"I had surgeon's leave to precede my regiment on account of my health, General."
"And this is the way you take care of your health, is it, by lying out in the woods in the rain?"
"It was a month ago, General, that the surgeon dismissed me, and I am now fully recovered."
General Davidson looked serious. "You were at Newport News on day before yesterday?"
"I was near Newport News, sir, at the Sanitary camp. General McClellan had just arrived at Fortress Monroe; so I heard before I left."
"And what are you doing here? I think you have the Southern accent."
"I have been told so before, General; but I am not a Southerner; I came out to observe the rebel lines."
"By whose authority?"
Now, I could have told General Davidson that I had had a pass, signed by such an officer; but I feared to do so, lest some complication should arise which would give trouble to such an officer, for Dr. Khayme had not fully informed me about my privileges.
"It was only a private enterprise, General."