\"Thankgoodnessforthat!\"Vincentsaidinalowtonetohisnextneighbor。\"Idon\'tmindabrushwiththeenemy，butIownIdon\'tliketheideathatatanymomentmybrainsmaybeknockedoutbythebranchofatree。\"
\"Iquiteagreewithyou，\"theotherreplied；\"andIfancyeverymanfeltthesame。\"
Therewasnodoubtastothis。Hithertonosoundhadbeenheardsavethejinglingofaccoutermentsandthedullheavysoundofthehorses\'tread；butnowtherecouldbeheardmingledwiththesethebuzzofvoices，andoccasionallyalowlaugh。Theyweresoaccustomedtowetthatthesoakingscarceinconveniencedthem。
Theywereoutoftheforestnow，andfeltsureoftheirguide；andastotheenemy，theyonlylongedtodiscoverthem。
Foranotherhourtherapidadvancecontinued，andallfeltsurethattheymustnowhavepenetratedthroughtheenemy\'slinesandbewellinhisrear。Atlasttheyheardachallengeofsentry。ThenStuart\'svoiceshouted，\"Charge!\"andatfullgalloptheyrodeintothevillageatCatlet\'sStationontheOrangeandAlexandriarailroad，whereGeneralPopehadhisheadquarters。Anotherminuteandtheywereinthemidstoftheenemy\'scamp，wherethewildestconfusionreigned。TheFederalofficersrushedfromtheirteatsandmadeoffinthedarkness；butthesoldiers，whowerelyingonthelineofrailroad，leapedtotheirfeetandopenedaheavyfireupontheirinvisiblefoes。Againstthisthecavalry，brokenupinthecamp，withitstents，itsanimals，anditspilesofbaggage，coulddolittle，foritwasimpossibletoformthemupinthebrokenandunknownground。
ThequartersofPopeweresoondiscovered；hehimselfhadescaped，leavinghiscoatandhatbehind。Manyofhisofficerswerecaptured，andinhisquarterswerefoundaboxofofficialpaperswhichwereinvaluable，asamongthemwerecopiesofhislettersaskingforreinforcements，listsgivingthestrengthandpositionofhistroops，andotherparticularsofthegreatestvaluetotheConfederates。Notimewaslost，asthefiringwouldsetthewholeFederalarmyonthealert，andtheymightfindtheirretreatcutoff。Thereforeplacingtheirprisonersinthecenter，andtakingtheboxofpaperswiththem，thecavalrywerecalledofffromthecamp，andwithoutdelaystartedontheirreturnride。
Theydidnottaketheroadbywhichtheyhadcome，butmadealongdetour，andjustasdaylightwasbreakingre-enteredtheConfederatelineswithouthavingencounteredafoefromthetimeoftheirleavingCatlet\'sStation。Shortastheirstayinthecamphadbeen，fewofthemenbadreturnedemptyhanded。TheNorthernarmywassuppliedwithanabundanceofexcellentfoodofalldescriptions，formingthestrongestpossiblecontrasttotheinsufficientratiousuponwhichtheConfederatetroopsexisted，andthetroopershadhelpedthemselvestowhatevertheycouldlayhandsuponinthedarknessandconfusion。
Somerodeinwithahamslungoneachsideoftheirsaddle，othershadsecuredabottleortwoofwineorspirits。Somehadbeenfortunateenoughtolayhandsonsonictinsofcoffeeoracanisteroftea，luxurieswhichformonthshadbeenunknowntothemsavewhentheywerecapturedfromtheenemy。TheonlyarticlecapturedofnopossibleutilitywasGeneralPope\'scoat，whichwassenttoRichmond，whereitwashungupforpublicinspection；awagstickingupapaperbesideit，\"ThisisthecoatinwhichGeneralPopewasgoingtorideintriumphintoRichmond。Thecoatishere，butthegeneralhasnotyetarrived。\"
TileConfederateshadlostbuttwoorthreemenfromthefireoftheFederalinfantry，andtheywereinhighspiritsatthesuccessoftheirraid。NosoonerhadGeneralLeeinformedhimselfofthecontentsofthepapersandthepositionoftheenemy\'sforcesthanhedeterminedtostrikeaheavyblowathim；andGeneralJackson，whohadbeensharplyengagedwiththeenemynearWarrenton，wasorderedtomakealongdetour，tocrosstheBlueRidgemountainsthroughThoroughfareGap，tofalluponPope\'srearandcuthiscommunicationswithWashington，andifpossibletodestroythevastdepotofstorescollectedatManassas。
Thecavalry，underStuart，weretoaccompanyhim。Themarchwouldheatremendousone，thedangerofthusventuringintotheheartoftheenemy\'scountryimmense，buttheresultsofsuchanexpeditionwould，ifsuccessful，begreat；forLeehimselfwastoadvancewithhisarmyonPope\'sflank，andtherewasthereforeapossibilityoftheutterdefeatofthatgeneralbeforehecouldbejoinedbythearmymarchingtoreinforcehimfromFredericksburg。
ItwasonMondaythe25thofAugustthatJacksonstartedonhismarch，ascendingthebanksoftheRappahannock，andcrossedtheriverataford，dragginghisartillerywithdifficultyupthenarrowandrockyroadbeyond。Therewasnotamomenttobelost，forifthenewsreachedtheenemythegorgeknownasThoroughfareGapwouldbeoccupied，andthewholeobjectofthemovementbedefeated。Onwardtheforcepushed，pressingonthroughfieldsandlaneswithoutasinglehalt，untilatnight，hungryandwearybutfullofspirit，theymarchedintothelittletownofSalem，twentymilesfromtheirstarting-place。Theyhadneitherwagonsnorprovisionswiththem，andhadnothingtoeatbutsomeearsofcornandgreenapplespluckedontheroad。
ItwasmidnightwhentheyreachedSalem，andtheinhabitantsturnedoutinblankamazementatthesightofConfederatetroopsinthatregion，andwelcomedthewearysoldierswiththewarmestmanifestations。Atdaylighttheywereagainuponthemarch，withStuart\'scavalry，asbefore，outuponeachflank。ThoroughfareGapwasreached，andfoundundefended，andafterthirtymiles\'
