，asyouhavebeenworkingveryhardlately。Youcanstartearlyto-morrow，andcangetdownbytraintoNorfolkintheevening。Ishouldadviseyoutotakeyourhorsewithyou，andthenyoucanrideinthemorningtosomespotfromwhichyouwillgetafairviewoftheRoads，andbeabletoseewhatisgoingon。"

"Thankyouverymuch，sir，"Vincentsaid。"Ishouldlikeitimmensely。"

ThenextdayVincentwentdowntoNorfolk。Arrivingthere，hefoundthatalthoughtherewasageneralexpectationthattheMerrimacwouldshortlygoouttotryherstrengthwiththeenemy，nothingwasknownofthefactthatthenextmorninghadbeenfixedfortheencounter，thesecretbeingkepttothelastlestsomespyoradherentoftheNorthmighttakethenewstothefleet。

AfterputtinguphishorseVincentwentdowntothenavyyard，offwhichtheMerrimacwaslying。

ThisshiphadbeensunkbytheFederalswhenatthecommencementofhostilitiestheyhadevacuatedNorfolk。HavingbeenraisedbytheConfederates，theshipwascutdown，andasortofroofcoveredwithironwasbuiltoverit，sothatthevesselpresentedtheappearanceofahugesunkenhouse。Aramwasfixedtoherbow，andshewasarmedwithtenguns。Hersteam-powerwasveryinsufficientforhersize，andshecouldonlymovethroughthewaterattherateoffiveknotsanhour。

"Sheisanugly-lookingthing，"amanobservedtoVincentashegazedattheship。

"Frightfullyugly，"Vincentagreed。"Shemaybeaformidablemachineinthewayoffighting，butonecanscarcelycallheraship。"

"Sheisafloating-battery，andiftheytriedtheirbesttoturnouttheugliestthingthateverfloatedtheycouldnothavesucceededbetter。SheisjustlikeaNoah\'sarksunkdowntotheeavesofherroof。"

"Yes，sheisagooddeallikethat，"Vincentagreed。"TheverylookofheroughttobeenoughtofrightentheFederals，evenifshedidnothingelse。"

"Iexpectitwillnotbelongbeforeshegivesthematasteofherquality，"themansaid。"Shehasgothercoalandammunitiononboard，andthere\'snothingtopreventhergoingoutthiseveningifshewantsto。"

"ItwillbeworthseeingwhenshedoesgoouttofighttheNortherners，"Vincentsaid。"Itwillbeanewexperimentinwarfare，and，ifsheturnsoutasuccess，Isupposeallthenaviesintheworldwillbetakingtocoverthemselvesupwithiron。"

Thenextmorning，whichwasthe8thofMarch-adateforevermemorableinnavalannals-smokewasseenpouringoutfromthefunnelsoftheMerrimac，andthereweresignsofactivityonboardthePatrickHenry，ofsixguns，andtheJamestown，Raleigh，Beaufort，andTeazer，littlecraftcarryingoneguneach，andateleveno\'clocktheyallmoveddowntheinletonwhichNorfolkissituated。ThenewsthattheMerrimacwasgoingouttoattacktheenemyhadnowspread，andthewholepopulationofNorfolkturnedoutandhasteneddowntowardthemonthoftbeinletonhorseback，invehicles，oronfoot，whileVincentrodetothebatteriesonSewell\'sPoint，nearlyfacingFortMonroe。

Helefthishorseatafarmhouseaquarterofamilefromthebattery；forWildfirewasalwaysrestlessunderfire，anditwasprobablethatthebatterieswouldtakeashareintheaffair。Atoneo\'clocksomeofthesmallFederallookoutlauncheswereseentobeatworksignaling，abustlecouldbeobservedprevailingamongthelargeshipsoverbythefortress，anditwasevidentthattheMerrimacwasvisibletothemasshecamedowntheinlet。TheCumberlandandCongressmen-of-warmovedoutinthatdirection，andtheMinnesotaandtheSt。Lawrence，whichwereatanchor，gotunderweigh，assistedbysteam-tugs。

TheMerrimacandthefleetoflittlegunboatswerenowvisiblefromthebattery，advancingagainsttheCumberlandandCongress。

Theformeropenedfireuponheratadistanceofamilewithherheavypivotguns，buttheMerrimac，withoutreplying，continuedherslowandsteadycoursetowardthem。ShefirstapproachedtheCongress，andasshedidsoapuffofsmokeburstfromtheforwardendofherpent-house，andthewaterroundtheCongresswaschurnedupbyahailofgrape-shot。Astheypassedeachotherbothvesselsfiredabroadside。Theofficersinthefort，providedwithglasses，couldseetheeffectoftheMerrimac\'sfireinthelightpatchesthatshowedonthesideoftheCongress，buttheMerrimacappearedentirelyuninjured。ShenowapproachedtheCumberland，whichpouredseveralbroadsidesintoher，butaltogetherwithouteffect。TheMerrimac，withoutreplying，steamedstraightonandstrucktheCumberlandwithgreatforce，knockingalargeholeinherside，nearthewater-line。Thenbackingoffsheopenedfireuponher。

ForhalfanhourthecrewoftheCumberlandfoughtwithgreatbravery。Theshipslayaboutthreehundredyardsapart，andeveryshotfromtheMerrimactoldonthewoodenvessel。Thewaterwaspouringinthroughthebreach。TheshellsoftheMerrimaccrushedthroughherside，andatonetimesetheronfire；butthecrewworkedtheirgunsuntilthevesselsankbeneaththeirfeet。Somemensucceededinswimmingtoland，whichwasnotfardistant，othersweresavedbysmallboatsfromtheshore，butnearlyhalfofthecrewof400menwereeitherkilledinactionordrowned。

TheMerrimacnowturnedherattentiontotheCongress，whichwaslefttofightthebattlealone，ustheMinnesotahadgotaground，andtheRoanoakeandSt。Lawrencecouldnotapproachnearenoughtorenderthemassistancefromtheirdraughtofwater。

