The prophets, though their failure to foretell the coming event had cast them into disgrace, were still ready to volunteer an opinion.  They declared that the transports were bound to North Carolina, to follow up Burnside’s successes; but most of the men were content to wait till the future should develop itself.

The troops were eager for active duty, and if they could get into the field and strike a heavy blow at the rebellion, they did not care where it was.  They had unbounded confidence in the young general who was to organize victory for them, and they were willing to obey orders, and leave every thing to him.

It “thundered all around” them.  Roanoke, Pea Ridge, Newbern, Winchester, Donelson, were a succession of Union victories, which inspired them with zeal and courage to endure all hardships, and face any peril which might be in their path.

The transport descended the Potomac, and came to anchor in the bay, where they lay one day; the steamer then continued on her course, and landed her troops in Cheseman’s Creek, an indentation of the peninsula between the York and James Rivers.  After lying in camp a few days, they marched again, and Tom learned that the regiment was before Yorktown, which had been strongly fortified by the rebels to resist the advance of the Union army.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG.

What the army of the Potomac achieved and suffered before Yorktown, we must leave for the historian.  Our soldier boy was only one hero among thousands who toiled in the soft mud of the early spring, who watched and waited for the tremendous events which have now passed into history, and whose actors will be honored and remembered by future generations.

Tom Somers bore his full share of the trials and hardships of that eventful period; and when McClellan’s scientific engineering had driven the rebels from their strong works without a struggle to retain them, he moved forward with the gallant army.  “On to Richmond!” again sounded along the lines, and the soldiers toiled through mud and mire, hoping and expecting to strike the final blow that would crush out the rebellion.

Yorktown was evacuated.  The rebels were fleeing from their frowning batteries, and the order came for Hooker’s division to join in the pursuit.  At noon the brigade—­now under command of General Grover commenced its forward movement.

“Rather rough,” said Hapgood, as the regiment struggled on through the mire.  “Rather soft, I think,” replied Tom, laughing.

“I hope we haven’t got to march far through this mud,” added Ben Lethbridge.

“That will depend upon how soon we come up with the rebels.  If it rests with Hooker, I tell you he will get a fight out of the rebs, if such a thing is possible.”

After the regiment had marched five or six miles, the order came to halt; and the intelligence passed along the column that the cavalry had come up with the enemy, and were waiting the arrival of an infantry force to assist in the attack.