halted about a mile from Smithfield, and seeing | The negro looked alternately at the speaker something resembling a body of cavalry drawn up across the road a gun was sent for. It was posted and loaded, but a closer examination showed our enemy to be a six-horse team with a load of hay, and consequently the battery did not open.

As I was riding alone some distance in advance of the column, a tall negro man ran up and addressed me with great earnestness.

and at the armed host that was sweeping by with an expression of mingled perplexity and disappointment. His companions, although listening with open eyes, mouths, and ears, had scarcely caught the meaning of the soldier's remarks. They turned their chop-fallen countenances toward the big negro as if for further enlightenment.

He repeated, sadly, "Dey say dey ain't come to set us free.” A girl, with shining face and

“Oh, Sir, why don't you hurry on to Charlestown? Be quick, and you will catch the peo-yellow headkerchief, retorted, spitefully, "Den ple that hung that good man John Brown."

"Indeed, Uncle, and so you think John Brown was a good man and should not have been hung?"

"Yes, indeed, Sir. He was a man sent by the Lord to do justice on earth and give liberty to the oppressed, and I don't know how it happened after that the Lord permitted him and them that were with him to die in that miserable way."

The advance of the troops interrupted our conversation, and I rode forward a short distance to speak to a white man who sat on horseback near his gate. I found he was the owner of the slave who had first addressed me, and inquired of him with some feeling of interest, if he had observed any restiveness among his blacks since the National army had entered Virginia? He assured me, in a boastful tone, that he had never known them more contented and obedient, and had no fear that any of his would leave him.

what de debble dey come here for, I'd like to know, burnin' people's fences and spoilin' dere corn?" Knowing that according to the proclaimed policy of the Government fugitives would be returned to their masters from the camps, and that in a military point of view they could not be tolerated, I felt it my duty to explain to these poor creatures the true state of the case, and to recommend to them not to commit themselves by relying on a refuge with the army. The leader thanked me politely and slowly turned away, looking perplexed, like one who has been awakened from a long-cherished dream.

At the ruin of the old Episcopal Churchthe first built in the valley-the main column halted, and detachments were sent forward to the right and left to inclose the town and capture the militia, which were reported to be assembled there. The army entered Charlestown with drums beating, colors flying, and all the pomp of a grand review. The streets were silent and deserted, the houses generally closed, and only a few negroes and children appeared to witness the "grand entrée." As the column passed a Confederate flag was displayed from the upper window of a storehouse. The doors were instantly crushed in and the offensive emblem replaced by the Stars and Stripes. Oth

This was only an expression of the fatuity which seemed to have possessed the minds of most slave-owners of late years. No class of men had better opportunities of knowing that subtlety, the armor of the weak, is the especial characteristic of the hereditary slave. In the ordinary affairs of life they placed no reliance whatever on the sincerity of his expressed opin-erwise every thing was quiet. The sentiment ions, knowing they were invariably put forth to please and flatter the questioner, especially if he happened to be of the dominant race. Yet now, blinded by passion, they insisted that the slaves feared and hated the Yankees, and would not accept the boon of freedom if offered.

of the army was conciliatory, while, from terror or sullenness, very few of the inhabitants showed themselves on the streets. I assisted my chief in posting the troops as they came in, and at night, weary and dispirited, retired to our camp in a field beside the Harper's Ferry turnpike.

I found a practical commentary on this opin- July 18, Thursday.-I am informed to-day ion when I returned to the head of the column. that our movement from Martinsburg via BunAbout a dozen negroes, men and women, had ker's Hill to this place was a flank march to cover come out of the adjoining fields equipped for the transfer of our supply train to a new base traveling with their Sunday clothes and bun- at Harper's Ferry. The enemy's cavalry picked dles. They had evidently prepared themselves up a couple of our sutler's wagons yesterday. beforehand and waited the approach of the A reconnoitring party has moved out toward army. The spokesman among them was my Berryville. There was some spirited shellrecent acquaintance. He asked a soldier of practice this afternoon which sounded like a the Massachusetts regiment "if this was not the battle, while from the continual crackle of army that was come to set them free ?" The small-arms through the camps one might infer soldier replied, "No, my man, we have come there was a chronic skirmish on hand. One of here solely to execute the laws. To set you these desultory shots wounded a horse belongfree, or to do any thing contrary to the law of ing to Perkins's light battery. The Captain, the land, is not our mission. Go, therefore, who was fiery, loaded a section with canister serve your master faithfully, and be content to and turning the guns on the camp from whence know that you are in all probability better off the shot came, declared if another ball was under his protection than if you were free." | fired into his purlieu he would open on the

All the while our force, composed of three months' volunteers, was rapidly melting away. The time of nearly all of them had expired. One or two regiments turned back at Martins-greasy grievance and marched off as jauntily as burg before this march began. Three regiments left at Bunker's Hill, marching homeward while the guns were sounding at the front.

to join us. I was presented to my new companion, and we rode together to Harper's Ferry. To-day it was frankly revealed to me, for the first time, that a decisive battle was to be fought at Manassas Junction, and was probably in progress. The motive of our late movement was explained, as was also the fact that it had signally failed.

