silent query—the trap at my feet began slowly to lift!

very skillful corps of millwrights, machinists, and millers, detailed

principally from the Fourth Iowa and Thirty-sixth Illinois volunteer

regiments, we soon got matters in shape, and were able to send such

large quantities of flour and meal to the front, that only the bacon

and small parts of the ration had to be brought forward from our

depot at Rolla. When things were well systematized, I went forward

myself to expedite the delivery of supplies, and joined the army at

Cross Hollows, just south of Pea Ridge.