第5章

Sweptbyaterriblemusketryfire，thesetroopscouldnolongerresist，andinspiteoftheeffortsoftheirgeneral，whorodeamongthemimploringthemtostandfirmuntilaidarrived，theybegantofallback。Neitherentreatiesnorcommandswereofavail；thetroopshaddoneallthattheycould，andbrokenanddisheartenedtheyretreatedingreatconfusion。Butatthismoment，whenallseemedlost，alineofglitteringbayonetswasseencomingoverthehillbehind，andthegeneral，ndingofinhastetowardthem，foundJacksonadvancingwiththefirstbrigade。

UnmovedbytherushofthefugitivesofthebrigadesofBeeandEvans，Jacksonmovedsteadilyforward，andsofirmandresolutewastheirdemeanor，thatBeerodeafterhismen，andpointingwithhisswordtothefirstbrigade，shouted，"Look，thereisJacksonstandinglikeastonewall"Thegeneral"swordswererepeated，andhenceforththebrigadewasknownastheStonewallBrigade，andtheirgeneralbythenicknameofStonewallJackson，bywhichhewaseverafterwardknown。Thegreaterpartofthefugitivesrallied，andtookuptheirpositionontherightofJackson，andtheFederalforces，whowerehurryingforwardassuredofvictory，foundthemselvesconfrontedsuddenlyby2，000bayonets。Afteramoment"spausetheypressedforwardagain，theartillerypreparingawayforthembyatremendousfire。

Jacksonorderedhismentoliedownuntiltheenemyarrivedwithinfiftyyards，andthentochargewiththebayonet。JustatthismomentGeneralsJohnstonandBeauregardarrivedonthespot，andatonceseeingthedesperatenatureofthesituation，andthewholeFederalarmypressingforwardagainstasinglebrigade，theydidtheirbesttopreparetomeetthestorm。FirsttheygallopedupanddownthedisorderedlinesofBee，exhortingthementostandfirm；andseizingthecolorsofthe4thAlabama，Johnstonledthemforwardandformedthemupunderfire。

BeauregardhurriedupsomereinforcementsandformedthemontheleftofJackson，andthus6，500infantryandartillery，andStuart"stwotroopsofcavalry，stoodfacetofacewithmorethan20，000infantryandseventroopsofregularcavalry，behindwhomatthelowerfordswere35，000meninreserve。Whilehismenwerelyingdownawaitingtheattack，Jacksonrodebackwardandforwardinfrontofthemascalmandasunconcernedtoallappearanceasifontheparadeground，andhisquietbraverygreatlynervedandencouragedtheyoungtroops。

Allatoncethetremendousartilleryfireoftheenemyceased，andtheirinfantrycameoninmassivelines。ThefourConfederategunspouredintheirfireandthenwithdrewbehindtheinfantry。

Whenthelinecamewithinfiftyyardsofhim，Jacksongavetheword，hismensprangtotheirfeet，pouredinaheavyvolley，andthencharged。Awildyellrosefrombothranksastheyclosed，andthentheyweremingledinadesperateconflict。Foratimeallwasinwildconfusion，buttheardorandcourageofJackson"smenprevailed，andtheyburstthroughthecenteroftheFederalline。

ImmediatelyJacksonhadcharged，Beauregardsentforwardtherestofthetroops，andforatimeatremendousstruggletookplacealongthewholeline。GeneralsBeeandBarlowfellmortallywoundedattheheadoftheirtroops。GeneralHamptonwaswounded，andmanyofthecolonelsfell。SonumerousweretheFederals，thatalthoughJacksonhadpiercedtheircenter，theirmassesdrovebackhisflanksandthreatenedtosurroundhim。Withvoiceandexamplehecheeredonhismentoholdtheirground，andtheofficerscloseduptheirranksastheywerethinnedbytheenemy"sfire，andforanhourthestrugglecontinuedwithoutmarkedadvantageoneitherside。

Jackson"scalmnesswasunshakenevenintheexcitementofthefight。Atonetimeanofficerrodeuptohimfromanotherportionofthefieldandexclaimed，"General，Ithinkthedayisgoingagainstus!"TowhichJacksonrepliedinhisusualcurtmanner，"Ifyouthinkso，sir，youhadbetternotsayanythingaboutit。"

TheresolutestandoftheConfederatesenabledGeneralBeauregardtobringupfreshtroops，andheatlastgavethewordtoadvance。

Jackson"sbrigaderushedforwardonreceivingtheorder，burstthroughtheFederalswithwhomtheywereengaged，and，supportedbythereserves，drovetheenemyfromtheplateau。ButtheFederals，stillvastlysuperiorinforce，broughtupthereserves，andpreparedtorenewtheattack；but1，700freshmenofthearmyoftheShenandoahcamenponthefieldofbattle，SmithandEarlybroughtuptheirdivisionfromtheriver，andthewholeSouthernlineadvancedatthecharge，drovetheenemydowntheslopesandontowardthefords。

Apanicseizedthem，andtheirregimentsbrokeupandtooktoheadlongflight，whichsoonbecameanutterrout。Manyofthemcontinuedtheirflightforhours，andforatimetheFederalarmyceasedtoexist；andhadtheCenfederatesadvanced，asJacksondesiredthattheyshoulddo，Washingtonwouldhavefallenintotheirhandswithoutablowbeingstruckinitsdefense。

This，thefirstgreatbattleofthewar，issometimesknownasthebattleofManassas，butmoregenerallyasBullRun。

