would make any
sacrifice for the preservation of our Government. General, you are in
the greatest danger of having your army destroyed. If I were a man and
a General in command of this army I would fall back at once to
Chatteraugus and make resistance, as they are sure to attack you in a
very short time. The understanding with them is that they must crush
your army before re-enforcements arrive to your support from the Army
of the West, that army having cleared that portion of the country of the
enemy.'

"Rosenfelt said: 'If you had seen the army and made an estimate of its
strength, I would then have no doubt, but I am persuaded that you are
mistaken as to the whole rebel army being at Fayette. They say so to
you, but there is merely a force there to impede my march. It is a mere
outpost. Their main army is at Romulus, Ga.'

"'Well, General, I should not like very much to see you move on this
outpost at Fayette, and I beseech you to send your scouts and find out
the exact situation before you make any further movement, as I assure
you that you will not proceed very far on this road without a great
battle, and one that you will have cause to remember the rest of your
life.'

"And so he has."

"The General said: 'Well, it is best to proceed with great caution at
all times, and inasmuch as I know you feel sure of what you say, and
having given very correct information heretofore, I will halt for the
day and send my cavalry to Fayette and let them clear the town of the
rebels.'

"'Mrs. Houghton laughed and said: 'General, you had better give orders
to have what will be left of them (if you should send them there with
such orders) return and let you know which road will be left to you to
march on, which ever direction you may wish to go.'

"'Yes,' said the General, 'you seem to think we will not be strong
enough for the enemy.'

"'General, he has a great army.'

"Gen. Rosenfelt concluded that perhaps he had better be prepared, so he
placed Gen. McCabe's Corps on the right, Gen. Critsinger in the center;
Gen. Papson being some ten miles to his left near Cherokee Run, was
allowed to remain. His cavalry, under Gen. Straiter, was ordered to take
the main road to Fayette, and to enter the town if possible; but at
all events to feel the enemy and ascertain his position and force. The
cavalry were late in getting in motion, and when they had gone some ten
miles the darkness of the night impeded any rapid movement. But