marchingtheexhaustedtroopsreachedtheneighborhoodofManassas。Themenwerefaintfromwantoffood，andmanyofthemlimpedalongbarefooted；buttheywerefullofenthusiasm。
Justatsunset，Stuart，ridingonahead，capturedBristoe，astationontheOrangeandAlexandriaRailroadfourmilesfromManassas。
Astheyreacheditatraincamealongatfullspeed。Itwasfiredat，butdidnotstop，andgotsafelythroughtoManassas。Twotrainsthatfollowedwerecaptured；butbythistimethealarmbadspread，andnomoretrainsarrived。Jacksonhadgainedhispoint。Hehadplacedhimselfonthelineofcommunicationoftheenemy，buthispositionwasadangerousoneindeed。Lee，whowasfollowinghim，wasstillfaraway。AnarmywasmarchingfromFredericksburgagainsthim，anotherwouldbedespatchedfromWashingtonassoonasthenewsofhispresencewasknown，andPopemightturnandcrushhimbeforeLeecouldarrivetohisassistance。
Wornoutasthetroopswere，itwasnecessaryatoncetogainpossessionofManassas，andthe21stNorthCarolinaand21stGeorgiavolunteeredfortheservice，and，joinedbyStuartwithaportionofhiscavalry，marchedagainstit。Afterabriefcontesttheplacewastaken，theenemystationedtherebeingalltakenprisoners。Theamountofarmsandstorescapturedwasprodigious。Eightpiecesofartillery，250horses，3locomotives，andtensofthousandsofbarrelsofbeef，pork，andflour，withanenormousquantityofpublicstoresandthecontentsofinnumerablesutlers\'shops。
Thesightofthisvastabundancetostarvingmenwastantalizingintheextreme。Itwasimpossibletocarryanyofitawayandallthatcouldbedonewastohaveatleastonegoodmeal。Thetroopsthereforeweremarchedinandeachhelpedhimselftoasmuchashecouldconsume，andtheraggedandbarefootedmenfeastedupontinnedsalmonandlobsters，champagneanddaintiesofeverydescriptionforwardedfortheuseofofficers。Thentheysettoworktopiletheenormousmassofstorestogetherandtosetitonfire。WhiletheywereengagedatthisabrigadeofNewJerseytroopswhichhadcomeoutfromWashingtontosaveManassaswasattackedandutterlyrouted。Ewell\'sdivisionhadremainedatBristoe，whilethoseofHillandJacksonmovedtoManassas，andinthecourseoftheafternoonEwellsawthewholeofPope\'sarmymarchingagainsthim。
Heheldthemincheckforsomehours，andthusgavethetroopsatManassastimetodestroycompletelythevastaccumulationofstores，andwhenStuart\'scavalry，coveringtheretreat，fellbackatnightfallthroughManassas，nothingbutblackenedcindersremainedwheretheFederaldepotshadbeensituated。TheblowtotheNorthernerswasasheavyasitwasunexpected。Popehadnolongereitherprovisionsforhismenorforageforhiscattle，andtherewasnothingleftforhimbuttoforcehiswaypastJacksonandretireuponWashington。
Jacksonhadnowtheoptionoffallingbackandallowingtheenemytopass，orofwithstandingthewholeFederalarmywithhisownlittleforceuntilLeecameuptotherescue。Hechosethelattercourse，andtookupastrongposition。ThesoundoffiringatThoroughfareGapwasaudible，andheknewthatLongstreet\'sdivisionofLee\'sarmywashotlyengagedwithaforcewhich，nowthatitwastoolate，badbeensenttoholdthegorge。ItwasnearlysunsetbeforePopebroughtuphismentotheattack。Jacksondidnotstandonthedefensive，butrusheddownandattackedtheenemy-whoseobjecthadbeentopassthepositionandpresson-withsuchvigorthatatnineo\'clocktheyfellback。
AnhourlaterahorsemanrodeupwiththenewsthatLongstreethadpassedtheGapandwaspressingonatfullspeed，andinthemorninghisforceswereseenapproaching，thelinetheyweretakingbringingthemupatanangletoJackson\'sposition。ThustheirformationastheyarrivedwasthatofanopenV，anditwasthroughtheangleofthisVthatPopehadtoforcehisway。BeforeLongstreetcouldarrive，however，theenemyhurledthemselvesuponJackson，andforhourstheConfederatesheldtheirownagainstthevastFederalarmy，Longstreet\'sforcebeingtoofarawaytolendthemahand。Ammunitionfailed，andthesoldiersfoughtwithpilesofstones，butnightfellwithoutanyimpressionbeingmadeupontheseveterans。GeneralLeenowcameupwithGeneralHood\'sdivision，andhurledthisagainsttheFederalsanddrovethemback。IntheeveningLongstreet\'sforcetookupthepositionGeneralLeehadassignedtoit，andinthemorningalltheConfederatearmyhadarrived，andthebattlerecommenced。
Thestugglewaslongandterrible；butbynightfalleveryattackhadbeenrepulsed，andtheConfederates，advancingonallsides，drovetheNortherners，abrokenandconfusedcrowd，beforethem，thedarknessalonesavingthemfromutterdestruction。HadtherebeenbutonehourmoreofdaylghtthedefeatwouldhavebeenascompleteaswasthatinthebattleofBullRun，whichhadbeenfoughtonpreciselythesameground。However，undercoverofthedarknesstheFederalsretreatedtoCentreville，whencetheyweredrivenonthefollowingday。
InthetremendousfightinginwhichJackson\'scommandhadforthreelongdaysbeenengaged，thecavalryboreacomparativelysmallpart。TheFederalartillerywastoopowerfultopermittheemploymentoflargebodiesofcavalryandalthoughfromtimetotimechargesweremadewhenanopportunityseemedtoofferitself，thebattlewasfoughtoutbytheinfantryandartillery。WhentheendcameJackson\'scommandwasforatimehorsdecombat。