Withtheexceptionofoneortwocharges，thelittlebodyofConfederatehorsedidnottakeanypartinthebattleofBullRun。

HadtheybeenawareoftheutterstampedeoftheNortherntroops，theycouldsafelyhavepressedforwardinhotpursuitasfarasWashington，butbeingnumericallysoinferiortotheFederalcavalry，andinignorancethattheNortherninfantryhadbecomeamerepanic-strickenmob，itwouldhavebeenimprudentintheextremeforsuchahandfulofcavalrytoundertakethepursuitofanarmy。

ManyoftheConfederateswereofopinionthatthisdecisivevictorywouldbetheendofthewar，andthattheNorth，seeingthattheSouthwasableaswellaswillingtodefendthepositionithadtakenup，wouldabandontheideaofcoercingitintosubmission。Thishopewasspeedilydissipated。TheNorthwasindeedalikeastonishedanddisappointedatthedefeatoftheirarmybyagreatlyinferiorforce，butinsteadofabandoningthestruggle，theysettoworktoretrievethedisaster，andtoplaceinthefieldaforcewhichwould，theybelieved，proveirresistible。

VincentWingfieldsawbutlittleofthebattleatBullRun。AstheywereimpatientlywaitingtheordertochargewhilethedesperateconflictbetweenJackson"sbrigadeandtheenemywasatitsfiercest，ashellfromoneoftheFederalbatteriesburstafewyardsinfrontofthetroop，andoneofthepiecesstrikingVincentonthesidehurledhiminsensiblefromhishorse。HewasatonceliftedandcarriedbyDanandsomeoftheothermen-servants，whohadbeentoldoffforthisduty，totherear，wherethesurgeonswerebusilyengagedindressingthewoundsofthemenwhostraggledbackfromthefront。Whiletheconflictlastedthoseunabletowalklaywheretheyfell，fornoprovisionhadatpresentbeenmadeforambulancecorps，andnotasinglemancapableoffiringamusketcouldbesparedfromtheranks。ThetearswereflowingcopiouslydownDan"scheeksashestoodbywhilethesurgeonsexaminedVincent"swound。

"Ishedead，sah？"hesobbedastheyliftedhimupfromhisstoopingposition。

"Dead。"thesurgeonrepeated。"Can"tyouseeheisbreathing，anddidyounothearhimgroanwhenIexaminedhisside？Heisalongwayfrombeingadeadmanyet。Someofhisribsarebroken，andhehashadaverynastyblow；butIdonotthinkthereisanycauseforanxietyabouthim。Pouralittlewinedownhisthroat，andsprinklehisfacewithwater。Raisehisheadandputacoatunderit，andwhenheopenshiseyesandbeginstorecover，don"tlethimmove。Thenyoucancutupthesideofhisjacketanddownthesleeve，soastogetitoffthatsidealtogether。Cuthisshirtopen，andbathethewoundwithsomewaterandbitofragofanysort；itisnotlikelytobleedmuch。Whenithasstoppedbleedingputapadoflinenuponit，andkeepitwet。Whenwecansparetimewewillbandageitproperly。"

ButitwasnotuntillateatnightthatthetimecouldbesparedforattendingtoVincent；forthesurgeonswereoverwhelmedwithwork，andthemostseriouscaseswere，asfaraspossible，firstattendedto。Hehadsoonrecoveredconsciousness。AtfirsthelookedwithafeelingofbewildermentatDan，whowascopiouslysprinklinghisfacewithwater，sobbingloudlywhilehedidso。Assoonasthenegroperceivedthathismasterhadopenedhiseyeshegaveacryofdelight。

"TankdeLord，MarseVincent；dischildtoughtyoudeadandgoneforsure。"

"What"sthematter，Dan？Whathashappened？"Vincentsaid，tryingtomove，andthenstoppingsuddenlywithacryofpain。

"Youknockedoffyourhorse，sah，widoneQfshellsQfdemcussedYanks。"

"AmIbadlyhurt，Dan？"

"Berrybad，sah；greatpieceoffleshprettynighasbigasmyhandcomeoutohyourside，anddoctorsayssomeofderibsbroken。

Butdedoctornotseemtomakemuchohit；hehardsortohmandat。Sayyougetallrightagain。Notimetotendtoyounow。

HurryawayjustasifyousomepoorwhitetrashinsteadofMassaWingfieldohdoOrangery。"

Vincentsmiledfaintly。

"Itdoesn"tmakemuchdifferencewhatamanisinasurgeon"seyes，Dan；thequestionishowbadlyheishurt，andwhatcanbedoneforhim？Well，thankGodit"snoworse。Wildfirewasnothurt，I

hope？"

"No，sab；heisstandingtiedupbydattree。Now，sah，dodoctorsaymecutyourjacketoffandhavedewound。"

"Allright，Dan；butbealittlecarefulwiththewater，youseemtobeprettyneardrowningmeasitis。Justwipemyfaceandhair，andgetthehandkerchieffromthepocketofmyjacket，andopentheshirtcollarandputthehandkerchiefinsideroundmyneck。

Howisthebattlegoingon？Theroarseemslouderthanever。"

Danwentforwardtothecrestaofslightriseofthegroundwhencehecouldlookdownuponthefieldofbattle，andmadehastetoreturn。

"Can"tseeberrywell，sah；toomuchsmoke。Butdeyindosameplacestill。"

"Lookround，Dan，andseeifthereareanyfreshtroopscomingup。"

"Yes，sah；lotofmencomingoberdehillbehind。"

"That"sallright，Dan。Nowyoucanseeaboutthisbathingmyside。"

