The order to march soon came, and it was welcome. The regiment, or rather what was left of it, promptly embarked upon one of the river steamers and started northward.
As they stood on the deck and looked down at the yellow waters in which Dick had swum on his trusty plank Warner said:
“I've news of importance. It arrived in a telegram to General Grant, and I heard it just as we were coming on board.”
“What is it?” asked Dick.
“General Lee was defeated in a great battle at a little place called Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, and has retreated into Virginia.”
“Gettysburg and Vicksburg!” exclaimed Dick. “The wheel has turned nearly 'round. The Confederacy is doomed now.”
“I think so, too,” said Warner.
CHAPTER XII. AN AFFAIR OF THE MOUNTAINS
Although they were on board one of the fastest steamers in the Union service, Dick and his comrades had a long journey by river. But it was not unpleasant. They enjoyed the rest and ease after the weeks of fighting and service in the trenches before Vicksburg. The absence of war and the roar of cannon and rifles was like a happy dream between days of fighting. As they went northward on the great river it almost seemed as if peace had returned.