The National tribune., 1902-01-02
CHAPTER w.
WITH THE DOCTOR on II

WIN iiii@ bOSi''h O-N Inn hi'His
"Thc respects thereof are nice and trivial
All circumstances well considered
-Shakspcre.
For some days the brigade remained
near Williamsburg. We learned that {
part of the army had gone MP York River
by water, and was encamped near White
House, and that Gen. McClellan's head
Quarters were at or near that place.
Then the division moved and campej
near Ropers Church. We heard that the
rebels had destroyed the Merrimac. Heavy
rains fell. Hooker's Division was still in
reserve, and had little TO do except to
mount camp guard. l had nothing to do
We had left DIR. khayme in his camp neal
Williamsburg.
/ had not seen Lydia Williss manner
changed from nervousness TO melancholy
1t was q week before he told me that he
had written TO Miss Lydia, and had been
refused. The poor fellow had hard time
of il, but lie fought himself hard and
think | helped him a little by taking him
into my confidence in regard TO my own
troubles. | was moved TO do this by the
belief that, if | should tell Willis about
my peculiarities, which in my opinion
| would make marriage a crime for me, he
would find companionShip in sorrow
where he had thought to find rivalry. and
cease to think entirely of his own unhap-
piness. j was not wrong; he seemed to
appreciate my intention and to be soften
ed. / endeavored also TO stir up his am
bition as Il soldier, and had the great
pleasure of seeing him begin seriously to
study tactics and even strategy.
| From Ropers Church we moved by
short marches in rear of the other divi-
sions of the army, until on the 2lst, we
We're near the Chickah0mipy, and still in
reserve. Here ! received q note from the
Ilopfnr tJ-hn in fnr n1 hot b:, N
was just in our rear. / went at once.
Well said he, "how do you like doing
nothing?'
81 haven't quite tired OF it yet" / said
Your regiment has had a good rest"
Il wonder how much longer we shall
be held in reserve"
"a good while yet TO judge from what
to move to the right, and of course that
means that l shall be in greater demand
there" .-
Il wish could go with you" said I.
why should you hesitate to do so?"
he asked; what are your orders?"
There has been no change. have no
orders at all except to keep the Adjutant
Of the 11th informed as to my where
abouts."
How frequently must you report IN
persOnf"
There was nothing said about that. i
suppose n note will do" said |.
Your division was so severely handled
at Williamsburg that | cannot think it
will be brought into action soon unless
there should be a general engagement. II
you can report in writing every two or
three days, you need not limit your work
or your presence to any particular part OF
the line"
But the right must be many miles from
our division"
". 4 L..
Division to your present right is not more
than tve miles; the distance will be
greater, though, i'll a few days
What is going on. Doctor!"
Mcdowell is at Fredericksburg, with
Il large Confederate force in his front, and
but let me get Il map and show you the
situation"
He went to a small chest and brought
out map, which he spread on u camp
Here you see Fredericksburg; Nc
DOwel is just south OF it. Here, about !
this point, called Guiney's, is a Confed- |
crate division under Gen. Anderson. Nc |
Clellan has urged Washington to reinforce |
his wight by ordering Mcdowell to march |
thus" describing almost semi-circle |
which began by going south, then south |
east, then southwest; that would place |
Mcdowell on McClellan's right flank, |
here. Now, if Mcdowell reinforces Nc
Clellan. this entire army cannot cross the
ChickahOminy, and if Mcdowell does not |
reinforce Mcclellan, this entire army can
not cross the Chickahominy"
Then in neither event can this army
take Richmond" said /.
Don't go too fast; i am speaking of
for the next 10 days; after
ward, new combinations may be made.
In case Mcdowell comes, it will take 10
days for his movement TO be completed,
and your right wing would move 70 meet L
him if need be, rather than move forward
and leave him. To move forward would
expose McDowell's flank to the Confed-
crates near Guincy's, and it is feared that
Jackson is not far from them. Am ]
.iear?"
Yes; it seems clear that our right will
not cross; but suppose Mcdowell does not
come"
"In that case" said the Doctor. "for
right to cross the Chicka-
lominy would be absurd for the reason
hat a Confederate force, supposed to be
from Jackson's army, has nearly reached
Hanover Court House-hefe-in the rear
IF your right, if you advance; besides, to
cross the Chickahominy with the whole
lrmy would endangcr your supplies. You
see, this Chickahominy 'Riser is an awk-
ward thing to cross; II IL should rise sud
lenly, the army on the south side might
'tarve before the men could get rations; ,
Ill that the COnfederates would have to
10 would be to prevent wagon trains from .
.rossing the bridges. And another thing
defeat, with the riyer Behind the army,
you'd mean distinctions Mcclellan will ,
lot cross his army; he will throw only his =
eft across"
but why should lie cross with any at
III? 1t seems to me that with a wing ON .
'ither side. lie would be in very great
LANCER of being beaten in detail'' ,
'You are right in that. But he feels !,
TO do something; he makes n
how of advancing, in order to keep I'D
appearances; the War Department al
eady thinks he has lost too much time
md has shown too little aggressiveness +
Mcclellan is right in prefeIring the James =
tiver as a base, for he could there have .
river on either flank. and his base would :
re protected by the fleet; but this theory !,
vas oyerthrown at first by the Merrimac. \
md now that she is out of the way the =
lamOr Of the War Department against >
elny prevents a change of base. So Me y
;lellan accepts the York as his base, hut q
repares, or at least seems to prepare, for
change to the james, by throwing for
yard his left"
But the left has not been thrown for ]
yard"
ut will be done shortly
What would happen If Mcdowell | o