第4章

Heisoneofthebestridersinthecountry，andasplendidspecimenofaVirginiangentleman。lietellsmethathehasalreadyreceivedalargenumberofapplicationsfromyoungvolunteers，andthathethinksheshallbeablewithoutanydifficultytogetasmanyashewants。IsaidthatIhadasonwhowouldprobablyenrollhimself，andthatIshouldliketohavehiminhiscorps。

"Hesaidthathewouldbegladtoputdownyourname，andthathehadhadmanyapplicationsfromladsnoolderthanyourself。Heconsideredthatforcavalrywork，scouting，andthatsort；ofthingagematteredlittle，andthat；aladwhowasatoncealightweight，agoodrider，andagoodshotwasofasmuchgoodasaman。"

"Thankyou，mother。IwillrideintoRichmondto-morrowmorningandseeAshley。Ihaveoftenmethimatonehouseoranother，andshouldliketoserveunderhimverymuch。Ishouldcertainlypreferbeinginthecavalrytotheinfantry。"

RosieandAnnie，whowereofcourseenthusiasticfortheSouth，werealmostaspleasedaswasVincentwhentheyheardthattheirmotherhadconsentedtohisenrollinghimself。Somanyofthegirlsoftheiracquaintancehadbrothersorcousinswhowerejoiningthearmy，thattheywouldhavefeltit；assomethinglikeasluruponthefamilynamehadVincentremainedbehind。

OnthefollowingmorningVincentrodeoverandsawMr。Ashley，whohadjust；receivedhiscommissionasmajor。Hewascordiallyreceived。

Mrs。Wingfieldwasspeakingtomeaboutyou，andIshallbegladtohaveyouwithme-themoresoasyouareacapitalriderandagoodshot。Ishallhaveagoodmanyinmyranksnoolderthanyouare。DidInothearafewmouthssincethatyoubought；Wildfire？I

thoughtwhenIheardit；thatyouwouldbeluckyifyoudidnotgetyourneckbrokeninthecourseofaweek。Peters，whoownsthenextestatetomine，hadthehorseforaboutthreeweeks，andwasgladenoughtoget；ridofitforhalfwhathehadgivenforit。Hetoldmethehorsewasthemostsavagebruteheeversaw。I

supposeyoudidnotkeepitmanydays？"

"Ihavegotitstill，andmeantorideitwithyou。Thehorsewasnotreallysavage。Itwashot-tempered，andhad，Ithink，beenbadlytreatedbyitsfirstowner。Who-everithadbelongedto，Ifoundnodifficultywithit；。Itonlywantedkindnessandalittlepatience；

andassoonasitfoundthatitcouldnotgetridofme，andthatI

hadnointentionofill-treatingit；，itsettleddownquietly，afterrunningawayafewtimesandgivingmesomelittletroubleatstarting。Andnow1wouldnotchangeitforanyhorseintheState。"

"Youmustheafirst-raterider，"MajorAshleysaid，"tobeabletotameWildfire。Ineversawthehorse，forIwasawaywhenPetershadher；but；fromhisdescriptionitwasaperfectsavage。"

"Areweallowedtobringaservantwithus"Vincentasked。

"Yes，ifyoulike。Iknowthatagoodmanyaregoingtodoso，butyoumustnotmakeupyourmindthatyouwillgetmuchbenefitfromone。Weshallmoverapidly，andeachmanmust；shiftforhimself，butatthesametimeweshallofcourseoftenbestationary；andthenservantswillbeuseful。AtanyrateIcanseenoobjectiontomenhavingthem。Wemustbepreparedtoroughittoanyextentwhenitisnecessary，butIseenoreasonwhyatothertimesamanshouldnot；makehimselfcomfortable。Iexpecttheorderto-morrowornext；daytobeginformallytoenrollvolunteers。AsIhavenowputdownyournametherewillbenooccasionforyoutocomeinthen。Youwillreceiveacommunicationtellingyouwhentoreportyourself。

"Ishallnottroublemuchaboutuniformatfirst。Highbootsandbreeches，athickfelthatthatwillturntheedgeofasword，andaloosecoat-jacketofdark-graycloth。Thatisthenameofthetailorwhohasgotthepattern，andwillmakethem。SoIshouldadviseyoutogotohimatonce，forliewillbesobusysoonthat；thereisnosayingwhenthewholetroopwillgettheiruniforms。"

UponhisreturnhomeVincentrelatedtohismotherandsisterstheconversationthathehadhadwithMajorAshley。

"Certainlyyouhadbettertakeaservantwithyou，"hismothersaid。

"Isupposewhenyouareridingabout；youwillhavetocleanyourhorse，andcookyourdinner，anddoeverythingforyourself；butwhenyouareinatownyoushouldhavethesethingsdoneforyou。

Whowouldyouliketotake？

"IshouldliketotakeDan，mother，ifyouhavenoobjection。Heisverystrongandactive，andIthinkwouldgenerallybeabletokeepupwithus；besides，Iknowhewouldalwayssticktome。"

"Youshallhavehuncertainly，Vincent；Iwillmakehimoverformallytoyou。"

WITHLEEINVIRGINIA。

85

"Thankyou，mother，"Vincentsaidjoyfully；forhohadoftenwishedthatDanbelongedtohim，ashewouldthenbeabletopreventanyinterferencewithhimbytheoverseeroranyoneelse，andcould，ifheliked，givehimhisfreedom-althoughthiswould，heknew，beofverydoubtfuladvantagetotheladaslongasheremainedintheSouth。

