We thought our work was done, and that the day was over, for the last enemy in sight we had seen disappear over the hill in front; and I expected to see
General Lee's army marching up to take possession of the field.
As I looked over the work of our advance with this expectation, I could see nothing but dead and wounded men and horses in the field beyond us, and my heart never in my life sank as it did then.
It was a grievous disappointment.
Instantly men turned to each other with anxious inquiries what to do, and a number of officers grouped together in consultation,
Captain Fry,
Captain Douthat,
Adjutant Harris, and myself, who are above noted, amongst them.
No field officer appeared at this point that I could discover.
We promptly decided to send a courier for reinforcements.
No mounted man was there.
‘Big Foot
Walker’ was dispatched on that errand.
Fearing some mishap to him, for shots from the artillery on our right, from the enemy's left, were still sweeping the field, we in a few moments sent another courier for reinforcements.
We were so anxious to maintain the position we had gained, that we watched the two men we had sent to our rear across the field, and saw them both, the one after the other, disappear over the ridge from which we had marched forward.
