n the
region of the stomach which no amount of philosophy or will-power seemed
able to repress.

The battery kept straight on in the road and through the woods, the
enemy's skirmishers having fallen back to our right. We halted where the
road began to descend, waiting until a place suitable for action could
be found. Up to this time there was only infantry skirmishing, not a
cannon having been fired on either side, when, as we stood quietly by
our guns, a Federal shell burst in our midst with a tremendous crash.
None of us heard the report of the gun that sent it, or knew from what
direction it came, but the accuracy with which we had been located in
the dense forest was not comforting.

Soon after this, our attention was attracted by the approach, along the
road in our front, of ten or twelve horsemen, riding leisurely toward
us, one of whom bore a banner of unusually large size. As they passed,
the most conspicuous figure in the party was a Federal officer in new
uniform, and several other prisoners, escorted by a guard of our
cavalry. The banner was the flag of New York State, with the field of
white satin emblazoned with the coat-of-arms of the Empire State, and
all elaborately decorated with flowing cords and tassels.

After remaining here for an hour, and our officers finding no open
ground for battle, and no enemy in sight except some videttes who
saluted us with an occasional Minie-ball, we countermarched one-half
mile in a drenching rain and went into park. Meanwhile, a brisk musketry
fire had extended along the infantry lines, and soon after halting one
of our battery horses fell dead, struck by one of their stray bullets.
It was during this contest, in the pouring rain, that General Jackson,
on receiving a message from a brigadier that his ammunition was wet, and
he feared he could not hold on, replied, "Tell him to hold his ground.
If his guns will not go off, neither will the enemy's."

Before the firing ceased, which continued through the twilight,
Major-General Kearny, mistaking a line of Confederates for his own men,
rode almost into their midst before discovering his error. He wheeled
his horse, and, as he dashed off, leaning forward on the horse's neck,
received a bullet in his back and fell dead upon the field. Next day
his body was returned to his friends under flag of truce.

From Chantilly, or Ox Hill, as this battle was called by Confederates
and Federals, respectively, we reached Leesburg, t