Heisoneofthebestridersinthecountry，andasplendidspecimenofaVirginiangentleman。lietellsmethathehasalreadyreceivedalargenumberofapplicationsfromyoungvolunteers，andthathethinksheshallbeablewithoutanydifficultytogetasmanyashewants。IsaidthatIhadasonwhowouldprobablyenrollhimself，andthatIshouldliketohavehiminhiscorps。
\"Hesaidthathewouldbegladtoputdownyourname，andthathehadhadmanyapplicationsfromladsnoolderthanyourself。Heconsideredthatforcavalrywork，scouting，andthatsort；ofthingagematteredlittle，andthat；aladwhowasatoncealightweight，agoodrider，andagoodshotwasofasmuchgoodasaman。\"
\"Thankyou，mother。IwillrideintoRichmondto-morrowmorningandseeAshley。Ihaveoftenmethimatonehouseoranother，andshouldliketoserveunderhimverymuch。Ishouldcertainlypreferbeinginthecavalrytotheinfantry。\"
RosieandAnnie，whowereofcourseenthusiasticfortheSouth，werealmostaspleasedaswasVincentwhentheyheardthattheirmotherhadconsentedtohisenrollinghimself。Somanyofthegirlsoftheiracquaintancehadbrothersorcousinswhowerejoiningthearmy，thattheywouldhavefeltit；assomethinglikeasluruponthefamilynamehadVincentremainedbehind。
OnthefollowingmorningVincentrodeoverandsawMr。Ashley，whohadjust；receivedhiscommissionasmajor。Hewascordiallyreceived。
Mrs。Wingfieldwasspeakingtomeaboutyou，andIshallbegladtohaveyouwithme-themoresoasyouareacapitalriderandagoodshot。Ishallhaveagoodmanyinmyranksnoolderthanyouare。DidInothearafewmouthssincethatyoubought；Wildfire？I
thoughtwhenIheardit；thatyouwouldbeluckyifyoudidnotgetyourneckbrokeninthecourseofaweek。Peters，whoownsthenextestatetomine，hadthehorseforaboutthreeweeks，andwasgladenoughtoget；ridofitforhalfwhathehadgivenforit。Hetoldmethehorsewasthemostsavagebruteheeversaw。I
supposeyoudidnotkeepitmanydays？\"
\"Ihavegotitstill，andmeantorideitwithyou。Thehorsewasnotreallysavage。Itwashot-tempered，andhad，Ithink，beenbadlytreatedbyitsfirstowner。Who-everithadbelongedto，Ifoundnodifficultywithit；。Itonlywantedkindnessandalittlepatience；
andassoonasitfoundthatitcouldnotgetridofme，andthatI
hadnointentionofill-treatingit；，itsettleddownquietly，afterrunningawayafewtimesandgivingmesomelittletroubleatstarting。Andnow1wouldnotchangeitforanyhorseintheState。\"
\"Youmustheafirst-raterider，\"MajorAshleysaid，\"tobeabletotameWildfire。Ineversawthehorse，forIwasawaywhenPetershadher；but；fromhisdescriptionitwasaperfectsavage。\"
\"Areweallowedtobringaservantwithus\"Vincentasked。
\"Yes，ifyoulike。Iknowthatagoodmanyaregoingtodoso，butyoumustnotmakeupyourmindthatyouwillgetmuchbenefitfromone。Weshallmoverapidly，andeachmanmust；shiftforhimself，butatthesametimeweshallofcourseoftenbestationary；andthenservantswillbeuseful。AtanyrateIcanseenoobjectiontomenhavingthem。Wemustbepreparedtoroughittoanyextentwhenitisnecessary，butIseenoreasonwhyatothertimesamanshouldnot；makehimselfcomfortable。Iexpecttheorderto-morrowornext；daytobeginformallytoenrollvolunteers。AsIhavenowputdownyournametherewillbenooccasionforyoutocomeinthen。Youwillreceiveacommunicationtellingyouwhentoreportyourself。
\"Ishallnottroublemuchaboutuniformatfirst。Highbootsandbreeches，athickfelthatthatwillturntheedgeofasword，andaloosecoat-jacketofdark-graycloth。Thatisthenameofthetailorwhohasgotthepattern，andwillmakethem。SoIshouldadviseyoutogotohimatonce，forliewillbesobusysoonthat；thereisnosayingwhenthewholetroopwillgettheiruniforms。\"
UponhisreturnhomeVincentrelatedtohismotherandsisterstheconversationthathehadhadwithMajorAshley。
\"Certainlyyouhadbettertakeaservantwithyou，\"hismothersaid。
\"Isupposewhenyouareridingabout；youwillhavetocleanyourhorse，andcookyourdinner，anddoeverythingforyourself；butwhenyouareinatownyoushouldhavethesethingsdoneforyou。
Whowouldyouliketotake？
\"IshouldliketotakeDan，mother，ifyouhavenoobjection。Heisverystrongandactive，andIthinkwouldgenerallybeabletokeepupwithus；besides，Iknowhewouldalwayssticktome。\"
\"Youshallhavehuncertainly，Vincent；Iwillmakehimoverformallytoyou。\"
WITHLEEINVIRGINIA。
85
\"Thankyou，mother，\"Vincentsaidjoyfully；forhohadoftenwishedthatDanbelongedtohim，ashewouldthenbeabletopreventanyinterferencewithhimbytheoverseeroranyoneelse，andcould，ifheliked，givehimhisfreedom-althoughthiswould，heknew，beofverydoubtfuladvantagetotheladaslongasheremainedintheSouth。
