Having brought them to the front, however, we must leave
them there, the quartermaster with his spy-glass keeping a sharp
look out for any stray craft that might appear in the offing.
I have been thus minute in describing these forces, in order that
you may form a just estimate of what General McDowell McCook had to
command.
Sunday passed away, and there was no appearance of General Early and
his army. Still the excitement in the city had not abated. Our good
President, I must tell you, was out along the lines nearly all day,
with the apparent purpose of encouraging the feeble garrisons in the
forts.
Early on Monday morning (the 11th of July, 1864), the smoke and dust
of the rebel column rose in the distance, and was clearly seen from
the defenses. News of this soon spread about, and our cavalry got
more and more excited, and went galloping out and then came
galloping in at an increased rate of speed.
Then the enemy's long, thin line of skirmishers debouched into the
fields, like specter figures in a panorama. Next his artillery was
seen moving to the right and left, and apparently taking up
positions on the distant hills.
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