Thenextmorningthenecessarypapersweredrawnup，andtheownershipofDanwasformallytransferredtoVincent。DanwaswildwithdelightwhenheheardthatVincentwasnowhismaster，andthathewastoaccompanyhimtothewar。IthadbeenknowntwodaysbeforethatVincentwasgoing，anditseemedquiteshockingtothenegroesthattheyoungmastershouldgoasaprivatesoldier，andhavetodoeverythingforhimself-"just，"astheysaid，"likedepoorwhitetrash；"fortheslaveswereproudtobelongtoanoldfamily，andlookeddownwithalmostcontemptuponthepoorerclassofwhites，regardingtheirownpositionasinfinitelysuperior。

FourdayslaterVincentreceivedanofficiallettersayingthatthecorpswouldbemusteredintwodays"time。Thenextdaywasspentinalongroundoffarewellvisits，andthenVincentmountedWildfire，and，withDantrottingbehind，rodeofffromtheOrangeryamidachorusofblessingsandgoodwishesfromalltheslaveswhocouldopanypretextgetawayfromtheirduties，andwhohadassembledinfrontofthehousetoseehimstart。

TheplaceofmeetingfortheregimentwasatHanoverCourthouse-astationontheRichmondandFredericksburgRailway，closetothePamunkyRiver，abouteighteenmilesfromthecity。

TheOrangerywasamilefromthevillageofGaines，whichlaytothenortheastofRichmond，andwassometwelvemilesfromHanoverCourthouse。

Amonthwasspentindrill，andattheendofthattimethecorpsworeabletoexecuteanysimplemaneuver。MorethanthisMajorAshleydidnotcareabouttheirlearning。Theworkinwhichtheywereabouttoengagewasthatofscoutsratherthanthatofregularcavalry，andtherequirementswerevigilanceandattentiontoorders，goodshootingandaquickeye。Offdutytherewasbutlittlediscipline。Almostthewholeofthemenwereinagoodpositioninlife，andmanyofthemverywealthy；andwhilestrictdisciplineandobediencewereexpectedwhileonduty，atallothertimessomethinglikeequalityexistedbetweenofficersandmen，andallwerefreetoliveastheychose。

Therationsservedoutweresimpleandoftenscanty，foratpresentthevariousdepartmentswerenotproperlyorganized，andsuchnumbersofmenwereflockingtothestandardsthattheauthoritieswereattheirwit"sendtoprovidethemwitheventhesimplestfood。Thismatteredbutlittle，however，totheregiment；，whosememberswereallreadyandwillingtopayforeverythingtheywanted，andthecountrypeopleroundfoundareadymarketforalltheirchickens，eggs，fruit，andvegetablesatHanoverCourthouse，forheretherewerealsoseveralinfantryregiments，andthenormallyquiet；littlevillagewasasceneofbustleandconfusion。

Thearmsofthecavalrywereofaveryvarieddescription。Not；

morethanadozenhadswords；therestwerearmedwithriflesorshot-guns，withthebarrelscutshorttoenablethemtobecarriedascarbines。Manyofthemwerearmedwithrevolvers，andsomecarriedpistolssoantiquatedthattheymighthavebeenusedintherevolutionarywar。Acertainnumberoftentshadbeenissuedfortheuseofthecorps。These，however，werealtogetherinsufficientforthenumbers，andmostofthemenpreferredtosleepinshelterscomposedofcanvas，carpets，blankets，Qranyothermaterialthatcametohand，orinarborsconstructedoftheboughsoftrees，foritwasnowAprilandwarmenoughtosleepintheopenair。

InthethirdweekinMaytheordercamethatthecorpswastomarchatonceforHarper"sFerry-animportantpositionat；thepointwheretheShenandoahRiverrunsintothePotomac，at；themouthoftheShenandoahValley。Theorderwasreceivedwiththegreatestsatisfaction。TheFederalforcesweregatheringrapidlyuponthenorthernbanksofthePotomac，anditwasbelievedthat，whilethemainarmywouldmarchdownfromWashingtonthroughManassasJunctiondirectuponRichmond，anotherwouldenterbytheShenandoahValley，and，crossingtheBlueRidgeMountains，comedownontherearoftheConfederatearmy，facingthemainforceat；Manassas。Thecavalrymarchedbyroad，whiletheinfantryweredespatchedbyrailasfarasManassasJunction，whencetheymarchedtoHarper"sFerry。Theblackservantsaccompaniedtheinfantry。

Thecavalrymarchwasapleasantone。Ateveryvillagethroughwhichtheypassedthepeopleflockedout；withofferingsofmilkandfruit。Thedayswerehot，butthemorningsandeveningsdelightful；andasthetroopsalwayshaltedintheshadeofawoodforthreeorfourhoursinthemiddleoftheday，themarches，althoughlongwerenotfatiguing。AtHarper"sFerryGeneralJohnstonhadjustsupersededColonelJacksonincommand。Theforcethereconsistedof11battalionsofinfantry，16guns，aridafterAshley"sforcearrived，300cavalry。AmongtheregimentsthereVincentfoundmanyfriends，andlearnedwhatwasgoingon。

HelearnedthatColonelJacksonhadbeenkeepingthemhardatwork。SomeofVincent"sfriendshadbeenattheVirginiaMilitaryInstituteatLexington，whereJacksonwasprofessorofnaturalphilosophyandinstructorofartillery。

