cked with foam as he came
dashing into our camp. He halted and asked for Gen. Stuart's
headquarters. It proved to be a messenger from Gen. Lee, and it meant
that the death-struggle was about to begin.

Soon the bugles were sounding all through the camps the old familiar
call, "Saddle up, saddle up." We mounted, and each company forming in
line and counting off by fours, wheeled into columns of two and marched
off toward what was afterward known as the Battlefield of the
Wilderness.

We arrived at the position assigned us about dark, where we went into
camp in the woods, tying our horses to the trees and building camp-fires
to cook our supper. I had (like the boy in the parable of the loaves and
fishes) in my haversack a few small fresh fish, and I was wondering
whether they would be sweet or not. I remember distinctly laying them on
the coals of fire to broil. It has been 43 years since then, but I can
assure you I can almost taste those fish today. I don't think I ever
ate anything so sweet.

[Illustration: GEN. FITZHUGH LEE,

Who commanded a division of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry.]

The next day we were in the saddle early. The cavalry formed the right
wing of Lee's army. The battle lasted two days. The cavalry fought
almost entirely on foot. It was mostly in heavy timber and thick
undergrowth.

The first day we did not see the enemy, but we knew he was there, for
the woods were ringing with the sound of their guns, and bullets were
hissing about our ears.

When we struck this heavy body of timber we found a narrow road running
through it. We followed this road cautiously for two or three miles. My
company was in front. About 200 yards in front of the company rode two
soldiers, side by side. We knew somewhere in front of us was the enemy,
and it was our mission to find him. Suddenly we heard two shots--pop,
pop. We all knew what that meant. The armies of Lee and Grant had met,
and as far as I know, these were the first two shots fired of the Battle
of the Wilderness. They had come from the enemy's guns. They had seen
our advance guard, and the shots meant, "so far shalt thou come, and no
farther." We took the hint and halted.

The regiment was dismounted, and the led horses were taken back some
distance; we deployed on the right and left of the road and awaited
results; then moved forward until we discovered the enemy's line. We
exchanged some shots, and began falling slowly back, while they
advanced.