TheMerrimacpouredbroadsideafterbroadsideintoher，untiltheofficerincommandandmanyofthecrewwerekilled。Thelieutenantwhosucceededtothecommand，seeingtherewasnoprospectofhelp，andthatresistancewashopeless，hauleddowntheflag。Agunboatwassentalongside，withordersthatthecrewshouldleavetheCongressandcomeonboard，astheshipwastobeburned。Butthetroopsandartilleryliningtheshorenowopenedfireonthelittlegunboat，whichconsequentlyhauledoff。

TheMerrimac，afterfiringseveralmoreshellsintotheCongress，movedawaytoattacktheMinnesota，andthesurvivorsofthe200

menwhocomposedthecrewoftheCongresswereconveyedtoshoreinsmallboats。ThevesselwassetonfireeitherbyherowncrewortheshellsoftheMerrimac，andbymidnightblewup。

OwingtotheshallownessofthewatertheMerriruaccouldnotgetnearenoughtotheMinnesotatouseherownsmallgunstoadvantage，andthegunboatwasdrivenoffbytheheavyten-inchgunoftheFederalfrigate，andthereforeatseveno\'clocktheMerrimacandherconsortsreturnedtoNorfolk。Thegreatestdelightwasfeltonshoreatthesuccessoftheengagement，andonridingbacktoNorfolkVincentlearnedthattheramwouldgooutagainnextmorningtoengagetherestoftheFederalfleet。

Sheherselfhadsufferedsomewhatinthefight。Herlossinmenwasonlytwokilledandeightwounded；buttwoofhergunshadthemuzzlesshotoff，thearmorwasdamagedinsomeplaces，andmostseriousofallshehadbadlytwistedherraminrunningintotheCumberland。StillitappearedthatshewasmorethanamatchfortherestoftheFederalfleet，andthatthesemusteitherflyorbedestroyed。

Asthegeneralhadgivenhimthreedays\'leave，Vincentwasabletostaytoseethecloseoftheaffair，andearlynextmorningagainrodedowntoSewell\'sPoint，astheMerrimacwastostartatdaybreak。Atsixo\'clocktheironcladcameoutfromtheriverandmadefortheMinnesota，whichwasstillaground。Thelatterwasseentorunupasignal，andthespectatorssawanobjectwhichtheyhadnotbeforeperceivedcomingoutasiftomeettheram。

Theglassesweredirectedtowardit，andageneralexclamationofsurprisewasheard。

"Whatisthething？Itlookslikearaftwithtworoundturretsuponit，andafunnel。"Amoment\'sconsideration，andthetruthburstuponthem。ItwastheshiptheyhadheardofasbuildingatNewYork，andwhichhadbeenlaunchedsixweeksbefore。ItwasindeedtheMonitor，whichhadarrivedduringthenight，justintimetosavetherestoftheFederalfleet。Shewasthefirstregularironcladeverbuilt。Shewasaturretship，carryingtwoveryheavyguns，andshowingonlybetweentwoandthreefeetabovethewater。

Theexcitementuponbothshoresastheseadversariesapproachedeachotherwasintense。Theymovedslowly，andnotuntiltheywerewithinahundredyardsdistancedidtheMonitoropenfire，theMerrimacreplyingatonce。Thefireforatimewasheavyandrapid，thedistancebetweenthecombatantsvaryingfromfiftytotwohundredyards。TheMonitorhadbyfarthegreatestspeed，andwasmuchmoreeasilyturnedthantheConfederateram，andhergunswereverymuchheavier，andtheMerrimacwhilestillkeepingupthefightmadetowardthemouthoftheriver。

SuddenlysheturnedandsteameddirectlyattheMonitor，andbeforethelattercouldgetoutofherwaystruckherontheside；

buttheramwasbentandherweakengineswereinsufficienttopropelherwiththenecessaryforce。ConsequentlysheinflictednodamageontheMonitor，andtheactioncontinued，theturret-shipdirectingherfireattheironroofoftheram，whilethelatterpointedhergunsespeciallyattheturretandpilot-houseoftheMonitor。Atlength，afterabattlewhichhadlastedsixhours，theMonitorwithdrew，oneoftheplatesofherpilot-housebeingseriouslydamagedandhercommanderinjuredintheeyes。

WhenherfoedrewofftheMerrimacsteamedbacktoNorfolk。

Therewerenomenkilledineitherbattle，andeachsideclaimedavictory；theFederalsuponthegroundthattheyhaddrivenofftheMerrimac，theConfederatesbecausetheMonitorhadretreatedfromthefight。Eachvesselhoweverheldthestrengthoftheotherinrespect，theMonitorremainingassentinelovertheshipsandtransportsatFortressMonroe，whiletheMerrimacatNorfolkcontinuedtoguardtheentranceintotheJamesRiver。

AssoonasthefightwasoverVincentWingfield，greatlypleasedthathehadwitnessedsostrangeandinterestingacombat，rodebacktoNorfolk，andthesameeveningreachedRichmond，wherehisdescriptionofthefightwasreceivedwiththegreatestinterestandexcitement。

OHAPTERVIILM\'CLELLAN\'SADVANCE。

ITWASnotuntilthreeweeksafterthefightbetweentheironcladsthatthegreatarmyunderGeneralMcClellanarrivedoffFortressMonroe，thegreaterportionofthetroopscomingdownthePotomacinsteamtransports。Vastquantitiesofstoreshadbeenaccumulatedinandaroundthefortress。Gunsofasizeneverbeforeusedinwarwerelyingonthewharfsinreadiness-tobeplacedinbatteries，whileHamptonRoadswerecrowdedwithtransportsandstorevesselswatchedoverbytheMonitorandtheotherwarships。McClellan\'sarmywasalargeone，butnotsostrongaforceashehadintendedtohavetakenwithhim，andassoonashearrivedatFortressMonroehelearnedthathewouldnotbeabletoexpectmuchassistancefromthefleet。TheMerrimaccompletlyclosedtheJamesRiver；andwerethemorepowerfulvesselsofthefleettomoveuptheYorkRiver，shewouldbeabletosallyoutanddestroytherestofthefleetandthetransports。

