My pursuers dashed on across the field, firing at the vedettes as they went. The reserve was immediately in saddle, and returned the fire of the enemy. The chase now turned the other way, and the rebs were pursued by our pickets.
I kept on making a detour around to the rear of the reserve post before coming up, lest, from the confusion and excitement, I should again be fired at. Nearly all the reserve had joined in the chase, and but three or four men remained on the post.
As I came up to the rear of them, without any challenge to halt, "Bang! bang!" went their pieces.
"What in hell and d—nation are you doing?" I shouted. "You are determined to shoot me!"
"That's Bunker!" said one.
"No, by G—d, it a'n't!" said another, bringing his piece to a ready.
"For Christ's sake," I shouted, "don't shoot again! Are you determined to kill me?"
"Don't shoot! It is Bunker!" said the others. By this time they were convinced who it was, and allowed me to come up.
The alarm did not stop with the pickets, but extended across the river. An entire brigade turned out under arms, and orders were dispatched all along the lines to be in readiness to repel an attack from General Johnston.
I requested to be immediately sent to General Osterhaus, under guard, agreeable to General Grant's instructions; but the Lieutenant refused to let me go until daylight, and then sent me in without guard.