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of the
Rebels except their old camps and half a dozen burning bridges and any quantity of railroad cars and engines.
We halted at
Mount Jackson about two hours, when the scouts brought in word that
Jackson was preparing to make a stand about five miles on. So
General Shields's division started, on the main road, and our brigade was sent round to the right to try and outflank him. . . . .
Jackson saw immediately what we were about, and left, and that is the last that has been seen of him, while we, after marching twenty-one miles through woods and swamps and rivers and everything you can imagine, finally halted at half past 9 in the evening, most of the officers with not even an overcoat or blanket, as none of the ambulances could follow us over the road we had been.
Fortunately it was a warm night, and we got along pretty well.
Monday, May 5.
I have been in bed for nearly two weeks, and never had such a doleful time in my life.
Our regiment moved on a week ago last Friday, and I have hardly seen a person, except my servant, since.
To-day my servant tells me that they moved on again last night, and expect to meet
Jackson to-day.
If they should, I do not know what I should do. Just think of people asking you about a battle your regiment was in, and having to tell them you were ill at the time.
I am rather better to-day, I think, though still very weak, and hope to join my regiment soon, though it will be so far off that I shall have a good deal of difficulty in doing so.
