We had fallen back from the line of Mason’s and Munson’s hills, and were camped well in the rear of Fairfax Court House, which now constituted our most advanced outpost.
The army were fortified at Centreville. We had got tired of waiting for McClellan to make the advance for which we were so eagerly ready. We were evidently preparing to go into winter quarters.
We of Stuart’s cavalry were still posted six or eight miles in advance of the main army; but after our summer, passed twenty miles in front, we felt snug and comfortable at “Camp Cooper.”
Nevertheless, when I saw three rockets—red, white, and blue—go up far to the front, it occurred to me that the fact might mean something.
At any rate, I was lonely on post. I had sung “Juanita” under my breath,—and that it wasn’t permitted to sing out loud on post was probably a rule not made with any invidious reference to my voice, though it might well have been,—I say I had sung “Juanita” under my breath till I had exhausted the capabilities of entertainment that reside in that tender musical composition.
So, for the sake of diversion, if for nothing else, I called out: “Corporal of the guard, post number six.”
When the corporal came and I reported what I had seen, he moodily growled something about there being no orders to “report on Yankee fireworks.” Nevertheless, he communicated my report to higher authority.
Fifteen minutes later a hurried messenger came, summoning me at once to General Stuart’s headquarters, half a mile in front.
Mounting, I rode at a gallop. That was the only gait which Stuart tolerated, except in going away from the enemy.
As I rode out of camp I heard “Boots and Saddles” sounded from all the bugles of all the regiments.