Thenextmorningthenecessarypapersweredrawnup，andtheownershipofDanwasformallytransferredtoVincent。DanwaswildwithdelightwhenheheardthatVincentwasnowhismaster，andthathewastoaccompanyhimtothewar。IthadbeenknowntwodaysbeforethatVincentwasgoing，anditseemedquiteshockingtothenegroesthattheyoungmastershouldgoasaprivatesoldier，andhavetodoeverythingforhimself-\"just，\"astheysaid，\"likedepoorwhitetrash；\"fortheslaveswereproudtobelongtoanoldfamily，andlookeddownwithalmostcontemptuponthepoorerclassofwhites，regardingtheirownpositionasinfinitelysuperior。
FourdayslaterVincentreceivedanofficiallettersayingthatthecorpswouldbemusteredintwodays\'time。Thenextdaywasspentinalongroundoffarewellvisits，andthenVincentmountedWildfire，and，withDantrottingbehind，rodeofffromtheOrangeryamidachorusofblessingsandgoodwishesfromalltheslaveswhocouldopanypretextgetawayfromtheirduties，andwhohadassembledinfrontofthehousetoseehimstart。
TheplaceofmeetingfortheregimentwasatHanoverCourthouse-astationontheRichmondandFredericksburgRailway，closetothePamunkyRiver，abouteighteenmilesfromthecity。
TheOrangerywasamilefromthevillageofGaines，whichlaytothenortheastofRichmond，andwassometwelvemilesfromHanoverCourthouse。
Amonthwasspentindrill，andattheendofthattimethecorpsworeabletoexecuteanysimplemaneuver。MorethanthisMajorAshleydidnotcareabouttheirlearning。Theworkinwhichtheywereabouttoengagewasthatofscoutsratherthanthatofregularcavalry，andtherequirementswerevigilanceandattentiontoorders，goodshootingandaquickeye。Offdutytherewasbutlittlediscipline。Almostthewholeofthemenwereinagoodpositioninlife，andmanyofthemverywealthy；andwhilestrictdisciplineandobediencewereexpectedwhileonduty，atallothertimessomethinglikeequalityexistedbetweenofficersandmen，andallwerefreetoliveastheychose。
Therationsservedoutweresimpleandoftenscanty，foratpresentthevariousdepartmentswerenotproperlyorganized，andsuchnumbersofmenwereflockingtothestandardsthattheauthoritieswereattheirwit\'sendtoprovidethemwitheventhesimplestfood。Thismatteredbutlittle，however，totheregiment；，whosememberswereallreadyandwillingtopayforeverythingtheywanted，andthecountrypeopleroundfoundareadymarketforalltheirchickens，eggs，fruit，andvegetablesatHanoverCourthouse，forheretherewerealsoseveralinfantryregiments，andthenormallyquiet；littlevillagewasasceneofbustleandconfusion。
Thearmsofthecavalrywereofaveryvarieddescription。Not；
morethanadozenhadswords；therestwerearmedwithriflesorshot-guns，withthebarrelscutshorttoenablethemtobecarriedascarbines。Manyofthemwerearmedwithrevolvers，andsomecarriedpistolssoantiquatedthattheymighthavebeenusedintherevolutionarywar。Acertainnumberoftentshadbeenissuedfortheuseofthecorps。These，however，werealtogetherinsufficientforthenumbers，andmostofthemenpreferredtosleepinshelterscomposedofcanvas，carpets，blankets，Qranyothermaterialthatcametohand，orinarborsconstructedoftheboughsoftrees，foritwasnowAprilandwarmenoughtosleepintheopenair。
InthethirdweekinMaytheordercamethatthecorpswastomarchatonceforHarper\'sFerry-animportantpositionat；thepointwheretheShenandoahRiverrunsintothePotomac，at；themouthoftheShenandoahValley。Theorderwasreceivedwiththegreatestsatisfaction。TheFederalforcesweregatheringrapidlyuponthenorthernbanksofthePotomac，anditwasbelievedthat，whilethemainarmywouldmarchdownfromWashingtonthroughManassasJunctiondirectuponRichmond，anotherwouldenterbytheShenandoahValley，and，crossingtheBlueRidgeMountains，comedownontherearoftheConfederatearmy，facingthemainforceat；Manassas。Thecavalrymarchedbyroad，whiletheinfantryweredespatchedbyrailasfarasManassasJunction，whencetheymarchedtoHarper\'sFerry。Theblackservantsaccompaniedtheinfantry。
Thecavalrymarchwasapleasantone。Ateveryvillagethroughwhichtheypassedthepeopleflockedout；withofferingsofmilkandfruit。Thedayswerehot，butthemorningsandeveningsdelightful；andasthetroopsalwayshaltedintheshadeofawoodforthreeorfourhoursinthemiddleoftheday，themarches，althoughlongwerenotfatiguing。AtHarper\'sFerryGeneralJohnstonhadjustsupersededColonelJacksonincommand。Theforcethereconsistedof11battalionsofinfantry，16guns，aridafterAshley\'sforcearrived，300cavalry。AmongtheregimentsthereVincentfoundmanyfriends，andlearnedwhatwasgoingon。
HelearnedthatColonelJacksonhadbeenkeepingthemhardatwork。SomeofVincent\'sfriendshadbeenattheVirginiaMilitaryInstituteatLexington，whereJacksonwasprofessorofnaturalphilosophyandinstructorofartillery。
