friends and the army, except the portion left in garrison at Romney,
returned to Winchester, the picturesque and neat little Virginia city so
loyal to the South. It looked very good indeed to Harry as he drew near.
He liked the country, rolling here and there, the hills crested with
splendid groves of great trees. The Little North Mountain a looming blue
shadow to the west, and the high Massanutton peaks to the south seemed
to guard it round. And the valley itself was rich and warm with the fine
farms spread out for many miles. Despite the engrossing pursuit of the
enemy and of victory and glory, Harry's heart thrilled at the sight of
the red brick houses of Winchester.

Here came a period of peace so far as war was concerned, but of great
anxiety to Harry and the whole army. The government at Richmond began
to interfere with Jackson. It thought him too bold, even rash, and it
wanted him to withdraw the garrison at Romney, which was apparently
exposed to an attack by the enemy in great force. It was said that
McClellan had more than two hundred thousand men before Washington,
and an overwhelming division from it might fall at any time upon the
Southern force at Romney.

Harry, being a member of Jackson's staff, and having become a favorite
with him, knew well his reasons for standing firm. January, which had
furnished so fierce a month of winter, was going. The icy country was
breaking up under swift thaws, and fields and destroyed roads were a
vast sea of mud in which the feet of infantry, the hoofs of horses and
the wheels of cannon would sink deep.

Jackson did not believe that McClellan had enough enterprise to order
a march across such an obstacle, but recognizing the right of his
government to expect obedience, he sent his resignation to Richmond.
Harry knew of it, his friends knew of it, and their hearts sank like
plummets in a pool.

Another portion of the Invincibles had been drawn off to reinforce
Johnston's army before Richmond, as they began to hear rumors now that
McClellan would come by sea instead of land, and their places were
filled with more recruits from the valley of Virginia. Scarcely
a hundred of the South Carolinians were left, but the name, "The
Invincibles" and the chief officers, stayed behind. Jackson had been
unwilling to part with Colonel Talbot and Lieutenant-Colonel St.
Hilaire, experienced and able West Pointers. Langdon and St. Clair also
stayed.

Harry talked over the resignatio