"Hewasthegreatestfun，"oneoftheyoungmensaid；"thestiffestandmostawkward-lookingfellowintheinstitute。Heusedtoworkaboutasifheneversawanythingoranybody。HewasalwaysknownasOldTom，andnobodyeversawhimlaugh。Hewasawfullyearnestinallhedid，andstrict，Icantellyou，abouteverything。Therewasnohumbugginghim。Thefellowslikedhimbecausehewasreallysoearnestabouteverything，andalwaysjustandfair。Buthedidn"tlookahitlikeasoldierexceptastohisstiffness，andwhenthefellowswhohadbeenatLexingtonheardthathewasincommandheretheydidnotthinkhewouldhavemademuchhandatit；butItellyou，bedid。Youneversawsuchafellowtowork。

"Everythinghadtobedone，youknow。Thereweretheguns，butnohorsesandnoharness。Thehorseshadtobegotsomehow，andtheharnessmanufacturedoutofropes；andyoucanimaginetheconfusionofninebattalionsofinfantry，allrecruits，withnoonetoteachthemexceptascoreortwoofoldarmyandmilitiaofficers。

OldTomhasdonewonders，Icantellyou。Yousee，beissofearfullyearnesthimselfeveryoneelsehasgottobeearnest。

Therehasbeennoplayingaboutanything，butjustfifteenhours"

hardworkaday。Fellowsgrumbledandgrowledandsaiditwasabsurd，andthreatenedtodoallsortsofthings。Yousee，theyhadallcomeouttofightifnecessary，buthadn"tbargainedforsuchhardworkasthis。

"However，Jacksonhadhisway，andIdon"tsupposeanyoneevertoldhimthementhoughttheyweretoohardworked。Heisnotthesortofmanonewouldcareaboutremonstratingwith。Idon"tknowyetwhetherheisasgoodatfightingasheisatworkingandorganizing；butIratherexpectafellowwhoissoearnestabouteverythingelseissuretobeearnestaboutfighting，andIfancythatwhenheoncegetsintothethickofithewillgothroughwithit。

HehadsuchareputationasanoddityatLexingtonthattherewerealotofremarkswhenliewasmadecolonelandsenthere；butthereisnodoubtthathehasprovedhimselftherightmansofar，andalthoughhismenmaygrumbletheybelieveinhim。

"Myregimentisinhisbrigade，andIwillbetanymoneythatwehaveourshareoffightingWhatsortofmanisJohnston？Heisafinefellow-asoldier，heartandsoul。Youcouldtellhimanywhere，andwehaveafirst-ratefellowincommandofthecavalry-ColonelStuart-asplendiddashingfellow，fulloflifeandgo。Hisfellowsswearbyhim。Iquiteenvyyou，forIexpectyouwillastonishtheYankeehorsemen。Theyarenogreatridersupthere，youknow，andIexpectthefirsttimeyoumeetthemyouwillastonishthem。"

Herehesuddenlystopped，stoodatattention，andsaluted。

Vincentatoncedidthesame，although，hadhenotbeensettheexamplebyhisfriend，liewouldneverhavethoughtofdoingsotothefigurewhopassed。

"Whoisit？"heasked，ashiscompanionresumedhiseasyattitude。

"Why，that"sOldTom。"

"What!ColonelJackson!"Vincentsaidinsurprise。"Well，heisanodd-lookingfellow。"

Thefigurethathadpassedwasthatofatall，gauntluau，leaningawkwardlyforwardinhissaddle。Heworeanoldgraycoat，andtherewasnosignofrank，norparticleofgoldlaceupontheuniform。Heworeonhisheadafadedcadetcap，withtherimcomingdownsofaruponhisnosethathecouldonlylooksidewaysfromunderit。Heseemedtopaybutlittleattentiontowhatwasgoingonaroundhim，anddidnotenterintoconversationwithanyoftheofficershemet。

ThebrigadecommandedbyJacksonwasthefirstofthearmyoftheShenandoah，andconsistedofthe2d，4th，5th，and27thVirginians，towhichwasshortlyafterwardaddedthe33d。Theywerecomposedofmenofallranksandages，amongthembeingagreatnumberofladsfromfifteenandupward；foreveryschoolhadbeendeserted。Everyboycapableofcarryingamuskethadinsisteduponjoining，andamongthemwereawholecompanyofcadetsfromLexington。Theregimentsselectedtheirownofficers，andamongtheseweremanywhowerestilllads。Manyoftheregimentshadnoaccouterments，andwerewithoutuniforms，andnumberscarriednobetterarmsthanadouble-barreledshot-gun；

butallwereanimatedwiththesamespiritofenthusiasmintheircause，andadeterminationtodieratherthantoallowtheinvaderstopassonthroughthefertilevalleysoftheirnative]and。

OfallthesevalleysthatofShenandoahwastherichestandmostbeautiful。ItwascalledtheGardenofVirginia；andallwritersagreedintheirpraisesofthebeautiesofitsfieldsandforests，mountainsandrivers，itsdeliciousclimate，andthegeneralprosperitywhichprevailedamongitspopulation。

ItwasapleasanteveningthatAshley"shorsespentatHarper"sFerryonthedaytheymarchedin。AllhadmanyfriendsamongtheotherVirginianregiments，andtheircamp-fireswerethecentertowardwhichmentroopedbyscores。Therestwaspleasantaftertheirhardmarches；and，althoughreadytodotheirownworkwhennecessary，theyappreciatedtheadvantageofhavingtheirservantsagainwiththemtogroomtheirhorsesandcooktheirfood。