AsitwasmostimportanttoclearthepeninsulabetweenthetworiversbeforeMagrudershouldreceivestrongreinforcements，aportionofthetroopswereatoncelanded，andonthe4thofApril56，000menand100gunsdisembarkedandstartedontheirmarchagainstYorktown。AssoonasthenewsofthearrivaloftheNorthernarmyatFortressMonroereachedRichmondfreshstepsweretakenforthedefenseofthecity。Magrudersoonfoundthatitwouldbeimpossiblewiththeforceathiscommandtoholdthelinehehadproposed，andalargebodyofnegroesandtroopsweresettoworktothrowupdefensesbetweenYorktownandapointontheWarwickRiverthirteenandahalfmilesaway。

AportionofthislinewascoveredbytheWarwickCreek，whichhedammeduptomakeitunfordable，anderectedbatteriestoguardthedams。Acrosstheinterveninggroundaweakearthworkwithtrencheswasconstructed，therebeingnotimetoraisestrongerworks；butMagruderreliedchieflyupontheswampyanddifficultnatureofthecountry，andtheconcealmentaffordedbytheforest，whichrendereditdifficultfortheenemytodiscovertheweaknessofthedefenders。

Heposted6，000menatYorktownandGloucesterPoint，andtheremaining5，000troopsunderhiscommandwerescatteredalongthelineofworkstotheWarwickRiver。HeknewthatifMcClellanpushedforwardwithallhisforcehemustbesuccessful；butheknewalsothatiftheenemycouldbutbeheldincheckforafewdaysassistancewouldreachhimfromGeneralJohnston\'sarmy。

FortunatelyfortheConfederates，theweather，whichhadbeenfineandclearduringthepreviousweek，changedontheverydaythatMcClellanstarted。Theraincamedownintorrents，andtheroadsbecamealmostimpassable。Thecolumnsstruggledonalongthedeepandmuddytracksallday，andbivouackedforthenightintheforests。Thenextmorningtheyresumedtheirmarch，andonreachingthefirstlineofintrenchmentsformedbytheConfederatesfoundthemdeserted，anditwasnotuntiltheyapproachedtheWarwickCreekthattheyencounteredseriousopposition。HadtheypushedforwardatoncetheywouldhaveunquestionablycapturedRichmond。ButMcClellan\'sfaultwasover-caution，andhebelievedhimselfopposedbyaverymuchlargerforcethanthatunderthecommandofMagruder；

consequently，insteadofmakinganattackatoncehebeganregularsiegeoperationsagainsttheworksonWarwickCreekandthoseatYorktown。

ThedelaysavedRichmond。Everydayreinforcementsarrived，andbythetimethatMcClellan\'sarmy，over100，000strong，haderectedtheirbatteriesandgottheirheavygunsintoposition，Magruderhadbeenreinforcedbysome10，000menunderGeneralJohnston，whonowassumedthecommand，whileotherdivisionswerehurryingupfromNorthernandWesternVirginia。Upontheverynightbeforethebatterieswerereadytoopen，theConfederatesevacuatedtheirpositionsandfellback，carryingwiththemalltheirgunsandstorestotheChickahominyRiver，whichranalmostacrossthepeninsulaatadistanceofsixmilesonlyfromRichmond。

TheConfederatescrossedandbrokedownthebridges，andpreparedtomakeanotherstand。ThedisappointmentoftheFederalswasgreat。AftertendaysofincessantlaborandhardshiptheyhadonlygainedpossessionofthevillageofYorktownandatractoflowswampycountry。ThedivisionsinfrontpressedforwardrapidlyaftertheConfederates；butthesehadmanagedtheirplansowellthatallweresafelyacrossthestreambeforetheywereovertaken。

ThedismayinRichmondhadforafewdaysbeengreat。Manypeopleleftthetownfortheinterior，takingtheirvaluableswiththem，andallwaspreparedfortheremovalofthestatepapersanddocuments。ButastheFederalswentonwiththeirfortifications，andthereinforcementsbegantoarrive，confidencewasrestored，andallwentonasbefore。

ThegreatFederalarmywassoscatteredthroughtheforests，andthedisciplineofsomeofthedivisionswassolaxthatitwassomedaysbeforeMcClellanhadthemrangedinorderontheChickahominy。Anotherweekelapsedbeforehewasinapositiontoundertakefreshoperations；butGeneralJohnstonhadnowfourdivisionsonthespot，andhewastooenterprisingageneraltoawaittheattack。ConsequentlyhecrossedtheChickahominy，fellupononeoftheFederaldivisionsandalmostdestroyedit，anddrovebackthewholeoftheirleftwing。Thenextmorningthebattlewasrenewed，andlastedforfivehours。

ItwasfortunateindeedfortheConfederatesthattherightwingoftheNorthernarmydidnot，whiletheactionwasgoingon，crosstheriverandmarchstraightuponRichmond；butcommunicationwasdifficultfromonepartofthearmytoanother，owingtothethickforestsandtheswampystateoftheground，andbeingwithoutorderstheyremainedinactiveallday。Thelossontheirsidehadbeen7，000men，whiletheConfederateshadlost4，500；andGeneralJohnstonbeingseriouslywounded，thechiefcommandwasgiventoGeneralLee，byfartheablestsoldierthewarproduced。Satisfiedwiththesuccesstheyhadgained，theConfederatesfellbackacrosstheriveragain。

Onthe4thofJune，GeneralStuart-forhehadnowbeenpromoted-

startedwith1，200cavalryandtwoguns，andinforty-eighthoursmadeoneofthemostadventurousreconnaissanceseverundertaken。FirsttheforcerodeouttoHanoverCourthouse，wheretheyencounteredanddefeated，first，asmallbodyofcavalry，andafterwardawholeregiment。Then，afterdestroyingthestorestheretheyroderoundtothePamunky，burnedtwovesselsandalargequantityofstores，capturedatrainoffortywagons，andburnedarailwaybridge。

