height opposite. The capture of Washington was now the avowed
object of our invasion; but the General, like an experienced
officer, was desirous of keeping his enemy in the dark as to his
plan of operations. Whilst the advanced guard, therefore,
reinforced by two additional companies, marched directly forward
to dislodge the party from the heights, the rest of the army
wheeled to the left, taking the road which leads, not to
Washington, but to Alexandria. These movements were not lost
upon the enemy, who, observing by the dust in what direction the
main body had filed off, immediately began to retreat, without
waiting for the approach of the detachment sent against ahem. As
they ascended the hill, however, they made a show of halting and
forming a line. Our men moved steadily on in column, covered by
one company in extended order along the front; but the enemy,
having merely thrown a few round shot with great precision among
the skirmishers, broke once again into marching order, and were
quickly hid by the rising ground. As soon as they had
disappeared, the advance halted; and having remained for about an
hour on a little hill to watch their motions, turned to the left,
and followed the rest of the army, which they found
advantageously posted at a place called Woodyard.

CHAPTER IX.

I HAD almost forgotten to state that, from the first moment of
our landing, the want of cavalry, so useful in obtaining
information and reconnoitring the open country, was very sensibly
felt. To remedy this evil, as far as it could by such means be
remedied, orders had been issued to catch and bring in all the
horses that were found in the fields or stables of any houses
along the road; and these orders being punctually obeyed, there
were now fifty or sixty in the camp. Upon these some of the
artillery-drivers were mounted, and the command of the troop
being given to an officer of experience, it was found of great
service during the remainder of the march.

The advanced guard having joined the main body, the whole army,
with the exception of a party which had been sent to the rear to
bring up a convoy of provisions, was now bivouacked upon a rising
ground, well defended by hedge-rows and thickets. The night,
however, was not spent in as much quietness as usual. It was
late before the troops got to their ground, consequently the
piquets, for want of light, could not be posted in their
customary good order, neither had t