The mortification of their defeat at Bull Run still hung heavily on their spirits, and they were panting for an opportunity to retaliate upon the foe, and win the laurels they had lost upon that disastrous field.
The prophets, though their failure to foretell the coming event had cast them into disgrace, were still ready to volunteer an opinion.

They declared that the transports were bound to North Carolina, to follow up Burnside's successes; but most of the men were content to wait till the future should develop itself.
The troops were eager for active duty, and if they could get into the field and strike a heavy blow at the rebellion, they did not care where it was.

They had unbounded confidence in the young general who was to organize victory for them, and they were willing to obey orders, and leave every thing to him.
It "thundered all around" them.

Roanoke, Pea Ridge, Newbern, Winchester, Donelson, were a succession of Union victories, which inspired them with zeal and courage to endure all hardships, and face any peril which might be in their path.
The transport descended the Potomac, and came to anchor in the bay, where they lay one day; the steamer then continued on her course, and landed her troops in Cheseman's Creek, an indentation of the peninsula between the York and James Rivers.

After lying in camp a few days, they marched again, and Tom learned that the regiment was before Yorktown, which had been strongly fortified by the rebels to resist the advance of the Union army..