ThentheypassedrightroundtheFederalrear，crossedtheriver，andre-enteredthecitywith165prisonersand200horses，havingeffectedthedestructionofvastquantitiesofstores，besidesbreakinguptherailwaysandburningbridges。

TowardtheendofJuneMcClellanlearnedthatStonewallJackson，havingstruckheavyblowsatthetwogreatlysuperiorarmieswhichwereoperatingagainsthiminthevalleyoftheShenandoah，hadsucceededinevadingthem，andwasmarchingtowardRichmond。

Hehadjustcompletedseveralbridgesacrosstheriver，andwasahouttomoveforwardtofightagreatbattlewhenthenewsreachedhim。Believingthatheshouldheopposedbyanarmyof200，000men，although，infact，theConfederatearmy，afterJacksonandalltheavailablereinforcementscameup，wasstillsomewhatinferiorinstrengthtohisown，hedeterminedtoabandonforthepresenttheattemptuponRichmond，andtofallbackupontheJamesRiver。

Herehisshipshadalreadylandedstoresforhissupply，fortheriverwasnowopenasfarastheConfederatedefensesatFortDarling。NorfolkNavyYardhadbeencapturedbythe10，000menwhoformedthegarrisonofFortressMonroe。Noresistancehadbeenoffered，asalltheConfederatetroopshadbeenconcentratedforthedefenseofRichmond。WhenNorfolkwascapturedtheMerrimacsteamedouttomakeherwayoutoftheriver；butthewaterwaslow，andthepilotdeclaredthatshecouldnotbetakenup。Consequentlyshewassetonfireandburnedtothewater\'sedge，andthusthemainobstacletotheadvanceoftheFederalfleetwasremoved。

TheyhadadvancedasfarasFortDarlingandtheironcladgunboatshadengagedthebatteriesthere。Theirshot，however，didlittledamagetothedefendersupontheloftybluffs，whiletheshotfromthebatteriessoinjuredthegunboatsthattheattempttoforcethepassagewasabandoned。WhilefallingbacktoaplacecalledHarrison\'sLandingontheJamesRiver，theFederalswereattackedbytheConfederates，butafterdesperatefightingonbothsides，lastingforfivedays，theysucceededindrawingofffromtheChickahominywithalossoffiftyguns，thousandsofsmallarms，andthelossofthegreaterpartoftheirstores。

AllideaofafurtheradvanceagainstRichmondwasforthepresentabandoned。PresidentLincolnhadalwaysbeenopposedtotheplan，andaconsiderableportionofthearmywasmovedroundtojointheforceunderGeneralPope，whichwasnowtomarchuponRichmondfromthenorth。

FromthecommencementoftheFederaladvancetothetimewhen，beatenanddispirited，theyregainedtheJamesRiver，VincentWingfieldhadseenlittleofhisfamily。TheFederallineshadatonetimebeenwithinamileoftheOrangery。Theslaveshadsomedaysbeforebeenallsentintotheinterior，andMrs。WingfieldandherdaughtershadmovedintoRichmond，wheretheyjoinedinthework，towhichthewholeoftheladiesofthetownandneighborhooddevotedthemselves，ofattendingtothewounded，ofwhom，whilethefightingwasgoingon，longtrainsarrivedeverydayatthecity。

Vincenthimselfhadtakennoactivepartinthefighting。

Magruder\'sdivisionhadnotbeenengagedinthefirstattackuponMcClellan\'sforce；andalthoughithadtakenashareinthesubsequentseverefighting，Vincenthadbeenoccupiedincarryingmessagesfromthegeneraltotheleadersoftheotherdivisions，andhadonlyonceortwicecomeunderthestormoffiretowhichtheConfederateswereexposedastheyplungedthroughthemorassestoattacktheenemy。Assoonasitwascertainthattheattackwasfinallyabandoned，andthatMcClellan\'stroopswerebeingwithdrawntostrengthenPope\'sarmy，Vincentresignedhisappointmentasaide-de-camp，andwasappointedtothe7thVirginianCavalry，stationedatOrange，whereitwasfacingtheFederalcavalry。MajorAshleyhadfallenwhileprotectingthepassageofJackson\'sdivisionwhenhardpressedbyoneoftheFederalarmiesinWesternVirginia。

NoactioninthewarhadbeenmorebrilliantthanthemannerinwhichStonewallJacksonhadbaffledthetwoarmies-eachgreatlysuperiorinforcetohisown-thathadbeenspeciallyappointedtodestroyhimifpossible，oratanyratetopreventhiswithdrawingfromtheShenandoahValleyandmarchingtoaidinthedefenseoftheConfederatecapital。Histroopshadmarchedalmostdayandnight，withoutfood，anddependingentirelyuponsuchsuppliesastheycouldobtainfromthescatteredfarmhousestheypassed。

AlthoughRichmondwasforthepresentsafe，theprospectoftheConfederateswasbynomeansbright。NewOrleanshadbeencaptured；theblockadeoftheotherportswasnowsostrictthatitwasdifficultintheextremeforavesseltomakeherwayinorout；

andtheNorthernershadplacedflotillasofgunboatsontherivers，andbytheaidoftheseweregraduallymakingtheirwayintotheheartofseveraloftheStates。

"AreyouthinkingofgoingouttotheOrangeryagainsoon，mother？"Vincentaskedontheeveningbeforesettingoutonthemarchnorth。

"Ithinknot，Vincent。ThereissomuchtodointhehospitalsherethatIcannotleave。IshouldbeashamedtobelivinginluxuryattheOrangerywiththegirlswhileotherwomenaregivinguptheirwholetimenursingthewounded。Besides，althoughIdonotanticipatethatafterthewaytheyhavebeenhurledbacktheNorthernerswilltryagainforsometime，nowtheyareinpossessionofHarrison\'sLandingtheycanatanymomentadvance。

