108 WHIP AND SPUR. 



The river was still rising rapidly, and word 

 was brought that Karge, with more than half 

 the brigade, would have to make a detour of 

 fifty miles and cross the Three Forks of the 

 Obion far to the eastward, joining us some days 

 later, near Jackson. So we idled on, marching 

 a few miles each day, camping early, cooking the 

 fat of the land for our evening meal, cultivating 

 the questionable friendship of the Rebel popula- 

 tion by forced contributions of subsistence, and 

 leading, on the whole, a peaceful, unlaborious, 

 and charming picnic life. Finally, taking Karge 

 again under our wing, we pushed on, resolutely 

 and rapidly, over flooded swamps, across deep, 

 rapid rivers, and through hostile towns, to our 

 rendezvous ; whence, under the command of two 

 generals, and as part of an army of eight thou- 

 sand well -mounted cavalry and light artillery, 

 and all in light marching order, we started for 

 our more serious work. 



The chief in command was a young and hand- 

 some, but slightly nervous individual, who es- 

 chewed the vanities of uniform, and had about 



