Sheridan, even if you won't me."




CHAPTER XI

IN THE PRESENCE OF SHERIDAN


It had been dark for nearly an hour before we entered what was from all
appearances a large and populous camp. Hurried forward constantly,
closely surrounded by my guard, I was enabled to gain but an inadequate
conception of either its situation or extent. Yet the distance
traversed by our party after passing the outer sentries and before we
made final halt, taken in connection with evidence on every side of the
presence in considerable numbers of all the varied branches of the
service, convinced me we were within no mere brigade encampment, but
had doubtless arrived at the main headquarters of this department.

Although I noted all this in a vague way, so as to recall it
afterwards, yet I was too thoroughly fatigued to care where I was or
what became of me. Hardened as I had grown through experience to
exposure and weariness, the continuous strain undergone since I had
ridden westward from General Lee's tent had completely unnerved me. No
sooner was I thrust into the unknown darkness of a hut by the not
unkindly sergeant, than I threw myself prone on the floor, and was
sound asleep before the door had fairly closed behind him.

My rest was not destined to be a long one. It seemed I had barely