Then the roads became blocked with all manner of rickety vehicles,
many of them of the most primitive description, filled with the
families and furniture of peaceable farmers, who had left their
homes in fear of the approaching rebels. A more grotesque picture
than was presented by this anxious train it is impossible to
conceive.






CHAPTER XII.

THE GOVERNMENT GETS AGITATED, AND THE GREAT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF TAKES
THE FIELD.





THIS, my son, is a portrait of General Auger, a dashing, handsome
officer, and a courteous gentleman. He commanded the department of
Washington during the memorable siege I am describing.

As I have said before, my son, as soon as it was known that General
Wallace had been driven back on Baltimore in search of rations, and
General Early was close upon Washington, the government waked up to
the fact that the capital was in danger, and began to take measures