AssoonasthebattlewasoverMajorAshleyrodeuptowhereVincentandfiveorsixofhiscomradesofthecavalrywerelyingwounded。

"Howareyougettingon，lads？PrettywellIhope？"heaskedthesurgeonashedismounted。

"Firstrate，major，"oneofthemenanswered。"WeallofustookaturnassoonasweheardthattheYankswerewhipped。"

"Yes，wehavethrashedthemhandsomely，"themajorsaid。"Ah，Wingfield，Iamgladtoseeyouarealive。Ithoughtwhenyoufellitwasalloverwithyou。"

"Iamnotmuchhurt，sir，"Vincentreplied。"Afleshwoundandsomeribsarebroken，Ihear；buttheywon"tbelongmendingI

hope。"

"It"sanastywoundtolookat，"themajorsaid，asDanliftedthepadofwetlinen。"Butwithyouthandhealthyouwillsoongetroundit，neverfear。"

"Ah，mypoorlad，yoursisaworsecase，"hesaidashebentoverayoungfellowwhowaslyingafewpacesfromVincent。

"It"sallupwithme，major，"herepliedfaintly；"thedoctorsaidhecoulddonothingforme。ButIdon"tmind，nowwehavebeatenthem。Youwillsendalinetotheoldpeople，major，won"tyou，andsayIdieddoingmyduty？I"vegottwobrothers，andIexpecttheywillsendoneontotakemyplace。"

"Iwillwritetothem，mylad，"themajorsaid，"andtellthemallaboutyou。"Hecouldgivetheladnofalsehopes，foralreadyagrayshadewasstealingoverthewhiteface，andtheendwascloseathand；inafewminutesheceasedtobreathe。

Lateintheeveningthesurgeons，havingattendedtomoreurgentcases，cameround。Vincent"swoundwasnowmorecarefullyexaminedthanbefore，buttheresultwasthesame。Threeoftheribswerebadlyfractured，buttherewasnoseriousdanger。

"Youwillwantquietandgoodnursingforsometime，mylad，"theprincipalsurgeonsaid。"TherewillbeatrainofwoundedgoingoffforRichmondthefirstthinginthemorning，andyoushallgobyit。Youhadbettergetadoor，lads，"hesaidtosomeofthetrooperswhohadcomeacrossfromthespotwherethecavalrywerebivouackedtoseehowtheircomradesweregettingon，"andcarryhimdownandputhiminthetrain。Onehasjustbeensentoff，andanotherwillbemadeupatonce，sothatthewoundedcanbeputinitastheyaretakendown。NowIwillbandagethewound，anditwillnotwantanymoreattentionuntilyougethome。"

Awadoflintwasplaceduponthewoundandbandagedtightlyroundthebody。

Rememberyouhavegottoheperfectlyquiet，andnotattempttomovetilltheboneshaveknit。Iamafraidthattheyarebadlyfractured，andwillrequiresometimetohealupagain。"

Adoorwasfetchedfromanout-housenear，andVincentandtwoofhiscomrades，whowerealsoorderedtobesenttotherear，wereonebyonecarrieddowntothenearestpointontherailway，whereatrainstoodreadytoreceivethem，andtheywerethenlaidontheseats。

Allnightthewoundedkeptarriving，andbymorningthetrainwaspackedasfullasitwouldhold，andwithtwoorthreesurgeonsinchargestartedforRichmond。Danwaspermittedtoaccompanythetrain，atVincent"surgentrequest，inthecharacterofdoctor"sassistant，andhewentaboutdistributingwatertothewounded，andassistingthesurgeonsinmovingsuchusrequiredit。

ItwasnightbeforethetrainreachedRichmond。Anumberofpeoplewereatthestationtoreceiveit；forassoonasthenewsofthebattlehadbeenreceived，preparationshadbeenmadeforthereceptionofthewounded，severalpublicbuildingshadbeenconvertedintohospitals，andnumbersofthecitizenshadcomeforwardwithofferstotakeoneormoreofthewoundedintotheirhouses。Thestreetswerecrowdedwithpeople，whowerewildwithjoyatthenewsofthevictorywhich，astheybelieved，hadsecuredtheStatefromanyfurtherfearofinvasion。Numbersofwillinghandswereinreadinesstocarrythewoundedonstretcherstothehospitals，whereallthesurgeonsofthetownwerealreadywaitingtoattenduponthemVincent，athisownrequest，wasonlylaiduponabed，ashesaidthathewouldgohometohenursedthefirstthinginthemorning。

Thisbeingthecaseitwasneedlesstoputhimtothepainandtroubleofbeingundressed。DanhadstartedassoonashesawhismastercarriedintothehospitaltotakethenewstotheOrangery，beingstrictlychargedbyVincenttomakelightofhisinjury，andonnoaccountwhatevertoalarmthem。Hewastoaskthatthecarriageshouldcometofetchhimthefirstthinginthemorning。

ItwasindeedbutjustdaybreakwhenMrs。Wingfielddroveuptothehospital。Danhadbeensoseverelycross-examinedthathehadbeenobligedtogiveanaccurateaccountofVincent"sinjury。

Therewasbustleandmovementevenatthatearlyhour，foranothertrainofwoundedhadjustarrived。Assheenteredthehospitalshegaveanexclamationofpleasure，foratthedoorweretwogentlemeninconversation，oneofwhomwasthedoctorwhohadlongattendedthefamilyattheOrangery。

"Iamgladyouarehere，Dr。Mapleston；forIwantyouropinionbeforeImoveVincent。Haveyouseenhim？"

