General Foster's brigade took the advance, having with it a battery of twelve-pounders from the fleet, to operate on the enemy's front. General Reno followed, with orders to penetrate on the left the frightful lagoons and thickets which protected the enemy's flank. A third column, under General Parke, brought up the rear.
General Foster rode forward with his staff into the woods, and made a reconnoissance. The line of pickets opened to let the brigade pass through. Not a drum was beat. Slowly, in silence, occasionally halting, regiment succeeded regiment, in perfect order, with heavy muffled tramp.
Along the forest road they passed, the men laughing and joking in high spirits, as if marching to a parade. The still, beautiful light of the innocent morning silvered the trees. The glistering branches arched above; the glistening stream of steel flowed beneath. Wreaths of vines, beards of moss, trailed their long fringes and graceful drapery from the boughs. The breeze shook down large shining drops, and every bush a soldier touched threw off its dancing shower.
"'And Ardennes waves above them her green leaves, dewy with nature's tear-drops, as they pass,'" remarked Seth Tucket.
"Come, none o' your solemncholy poetry to-day," said Jack Winch. "I never felt so jolly in my life. There's only one kind of poetry I want to hear, and that's the pouring of our volleys into the rebels."
"The pouring of their volleys into us ain't quite so desirable, I suppose," said Harris.
"There wouldn't be much fun without some danger," said Jack.
"If that's fun, I guess Winch 'll have fun enough before we're through with this job," remarked Ellis.
"What a long road it is!" cried Jack, impatiently.
"We'll come to a short turn in it pretty soon," said Atwater, significantly.