in had ceased, the clouds were gone, presently up
rose the sun. The army turned its back upon the sun; the army went down
the western side of the mountains, down again into the great Valley. The
men who had guessed "Richmond" were crestfallen. They who had stoutly
held that Old Jack had mounted to this eyrie merely the better again to
swoop down upon Fremont, Shields, or Banks crowed triumphantly. "Knew it
Tuesday, when the ambulances obliqued at the top and went on down toward
Staunton! He sends his wounded in front, he never leaves them behind!
Knew it wasn't Richmond!"

Brigade by brigade the army wound down the mountain, passed below Port
Republic, and came into a lovely verdurous country, soft green grass and
stately trees set well apart. Here it rested five days, and here the
commanding general received letters from Lee.

"_Your recent successes have been the cause of the liveliest joy in
this army as well as in the country. The admiration excited by your
skill and boldness has been constantly mingled with solicitude for
your situation. The practicability of reinforcing you has been the
subject of the gravest consideration. It has been determined to do
so at the expense of weakening this army. Brigadier-General Lawton
with six regiments from Georgia is on his way to you, and
Brigadier-General Whiting with eight veteran regiments leaves here
to-day. The object is to enable you to crush the forces opposed to
you. Leave your enfeebled troops to watch the country and guard the
passes covered by your artillery and cavalry, and with your main
body, including Ewell's Division and Lawton's and Whiting's
commands, move rapidly to Ashland, by rail or otherwise as you find
most advantageous, and sweep down between the Chickahominy and the
Pamunkey, cutting up the enemy's communications, etc., while this
army attacks McClellan in front. He will then, I think, be forced to
come out of his entrenchments where he is strongly posted on the
Chickahominy, and apparently preparing to move by gradual approaches
on Richmond._"

And of a slightly earlier date.

"_Should there be nothing requiring your attention in the Valley, so
as to prevent your leaving it in a few days, and you can make
arrangements to deceive the enemy and impress him with the idea of
your presence, please let me know, that you may unite at the
decisive moment with t