hind
us. In these civilian clothes of mine, I've been in their ranks, and
I've talked with their men. While they were amusing us here on the
Rappahannock with their cannon, Jackson with the best of the army
crossed the river higher up, passed through Thoroughfare Gap, marching
two or three days before a soul of ours knew it, and then struck our
great camp at Bristoe Station."

"Shepard, you must be sunstruck!"

"My mind was never clearer. What I saw at close range General Pope
himself saw at long range. He and his staff and a detachment came near
enough to see the looting and burning of all our stores--I don't suppose
so many were ever gathered together before. But I was right there. You
ought to have seen the sight, Colonel, when those ragged rebels who
had been living on green corn burst into our camp. I've heard about the
Goths and Vandals coming down on Rome and it must have been something
like it. They ate as I never saw anybody eat before, and then throwing
away their rags they put on our new uniforms which were stored there in
thousands. At least half the rebel army must now be wearing the Union
blue. And the way they danced about and sang was enough to make a loyal
man's heart sick."

"You told all this to General Pope?"

"I did, sir, but I could not make him believe the half of it. He insists
that it can only be a raiding detachment, that it is impossible for a
great army to have come to such a place. But, sir, I was among them. I
know Stonewall Jackson, and I saw him with my own eyes. He was there
at the head of thirty thousand men, and we've already lost stores worth
millions and millions. Jeb Stuart was there, too. I saw him. And I saw
Munford, who leads Jackson's cavalry since the death of Turner Ashby.
Oh, they'll find out soon enough that it's Jackson. We're trapped, sir!
I tell you we're trapped, and our own commander-in-chief won't believe
it. Good God, Colonel, the trap has shut down on us and if we get out of
it we've got to be up and doing! This is no time for waiting!"

Colonel Winchester saw from the rapidity and emphasis with which Shepard
spoke that his excitement had increased, but knowing the man's great
devotion to the Union he had no rebuke for his plain speech.

"You have done splendid work, Mr. Shepard," he said, "and the
commander-in-chief will recognize what great risks you have run for
the cause. I've no doubt that the accuracy of your reports will soon be
proved."

Colonel Winc