...d in the midst of the terrible heat I hurried on over the turnpike. My bay had begun to pant and stagger at times; but there was no time to think of his condition. I had undertaken to deliver General Beauregard 's message; and I must do so, on horseback or on foot, without loss of time. I dug the spur into my panting animal and rushed on. At Millwood some citizens gathered in the middle of the street ...