Long columns of wagons were made ready and orders were issued for the vanguard of cavalry to start at an appointed time.
Then, to the intense disappointment of the valiant young troops, the orders were countermanded and the whole army settled back into its quarters.

Dick, who persistently refused to be a grumbler, knew that a cause must exist for such an action, but before he could wonder about it long Colonel Winchester told him, Warner and Pennington to have their horses saddled, and be ready to ride at a moment's notice.
"We're to be a part of General Sheridan's escort," he said, "and we're to go to a little place called Charlestown." The three were delighted.

They were eager to move, and above all in the train of Sheridan.

The mission must be of great importance or the commander himself would not ride upon it.

Hence they saddled up in five minutes, hoping that the call would come in the next five.
"Did Colonel Winchester tell you why we were going to ride ?" asked Warner of Dick.
"No." "Then perhaps we're going to receive the surrender of Early and all his men." Dick laughed.
"I've heard that old Jube Early is one of the hardest swearers in the Southern army," he said, "and I've heard, too, that he's just as hard a fighter.