A group of officers, including Colonel Winchester and the three young members of his staff, walked forward through the woods, taking the chance of stray shots from sentinels or skirmishers.

But they knew that this risk was not great.
They passed near a mill, its wheels and saws silent now, and presently as the moon rose they saw the square white walls of a building shining in its light.
"The Dunkard church," said one of the officers.

"I think we'd better not go any closer.

The Johnnies must be lying thick close at hand." "The dim light off to the right must be made by their fires," said Colonel Winchester.

"I wish I knew what troops they are.