“We want information,” said the general, after he had sent an aid to General McClellan to announce his intention to attack the enemy at the earliest dawn.
The commander of the first army corps always wanted information, for he never moved in the dark. His brain and his arm were twin brothers in the conflict. Somers and Barkwood volunteered to procure the information, and left the headquarters for this purpose. It was useless to attempt to penetrate the heavy picket line of the rebels in the cornfields, and they descended the hill beyond a farm-house, till they came to a ravine through which flowed a considerable volume of water.
“Here’s our chance,” said Somers, in a low tone.
“That’s so; but you know I am a great coward, and this looks like risky business,” replied Captain Barkwood.
“If you are, I think there is no need of more than one of us going through.”
“O, my dear fellow, I will go with you.”
“I think it would be safer for us both to separate here.”
“I agree with you.”
“Then I will take this ravine, and you may see what you can find farther to the north.”
“Good! Now be scientific, my boy; we want to know the topography of the country as well as the position of the enemy.”