Under these circumstances I had to trust to the horse, without guidance, to keep the road.

I had not gone far, however, when I met General W.H.L.Wallace and Colonel (afterwards General) McPherson coming from the direction of the front.

They said all was quiet so far as the enemy was concerned.

On the way back to the boat my horse's feet slipped from under him, and he fell with my leg under his body.

The extreme softness of the ground, from the excessive rains of the few preceding days, no doubt saved me from a severe injury and protracted lameness.