"No，Mrs。Wingfield；Ididnotknowhewashere。Ihavechargeofoneofthewards，andhavenothadtimetoseewhoareintheothers。IsincerelyhopeVincentisnotseriouslyhurt。"

"That"swantIwanttofindout，doctor。Hisboybroughtusnewslatelastnightthathewashere。Hesaidthedoctorsconsideredthathewasnotinanydanger；butasitseemsthathehadthreeribsbrokenandadeepfleshwoundfromtheexplosionofashell，itseemstomethatitmustbeserious。"

"Iwillgoupandseehimatonce，Mrs。Wingfield，andfindoutfromthesurgeoninchargeofhiswardexactlywhatisthematterwithhim。"DanledthewaytothebeduponwhichVincentwaslying。Hewasonlydozing，andopenedhiseyesastheycameup。

"Mypoorboy，"Mrs。Wingfleldsaid，strugglingwithhertearsatthesightofhispaleface，"thisissadindeed。"

"Itisnothingverybad，mother，"Vincentrepliedcheerfully；

"nothingatalltofretabout。Thewoundisnothingtotheinjuriesofmostofthosehere。Isuppose，doctor，Icanbemovedatonce？"

DoctorMaplestonfelthispulse。

"Yenarefeverish，mylad；butperhapsthebestthingforyouwouldbetogetyouhomewhileyoucanbemoved。Youwilldofarbettertherethanhere。ButImustspeaktothesurgeoninchargeofyoufirst，andhearwhathesays。"

"Yes，Ithinkyoucanmovehim，"thesurgeonofthewardsaid。

"Hehasgotanastywound，andtheticketwithhimsaidthatthreeribswerebadlyfractured；butImadenoexamination，ashesaidhewouldbefetchedthefirstthingthismorning。Ionlyputonafreshdressingandbandagedit。Thesooneryougethimoffthebetter，ifheistobemoved。Feverissettingin，andhewillprobablybewanderingbythisevening。Hewillhaveamuchbetterchanceathome，withcoolroomsandquietandcarefulnursing，thanhecanhavehere；thoughtherewouldbenolackofeithercomfortsornurses，forhalftheladiesinthetownhavevolunteeredforthework，andwehaveoffersofallthemedicalcomfortsthatcouldberequiredwerethelistofwoundedtentimesaslargeasitis。"

Astretcherwasbroughtin，andVincentwasliftedasgentlyaspossibleuponit。Thenhewascarrieddown-stairsandthestretcherplacedinthecarriage，whichwasalargeopenone，andaffordedjustsufficientlengthforit。Mrs。Wingfieldtookherseatbesidehim。Danmountedtheboxbesidethecoachman。

"Iwillbeoutinanhour，Mrs。Wingfield，"Dr。Maplestonsaid。"I

havetogoroundthewardagain，andwillthendriveoutatonce。

Givehimlemonadeandcoolingdrinks；don"tlethimtalk。Cuthisclothesoffhim，andkeeptheroomsomewhatdark，butwithafreecurrentofair。Iwillbringoutsomemedicinewithme。"

Thecarriagedroveslowlytoavoidshaking，andwhentheyapproachedthehouseMrs。WingfleldtoldDantojumpdownandcometothesideofhercarriage。Thenshetoldhimtorunonasfastashecouldahead，andtotellherdaughtersnottomeetthemupontheirarrival，andthatalltheservantsweretobekeptoutoftheway，exceptthreementocarryVincentupstairs。Theladwasconsequentlygotuptohisroomwithoutanyexcitement，andwassoonlyingonhisbedwithasheetthrownlightlyoverhim。

"Thatiscomfortable，"hesaid，ashismotherbathedhisfaceandhandsandsmoothedhishair。"Wherearethegirls，mother？"

"Theywillcomeintoseeyounow，Vincent；butyouaretokeepquitequietyouknow，andnottotalk。"Thegirlsstoleinandsaidafewwords，andlefthimaloneagainwithMrs。Wingfield。Hedidnotlooktothemsoillastheyhadexpected，fortherewasaflushoffeveronhischeeks。Dr。Maplestonarrivedinanotherhalf-hour，examinedandredressedthewound，andcomfortedMrs。Wingfieldwiththeassurancethattherewasnothinginitlikelytoprovedangeroustolife。

"Ourtroublewillberatherwiththeeffectoftheshockthanwiththewounditself。Heisveryfeverishnow，andyoumustnotbealarmedifbythiseveningheisdelirious。Youwillgivehimthiscoolingdraughteverythreehours；hecanhaveanythinginthewayofcoolingdrinkshelikes。Ifhebeginstowander，putclothsdippedincoldwaterandwrungoutonhishead，andspongehishandswithwaterwithalittleeaudeCologneinit。Ifheseemsveryhotsetoneofthewomentofanhim，butdon"tlethergoonifitseemstoworryhim。Iwillcomeroundagainathalfpastninethiseveningandwillmakearrangementstopassthenighthere。

WehavetelegramssayingthatsurgeonsarecomingfromCharlestonandmanyotherplaces，soIcanverywellbespared。"

Whenthedoctorreturnedintheevening，hefound，ashehadanticipated，thatVincentwasinahighstateoffever。Thiscontinuedfourorfivedays，andthengraduallypassedoff；andhewokeuponemorningperfectlyconscious。Hismotherwassittingonachairatthebedside。

"Whato"clockisit，mother？"heasked。"HaveIbeenasleeplong？"