Duringthelongtwodays\'marchtheyhadatleastgatheredcornandapplestosustain]ife；butduringthesethreedays\'fightingtheyhadhadnofoodwhatever，andmanyweresoweakthattheycouldnolongermarch。
Theyhaddoneallthatwaspossibleformentodo；hadfortwodayswithstoodtheattackofanenemyoffivetimestheirnumbers，andhadonthefinaldaybornetheirfullshareinthegreatstruggle，butnowthegreaterpartcou]ddonomore，thousandsofmenwereunabletodragthemselvesastepfurther，andLee\'sarmywasreducedinstrengthforthetimebynearly20，000men。Alltheseafterwardrejoinedit；someassoonastheyrecoveredlimpedawaytotaketheirplacesintheranksagain，othersmadetheirwaytothedepotatWarrenton，whereLeehadorderedthatallunabletoaccompanyhisforceshouldrendezvousuntilhereturnedandtheywereabletorejointheirregiments。
JacksonmarchedawayandlaidsiegetoHarper\'sFerry，animportantdepotgarrisonedby11，000men，whowereforcedtosurrenderjustasMcClellanwithafresharmy，100，000strong，whichwaspressingforwardtoitssuccor，arrivedwithinaday\'smarch。AssoonasJacksonhadtakentheplacebehurriedawaywithhistroopstojoinLee，whowasfacingtheenemyattheAntictamriver。Hereuponthefellowingdayanotherterriblebattlewasfought；theConfederates，thoughbut39，000strong，repulsingeveryattackbytheFederals，anddrivingthemwithterribleslaughterbackacrosstheriver。
Theirownloss，however，hadbeenveryheavy，andLee，knowingthathecouldexpectnoassistance，whiletheenemywereconstantlyreceivingreinforcements，waitedforadaytocollecthiswounded，buryhisdead，andsendhisstoresandartillerytotherear，andthenretiredunpursuedacrosstheRappahannock。Thusthehard-foughtcampaigncametoanend。
VincentWingfieldwasnotwiththearmythatretiredacrosstheRappahannock。AportionofthecavalryhadfollowedthebrokenFederalstotheveryedgeofthestream，andjustastheyreinedintheirhorsesaroundshotfromoneoftheFederalbatteriescarriedawayhiscap，andhefellasifdeadfromhishorse。DuringthenightsomeoftheNorthernerscrossedthestreamtocollectandbringbacktheirownwoundedwhohadfallennearit，andcomingacrossVincent，andfindingthathestillbreathed，andwasapparentlywithoutawound，theycarriedhimbackwiththemacrosstheriverasaprisoner。
Vincenthadindeedescapedwithoutawound，havingbeenonlystunnedbythepassageoftheshotthathadcarriedawayhiscap，andmissedhimbutbythefractionofaninch。Hehadbeguntorecoverconsciousnessjustashiscaptorscaineup，andtheactionofcarryinghimcompletelyrestoredhim。ThathehadfallenintothehandsoftheNorthernershewaswellaware；buthewasunabletoimaginehowthis，hadhappened。HerememberedthattheConfederateshadbeen，uptothemomentwhenhefell，completelysuccessful，andhecouldonlyimaginethatinasubsequentattacktheFederalshadturnedthetablesuponthem。
Howhehimselfhadfallen，orwhathadhappenedtohim，hehadnoidea。Beyondastrangefeelingofnumbnessintheheadhewasconsciousofnoinjury，andhecouldonlyimaginethathishorsehadbeenshotunderhim，andthathemusthavefallenuponhishead。Thethoughtthathisfavoritehorsewaskilledafflictedhimalmostasmuchashisowncapture。Assoonashiscaptorsperceivedthattheirprisoner\'sconsciousnesshadreturnedtheyatoncereportedthatanofficerofStuart\'scavalryhadbeentaken，andatdaybreaknextmorningGeneralMcClellanonrisingwasacquaintedwiththefact，andVincentwasconductedtohistent。
\"Youareunwounded，sir？\"thegeneralsaidinsomesurprise。
\"Iam，general，\"Vincentreplied。\"Idonotknowhowithappened，butIbelievethatmyhorsemusthavebeenshotunderme，andthatImusthavebeenthrownandstunned；however，IremembernothingfromthemomentwhenIheardthewordhalt，justaswereachedthesideofthestream，tothatwhenIfoundmyselfbeingcarriedhere。\"
\"Youbelongtothecavalry？\"
Yes，sir。\"
WasLee\'sforceallengagedyesterday？\"
\"Idonotknow，\"Vincentsaid。\"IonlycameupwithJackson\'sdivisionfromHarper\'sFerrytheeveningbefore。\"
\"Ineednothavequestionedyou，\"McClellansaid。\"IknowthatLee\'swholearmy，100，000strong，opposedmeyesterday。\"
Vincentwassilent。HewasgladtoseethattheFederalgeneral，asusual，enormouslyoverratedthestrengthoftheforceopposedtohim。
\"IhearthatthewholeofthegarrisonofHarper\'sFerrywerereleasedonparolenottoserveagainduringthewar。IfyouarereadytogivemeyourpromisetothesameeffectIwillallowyoutoreturntoyourfriends；ifnot，youmustremainaprisoneruntilyouareregularlyexchanged。\"
\"Imustdoso，then，general，\"Vincentsaidquietly。\"IcouldnotreturnhomeandremaininactivewhileeverymanintheSouthisfightingforthedefenseofhiscountry，soIwilltakemychanceofbeingexchanged。\"
