From this point I will drop the cloak of an observer and narrate events as they followed fast upon each other.
After leaving General Foster's tent I went to inquire after McClandish. I found him with his wounds dressed, and though weak from loss of blood and exhaustion, he had recovered enough to give me some pieces of information I wanted.
My preparations were not extensive, but included the writing of some letters to be left with General Foster and sent by him to various friends in case I did not return.
Just as I was turning in for a few hours' sleep, Major Larrabee, who shared my tent, came in. We talked awhile on the outlook of affairs, then I told him that I had been ordered to the Capital with dispatches and was to set out at daybreak.
Joe had a cup of coffee ready for me before daylight showed itself, and as I finished it he brought around Bagdad, ready saddled. I had not thought of it when giving my orders the night before, but as the horse gave a glad whinny of welcome, I quickly decided to leave him to await my return and take a less valuable horse. I knew that in a few hours I would have to change to a fresh one and it would not be likely that once left I would ever see him again.
I was soon on my way. I carried dispatches to General Pennington and Colonel Barbour, and important papers which I was to deliver to the Commander-in-Chief, wherever he might be.
The sun was just up when I reached the headquarters of General Pennington and delivered the dispatches. I learned there that the troops had been moved; that the Commander-in-Chief was near R——, so instead of going on toward Washington I turned off and saved considerable time by going across the country.
I found the general headquarters on a slope about three-quarters of a mile south of R——. Without hard riding I reached there before nine o'clock. As I dismounted an orderly took my horse and called another, who conducted me past the trim sentries and across the tent-outlined square to the tent of the Commander-in-Chief. He was ready to see me and in less than half an hour I had delivered the papers and was on my way to Washington, where Colonel Barbour was to meet me and deliver the dispatches which he and General Pennington wished to send back to General Foster, so saving me the trip out to get them.
I found the roads so filled with vehicles of all sorts, mingled with cavalry and foot soldiers, as to be almost impassable in any direction, and at places they were completely obstructed, but by taking side paths I was able to keep my horse at a fair speed.
At four o'clock I was to meet Colonel Barbour at Willard's and in the meantime I had enough to do.