"Sometime，dear，"sheansweredgently；"butyoumustnottalk。

Youaretotakethisdraughtandtogoofftosleepagain；whenyouwakeyoumayaskanyquestionsyoulike。"Sheliftedthelad"shead，gavehimthedraughtandsomecoldtea，thendarkenedtheroom，andinafewminuteshewasasleepagain。

CHAPTERVII。THEMERRIMACANDTHEMONITOR。

ITWASsomeweeksbeforeVincentwasabletowalkunaided。

Hisconvalescencewassomewhatslow，fortheshocktothesystemhadbeenasevereone。Thelongrail-wayjourneyhadbeeninjurioustohim，forthebandagehadbecomesomewhatlooseandthebrokenpiecesofbonehadgrateduponeachother，andweremuchlongerinknittingtogetherthantheywouldhavebeenhadhebeentreatedonthespot。

Assoonashecouldwalkhebegantobeanxioustorejoinhistroop，butthedoctorsaidthatmanyweeksmustelapsebeforehewouldbereadytoundergothehardshipsofcampaign。Hewasreconciledtosomeextenttothedelaybylettersfromhisfriendswiththetroopandbytheperusalofthepapers。TherewasnothingwhateverdoinginVirginia。Thetwoarmiesstillfacedeachother，theNorthernersprotectedbythestrongfortificationstheyhadthrownuproundWashington-fortificationsmuchtooformidabletobeattackedbytheConfederates，heldastheywerebyaforceimmenselysuperiortotheirown，bothinnumbersandaims。

TheNorthernerswereindeedhardatwork，collectingandorganizinganarmywhichwastocrushouttherebellion。GeneralScotthadbeensucceededbyMcClellaninthesupremecommand，andthenewgeneralwasindefatigableinorganizingthevastmassesofmenraisedinthoNorth。SogreatweretheeffortsthatinafewmonthsafterthedefeatofBullRuntheNorthhad650，000

meninarms。

ButwhilenomovehadatpresentbeenmadeagainstVirginiatherewassharpfightinginsomeoftheborderstates，especiallyinMissouriandKentucky，inbothofwhichpublicopinionwasmuchdivided，andregimentswereraisedonbothsides。

VariousoperationswerenowundertakenbytheFederalfleetatpointsalongthecoast，andseveralimportantpositionsweretakenandoccupied，itbeingimpossiblefortheConfederatestodefendsolongalineofsea-coast。TheSouthhadlostratherthangainedgroundinconsequenceoftheirvictoryatBullBun。Foratimetheyhadbeenundulyelated，andweredisposedaltogethertounderratetheirenemiesandtobelievethatthestrugglewasasgoodasover。Thus，then，theymadenoeffortatailcorrespondingtothatoftheNorth；butastimewenton，andtheysawthevastnessofthepreparationsmadefortheirconquest，thepeopleoftheSouthernStatesagainbestirredthemselves。

OwingtotheNorthhavingthecommandofthesea，andshuttingupalltheprincipalports，theyhadtorelyuponthemselvesforeverything，whiletheNorthcoulddrawarmsandammunitionandalltherequisitesofwarfromthemarketsofEurope。Foundrieswereaccordinglyestablishedforthemanufactureofartillery，andfactoriesformuskets，ammunition，andpercussioncaps。TheSouthhad，infact，tomanufactureeverythingdowntotheclothforhersoldiersuniformsandtheleatherfortheirshoes；and，asinthepastshehadreliedwhollyupontheNorthforsuchgoods，itwasforatimeimpossibletosupplythetroopswitheventhemostnecessaryarticles。

ThewomenthroughouttheStatesweresettowork，spinningandweavingroughcloth，andmakinguniformsfromit。Leather，however，cannotbeproducedallatonce，andindeedwithalltheireffortstheConfederateauthoritieswereneverthroughoutthewarabletoprovideasufficientsupplyofbootsforthetroops，andmanyabattlewaswonbysoldierswhofoughtalmostbarefootedandwhoreshodthemselvesforthemostpartbystrippingthebootsfromtheirdeadfoes。ManyotherarticlescouldnotbeproducedintheSouthernStates，andtheConfederatessufferedmuchfromthewantofpropermedicinesandsurgicalappliances。

Fortheseandmanyothernecessariestheyhadtodependsolelyupontheshipswhichsucceededinmakingtheirwaythroughtheenemy"scruisersandrunningtheblockadeoftheports。Wine，tea，coffee，andotherimportedarticlessoonbecameluxuriesbeyondthemeansofall，eventheverywealthy。Allsortsofsubstituteswereused；grainroastedandgroundbeingchieflyusedasasubstituteforcoffee。HithertotheSouthbadbeenprincipallyoccupiedinraisingcottonandtobacco，dependingchieflyupontheNorthforfood；anditwasnecessarynowtoabandonthecultivationofproductsforwhichtheyhadnosale，andtodevotethelandtothegrowthofmaizeandothercropsforfood。

Bythetimethatthelongperiodofinactioncametoaclose，Vincenthadcompletelyrecoveredhisstrength，andwasreadytorejointheranksassoonastheordercamefromColonelStuart，whohadpromisedtosendforhimdirectlytherewasaprospectofactiveservice。

OneofVincent"sfirstquestionsassoonashebecameconvalescentwaswhetheraletterhadbeenreceivedfromTony。

Ithadcome，hewastold，amongthelastbatchoflettersthatcrossedthefrontierbeforetheoutbreakofhostilities，andMrs。

