The National tribune., 1902-01-02


Shenandoah Valley. If Mcdowell re
mains near Fredericksburg for good a.
we used to say in South Carolina, Nc
Clellan will be likely to get everything il
readiness, thea wait for his opportunity
and throw his right wing also across tn,
Chickahominy, with the purpose of end
ing the campaign in a general engagement
before his supplies are endangered. But
this will take time. So | say that no mat
ter what happens. except one thing, there
will be nothing done by Hooker for 1C
days; he will stay in reserve
What is that one thing which you ex.
ccpt. Doctor?"
"a general attack by the Confederatcs. "
And you think that is possiblc?"
are quick to attack"
And you think they are ready to at
tackT'
No; I think there is no reason TO ex-
pect an attack soon. at any rate 4 gen
eral attack; but when Mcclellan throws
his left wing over the Chickahominy, the
Confcdcratcs may attack then"
Then l ought TO be with my regiment"
said I.
Yes said he; "unless your regiment
does not need you, or unless somebody else
needs you more. Hooker will not be en-
gagged unless your whole left is engaged;
you may depend upon that. There is no
possibility of an action for week to
come, and unless the Confederates attack.
there will be no action for n month";
Then we ought by all means to learn
whether the Confederates intend to at
tack" said J.
That is the conclusion Of the arcu-
ment," said the Doctor; you can serve
your cause better in that way than in
any other way. You are free to 90 and
come on any part of your lines. The right
is the place for you
How do you learn all these things,
DoctOr?"
by this and that; it requires no great
wisdom to enable any one to see that both
armies are in need of delay. Mcclellan
is begging every day for reinfOrccmcnts;
the ConfedcrateS are waiting and are be-
ing reinforced"
''And you are firm in your opinion that
| shall risk nothing by going with you?'
Il am sure that you will risk nothing
so far as absence from your regiment is
concerned, and | am equally sure that
Tour opportunities for service will be bet
ter"
I'm case I go with you TO the right, /
must find means of reporting to the Ad-
Jutant almost daily"
'That will be done easily enough; in
any emergency | can send man."
1t was arranged. therefore, that /
should remain with DIR. Khayme, who, on
the 22d, moved his camp far to the right,
il rear of Gen. Porter's command, which
we found supporting Franklin, whose
troops were nearer the Chickahominy and
behind New Bridge.
Before leaving the regiment / reported
to the Adjutant, telling him where L could
be found at need, and promising to send
in further reports if DR.. Khayme's camp
should be moved. At this period of the
there was but little activity any
where along our lines in fact, the lines
had not been fully developed, and, as
there was a difficult stream between us
and the enemy, there was no room for
enterprise. Here and there a recoDnais-
sance would be made in order to learn
Of the position of the rebels on
the south side of the river, but such recon-
naissances consisted mostly in merely NOV
ing small bodies of our troops up to the
swamp and getting them fired upon by
the Confederate artillery posted on the
hills beyond the ChickahOminy. On this
day, the 22d, while DIR. Khayme and
were at dinner, we could hear the sounds
Of guns i'll two places, but only 4 few
shots.
Il have your uniform, Jones'" said the
Doctor.
From wounded prisoner?"
"Yes; but you need fear nothing IT |
has seen hard service. but ! have had it |
thoroughly cleaned. 1t is not the regula-
ion uniform, perhaps, since it has the
south Carolina State button. but in every
hing else it is the correct thing"
Il hope l shall not need it sO0n," said |
why? Should you not wish to end
his miserable affair as quickly as posi-
,le?"
'Oh, OF course: but shall not put on
'ebel clothing as long as l can do as well
With my own"
There is going to be some murderous
work up the river-Or somewhere on your
ight-in day or two" said the Doctor
Gen. Butterfeld has given stringent or
Icrs for no man TO leave camp for an
.Our''
Who is Gen. Butterfeld:"
He commands a brigade in Porter's
;orpS:. We are Just in rear Of his camp
IOrell's Division"
And you suppose that his order indi-
ates the situation here?'
Yes; evidently your troops are pre-
ared to move. / am almost sorry that
have sent FOR Lydia to come"
And they will move to the right?"
"Unqucstionably there is no longer any
Oubt that your right flank IS threatened"
Then why not fall back to the left?"
Mcclellan cannot afford personally to
make any movement that would look like I
etrcat. Your right is threatened, and
Our right will hold; it may attack"
doctor, why is it that you always say
our instead of our?"
Because ! am neutral" said the Doc ;
1r.
But your sympathies are with u.s.
"Only in part; the Southern cause is ;
-cak through slavery, but strong in many |
ther points. | think we have discussed
lis before"
That we had done so did not prevent us '
'Om discussing it again. The Doctor 5
aemed never TO tire of presenting argu- [
tents for the complete abolition of a
avery, while his even balance Of mind t
lowed him to sympathize keenly with J
10 political contention of the South /
We had been talking for half an hour I
: 50, when we heard some one approach U
e. i
The Doctor rose and admitted an officer |
saluted; then | was presented to Capt. $
uchmuty, of Gen. MOrells staff v
81 am afraid that my visit will not c
rove pleasant. Doctor" he said. "Gen.
.orell has learned that Mr.. Berwick is e
ere, and proposes to borrow him, if pos y
ble" s
The Captain looked first at DR.. n
hayme, and then at me: the Doctor h
oked at me; looked at the ground. Z
The CAPTAIN continued, ''Of course. .
en-. MOrel understands that he is asking =
favor rather than giving an order: but if