Besides，itisnotpleasantbeingobligedtoturnoutofone\'shouseandleaveeverythingtotheirmercy。IwroteyesterdaytoPearsontobringtheslavesbackatonceandtakeupthework，andIshallgooveroccasionallytoseethateverythingisinorder；butatanyrateforatimewewillstophere。"

"Ithinkthatisbest，mother。CertainlyIshouldfeelmorecomfortableknowingthatyouareallatRichmondthanaloneoutthere。"

"WeshouldbenoworseoffthanthousandsofladiesallovertheState，VincentTherearewholedistrictswhereeverywhitecapableofusingagunhasgonetothewar，leavingnothingbutwomenandslavesbehind，andwehavenotheardofasinglecaseinwhichtherehasbeentrouble。"

"Certainlythereisnochanceoftroublewithyourslaves，mother；

butinsomeoftheotherplantationsitmaynotbeso。Atanyratethequietconductoftheslaveseverywhereistheverybestanswerthatcouldbegiventotheaccusationsthathavebeenmadeastotheircrueltreatment。AtpresentthewholeofthepropertyoftheslaveownersthroughouttheSouthernStatesisattheirmercy，andtheymightburn，kill，anddestroy；andyetinnosingleinstancehavetheyrisenagainstwhatarecalledtheiroppressors，evenwhentheFederalshavebeencloseathand。

PleasekeepyoureyeonDinah，mother。Idistrust；thatfellowJacksonsothoroughlythatIbelievehimcapableofhavinghercarriedoffandsmuggledawaysomewheredownsouth，andsoldthereifhesawachance。Iwish，insteadofsendinghertotheOrangery，youwouldkeepherasoneofyourservantshere。"

"Iwillifyouwishit，Vincent；butIcannotbelieveforamomentthatthisJacksonoranyoneelsewouldventuretomeddlewithanyofmyslaves。"

"Perhapsnot，mother；butitisbesttoheonthesafeside。Anyhow，Ishallbegladtoknowthatsheiswithyou。YoungJacksonwillbeaway，forIknowheisinoneofStuart\'stroopsofhorse，thoughIhaveneverhappenedtorunagainsthimsincethewarbegan。"

ThefiringhadhardlyceasedbeforeHarrison\'sLanding，whenGeneralJackson，withaforceofabout15，000men，composedofhisowndivision，nowcommandedbyGeneralWinder，GeneralEwell\'sdivision，andaportionofthatofGeneralHill，startedfortheRapidantocheckGeneralPope，who，plunderingandwastingthecountryasheadvanced，wasmarchingsouth，hisobjectbeingtoreachGordonsville，wherehewouldcutthelineofrailwayconnectingRichmondwithWesternVirginia。VincentwasgladthattheregimenttowhichhehadbeenappointedwouldheunderJackson\'scommand，andthathewouldbecampaigningagainwithhisolddivision，whichconsistedlargelyofVirginiantroopsandcontainedsomanyofhisoldfriends。

WithJackson，too，hewascertaintobeengagedinstirringservice，forthatgeneraleverkepthistroopsuponthemarch，strikingblowswhereleastexpected，andtraversingsuchanextentofcountrybyrapidmarchesthatheandhisdivisionseemedtotheenemytobealmostubiquitous。

ItwasbutafewhoursafterhereceivedhisappointmentthatVincenttooktrainfromRichmondtoGordonsville，Danbeinginthehorse-boxwithWildfireintherearofthetrain。Hisregimentwasencampedamileortwoaway，andheatoncerodeonandreportedhimselftoColonelJones，whocommandedit。

"Iamgladtohaveyouwithme，sir，"thecolonelsaid。"Ihadthepleasureofknowingyourfather，andamanoldfriendofyourmother\'sfamily。AsyouwereinAshley\'shorseandhavebeenservingonMagruder\'sstaff，youarewellupinyourduties；anditisacomforttomethatthevacancyhasbeenfilledupbyonewhoknowshisworkinsteadofarawhand。Wehavehadabrushortwoalreadywiththeenemy；butatpresentwearewatchingeachother，waitingonbothsidestillthegeneralshavegottheirinfantrytothefrontinreadinessforanadvanceJacksoniswaitingforHill\'sdivisiontocomeup，andIbelievePopeisexpectinggreatreinforcementsfromMcClellan。"

AfewdayslaterColonelJoneswasorderedtotakechargeofthepicketspostedontheRapidan，butbeforereachingOrangeagentlemanrodeupatfullspeedandinformedthemthattheenemywereinpossessionofthattown。ColonelJonesdividedhisregimentintotwoparts，andwithonechargedtheFederalcavalryinthemainstreetofOrange，whiletheotherportionoftheregiment，underMajorMarshall，attackedthemontheflank。Afterasharpfighttheenemyweredrivenfromtheplace；buttheybroughtuplargereinforcements，and，pouringinaheavyfire，attackedthetownonbothsides，andtheConfederateshadtofallhack。Buttheymadeanotherstandalittlewayoutofthetown，anddrovebacktheFederalcavalrywhowerepressingthem。

Althoughthefighthadbeenbutashortonethelossesinthecavalryrankshadbeenserious。ColonelJones，whilechargingattheheadofhismen，hadreceivedasaber-wound，andMajorMarshallwastakenprisoner。

Fivedayslater，onthe7thofAugust，JacksonreceivedcertainintelligencethatGeneralBurnside，withaconsiderableportionofMcClellan\'sforce，hadembarked，andwasonthewaytojoinPope。

Hedeterminedtostrikeablowatonce，andmarchedwithhisentireforcefromGordonsvilleforBarnettFordontheRapidan。

AtdaybreaknextmorningthecavalrycrossedtheriverandattackedandroutedabodyofFederalcavalryontheroadtoCulpepperCourthouse。OnthefollowingdayJacksoncameupwithhisinfantrytoapointabouteightmilesfromCulpepper，wherePope\'sarmy，32，000strong，werestationeduponthecrestofahill。GeneralEwell\'sdivision，whichwastheonlyonethenup，atonceadvanced，and，afterasevereartilleryfight，gainedapointonahillwherehisgunscouldcommandtheenemy\'sposition。

