There was still another, and equally important force to be added to our defenders.  This was a brigade of what was called Ancient Mariners, got together by that solid old salt, Admiral Goldsborough.  The admiral was brim-full of pluck, and his name had become famous for not fighting the rebels afloat.  Here was an opportunity to give them a broadside or two ashore, and the admiral was not the man to let it slip through his fingers.  Indeed, he sounded his war trumpet as quick as any of them, and when he had piped his Ancient Mariners to arms, he told them that God and their country demanded them to do their duty.

“Aye, aye!” responded the Ancient Mariners; “we will do it, we will.”

When the gallant admiral had got his “Ancient Mariners” ready to march, armed with cutlass and various other well-known weapons, he placed himself at their head and moved out to meet the enemy.  His manner of doing this, however, was somewhat novel, and deserves to be described here.  You must know, my son, that the admiral was of a very rotund figure, and, although well enough at home on the quarter-deck, was not accustomed to the saddle.  His weight was, indeed, such as to preclude the idea of his being a skilled horseman.  It was, therefore, necessary that he go to the field in some more comfortable as well as becoming manner.  Thereupon a carriage and four was provided, and in this stately manner the gallant admiral proceeded to the front, at the head of his strange command.  I may add also, my son, that the movement of this force afforded no little amusement to the numerous urchins that followed it.  On reaching the front, it took up a strong position, and made ready to give the enemy a broadside whenever he made his appearance.  Some mischievous person reported that it was the intention of these “Ancient Mariners” to support the cavalry, in the event of its being attacked.  Having brought them to the front, however, we must leave them there, the quartermaster with his spy-glass keeping a sharp look out for any stray craft that might appear in the offing.

I have been thus minute in describing these forces, in order that you may form a just estimate of what General McDowell McCook had to command.

Sunday passed away, and there was no appearance of General Early and his army.  Still the excitement in the city had not abated.  Our good President, I must tell you, was out along the lines nearly all day, with the apparent purpose of encouraging the feeble garrisons in the forts.

Early on Monday morning (the 11th of July, 1864), the smoke and dust of the rebel column rose in the distance, and was clearly seen from the defenses.  News of this soon spread about, and our cavalry got more and more excited, and went galloping out and then came galloping in at an increased rate of speed.