\"Hewasthegreatestfun，\"oneoftheyoungmensaid；\"thestiffestandmostawkward-lookingfellowintheinstitute。Heusedtoworkaboutasifheneversawanythingoranybody。HewasalwaysknownasOldTom，andnobodyeversawhimlaugh。Hewasawfullyearnestinallhedid，andstrict，Icantellyou，abouteverything。Therewasnohumbugginghim。Thefellowslikedhimbecausehewasreallysoearnestabouteverything，andalwaysjustandfair。Buthedidn\'tlookahitlikeasoldierexceptastohisstiffness，andwhenthefellowswhohadbeenatLexingtonheardthathewasincommandheretheydidnotthinkhewouldhavemademuchhandatit；butItellyou，bedid。Youneversawsuchafellowtowork。
\"Everythinghadtobedone，youknow。Thereweretheguns，butnohorsesandnoharness。Thehorseshadtobegotsomehow，andtheharnessmanufacturedoutofropes；andyoucanimaginetheconfusionofninebattalionsofinfantry，allrecruits，withnoonetoteachthemexceptascoreortwoofoldarmyandmilitiaofficers。
OldTomhasdonewonders，Icantellyou。Yousee，beissofearfullyearnesthimselfeveryoneelsehasgottobeearnest。
Therehasbeennoplayingaboutanything，butjustfifteenhours\'
hardworkaday。Fellowsgrumbledandgrowledandsaiditwasabsurd，andthreatenedtodoallsortsofthings。Yousee，theyhadallcomeouttofightifnecessary，buthadn\'tbargainedforsuchhardworkasthis。
\"However，Jacksonhadhisway，andIdon\'tsupposeanyoneevertoldhimthementhoughttheyweretoohardworked。Heisnotthesortofmanonewouldcareaboutremonstratingwith。Idon\'tknowyetwhetherheisasgoodatfightingasheisatworkingandorganizing；butIratherexpectafellowwhoissoearnestabouteverythingelseissuretobeearnestaboutfighting，andIfancythatwhenheoncegetsintothethickofithewillgothroughwithit。
HehadsuchareputationasanoddityatLexingtonthattherewerealotofremarkswhenliewasmadecolonelandsenthere；butthereisnodoubtthathehasprovedhimselftherightmansofar，andalthoughhismenmaygrumbletheybelieveinhim。
\"Myregimentisinhisbrigade，andIwillbetanymoneythatwehaveourshareoffightingWhatsortofmanisJohnston？Heisafinefellow-asoldier，heartandsoul。Youcouldtellhimanywhere，andwehaveafirst-ratefellowincommandofthecavalry-ColonelStuart-asplendiddashingfellow，fulloflifeandgo。Hisfellowsswearbyhim。Iquiteenvyyou，forIexpectyouwillastonishtheYankeehorsemen。Theyarenogreatridersupthere，youknow，andIexpectthefirsttimeyoumeetthemyouwillastonishthem。\"
Herehesuddenlystopped，stoodatattention，andsaluted。
Vincentatoncedidthesame，although，hadhenotbeensettheexamplebyhisfriend，liewouldneverhavethoughtofdoingsotothefigurewhopassed。
\"Whoisit？\"heasked，ashiscompanionresumedhiseasyattitude。
\"Why，that\'sOldTom。\"
\"What!ColonelJackson!\"Vincentsaidinsurprise。\"Well，heisanodd-lookingfellow。\"
Thefigurethathadpassedwasthatofatall，gauntluau，leaningawkwardlyforwardinhissaddle。Heworeanoldgraycoat，andtherewasnosignofrank，norparticleofgoldlaceupontheuniform。Heworeonhisheadafadedcadetcap，withtherimcomingdownsofaruponhisnosethathecouldonlylooksidewaysfromunderit。Heseemedtopaybutlittleattentiontowhatwasgoingonaroundhim，anddidnotenterintoconversationwithanyoftheofficershemet。
ThebrigadecommandedbyJacksonwasthefirstofthearmyoftheShenandoah，andconsistedofthe2d，4th，5th，and27thVirginians，towhichwasshortlyafterwardaddedthe33d。Theywerecomposedofmenofallranksandages，amongthembeingagreatnumberofladsfromfifteenandupward；foreveryschoolhadbeendeserted。Everyboycapableofcarryingamuskethadinsisteduponjoining，andamongthemwereawholecompanyofcadetsfromLexington。Theregimentsselectedtheirownofficers，andamongtheseweremanywhowerestilllads。Manyoftheregimentshadnoaccouterments，andwerewithoutuniforms，andnumberscarriednobetterarmsthanadouble-barreledshot-gun；
butallwereanimatedwiththesamespiritofenthusiasmintheircause，andadeterminationtodieratherthantoallowtheinvaderstopassonthroughthefertilevalleysoftheirnative]and。
OfallthesevalleysthatofShenandoahwastherichestandmostbeautiful。ItwascalledtheGardenofVirginia；andallwritersagreedintheirpraisesofthebeautiesofitsfieldsandforests，mountainsandrivers，itsdeliciousclimate，andthegeneralprosperitywhichprevailedamongitspopulation。
ItwasapleasanteveningthatAshley\'shorsespentatHarper\'sFerryonthedaytheymarchedin。AllhadmanyfriendsamongtheotherVirginianregiments，andtheircamp-fireswerethecentertowardwhichmentroopedbyscores。Therestwaspleasantaftertheirhardmarches；and，althoughreadytodotheirownworkwhennecessary，theyappreciatedtheadvantageofhavingtheirservantsagainwiththemtogroomtheirhorsesandcooktheirfood。
