Captain Auchmuty handed me an open note; I read from General Grover the expression used by General Morell.
"This is perfectly satisfactory, General," I said; "I will do my best for you."
"No man can do more. Now, come here. Look at this map, which you will take with you if you wish."
The general moved his seat up to a camp-bed, on which he spread the map. I was standing; he made me take a seat near him.
"First, I will show you generally what I want you to do; how you are to do it, you must decide for yourself. Here," said he, putting the point of his pencil on the map, "here is where we are now. Up here is Hanover Junction, with Hanover Court-House several miles this side--about this spot. You are to get to both places and find out if the enemy is at either, or both, and in what force. If he is not at either place, you are to move along the railroad in the direction of Richmond, until you find the enemy."
"Are there not two railroads at Hanover Junction, General?"
"Yes, the Virginia Central and the Richmond and Fredericksburg; they cross at the Junction."
"Which railroad shall I follow?"
"Ah, I see you are careful. It will be well for you to learn something of the situation on both of them; but take the Central if you are compelled to choose--the one nearest to us."
"Well, sir."