of
cavalry, which we supposed to be part of General Wilson's force,
charging rapidly after us. The highway lay close alongside the railroad,
and our pursuers were enveloped in a cloud of dust. The car was stopped,
or rather the men who were working the crank incontinently took to their
heels, and we followed their example. There was a fence a few rods from
the road, which I succeeded in reaching, and over which I jumped, just
before our pursuers overtook us. As they forced their horses over it, I
discovered my friend, the "vidette" among them, who cried out as he saw
me "_That_ is General Wilson, kill him?" and I have not the least doubt
his advice would have been followed, but for Essex, who cried out from a
snug corner, where he was ensconced, "For God's sake, don't shoot! He is
one of your best friends!" They lowered their pistols, and I had an
opportunity to explain matters. My gold watch and chain had probably
excited the cupidity of my friend above mentioned. I admit that I felt
uncharitable towards him, and when I hinted my suspicions of his motives
to the officer in command of the squad, he did not deny the probability
of a cause for them, but seemed to consider me unreasonable in expecting
to find _all_ the virtues in a "high private," who was receiving scanty
fare, and $8 a month in Confederate money! The party escorted us within
the lines.

After all the details of the expedition had been arranged in Richmond,
the naval portion of it was ordered to Wilmington under my command. On
our journey, we followed the route previously pursued by the raiders
from Burkeville to Meherrin Bridge. Nearly every foot of the way was
marked by evidences of the havoc of war; and the air was tainted with
the stench from the dead horses and mules, whose throats had been cut
when they could travel no farther.

There were sufficient reasons why I took no subsequent part in the
expedition, the naval portion of it being placed under the command of
Captain J. T. Wood, of the Confederate States Navy and also one of the
President's aids. It failed, however, owing to the fact that secretly as
all the preparations had been made, information of it was speedily
conveyed to the authorities at Washington, and prompt measures taken to
prevent its success. The steamers had dropped down the Cape Fear River,
and were on the very point of putting to sea when countermanding orders
were telegraphed from Richmond; for the Confederate Government, thro