Thenegroeswerenotlessgladatbeingagainwiththeirmasters。

Almostallweremenwhohad，likeDan，beenbroughtupwiththeiryoungowners，andfeltforthemastrongpersonalattachment，and，ifithadbeenallowed，wouldgladlyhavefollowedtheminthefieldofbattle，andfoughtbytheirsideagainstthe"Yankees。"

TheirstayatHarper"sFerrywastobeashortone。ColonelStuart，withhis200horse，wasscoutingalongthewholebankofthePotomac，watchingeverymovementoftheenemy，andAshley"shorsewastojointhematonce。

Itwasnotdifficultforevenyoungsoldierstoformanideaofthegeneralnatureoftheoperations。TheybadtoprotecttheShenandoahValley，toguardthefivegreatroadsbywhichtheenemywouldadvanceagainstWinchester，andnotonlytosavetheloyalinhabitantsandrichresourcesofthevalleyfromfallingintothehandsoftheFederals，butwhatwasofevengreaterimportance，topreventthelatterfrommarchingacrosstheBlueRidgeMountains，andfallingupontheflankofthemainConfederatearmyatManassas。

Thepositionwasadifficultone，forwhile"thegrandarmy"wasassemblingatAlexandriatoadvanceagainstManassasJunction，McClellanwasadvancingfromthenorthwestwith20，000men，andPattersonfromPennsylvaniawith18，000。

Inthemorningbetoreparadinghistroop，100strong，Ashleycalledthemtogetherandtoldthemthat，astheywouldnowbeconstantlyonthemoveandscatteredoveralongline，itwasimpossiblethattheycouldtaketheirservantswiththem。

"Ishouldneverhaveallowedthemtobebrought，"besaid，"hadI

knownthatweshouldbescoutingoversuchanextensivecountry；

atthesametime，ifwecanmanagetotakeafewonitwouldcertainlyaddtoourcomfort。Iproposethatwechoosetenbylottogoonwithus。Theymustbeservantsofthetroopandnotofindividuals。Wecanscattertheminpairsatfirepoints，withinstructionstoforageaswellastheycan，andtohavethingsinreadinesstocookforwhoevermaycomeinoffdutyormayforthetimebepostedthere。Hencefortheverymanmustgroomandseetohisownhorse，butIseenoreason，militaryorotherwise，whyweshouldn"tgetourfoodcookedforus；anditwillbejustaswell，aslongaswecan，tohaveafewbundlesofstrawforustolieoninsteadofsleepingontheground。

"AnothertenmenwecanalsochoosebylottogotoWinchester；

whichis，Iimagine，thepointweshallmovetoiftheenemyadvance，asIfancytheywill，fromtheothersideoftheShenandoahValley。Therestmustbesenthome。"

Eachmanaccordinglywrotehisnameonapieceofpaper，andplacedtheminahaversack。Thenwerethendrawnout；andtheirservantsweretoaccompanythetroopatonce。TheservantsofthenexttenweretoproceedbytraintoWinchester，whiletheslavesofallwhosenamesremainedinthebagweretobesenthomeatonce，providedwithpassespermittingthemtotravel。ToVincent"ssatisfactionhisnamewasoneofthefirsttendrawn，andDanwasthereforetogoforward。ThegreaterpartofthemenevadedtheobligationtosendtheirservantsbacktoRichmondbydespatchingthemtofriendswhohadestatesintheShenandoahValley，withlettersaskingthemtokeepthemenforthemuntilthetroophappenedtocomeintotheirneighborhood。

Atsixo"clockinthemorningthetroopmountedandrodetoBath，thirtymilesaway。ItwasherethatStuartbadhisheadquarters，whenceliesentouthispatrolsupanddownthePotomac，betweenHarper"sFerryontheeastandCumberlandonthewest。Stuartwasawaywhentheyarrived，butherodeinafewhoursafterward。

"Ah!Ashley，Iamgladyouhavearrived，"hesaid，asherodeuptothetroop，whohadhastilymountedashewasseenapproaching。

"Thereisplentyforyoutodo，Icantellyen；andIonlywishthatyouhadbroughtathousandmeninsteadofahundred。Iamheartilygladtoseeyouall，gentlemen，"besaidtothetroop。"Iamafraidjustatfirstthatthebrightnessofyourgrayjacketswillputmymenrathertoshame；butweshallsoongetridofthat。Butdismountyourmen，Ashley；thereisplentyforthemandtheirhorsestodowithoutwastingtimeinparadework。Thereisverylittleofthathere，Icantellyou。Ihavenotseenascoreofmymentogetherforthelastmonth。"

Vincentgazedwithadmirationattheyoungleader，whosenamewassoontobecelebratedthroughoutAmericaandEurope。TheyoungVirginian-forhewasnotyettwenty-eightyearsold-wasthebeauidealofacavalryofficer。Hewassingularlyhandsome，andpossessedgreatpersonalstrengthandaconstitutionwhichenabledhimtobearallhardships。Hepossessedunfailinggoodspirits，andhadajokeandlaughforallhemet；andwhileonthemarchattheheadofhisregimenthewasalwaysreadytoliftuphisvoiceandleadthesongswithwhichthemenmadethewoodsresound。

