Page:History of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry in the War Between the States.djvu/28

22 The captured horses and mules were distributed ratably to the quartermasters of the several regiments of Stuart's command. Some arms, which had been captured, were also distributed. The fact that we would fight was now fixed upon the minds of our commanding officers, and never afterwards doubted. The pride of officers and men was excited, confidence in the leadership of Stuart established, and, though this delicate plant matured so suddenly, in all the after trials of the war, it showed no signs of decay.

A proposal to form a company selected from the best men of the regiment, to be placed under command of our adjutant as captain, met such determined opposition from the officers, that it was abandoned.

The quiet of camp life was unbroken until the close of June, then rumors of a great movement among our troops became rife. The near approach of the enemy's lines to Richmond, and the reported strength of the opposing armies produced a seriousness amongst officers and men that had not been seen before: It indicated no feeling of fear but revealed clearly that the impression was general that we were on the threshold of great dangers.