Mohun declared that he would remain an hour longer--and having promised
a visit soon, at his camp on the Rowanty, I mounted my horse, and set
out, through the darkness, for Petersburg.
XVII.
GENERAL DAVENANT.
Following the White Oak road, I passed Hatcher's Run at Burgess's mill,
and went on over the Boydton road, reflecting upon the scene I had just
left.
All at once my horse placed his foot upon a sharp root in the road,
stumbled, nearly fell, and when I touched him with the spur I found
that he limped painfully.
Dismounting, I examined his foot. The sharp point had entered it, and
it was bleeding profusely. The accident was unfortunate--and,
attempting to ride on, I found the hurt worse than I had expected. My
gray staggered on as if the limb were broken.
I dismounted once more, led him slowly by the bridle, and continued my
way on foot. A quarter of a mile farther, the animal was in such agony
that I looked around for some light, by which to examine the hurt more
fully.
On the right, a glimmer was seen through the trees. I made straight
toward it, through the woods, and soon found myself near a group of
tents, one of which was lit up.
"Whose head-quarters are these?" I asked of a man on post, near.
"Mine, my dear colonel," said a voice in the darkness near.
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