the fords. Accordingly, he masked
his regiment as near his end of the bridge as the topography of the
ground permitted, and waited. The Austrians moved by the bridge, and
Bugeaud, seizing the moment, fell upon them in the act of crossing and
destroyed the entire force. Moral: 'Tis easier to watch and defend one
bridge than many miles of fordable water. "Why did you keep the story
until the bridge was burnt?" exclaimed Ewell. Subsequently, alleging
that he had small opportunity for study after leaving West Point, he
drew from me whatever some reading and a good memory could supply; but
his shrewd remarks changed many erroneous opinions I had formed, and our
"talks" were of more value to me than to him.

As our next move, hourly expected, would take us beyond the reach of
railways, I here reduced the brigade to light marching order. My own
kit, consisting of a change of underwear and a tent "fly," could be
carried on my horse. A fly can be put up in a moment, and by stopping
the weather end with boughs a comfortable hut is made. The men carried
each his blanket, an extra shirt and drawers, two pairs of socks
(woolen), and a pair of extra shoes. These, with his arm and ammunition,
were a sufficient load for strong marching. Tents, especially in a
wooded country, are not only a nuisance, involving much transportation,
the bane of armies, but are detrimental to health. In cool weather they
are certain to be tightly closed, and the number of men occupying them
breeds a foul atmosphere. The rapidity with which men learn to shelter
themselves, and their ingenuity in accomplishing it under unfavorable
conditions, are surprising. My people grumbled no little at being
"stripped", but soon admitted that they were better for it, and came to
despise useless _impedimenta_.

I early adopted two customs, and adhered to them throughout the war. The
first was to examine at every halt the adjacent roads and paths, their
direction and condition; distances of nearest towns and cross-roads; the
country, its capacity to furnish supplies, as well as general
topography, etc., all of which was embodied in a rude sketch, with notes
to impress it on memory. The second was to imagine while on the march an
enemy before me to be attacked, or to be received in my position, and
make the necessary dispositions for either contingency. My imaginary
manoeuvres were sad blunders, but I corrected them by experience drawn
from actual battles, and can safely