So far as we were concerned, the fight was over; fresh troops had relieved us, and the rebels came no farther.  It was night, and the battle soon ended on the whole line.

With difficulty I found my regiment and company.  We lay in the woods; the rain kept on.

I have understood that the battle of Williamsburg is considered a victory for our side.  I must confess that I did not know that we had won it until I was so informed, although I was certainly in the battle.  The rebels fought this partial engagement only for the purpose, I think, of securing the retreat of their army and trains; we fought for the purpose of preventing the retreat.  I have learned that our right wing had better success than we had on the left; but for all that, the enemy got away unbroken, and his purpose was accomplished.  In the days of those early battles, even the falling back of the rebel pickets before a line of our skirmishers was telegraphed to Washington as a victory.

We lay on the wet ground; our sufferings were not small.  Willis’s remark, that the rebels too were wet, didn’t seem to bring much comfort; even his assertion, that they would again retreat and that the morning would find them gone, called forth no enthusiasm.  The men were dispirited; they knew very well that they had fought hard and had endured with the stoutness of good soldiers, but they were physically exhausted, and, above all, they felt that somebody had blundered in putting them unnecessarily into an awkward place.  I have always been proud that none of our men deserted on the night of the Williamsburg battle.

No fires could be made, Willis and I ate a little and lay down.  My gum-blanket was laid on the wet ground, with my blanket on top; this was our bed.  Our covering was Willis’s blanket and gum-blanket.  The night was warm enough, and our covering was needed only as some protection against the rain.  I was soon asleep, but awake again as soon.  About ten o’clock I felt a hand on my shoulder.  Rising, I saw our orderly-sergeant; a man was standing by him.  I was ordered to report at General Grover’s headquarters.  The general had sent an orderly, who could not or would not tell why I was wanted.

General Grover was in the centre of a group of officers, surrounding a dim lantern which, was on the ground at the root of a large tree; horses were tied near by to the branches of trees.

The orderly saluted, pointed to me, and retired a few yards.

The general came toward me; I saluted.

“Your name,” said he.

“Private Jones Berwick.”

“Your regiment.”

“Eleventh.”

“Dr. Khayme has spoken of you.”

I bowed.

“Are you willing to undertake a hazardous duty?”

“I want to do my duty, General; but I don’t hanker after danger,” said I.

“A prudent answer,” said he; “come here.”

He led the way toward the lantern, the group of officers scattering.