The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-19

was that the two armies were like two
thunder storms whose clouds and LIGHT
ningJ cCmmingled. while there were tbtIn-
derings inconceivable. II was nv feeling
that Mr.. Raymond was a rarely prlvilig-
cd traveller to witness such an event
and the people should all be glad he was
there. / did not have time TO 90 ia
war; there was so much to do I corld
not get off 10 80 either as a soldier
or spectator; and yet have seen two
great battles. that OF Fredericksburg and
that Of Gravelotte. one in mid-winter in
Virginia, and the other in midsummer
IN Lorraine then France, now GERMANY
future uncertain.
One dreary day in Washington I met
General Arson Stager who was in con-
troll OF the wires between the armies and
the War Department, and we talked OF
the situation. ] said 1 had thought Of
going down 20 see the army Of the Poto-
mac. then on the north bank Of the
Rappohannock, opposite Fredericksburg.
Burnside had concluded TO take the short
road 10 Richmond. with his base Of up
plies at Aqua creek. When he reached
the hills overlooking Fredericksburg he
found Lee In his way, and there was
delay. / remarked 10 Stager. Burn
side does not seem 10 be getting along
winter quarters again." General Stager
said. IF you will take the boat at the
Navy Yard tomorrow morning and go
to the army IL Is my judgment you will
find something going on" That was all.
] took the boat. IL was a blue morning.
There were perhaps n score Of officers
as passengers, and they were not in
high spirits. one eX-cOngressman / knew
was among them, and he was not happy.
There was a suspicion that something
was about 10 happen, and it is not COM
Portable Of a winter morning to be waited
toward a probable field OF glory, where
one is TO hear the fire hail fly, and ex-
perence does not seem to tighten the
gloom. There were vast piles OF stores
at the creek. and the trains ran over
at least one ticklish trestle.
There were detentions, and the after
noon was advanced when l came 10 the
stopping place and could see ahead in
a broad river. the ruins Of the railroad
bridge I remembered 10 have crossed
when the most interesting history re-
lating 10 that part Of the country was,
that Washington cnce lived there for a
time, that his cherry tree was there
end his mother died and was buried in
the town. I got off In the mud as the
chill dusk Of the evening was manifest.
and asked the way TO the headquarters
Of General Howard. II was n long
walk, and when I arrived darkness was
coming on. I wanted to find Colonel
e. G. Cross. OF the Fifth New Hamp-
shire. OF Caldwelps Brigade. Towards
Division, Summers Grand Division. We
Ill knew about Howard. the loss Of his
arm at Seven Pines. and his speedy re-
turn 10 the field from the hospital. He
was polite.-1 suppose he was born So
and 7 aeked him about Cross, and he
sent an orderly 20 show me the way
through the woods. that were n city OF
soldiers. He told mo that I had come at
the right time" as there was to be a
movement 10 cross the river straight
in front and Eight Lee. and the signal to
begin would he the firing OF two guns
close together about daylight, and the
first thing was TO be the bombardment
Of the town. I found Cross in his tent
lust finishing a letter. He had a good
fire. two headless barrels smeared in
side with clay serving as chimney,
and he said 1 was Just in time" Col
onel Cross had been "A reporter on a
Cincinnati newspaper, tall, aubdrn-hair-
ed, gentlemanly and mild an unsupported
hero. as nearly all the real ones were,
and had gained I'm the army a reputa-
ton for gallantry Of the most brilliant
style. He was glad 10 see me. and was
very brsy. for he was expecting orders,
and his little home under the pines was
TO be broken up. The fire was grateful.
and IL was luxurious TO stretch out on
his bod. In a large tent, little later.
there was a party Of New England /
officers who had some whiskey punch,
and they sang songs and told stories
for some hours. and I listened with
heartache I could hardly tell about, but
Il comes back after thirty years, keen
as ever. l knew full well and they
knew what the morrow would bring,