Heseemedtoliveinhissaddle，andwaspresentatallhoursofthenightanddayalongthelineheguardedseeingthatthemenwerewatchfulandonthealert，instructingtheoutpostsintheirduty，andinfusinghisownspiritandvigilanceamongthem。HehadbeeneducatedatWestPoint，andhadseenmuchservicewiththecavalryagainsttheIndiansintheWest。Suchwasthemanwhowastobecomethemostfamouscavalryleaderofhistime。Sofarhehadnotcomeincontactwiththeenemy，andhisdutieswereconfinedtoobtaininginformationregardingtheirstrengthandintentions，towatchingeveryroadbywhichtheycouldadvance，andtoseeingthatnonepassednorthtocarryinformationtotheenemyastotheConfederatestrengthandpositions，forevenintheShenandoahValleythereweresomewhosesympathieswerewiththeFederals。

ThesewereprincipallyNorthernmensettledastradersinthetowns，anditwasimportanttopreventthemfromsendinganynewstotheenemy。SowelldidStuart"scavalryperformthisservice，andsogeneralwasthehostilityofthepopulationagainsttheNorth，thatthroughoutthewholeofthewarinVirginiaitwasveryseldomthattheNortherngeneralscouldobtainanytrustworthyinformationastothemovementsandstrengthoftheConfederates，whilethelatterwereperfectlyinformedofeverydetailconnectedwiththeintentionsoftheinvaders。

ThenextmorningAshley"strooptookuptheirshareoftheworkatthefront。Theywerebrokenupintopartiesoften，eachofwhichwasstationedatavillageneartheriver，fivemenbeingondutynightandday。Asithappenedthatnoneoftheothermeninhissquadhadaservantatthefront，VincentwasablewithoutdifficultytehaveDanassignedtohisparty。Ahouseinthevillagewasplacedattheirdisposal，andherethefiveoffdutysleptandtooktheirmealswhiletheotherswereinthesaddle。Danwasquiteinhiselement，andturnedoutanexcellentcook，andwassoonageneralfavoriteamongthemess。

CHAPTERVI。BULLRUN。

THENEXTfortnightpassedbywithoutadventure。Hardastheworkwas，Vincentenjoyeditthoroughly。Whenondutybydayhewasconstantlyonthemove，ridingthroughtheforest，followingcountrylanes，questioningeveryonehecameacross；andasthemenalwaysworkedinpairs，therewasnofeelingofloneliness。

SometimesAshleywoulddrawtogetherascoreoftroopers，andcrossingtheriverinaferryboat，wouldridetwentymilesnorth，and，dashingintoquietvillages，astonishtheinhabitantsbythesightoftheConfederateuniform。Thenthevillagerswouldbequestionedastothenewsthathadreachedthemofthemovementofthetroops；thepostofficewouldbeseizedandthelettersbrokenopen；anyuseful-informationcontainedinthembeingnoted。Butingeneralquestionswerereadilyanswered；foraconsiderableportionofthepeopleofMarylandwerestronglyinfavoroftheSouth，andwereonlypreventedfromjoiningitbythestrongforcethatheldpossessionofBaltimore，andbytheconstantmovementofFederalarmiesthroughtheState。VincentwasoftenemployedincarryingdespatchesfromMajorAshleytoStuart，beingselectedforthatdutyasbeingthebestmountedmaninthetroop。Thedirectionwasalwaysavagueone。"TakethislettertoColonelStuart，whereverliemaybe，"andhoweverearlyhestarted，Vincentthoughthimselffortunateifhecarriedouthismissionbeforesunset；forStuart"sfrontcoveredoverfiftymilesofground，andtherewasnosayingwherehemightbe。Sometimesafterridingthirtyorfortymiles，andgettingoccasionalnewsthatStuarthadpassedthroughaheadofhim，hewouldlearnfromsomeoutpostthatthecolonelhadbeentherebuttenminutesbefore，andhadriddenoffbeforehecame，andthenVincenthadtoturnhishorseandgallopbackagain，seldomsucceedinginover-takinghisactivecommanderuntilthelatterhadhaltedforhissupperatoneorotherofthevillageswherehismenwerestationed。Sometimesbygoodluckhecameuponhimearlier，andthen，afterreadingthedespatch，Stuartwould，ifhewereridinginthedirectionwhereAshley"scommandlay，bidhimrideonwithhim，andwouldchatwithhimontermsoffriendlyintimacyaboutpeopletheybothknewatRichmond，orastothedetailsofhiswork，andsometimestheywouldsitdowntogetherundertheshadeofsometrees，takeoutthecontentsoftheirhaversacks，andsharetheirdinners。

ThisisthesecondtimeIhavehadthebestofthis，"thecolonellaughedoneday；"mybeefisasbardasleather，andthiscoldchickenofyoursisasplumpandtenderasonecouldwishtoeat。"

"Ihavemyownboy，colonel，wholooksafterthetenofusstationedatElmside，andIfancythatinthematterofcoldrationshegivesmeanunduepreference。HealwayshandsmemyhaversackwhenImountwithagrin，andIquiteunderstandthatitisbetterIshouldasknoquestionsastoitscontents。"

"Yenarealuckyfellow，"Stuartsaid。"Myownservantisagoodman，andwoulddoanythingforme；butmyirregularhoursaretoomuchforhim。Heneverknowswhentoexpectme；andasheoftenfindsthatwhenIdoreturnIhavemadeamealanhourbeforeatoneoftheoutposts，anddonotwantthefoodhehasforhoursbeencarefullykeepinghotforme，itdriveshimalmosttodespair，andIhavesometimesbeenobligedtoeatratherthandisappointhim。Buthecertainlyhasnotageniusforcooking，andwereitnotthatthisridinggivesonetheappetiteofahunter，I

shouldoftenhaveagooddealofdifficultyindevouringthemeatheputsintomyhaversack。"

