could be heard
so far away. It was decided to march up to the tents and find out who
occupied them, and the column kept close together as they advanced, for
things were so quiet it was feared the rebels, if such they were, might
be in ambush.

The men got within a hundred feet of the camp, when they heard several
terrible yells in succession, and several natives ran out from behind
one of the tents, screaming at the top of their voices, and not pausing
to look around at all. The officer in command of the company of men was
much disturbed by this demonstration, and, without pausing a moment,
gave the order to fire. Five of the natives fell immediately, but the
other six kept running, and soon disappeared among the trees on the
other side of the clearing. The men stood still awaiting developments,
but though they waited several minutes nothing more was heard, and it
was decided that the camp must be deserted. So they marched up to the
tents, and then the officer almost fainted, for inside the first one
he entered was standing an American flag, and scattered about were the
accoutrements and camp equipment belonging to an American force in the
field. There was now no doubt but what the tents belonged to an
American regiment, and that the fleeing natives were either servants or
prisoners, more likely the former. The men were all much excited at this
discovery, and the officer ordered the natives to be looked after at
once. It was found, however, that all but one were dead, and he expired
within an hour, so that the men felt that they had killed five innocent
men, a thought which made some of them weep, hardened though they were.

It was now decided to await the return of the regiment, which was out,
the officer thought, on a practice march, and could not possibly be
gone much longer. So the men lounged about on the grass for more than an
hour. Then, about three in the afternoon, a rifle-shot was heard in the
near distance, and instantly every man was on his feet, rifle in hand.
"They must have found the rebels," said the officer; "so be ready,
men, to help them out, should they be retreating to the camp." This
supposition turned out to be correct, for a few minutes later some
members of the regiment came running into camp and announced that a
large body of insurgents was after them. Later the remainder of the
regiment followed, and the joy of the colonel when he found these
unexpected reinforcements was very great. "There m