Thenegroeswerenotlessgladatbeingagainwiththeirmasters。
Almostallweremenwhohad，likeDan，beenbroughtupwiththeiryoungowners，andfeltforthemastrongpersonalattachment，and，ifithadbeenallowed，wouldgladlyhavefollowedtheminthefieldofbattle，andfoughtbytheirsideagainstthe\"Yankees。\"
TheirstayatHarper\'sFerrywastobeashortone。ColonelStuart，withhis200horse，wasscoutingalongthewholebankofthePotomac，watchingeverymovementoftheenemy，andAshley\'shorsewastojointhematonce。
Itwasnotdifficultforevenyoungsoldierstoformanideaofthegeneralnatureoftheoperations。TheybadtoprotecttheShenandoahValley，toguardthefivegreatroadsbywhichtheenemywouldadvanceagainstWinchester，andnotonlytosavetheloyalinhabitantsandrichresourcesofthevalleyfromfallingintothehandsoftheFederals，butwhatwasofevengreaterimportance，topreventthelatterfrommarchingacrosstheBlueRidgeMountains，andfallingupontheflankofthemainConfederatearmyatManassas。
Thepositionwasadifficultone，forwhile\"thegrandarmy\"wasassemblingatAlexandriatoadvanceagainstManassasJunction，McClellanwasadvancingfromthenorthwestwith20，000men，andPattersonfromPennsylvaniawith18，000。
Inthemorningbetoreparadinghistroop，100strong，Ashleycalledthemtogetherandtoldthemthat，astheywouldnowbeconstantlyonthemoveandscatteredoveralongline，itwasimpossiblethattheycouldtaketheirservantswiththem。
\"Ishouldneverhaveallowedthemtobebrought，\"besaid，\"hadI
knownthatweshouldbescoutingoversuchanextensivecountry；
atthesametime，ifwecanmanagetotakeafewonitwouldcertainlyaddtoourcomfort。Iproposethatwechoosetenbylottogoonwithus。Theymustbeservantsofthetroopandnotofindividuals。Wecanscattertheminpairsatfirepoints，withinstructionstoforageaswellastheycan，andtohavethingsinreadinesstocookforwhoevermaycomeinoffdutyormayforthetimebepostedthere。Hencefortheverymanmustgroomandseetohisownhorse，butIseenoreason，militaryorotherwise，whyweshouldn\'tgetourfoodcookedforus；anditwillbejustaswell，aslongaswecan，tohaveafewbundlesofstrawforustolieoninsteadofsleepingontheground。
\"AnothertenmenwecanalsochoosebylottogotoWinchester；
whichis，Iimagine，thepointweshallmovetoiftheenemyadvance，asIfancytheywill，fromtheothersideoftheShenandoahValley。Therestmustbesenthome。\"
Eachmanaccordinglywrotehisnameonapieceofpaper，andplacedtheminahaversack。Thenwerethendrawnout；andtheirservantsweretoaccompanythetroopatonce。TheservantsofthenexttenweretoproceedbytraintoWinchester，whiletheslavesofallwhosenamesremainedinthebagweretobesenthomeatonce，providedwithpassespermittingthemtotravel。ToVincent\'ssatisfactionhisnamewasoneofthefirsttendrawn，andDanwasthereforetogoforward。ThegreaterpartofthemenevadedtheobligationtosendtheirservantsbacktoRichmondbydespatchingthemtofriendswhohadestatesintheShenandoahValley，withlettersaskingthemtokeepthemenforthemuntilthetroophappenedtocomeintotheirneighborhood。
Atsixo\'clockinthemorningthetroopmountedandrodetoBath，thirtymilesaway。ItwasherethatStuartbadhisheadquarters，whenceliesentouthispatrolsupanddownthePotomac，betweenHarper\'sFerryontheeastandCumberlandonthewest。Stuartwasawaywhentheyarrived，butherodeinafewhoursafterward。
\"Ah!Ashley，Iamgladyouhavearrived，\"hesaid，asherodeuptothetroop，whohadhastilymountedashewasseenapproaching。
\"Thereisplentyforyoutodo，Icantellyen；andIonlywishthatyouhadbroughtathousandmeninsteadofahundred。Iamheartilygladtoseeyouall，gentlemen，\"besaidtothetroop。\"Iamafraidjustatfirstthatthebrightnessofyourgrayjacketswillputmymenrathertoshame；butweshallsoongetridofthat。Butdismountyourmen，Ashley；thereisplentyforthemandtheirhorsestodowithoutwastingtimeinparadework。Thereisverylittleofthathere，Icantellyou。Ihavenotseenascoreofmymentogetherforthelastmonth。\"
Vincentgazedwithadmirationattheyoungleader，whosenamewassoontobecelebratedthroughoutAmericaandEurope。TheyoungVirginian-forhewasnotyettwenty-eightyearsold-wasthebeauidealofacavalryofficer。Hewassingularlyhandsome，andpossessedgreatpersonalstrengthandaconstitutionwhichenabledhimtobearallhardships。Hepossessedunfailinggoodspirits，andhadajokeandlaughforallhemet；andwhileonthemarchattheheadofhisregimenthewasalwaysreadytoliftuphisvoiceandleadthesongswithwhichthemenmadethewoodsresound。
