among thickly clustering trees? and that string of lads along the fence
down there, on their way toward it? They are bound thither, doubtless,
in search of a comfortable breakfast. But they are not good soldiers to
venture so far now. If the column should be ordered forward again
before they return, they will be in trouble unless their officers fail
to do their duty in the matter.

Another hour passes--it is ten o'clock--it is eleven o'clock--it is
noon. By this time every man in the brigade has taken thought doubtless
how to dispose of himself pleasantly or at least comfortably for the
rest of the day. All are indifferent as to marching--everything about
us having apparently come to a dead stand-still. The most absurd rumors
have been flying about all the forenoon, the members of the
Twenty-Third having nothing to do in their yawning idleness but to toss
them back and forth like shuttlecocks. Among other luminous
reports--the more alarming the more likely to be believed--is one that
the rebels have struck in upon our line of communication by the flank
and taken Fort Washington, ensuring the capture of the whole brigade.
This ridiculous story finds credence in some coward bosoms, the wish
being father to the thought; since capture means parole, and parole
means home perhaps. Some one proposes to send out a party to gather up
all the rumors that come floating in like drift wood and have them
burned. It is needless to say that the proposition is handsomely
received, but there appears to be practical obstacles in the way of
carrying it out.

Some venturesome and enterprising foragers bring in word of a beautiful
river one-third of a mile off; and as we have no orders against
rambling, and as the provost guard is withdrawn, one squad after
another breaks away, till there is hardly a corporal's guard left in
charge of the arms. A few turns down a narrow little-traveled road
edged with shade trees, bring us suddenly full upon a charming stream
of water. It is a hundred or a hundred and fifty yards wide, swiftly
flowing, and heavily wooded on the opposite side. On the hither bank it
is bordered by a single row of gigantic oaks and willows, four to six
feet through, standing within four to eight feet of the water, and
almost on a level with it. Beneath these magnificent trees runs a
country road leading to farm houses, suspected not seen, along the
river. This stream rejoices in the euphonious name, as one of the
residents th