The birds were twittering and singing, the foliage waving gently--I
raised my head--when suddenly I became aware that a solitary mourner
was bending over the grave.
He was an officer in gray uniform. He held a flower in his hand, which
he dropped upon the grave, uttering a low sob as he did so.
At the same moment he turned round, and I recognized the great
partisan, Colonel Mosby.[1]
[Footnote 1: Real.]
XIII.
THE CEDARS.
Twenty-four hours after, I had passed over the same number of miles,
and found myself at the staff head-quarters, on the left bank of the
Appomattox, above Petersburg.
I had soon pitched my tent, with the assistance of a servant; had
erected a hedge of cedar boughs to protect it from the cutting blasts
of the coming winter; and, a few days afterwards, was surrounded with
many objects of comfort. My tent had been floored; at one end rose an
excellent chimney; strips of planks, skillfully balanced on two logs,
supplied a spring bed; I had secured a split bottom chair, and my
saddle and bridle were disposed upon a rough rack, near a black valise
containing my small stock of apparel, and the pine table and desk
holding official papers.
Having christened this castle "The Cedars," I settled down for a long
winter,--and it was not a great while before I congratulated myself on
the good fortune which had provided me with that warm nest.
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