Heseemedtoliveinhissaddle，andwaspresentatallhoursofthenightanddayalongthelineheguardedseeingthatthemenwerewatchfulandonthealert，instructingtheoutpostsintheirduty，andinfusinghisownspiritandvigilanceamongthem。HehadbeeneducatedatWestPoint，andhadseenmuchservicewiththecavalryagainsttheIndiansintheWest。Suchwasthemanwhowastobecomethemostfamouscavalryleaderofhistime。Sofarhehadnotcomeincontactwiththeenemy，andhisdutieswereconfinedtoobtaininginformationregardingtheirstrengthandintentions，towatchingeveryroadbywhichtheycouldadvance，andtoseeingthatnonepassednorthtocarryinformationtotheenemyastotheConfederatestrengthandpositions，forevenintheShenandoahValleythereweresomewhosesympathieswerewiththeFederals。
ThesewereprincipallyNorthernmensettledastradersinthetowns，anditwasimportanttopreventthemfromsendinganynewstotheenemy。SowelldidStuart\'scavalryperformthisservice，andsogeneralwasthehostilityofthepopulationagainsttheNorth，thatthroughoutthewholeofthewarinVirginiaitwasveryseldomthattheNortherngeneralscouldobtainanytrustworthyinformationastothemovementsandstrengthoftheConfederates，whilethelatterwereperfectlyinformedofeverydetailconnectedwiththeintentionsoftheinvaders。
ThenextmorningAshley\'strooptookuptheirshareoftheworkatthefront。Theywerebrokenupintopartiesoften，eachofwhichwasstationedatavillageneartheriver，fivemenbeingondutynightandday。Asithappenedthatnoneoftheothermeninhissquadhadaservantatthefront，VincentwasablewithoutdifficultytehaveDanassignedtohisparty。Ahouseinthevillagewasplacedattheirdisposal，andherethefiveoffdutysleptandtooktheirmealswhiletheotherswereinthesaddle。Danwasquiteinhiselement，andturnedoutanexcellentcook，andwassoonageneralfavoriteamongthemess。
CHAPTERVI。BULLRUN。
THENEXTfortnightpassedbywithoutadventure。Hardastheworkwas，Vincentenjoyeditthoroughly。Whenondutybydayhewasconstantlyonthemove，ridingthroughtheforest，followingcountrylanes，questioningeveryonehecameacross；andasthemenalwaysworkedinpairs，therewasnofeelingofloneliness。
SometimesAshleywoulddrawtogetherascoreoftroopers，andcrossingtheriverinaferryboat，wouldridetwentymilesnorth，and，dashingintoquietvillages，astonishtheinhabitantsbythesightoftheConfederateuniform。Thenthevillagerswouldbequestionedastothenewsthathadreachedthemofthemovementofthetroops；thepostofficewouldbeseizedandthelettersbrokenopen；anyuseful-informationcontainedinthembeingnoted。Butingeneralquestionswerereadilyanswered；foraconsiderableportionofthepeopleofMarylandwerestronglyinfavoroftheSouth，andwereonlypreventedfromjoiningitbythestrongforcethatheldpossessionofBaltimore，andbytheconstantmovementofFederalarmiesthroughtheState。VincentwasoftenemployedincarryingdespatchesfromMajorAshleytoStuart，beingselectedforthatdutyasbeingthebestmountedmaninthetroop。Thedirectionwasalwaysavagueone。\"TakethislettertoColonelStuart，whereverliemaybe，\"andhoweverearlyhestarted，Vincentthoughthimselffortunateifhecarriedouthismissionbeforesunset；forStuart\'sfrontcoveredoverfiftymilesofground，andtherewasnosayingwherehemightbe。Sometimesafterridingthirtyorfortymiles，andgettingoccasionalnewsthatStuarthadpassedthroughaheadofhim，hewouldlearnfromsomeoutpostthatthecolonelhadbeentherebuttenminutesbefore，andhadriddenoffbeforehecame，andthenVincenthadtoturnhishorseandgallopbackagain，seldomsucceedinginover-takinghisactivecommanderuntilthelatterhadhaltedforhissupperatoneorotherofthevillageswherehismenwerestationed。Sometimesbygoodluckhecameuponhimearlier，andthen，afterreadingthedespatch，Stuartwould，ifhewereridinginthedirectionwhereAshley\'scommandlay，bidhimrideonwithhim，andwouldchatwithhimontermsoffriendlyintimacyaboutpeopletheybothknewatRichmond，orastothedetailsofhiswork，andsometimestheywouldsitdowntogetherundertheshadeofsometrees，takeoutthecontentsoftheirhaversacks，andsharetheirdinners。
ThisisthesecondtimeIhavehadthebestofthis，\"thecolonellaughedoneday；\"mybeefisasbardasleather，andthiscoldchickenofyoursisasplumpandtenderasonecouldwishtoeat。\"
\"Ihavemyownboy，colonel，wholooksafterthetenofusstationedatElmside，andIfancythatinthematterofcoldrationshegivesmeanunduepreference。HealwayshandsmemyhaversackwhenImountwithagrin，andIquiteunderstandthatitisbetterIshouldasknoquestionsastoitscontents。\"
\"Yenarealuckyfellow，\"Stuartsaid。\"Myownservantisagoodman，andwoulddoanythingforme；butmyirregularhoursaretoomuchforhim。Heneverknowswhentoexpectme；andasheoftenfindsthatwhenIdoreturnIhavemadeamealanhourbeforeatoneoftheoutposts，anddonotwantthefoodhehasforhoursbeencarefullykeepinghotforme，itdriveshimalmosttodespair，andIhavesometimesbeenobligedtoeatratherthandisappointhim。Buthecertainlyhasnotageniusforcooking，andwereitnotthatthisridinggivesonetheappetiteofahunter，I