Wingfleld，had，asbehadrequested，openedit。Ashadbeenarranged，ithadmerelycontainedTony"saddressatavillagenearMontreal；forVincenthadwarnedhimtosaynothingintheletter，fortherewasnosaying，inthetroubledtimeswhichwereapproachingwhenTonyleft，intowhosehandsitmightfall。

Vincenthadbeforestartingtoldhismotherofthesharehehadtakeningettingthenegrosafelyaway，andMrs。Wingfield，broughtupasshehadbeentoregardthosewhoassistedrunawayslavestoescapeinthesamelightasthosewhoassistedtostealanyotherkindofproperty，wasatfirstgreatlyshockedwhensheheardthathersonhadtakenpartinsuchanenterprise，howeverworthyofcompassiontheslavemightbe，andhoweverbrutalthemasterfromwhosehandshehadfled。However，asVincentwasonthepointofstartingforthewartomeetdanger，andpossiblydeath，inthedefenseofVirginia，shehadsaidlittle，andthatlittlewasinreferencerathertotheimprudenceofthecoursehehadtakenthantowhatsheregardedinherownmindasitsfolly，andindeeditscriminality。

Shehad，however，promisedthatassoonasTony"sletterarrivedshewould，ifitwasstillpossible，forwardDinahandthechildtohim，supplyingherwithmoneyforthejourney，andgivingherthepapersfreeingherfromslaverywhichVincenthaddulysignedinthepresenceofajustice。Whenthelettercame，however，itwasalreadytoolate。Fightingwasonthepointofcommencing，allintercourseacrosstheborderwasstopped，thetrainswerealltakenupfortheconveyanceoftroops，andevenamanwouldhavehadgreatdifficultyinpassingnorthward，whileforanunprotectednegresswithababysuchajourneywouldhavebeenimpossible。

Mrs。Wingfieldhadthereforewrittenfourtimesatfort-nightlyintervalstoTony，sayingthatitwasimpossibletosendDinahoffatpresent，butthatsheshouldbedespatchedassoonasthetroubleswereover，uponreceiptofanotherletterfromhimsayingthathisaddresswasunchanged，orgivinganewone。Theselettersweredulyposted，anditwasprobablethatoneorotherofthemwouldintimereachTony，asmailsweresentofftoEuropewheneveranopportunityofferedforthemtobetakenbyasteamerrunningtheblockadefromaSouthernport。Dinah，therefore，stillremainedattheOrangery。Shewaswellandhappy，forherlifetherewasadelightfuloneindeedafterhertoilandhardshipattheJackson"s；andalthoughshewasanxioustojoinherhusband，theknowledgethathewaswellandsafefromallpursuit，andthatsoonerorlatershewouldjoinhimwithherchild，wassufficienttomakeherperfectlycontented。

DuringVincent"sillnessshehadbeenhismostconstantattendant；

forherchildnownolongerrequiredhercare，andpassedmuchofitstimedownatthenursery，wheretheyoungchildrenoftheslaveswerelookedafterbytwoorthreeagednegressespastactivework。ShehadthereforebeggedMrs。Wingfieldtobeallowedtotakeherplacebythebedsideofheryoungmaster，and，aftergivingheratrial，Mrs。Wingfleldfoundhersoquiet，gentle，andpatientthatsheinstalledherthere，andwasabletoobtaintherestsheneeded，withafeelingofconfidencethatVincentwouldbewellattendedtoinherabsence。

WhenVincentwaswellenoughtobeaboutagain，hissistersweresurprisedatthechangethathadtakenplaceinhimsincehehadstartedafewmonthsbeforeforthewar。Itwasnotsomuchthathehadgrown，thoughhehaddonesoconsiderably，butthathewasmucholderinmannerandappearance。Hehadbeendoingman"swork:workrequiringvigilance，activity，andcourage，andtheycouldnolongertreathimasaboy。Ashebecamestrongerhetooktoridingabouttheplantation；butnotuponWildfire，forhishorsewasstillwiththetroop，ColonelStuarthavingpromisedtoseethattheanimalwaswellcaredfor，andthatnooneshouldrideuponitbuthimself。

"IhopeyoulikeJonasPearsonbetterthanyouusedtodo，Vincent，"Mrs。Wingfieldsaidadayortwobeforehestartedtorejoinhistroop。

"Ican"tsayIdo，mother，"herepliedshortly。"Themanisveryciviltomenow-toocivil，infact；butIdon"tlikehim，andIdon"tbelieveheishonest。Idon"tmeanthathewouldcheatyou，thoughhemaydosoforanythingIknow；buthepretendstobeaviolentSecessionist，whichashecomesfromVermontisnotnatural，andIimaginehewouldsingadifferenttuneifthebluecoatsevergettoRichmond。StillIhavenothingparticulartosayagainsthim，exceptthatIdon"tlikehimandIdon"ttrusthim。SolongaseverythinggoesonwellfortheConfederacyIdon"tsupposeitmatters，butifweshouldevergettheworstofityouwillseethatfellowwillbemischievous。

"however，Ihearthathehasobeyedyourorders，andthattherehasbeennofloggingontheestatesinceIwentaway。Infact，asfarasIcansee，hedoesnotkeepanythinglikesuchasharphandovertheslavesasheusedtodo；andinsomeofthefieldstheworkseemstobedoneinaveryslovenlyway。WhathisgameisIdon"tknow；butIhavenodoubtwhateverthathehassomegameinhismind。"

