“Then I ought to be with my regiment,” said I.

“Yes,” said he; “unless your regiment does not need you, or unless somebody else needs you more.  Hooker will not be engaged unless your whole left is engaged; you may depend upon that.  There is no possibility of an action for a week to come, and unless the Confederates attack, there will be no action for a month.”

“Then we ought by all means to learn whether the Confederates intend to attack,” said I.

“That is the conclusion of the argument,” said the Doctor; “you can serve your cause better in that way than in any other way.  You are free to go and come on any part of your lines.  The right is the place for you.”

“How do you learn all these things, Doctor?”

“By this and that; it requires no great wisdom to enable any one to see that both armies are in need of delay.  McClellan is begging every day for reenforcements; the Confederates are waiting and are being reenforced.”

“And you are firm in your opinion that I shall risk nothing by going with you?”

“I am sure that you will risk nothing so far as absence from your regiment is concerned, and I am equally sure that your opportunities for service will be better.”

“In case I go with you to the right, I must find a means of reporting to the adjutant almost daily.”

“That will be done easily enough; in any emergency I can send a man.”

It was arranged, therefore, that I should remain with Dr. Khayme, who, on the 22d, moved his camp far to the right, in rear of General Porter’s command, which we found supporting Franklin, whose troops were nearer the Chickahominy and behind New Bridge.

Before leaving the regiment I reported to the adjutant, telling him where I could be found at need, and promising to send in further reports if Dr. Khayme’s camp should be moved.  At this period of the campaign there was but little activity anywhere along our lines; in fact, the lines had not been fully developed, and, as there was a difficult stream between us and the enemy, there was no room for enterprise.  Here and there a reconnaissance would be made in order to learn something of the position of the rebels on the south side of the river, but such reconnaissances consisted mostly in merely moving small bodies of our troops up to the swamp and getting them fired upon by the Confederate artillery posted on the hills beyond the Chickahominy.  On this day, the 22d, while Dr. Khayme and I were at dinner, we could hear the sounds of guns in two places, but only a few shots.

“I have your uniform, Jones,” said the Doctor.

“From a wounded prisoner?”

“Yes; but you need fear nothing.  It has seen hard service, but I have had it thoroughly cleaned.  It is not the regulation uniform, perhaps, since it has the South Carolina State button, but in everything else it is the correct thing.”

“I hope I shall not need it soon,” said I.