shouldoftenhaveagooddealofdifficultyindevouringthemeatheputsintomyhaversack。\"
Buttheenemywerenowreallyadvancing，andonthe12thofJuneatrooperrodeinfromtheextremeleft，andhandedtoVincentadespatchfromColonelStuart。
\"Myorderswere，\"hesaid，\"that，ifyouwerehere，youweretocarrythisonatallspeedtoGeneralJohnston。Ifnot，someoneelsewastotakeiton。\"
\"Anynews？\"Vincentasked，asaidedbyDanherapidlysaddledWildfire。
\"Yes，\"thesoldiersaid；\"2，000oftheenemyhaveadvanceduptheWesternsideandhaveoccupiedRomney，andtheysaythatallPatterson\'sforceisonthemove。\"
\"Somuchthebetter，\"Vincentreplied，ashejumpedintothesaddle。\"Wehavebeendoingnothinglongenough，andthesooneritcomesthebetter。\"
Itwasafifty-mileride；butitwasdoneinfivehours，andattheendofthattimeVincentdismountedinfrontofGeneralJohnston\'squarters。
\"Isthegeneralin？\"heaskedthesentryatthedoor。
\"No，heisnotin；butherehecomes，\"thesoldierreplied，andtwominuteslaterthegeneral，accompaniedbythreeorfourofficers，rodeup。
Vincentsaluted，andhandedhimthedespatch。Thegeneralopeneditandglancedatthecontents。
\"Thestormisgoingtoburstatlast，gentlemen，\"hesaidtotheofficers。\"Stuartwritesmethat2，000men，supposedtobetheadvanceofMcClellan\'sarmy，areatRomney，andthathehearsPattersonisalsoadvancingfromChambersburgonWilliamsport。
Hisdespatchisdatedthismorningatnineo\'clock。HewritesfromnearCumberland。Notimehasbeenlost，forthatiseightymilesaway，anditisbutfiveo\'clocknow。Howfarhaveyoubroughtthisdespatch，sir？\"
\"IhavebroughtitfromElmside，general；twentymilesontheothersideofBath。Atrooperbroughtitinjustatmidday，withordersformetocarryitonatonce。\"
\"Thatisgoodwork，\"thegeneralsaid。\"Youhaveriddenoverfiftymilesinfivehours。Youmustbewellmounted，sir。\"
\"IdonotthinkthereisabetterhorseintheState，\"Vincentsaid，pattingWildfire\'sneck。
Thegeneralcalledanorderly。
\"Letthismanpickethishorsewiththoseofthestaff，\"hesaid，\"andseethatithasforageatonce。Takethemantotheorderly\'squarters，andseethatheiswellcaredfor。\"
Vincentsaluted，and，leadingWildfire，followedtheorderly。
Whenhehadhadameal，hestrolledouttoseewhatwasgoingon。
Evidentlysomemovementwasincontemplation。Officerswereridingupordashingofffromthegeneral\'sheadquarters。Twoorthreeregimentswereseenmarchingdownfromtheplateauonwhichtheywereencampedintothetown。Bellsranganddrumsbeat，andpresentlylongtrainsofrailwaywagons，heavilyladen，begantomaketheirwayacrossthebridge。Untilnextmorningthemovementcontinuedunceasingly；bythattimeallthemilitarystoresandpublicproperty，togetherwithasmuchprivatepropertybelongingtoinhabitantswhohaddecidedtoforsaketheirhomesforatimeratherthantoremaintherewhenthetownwasoccupiedbytheenemy，ascouldbecarriedonintheavailablewagons，hadbeentakenacrossthebridge。Apartyofengineers，whohadbeenallnighthardatwork，thensetfirebothtotherailwaybridgeacrosstheriverandthepublicbuildingsinthetown。Themainbodyoftroopshadmovedacrossintheevening。Therear-guardpassedwhenallwasinreadinessforthedestructionofthebridge。
GeneralJohnstonhadbeenpreparingforthemovementforsometime；hehadforeseenthatthepositionmustheevacuatedassoonastheenemybegantoadvanceuponeitherofhisflanks，andaconsiderableportionofhisbaggageandmilitarystoreshadsometimepreviouslybeensentintotheinteriorofVirginia。Thetroops，formeduponthehighgroundsSouthoftheriver，lookedinsilenceatthedensevolumesofsmokerising。Thiswastherealityofwar。
HithertotheirmilitaryworkhadbeennomorethanthattowhichmanyofthemwereaccustomedwhencalledoutwiththemilitiaoftheirState；butthesceneofdestructiononwhichtheynowgazedbroughthometothemthatthestrugglewasaseriousone-thatitwaswarinitssternrealitywhichhadnowbegun。
Thetroopsatoncesetoffontheirmarch，andatnightbivouackedinthewoodsaroundCharlestown。ThenextdaytheypushedacrossthecountryandtookupapositioncoveringWinchester；andthentheenemy，findingthatJohnston\'sarmywasinfrontofthemreadytodisputetheiradvance，recrossedtheriver，andJohnstonconcentratedhisforceroundWinchester。
VincentjoinedhiscorpsonthesameafternoonthattheinfantrymarchedoutfromHarper\'sFerry，thegeneralsendinghimforwardwithdespatchesassoonasthetroopshadgotintomotion。
\"YouwillfindColonelStuartinfrontoftheenemy；butmorethanthatIcannottellyou。\"