"Youareamostprejudicedboy，"Mrs。Wingfieldsaid，laughing。

"Firstofallthemanistoostrict，andyouwerefuriousaboutit；

nowyouthinkhe"stoolenient，andyouatoncesuspecthehaswhatyoucallagameofsomesortorotheron。Youarehardtopleaseindeed。"

Vincentsmiled。"Well，asItoldyouoncebefore，weshallsee。I

hopeIamwrong，andthatPearsonisallthatyoubelievehimtobe。IownthatImaybeprejudicedagainsthim；butnothingwillpersuaderuethatitwasnotfromhimthatJacksonlearnedthatDinahwashere，anditwastothatweowethevisitofthosheriffandthesearchingtheplantationforTony。However，whateverthemanisatheart，hecan，asfarasIsee，doyounoinjuryaslongasthingsgoonastheyare，andIsincerelytrusthewillneverhaveanopportunityofdoingso。"

DuringthewinterVincenthadmadetheacquaintanceefmanyoftheSouthernleaders。Thetownwasthecenterofthemovement，theheartoftheConfederacy。Itwasagainstit，asthecapitaloftheSouthernStates，thattheeffortsoftheNorthernswereprincipallydirected，andtoitflockedtheleadingmenfromallpartsofthecountry。AlthougheveryVirginianfamilyhadsomeofitsmembersatthefront，andafeelingofanxietyreignedeverywhere，asemblanceofgayetywaskeptup。Thetheaterwasopened，andpartiesandballsgiven，inordertokeepupthespiritsofthepeoplebytheexampleofthoseofhigherrank。

Theseballsdifferedwidelyinappearancefromthoseofeighteenmonthsbefore。Thegentlemenwerealmostallinuniform，andalreadycalicoesandothercheapfabricswerewornbymanyoftheladies，asforeigndressmaterialscouldnolongerbepurchased。

Mrs。Wingfieldmadeapointofalwaysattendingwithherdaughtersattheseentertainments，whichtotheyoungpeopleaffordedacheerfulbreakinthedullnessandmonotonyoftheirusuallife；for，owingtotheabsenceofalmostalltheyoungmenwiththearmy，therehadbeenalongcessationofthepleasantinterchangeofvisits，impromptuparties，andsocialgatheringsthathadformedafeatureinthelifeinVirginia。

TheballswouldhavebeenbutdullaffairshadonlytheresidentsofRichmondbeenpresent；butleavewasgrantedasmuchaspossibletoofficersstationedwithregimentswithinarailwayrunofthetown，andastheseeagerlyavailedthemselvesofthechangefromthemonotonyofcamplife，thegirlshadnoreasontocomplainofwantofpartners。HereandatthereceptionsgivenbyPresidentDavis，VincentmetalltheleadersoftheConfederacy，civilandmilitary。ManyofthemhadbeenpersonalfriendsoftheWingfieldsbeforetheSecessionmovementbegan，andamongthemwasGeneralMagruder，whocommandedthetroopsroundRichmond。

EarlyinthewinterthegeneralhadcalledattheOrangery。"Wearegoingtomakeacalluponthepatriotismoftheplantersofthisneighborhood，Mrs。Wingfield，"hesaidduringlunchtime。"Yousee，ourarmiesarefacingthoseoftheFederalsoppositeWashington，andcanofferafirmfronttoanyfoemarchingdownfromtheNorth；but，unfortunatelytheyhavethecommandofthesea，andthereisnothingtopreventtheirembarkinganarmyonboardshipandlandingitineithertheJamesortheYorkRivers，andinthatcasetheymightmakearushuponRichmondbeforetherewouldbetimetobringdowntroopstoouraid。Iamthereforeproposingtoerectachainofworksbetweenthetworivers，soastobeabletokeepevenalargearmyatbayuntilreinforcementsarrive；buttodothisalargenumberofhandswillberequired，andwearegoingtoasktheproprietorsofplantationstoplaceasmanynegroesastheycanspareatourdisposal。"

"Therecanbenodoubtastotheresponseyourquestionwillmeetwith，general。Atpresentwehavescarceenoughworkforourslavestodo。Iintendtogrownotobacconextyear，foritwillonlyrotinthewarehouse，andacomparativelysmallnumberofhandsarerequiredtoraisecorncrops。IhaveaboutahundredandseventyworkinghandsontheOrangery，andshallbehappytoplaceahundredatyourdisposalforaslongatimeasyoumayrequirethem。Ifyouwantfiftymoreyoucanofcoursehavethem。

Everythingelsemustatpresentgivewaytothegoodofthecause。"

"Ithankyoumuch，Mrs。Wingfield，foryouroffers，andwillputyournamedownthefirstonthelistofcontributors。"

"Youseemquitetohaverecoverednow，"hesaidtoVincentafewminutesafterward。

"Yes；Iamquiteashamedofstayingheresolong，general。ButI

feelsomepainattimes；andasthereisnothingdoingatthefront，andmydoctorsaysthatitisogimportanceIshouldhaverestaslongaspossible，Ihavestayedon。MajorAshleyhaspromisedtorecallmeassoonasthereisaprospectofactivework。"

"Ithinkitisquitelikelythattherewillbeactiveworkhereassoonasanywhereelse，"thegeneralsaid。"WeknowprettywellwhatisdoingatWashington，andthoughnothinghasbeendecidedupon，thereisapartyinfavorofalandinginforcehere；andifso，weshallhavehotwork。Whatdoyousay？IfyoulikeIwillgetyouacommissionandappointyouoneofmyaides-de-camp。Yourknowledgeofthecountrywillmakeyouuseful，andasAshleyhasspeciallymentionedyournameinoneofhisdespatches，youcanhaveyourcommissionbyaskingforit。

