very light breakfast; had been working hard in
the saddle all day; had the breath knocked out of my body by a spent
ball on the chest at the close of the charge in the woods; the
excitement of the fight was over, and I was lying over the pommel,
rather than sitting on my saddle, but as that electric fluid went
down my throat I straightened up like a soldier at the word of
command; I felt a new life pouring through my veins, and the worry and
care of the situation was all gone, and I was ready for what was to
come next--such is the power of contrast. B., who was watching me,
raised a warning finger not to betray his secret, for what was a
canteen of apple brandy to that crowd, that would not be denied? so I
concealed my satisfaction and his secret, but have never forgotten my
obligation to Lieutenant B. of the Hampton Legion.

All around us through the stillness floated the music of the Yankee
bands, mocking with their beautiful music our desperate condition; yet
our men around their fires were enjoying it as much, and, seemingly,
with as light hearts as the owners of it. Occasionally, as a bugle
call would ring out, which always sounds to a trooper as a challenge
to arms, a different expression would show itself, and a harder look
take the place of the softer one induced by "Home, Sweet Home," or
"Annie Lawrie."

So we made our bivouac in sight of the enemy's pickets, eating our
homely rations with the keen relish and appetite health and hard work
give. While our neighbors, whose interest in us could not be
questioned, gave us the benefit of many a soft air, that told of other
and very different scenes, we, in the language of romance, addressed
ourselves to slumber, expecting an attack at or before daylight. This
was our first night in sight of their outposts, and we had yet to
learn their plan of attack. The game was in the toils and they meant
to play a sure hand, with no more waste of material than was
absolutely necessary. There was no night attack that I recollect in
the course of the retreat. General Grant's large force seemed to be
kept perfectly in hand, massed with great care to strike with effect
at any given point on our line of march, gain the result of an
overwhelming attack in force, and draw off in time to prevent disorder
among their own troops--a wise arrangement under the circumstances.

Another pleasing incident occurred at this camp, as everything is
relative and is great or little, according to