ThiswasquiteenoughforVincent，whofoundthecavalryscoutingclosetoPatterson\'sforce，preparedtoattacktheenemy\'scavalryshoulditadvancetoreconnoiterthecountry，andtoblowupbridgesacrossstreams，felltrees，andtakeeverypossiblemeasuretodelaytheadvanceofPatterson\'sarmy，initsattempttopushontowardWinchesterbeforethearrivalofGeneralJohnston\'sforceuponthescene。
\"Iamgladtoseeyouhack，Wingfield，\"MajorAshleysaid，aslierodeup。\"ThecoloneltellsmethatinthedespatchhegotlastnightfromJohnstonthegeneralsaidthatStuart\'sinformationhadreachedinaremarkablyshorttime，havingbeencarriedwithgreatspeedbytheorderlyinchargeoftheduty。Wehavescarcelybeenoutofoursaddlessinceyouleft。However，Ithinkwehavebeenofuse，forwehavebeenbusyallroundtheenemysincewearrivedhereintheafternoon，andIfancyhemustthinkusagooddealstrongerthanweare。Atanyrate，hehasnotpushedhiscavalryforwardatall；and，asyousayJohnstonwillbeupto-morrowafternoon，Winchesterissafeanyhow。\"
AftertheFederalshadrecrossedtheriver，andJohnstonhadtakenuphispositionroundWinchester，thecavalryreturnedtotheiroldworkofscoutingalongthePotomac。
Onthe20thofJunemovementsofconsiderablebodiesoftheenemywerenoticed；andJohnstonatoncedespatchedJacksonwithhisbrigadetoMartinsburg，withorderstosendasmuchoftherolling-stockoftherailroadascouldberemovedtoWinchester，todestroytherest，andtosupportStuart\'scavalrywhentheyadvanced。AnumberoflocomotivesweresenttoWinchesteralongthehighroad，drawnbyteamsofhorses。Fortyenginesand300carswereburnedordestroyed，andJacksonthenadvancedandtookuphispositionontheroadtoWilliamsport，thecavalrycampbeingalittleinadvanceofhim。ThiswaspleasantforVincent，aswhenoffdutyhespenthistimewithhisfriendsandschoolfellowsinJackson\'sbrigade。
Onthe2dofJulythescoutsrodeintocampwiththenewsthatastrongforcewasadvancingfromWilliamsport。Jacksonatonceadvancedwiththe5thVirginiaInfantry，numbering380menandonegun，whileStuart，with100cavalry，startedtomnakeacircuitousroute，andharassedtheflankandrearoftheenemy。
TherewasnointentiononthepartofJacksonoffightingabattle，hisordersbeingmerelytofeeltheenemy；whosestrengthwasfartoogreattobewithstoodevenhadhebroughthiswholebrigadeintoaction，fortheynumberedthreebrigadesofinfantry，500
cavalry，andsomeartillery。
ForsomehoursthelittleConfederateforceskirmishedsoboldlythattheycheckedtheadvanceoftheenemy，whosegeneralnaturallysupposedthathehadbeforehimtheadvancedguardofastrongforce，andthereforemovedforwardwithgreatcaution。
ThoutheConfederates，beingthreatenedonbothflanksbythemassesoftheFederals，fellbackingoodorder。Thelosswasverytriflingoneitherside，butthefactthatsosmallaforcehadforhourscheckedtheadvanceofanarmygreatlyraisedthespiritsandconfidenceoftheConfederates。Stuart\'ssmallcavalryforce，comingdownupontheenemy\'srear，capturedagoodmanyprisoners-ColonelStuarthimselfcapturingforty-fourinfantry。
Ridingsomedistanceaheadofhistrooptofindoutthepositionoftheenemy，hecameuponacompanyofFederalinfantrysittingdowninafield，havingnoideawhateverthatanyConfederateforcewasintheneighborhood。Stuartdidnothesitateamoment，butridinguptothemshoutedtheorder，\"Throwdownyourarms，oryouarealldeadmen。\"Believingthemselvessurrounded，theFederalsthrewdowntheirarms，andwhentheConfederatecavalrycameupweremarchedoffasprisoners。
Jackson，onreachinghiscamp，struckhistentsandsentthemtotherear，andformeduphiswholebrigadeinorderofbattle。TheFederals，however，insteadofattacking，continuedtheirflankmovement，andJacksonfellbackthroughMartinsburgandhaltedforthenightamilebeyondthetown。
Nextdayheagainretired，andwasjoinedsixmilesfurtheronbyJohnston\'swholeforce。Forfourdaysthelittlearmyhelditsposition，preparedtogivebattleiftheenemyadvanced；buttheFederals，thoughgreatlysuperiorinnumbers，remainedimmovableatMartinsburg，andJohnston，tothegreatdisgustofhistroops，retiredtoWinchester。Thesoldierswerelongingtomeettheinvadersinbattle，buttheirgeneralhadtobearinmindthattheforceunderhiscommandmightatanymomentbeurgentlyrequiredtojointhemainConfederatearmy，andaidinopposingtheNorthernadvanceuponRichmond。
Stuart\'scavalrykepthimconstantlyinformedofthestrengthoftheenemygatheringinhisfront。MakingcircuitsroundMartinsburg，theylearnedfromthefarmerswhatnumbersoftroopseachdaycamealong；andwhiletheFederalsknewnothingoftheforceopposedtothem，andbelievedthatitfaroutnumberedtheirown，GeneralJohnstonknewthatPatterson\'sforcenumberedabout22，000men，whilehehimselfhadbeenjoinedonlybysome3，000mensincehearrivedatWinchester。
