CHAPTER VIII.
A Council of War—Observations at Daylight—The Second Day in the Wilderness—Not to Fall Back—The Rebel Yell—The Third Day—Custer at Work—An Ideal Cavalry Officer.
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T daybreak we expected to renew the Battle of the Wilderness—if the rebels did not pitch into us again during the night. The enlisted men of our company held a council of war before any of them availed themselves of the privilege of turning in for a snooze.
“I wonder if the Johnnies will skedaddle before morning?” said one of the boys who had been back at Ely's ford and had not participated in the first day's fight.
“You had better take a sleep. We'll call you if the enemy shows up before reveille.”
“All right, here goes. I can sleep one night more with a clear conscience, for my hands have not been stained with the blood of a single enemy.”
Of course, these remarks were made jokingly. No matter how serious the situation might be, there was always a disposition among the soldiers to make light of it. After the “re-enforcement” had retired the council was continued.