Jackson\'sdivisionnowcameup，andasitwasmovingintopositionGeneralWinderwaskilledbyashell。ForsomehoursJacksondidnotattempttoadvance，asHill\'sdivisionhadnotcomeup。Encouragedbythisdelay，theenemyatfiveo\'clockintheafternoontooktheoffensiveandadvancedthroughsomecornfieldslyingbetweenthetwoarmiesandattackedEwell\'sdivisionontheConfederateright；whileshortlyafterwardtheyfellwithoverwhelmingstrengthonJackson\'sleft，and，attackingitinfront，flank，andrear，droveitback，andpresseduponitwithsuchforcethatthedayappearedlost。

AtthismomentJacksonhimselfrodedownamongtheconfusedandwaveringtroops，andbyhisvoiceandexampleralliedthem。

AtthesamemomenttheoldStonewallBrigadecameupatarunandpouredtheirfireintotheadvancingenemy。Jacksonledthetroopshehadralliedforward。TheStonewallBrigadefellupontheenemy\'sflankanddrovethembackwithterribleslaughter。Otherbrigadescameup，andtherewasageneralchargealongthewholeConfederateline，andtheFederalsweredrivenbackamilebeyondthepositiontheyhadoccupiedatthecommencementofthefighttotheshelterofsomethickwoods。Fourhundredprisonersweretakenandover5，000small-arms。

ThebattlewasknownasCedarRun，anditcompletelycheckedPope\'sadvanceuponRichmond。Thetroopsweretoomuchexhaustedtofollowuptheirvictory，butJacksonurgedthemtopressforward。Theymovedamileandahalfinadvance，andthenfoundthemselvessostronglyopposedthatJackson，believingthattheenemymusthavereceivedreinforcements，haltedhismen。

ColonelJoneswassentforwardtoreconnoiter，anddiscoveredthatalargeforcehadjoinedtheenemy。

FortwodaysJacksonremainedonthefieldhehadwon；histroopshadbeenbusyinburyingthedead，incollectingthewoundedandsendingthemtotherear，andingatheringthearmsthrownawaybytheenemyintheirflight。Beingassuredthattheenemywerenowtoostrongtobeattackedbytheforceunderhiscommand，JacksonfellbacktoOrangeCourthouse。Therewasnowafewdays\'delay，whilemassesoftroopswereonbothsidesmovingtowardthenewfieldofaction。McClellanmarchedhistroopsacrosstheJamesPeninsulafromHarrison\'sLandingtoYorktown，andtherethegreaterportionwereembarkedintransportsandtakenuptheRappahannocktoAquiaCreek，landedthere，andmarchedtoFredericksburg。

Lee，insteadofattackingMcClellanonhismarchacrossthepeninsula，determinedtotakehisarmynorthatoncetojoinJacksonandattackPopebeforehewasjoinedbyMcClellan\'sarmy。ButPope，althoughalreadylargelyreinforced，retiredhastilyandtookupanewpositionsostronglyfortifiedthathocouldnotheattacked。GeneralStuarthadcomeupwithLee，andwasincommandofallthecavalry。

"Weshallseesomeworknow，"wastheremarkroundthefiresofthe7thVirginianCavalry。Hitherto，althoughtheyhadbeenseveraltimesengagedwiththeFederals，theyhadbeenforcedtoremainforthemostpartinactiveowingtothevastsuperiorityinforceoftheenemy\'scavalry；butnowthatStuarthadcomeuptheyfeltcertainthat，whateverthedisparityofnumbers，therewouldsoonhesomedashingworktobedone。

Exceptwhenuponactualdutythestrictlinesofmilitarydisciplineweremuchrelaxedamongthecavalry，thetroopersbeingalmostallthesonsoffarmersandplantersandofequalsocialrankwiththeirofficers，manyofwhomweretheirpersonalfriendsorrelatives。SeveralofVincent\'sschoolfellowswereintheranks，twoorthreeofthemwerefellowofficers，andtheseoftengatheredtogetherroundacampfireandchattedoveroldschooldaysandmutualfriends。

Manyofthesehadalreadyfallen，fortheVirginianregimentsofStonewallJackson\'sbrigadehadbeenterriblythinned；butthelossofsomanyfriendsandtheknowledgethattheirownturnmightcomenextdidnotsufficetolessenthehighspiritsoftheyoungfellows。Thehardwork，theroughlife，theexposureandhardship，hadbracedandinvigoratedthemall，andtheywereattainingafarmorevigorousmanhoodthantheywouldeverhavepossessedhadtheygrownlipinthesomewhatsluggishandenervatinglifeledbyyoungplanters。

Manyoftheseyoungmenhad，untilthecampaignbegan，neverdonehalfanhour\'shardworkintheirlives。Theyhadbeenwaiteduponbyslaves，andtheironlyexercisehadbeenriding。Formonthsnowtheyhadalmostlivedinthesaddle，hadsleptintheopenair，andhadthoughtthemselvesluckyiftheycouldobtainasufficientmealoftheroughestfoodtosatisfytheirhungeronceaday。Inthisrespect，however，thecavalrywerebetteroffthantheircomradesoftheinfantry，forscoutingastheydidinsmallpartiesoverawideextentofcountry，theyweresureofamealandaheartywelcomewhenevertheycouldsparetimetostopforhalfanhouratthehouseofafarmer。

"It\'sagloriouslife，Wingfield!Whenwechattedoverthefutureatschoolweneverdreamedofsuchalifeasthis，thoughsomeofusdidtalkofenteringthearmy；buteventhenanoccasionalskirmishwithIndianswasthelimitofourideas。"

"Yes，itisagloriouslife!"Vincentagreed。"Icannotimagineanythingmoreexciting。Ofcourse，thereistheriskofbeingshot，butsomehowoneneverseemstothinkofthat。Thereisalwayssomethingtodoandtothinkabout，fromthetimeonestartsonascoutatdaybreaktothatwhenoneliesdownatnightone\'ssensesareonthestretch。Besides，wearefightingindefenseofourcountryandnotmerelyasaprofession，thoughIdon\'tsuppose，afterall，thatmakesmuchdifferencewhenoneisonceinforit。