At Harper's Ferry head-quarters were established at the house of the Superintendent of the Armory, while the topographical party pitched their tents near the dwelling of the late paymaster. Some of the officers remarked that Uncle Sam had recovered his own again, but it was only the empty shell. A place more thoroughly gutted could not be imagined.

ain as soon as he espied us. The chase was immediately opened; a dozen of the Dutch sharp-shooters on foot, and the General with staff and orderlies on horseback, started in full cry after the fugitive. The chase, with all the dodges, leaps, and turns of pursuers and pursued, was in full view for half a mile. Dorrell ran like a buck, while the Dutchmen followed stanchly with whoop and halloo. The hunted party, however, had the advantage of speed and knowledge of localities, and finally escaped to the mountain. The other mower, with su

perior firmness or a better conscience, kept quietly at his work and was not even questioned.

Gathering up after this unsuccessful chase, July 22, Monday.-Warm rain. Lieutenant the detachment moved on several miles further Smith rejoined us to-day, the troops guarding to Neersville, a village of a dozen houses. Hero Keyes's Ferry having returned. The troops separating into two parties our escort took open whose terms of service have expired are leav-order and closed around the village, like Highing us by regiments, fording the Potomac above the island, every man and officer carrying with him some cumbersome memento of the campaign, in shape of a brick, a cannon-ball, or burned musket-barrel from the ruins of the Arsenal.

land hunters upon their game. Their rush into the town with fixed bayonets and a cheer was dramatic, and took the inhabitants by surprise. But one adult male was captured, who upon examination was found to be a lame idiot. Finding himself cornered he took off his hat I started with my commanding officer to re- and gave three cheers for Jeff Davis; but the connoitre the crest of Loudon Heights, where, strange oaths and menacing bayonets of the it is reported, the enemy had constructed some Teutonic guard convinced him of his mistake. block-houses. We took an escort of fifty sharp- He then volunteered three hearty hurrahs for shooters from Brigadier-General N's bri-Abe Lincoln, whereupon he was liberated with gade, the General and his staff accompanying the following commendation, "Dat's a coot us as spectators. Crossing the Shenandoah by feller; he's all right!" an unusual and very rough ford, we ascended the mountain by a winding road shaded by tall forest trees and bordered by the delicious wildbloom of the season. On the summit we found a cleared space of about twelve hundred yards in length by three hundred wide, with three block-houses so located as to flank and support each other. On the roof of one of these we took lunch, and while thus engaged were accosted by two citizens, who informed us that there was a picket of rebel cavalry in the valley below. It was determined to extend our reconnoissance in that direction, the Captain hoping to hear some tidings of the battle which was probably fought yesterday. We descended by a narrow path winding through dense thickets and scarcely practicable for horses. From the foot of the ridge we made our way across some meadows, fording a pretty stream, and finally reaching the main turnpike leading from Harper's Ferry, via Hillsborough, to Leesburg. Calling at a house we were answered by a country fellow, who replied to our questions in so vague and unsatisfactory a manner that he was taken into custody.

Moving on toward Hillsborough our guide pointed out two men mowing in a field. One of them, named Dorrell, he said, was a troublesome man, who had been very active in hunting up "volunteers" for the Confederate army. The man thus indicated justified the accusation brought against him by throwing down his scythe and fleeing toward the mount

Two miles beyond Neersville we found Dorrell's house. The proprietor was absent from home, of course, but our zealous Dutchmen searched the premises as carefully as if they expected to find him. The only opposition they met was from an old woman who cackled at them and a house-dog that barked. A volley of German oaths silenced the old woman and drove the dog under the house. The only practical result of this search was a huge black stallion that was found in the barn. This animal was led forth shining with fatness and faithful grooming, but with none of the bold, obstreperous airs of holiday fairs and militia muster-days. He appeared, on the contrary, with drooping head and tail between his legs, pulled, cuffed, and kicked by his captors, the most humble and cringing creature imaginable, doubtless fully appreciating the fact that he had fallen into the hands of the Hessians. Having accomplished this capture the expedition wheeled to the right about, returning through Neersville.

