hey were willing to obey orders, and leave
every thing to him.

It "thundered all around" them. Roanoke, Pea Ridge, Newbern, Winchester,
Donelson, were a succession of Union victories, which inspired them with
zeal and courage to endure all hardships, and face any peril which might
be in their path.

The transport descended the Potomac, and came to anchor in the bay, where
they lay one day; the steamer then continued on her course, and landed her
troops in Cheseman's Creek, an indentation of the peninsula between the
York and James Rivers. After lying in camp a few days, they marched again,
and Tom learned that the regiment was before Yorktown, which had been
strongly fortified by the rebels to resist the advance of the Union army.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.

What the army of the Potomac achieved and suffered before Yorktown, we
must leave for the historian. Our soldier boy was only one hero among
thousands who toiled in the soft mud of the early spring, who watched and
waited for the tremendous events which have now passed into history, and
whose actors will be honored and remembered by future generations.

Tom Somers bore his full share of the trials and hardships of that
eventful period; and when McClellan's scientific engineering had driven
the rebels from their strong works without a struggle to retain them, he
moved forward with the gallant army. "On to Richmond!" again sounded along
the lines, and the soldiers toiled through mud and mire, hoping and
expecting to strike the final blow that would crush out the rebellion.

Yorktown was evacuated. The rebels were fleeing from their frowning
batteries, and the order came for Hooker's division to join in the
pursuit. At noon the brigade--now under command of General Grover
commenced its forward movement.

"Rather rough," said Hapgood, as the regiment struggled on through the
mire. "Rather soft, I think," replied Tom, laughing.

"I hope we haven't got to march far through this mud," added Ben
Lethbridge.

"That will depend upon how soon we come up with the rebels. If it rests
with Hooker, I tell you he will get a fight out of the rebs, if such a
thing is possible."

After the regiment had marched five or six miles, the order came to halt;
and the intelligence passed along the column that the cavalry had come up
with the enemy, and were waiting the arrival of an infantry force to
assist in the attack.

"Good!" shouted Tom. "We shal