AsfarasIhavereadallsoldiersenjoycampaigning，anditdoesnotseemtomakeanydifferencetothemwhoarethefoeorwhattheyarefightingabout。ButIshouldliketofeelalittlemoresurethatweshallwininthelongrun。"

Therewasachorusofindignantprotestsagainsttherebeinganypossibledoubtsastotheissue。

"Why，wehavethrashedthemeverytimewehavemetthem，Wingfield。"

"Thatisallverywell，"Vincentsaid。"HereinVirginiawehaveheldourown，andmorethanheldit。WehavebeatbackScottandMcClellan，andnowwehavethrashedPope；andStonewallJacksonhaswonadozenbattlesinWesternVirginia。Butyoumustrememberthatinotherpartstheyaregraduallyclosingin；alltheportsnotalreadytakenarecloselyblockaded；theyarepushingallalongthelinesofthegreatrivers；andworstofall，theycanfilluptheirvacancieswithIrishmenandGermans，andasfastasonearmydisappearsanothertakesitsplace。Ibelieveweshallheatthemagainandagain，andshallprove，aswehaveprovedbefore，thatoneSouthernerfightingforhomeandlibertyismorethanamatchfortwohiredGermansorIrishmen，evenwithagoodlargesprinklingofYankeesamongthem。ButinthelongrunIamnotsurethatweshallwin，fortheycangoonputtingbigarmiesintothefield，whilesomedaywemustgetusedup。

"OfcourseitispossiblethatwemaysomedaycaptureWashington，andthattheNorthmaygetwearyofthetremendousdrainofmoneyandmencausedbytheirattempttoconquerus。I

hopeitmaybeso，forIshouldliketothinkthatweshouldwininthelongrun。Ineverfeelanydoubtaboutourwinningabattlewhenwebegin。MyonlyfearisthatwemaygetusedupbeforetheNortharetiredofit。

"Ididnotexpecttohearyoutalkso，Wingfield，foryoualwaysseemtoheincapitalspirits。"

"Iamincapitalspirits，"Vincentreplied，"andreadytofightagainandagain，andalwaysconfidentweshalllicktheYankees；thefactthatIhaveadoubtwhetherinthelongrunweshalloutlastthemdoesnotinterfereintheslightestdegreewithmycomfortatpresent。IamverysorrythoughthatthisfellowPopeiscarryingonthewarsobrutallyinsteadofinthemannerinwhichGeneralMcClellanandtheothercommandershavewagedit。Hisproclamationthatthearmymustsubsistuponthecountryitpassesthroughgivesadirectinvitationtothesoldierstopillage，andhisorderthatallfarmerswhorefusetotaketheoathtotheUnionaretobedrivenfromtheirhomesandsentdownsouthmeansruintoallthepeacefulinhabitants，forthereisscarcelyamaninthispartofVirginiawhoisnotheartilywithus。"

"Ihear，"oneoftheotherofficerssaid，"thataprisonerwhowascapturedthismorningsaysthatPopealreadyseesthathehasmadeamistake，andthatheyesterdayissuedafreshordersayingthattheproclamationwasnotmeanttoauthorizepillage。Hefindsthattheinhabitantswhobefore，whatevertheirprivatesentimentswere，maintainedasortofneutrality，arenowhostile，thattheydriveofftheircattleintothewoods，andevensetfiretotheirstacks，topreventanythingfrombeingcarriedoffbytheYanks；andhistroopsfindtheroadsbrokenupandbridgesdestroyedandallsortsofdifficultiesthrownintheirway。"

"Itdoesnotalwayspay-eveninwar-tobebrutal。Iamgladtoseehehasfoundouthismistakesosoon，"anotherofficersaid。

"McClellanwagedwarlikeagentleman；andifblackguardsaretobeallowedtocarryfireandswordthroughthelandtheywillsoonfinditisagamethattwocanplayat，andmatterswillbecomehorriblyembittered"

"Weshallneverdothat，"Vincentsaid。"Ourgeneralsareallgentlemen，andLeeandJacksonandmanyothersaretrueChristiansaswellastruesoldiers，andIamsuretheywillnevercountenancethatonoursidewhatevertheNorthernersmaydo。

WearereadytofightthehordesofYankeesandGermansandIrishmenasoftenastheyadvanceagainstus，butIamsurethatnoneofuswouldfireahomesteadorill-treatdefenselessmenandwomen。ItisascandalthatsuchbrutalitiesarecommittedbytheruffianswhocallthemselvesSoutherners。TheguerrillasinMissouriandTennesseeareequallybadwhetheronoursideortheother，andifIwerethepresidentIwouldsenddownacoupleofregiments，andhuntdownthefellowswhobringdishonoronourcause。IftheSouthcannotfreeherselfwithouttheaidofruffiansofthiskindshehadbetterlaydownherarmsatonce。"

"Bravo，Wingfield!spokenlikeaknightofchivalry!"oneoftheotherslaughed。"Butmanyofthesebandshavedonegoodnevertheless。Theyhavekepttheenemybusythere，andoccupiedtheattentionofaverylargeforcewhomightotherwisehavebeeninthewoodsyonderwithPope。Iagreewithyou，itwouldbebetterifthewholethingwerefoughtoutwithlargearmies，butthereisagooddealtobesaidforthesehandsyouaresosevereupon。Theyarecomposedofmenwhohavebeenmadedesperatebyseeingtheirfarmsharriedandtheirbuildingsburnedbytheenemy。Theyhavebeendenouncedastraitorsbytheirneighborsontheotherside，andiftheyretaliateIdon\'tknowthattheyaretobealtogetherblamed。Iknowthatifmyplaceathomewereburneddownandmypeopleinsultedandill-treatedIshouldbeinclinedtosetofftoavengeit。，\'

