was a place of mystery; and save for the periodical passage

opening fire at long range from favorable places where they lay

concealed. This fire did us little harm, but it had the effect of

making our progress so slow that the patience of every one but

General Rains was well-nigh exhausted.

About 2 o'clock in the afternoon we arrived well up near the base of

the range of hills, and though it was growing late we still had time

to accomplish something, but our commanding officer decided that it

was best to go into camp, and make a systematic attack next morning.