No one was heavily encumbered, as we expected to return to Springfield before the following night.

Midnight found us in a hay-field, four miles from the Rebel camp.

There we rested till morning.
On the previous night I had been almost without sleep, and therefore took speedy advantage of the halt.

Two journeys over the Plains, a little trip into New Mexico, and some excursions among the Rocky Mountains, had taught me certain rules of campaign life.

I rarely moved without my blankets and rubber "poncho," and with a haversack more or less well filled.