"Ifthereistobefightingroundhere，itwillbeofmoreinteresttoyoudefendingyourownhomethanintakingpartiiigeneralengagementsforthesafetyoftheState。Itwill，too，enableyoutobeagooddealathome；andalthoughsofartheslaveshavebehavedextremelywell，thereisnosayingexactlywhatmayhappeniftheNorthernerscomeamongus。Youcanrejoinyourowncorpsafterward，youknow，ifnothingcomesofthis。"

Vincentwasatfirstinclinedtodeclinetheoffer，buthismotherandsistersweresopleasedathavinghimnearthemthathefinallyacceptedwiththanks，beingprincipallyinfluencedbythegeneral"slastargument，thatpossiblytheremightbetroublewiththeslavesintheeventofalandingintheJamesPeninsulabytheNortherners。Afewdayslatertherecameanofficialintimationthathehadreceivedacommissioninthecavalry，andhadatGeneralMagruder"srequestbeenappointedtohisstaff，andheatonceentereduponhisnewduties。

ThefortressofMonroe，attheentranceofHamptonRoads，wasstillinthehandsoftheFederals，andalargeFederalfleetwasassembledhere，andwasonlypreventedfromsailinguptheJamesRiverbytheMerrimac，asteamerwhichtheConfederateshadplatedwithrailwayiron。Theyhadalsoconstructedbatteriesuponsomehighbluffsoneachsideoftheriver。Inashorttime5，000

negroesweresettoworkerectingbatteriesupontheYorkRiveratYorktownandGloucesterPoint，anduponalineofworksextendingfromWarwickupontheJamesRivertoShipPointontheYork，throughalineofwoodedandswampycountryintersectedbystreamsemptyingthemselvesintooneorotheroftherivers。

Thislinewassomethirtymilesinlength，andwouldrequire25，000mentoguardit；butMagruderhopedthattherewouldbesufficientwarningofanattacktoenablereinforcementstoarriveintimetoraisehisowncommandofabout10，000mentothatstrength。Thenegroesworkedcheerfully，fortheyreceivedacertainamountofpayfromtheState；buttheworkwasheavyanddifficult，anddifferentaltogethertothatwhichtheywereaccustomedtoperform。Thebatteriesbythesidesoftheriversmadefairprogress，buttheadvanceofthelonglineofworksacrossthepeninsulawasbutslow。Vincenthad，uponreceivinghisappointment，writtenatoncetoMajorAshley，sendinghisletterbyDan，whowasorderedtobringbackWildfire。Vincentstatedthathadheconsultedhispersonalfeelingbeshouldhavepreferredremainingintheranksofhisoldcorps；butthatasthefightingmightbeclosetohishome，andtherewasnosayingwhatmightbethebehavioroftheslavepopulationintheeventofaNortherninvasion，hehad，forthesakeofhismotherandsisters，acceptedtheappointment，butassoonasthedangerwasoverhehopedtorejointhecorpsandserveunderhisformercommander。

Dan，onhisreturnwithWildfire，broughtaletterfromthemajorsayingthatalthoughheshouldhavebeengladtohavehadhimwithhim，hequiteagreedwiththedecisionatwhichhehad，underthecircumstances，arrived。Vincentnowtookuphisquartersatthecampformedashortdistancefromthecity，andmuchofhistimewasspentinridingtoandfromthepeninsula，seeingthattheworkswerebeingcarriedoutaccordingtotheplanofthegeneral，andreportinguponthemannerinwhichthecontractorsforthesupplyoffoodtothenegroesatworkthereperformedtheirduties。

Sometimeshewasawayfortwoorthreedaysuponthiswork；butbegenerallymanagedonceortwiceaweektogethomeforafewhours。

TheinhabitantsofRichmondanditsneighborhoodwerenaturallygreatlyinterestedintheprogressoftheworksfortheirdefense，andpartieswereoftenorganizedtorideordrivetoYorktown，ortothebatteriesontheJamesRiver，towatchtheprogressmade。

UpononeoccasionVincentaccompaniedhismotherandsisters，andapartyofladiesandgentlemenfromtheneighboringplantations，toDrury"sBluff，whereanentrenchedpositionnamedFortDarlinghadbeenerected，andpreparationsmadetosinkvesselsacrosstheriver，andcloseitagainsttheadvanceoftheenemy"sfleetshouldanymisfortunehappentotheMerrimac。

Severalotherpartieshadbeenmadeup，andeachbroughtprovisionswiththem。GeneralMagruderandsomeofhisofficersreceivedthemupontheirarrival，andconductedthemovertheworks。Afterthisthewholepartysatdowntoapicnicmealontheground，andnostrangercouldhaveguessedthatthemerrypartyformedpartofapopulationthreatenedwithinvasionbyapowerfulfoe。Therewerespeechesandtoasts，allofapatrioticcharacter，andGeneralMagruderraisedtheenthusiasmtothehighestpointbyinformingthemthatinafewdays-theexactdaywasasecret，butitwouldbeveryshortly-theMerrimac，or，asshehadbeenre-christened，theVirginia，wouldputoutfromNorfolkHarbor，andseewhatshecoulddotoclearHamptonRoadsofthefleetthatnowthreatenedthem。AstheywereridingbacktoRichmondthegeneralsaidtoVincent:

"IwilltellyoualittlemorethanItoldtheothers，Wingfield。I

believetheMerrimacwillgooutthedayafterto-morrow。IwishI