When I had reached the highest part of this undulation, I could see many lights—­some of them in motion, but most of them stationary.  The sounds of a moving army were distinct; I could hear shouts, like those of teamsters, and once I thought I could catch the command to close up.

I went on, down a gentle descent, and into a ravine which was difficult to cross, and up the rise beyond.  Between me and the red glare I could distinguish objects, and I knew that if there were rebels in line before me, I should be able to see them before they could see me, so I went on without great fear, and crept to the top of this second swell of the ground.

Here there could be no doubt that the rebels were retreating.  The road was full of them not four hundred yards from me.  Fires were burning on both sides of the road; men and wagons were hurrying westward.  Almost in front of me was a cluster of houses, which I took to be Williamsburg; fires were burning in the streets; a great throng was passing on west between the fires and between the houses.  I had little doubt that I could mingle, without great danger, with the rebels, seeing that my gum-blanket would hide my uniform, and was tempted to do so; the thought was rejected, however; time was lacking; it would soon be day; I knew enough already; I could not hope to learn from the rebels much more than I now knew, and every step farther away from our lines would doubly delay my report.  So I turned my back upon Williamsburg and hurried toward our pickets.

When I reached the road again, day was breaking.  A vedette had been advanced to the branch by Captain Brown.  I hurried on and made my report to General Grover.  He at once called a courier, who mounted and rode off in haste.

* * * * *

On the morning of the 6th, the happiest man in the line was Willis.  Everybody was glad that the enemy had retired; but Willis was bubbling over with the joy of foresight fulfilled.  He rode a high horse; the rebels would make no further stand until they reached Richmond; he doubted if they would attempt to defend Richmond, even.  His spirits were contagious; he did good although he was ludicrous.  What would Dr. Khayme have said of Willis’s influence?  I supposed that the Doctor would have used the sergeant as an illustration of his doctrine that there is nothing unnecessary or false; certainly Willis encouraged us.

The weather was better and the day’s work not hard.  We moved but a short distance, and bivouacked.

About noon I was aroused from sleep by an order to report to Colonel Blaisdell.  I had no notion, of what was wanted of me.  I had never before been individually in his presence.  I wondered what it meant, and hastened to his headquarters.

I saluted; the colonel returned the salute.

“You are Private Berwick?” he said.

“Yes, Colonel.”

“What have you been doing?”