Such night marches from the presence of an enemy are among the most wearing and trying in the soldier's experience, yet, in spite of the temptation to invest them with extraordinary peril, they are rarely interfered with.

It is the uncertainty, the darkness, and the effect of these upon men and officers that make the duty a delicate one.

The risk is more from panic than from the foe, and the loss is more likely to be in baggage and in wagons than in men.

I have several times been in command of rear-guards on such occasions, and I believe that I would generally prefer an open withdrawal by day.

It is not hard to hold even a bold enemy at bay by a determined brigade or division, and a whole army may be saved from the exhaustion and exposure which rapidly fill the hospitals, and may cost more than several combats between rear and advance guards.
My brigade remained two or three days at Camp Lookout, where we were put upon the alert on the 7th by a reported advance of the enemy, but it amounted to nothing more than a lively skirmish of some cavalry with our outposts.