The cavalry post we had heard of had been withdrawn to Hillsborough. There were some vague rumors of a bloody battle near Manassas, with great loss on both sides. This report was so vague that it might have referred to the affair of the nineteenth. The inhabitants generally seemed well disposed, but they had no information of any importance. At Neersville the Federal oath of allegiance was administered to several citizens, including the principal

saddler and the idiot. This latter at the conclusion of the ceremony again vociferated for Jeff Davis, and was again obliged to change his tune. The orderly who led the newly-recruited horse helped himself to a halter that hung at the saddler's door, pleasantly suggesting to the proprietor that in recognition of the loyalty which he had just proved by taking the oath he would be permitted to contribute something to the great cause.

rocks, ruins and camps, appeared all glittering with the golden light. It was a scene of surpassing grandeur, and one calculated to bring into impressive contrast Infinity with the littleness of men.

We returned to Harper's Ferry, having successfully accomplished the serious object of the reconnoissance. If the farcical by-play which I have narrated had added nothing to the military prestige or moral force of the Government, it at least indicated what was to be the fate of the Border people during the coming wars.

July 23, Tuesday.—Clear and pleasant. Mr. Luce, the new draughtsman, who has been lost since Sunday, reported again to-day. I was pleased to find him a clever artist with his pencil. While he, Lieutenant Smith, and myself were amusing ourselves caricaturing each other, Captain Simpson appeared at the door of the tent looking very much flushed and excited. "Gentlemen," said he, "look at my countenance, and read the news."

A guard was sent to arrest a county magistrate named Price, charged with being a zealous administrator of Confederate laws and oaths of fealty to the so-called Government. When arraigned the magistrate firmly asserted his opinions, and was detained under guard. His son, who stood by, then voluntarily proclaimed himself a rebel, and was also taken into custody. I was touched with this exhibition of filial piety, and rode beside the young man for the purpose of relieving any apprehensions he might have in regard to the safety or civil treatment of his father. He recognized me and called me by name, asking why his father had been arrested. I replied, he had been guilty of high "We have been beaten at Manassas-beattreason against the United States in undertak- en disgracefully. The troops ran, and were ing to administer the laws of a rebellious gov-cut to pieces like sheep, abandoning artillery, ernment. The young man looked as if in a baggage, and every thing else in their panic.'

maze.

“The State of Virginia has ordered him to do it, and being a magistrate of the State, how can he refuse?"

I endeavored to explain to him the theory of National Supremacy as it had been taught to me; but he suggested a practical difficulty which the theory did not meet.

"Our State authorities," said he, "threaten us with confiscation and death if we do not obey them, and the United States menaces us with worse if we do. Now what in the name of God are we to do?"

"My young friend," I replied, "your question is a pertinent one, and difficult to answer. It is even now in process of solution, by the last argument of kings and governments. When that thundering debate shall have been closed we may be able to speak advisedly on this subject. Meanwhile, permit me to say that I have been touched by your manly bearing, and will interest myself to procure the speedy release of your father and yourself."

The expedition continued its movement by the Hillsborough pike toward Harper's Ferry. On a tree by the road-side was discovered a written placard ordering the assembly of the militia, and signed by a Captain Tevis. A military ruse was planned by one of the officers, which resulted in the capture of Captain Tevis (whose house was near at hand) and the confiscation of his military dress and equip

ments.

This exploit concluded the adventures of the day. The rain had ceased, and as we wheeled around the base of Loudon Heights a glorious sunset burst suddenly upon us. The whole western horizon was ablaze, while rivers and

"What is it? What of the battle?" exclaimed one and all.

But

The pencils were laid aside. Going up to head-quarters with our chief, we heard on all sides the fiery curses of rage, mortification, and disappointment. A proposition to march rapidly on Winchester with a column of five or six thousand men was under discussion. the decisive battle had been fought, and this tardy effort to retrieve error and disaster could have accomplished nothing to justify the risk. It was very properly dismissed. I did not forget my promise to the Loudon prisoners, who received some judicious counsel, and were discharged-all except the horse.

July 24, Wednesday.-Clear and warm. Our discharged troops are still streaming across the Potomac by regiments, homeward bound. I met some Union refugees from Martinsburg this morning, who told me that Allan's regiment had been dreadfully cut up at Manassas. They named among the killed several young men of my acquaintance and kindred. The bodies had already been brought home and buried. The whole county was in mourning.

The National cause was, for the present, entirely lost in Virginia. I foresaw the effect this victory would have upon public opinion, and trembled for the safety of my friends and family at Berkeley. Having obtained leave of absence, I started the same afternoon to visit them. At Sharpsburg I took supper, and, to shorten the next day's ride, pushed on seven miles further, to Jones's tavern, on the Hagerstown road. I was informed that I could be comfortably lodged there if I could succeed in arousing the landlord, who was notoriously sleepy-headed. I got to the house about ten P.M., and spent the next hour shouting and pounding at the door. My perseverance was

at length rewarded, and I got fairly to bed at hazard a battle, or to defend Winchester at eleven.

MIDSUMMER.