Buttheenemywerenowreallyadvancing，andonthe12thofJuneatrooperrodeinfromtheextremeleft，andhandedtoVincentadespatchfromColonelStuart。

"Myorderswere，"hesaid，"that，ifyouwerehere，youweretocarrythisonatallspeedtoGeneralJohnston。Ifnot，someoneelsewastotakeiton。"

"Anynews？"Vincentasked，asaidedbyDanherapidlysaddledWildfire。

"Yes，"thesoldiersaid；"2，000oftheenemyhaveadvanceduptheWesternsideandhaveoccupiedRomney，andtheysaythatallPatterson"sforceisonthemove。"

"Somuchthebetter，"Vincentreplied，ashejumpedintothesaddle。"Wehavebeendoingnothinglongenough，andthesooneritcomesthebetter。"

Itwasafifty-mileride；butitwasdoneinfivehours，andattheendofthattimeVincentdismountedinfrontofGeneralJohnston"squarters。

"Isthegeneralin？"heaskedthesentryatthedoor。

"No，heisnotin；butherehecomes，"thesoldierreplied，andtwominuteslaterthegeneral，accompaniedbythreeorfourofficers，rodeup。

Vincentsaluted，andhandedhimthedespatch。Thegeneralopeneditandglancedatthecontents。

"Thestormisgoingtoburstatlast，gentlemen，"hesaidtotheofficers。"Stuartwritesmethat2，000men，supposedtobetheadvanceofMcClellan"sarmy，areatRomney，andthathehearsPattersonisalsoadvancingfromChambersburgonWilliamsport。

Hisdespatchisdatedthismorningatnineo"clock。HewritesfromnearCumberland。Notimehasbeenlost，forthatiseightymilesaway，anditisbutfiveo"clocknow。Howfarhaveyoubroughtthisdespatch，sir？"

"IhavebroughtitfromElmside，general；twentymilesontheothersideofBath。Atrooperbroughtitinjustatmidday，withordersformetocarryitonatonce。"

"Thatisgoodwork，"thegeneralsaid。"Youhaveriddenoverfiftymilesinfivehours。Youmustbewellmounted，sir。"

"IdonotthinkthereisabetterhorseintheState，"Vincentsaid，pattingWildfire"sneck。

Thegeneralcalledanorderly。

"Letthismanpickethishorsewiththoseofthestaff，"hesaid，"andseethatithasforageatonce。Takethemantotheorderly"squarters，andseethatheiswellcaredfor。"

Vincentsaluted，and，leadingWildfire，followedtheorderly。

Whenhehadhadameal，hestrolledouttoseewhatwasgoingon。

Evidentlysomemovementwasincontemplation。Officerswereridingupordashingofffromthegeneral"sheadquarters。Twoorthreeregimentswereseenmarchingdownfromtheplateauonwhichtheywereencampedintothetown。Bellsranganddrumsbeat，andpresentlylongtrainsofrailwaywagons，heavilyladen，begantomaketheirwayacrossthebridge。Untilnextmorningthemovementcontinuedunceasingly；bythattimeallthemilitarystoresandpublicproperty，togetherwithasmuchprivatepropertybelongingtoinhabitantswhohaddecidedtoforsaketheirhomesforatimeratherthantoremaintherewhenthetownwasoccupiedbytheenemy，ascouldbecarriedonintheavailablewagons，hadbeentakenacrossthebridge。Apartyofengineers，whohadbeenallnighthardatwork，thensetfirebothtotherailwaybridgeacrosstheriverandthepublicbuildingsinthetown。Themainbodyoftroopshadmovedacrossintheevening。Therear-guardpassedwhenallwasinreadinessforthedestructionofthebridge。

GeneralJohnstonhadbeenpreparingforthemovementforsometime；hehadforeseenthatthepositionmustheevacuatedassoonastheenemybegantoadvanceuponeitherofhisflanks，andaconsiderableportionofhisbaggageandmilitarystoreshadsometimepreviouslybeensentintotheinteriorofVirginia。Thetroops，formeduponthehighgroundsSouthoftheriver，lookedinsilenceatthedensevolumesofsmokerising。Thiswastherealityofwar。

HithertotheirmilitaryworkhadbeennomorethanthattowhichmanyofthemwereaccustomedwhencalledoutwiththemilitiaoftheirState；butthesceneofdestructiononwhichtheynowgazedbroughthometothemthatthestrugglewasaseriousone-thatitwaswarinitssternrealitywhichhadnowbegun。

Thetroopsatoncesetoffontheirmarch，andatnightbivouackedinthewoodsaroundCharlestown。ThenextdaytheypushedacrossthecountryandtookupapositioncoveringWinchester；andthentheenemy，findingthatJohnston"sarmywasinfrontofthemreadytodisputetheiradvance，recrossedtheriver，andJohnstonconcentratedhisforceroundWinchester。

VincentjoinedhiscorpsonthesameafternoonthattheinfantrymarchedoutfromHarper"sFerry，thegeneralsendinghimforwardwithdespatchesassoonasthetroopshadgotintomotion。

