"We know pretty well what is doing at Washington, and though nothing has been decided upon, there is a party in favor of a landing in force here; and if so, we shall have hot work.

What do you say?
If you like, I will get you a commission and appoint you one of my aids-de-camp.

Your knowledge of the country will make you useful, and as Ashley has specially mentioned your name in one of his dispatches, you can have the commission by asking for it.
"If there is to be fighting round here, it will be of more interest to you defending your own home than in taking part in general engagements for the safety of the State.

It will, too, enable you to be a good deal at home; and although, so far, the slaves have behaved extremely well, there is no saying exactly what may happen if the Northerners come among us.

You can rejoin your own corps afterward, you know, if nothing comes of this." Vincent was at first inclined to decline the offer, but his mother and sisters were so pleased at having him near them that he finally accepted with thanks, being principally influenced by the general's last argument, that possibly there might be trouble with the slaves in the event of a landing in the James Peninsula by the Northerners.