otomac unfordable, "and that Lee was a goner this time sure;"
but as hour after hour passed without a sound of the heavy cannonading
which marks "the battle's opening roar," and rumor after rumor filled the
air, the talk, as time lengthened, grew less and less hopeful, and finally
during the afternoon we learned definitely that "the play was played out."
Lee was gone, boots and baggage, and our hopes of taking a hand in the
contest which would probably have decided the war, were gone with him.
Perhaps it was all for the best. If Lee gave battle, it would be on
selected ground, against weary troops, where every man in the rebel army
knew he was fighting with no hope of escape, and would consequently
resist to the utmost; under these circumstances, the contest, if not
doubtful, would unquestionably have been bloody beyond all precedent; and
many desolated homes, and empty places in the armories of the Empire City,
would have mourned for those who would return no more.

We were now in the midst of the Army of the Potomac, and it is difficult
for those inexperienced in such matters to form the least conception of
the vast bulk of men and material which contribute to form that
organization; yet, huge as it was, no confusion was visible, and
everything went like clockwork, even during the difficulties of that
hurried pursuit.

We only wished that the same could be said of us, but so far was this from
being the case, that it was remarked by a regular officer that there was
more destitution and suffering among our little division than among the
whole Army of the Potomac, and no one acquainted with the facts can deny
the correctness of the assertion.

It is impossible to express what a relief it was when we once became
incorporated with this army; for to enter it, was coming once more from
the scarcity and make-shifts of the backwoods, into the light of
civilization. We found ourselves again among newspapers, and
sutlers--people who could change a two-dollar bill and had things to sell;
where greenbacks yet served as a medium of exchange, and provision trains
were not more than two days behind time; and in our exultation, we even
began to entertain vague hopes that, in the progress of events, our
letters might be possibly forthcoming. It was now more than two weeks
since a word of news had been heard, either from home or abroad; and we
naturally were exceedingly anxious for a little information about matters
and things in gene