Here, west of the Alleghanies, the men in blue were always expecting to win.
The sky was sown with stars, casting a filmy light over the marching columns.

Dick was with the troops passing to the right, and he observed again their springy and eager tread.
Nor was the night without a lively note.

Skirmishers, eager riflemen prowling among the bushes, fired often at one another, and now and then a Union cannon sent a shell screaming into some thick clump of forest, lest a foe be lurking there for ambush.
The reports of the rifles and cannon kept every one alert and watchful.
Early in the night while it was yet clear Dick often saw the flashes from the firing, but, as the morning hours approached, heavy mists began to rise from that region of damp earth and great waters.

He shivered more than once, and on the advice of Sergeant Whitley wrapped his cavalry cloak about him.
"Chills and fever," said the sergeant sententiously.

"So much water and marsh it's hard to escape it.