"YouwillfindColonelStuartinfrontoftheenemy；butmorethanthatIcannottellyou。"

ThiswasquiteenoughforVincent，whofoundthecavalryscoutingclosetoPatterson"sforce，preparedtoattacktheenemy"scavalryshoulditadvancetoreconnoiterthecountry，andtoblowupbridgesacrossstreams，felltrees，andtakeeverypossiblemeasuretodelaytheadvanceofPatterson"sarmy，initsattempttopushontowardWinchesterbeforethearrivalofGeneralJohnston"sforceuponthescene。

"Iamgladtoseeyouhack，Wingfield，"MajorAshleysaid，aslierodeup。"ThecoloneltellsmethatinthedespatchhegotlastnightfromJohnstonthegeneralsaidthatStuart"sinformationhadreachedinaremarkablyshorttime，havingbeencarriedwithgreatspeedbytheorderlyinchargeoftheduty。Wehavescarcelybeenoutofoursaddlessinceyouleft。However，Ithinkwehavebeenofuse，forwehavebeenbusyallroundtheenemysincewearrivedhereintheafternoon，andIfancyhemustthinkusagooddealstrongerthanweare。Atanyrate，hehasnotpushedhiscavalryforwardatall；and，asyousayJohnstonwillbeupto-morrowafternoon，Winchesterissafeanyhow。"

AftertheFederalshadrecrossedtheriver，andJohnstonhadtakenuphispositionroundWinchester，thecavalryreturnedtotheiroldworkofscoutingalongthePotomac。

Onthe20thofJunemovementsofconsiderablebodiesoftheenemywerenoticed；andJohnstonatoncedespatchedJacksonwithhisbrigadetoMartinsburg，withorderstosendasmuchoftherolling-stockoftherailroadascouldberemovedtoWinchester，todestroytherest，andtosupportStuart"scavalrywhentheyadvanced。AnumberoflocomotivesweresenttoWinchesteralongthehighroad，drawnbyteamsofhorses。Fortyenginesand300carswereburnedordestroyed，andJacksonthenadvancedandtookuphispositionontheroadtoWilliamsport，thecavalrycampbeingalittleinadvanceofhim。ThiswaspleasantforVincent，aswhenoffdutyhespenthistimewithhisfriendsandschoolfellowsinJackson"sbrigade。

Onthe2dofJulythescoutsrodeintocampwiththenewsthatastrongforcewasadvancingfromWilliamsport。Jacksonatonceadvancedwiththe5thVirginiaInfantry，numbering380menandonegun，whileStuart，with100cavalry，startedtomnakeacircuitousroute，andharassedtheflankandrearoftheenemy。

TherewasnointentiononthepartofJacksonoffightingabattle，hisordersbeingmerelytofeeltheenemy；whosestrengthwasfartoogreattobewithstoodevenhadhebroughthiswholebrigadeintoaction，fortheynumberedthreebrigadesofinfantry，500

cavalry，andsomeartillery。

ForsomehoursthelittleConfederateforceskirmishedsoboldlythattheycheckedtheadvanceoftheenemy，whosegeneralnaturallysupposedthathehadbeforehimtheadvancedguardofastrongforce，andthereforemovedforwardwithgreatcaution。

ThoutheConfederates，beingthreatenedonbothflanksbythemassesoftheFederals，fellbackingoodorder。Thelosswasverytriflingoneitherside，butthefactthatsosmallaforcehadforhourscheckedtheadvanceofanarmygreatlyraisedthespiritsandconfidenceoftheConfederates。Stuart"ssmallcavalryforce，comingdownupontheenemy"srear，capturedagoodmanyprisoners-ColonelStuarthimselfcapturingforty-fourinfantry。

Ridingsomedistanceaheadofhistrooptofindoutthepositionoftheenemy，hecameuponacompanyofFederalinfantrysittingdowninafield，havingnoideawhateverthatanyConfederateforcewasintheneighborhood。Stuartdidnothesitateamoment，butridinguptothemshoutedtheorder，"Throwdownyourarms，oryouarealldeadmen。"Believingthemselvessurrounded，theFederalsthrewdowntheirarms，andwhentheConfederatecavalrycameupweremarchedoffasprisoners。

Jackson，onreachinghiscamp，struckhistentsandsentthemtotherear，andformeduphiswholebrigadeinorderofbattle。TheFederals，however，insteadofattacking，continuedtheirflankmovement，andJacksonfellbackthroughMartinsburgandhaltedforthenightamilebeyondthetown。

Nextdayheagainretired，andwasjoinedsixmilesfurtheronbyJohnston"swholeforce。Forfourdaysthelittlearmyhelditsposition，preparedtogivebattleiftheenemyadvanced；buttheFederals，thoughgreatlysuperiorinnumbers，remainedimmovableatMartinsburg，andJohnston，tothegreatdisgustofhistroops，retiredtoWinchester。Thesoldierswerelongingtomeettheinvadersinbattle，buttheirgeneralhadtobearinmindthattheforceunderhiscommandmightatanymomentbeurgentlyrequiredtojointhemainConfederatearmy，andaidinopposingtheNorthernadvanceuponRichmond。

Stuart"scavalrykepthimconstantlyinformedofthestrengthoftheenemygatheringinhisfront。MakingcircuitsroundMartinsburg，theylearnedfromthefarmerswhatnumbersoftroopseachdaycamealong；andwhiletheFederalsknewnothingoftheforceopposedtothem，andbelievedthatitfaroutnumberedtheirown，GeneralJohnstonknewthatPatterson"sforcenumberedabout22，000men，whilehehimselfhadbeenjoinedonlybysome3，000mensincehearrivedatWinchester。