\"Iamsorryyouchoosethatalternative，\"McClellansaid。\"Ihatetoseebravemenimprisonedifonlyforaday；andbravermenthanthoseacrossyonderstreamarenottobefound。Myofficersandmenareastonished。Theyseemsothinandwornastobescarceabletoliftamusket，theirclothesarefitonlyforascarecrow，theyareindeedpitifulobjectstolookat；butthewayinwhichtheyfightiswonderful。IcouldnothavebelievedhadInotseenit，thatmencouldhavechargedastheydidagainandagainacrossgroundsweptbyatremendousartilleryandmusketryfire；itwaswonderful!Icantellyou，youngsir，thateventhoughyoubeatusweareproudofyouasourcountrymen；andIbelievethatifyourGeneralJacksonweretoridethroughourcamphewouldbecheeredaslustilyandheartilybyourmenasheisbyhisown。\"
Somefiftyorsixtyotherprisonershadbeentaken；theyhadbeencapturedinthehand-to-handstrugglethathadtakenplaceonsomepartsofthefield，havinggotseparatedfromtheircorpsandmixedupwiththeenemy，andcarriedoffthefieldwiththemastheyretired。Theseforthemostpartacceptedtheofferedparole；butsomefifteen，likeVincent，preferredaNorthernprisontopromisingtoabstainfromfightingindefenseoftheircountry，andinthemiddleofthedaytheywereplacedtogetherinatentunderaguardattherearofthecamp。
ThenextmorningcamethenewsthatLeehadfallenback。TherewasexultationamongtheFederals，notunmingledwithastrongsenseofrelief；fortheheavylossesinflictedinthepreviousfightinghadtakenalltheardorofattackoutofMcClellan\'sarmy，andtheyweregladindeedthattheywerenottobecalledupontomakeanotherattempttodrivetheConfederatesfromtheirposition。Vincentwasnolesspleasedatthenews。HeknewhowthinweretheranksoftheConfederatefightingmen，andhowgreatlytheywerewornandexhaustedbyfatigueandwantoffood，andthat，althoughtheyhadthedaybeforerepulsedtheattacksofthemassesofwell-fedNortherners，suchtremendousexertionscouldnotoftenberepeated，andadefeat，withtheriverintheirrear，approachableonlybyoneroughandnarrowroad，wouldhavemeantatotaldestructionofthearmy。
ThenextmorningVincentandhiscompanionswereputintothetrainandsenttoAlexandria。Theyhadnoreasontocomplainoftheirtreatmentupontheway。Theywerewellfed，andaftertheirstarvationdietforthelastsixweekstheirrationsseemedtothemactuallyluxurious。TheFederaltroopsinAlexandria，whowereforthemostpartyoungrecruitswhohadjustarrivedfromthenorthandwest，lookedwithastonishmentuponthesethinandraggedmen，severalofwhomwerebarefooted。Wasitpossiblethatsuchscarecrowsasthesecouldineverybattlehavedrivenbackthewell-fedandcared-forNorthernsoldiers!
\"Aretheyalllikethis？\"oneburlyyoungsoldierfromawesternstateaskedtheirguard。
That\'sthem，sir，\"thesergeantinchargeofthepartyreplied。\"Notmuchtolookat，arethey？But，bygosh，youshouldseethemfight!Youwouldn\'tthinkoftheirlooksthen。\"
\"Ifthat\'ssoldiering，\"theyoungfarmersaidsolemnly，\"thesoonerI
ambackhomeagainthebetter。Butitdon\'tseemtomealtogetherstrangeastheyshouldfightsohard，becauseIshouldsaytheymustlookuponitasacomforttobekilledratherthantolivelikethat。\"
Ashoutoflaughterfromtheprisonersshowedtheyoungrusticthattheobjectsofhispitydidnotconsiderlifetobealtogetherintolerableevenundersuchcircumstances，andhemovedawaymeditatingonthediscomfortsofwar，andupontheremarksthatwouldbemadewerehetoreturnhomeinsosorrowfulaplightasthatoftheseConfederateprisoners。
\"Ibargainedtofight，\"besaid，\"andthoughIdon\'texpectIshall]ikeit，Isha\'n\'tdrawbackwhenthetimecomes；butastobeingstarvedtillyouarenighaskeleton，andgoingaboutbarefootedandinsuchragsasatrampwouldn\'tlookat，itain\'treasonable。\"Andyet，hadheknownit，amongthosefifteenprisonersmorethanhalfwerepossessorsofwideestates，andhadbeenbroughtupfromtheirchildhoodinthemidstofluxuriessuchastheyoungfarmerneverdreamedof。
Amongmanyofthesoldierssympathytookamoreactiveform，andmenpressedforwardandgavepacketsoftobacco，cigars，andotherlittlepresentstothem，whiletwoorthreepressedrollsofdollarnotesintotheirhands，withwordsofroughkindness。
\"Thereain\'tnoillfeelinginus，Rebs。Youhavedoneyourworklikemenandnodoubtyouthinksyourcauseisright，justaswedoes；butit\'sallovernow，andmaybeourturnwillcomenexttoseetheinsideofoneofyourprisonsdownsouth。Sowearejustsoldierstogether，andcanfeelforeachother。\"
DisciplineinsmallmatterswasneverstrictlyenforcedintheAmericanarmies，andthesergeantinchargeofferednooppositiontothesoldiersminglingwiththeprisonersastheywalkedalong。
TwodayslatertheyweresentbyrailwaytothegreatprisonatElmira，atowninthesouthwestoftheStateofNewYork。Whentheyreachedthejailtheprisonerswereseparated，Vincent，whowastheonlyofficer，beingassignedquarterswithsometwentyothersofthesamerank。Theprisonerscrowdedroundhimasheentered，eagertohearthelastnewsfromthefront，fortheyheardfromtheirguardsonlynewsofconstantvictorieswonbytheNortherners；foreverydefeatwastransformedbytheNorthernpapersintoabrilliantvictory，anditwasonlywhentheshatteredremainsofthevariousarmiesreturnedtoAlexandriatobere-formedthatthetruthgraduallyleakedout。ThusAntietamhadbeenclaimedasagreatNorthernvictory，foralthoughMcClellan\'stroopshadinthebattlebeenhurledbackshatteredandbrokenacrosstheriver，twodaysafterwardLeehadretired。
