One day the order came to go, but not to St.Louis, where Halleck, now in command, was.

Instead they were to enter the mountains of West Virginia and Kentucky, and help the mountaineers who were loyal to the Union.

If they accomplished that task with success, they were to proceed to the greater theatre in Western Kentucky and Tennessee.

It was not all they wished, but they thought it far better than remaining at Washington, where it seemed that the army would remain indefinitely.
Colonel Newcomb, who was sitting in his tent bending over maps with his staff, summoned Dick.
"You are a Kentuckian, my lad," he said, "and I thought you might know something about this region into which we are going." "Not much, sir," replied Dick.

"My home is much further west in a country very different both in its own character and that of its people.
But I have been in the mountains two or three times, and I may be of some help as a guide." "I am sure you will do your best," said Colonel Newcomb.