116 WHIP AND SPUR. 



and, could we effect a junction with Sherman, 

 we should enable him to divide the Confederacy 

 from Vicksburg to Atlanta. One of the most 

 brilliant and damaging campaigns of the war 

 seemed ready to open. Its key lay in our suc- 

 cessful engagement, on a fair field, with an infe- 

 rior force. Yet all of us who were in a position 

 to know the spirit with which we were com- 

 manded were conscious of a gradual oozing out 

 at the finger-ends of the determination to make 

 a successful fight ; and it was a sad night for us 

 all when, at West Point, with our skirmish-line 

 steadily engaging the Rebel outposts, an order 

 came that we were to fall back before daybreak 

 toward Okolona. 



The brigade commanders and their staffs had 

 had severe duty in the scattered work of destruc- 

 tion, and even Max, tough though he was, had 

 been almost overworked with constant galloping 

 to and fro, and with the frequent countermarch- 

 ing our varying orders had required. Still he was 

 better than his comrades, and many a man was 

 anxious for his mount, should our retreat be 

 pressed. 



