sed, as sunset was approaching, and all
quiet at Bottom's Bridge, we moved up stream and crossed Grapevine
Bridge, repaired by Jackson earlier in the day. Darkness fell as we
bivouacked on the low ground south of the river. A heavy rain came down,
converting the ground into a lake, in the midst of which a half-drowned
courier, with a dispatch, was brought to me. With difficulty, underneath
an ambulance, a light was struck to read the dispatch, which proved to
be from Magruder, asking for reenforcements in front of Savage's
Station, where he was then engaged. Several hours had elapsed since the
courier left Magruder, and he could tell nothing beyond the fact of the
engagement, the noise of which we had heard. It must be borne in mind
that, during the operations north of the Chickahominy, the divisions of
Magruder and Huger had remained in position between McClellan's left and
Richmond.

In the night the enemy disappeared from Savage's, near which we passed
the following (Monday) morning, in march to rejoin Jackson. We
encountered troops of Magruder's, Huger's, and other divisions, seeking
to find their proper routes. Countless questions about roads were asked
in vain. At length, we discovered that Jackson had followed the one
nearest the Chickahominy, and about noon overtook the rear of his
column, halted in the road. Artillery could be heard in front, and a
staff officer was sent to find out the meaning of it.

Enfeebled by pain, I used an ambulance to husband my little strength for
emergencies; and I think it was here that General Wade Hampton,
accompanied by Senator Wigfall, came up to me. Hampton had been promoted
to brigadier for gallantry at Manassas, where he was wounded, but not
yet assigned to a command. Wigfall had left the army to take a seat in
the Confederate Congress as Senator from Texas, and from him I learned
that he was in hopes some brigadier would be killed to make a place for
Hampton, to whom, as volunteer aide, he proposed to attach himself and
see the fun. Finding me extended in an ambulance, he doubtless thought
he had met his opportunity, and felt aggrieved that I was not _in
extremis_. Hampton took command of a brigade in Jackson's old division
the next day, and perhaps his friend Wigfall enjoyed himself at Malvern
Hill.

The staff officer returned from the front and reported the situation.
D.H. Hill's division was at White Oak Swamp Creek, a slough, and one of
"despond" to us, draining to th