naturedly at us from their fields, door-yards and piazzas, as we passed silently on.

There are numerous comfortable and handsome mansions in this vicinity. The soil and climate are highly favorable to agriculture, and the associations of the route gave a peculiar interest to the march. But the most of the mansions and plantations were deserted, their late occupants having taken service in the rebel army.

As our troops passed from the open country into the woody interval occupied by the works of Big Bethel, they found that the enemy had deserted them. This was rather a surprise to us; for, after the boasting we had heard that the chivalry never would run, whatever might be the odds against them, we expected, of course, they would make a stand here — especially as their works were strong and well surrounded for defence.

There were five breastworks in the fortification, each a few rods in length. Three of them mounted one gun. The other two were of greater dimensions, mounting six guns each. On the right flank was a dense grove, which afforded material protection. The broad space in front, a part of which was marshy and miry, sloped toward the York river, and was fully commanded by the guns.

It was soon perceived that there were armed rebels on the opposite shore of the stream. A few shots sent among them by our sharp-shooters caused a speedy stampede. In their flight they attempted to tear up the planks of the intervening bridge; but a few more shots taught them to be more accommodating to travellers. The planks partially removed were soon replaced; but the rebels had gained so much the start, and ran so fast, our men could not catch them.

In one of the contiguous houses a trick was discovered, which, considering it was done by a chivalrous Virginian, is almost equal to anything of the kind achieved by a despised 'Yankee.' As our troops. entered they were accosted by the lady occupant: "What do yer want here?"

"We are looking for rebels, madam.”

"Well! there ain't none in this house! An' you'n better clear out, mighty quick!"

"It is our orders to search every house, madam; and we cannot leave until we have searched yours."

"Sarch my house, yer mean Yankees! I should like to see yer do it!"

"You will have that pleasure, then, madam; for we shall certainly look through your premises, from garret to cellar."

"Yer will? Well, if yer will, yer must.

But'n yer

won't find nobody 'yere but a pewer old sick un."

"Is it a sick man, madam ?"

"No! yer 'quisitive critters! It's my husband's aunt Betty. Been sick for goin' on ten yeres." "Where is she?"

"Up charmber, there!"

Without more ceremony our troops passed into the attic, and there, between the sheets, half-hidden by a bed-rid crone, they found an armed rebel, lying at his length, with his boots on! He had not even taken the trouble to brush them, nor in any way to arrange his dress as he sought his couch, being covered from head to foot with spatterings of mud and water. The 'sleeping beauty,' as our men called him, was tenderly rolled out on the floor, and made a prize of war.

ON

CHAPTER XIV.

AT YORKTOWN.

"With common men

There needs too oft the show of war to keep

The substance of sweet peace."

King Henry VIII.

N the 15th of April, 1862, the national troops advanced from Old Point Comfort, Virginia, where they had landed from Washington, toward Yorktown. This memorable spot, it will be recollected, is the site of the surrender of Lord CORNWALLIS to General WASHINGTON, near the close of the Revolutionary war. It is one of the oldest towns in the country, the capital of York county, and situated on the right bank of the York river, about seventy miles south of Richmond. English settlers first reached there in the year 1705. It was once quite a flourishing place; but the deleterious influences at work have been its bane for more than a century. It now numbers only forty houses within its precincts. The position is commanding, especially with refer

ence to the passage of vessels, and the rebels had resolved to make the most of it. They threw up strong entrenchments, mounted some of the largest guns they could command, especially those stolen from the United States Navy Yard at the contiguous port of Norfolk, and garrisoned it with about ten thousand picked troops, under Magruder, one of their most energetic and unscrupulous commanders. This arrant traitor had served for many years in the Union army, had received his education at the national military school, at the expense of the American people, and, with all his crude vagaries, was considered one of our best artillery officers. He was one of those common, artful men who keep up a seeming of war by means of bluster; who love to fire guns for the mere purpose of making a noise; and who hold a continuance of peace by a show of power which they do not possess.

It was emphatically so at Yorktown. But the Union army, not being aware how comparatively inferior the defences and small the garrison of Yorktown really were, passed on to its conquest with almost its entire strength.

The advance was begun on the 4th of April, with General Morrill's brigade, of General Porter's division, in the night; two companies of the Third Penn