A wagon-master from our camp had gone out hunting for forage, which was very scarce.

He soon came back in excitement, reporting that he had come upon an encampment of a regiment of the enemy between our camp and New River and somewhat in our rear.

His report was very circumstantial, but was so improbable that I was confident there was some mistake about it.

He was, however, so earnest in his assertions that he could not be mistaken, that McCook, in whose brigade he was, sent out an officer with some men, guided by the wagon-master, to verify the report.

The story was confirmed, and the matter was brought to me for action.