CHAPTER 10
Friendly FireIt was beginning to grow light in the east. The Lieutenant ordered us to divide the rations up evenly among ourselves. We were to take only what we could carry, which included powder and shot. The rest we would sink in the river.
I stuffed every pocket lining and belt with cornmeal and dried beef, as did the others. The Lieutenant had an extra burden with his map making instruments. We covered the fire with dirt and pulled our cart, bearing the excess baggage, to the river, weighted it with stones, and shoved it in.
We recrossed the river on a series of exposed rocks. The level of the river had dropped in spite of the rain the night before, and the Lieutenant informed me that it appeared to him that Virginia was subject to drought, especially in late summer, and