Oneoftheprisoners，whowasalsodressedincavalryuniform，hungbackfromtherest，andgoingtothewindowlookedoutwhileVincentwaschattingwiththeothers。Presentlyheturnedround，andVincentrecognizedwithsurprisehisoldopponentJackson。
Afteramoment\'shesitationhewalkedacrosstheroomtohim。
\"Jackson，\"hesaid，\"wehavenotbeenfriendslately，butIdon\'tseewhyweshouldkeepupourquarrelanylonger；wegotonallrightatschooltogether；andnowweareprisonerstogetherhereitwouldbefoolishtocontinueourquarrel。Perhapswewerebothsomewhattoblameinthataffair。IamquitewillingtoallowI
was，forone，butIthinkwemightwellputitallasidenow。\"
Jacksonhesitated，andthentookthehandVincentheldouttohim。
\"That\'sright，youngfellows，\"oneoftheotherofficerssaid。\"NowthateverySoutherngentlemanisfightingandgivinghislife，ifneedbe，forhiscountry，noonehasarighttohaveprivatequarrelsofhisown。Lifeisshortenoughasitis，certainlytooshorttoindulgeinprivateanimosities。Afewweeksagowewerefightingsidebyside，andfacingdeathtogether；to-dayweareprisoners；aweekhencewemayheexchanged，andsoontakeourplacesintheranksagain。It\'sthedutyofallSouthernerstostandshouldertoshoulder，andthereoughttobenosuchthingasill-feelingamongourselves。\"
VincentwasnotpreviouslyawarethatJacksonhadobtainedacommission。HenowlearnedthathehadbeenchosenbyhiscomradestofillavacancycausedbythedeathofanofficerinaskirmishjustbeforePopefellbackfromtheRappahannock，andthathehadbeenmadeprisonerafewdaysafterwardinachargeagainstagreatlysuperiorbodyofFederalcava]ry。
Thegreatmajorityoftheofficersonbothsideswereatthecommencementofthewarchosenbytheircomrades，theelectionsatfirsttakingplaceonceayear。This，how-ever，wasfoundtoactverybadly。Insomecasesthebestmenintheregimentwerechosen；buttoooftenmenwhohadthecommandofmoney，andcouldaffordtostandtreatandgetinsuppliesoffoodandspirits，wereelected。Theevilsofthesystemwerefoundsogreat，indeed，thatitwasgraduallyabandoned；butincasesofvacanciesoccurringinthefield，andtherebeinganecessityforatoncefillingthemup，thecolonelsoftheregimentshadpowertomakeappointments，andifthechoiceofthemenwasconsideredtobesatisfactorytheirnomineewouldbegenerallychosen。
InthecaseofJackson，thecolonelhadhesitatedinconfirmingthechoiceofthemen。Hedidnotforamomentsuspecthimtobewantingincourage；butheregardedhimasonewhoshirkedhiswork，andwhowonthevotesofthemenratherbyafluenttongueandbytheviolenceofhisexpressionsofhatredagainsttheNorththanbyanysoldierlyqualities。
Someoftheofficershadbeenmonthsinprison，andtheywerehighlyindignantatthedelaysthathadoccurredineffectingtheirexchange。TheSouth，indeed，wouldhavebeenonlytoogladtogetridofsomeoftheirnumerousprisoners，whoweresimplyanexpenseandtroubletothem，andtogettheirownmenbackintotheirranks。Theycouldillsparethesoldiersrequiredtoguardsolargeanumberofprisoners，andasupplyoffoodwasinitselfaseriousmatter。
ThusitwasthatatHarper\'sFerryanduponagoodmanyotheroccasionstheyreleasedvastnumbersofprisonersontheirsimpleparolesnottoserveagain。TheNorth，however，wereinnohurrytomakeexchange；andmoreover，theirhandsweresofullwiththeirenormouspreparationsthattheyputasideallmatterswhichhadnottheclaimofurgency。
CHAPTERX。THEESCAPE。
THEDISCIPLINEintheprisonatElmirawasnotrigorous。Theprisonershadtocleanupthecells，halls，andyard，buttherestoftheirtimetheycouldspendastheyliked。Someofthosewhosefriendshadmoneywereabletoliveincomparativeluxury，andtoassistthosewhohadnosuchresources；forthroughoutthewartherewasneveranygreatdifficultyinpassingletterstoandfromtheSouth。Thelineoffrontierwasenormous，anditwasonlyatcertainpointsthathostilities，wereactivelycarriedon，consequentlylettersandnewspaperswerefreelypassed，andmoneycouldbesentinthesamewayfromonepartofthecountrytoanother。
AtcertainhoursofthedayhawkersandvendorsofsucharticlesaswereinmostdemandbytheprisonerswereallowedtoentertheyardandtoselltheirwarestotheConfederates。Spiritswerenotallowedtobecarriedin，buttobaccoandallkindsoffoodwerepermittedtopass。VincenthadatAlexandriawrittenalettertohismother，andhadgivenittoamanwhorepresentedthathemadeithisbusinesstoforwardletterstoanagentatRichmond，beingpaidforeachletterthesumofadollaronitsdelivery。VincentthereforefeltconfidentthattheanxietythatwouldbefeltathomewhentheylearnedthathewasamongthemissingatthebattleofAntietamwouldberelieved。
Hewasfairlysuppliedwithmoney。Hehad，indeed，hadseveralhundreddollarswithhimatthetimehewascaptured；butthesewereentirelyinConfederatenotes，forwhichhegotbuthalftheirvalueinNorthernpaperatAlexandria。Hehimselffoundtherationssuppliedintheprisonample，andwasabletoaidanyofhisfellow-prisonersinpurchasingclothestoreplacetheragstheyworewhencaptured。
