They
had been full of audacity, and now seemed fearful of some trap. It was
evident that they suspected the presence of a heavy force of
infantry--and night having descended, they halted.
This was the signal for the fifth act of the comedy. Young kindled
camp-fires along two miles of front; brought up his brass band and
played "The Bonnie Blue Flag," and "Dixie." It was obvious to the enemy
that at least a corps of Lee's infantry was there in their front, ready
to renew the action at dawn!
The finale was comic--I shared the blankets of the gallant Georgian
that night--when we rose the enemy's whole force had disappeared.
Such had been the result of the ruse, and I always regarded the affair
as one of the gayest incidents of the war.
When I left the brave Young, he was laughing in triumph.
If your eye meets this page, old comrade, it may give you another laugh
--and laughter is something in this dull epoch, is it not?
But whether you laugh or sigh, and wherever you may be, health and
happiness attend you!
In the afternoon, I was at Warrenton.
VII.
STUART CAUGHT IN THE TRAP.
I found the general moving toward Auburn, on a reconnoissance.
Meade had been delayed much by uncertainty as to his adversary's
designs--had scarcely advanced beyond the Rappahannock--and the object
of Stuart was to discover his position and intentions.
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