The camp being several miles distant, nothing remained but to wait patiently for some means of transportation.  It was near sunset when the loud singing of a negro driver was heard.  Soon he appeared upon a novel conveyance,—­a rough, unplaned board or two on wheels and drawn by a single ox.  Unpromising as this “turnout” appeared, we were informed that it was a “Godsend,” so we joyfully mounted the cart, a soldier being detailed to accompany us.  My little son was made supremely happy by being invited to sit upon the lap of the driver, whose characteristic songs beguiled the way through the shadowy woods.  Within a few miles of camp the challenge of a sentry was heard; half an hour later we found ourselves among the tents of the Dreux Battalion.

My husband was “on guard,” perhaps thinking sadly of his absent wife and boy, certainly never dreaming they were so near.  As the ambulance drove into camp it was at once surrounded by soldiers, both officers and privates.  As soon as my name was known, some one who evidently appreciated the situation rushed off in hot haste to notify and relieve the soldier most interested.  Meantime a dozen hands clasped mine in kindly greeting.  To whom they belonged I could not tell, for the dense shade shut out the moonlight, and seen by the light of the camp-fires, disguised as each one was in the rough garb of a soldier, my quondam city friends wore quite unrecognizable.

I will leave to the imagination of the reader the happy meeting between long-parted ones and the many caresses showered upon our child.

I had expected nothing better than to spend the night in the ambulance or under a tent, and would have taken great pride in “camping out,” but the chivalrous officers in command would not hear of such a plan.  Their quarters (two rooms in a little log house) were instantly vacated, and I had scarcely descended from the vehicle when a negro man appeared, to bring a message.  “De Major’s compliments, mistis, and de room am ready.”  I could not have been bidden to a luxurious apartment with more ceremony.

The next morning the shrill sound of the fife and the drum beating the “reveille” aroused us, and we were up with the sun.

The scene was entrancing; to me particularly so, for the white tents gleaming among the trees reminded me that I was among Southern soldiers.  As they strode to and fro with martial air, fully armed and equipped to answer roll-call, or bent over the camp-fires preparing breakfast, it seemed to me that no such splendid soldiers were ever before seen.  Several invitations to breakfast were received; that of the officers’ mess, having been first, was accepted.

Major ——­ came in person to escort his guests to a lovely spot near the cabin, where, under a large shady oak, upon a table of rough boards covered with a nice white cloth, a delicious meal was set, consisting of broiled chickens, omelet, fragrant coffee, buttermilk, corn bread, and batter-cakes.  A likely young negro boy attended at table, industriously flourishing a green branch to keep away the flies, and seemingly delighted to show off his company manners.