rate service.

The brigade was here supplied with mules that had never worn a harness.
Wallace and Woodmansee were detailed to drive each a team of four of
these obstinate, unbroken beasts, and no little credit do they deserve
for bringing their loads of camp baggage safely through to Little
Washington. Truly surprising was the skill with which these animals
would rear, plunge, perform evolutions not distinctly traceable, and
finally light with their heads where their heels ought to be.

At Little Washington a grand review was made by Gen. Pope of all the
troops in Gen. Banks command. In the midst of this _parade militaire_,
the troops were massed to attend divine service, which was very
impressive after so fine a preparation of the mind for devotional
exercises. This review proved the last to many a soldier present, and it
was hoped that it might be so to all.

By an order from the War Department, Gen. Tyler was relieved of the
command of the brigade, and was succeeded by Gen. Geary, who held the
position during the remainder of the service. It was with many tears of
his own and of the men of the Seventh, that he bade adieu to that band
of heroes who had been the secret of his success.

[Sidenote: Battle of Cedar Mountain.]

There was no time for delay. Gen. Jackson was already on the banks of
the Rapidan. The corps of Gen. Banks was urged forward to meet him. It
reached Culpepper on the morning of the 8th of August. The artillery
firing in the direction of Cedar Mountain, indicated that work was near
at hand. After an hour's rest the men were sent down to the scene of
action in light marching order. Cedar Mountain is a conical peak,
situated eight miles south-east from the village of Culpepper, upon the
sides and at the base of which the rebel army was arranged in line of
battle. The whole corps arrived at 1 P. M. Small skirmishing parties
were sent out in various directions, and very frequently would the sound
of their rifles return to the main body, to signify that there was a
large force in the woods, very near at hand.

During the preparations for a battle, very little is usually seen, but
much is generally heard. Men on each side are concealed in every ravine
and thicket of bushes. General Geary's brigade was brought out into the
west end of a large cultivated farm, one mile long, three fourths of a
mile wide, and hemmed in by woods on every side.

At 4 P. M. this brigade was ordered forward. Promptly it