DON G. LOVELL
The Sixth had gone about 250 or 300 yards and was approaching a fence which divided the farm into fields, when Captain Don G. Lovell, who was riding by the side of the commanding officer of the regiment,[19] suddenly cried out:
"Major, there is a mounted man in the edge of the woods yonder," at the same time pointing to a place directly in front and about 200 yards beyond the fence.
Captain Lovell was one of the most dashing and intrepid officers in the brigade. He was always cool and never carried away with excitement under any circumstances. It is perhaps doubtful whether he could have maintained his customary imperturbability, if he had realized, at the moment, just what that lone picket portended.
A glance in the direction indicated, revealed the truth of Captain Lovell's declaration but, recalling what General Custer had said, I replied:
"The general said we might expect some mounted men of the Seventh from that direction."
"But that vidette is a rebel," retorted Lovell, "he is dressed in gray."
"It can't be possible," was the insistent reply, and the column kept on moving.
Just then, the man in the woods began to ride his horse in a circle.
"Look at that," said Lovell; "that is a rebel signal; our men don't do that."