"SowouldI，"Vincentagreed，"butitshouldbeuponthosewhodidthewrong，notuponinnocentpeople。"

"Thatisallverywell，butiftheothersidedestroyyourpeople\'sfarms，itisonlybyshowingthemthattwocanplayatthegamethatyoucanmakethemobservethelawsofwar。Igrantitwouldbeverymuchbetterthatnosuchthingshouldtakeplace；butiftheNorthernersbeginthissortofworktheymaybesurethattherewillberetaliationAnyhow，IamgladthatIamanofficerinthe7thVirginiansandnotaguerrillaleaderinMissouri。Well，allthistalkingisdrywork。Hasnoonegotafullcanteen？"

"Ihave，"Vincentsaid。"Danmanagedtobuyagallonofrumatafarmhouseyesterday。Ithinkthefarmerwasafraidthattheenemymightbepayinghimavisitbeforemanydays，andthoughtitbesttogetridofhisspirits。Anyhow，Dangotthekegatordinarycityprices，aswellasthatcoupleoffineturkeysheisjustbringingalongforoursupper。Soyouhadbettereachgetyourrationofbreadandfallto。"

TherewasacheerasDanplacedtheturkeysdowninthecenterofthegroup，andsoonthewholeparty，usingtheirbreadasplates，felltouponthem，andafterwardjoinedinmanyamerrysong，whileDanhandedroundthejarofspirits。

CHAPTERIX。APRISONER。

THEPARTYroundthefirewerejustabouttodispersewhenthecaptainofVincent\'stroopapproached。HetookthehornofspiritsandwaterthatVincenthelduptohimandtosseditoff。

"Thatisastirrup-cup，Wingfield。"

"What!areweforduty，captain？"Vincentaskedasherosetohisfeet。

"Yes；ourtroopandHarper\'saretomuster。Getthementogetherquietly。Ithinkitisaseriousbusiness；eachoftheregimentsfurnishothertroops，andIbelieveStuarthimselftakesthecommand。"

"Thatsoundslikework，indeed，"Vincentsaid。"Iwillgetthetrooptogether，sir。"

"Therearetobenotrumpetcalls，Wingfleld；wearetogetoffasquietlyaspossible。"

Mostofthemenwerealreadyfastasleep，butassoonastheylearnedthattherewasaprospectofactiveworkallwerefulloflifeandanimation。Thegirthsofthesaddlesweretightened，swordsbuckledon，andrevolverscarefullyexaminedbeforebeingplacedintheholsters。Manyofthemencarriedrepeatingrifles，andthemagazineswerefilledbeforethesewereslungacrosstheriders\'shoulders。

Inafewminutesthethreetroopsweremountedandinreadinessforastart，andalmostdirectlyafterwardColonelJoneshimselfrodeupandtookthecommand。Athrillofsatisfactionranthroughthemenashedidso，foritwascertainthathewouldnothimselfbegoingincommandofthedetachmentunlesstheoccasionwasanimportantone。Forafewminutesnomovewasmade。

"Isupposetheothersaregoingtojoinushere，"Vincentsaidtotheofficernexthim。

"Isupposeso，"hereplied。"Welieintbemiddleofthecavalrybrigadewithtworegimentseachsideofus，soitislikelyenoughthisisthegatheringplace。Yes，Icanhearthetrampingofhorses。"

"AndIfeltaspotofrain，"Vincentsaid。"Ithasbeenlightningforsometime。Ifearweareinforawetride。"

Thecontingentfromtheotherregimentssoonarrived，andjustasthelastcameupGeneralStuarthimselfappearedandtookhisplaceattheheadoftheparty，nowsome500strong。ShortasthetimehadbeensinceVincentfeltthefirstdrop，therainwasnowcomingdownintorrents。Onebyonethebrightflamesofthefiresdieddown，andthedarknessbecamesointensethatVincentcouldscarcelyseetheofficeronhisrighthand。

"Ihopethemanwhorodeupwiththegeneral，andisnodoubttobeourguide，knowsthecountrywell。Itisnojokefindingourwaythroughaforestonsuchanightasthis。"

"IbelieveStuart\'sgoteyeslikeacat，"theofficersaid。"SometimesonadarknighthehascomegallopinguptoapostwhereIwasincommand，whenonecouldscarcelyseeone\'shandbeforeone。Itneverseemstomakeanydifferencetohim，dayornightheridesaboutatagallop。"

"Hetrustshishorse，"Vincentsaid。"That\'stheonlywayinthedark。Theycanseealotbetterthanwecan，andifmenwouldbutletthemgotheirownwayinsteadoftryingtoguidethemtheywouldseldomrunagainstanything。Theonlythingistoliewelldownonthehorse\'sneck，otherwiseonemightgetsweptoutofthesaddlebyabough。It\'saquestionofnerve，IthinknotmanyofuswoulddoasStuartdoes，andtrusthimselfentirelytohishorse\'sinstinct。"

Thewordwasnowpasseddownthelinethatperfectsilencewastobeobserved，andthattheyweretomoveforwardincolumn，theranksclosingupasmuchaspossiblesoasnottolosetouchofeachother。Withheadsbentdown，andblanketswrappedroundthemascloaks，thecavalryrodeoffthroughthepouringrain。Thethunderwasclashingoverhead，andtheflashesofthelightningenabledthemtokeeptheirplacesinclosecolumn。Theywentatarapidtrot，andeventhosewhowerereadytochargeabodyoftheenemy，howevernumerous，withoutamoment\'shesitation，experiencedafeelingofnervousnessastheyrodeoninthedarknessthroughthethickforestontheirunknownerrand。Thattheyweregoingnorthwardtheyknew，andknewalso，afterashorttime，thattheymustbeenteringthelinesoftheenemy。Theysawnosignsofwatch-fires，forthesewouldlongsincehavebeenquenchedbythedownpour。Afterhalfanhour\'sbriskridingallknewbythesharpsoundofthebeatofthehorses\'hoofsthattheyhadleftthesofttrackthroughtheforestandwerenowuponaregularroad。