gun toward us
and fired, killing the five men of the regiment at the front. The
Federals then mounted their horses and limber, leaving their gun behind,
and started off. The infantry, shocked by their warm reception, had not
yet recovered. We called on them, over and over, to kill a horse as the
enemy drove off. They soon began shooting, and, I thought, fired shots
enough to kill a dozen horses; but on the Federals went, right in front
of us, and not more than one hundred yards distant, accompanied by two
officers on horseback. When near the town the horse of one officer
received a shot and fell dead. The Thirty-seventh Virginia followed on
in column through the bridge, its front having passed the deserted gun
while its rear was passing us. The men in the rear, mistaking the front
of their own regiment for the enemy, opened fire on them, heedless of
the shouts of their officers and of the artillerymen as to what they
were doing. I saw a little fellow stoop, and, resting his rifle on his
knee, take a long aim and fire. Fortunately, they shot no better at
their own men than they did at the enemy, as not a man was touched. Up
to this time we had been absorbed in events immediately at hand, but,
quiet being now restored, we heard cannonading back toward Harrisonburg.
Fremont had attacked Ewell at Cross Keys, about four miles from us. Soon
the musketry was heard and the battle waxed warm.

Remaining in this position the greater portion of the day, we listened
anxiously to learn from the increasing or lessening sound how the battle
was going with Ewell, and turned our eyes constantly in the opposite
direction, expecting a renewal of the attack from Shields. Toward the
middle of the afternoon the sound became more and more remote--Ewell had
evidently won the day, which fact was later confirmed by couriers. We
learned, too, of the death of General Ashby, which had occurred the
preceding day.

CHAPTER VIII

BATTLE OF PORT REPUBLIC

About sundown we crossed on the bridge, and our wagons joining us we
went into bivouac. In times of this kind, when every one is tired, each
has to depend on himself to prepare his meal. While I was considering
how best and soonest I could get my supper cooked, Bob Lee happened to
stop at our fire, and said he would show me a first-rate plan. It was to
mix flour and water together into a thin batter, then fry the grease out
of bacon, take the meat out of the frying pan and pour the batter