s attributable to imperfect weeding of
McClellanism at Warrenton.

Like a lion at bay, restless in easy view of the hosts of the
Rebellious, the army had remained in its camp upon the heights of
Stafford until the arrival of the pontoons. For miles along the
Rappahannock, the picket of blue had his counterpart in the picket of
grey upon the opposite shore. Unremitting labor upon fortifications and
earthworks, had greatly increased the natural strength of the
amphitheatre of hills in the rear of Fredericksburg. Countless surmises
spread in the ranks as to the character and direction of the attack;
though the whims of those who uttered them were variant as the
reflections of a kaleidoscope. But the sun, that through the pines that
morning, shone upon burnished barrels, polished breast-plates, and
countenances of brave men, radiant, as if reflecting their holy
purpose, has never, since the shining hosts of Heaven were marshalled
for the suppression of the great prototype of this Rebellion, seen more
earnest ranks, or a holier cause.

The bugles call "Attention," then "Forward." Horses are rapidly mounted;
and speedily coming to the shoulder, and facing to the right, the army
is in motion by the flank towards the river. Far as the eye could see,
in all directions, there were moving masses of troops. Cowardly beneath
contempt is the craven, who in such a cause, and at such a time, would
not feel inspirited by the firm tread of the martial columns.

"Hear 'em! Oh, Hear 'em!" exclaimed an earnest-looking country boy,
hastily closing a daguerreotype case, into which he had been intently
gazing, and replacing it in his pocket, as the booming of a heavy siege
gun upon the Washington Farm, followed instantly by the reports of
several batteries to the right, broke upon the ear like volleyed
thunder. A clap of thunder from a clear sky could not have startled him
more, had he been at work upon his father's farm. His earnest simplicity
afforded great amusement to his comrades, and for a while made him the
butt of a New York Regiment that then chanced to be marching abreast.
Raw recruit as he was, cowardice was no part of his nature, and he
indignantly repelled the taunts of his comrades. Gloom deep settled was
visible upon his countenance, however, although firm his step and
compressed his lip.

"Terence," said he, to the little Irish Corporal who marched by his
side, as another suggestive artillery fire that appeared to move alon