OnedayVincentstrolleddownasusualtowardthegate，where，undertheeyeoftheguard，arowofmenandwomen，principallynegroesandnegresses，weresittingonthegroundwiththeirbasketsinfrontofthemcontainingtobacco，pipes，fruit，cakes，needlesandthread，buttons，andavarietyofotherarticlesindemand，whileanumberofprisonerswerebargainingandjokingwiththem。Presentlyhiseyefelluponanegrobeforewhomwasagreatpileofwatermelons。Hestartedashedidso，forheatoncerecognizedthewell-knownfaceofDan。Assoonasthenegrosawthathismaster\'seyehadfallenuponhimhebeganloudlypraisingthequalityofhisfruit。
\"Here，massaofficer，hereberryfinemelyons，ripeandsweet；nogreentrash；disungoodrightthrough。Fivecentseach，sah。Berrycheapdese。\"
\"Iexpecttheycostyounothing，Sambo，\"oneoftheConfederatesoldierssaidasheboughtamelon。\"Gotaneighbor\'spatchhandy，eh？\"
Dangrinnedatthejoke，andthenselectinganotherfromthebottomofhispileinthebasket，offeredittoVincent。
\"Disfinefruit，sah。Mesureyoupleasewithhim!\"
VincenttookthemelonandbandedDanfivecents。Amomentaryglancewasexchanged，andthenhewalkedawayandsatdowninaquietcorneroftheyardandcutopenthemelon。Asheexpected，hefoundanoterolledupinthecenter。Asmallpieceoftherindhadbeencutoutandthepulpremovedforitsreception。Thebitofrindhadthenbeencarefullyreplacedsothattheoutwouldnotbenoticedwithoutcloseinspection。Itwasfromoneofhisfellow-officers，andwasdatedthedayafterhiscapture。Hereadasfollows:
\"MyDEARWINGFIELD-Wearealldelightedthisafternoontohearthatinstead，aswehadbelieved，ofyourbeingknockedontheheadyouareaprisoneramongtheYanks。Severalofusnoticedyoufalljustaswehaltedattheriver，andweallthoughtthatfromthewayinwhichyoufellyouhadbeenshotthroughtheheadorheart。However，therewasnotimetoinquireinthatterrificstormofshotandshell。Inthemorningwhentheburyingpartieswentdownwecouldfindnosignsofyou，althoughweknewalmosttoafootwhereyouhadfallen。
\"WecouldonlyconcludeatlastthatyouhadbeencarriedoffinthenightbytheYanks，andastheywouldhardlytakethetroubleofcarryingoffadeadbody，itoccurredtousthatyoumightafterallbealive。SothecolonelwenttoLee，whoatoncesentatrumpeterwithaflagdowntotherivertoinquire，andwewereallmightilypleased，asyoumayimagine，whenhecamebackwiththenewsthatyouwerenotonlyaprisoner，butunwounded，havingbeenonlystunnedinsomeway。Fromthewayyoufellwesupposearoundshotmusthavegrazedyourhead；atleastthatistheonlywaywecanaccountforit。
\"Yourhorsecamebackunhurttothetroop，andwillbewellcaredforuntilyourejoinus，whichwehopewillnotbelong。Yourboykeptthecampawakelastnightwithhishowlings，andisatpresentalmostoutofhismindwithdelight。HetellsmehehasmadeuphismindtoslipacrossthelinesandmakehiswayasarunawaytoAlexandria，whereyouwill，ofcourse，betakeninthefirstplace。
Hesayshe\'sgotsomemoneyofyours；butIhaveinsistedonhistakinganotherfiftydollars，whichyoucanrepaymewhenwenextmeet。Ashewillnothavetoaskforwork，hemayescapetheusuallotofrunaways，whoaregenerallypounceduponandsettoworkonthefortificationsofAlexandriaandWashington。
\"Heintendstofindoutwhatprisonyouaretakento，andtofollowyou，withsomevagueideaofbeingabletoaidyoutoescape。Ashecannotwrite，hehasaskedmetowritethislettertoyou，tellingyouwhathisideais。Hewillgiveittoyouwhenhefindsanopportunity，andhewishesyoutogivehimananswer，makinganysuggestionthatmayoccurtoyouastothebestwayofhissettingaboutit。HesaysthatheshallmakeacquaintancesamongthenegroesNorth，andwillfindsomeonewhowillreadyournotetohimandwriteyouananswer。Ihavetoldhimthatifheiscaughtatthegameheislikelytobeinsideaprisonabitlongerthanyouare，evenifworsedoesn\'tbefallhim。However，hemakeslightofthis，andisbentuponcarryingouthisplans，andIcanonlyhopehewillsucceed。
\"IhavejustheardthatweshallfallbackacrosstheRappahannockto-morrow，andIimaginetherewillnotbemuchhardfightingagainuntilspring，longbeforewhichIhopeyouwillbeinyourplaceamongusagain。Welosttwenty-threemenandtwoofficers(KetlerandSumner)yesterday。Good-by，oldfellow!Ineednotsaykeepupyourspirits，forthatyouareprettysuretodo。
\"Yourstruly，\"JAMESSINCLAIR。\"
AfterthefirststartatseeingDan，Vincentwasscarcelysurprised，forhehadoftenthoughtoverwhattheboywoulddo，andhadfanciedthatwhile，ifhesupposedhimdead，hewouldgostraightbacktotheOrangery，itwasquitepossiblethat，shouldhehearthathewasaprisoner，Danmighttakeitintohisheadtoendeavortojoinhim。Astohismakinghisescape，thatdidnotappeartobeaverydifficultundertakingnowthathehadafriendoutside。Thewatchkeptupwasnotaveryvigilantone，forsuchnumbersofprisonersweretakenonbothsidesthattheywerenotregardedasofverygreatimportance，and，indeed，thedifficultylayratherinmakingacrossthecountrytotheSouthernborderthaninescapingfromprison；forwithafriendoutside，withadisguiseinreadiness，thatmatterwascomparativelyeasy。Allthatwasrequiredfortheadventurewasalongrope，asharpfile，andadarknight。
