cheers. Two rifle-guns from our battery had been detached and sent
to join Longstreet's advance artillery, under General Stephen D. Lee,
moving into action on our right. I was "Number 1" at one of these
guns. We advanced rapidly, from hill to hill, firing as fast as we
could, trying to keep ahead of our gallant comrades, just arrived.
As we were ordered to cease firing from the last position we took,
and the breathless cannoneers were leaning on their guns, General
Lee and staff galloped up, and from this point of vantage scanned
the movements of the enemy and of our forces. The general reined in
"Traveller" close by my gun, not fifteen feet from me. I looked at
them all some few minutes, and then went up and spoke to Captain Mason
of the staff, who had not the slightest idea who I was. When he found
me out he was greatly amused, and introduced me to several others whom
I already knew. My appearance was even less prepossessing that when
I had met my father at Cold Harbour, for I had been marching night
and day for four days, with no opportunity to wash myself or my clothes;
my face and hands were blackened with powder-sweat, and the few garments
I had on were ragged and stained with the red soil of that section.
When the General, after a moment or two, dropped his glass to his side,
and turned to his staff, Captain Mason said:

"General, here is some one who wants to speak to you."

The General, seeing a much-begrimed artillery-man, sponge-staff in
hand, said:

"Well, my many, what can I do for you?" I replied:

"Why, General, don't you know me?" and he, of course, at once recognised
me, and was very much amused at my appearance and most glad to see