Onthe18thofJulyatelegramfromthegovernmentatRichmondannouncedthattheFederalgrandarmyhaddriveninGeneralBeauregard"spicketsatManassas，andhadbeguntoadvance，andJohnstonwasdirectedifpossibletohastentohisassistance。A

fewearthworkshadbeenthrownupatWinchester，andsomegunsmounteduponthem，andthetownwasleftundertheprotectionofthelocalmilitia。Stuart"scavalrywaspostedinalonglineacrossthecountrytopreventanynewsofthemovementreachingtheenemy。Assoonasthiswasdonetheinfantry，8，300strong，marchedoff。Thetroopswereinhighspiritsnow，fortheyknewthattheirlongperiodofinactivitywasover，andthat，althoughignorantwhenandwhere，theywereontheirmarchtomeettheenemy。

Theyhadnowagonsorrations，theneedforspeedwastoourgenteventopermitoffoodbeingcooked。Withoutahalttheypressedforwardsteadily，andaftertwodays"march，exhaustedandhalffamished，theyreachedtheManassasGapRailroad。Wheretheywereputintotrainsasfastasthesecouldbeprepared，andbynoononthe20thjoinedBeauregardatManassas。Thecavalryhadperformedtheirdutyofpreventingthenewsofthemovementfromreachingtheenemyuntiltheinfantrywerenearlyaday"smarchaway，andthenStuartreassembledhismenandfollowedJohnston。

ThustheConfederateplanshadbeencompletelysuceessful。Over30，000oftheenemy，insteadofbeinginlineofbattlewiththemainarmy，weredetainedbeforeWinchester，whilethelittleConfederateforcewhohadbeenfacingthembadreachedBeauregardintimetotakepartintheapproachingstruggle。

IntheNorthnodoubtastothepowerofthegrandarraytomakeitswaytoRichmondwasentertained。Thetroopswerearmedwiththebestweaponsobtainable，theartillerywasnumerousandexcellent，thearmywasfedwitheveryluxury，andsoconfidentwerethemenofsuccessthattheyregardedthewholeaffairinthelightofagreatpicnic。Thegrandarmynumbered55，000men，with9regimentsofcavalryand49rifle-guns。Toopposethese，theConfederateforce，afterthearrivalofJohnston"sarmy，numbered27，833infantry，35smooth-boredguns，and500cavalry。

Manyoftheinfantrywerearmedonlywithshot-gunsandoldfowling-pieces，andthegunsweresmallandill-suppliedwithammunition。Therehadbeensomesharpfightingonthe18th，andtheFederaladvanceacrosstheriverofBullRunhadbeensharplyrepulsed，thereforetheirgeneralsdetermined，insteadofmakingadirectattackonthe31stagainsttheConfederateposition，totakeawidesweepround，crosstheriverhigherup，andfallingupontheConfederateleftflank，tocrumpleitup。

AllnighttheFederaltroopshadmarched，andatday-breakonthe21stnearly40，000menwereinpositionontheleftflankoftheConfederates。ThelatterwerenottakenbysurprisewhenStuart"scavalrybroughtinnewsoftheFederalmovement，andGeneralBeauregard，insteadofmovinghistroopstowardthethreatenedpoint，sentorderstoGeneralLongstreetontherighttocrosstheriverassoonasthebattlebegan，andtofallupontheFederalflankandrear。

Hadthismovementbeencarriedout，thedestructionoftheFederalarmywouldhavebeencomplete；butbyoneofthoseunfortunateaccidentswhichsofrequentlyoccurinwarandupsetthebestlaidplans，theorderinsomewaynevercametohand，andwhenlateinthedaytheerrorwasdiscovereditwastoolatetoremedyit。

Ateighto"clockinthemorningtwooftheFederaldivisionsreachedtheriver，andwhileoneofthemengagedtheConfederateforcestationedatthebridge，anothercrossedtheriverataford。

ColonelEvans，whocommandedtheConfederateforces，whichnumberedbutfifteencompanies，left200mentocontinuetoholdthebridge，whilewith800hehurriedtoopposeGeneralHunter"sdivision，whichhadcrossedattheford。

Thisconsistedof16，000infantry，withcavalryandartillery，andanotherdivisionofequalforcehadcrossedattheRedHousefordhigherup。Tochecksogreataforcewiththishandfulofmenseemedallbutimpossible；butColonelEvansdeterminedtoholdhisgroundtothelast，toenablehisgeneraltobringupreinforcements。HisforceconsistedofmenofSouthCarolinaandLouisiana，andtheycontestedeveryfootoftheground。

TheregimentwhichformedtheadvancedoftheFederalscharged，supportedbyanartilleryfire，butwasrepulsed。AstheheavyFederallineadvanced，however，theConfederateswereslowlybutsteadilypressedback，untilGeneralBee，withfourregimentsandabatteryofartillery，cameuptotheirassistance。Thenewcomersthrewthemselvesintothefightwithgreatgallantry，andmaintainedtheirgrounduntilalmostannihilatedbythefireoftheenemy，whooutnumberedthembyfivetoone。As，fightingdesperately，theyfellbackbeforeHunter"sdivision，theFederalswhohadcrossedatRedHouseFordsuddenlypoureddownandtooktheminflank。