I left this regiment as a post-garrison at Charleston till it could be relieved by another, or till my success in reaching Gauley Bridge should enable me to send back a detachment for that post, and, on the 26th July, pushed forward with the rest of my column, which, now that the First Kentucky had joined me, consisted of four regiments.

Our first night's encampment was about eleven miles above Charleston in a lovely nook between spurs of the hills.

Here I was treated to a little surprise on the part of three of my subordinates which was an unexpected enlargement of my military experience.

The camp had got nicely arranged for the night and supper was over, when these gentlemen waited upon me at my tent.
The one who had shown the least capacity as commander of a regiment was spokesman, and informed me that after consultation they had concluded that it was foolhardy to follow the Confederates into the gorge we were travelling, and that unless I could show them satisfactory reasons for changing their opinion they would not lead their commands further into it.

I dryly asked if he was quite sure he understood the nature of his communication.