128 WHIP AND SPUR. 



nished, and abundantly stored camp-chest that 

 had just arrived from St. Louis. So far as the 

 comforts of a home for five youngsters can be 

 stored in one mule-wagon, we were well supplied 

 for a campaign of any length ; and judging from 

 the mess-tables to which we were invited, others 

 of the command were no less well provided. In 

 due time we reached the town of Ripley, a rather 

 pretty New-England-looking village, but, like all 

 Southern towns at that time, entirely devoid of 

 men and overflowing with women of the most 

 venomous and spiteful sort, who did all in their 

 power to add to the interest of the Sunday even- 

 ing we passed in their company. 



We had some light skirmishing on our arrival, 

 but whoever it was that attacked us withdrew 

 and left us in undisturbed possession of the com- 

 fortable rooms and fireplaces of the town. Our 

 next day's march brought us to a large open 

 plantation on a commanding hill, whence our 

 evening scouting-parties soon found the enemy 

 posted in some force and apparently disposed 

 for an engagement. 