Onthe18thofJulyatelegramfromthegovernmentatRichmondannouncedthattheFederalgrandarmyhaddriveninGeneralBeauregard\'spicketsatManassas，andhadbeguntoadvance，andJohnstonwasdirectedifpossibletohastentohisassistance。A
fewearthworkshadbeenthrownupatWinchester，andsomegunsmounteduponthem，andthetownwasleftundertheprotectionofthelocalmilitia。Stuart\'scavalrywaspostedinalonglineacrossthecountrytopreventanynewsofthemovementreachingtheenemy。Assoonasthiswasdonetheinfantry，8，300strong，marchedoff。Thetroopswereinhighspiritsnow，fortheyknewthattheirlongperiodofinactivitywasover，andthat，althoughignorantwhenandwhere，theywereontheirmarchtomeettheenemy。
Theyhadnowagonsorrations，theneedforspeedwastoourgenteventopermitoffoodbeingcooked。Withoutahalttheypressedforwardsteadily，andaftertwodays\'march，exhaustedandhalffamished，theyreachedtheManassasGapRailroad。Wheretheywereputintotrainsasfastasthesecouldbeprepared，andbynoononthe20thjoinedBeauregardatManassas。Thecavalryhadperformedtheirdutyofpreventingthenewsofthemovementfromreachingtheenemyuntiltheinfantrywerenearlyaday\'smarchaway，andthenStuartreassembledhismenandfollowedJohnston。
ThustheConfederateplanshadbeencompletelysuceessful。Over30，000oftheenemy，insteadofbeinginlineofbattlewiththemainarmy，weredetainedbeforeWinchester，whilethelittleConfederateforcewhohadbeenfacingthembadreachedBeauregardintimetotakepartintheapproachingstruggle。
IntheNorthnodoubtastothepowerofthegrandarraytomakeitswaytoRichmondwasentertained。Thetroopswerearmedwiththebestweaponsobtainable，theartillerywasnumerousandexcellent，thearmywasfedwitheveryluxury，andsoconfidentwerethemenofsuccessthattheyregardedthewholeaffairinthelightofagreatpicnic。Thegrandarmynumbered55，000men，with9regimentsofcavalryand49rifle-guns。Toopposethese，theConfederateforce，afterthearrivalofJohnston\'sarmy，numbered27，833infantry，35smooth-boredguns，and500cavalry。
Manyoftheinfantrywerearmedonlywithshot-gunsandoldfowling-pieces，andthegunsweresmallandill-suppliedwithammunition。Therehadbeensomesharpfightingonthe18th，andtheFederaladvanceacrosstheriverofBullRunhadbeensharplyrepulsed，thereforetheirgeneralsdetermined，insteadofmakingadirectattackonthe31stagainsttheConfederateposition，totakeawidesweepround，crosstheriverhigherup，andfallingupontheConfederateleftflank，tocrumpleitup。
AllnighttheFederaltroopshadmarched，andatday-breakonthe21stnearly40，000menwereinpositionontheleftflankoftheConfederates。ThelatterwerenottakenbysurprisewhenStuart\'scavalrybroughtinnewsoftheFederalmovement，andGeneralBeauregard，insteadofmovinghistroopstowardthethreatenedpoint，sentorderstoGeneralLongstreetontherighttocrosstheriverassoonasthebattlebegan，andtofallupontheFederalflankandrear。
Hadthismovementbeencarriedout，thedestructionoftheFederalarmywouldhavebeencomplete；butbyoneofthoseunfortunateaccidentswhichsofrequentlyoccurinwarandupsetthebestlaidplans，theorderinsomewaynevercametohand，andwhenlateinthedaytheerrorwasdiscovereditwastoolatetoremedyit。
Ateighto\'clockinthemorningtwooftheFederaldivisionsreachedtheriver，andwhileoneofthemengagedtheConfederateforcestationedatthebridge，anothercrossedtheriverataford。
ColonelEvans，whocommandedtheConfederateforces，whichnumberedbutfifteencompanies，left200mentocontinuetoholdthebridge，whilewith800hehurriedtoopposeGeneralHunter\'sdivision，whichhadcrossedattheford。
Thisconsistedof16，000infantry，withcavalryandartillery，andanotherdivisionofequalforcehadcrossedattheRedHousefordhigherup。Tochecksogreataforcewiththishandfulofmenseemedallbutimpossible；butColonelEvansdeterminedtoholdhisgroundtothelast，toenablehisgeneraltobringupreinforcements。HisforceconsistedofmenofSouthCarolinaandLouisiana，andtheycontestedeveryfootoftheground。
TheregimentwhichformedtheadvancedoftheFederalscharged，supportedbyanartilleryfire，butwasrepulsed。AstheheavyFederallineadvanced，however，theConfederateswereslowlybutsteadilypressedback，untilGeneralBee，withfourregimentsandabatteryofartillery，cameuptotheirassistance。Thenewcomersthrewthemselvesintothefightwithgreatgallantry，andmaintainedtheirgrounduntilalmostannihilatedbythefireoftheenemy，whooutnumberedthembyfivetoone。As，fightingdesperately，theyfellbackbeforeHunter\'sdivision，theFederalswhohadcrossedatRedHouseFordsuddenlypoureddownandtooktheminflank。