footsteps might
mislead our pursuers.

We soon came in sight of the main fortifications around Richmond, and
instantly dropping upon the ground we lay for a long time, listening and
watching for the presence of sentinels upon that part of the line. Being
satisfied that there were none in our immediate front, in the most
silent and cautious manner, we crossed over the fortification and
pursued our way through a tangled forest. Coming to a piece of low
ground, tired and exhausted, we lay down to rest. Our attention was
soon attracted by the presence of a series of excavations; and on a
close examination we found we were resting upon the battle-field of Fair
Oaks, and among the trenches in which the Confederates had buried our
dead; and, although it was the midnight hour, a strange feeling of
safety stole over me, and I felt as if we were among our friends. It was
the step and voice of the living that we dreaded.

At early dawn (Wednesday) we crossed a brook, and went upon a hillside
of low, thick pines to conceal ourselves, and rest during the day. The
Valley of the Chickahominy lay before us. While in this concealment, we
saw a blood-hound scenting our steps down to the place where we jumped
over the brook; it then went back and returned two or three times, but
finally left without attempting to cross the little stream. Late in the
evening, we went to the river and worked till after midnight to make or
find a crossing. The water was deep and cold, and, failing to accomplish
our purpose, we turned back to a haystack, and, covering ourselves with
hay, rested until the first light of morning (Thursday).

Going back to the river, we followed down its course until we found a
tree which had fallen nearly across the stream. Discovering a long pole,
we found that it would just touch the opposite shore from the limbs of
this tree. Hitching ourselves carefully along this pole, we reached the
left bank of the Chickahominy River.

We now felt as if escape was possible; but, hearing a noise like the
approach of troops, for we were satisfied that the enemy's cavalry must
be in full pursuit, we fled into a neighboring forest. As we approached
the center of a thicket, my eye suddenly caught the glimpse of a man
watching us from behind the root of a fallen tree. I concluded that we
had fallen into an ambush; but our momentary apprehension was joyfully
relieved by the discovery that this new-made acquaintance was Colonel W.
B. McCrear