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。