When they reach here they will be attached to the regiment of Colonel Winchester." Dick was overjoyed.

He had formed a strong liking for Major Hertford and he was quite sure that Warner and Sergeant Whitley would be with him.
Once more they would be reunited, reunited for battle.

He could not doubt that they would go to speedy action as the little town at the junction of the mighty rivers resounded with preparation.
When Colonel Winchester and the boy had saluted and retired from General Grant's tent they saw the smoke pouring from the funnels of numerous steamers in the Mississippi, and they saw thousands of troops encamped in tents along the shores of both the Ohio and Mississippi.

Heavy cannon were drawn up on the wharves, and ammunition and supplies were being transferred from hundreds of wagons to the steamers.

It was evident to any one that this expedition, whatever it might be, was to proceed by water.