Of course I knew that the armies were about to meet for battle! And it was only two days ago that I heard the Winchester regiment had come west to join General Buell's army." A stalwart and powerful colored woman emerged from the darkness and put her arm around Mrs.Mason's waist.
"Don't you get too much excited, chile," she said soothingly.
Juliana stood beside her mistress, a very tower of defense, glaring at the soldiers about them as if she would resent their curiosity.
"I thought I would come and try to see Dick," continued Mrs.Mason.

"My relatives sought to persuade me not to do it.

They were right, I know, but I wanted to come so badly that I had to do it.

We slipped away yesterday, Juliana and I.We stayed at a farmhouse last night, and this morning we rode through the woods.

We expected to be in the camp this afternoon, but as we were coming to the edge of the forest we heard the cannon and then the rifles.