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。
