mp!_

The regiments, marching down to Meechum's Station, were of one mind.
_Old Jack was losing his religion._ Manassas on Sunday--Kernstown on
Sunday--forced marches on Sunday--Sunday train to Richmond. Language
failed.

There were long lines of cars, some upon the main track, others on the
siding. The infantry piled in, piled atop. Out of each window came three
or four heads. "You fellows on the roof, you're taller'n we are! Air we
the first train? That's good, we'll be the first to say howdy to
McClellan. You all up there, don't dangle your legs that-a-way! You're
as hard to see through as Old Jack!"

Company after company filed into the poor old cars that were none too
large, whose ante-bellum days were their best days, who never had time
now to be repaired or repainted, or properly cleaned. Squad by squad
swung itself up to the cindery roof and sat there in rows, feet over the
edge, the central space between heaped with haversacks and muskets.

"2d--4th--5th--65th--Jerusalem! the whole brigade's going on this train!
Another's coming right behind--why don't they wait for it? Crowding
gentlemen in this inconsiderate fashion! Oh, ain't it hot? Wish I was
going to Niagara, to a Know-Nothing Convention! Our train's full.
There's the engine coming down the siding! You all on top, can you see
the artillery and the wagons?"

"Yes. Way over there. Going along a road--nice shady road. Rockbridge's
leading--"

"That's the road to Rockfish Gap."

"Rockfish Gap? Go 'way! You've put your compass in the wrong pocket.
Rockfish Gap's back where we came from. Look out!"

The backing engine and the waiting cars came together with a grinding
bump. An instant's pause, a gathering of force, a mighty puffing and,
slow and jerkily, the cars began to move. The ground about Meechum's
Station was grey with soldiers--part of the Stonewall, most of Burk's
and Fulkerson's brigades, waiting for the second train and the third
train and their turn to fill the cars. They stood or leaned against the
station platform, or they sat upon the warm red earth beneath the locust
trees, white and sweet with hanging bloom. "Good-bye, boys! See you in
Richmond--Richmond on the James! Don't fight McClellan till we get
there! That engine's just pulling them beyond the switch. Then that one
below there will back up and hitch on at the eastern end.--That's
funny!" The men sitting on the warm red earth beneath the locust trees
sprang to their feet. "That