mance of
Hamilton was Gargantuan, alarming. Duty dragged us from this Eden; yet
in hurried adieus I did not forget to claim of the fair hostess the
privilege of a cousin. I watched Hamilton narrowly for a time. The youth
wore a sodden, apoplectic look, quite out of his usual brisk form. A
gallop of some miles put him right, but for many days he dilated on the
breakfast with the gusto of one of Hannibal's veterans on the delights
of Capua.

CHAPTER VI.

"THE SEVEN DAYS AROUND RICHMOND."

Leaving Gordonsville, we proceeded in a southeasterly direction, passing
Louisa Court House and Frederickshall, and camped at Ashland on the
Fredericksburg Railway, twelve miles north of Richmond, on the evening
of the 25th of June. To deceive the enemy, General Lee had sent to the
Valley a considerable force under Generals Whiting, Hood, and Lawton.
The movement was openly made and speedily known at Washington, where it
produced the desired impression, that Jackson would invade Maryland from
the Valley. These troops reached Staunton by rail on the 17th, and,
without leaving the train, turned back to Gordonsville, where they
united with Jackson. The line from Gordonsville to Frederickshall, south
of which point it had been interrupted, was used to facilitate our
movement, but this was slow and uncertain. The advance frequently halted
or changed direction. We were pushing between McDowell and McClellan's
right, over ground recently occupied by the enemy. Bridges had been
destroyed, and, to conceal the movement, no guides were trusted--an
over-caution occasioning delay.

During the day and night of the 25th I suffered from severe pains in the
head and loins, and on the morning of the 26th found it impossible to
mount my horse; so the brigade marched under the senior colonel,
Seymour, 6th regiment. A small ambulance was left with me, and my staff
was directed to accompany Seymour and send back word if an engagement
was imminent. Several messages came during the day, the last after
nightfall, reporting the command to be camped near Pole Green Church,
beyond the Chickahominy; so far, no fighting. Lying on the floor of a
vacant house at Ashland, I had scarce consciousness to comprehend these
messages. Pains in head and back continued, with loss of power to move
my limbs.

Toward daylight of the 27th sleep came from exhaustion, and lasted some
hours. From this I was aroused by sounds of artillery, loud and
constant, brought by th