At last we reached headquarters.  Thomas reported to an aide, giving him the note.  I was admitted, still under Thomas’s guard, before the general.  He was surrounded by many officers and couriers and orderlies.  The aide approached the general, who turned and looked at me.  The general held the note in his hand.

“What is your name?” he asked.”

“Jones Berwick, Jr., sir,” said I.

“What brigade?”

“McGowan’s.”

“What state is McGowan’s brigade from?”

“South Carolina.”

“What division?”

“Wilcox’s.”

“How many brigades are in that division?”

“Four, General.”

“Name them.”

“Lane’s, Scales’s, Thomas’s, and McGowan’s.”

“From what states?”

“Lane’s and Scales’s are from North Carolina.  Thomas’s brigade is from
Georgia.”

“When, did you leave the reb—­when did you leave the enemy?”

“This morning, sir, before daylight”

“You say that a movement was in progress?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What?”

“General Lee’s army was moving up the river, sir.”

“Up what river?”

“The Hedgeman.  The North Fork.”

“You say the army?  General Lee’s army?”

“Yes, sir; all but Longstreet’s corps, which has gone to Georgia.”

“Did you see the other troops?”

“Yes, sir; all of the Second and the Third corps.”

“Did you see both corps?”

“I was in Hill’s corps, General, and Ewell’s passed Hill’s in the afternoon of yesterday; Ewell’s corps was many hours passing.”

The officers standing about were attentive, even serious.  General Meade’s face showed interest, but not grave concern.

“How can I know that you are not deceiving me?”

“I have nothing on me to prove my character, General, but there are some officers and men in your army who would vouch, for me if they were here.”

“Who are they?”

“General Morell is one, sir.”

All the officers, as well as the general, now stared at me.  I saw one of them tap his forehead.

“What are you to General Morell?” asked the commander.

“General Grover also would vouch for me, sir.”

“You do not answer my question.  Answer promptly, and without evasion.  What are you to General Morell?”

“Nothing now, sir.  Our relations have ceased, yet I am sure that he would know me and believe me.”

“What are you to General Grover?”

“He knew me, General”

“Well, sir, neither General Morell nor General Grover is now with this army.  You have a peculiar way of calling for absent witnesses.”

“I believe, General, that General Fitz-John Porter would bear me out.”

“General Porter is no longer in this army.”

“Then General Butterfield.”

“General Butterfield is no longer in this army.”