Returning to the horses I found Jones, who reported that the road was only some two hundred and fifty yards at our left, with woods on the other side of it, and that on our right there was nothing but a wood which extended to a swamp.

Frank and Jones were told to snatch what sleep they could; they rolled themselves in their gum-blankets and lay under a thick pine bush.  The rain was pouring down.

At the first sign of day I woke the men.  We silently made our way across the road, leading the horses; I knew that the rain would soon, wash out all our tracks.  I now believed that Branch had moved southward some miles, increasing his distance from the Pamunkey.

We took a hasty and disagreeable meal; then we divided our forces again.  Jones was near the railroad, I near the road, and Frank in the centre.  We moved northward, stopping every hundred yards or so, to be certain that our communications were intact.  Jones was so near the railroad that I began to think the train of cars I had heard running had not been on the Central, but farther away on the Fredericksburg railroad, which in this place runs almost parallel with the Central and some miles to the westward.  In the close wet atmosphere the sounds must have come from a greater distance than I had first thought.  This reflection made me suspect that there were no trains running on the Central railroad,—­for we should have heard them, and Jones would have seen them,—­and I decided to get on the west side of it and endeavour to make my way toward the rear of the enemy’s camp.

It was not yet the hour of sunrise when we got across the railroad.  We still hugged the woods, going north, with the railroad at our right at distances varying from one hundred to three hundred yards.  We ascended a low hill, from which there might have been a good lookout but for the rain.  I used General Morell’s glass, but could not make out anything in front.

Suddenly we heard the beating of drums, seemingly not more than half a mile to the north of us.  I thought that the enemy’s pickets must be very near to us.

Again I dismounted and crept forward alone, bidding both men keep a close watch in all directions, and be in constant readiness to bring me my horse at a moment’s warning, for I knew the possibility of detection and pursuit.  Descending a low hill, I found at the bottom of it a small brook flowing northeastward, and changed my course at once to suit the stream.  I went slowly and cautiously on through weeds and bushes, sometimes wading down the stream itself, the water being already very muddy from the rains, and at last, while bending to right and left and up and down seeking vision ahead through the thicket, I saw before me an infantry vedette a very short distance in front.  He was facing south, and I know from his position, seeing that he was on the west side of the railroad, that Branch’s division or brigade had moved from Hanover Court-House, or else that here was another body of men who had taken position on his right.