ThechiefdifficultythatoccurredtoVincentarosefromthefactthatthereweresometwentyotherprisonersinthesameward。Hecouldhardlyfilethroughthebarsofthewindowunnoticedbythem，andtheywouldnaturallywishtoshareinhisflight；butwhereonepersonmightsucceedinevadingthevigilanceoftheguard，itwasunlikelyintheextremethattwentywoulddoso，andthealarmoncegivenallwouldberecaptured。Hewassparedthetroubleofmakinguphismindastohisplans，forbythetimehehadfinishedhisletterthehourthatthehucksterswereallowedtoselltheirgoodswaspassed，andthegateswereshutandallwasquiet。
Aftersomethoughthecametotheconclusionthattheonlyplanwouldbetoconcealhimselfsomewhereintheprisonjustbeforethehouratwhichtheywerelockedupintheirwards。Thealarmwouldbegiven，forthelistofnameswascalledoverbeforelock-up，andasearchwouldofcoursebemade。Still，ifliecouldfindagoodplaceforconcealment，itmightsucceed，sincethesearchafterdarkwouldnotbesocloseandminuteasthatwhichwouldhemadenextmorning。Theonlydisadvantagewouldbethatthesentrieswouldbeespeciallyonthealert，as，unlessthefugitivehadsucceededinsomewayinpassingoutofthegatesindisguise，hemuststillbewithinthewalls，andmightattempttoscalethemthroughthenight。Thiscertaintylargelyincreasedthedanger，andVincentwenttobedthatnightwithoutfinallydeterminingwhathadbetterbedone。
Thenextmorningwhilewalkinginthegroundshequitedeterminedastotheplacehewouldchooseforhisconcealmentifheadoptedtheplanhehadthoughtoftheeveningbefore。Thelowerroomsupononesideofthebuildingwereinhabitedbythegovernorandofficersoftheprison，andifheweretospringthroughanopenwindowunnoticedjustasitbecamedusk，andhidehimselfinacupboardorunderabedtherehewouldbesafeforatime，as，howeverclosethesearchmightbeinotherpartsofthebuilding，itwouldbescarcelysuspected，atanyrateonthefirstalarm，thathehadconcealedhimselfintheofficers\'quarters。
Therewould，ofcourse，bethechanceofhisbeingdetectedashegotoutofthewindowagainatnight，butthiswouldnotbeagreatrisk。Itwasthevigilanceofthesentriesthathemostfeared，andthepossibilitythat，assoonusthefactofhisbeingmissingwasknown，acordonofguardsmightbestationedoutsidethewallinadditiontothoseintheyard。Thedangerappearedtohimtobesogreatthathewashalfinclinedtoabandontheenterprise。Itwouldcertainlybewearyworktobeshutupthereforperhapsayearwhilehisfriendswerefightingthebattlesofhiscountry；butitwouldbebetterafterelltoputupwiththatthantorunanyextremeriskofbeingshot。
WhenhehadarrivedatthisconclusionbewentupstairstohisroomtowritealinetoDan。Thedaywasafineone，andhefoundthatthewholeoftheoccupantsoftheroomhadgonebelow。Thiswasanunexpectedbitofgoodfortune，andheatoncewenttothewindowandexaminedthebars。Theywerethickandofnewiron，buthadbeenhastilyputup。Thebuildinghadoriginallybeenalargewarehouse，andwhenithadbeenconvertedintoaprisonfortheConfederateprisonersthebarshadbeenaddedtothewindows。
Instead，therefore，ofbeingbuiltintosolidstoneandfastenedinbylead，theyweremerelyscrewedontothewoodenframeworkofthewindows，andbyastrongturn-screwabarcouldberemovedinfiveminutes。Thisaltogetheralteredtheposition。Hehadonlytowaituntiltherestoftheoccupantsoftheroomwereasleepandthentoremovethebarandlethimselfdown。
Heatoncewrote:
\"Iwanttwentyyardsofstrongstring，andthesamelengthofropethatwillbearmyweight；alsoastrongturn-screw。WhenIhavegotthisIwillletyouknownightandhour。Shallwantdisguisereadytoputon。\"
Hefoldedthenoteupintoasmallcompass，andatthehouratwhichDanwouldbeabouttoenterhesauntereddowntothegate。
Inashorttimethevendersentered，andweresoonbusysellingtheirwares。Danhad，asbefore，abasketofmelons。Vincentmadehiswayuptohim。
\"Iwantanothermelon，\"hesaid，\"asgoodasthatyoumelastnight。\"
\"Deyalldesame，sah。First-ratemelyonsdose；justmeltawayinyourmouflikehoney。\"
Hehelduponeofthemelons，andVincentplacedinhishandsthecoppersinpayment。Betweentwoofthemhebadplacedthelittlenote。Dan\'sbandsclosedquicklyonthecoins，anddroppingthemintohispocketheaddressedthenextcustomer，whileVincentsaunteredawayagain。Thistimethemelonwasawholeone，andVincentdivideditwithacoupleofotherprisonersforthefruitwastoolargeforonepersontoconsume，beingquiteaslargeasaman\'shead。
Thenextdayanothermelonwasbought，butthistimeVincentdidnotopenitinpublic。Examiningitclosely，heperceivedthatithadbeencutthroughthemiddle，andnodoubtcontainedaportionoftherope。Hehesitatedastohisnextstep。Ifhetookthemelonuptohisroomhewouldbesuretofindsomementhere，andwouldbenaturallycalledupontodividethefruit；andyettherewasnowhereelsehecouldhideit。Foralongtimehesatwithhisbacktothewallandthemelonbesidehim，abusinghimselfforhisfollyinnothavingtoldDantosendtheropeinsmalllengthsthathecouldhideabouthim。Theplacewherehehadsatdownwasoneofthequietestintheyard，butmenwereconstantlystrollingupanddown。Hedeterminedatlastthattheonlypossibleplanwasinthefirstplacetothrowhiscoatoverhismelon，totuckitupunderneathit，thentogetholdofoneendoftheballofropethatitdoubtlesscontainedandtoendeavortowinditroundhisbodywithoutbeingobserved。Itwasariskybusiness，andhewouldgladlyhavetossedthemelonoverthewallhadhedaredtodoso；
