“'Yes, he seems to be of that impression. I think I may, perhaps, relieve his mind somewhat,' said the General, with a smile.
“The General telegraphed Capt. Day at Dolensburg to report at once to him at Gen. McGregor's Headquarters, Army of the East. The preliminaries being arranged, all were to be ready early the next morning. The General and Capt. Jackson having arranged and got ready their proper uniforms, horses, mess-chest and everything that would be required in the field, they spent the evening quietly. The Doctor was very sleepless, and suffered more than usual, but was thought not to be in any immediate danger. My wife and Jennie were now also quite recovered.
“The next morning, the General having procured a car for their horses, camp equipage, etc., they took leave of the family, who were in tears, the two little girls, Mary and Jennie, crying aloud. As the General, Capt. Jackson and Ham walked away, Aunt Martha called after Ham:
“'Now, Ham, ef you eber spects to see me agin, don't you forgit your prares ob a night, and de good Laud will fotch you back ef you do dat; but He let you git kill like a cat when you done forget it. Do you mine me, Ham?'
“Turning to me, she continued: 'I 'spect de rebs git dat darky,' then going to the kitchen she gave vent to her grief. The poor old woman felt as badly to part with her Ham as did Mary in parting from her General, but gave expression to it in her own simple way.
“The General, Jackson and Ham arrived safely at the headquarters of Gen. McGregor, which were in the valley to the north and east of Cochineal Mountains. His commands of infantry and artillery were variously located on the mountains and in the valley, with his cavalry at Pottstown. It so happened that one of the division commanders had been taken seriously ill, and was sent to the rear. This gave an opportunity for Gen. Anderson to be placed in command of a good division at once. To Anderson's great delight Gen. McGregor ordered him to take command of this division. Having reported, he sent immediately for all the commanding officers of the division and made their acquaintance. He was greatly pleased with them and they with him. He learned all he could in so short a time about the troops, and at once took measures to put them in good condition. In a few days Capt. James Day reported, and the General's military family was organized, he having taken an Adjutant-General from the command.
“The army was now being rapidly put in good shape; a complete re-organization was being effected, and all were feeling less discouraged. They seemed to well understand that there was to be a great battle fought, and the imperative necessity for a victory by our forces East at this particular time.
“The enemy found means by which to pass the obstructions in his way, and moved through the country in different directions. Finding that the movements of our army were slow, he seemed to feel that there was no immediate danger of a serious engagement. But the surrender of our forces under Gen. Milo (who died immediately afterwards) so elated the rebel army that they were determined to attack our forces whenever and wherever opportunity offered. Both parties were, however, maneuvering for some advantage; the General of the rebel forces holding McGregor off until his force under Wall could come up from Brown's Ferry. The cavalry of both armies were now scouting continuously for many miles on the flanks of the armies. The pickets were out quite a distance in advance of the opposing forces. No conflict had yet occurred between any of the outposts. Finally the commander of the rebel forces selected his position and gave challenge to our forces, with his rear to the Grand River, covering two main roads leading to the rear, his front facing the winding course of Antler's Run, his right resting on a bridge at the main crossing, his center occupying a ridge commanding the open fields in his front, the right of his left and right center resting on the junction of the two main roads, his extreme left refused so as to form an angle at his left center, extending along and through a skirt of heavy woods; his reserves to the rear on the roads, so as to be thrown easily to the center or either flank in case of necessity; the country to his front, right and left being very uneven, full of gulches and ravines, difficult of passage, especially under fire. So posted he flaunted the rebel flag in the face of our army, although at this time his main support had not arrived from Brown's Ferry. But no doubt existed in his mind, I presume, as to their coming up in good time. McGregor did not then seem inclined to accept the challenge, His command was moving slowly. Farlin, still in command of a corps (for shame be it ever to our indulgent chiefs), was some distance away and did not arrive on that day. So the armies rested. In the meantime Gen. Anderson was eager for the fray. He visited Gen. McGregor's headquarters and indicated his desire to bring on the engagement, saying very soon the enemy would be so securely posted that it would be exceedingly difficult to dislodge him. To this McGregor replied that he could not risk a battle without Farlin's forces being up and in readiness to support our line.