forifheweredetected，notonlywouldhebepunishedwithmuchmoresevereimprisonment，butDanmightbearrestedandpunishedmostseverely。
Unfortunatelytheweatherwasbynomeanshot，anditwouldlookstrangetotakeoffhiscoat，besides，ifhedidso，howcouldhecoiltheroperoundhimwithoutbeingobserved？Sothatideawasabandoned。Hegotupandwalkedtoanangleinthewall，andtheresatdownagain，concealngthemelonaswellashecouldbetweenhimandthewallwhenanyonehappenedtocomenearhim。Hepulledthehalvesapartandfound，ashehadsuspected，itwasbutashell，thewholeofthefruithavingbeenscoopedout。
Buthegaveanexclamationofpleasureonseeingthatinstead，asbefeared，ofalargeballofropebeinginside，theinteriorwasfilledwithneatly-madehanks，eachcontainingseveralyardsofthinbutstrongrope，togetherwithabankofstrongstring。
Unbuttoninghiscoat，hethrustthemin；thenhetookthemelonrindandbrokeitintoverysmallpiecesandthrewthemabout。Hethenwentuptohisroomandthrustthehanks，unobserved，onebyoneamongthestrawwhich，coveredbyanarmyblanket，constitutedhisbed。To-morrow，nodoubt，Danwouldsupplyhimsomehowwithaturn-screw。Ongoingdowntothegatenextdayhefoundthatthenegrobadchangedhiscommodity，andthatthistimehisbasketcontainedverylargeandfinecucumbers。Theseweresellingbriskly，andVincentsawthatDanwaslookingroundanxiously，andthatanexpressionofreliefcameoverhisfaceasheperceivedhim。Hehad，indeed，buteightortencucumbersleft。
\"Cucumbersto-day，sah？Berryfinecucumbers-first-ratecucumbersdese。\"
\"Theylookratherover-ripe，\"Vincentsaid。
\"Notabit，sah；deyjustripe。Disberryfineone-tencentsdis。\"
\"Youareputtingupyourprices，darkey，andaremakingafortuneoutofus，\"Vincentsaidashetookthecucumber，whichwasaverylargeandstraightone。Hehadnodifficultywiththis，aswiththemelon；asharptwistbrokeitintwoasbereachedthecornerhehadusedthedaypreviously。Ithadbeenoutinhalf，oneendhalbeenscoopedoutforthereceptionofthehandleoftheturn-screw，andthemetalbeendrivenintotheheadintheotherhalf。Hidingitunderhisjacket，hefeltthathewasnowpreparedforescape。
Henowaskedhimselfwhetherbeshouldgoaloneortakeoneormoreofhiscomradesintohisconfidence，andfinallydeterminedtogiveayoungVirginianofficernamedGeary，withwhomhehadbeenspeciallyfriendlyduringhisimprisonment，andJackson，achanceofescape。Hedidnotlikethelatter，butbethoughtthatafterthereconciliationthathadtakenplacebetweenthemitwasonlyrighttotakehimratherthanastranger。Drawingthemaside，then，hetoldthemthathehadarrangedamodeofescape；itwasimpossiblethatallcouldavailthemselvesofit，butthattheywerewelcometoaccompanyhim。Theythankedhimheartilyfortheoffer，and，whenheexplainedthemannerinwhichbeintendedtomakeoff，agreedtotrytheirfortunewithhim。
\"Ipropose，\"hesaid，\"assoonaswearefairlybeyondtheprison，weseparate，andeachtrytogainthefrontierasbesthecan。Thefactthatthreeprisonershaveescapedwillsoonbeknownalloverthecountry，andtherewouldbenochancewhateverforusifwekepttogether。Iwilltellmyboytohavethreedisguisesready；andwhenweonceputasideouruniformsIseenoreasonwhy，travelingseparately，suspicionshouldfalluponus；weoughttohavenodifficultyuntilatanyratewearriveneartheborder，andtheremustbeplentyofpointswherewecancrosswithoutgoinganywhereneartheFederalcamps。\"Theothersatonceagreedthatthechancesofmakingtheirwayseparatelyweremuchgreaterthaniftogether。Thisbeingarranged，VincentpassedanotenextdaytoDan，tellinghimtohavethreedisguisesinreadiness，andtobeatthefootofthewesternwall，halfwayalong，attwelveo\'clockonthefirstwetnight。Astringwouldbethrownover，withaknifefastenedtoit。Hewastopullonthestringtilltheropecameintohisband，andtoholdthattightuntiltheywereover。Vincentchosethisspotbecauseitwasequallyremovedfromthesentry-boxesatthecornersoftheyard，andbecausetherewasastoneseatintheyardtowhichoneendoftheropecouldbeattached。
Thatnightwasfine，butthenextwasthickandmisty。Atnineo\'clockallwereinbed，andhelaylisteningtotheclocksinthedistance。Tenstruck，andeleven，andwhenhethoughtitwasapproachingtwelvehegotupandcrepttothewindow。Hewasjoinedimmediatelybytheothers；theturn-screwwassettowork；
and，asheexpected，Vincentfoundnotroublewhateverwiththescrews，whichwerenotyetrustedinthewood，andturnedimmediatelywhenthepowerfulscrew-driverwasappliedtothem。
Whenallwereoutthebarwascarefullyliftedfromitsplaceandlaiduponthefloor。
Theropewasthenputroundoneoftheotherbarsanddrawnthroughituntilthetwoendscametogether。Thesewerethendroppedtothegroundbelow。Gearywentfirst，Jacksonfollowed，andVincentwassoonstandingbesidethem。Takingoneendoftherope，hepulledituntiltheotherpassedroundthebarandfellattheirfeet。Allthreewerebarefooted，andtheystolenoiselesslyacrosstheyardtotheseat，whichwasnearlyoppositetheirwindow。Vincenthadalreadyfastenedhisclasp-knifetotheendofthestring，andhenowthrewitoverthewall，whichwasabouttwentyfeethigh。
Hehadtiedaknotatfortyfeetfromtheend，and，standingclosetothewall，hedrewinthestringuntiltheknotwasinhishand。
